TMRDWMP CH 4

Chapter 4

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Riella

The road from the train station square to the lodging was short but lively enough to delight the eyes. The dinner at the inn when after returning was also satisfying.

Monica pondered the young man named Louis as she fell asleep, but she completely forgot about him the next morning because of the interview. Madam Oran had told her that the family she would be working for was called the Mollet family. The Mollet family’s mansion was in a corner of the district of grand mansions Louis had pointed out, and required a long walk uphill from the beach.

Under the blazing sunlight, her taffeta dress felt unbearably stuffy. She had never imagined the seaside sun could be this harsh.

I should have bought a hat at least!

But the only hat Monica owned was a fur hat she wore in winter, and even that was very worn out. Monica resolved to buy a splendid hat as soon as she received her first salary. As she walk towards her destination, noble ladies were walking on the beach with their beautiful parasols.

Maybe a delicate parasol covered with Torchon lace wouldn’t be bad?

Then her thoughts drifted to the small wooden peg jutting from the opening of her worn handbag.

I should buy a bag as well.

Anyway, she had very many things she wanted to buy.

Panting, Monica eventually reached the grand mansion. There she met Madam Mollet and she was a very wonderful person. Her kind-looking face, gentle smile, and elegantly coiled brown hair were part of it, but so was the fact that she offered iced tea to a mere prospective governess.

“It’s hot, isn’t it? Please, drink.”

“Oh my...”

Monica was at a loss, seeing the transparent ice in the reddish tea water. Ice in this weather.

Even His Majesty in the capital is said to treat ice as something precious.

Yet this lady offered it freely even to a commoner girl attending a governess interview. She must be extraordinarily generous. Of course, the Mollet family’s wealth must have played a part. Their estate was among the largest even within the mansion district Monica had climbed through.

Madam Mollet was very used to people reacting as Monica did, and took a sip of her teacup first with a smile on her lips. Only then did Monica hastily pick up her teacup. She belatedly wondered if she had been too undignified, but the moment the cold ice touched her lips, such thoughts melted away like snow.

“How refreshing...”

“I was surprised when I came to La Spezia too. Ice in the middle of summer.”

Madam Mollet put down her teacup and smiled. While Monica quenched her thirst, the madam explained how passionately the people of La Spezia had dedicated themselves to developing a cellar that could keep the air cold even in summer.

“They use alcohol, don’t they?”

“Oh my! How did you figure that out so quickly?”

Covering her mouth, Madam Mollet widened her eyes.

“My husband has explained it a hundred times, and I still don’t understand.”

“It’s thanks to your kind explanation, Madam.”

“How sweet of you. Now I feel reassured entrusting Martinel to you.

Martinel was the name of the Mollet family’s second, late-born son whom Monica would be looking after. When she mentioned Martinel’s name, an unusually warm light shone in Madam Mollet’s gentle black eyes. It was obvious how much she loved her son.

“He is the child who came to me during my hardest time. People think I’m pitiful for worrying about Martinel because of his frailty, but that was a mistake. I quickly forgot any pain in my heart while caring for my lovely Martinel.”

She’s a very optimistic madam.

“How old is he?”

“He’s ten years old. Excuse me, but what should I call you? Miss Offe—”

“Please call me Monica.”

“How kind. How old are you, Monica? I heard from Madam Oran, but my memory isn’t very good these days.”

Madam Mollet kindly called Monica by her first name and smiled. Monica smiled brightly.

“Oh, I am twenty-two.”

“Oh my, you’re the same age as my daughter.”

Madam Mollet’s daughter was still unmarried. Considering that noblewomen typically married around the age of twenty, it was surprising. But Madam Mollet shook her head.

“It happened because the war dragged on. It worked out well for me, though. Isn’t it wonderful that I can enjoy more time with my daughter? But my child is too kind...”

The madam began to talk about her lovely daughter, Riella. She said Riella was like an angel, always diligent, and that people liked her too. Before the ice in her teacup had completely melted, Monica learned that Miss Riella Mollet was very skilful with her hands, had dark eyelashes that made her look like a doll every time she blinked, and possessed a very graceful demeanour.

“She even says she doesn’t want to get married and wants to live with me forever. She’s quite childish for her age, too.”

Monica smiled back.

“I understand. If I had a mother like you, I’d want to be with her forever, too.”

“Oh my, are you perhaps...”

Madam Mollet covered her mouth in surprise. Monica quickly blinked her eyes.

“My parents have passed away.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Not at all. I’m used to it now.”

Madame Oran had probably not mentioned that Monica was an orphan. She now found herself liking Madame Oran a little more. No, not just Madame Oran.

Inside the room she was sitting in, the inner walls were covered with blue silk wallpaper, adorned with beautiful portraits and decorations. Reddish bookshelves and chairs were intricately carved with classic vine patterns. It was truly a magnificent mansion, even at a glance.

