As I observed them, a dry laughter escaped my lips.

In my past life, thanks to a husband who was incompetent not only outside but also in household chores, I ended up single-handedly managing everything.

‘For someone like me who has never touched water in their hands to faint while processing fish…’

I passed by the maids who were looking at me with worried eyes and headed towards the center of the workshop.

And then, lifting the hem of my dress and sitting on an empty working chair, all the eyes in the workshop focused on me.

I pretended not to notice those gazes and casually grabbed the fish with my bare hands.
“Is this what I’m supposed to do?”

Simultaneously, astonishment covered every face in the workshop.

“La-Lady Bea, please don’t do this! Lady Bea, you really can’t!”

“Yo-Your Highness, the noble Duchess! Don’t disturb us and quickly step back from the worktable…”

In that moment when objections and reproaches poured from all directions,

I raised the heavy knife without hesitation.

Snap!

“Did you really… Lady Bea, did you do all of this?”

Workshop leader Jaeklin dropped her thick lower jaw in disbelief.

She was the one who had demanded my departure with the loudest voice until I appeared here.

Even for a while after I arrived, she seemed surprised to see the pile of processed fish in my basket.

Jaeklin opened her eyes again, seeming to recover from her trance, and began examining each fish I had processed with her thick hands.

“She must have only pretended to do it, right? Well…”

Seeing her mutter like that, it seemed she doubted if I had done it properly.

For a while, Jaeklin inspected the fish I had processed.

And soon, she blinked her eyes, unable to hide her bewilderment.

“H-How… When on earth did you learn to do this?”

Seeing Jaeklin like that, I couldn’t help but smile with disappointment.

‘Living with a director who earns a yearly salary of ten million won and only knows how to nag about side dishes… try living with that, see if it works or not.’

That was what I really wanted to say, but I suppressed those words, lifting the corners of my mouth.

“Hoho… Well, who knows? Maybe it’s a talent I was born with?”

At that awkward laughter trying to diffuse the situation,

Around me, all the villagers who had gathered were unable to hide their astonished expressions.

“Really, did the Duchess do all of that alone? At that rate, it’s almost three days’ worth!”

“Oh my, oh my! She’s much better than you, dear.”

“…Did you really think that about me?”

They muttered to each other, and when their eyes met mine, they would quickly avert their gaze, clicking their tongues.

The only ones expressing admiration without hiding it were my maids.

“Is there something Lady Bea can’t do?”

“I don’t know, but thanks to Lady Bea, when we go down to the village this time, the profit will be much higher than before, right?”

While Minah was flattering, she playfully nudged Jaeklin’s plump side.

“Right, Jaeklin?”

Then, Jaeklin, still somewhat displeased with me but also seemingly grateful, looked at me with a slightly thankful expression.

“I don’t know what kind of talent you were born with… but you did well for the first time, Lady Bea.”

“Thank you, Jaeklin.”

In response to my words, Jaeklin threw the fish she had in her hand into the basket without much thought and said,

“But don’t think that our hearts will be lightened just because of this little thing.”

“…”

“Even though we were treated like elites, now we’ve become fish processors here, and it’s all because of you, Lady Bea.”

“…”

“Thanks to the Duchess.”

Jaeklin’s face, clenching her fist, showed a displeasure again.
That was the case for the others around me as well.

“Yes, that’s right! Do you know how proud our parents were when I became the assistant to the Twins family?”

“You didn’t just take a job away from us!”

The villagers each expressed their grievances.

Fortunately, their expressions seemed a bit softened compared to the beginning.

I looked at them carefully and nodded slowly.

“I also understand very well that I can’t be forgiven just for this. I don’t think the wounds I caused you are light just because I can be forgiven for something like this.”

At my words, the villagers exchanged glances.

Looking at the basket filled with cleaned fish, I continued speaking.

“This was done only out of my desire to help you with anything. And the establishment of the welfare foundation as well…”

The workshop became so quiet that it felt like everyone was focusing on my words.

I paused for a moment, then turned my head towards the people.

“Everything was started from my desire to help all of you.”

Saying that, I slowly bowed my head towards them.

“So please, I hope you can understand my sincerity.”

The suddenness of my actions made the people start to stir.

Even Minah seemed surprised; she quickly grabbed my arm.

“Lady Bea! Please don’t do this! Bending your head to those who were once servants!”

Despite the objections from Minah and the other maids, I didn’t move at all.

Continuing, I offered a sincere apology that they should have received from Rebecca long ago.

“I know that an apology alone is not enough.”

“…”

“But regarding the fact that I realized too late what my responsibility as the lady of the Twins family was… I wanted to apologize to all of you.”

At that moment, chaos broke out again.

After a moment of murmuring, Jacqueline’s feet, which were visible from the low view, slowly started moving towards the workshop door.

When she lifted her head slightly, Jacqueline, already prepared to leave, was seen.

“What are you all doing? If the work is done, get out and prepare for the next task!”

Her loud voice echoed throughout the workshop.

‘I knew it wouldn’t be easily accepted, but still…’

It was an embarrassing moment when I averted my gaze.

Once again, Jacqueline’s voice resounded in the workshop.

“Oh, ugly is ugly! Still, as the lady of our Twins family, shouldn’t you at least host a welcome party!”