Be My Heroine 50
HE LAUGHED AT ME (2)
“Uwwwaaaa, Beth’s too fierce….”
Julia cried out loud without actually shedding any tears. She busily wiped the glass window with her hands. Ann, while wiping a vase beside her said,
“She didn’t fire you because it was you.”
Despite her scolding, Beth was generous with the three maids she shared a room with. Though she may be unaware of this fact, it was still true.
It was a well-known fact that only Beth was ignorant of.
“Beth is cold even towards friends ~ , of course, that quality of hers is also good~”
What Ann said went in one ear and out the other. Instead, Julia whimpered more loudly.
“Forget it, Ann. Julia is always like that.”
Catherine arrived with a basket filled with delicious, soft potato bread. When the other two saw that Catherine had brought food, they realized it was three o’clock in the afternoon on Wednesday. Every week, Catherine would bring a new treat at this time.
There wasn’t a special reason. It was just the chef would make something with ingredients that were no longer fresh and feed it to the workers. This would happen every Wednesday. Beth didn’t intervene either. She naturally felt,
Wouldn’t it be better if it was eaten instead of wasted?
It was quite a contrast from the previous Earl. So unknowingly, her approval rating with the staff rose.
“Here, take a break and eat.”
“Mm.”
Catherine squatted on the floor and handed out the potato bread one by one. Only then, did they both wipe their hands on their aprons and sat down.
The bread was quite large. In the basket there was also some slightly hardened ham and jam which paired nicely with the bread. After they huddled together and effortlessly smeared jam onto the bread and placed ham on top to eat, they started chatting.
“Then, Beth and Lord Kedrick are not in that sort of relationship? At all?”
Unexpectedly, the one who asked was Ann, the one who reproached Julia a moment ago. Though she told Julia not to say such things recklessly, it was in fact her that was most curious.
Julia just took a big bite stuffing her mouth full of bread so she just nodded up and down like a baby rattle.
“So that’s the reason why all the guys are excited?”
“Beth has a strange charm to her.”
“Yes, yes.”
It was not like there were no other maids that were more attractive than Beth. For example, though her hands were a bit rough, there was someone with bronzed skin, big eyes, and an upright nose. Another had thick lashes and hair as soft as clouds.
Yet, strangely, they felt attracted to Beth. She didn’t seek favors from anyone and would actually feel annoyed at the prospect. The more others were affectionate towards her, the more burdened she felt. Everyone truly loved and trusted her.
As a matter of fact, some guys felt it was a good thing that it was difficult to ask out Beth.
For a while, Catherine hadn’t smeared jam on her bread. She shook her head. Whether Beth had a man or not, none of those fellas had a chance. All they could do was drool. Maybe this was why today they were gathered together chatting and giggling about how it was a good thing Beth and Kedrick were not in a relationship.
Once again Catherine realized there were no men at the mansion worthy enough to even be counted.
“Really, though, all the men here are useless…. Whether it’s the face or personality.”
What sort of person was Beth? She was a woman who went against the previous Earl, exposed his lies, and made the abused and neglected young lady, lady over the Gordon territory, all by herself. Furthermore, she became the Gordon representative even though she was a commoner –an impossible feat— and continued to manage everything so well.
Though Catherine was a commoner, no, because she was aware of her commoner status, her gratification and satisfaction level increased day by day.
Now there will even be a school for the common citizens.
The last time Beth skipped lunch while working, Catherine brought some snacks and subtly inquired about the school. Because of her greed, she thought as long as it wasn’t too expensive she would like to enroll her siblings.
When asked how much, Beth looked at Catherine with a face saying ‘how can you ask such a foolish question’ and replied. But when she asked the price, Beth looked at her with a ‘how can you ask such a foolish question’ look and answered:
“After establishing the school, it will run on taxes, so they would only need to pay for the learning materials.”
Catherine fell victim to Beth’s overwhelming charisma and charm at that time. A rush of emotion arose in her. Even now, while she bit into her bread covered in jam, her body trembled.
No matter what gender one was, Beth would be a charming and attractive person.
Would there be any use if Kedrick was replaced by some other man? Nothing happened despite leaving him, who has a crush on her, by her side. No one could say anything.
“Still isn’t Tom quite good?”
Tom was the only employee in the mansion who actively pursued Beth. Ann dragged his name into the conversation. Recalling how Tom was always rejected by Beth, Julia answered.
“Tom has a sick old mother.”
“Heard that most of the money he earns is spent on medicine, right? Seems like he loves his family very much.”
“Beth wouldn’t like such a man.”
“Mm, That’s for sure.”
Marrying such a man, while still working, one would be swept away from all the housework. Katherine had a former best friend who married into a family with a sick old mother. She heard that her friend lost ten kilos from such a distraughtful marriage.
After that, there was no more news from her friend.
Catherine hummed and hawed, swallowed the bread and said.
“I don’t think Beth will marry before the head. (master/ owner).”
“But then she will be past the prime age to marry.”
“Actually, she should begin to think about it now.”
In Innomore, the lawful age for an adult was sixteen. And generally many would marry between the age of sixteen and twenty-two. The maids, who were of legal age to marry, nodded their heads while chewing their bread.
“Don’t say this to Beth.”
Even if they said anything to Beth, she would only question why they wasted her precious time on such idle talk.
