“You’re in luck. We just happened to have one vacancy.”

“Ah…!”

Eloise’s face, which had been tense with her hands clasped together, suddenly lit up.

Her bright blue eyes were now twinkling with joy like stars.

In an office located inside a bead factory in Brightnum.

Mrs. Dunn, who introduced herself as the factory’s financial manager, said she had started as a day laborer here long ago and reached her current position.

Her consistently confident attitude clearly showed her pride in the factory.

“All the workers are women, so it’s quiet and the work is easy. The owner is also known for his generosity, so competition to work here is fierce, but you came at just the right time. Honestly, you won’t find a better job even if you search the entire city.”

“…”

“If you had missed this opportunity, you would have had to go somewhere much tougher. Like a meat factory, for instance…”

Despite her stern appearance, Mrs. Dunn was an incredible chatterbox, but Eloise listened attentively to her story, nodding her head vigorously.

The lady’s words continued endlessly.

“But these days, people are lining up even for jobs at meat factories. Workers are flooding in endlessly from the countryside and across the border. Do you realize how lucky you are?”

“…Then there must have been many hopefuls wanting to work here, so why are you offering the position to me?”

Eloise asked cautiously in a slightly lowered voice.

Having experienced several strange incidents since coming to the capital, she couldn’t help but feel a bit suspicious by now.

“The owner likes young ladies with neat appearances.”

“Pardon?”

“Even if we say we should hire someone with quick hands, he won’t listen at all… Anyway, just know that you’ve been extremely lucky.”

Eloise felt strange at those words.

A young lady with a neat appearance. Somehow, it felt like she had obtained the job in a less than fair manner.

Should I be happy about this? Among those who wanted this position, there might be people who are older than me, or too tall or short, or just have slightly longer hair than others.

What if there’s someone among them who needs this position more desperately than I do?

‘…No. I’m desperate too. There’s no reason not to seize this opportunity, whether it’s luck or whatever.’

While thinking this, Eloise suddenly became concerned about the word ‘owner’ that had fleetingly appeared in Mrs. Dunn’s words.

The men of Brightnum generally didn’t seem normal.

At that moment, as if reading her inner thoughts, Mrs. Dunn clapped her hands together.

“Oh! The owner is a busy person, so he doesn’t come to the factory directly. There’s a separate manager who supervises the workers. You’ll probably find it hard to even catch a glimpse of the owner’s face.”

“…”

While it was a relief to hear that, Eloise quickly waved her hands, worried that her expression might have appeared unfavorable.

It would be such a pity to ruin this golden opportunity by giving a bad impression.

“Um, I think there might be a misunderstanding. I didn’t mean to…”

“Then, as we discussed earlier, come in starting tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you the details tomorrow. Our female workers are all friendly.”

Mrs. Dunn ended the conversation before Eloise could finish her sentence.

Not only did she talk a lot, but her speech was also incredibly fast, leaving Eloise feeling dazed throughout their entire conversation.

She had secretly hoped to receive a tour of the factory interior, but it didn’t seem like that was going to happen.

‘Well, everyone did look busy when I caught a glimpse earlier. Anyway, tomorrow will come soon enough.’

Having come to that conclusion, Eloise slightly creased the corners of her eyes, putting on the kindest expression she could muster.

Recalling Sarah’s smile that had always been directed at her.

“Yes, Mrs. Dunn. Thank you.”

Of course, unlike her sister, with her naturally upturned eye corners, it wasn’t easy for Eloise to imitate Sarah.

The orange brick factory building wasn’t particularly large, but it had an inexplicable dignity.

After finishing the hectic interview and looking around the factory where she would start working tomorrow several times, Eloise couldn’t help but let out a silly smile between her lips.

Only after getting some distance from the factory did Eloise let out the cheer she had been holding back, jumping up and down.

“Kyaah! You did it, Eloise! You made it!”

A few passersby startled and glanced at her, but she didn’t care about that.

If she didn’t do this, she felt like her chest might burst from happiness.

Looking back, the process of coming to Brightnum had been quite reckless.

When she first arrived, she felt scared belatedly, and when she found out that Uncle Simon had moved away long ago, she felt like her world had turned white.

But now that she had safely found a place to stay and even such a good job after all the ups and downs, she felt overwhelmed, as if the whole world was cheering for her.

‘All by my own strength!’

Although she had experienced a few bizarre incidents that she had never encountered in Mayberry, this exhilarating feeling was something she could only experience here.

Eloise suddenly realized that the cozy and warm world she had belonged to until now was nothing more than a tiny fish tank.

