Resetting Lady

Raymond’s handling of the mansion wasn’t exactly smooth, but it wasn’t the worst either. Since the two of them weren’t using most of the mansion, there wasn’t much to take care of.

The servants’ quarters were mostly empty, and there were no guests, so he only needed to tidy up the areas that they regularly used. However, the luxury of their life had significantly declined compared to before.

The first problem was clothing.

“I’m truly sorry, Carynne.”

Carynne knew she just had to accept Raymond’s apology, but when she saw the pile of fabric in front of her, she couldn’t say a word.

It was her best dress, the one she usually wore when she first met Raymond, a dress with layers of frills underneath. It wasn’t just about its appearance—it was lightweight and provided good insulation, so it was one of Carynne’s favorite dresses.

However, she would never wear this skirt again while she was alive.

It had already turned into a pile of fabric that couldn’t even be called clothing.

“How exactly did you wash it?”

“With your working clothes, Sir Raymond?”

“…Yes. That’s right.”

Carynne wasn’t a laundry maid, but she at least knew that you shouldn’t wash clothes like this.

Unlike work clothes, which could withstand tough treatment, delicate fabrics like women’s dresses should be handled with care.

Most clothes were only lightly cleaned and then disposed of when they got dirty because damaging delicate fabrics was usually irreversible.

“Did you wash it with the clothes you wear while working?”

“…Yes.”

Washing such a dress with working clothes in a makeshift washing area resulted in a terrible outcome. The dress was completely distorted, and the dull color of the work clothes’ water had seeped into it.

“……”

“I’ll buy a new one soon.”

“……”

She had to say that it’s okay, that it’s not his fault.

Not knowing something wasn’t a mistake. He immediately acknowledged his mistake and promised to make amends. She should answer, ‘It’s fine,’ and move on.

“……”

Carynne couldn’t bring herself to answer so easily. If he was her attendant, she would have scolded him, and if it was Isella instead, she would have fired the servant right away.

But the person in front of her was Raymond. Carynne opened her mouth, but no words came out.

“…I’m very sorry.”

“…Never mind.”

That was the best she could do.

In the end, Carynne couldn’t bring herself to say that it was okay. She understood it logically, but her emotions were still slighted.

Loving Raymond and dealing with this situation were two separate matters.

That night, Carynne turned her back to Raymond and fell asleep.

“I’m sorry.”

“I know, Raymond.”

“……”

Raymond remained silent.

Carynne searched all one hundred and seventy rooms in the mansion, but she couldn’t find any clothes that suited her taste. When the employees left, they took everything with them.

“It’s okay…”

Carynne reassured herself as she looked at herself in the mirror wearing the plain and black attire of a common maid. She wasn’t wearing an apron over it, but the rough fabric remained the same.

Carynne felt a creeping, ominous foreboding.

The second problem was more serious.

It was about their meals.

Carynne loved delicious food. She much preferred gourmet food and appreciated the pleasures of gastronomy. One of Raymond’s greatest charms was his house, the Tes Mansion, which had in it its kitchen staff.

They worked wonders with the grains and livestock from the rich, fertile soil of this territory. Their skills were superb, but the ingredients were of such high quality in this region that Carynne had come to adore this land itself.

The grand dining hall could accommodate dozens of people, but now, it was a space reserved for Carynne and Raymond alone.

The dazzling sunlight streaming in from the large windows enveloped the entire dining area warmly, and dining together alone at the long and large table had its own charm.

Furthermore, the person sitting in front of her was someone with whom she could share a meal comfortably regardless of the conversation. That was an essential condition for a delightful mealtime.

However, Carynne couldn’t bring herself to pick up her fork and knife.

“…Does it not suit your taste?”

“No, it’s fine. Thank you for your hard work.”

Carynne answered quietly as she silently sliced her meat. The plates pleased her. The plates, made of cast iron, and the meat were maintaining just the right temperature. It was hot, but the meat’s doneness was perfect.

As she cut through the meat with a satisfying sound, the red center revealed itself, cooked to perfection.

“I’m glad.”

Carynne cut a piece and put it into her mouth. It had been cooked with a young lamb.

In truth, it could hardly be called cooking. It was simply boiled and seasoned with salt and pepper. But the meat’s quality was so good that there was no hint of gaminess, and it was tender.

It might be a simple preparation, but it was still enjoyable…

“It tastes good.”

…If only it hadn’t been served for breakfast.

“But, Sir Raymond, I’m worried that you’re working too hard. You don’t have to go this far from now on.”

Carynne rarely ate breakfast. If she did, it was usually just milk or tea, and a few snacks to tide her over. She wasn’t an exceptional case with this, and most of the breakfasts served in noble mansions were quite simple, even for the servants.

“It’s okay. My satisfaction comes from seeing you enjoy your meal.”

“……”

How touching.

Raymond’s offerings consisted solely of meat, meat, and more meat. Even then, it was simply boiled, roasted, or poached meat.

Carynne found it rather grim that the only side dish that accompanied the meat was baked potatoes at best. This made her feel like she was in a monastery rather than a grand mansion.

“…Sir Raymond.”

“Yes, Carynne.”

“Do you usually have meals like this in the military?”

“Usually, it’s much worse than this.”

“…It’s delicious. I appreciate it.”

That’s not what she was actually getting at. Sighing quietly, she continued to cut the meat.

When Carynne didn’t respond, Raymond suggested again.

“I had to prepare everything in a hurry, so all we had for bread was some stale baguette. I thought it would be better to focus on the meat instead.”

“Don’t we have any flour?”

Raymond stiffened at Carynne’s question.

“I’ll make sure to learn how to bake soon.”

So he had some more ingredients, but he couldn’t make anything else.

Carynne looked at the meat without looking at Raymond.

Raymond himself was a nobleman, so he must know what ordinary meals for the aristocracy were like. However, since he wasn’t in a position to entertain others on a regular basis, he was putting forth his best efforts based on his own standards.

Why don’t you just call the chefs back in?

Carynne bit back the words that were right at the tip of her tongue. She stared hard at Raymond without speaking.

“Next time, I’ll have the porter bring biscuits and bread.”

But the porter’s arrival was still far off. Carynne felt disheartened at the thought of continuing to eat such meager meals for a few more days.

“Please… and thanks.”

Carynne forced a smile and replied to Raymond. Her smiling face seemed like it might twitch at any moment. But Raymond was the one making everything, cleaning everything, and even paying for everything, so it was hard to complain.

“If there’s anything you find uncomfortable, please tell me right away. I’ll do my best.”

Carynne had to swallow the scream rising from her throat as she looked into Raymond’s earnest gaze.

It was a quiet meal in the palatial mansion.

The third problem was that Raymond was too busy.

Raymond forcefully made sure to spend at least two hours a day with Carynne, playing chess or having conversations while strolling in the garden. But anything beyond that was a stretch.

Cleaning the house, preparing meals, spending time with Carynne, and handling the estate’s paperwork already filled his entire day. After dinner, he continued to receive and organize documents, send missives to different places, and even more.

“I thought you retired?”

“I didn’t only handle military affairs.”

“You had other duties, too?”

“Yes.”

He gave a brief answer and then surprised himself by opening up a little more.

“I still have to oversee some matters related to the Marquis.”

Living in seclusion within the mansion did not mean they had been completely disconnected from society. However, Carynne herself was detached from society, and Raymond was her only tether.

“Please, endure it for just one year.”

But for Carynne, that period felt like it would never end.

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