Not only that. The kind madam sitting in front of Monica was also pleasant. Monica suddenly felt intensely envious of Miss Mollet, whose face she hadn’t even seen yet.

That young lady, who had nothing in common with Monica except being the same age. How wonderful it must be! To live in a mansion like this with a mother like that. That young lady, who spends her time reading expensive books while casually sipping iced tea, surely wouldn’t want to get married. Because if she married, she would have to leave this mansion and her mother.

Then, Madam Mollet suddenly reached out and took Monica’s hand. Monica’s eyes widened in surprise. The madam softened her eyebrows and whispered gently.

“I like you, Monica. You seem like a very bright and wonderful young lady. I’m sure you will take good care of Martinel.”

“You are too kind.”

“If you don’t mind, you can think of me as a mother while you are in this mansion. If you have any problems, be sure to tell me. Understood?”

Monica was overjoyed. While the offer to regard her as a mother was likely just a courtesy, Madam Mollet’s words meant she could work as a servant in this beautiful grand mansion.

“I’d like to introduce you to Martinel first, but now is his nap time.”

“I see. A proper nap is essential for a growing child.”

“Oh my, people in the capital are generally negative about naps.”

“People in the South always take a nap on hot summer afternoons.”

Madam Mollet stood up, Monica also hastily stood up and the madam gestured to a maid.

“Go and show her to the room next to Martinel’s. And Monica, this is Maria. If you give Maria your lodging address, she will bring your luggage from the inn.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, and your salary...”

Monica tensed her shoulders. Madam Mollet smiled faintly at Monica’s reaction.

“I will give you 500 shillings a week.”

She tried her best not to be surprised, but it was utterly impossible.

500 shillings a month would have been more than enough!

The wealthy family seemed to have deep pockets. Seeing Monica’s green eyes widened like saucers, Madam Mollet winked.

“Young ladies your age has a lot of expenses, don’t they? You’re the same age as my daughter, so I can’t help but be concerned.”

“Thank you, Madam. Truly, thank you.”

“The pleasure is mine. Please take good care of our Martinel.”

500 shillings a week. That was over 10,000 shillings a year. Even the best governess in the capital wouldn’t earn that much.

Monica desperately tried to calm her shoulders, which were trembling with joy. She felt like the maid, Maria, was looking at her with envy..

With my first week’s pay, I’ll order summer clothes! And a hat too.

Following Madam Mollet out of the room, her chest was wildly thumping. How much would a summer dress cost?

Should I only embroider the bust area? No, if I put a blue ribbon around the waist, it won’t cost much...

Floral or striped fabrics might be too expensive, but an undyed ivory or solid linen dress would be affordable enough. The current fashion is to have the hem of the dress lightly touch the floor, but that quickly wore out the lace, so only very rich young ladies could wear it.

Although it would be an ordinary dress that gently grazed her ankles, Monica was confident she could still order a very pretty one.

“Monica, I’ll introduce you to Martinel at dinner.”

“Would that be alright?”

Her mind was entirely filled with thoughts of new clothes. But she did not forget her duty as an employee. At the invitation to dinner, Monica clasped her hands together, looking embarrassed yet grateful. It was customary for nobles to have dinner only with family or very close friends.

“Of course. For my precious Martinel...”

“Ma’am!”

A young boy’s clear voice, and a contrasting title, rang out. At once, Lady Mollet’s expression softened with unmistakable warmth. Monica knew it was Martinel before she even turned around.

“Martinel! You’re awake. And Riella too?”

The madam’s two children had come together.

“Perfect timing, Martinel. This is...”

Hearing Madam Mollet introducing her, Monica turned, slightly bent her knees and bowed her head in greeting. She didn’t forget to slightly lift her dress. It was the Southern-style greeting she had practiced all night yesterday. Madam Mollet continued with a satisfied voice.

“This is Monica, who will be taking care of you.”

“Hello...”

Monica finished her greeting and raised her head, flinched. Before her stood a young boy with brown hair and sparkling black eyes. A boy who was the spitting image of the madam.

But what surprised Monica was not the boy.

It was the beautiful maiden standing behind the boy. No one would doubt that the maiden was Miss Riella Mollet.

Her hair was a similar brown to the madam’s, but her eyes were grey. Her plump cheeks, as if she were holding a candy, exuded elegance. She was a lovely young lady in a fashionable pink striped dress.

“...You.”

A face Monica knew.

“You’re smart and pretty. I get scolded by the director every day... I’ll never get a chance. Because I’m a stupid, useless girl! But you’ll have another good chance, won’t you?”

Lizzie. Lizzie Offen.

The girl Monica could never forget, even in her dreams, the girl who had once shared the same surname as her, stood there before her.

Chapter 3

Chapter List

Chapter 5