READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 10 - While He Was Away
While Master Alexis was away, I went to visit Rosie every day.
Master Alexis said that her illness could never be cured, but Rosie seemed to be getting better with each passing day.
“It’s all thanks to Mistress Sara! All the people in the estate are talking abouthow the items embroidered by Mistress Sara become talismans warding off injury and disease!” Rosie said with excitement. She was sitting on a chair instead of being in the bed like before, wearing not loungewear, but a loose cotton dress I have made for her.
Incidentally, that dress had an embroidered pattern of four leaves running around the hem.
After Master Alexis left to subjugate the demons, I found myself thinking about him.
About what he could be doing, would he get along with the rest of the troops while being called by the title of “Ice Count,” whether he had encountered any silver wolves or ogres yet, and whether he was in any danger…
I was so spaced out even Johnson worried about me.
I knew this was not good, so I decided to spend my free time embroidering in order to distract myself from the loneliness of not having Master Alexis around.
Before I knew it, I found myself in a mountain of piled up handkerchiefs, cushions, purses and tapestries with no place to put them. I asked Lady Margaret for advice and she suggested, “Why don’t you put them up at the charity bazaar?” She quickly talked to the person in charge and secured a place for me.
Before I knew it, the people who bought my things at the bazaar for some reason started spreading rumors that my crafts were talismans warding off evil. But I had no magical powers, so there is no way I could have the power to ward off anything.
I got worried that history was repeating itself once again. It was at a charity bazaar that I got the title of “Seamstress.” If I were to be called a “Seamstress Countess” in Searfield, I would be embarrassing not only myself, but also the Count, Master Alexis…
So when Rosie looked at me with reverence in her eyes, I rushed to deny it.
“It, it’s not a big deal like that. I have no magical powers… But I am glad that you are now able to get up, Rosie.”
“Yes, recently I feel like I’m somewhat getting better. Maybe I’m cured already.”
Undoubtedly Rosie’s cheeks, so sunken when we first met, have returned to their previous softness and her complexion seemed to have improved.
But her limbs were still as thin as a bird’s and she still coughed when talking with too much excitement.
I relaxed my face and laughed.
“Don’t push yourself just yet, Rosie. With a weak body you need to recover with baby steps. First, you need to make sure you have a healthy diet.”
“Waah… I understand, Mistress Sara.”
Rosie has always been a picky eater and after becoming ill she has even less so of an apetite than before. But after she was able to get out of bed, she started eating vegetables and meat.
The nearby farmers, Ben and Bernard, often brought freshly picked vegetables for Rosie, so the food at the villa was very tasty. Since Master Alexis left to subjugate demons, I often found myself eating lunch and dinner with Rosie there.
“Keep it up, Rosie!”
As I encouraged her to eat, I started hoping that at this rate she might actually recover from her illness.
✧✧✧
Back at the castle, Johnson greeted me with a beaming smile. “Welcome back, Mistress.”
“I’m back, Johnson. You look happy. Did something good happen?” I asked. He took my coat and pointed at his black tie.
I made and gave it to him the other day as a thank-you for all the kindness he had shown me in the castle. Butler’s ties were usually not very extravagant, but for a hard-working Johnson I had embroidered on it the crest of the Middleton house in a silver thread on the dark black cloth. He seemed very pleased with it.
“Yes. Ever since the Mistress gave me that gift the other day, amazingly, it’s as if my shoulders have become lighter… It seems to be true that Mistress’s embroidery has a power to ward off evil.”
“Ah, even you…? I don’t have that kind of power. I don’t have any magical powers at all.”
“Is that so? It doesn’t seem that way to me…”
“It must be your imagination,” I laughed it off.
Johnson was Master Alexis’s faithful butler, so of course he would show favoritism towards me, Master’s wife. It was probably that which made him see me in a favorable light.
Johnson bowed reverently.
“I see, Mistress. But it is undoubtedly true that your crafts are popular among the people of the County. I was told that many are already looking forward to the next sale at the bazaar. I’m sure it will become a hotly contested affair.”
“Ah… Really? Then I will have to put a lot more on the display.”
“No, that’s… Mistress, you need a bit of a break. Haven’t you been working diligently since the Master has departed for the front?” Johnson hurriedly reminded me.
“I’m fine. Embroidery helps me take my mind off things.”
“But if the Mistress gets sick, I will be scolded by the Master.”
“Oh, Johnson, you are all jokes today. That sweet Master Alexis wouldn’t scold you just for my sake, would he? Besides, I am fine.”
I smiled at Johnson and headed for the sewing room.
Behind me, I thought I heard a sigh, “…I hope it will end with just a scolding…,” but it was probably just my imagination.