Everyone remained silent with an affirmative head nod. But upon hearing a cheerful voice, their hearts trembled.
“Tell Beth what?”
It was Claire.
“My La, Lady!”
The trio placed their bread into the basket while they scrambled to their feet. While their heads were bowed, Claire blinked her large eyes and observed the three older women.
“Did I interrupt?”
“No, not at all.”
“It’s okay for everyone to sit.”
“It’s all right!”
Ann turned red and lightly cleared her voice after she loudly interjected. Claire, who noticed that, giggled.
“What, lead the young lady here?”
“Ah!”
Claire clapped her hands as her eyes twinkled.
“Something very important! I have something to ask!”
“Yes, please ask, young lady…”
“Is there a person you guys like? Or a lover… Or a fiancé? Or…is anyone married here?”
“……?”
“….?????”
“….Pardon?”
As it wasn’t the type of question for Claire to ask, they could only look back at Claire with bewilderment.
* * *
Beth twirled a pen.
‘Recently Claire had been asking every employee the same questions.’
Whether they had someone they like or a lover or got engaged for were already married. It was Claire’s biggest concern as of late.
It was not because she was ready to enter the world of love, rather it was because of ‘Diar’s Blessing’.
Kedrick seemed like he, too, was reminded about the report on Claire, as he stopped assisting Beth with work and started chuckling.
“Looks like I will need to prepare lots of flowers this year.”
“Are you talking about the red and white flowers?”
“I thought you weren’t interested, but it seems like you know about that?”
“Because it’s a national event. I shouldn’t be ignorant of it. Instead, please review the ledgers.”
Amusingly, a few years back Beth didn’t even know the name of the land she resided in. No one knew this about her at the mansion. Well, except the previous head maid, but she was replaced to remove any supporters of the previous Earl. So Beth could be shameless
No, even if there was someone, Beth would still act shamelessly.
Beth stopped mindlessly twirling her pen, and moved on to checking ledgers and signing documents. But her main focus was all on ‘The Diar’s Blessing’.
[The Diar’s Blessing]
It was a phrase that was repeated constantly in the novel Beth read in her previous life. Diar was the only God, only belief in this world. Even so, Beth didn’t understand what the hell it had to do with her. Why did every citizen unitedly set up this festival?
In fact, it was decreed that any war should have a ceasefire on the day of the Diar’s Blessing festival.
But Beth really couldn’t see the connection between Diar and the Diar’s Blessing festival.
‘Aren’t they just looking for a reason to let loose?’
Whenever humans have spare time, they would want to laze around and play. Beth suppressed the urge to click her tongue as Kedrick was beside her working. So, she diverted her attention onto the next document. She was processing documents at an astonishing speed.
Children under the age of ten, wore masks, and ran around. Their clothes were mostly white. Other colors could be worn but white was predominately chosen.
Of course, Beth didn’t know why.
Not only that, those without a lover or ‘companion’, would exchange flowers. The women would wear white flowers in their hair while the men pinned a red flower on their chest. If a flower didn’t wilt even
If the flower didn’t wither even when it became dewy the next day, it was said they would last together.
This knowledge was gathered from three sources: what Beth read in the novel, what Daniel told her, and what Claire shared from what she read. Recalling this information, Beth frowned.
Really, she….
“I really don’t understand what the hell the connection is between Diar and the festival.”
She couldn’t understand it.
“Haha, it’s just them wanting to fool around so they found a reason.”
As he said something similar to the conclusion arrived by Beth, Kedrick smiled politely.
“Beth, do you not believe in Diar?”
“Mm…”
It would be embarrassing to answer that question straightforwardly, because, in this world, only the nomadic tribes were the ones who did not believe in God. In other words, if she said so bluntly, she would be considered a heretic.
So, in response to Kedrick’s question, she rolled her eyes, put her pen down, and said,
“…Where I grew up, there were no shrines nor anything related to Diar. So, I never had a chance to understand the meaning of God.”
With a small voice, Beth added, “And also the grace of God.”
Kedrick nodded his head.
“It is like that in the countryside at times. I’ve heard of small villages like that. Regretfully, though God is fair to all, the worshipers are only human.”
“Exactly.”
Because it was Kedrick, they could have an enjoyable conversation and have some laughs from time to time.
“You really are funny.”
“I didn’t mean to be funny.”
“Precisely! Isn’t that what makes it more hilarious?”
Kedrick placed the documents that he checked onto Beth’s desk and continued.
“If you are that interesting, then there will be even more people yearning without knowing their place.” (ie; If Beth was a person who can be entertained by such idle conversation, there would be many more after her)
“It doesn’t matter. Because you would stop them all before I made a move.”
“What if I am interested in you?”
Taking her eyes off from reading the numbers in the ledger, she looked at him indifferently. He flashed her a bright smile.
“Even if there was some self-interest, it won’t be towards me.”
“…..”
“That’s why I trust you.”
“I didn’t say that to earn your trust~.”
“Which makes me trust you more.”
Beth snapped the book shut and took out the purchase order for the flowers. Kedrick who had been working beside her thought for a moment and said.
“Beth, how about we exchange flowers at the Diar Festival?”
“Why?”
Towards her question, his usual smile bloomed on his face.
“To stop others before you would have to make a move.”
Because he maintained the same expression, Beth also replied with ease.
“Okay then, let’s do that.”
We are 1/4 of the way through this novel!