And she felt suddenly fortunate to have left that comfortable fish tank and come out to the sea.

After all, this sea is too full of amazing hope to never swim in it for a lifetime.

She even felt a bit smug, thinking that she seemed to have already adapted to life here.

Ansel Blaine. Those countless nights of longing for that beautiful and noble man now felt like a distant, hazy story.

It was only natural. Starting tomorrow, she would be working at a wonderful workplace and earning money on her own.

‘To think that I’ll be earning money…!’

Her heart was pounding wildly. It wasn’t an uncomfortable sensation. This was, so to speak, a very pleasant anxiety.

In other words, wasn’t this what they called excitement? The feeling of living a completely different life in just a few days was dizzying yet ecstatic.

What kind of wonderful people would be at the factory? Maybe she could even become friends with city girls.

Thinking about all the amazing things that she had never imagined before happening one after another made her legs weak with anticipation and excitement.

Eloise hurried her steps towards 4 North Town, her heart swelling with all kinds of hopes.

Now that she had found a job, she should write a letter home as soon as she got back.

If she delayed any longer, they might worry and come looking for her. With such slightly silly but pleasant thoughts.

How long had she been walking like that? Eloise, who was crossing the central square, suddenly stopped in her tracks without realizing it.

Where her gaze fell, there was an old woman selling flowers, sitting on the square floor with a tired face.

Her naturally small stature, combined with her back hunched like a shrimp, made her look even more shabby.

Although there were many passersby around her, there didn’t seem to be any customers, as the quantity of flowers appeared unchanged.

Eloise suddenly felt the urge to buy roses.

Partly because the old woman looked pitiful, but also to properly celebrate today’s joy. So, this wasn’t a wasteful expense.

“Hello, grandmother. Could I have half a bunch of pink roses, please?”

As she approached the neatly arranged pile of roses and gently spoke, the old woman hurriedly got up.

Her tired expression had disappeared, and now with the face of a lively merchant, she waved her arms dramatically.

“Oh my, just half a bunch? If it’s for a lover, you should spend a bit more, pretty miss.”

“Pardon? It’s not for a lover… it’s a gift for myself…”

Though there was nothing to be embarrassed about, Eloise’s face flushed for no reason.

City people are truly passionate. Even this frail old woman.

“Is that so? Then all the more reason not to hold back!”

“Well, I’ve never bought roses with money before.”

It wasn’t a lie, but the truth was that buying a whole bunch was a bit burdensome.

Payday was likely still far off, and starting tomorrow she’d have to think about food expenses, and in a month, she’d have to pay rent too.

The old woman on the street chuckled with her wrinkled face full of traces of time.

“Oh, you’ve come from quite far away, haven’t you? In the village where I was born, roses would bloom in abundance around this time too.”

The moment Eloise smiled slightly along with her, the old woman boldly rolled up her worn and tattered linen sleeves.

“I’ll give you a special full bunch.”

“Ah, really? Thank you!”

Completely forgetting about ladylike virtues such as needing to refuse once or not showing emotions too openly, Eloise beamed with a face like a peach blossom.

As the old woman’s wrinkled hands skillfully made the bouquet, the clear scent of roses spread on the afternoon breeze.

It couldn’t have been a better day.

“To Mother, Father, and Sarah,

It would have been nice if I had written a letter as soon as I arrived in the capital, but the day before yesterday, I collapsed as soon as I unpacked.

Please forgive Elsy for writing only on the third day. I’m eager to tell you how much has happened in just three days.

Uncle Simon moved out long ago, it seems. I don’t know where he went. At first, I was at a loss and confused, but fortunately, the current landlady offered me lodging.

This is a two-story house where a proper old lady and a funny-looking cat live.

The rent is cheap for the capital, and meals are provided, so there was no reason to refuse. The meals aren’t particularly delicious (I miss Mr. Mitchell’s cooking!), but they’re not that bad either. I like the room too.

Above all, I wanted to tell you that I found a job today.

It’s a factory that makes accessories for noble ladies, all the workers are women, and the work isn’t difficult, they say.

People were lining up to get into this factory, but a position just happened to open up, and I got in. Could there be any greater luck?

Work starts tomorrow. Honestly, I’m so nervous now that I can’t write anymore. In my next letter, I’ll introduce you to my new colleagues, so look forward to it.

I’ll write again. I love you!

Sending affectionate kisses,

Elsy.

P.S. I’m worried that the house might be too quiet without me. Especially Sally, I think she’ll be lonely at night. I am too. I want to hug sister right now.”