The Maid Hates Childcare - Chapter 58

I guided Jeiana to the reception room.

On the table was a pumpkin pie that Mihail had supposedly made himself as a snack.

Seeing the pumpkin pie, Jeiana asked with a suspicious look.

“…You’re saying His Highness made that himself?”

“Yes, I made it with Babito. Ah, Babito is the chef of this castle.”

Mihail explained in detail. But it couldn’t be a satisfactory answer.

“Ah, I see. So, what exactly do you do in the duke’s castle…?”

“I take care of the princes.”

Mihail, who had run away from the imperial palace, had become a nanny at the duke’s castle.

Jeiana’s incredulous gaze turned to me.

I said, as if making an excuse.

“I’m not a royal collector, you know.”

“And you expect me to believe that?”

I couldn’t answer that.

‘I guess I’m just someone who attracts royalty wherever I go.’

Anyway, it’s not my fault.

Mihail stepped forward as if to explain on my behalf.

“I came here entirely of my own will. I’m so grateful that you two have accepted me.”

“…Well, alright.”

Jeiana changed the subject as if she didn’t want to be involved any further.

But she couldn’t avoid the pumpkin pie.

I picked up a fork, leaving the hesitant Jeiana behind.

“I’ll enjoy it, Mihail.”

Mihail’s eyes filled with anticipation.

I stuck my fork into the slightly burnt pie crust and brought it to my mouth.

Crunch. The crust crumbled, and the moist filling spread throughout my mouth.

‘Surprisingly delicious?’

It was moderately sweet with a subtle buttery flavor.

“It’s delicious, Mihail.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s incredibly successful for a first attempt, isn’t it?”

“Ah, I’m relieved. I sent some as a snack to the twins too, I hope they enjoyed it.”

Next, Mihail’s gaze turned to Jeiana.

It was an implicit look urging her to try it.

Unable to withstand his sparkling eyes, she finally picked up her fork.

“…It’s a bit burnt, but not bad.”

Though it was a bit stingy for praise, Mihail beamed at those words alone.

“I never knew that serving food I made to someone could be such a joyful thing.”

It was natural. He was royalty, and the premise of cooking for himself would have been nonexistent for him.

Mihail was purely happy.

Watching this, Jeiana picked up her tea.

“You seem to be doing well. Though I didn’t know Your Highness was here.”

That’s why I couldn’t find you, being in a place like this.

This seemed to be Jeiana’s underlying thought.

The fact that Mihail had left the imperial palace had spread publicly.

But no one knew Mihail’s whereabouts.

There were a few who belatedly pretended to search, but even that was nonexistent at present.

‘He says he likes it, so.’

I wondered if I should let people know he was staying here, but he refused.

He said he wanted to keep it a secret for now, so what could I do?

Moreover, Mihail had been saying he was happy these days.

It was the same now.

“Yes. Every day is happy.”

There was nothing more to say to that.

Jeiana seemed to feel the same as she put down her cup.

“But I knew that Eileen had gotten engaged.”

Pffft-!

I ended up spitting out my tea at Jeiana’s words.

The fragrant water cannon hit Mihail entirely.

“I’m, I’m sorry…!”

“Ah, it’s alright. I can just wipe it off. But is there some problem?”

Mihail worried about me first, even though he was completely soaked.

Jeiana burst into laughter at the sitcom-like scene.

“You don’t know? Ah. Well, you wouldn’t have gone outside the castle. If you knew what the duke has done, you wouldn’t be able to stay here.”

What Jeiana mentioned was Kashar’s bold move.

It was after he had accepted the engagement.

One day, he asked me about promotional methods.

‘Suddenly?’

‘I thought you might know better.’

I didn’t know the exact reason, but since he was also running many businesses, I didn’t think much of it.

‘Well, things like flyers. Ah, how about hanging advertising pictures on carriages and having them go around the streets? It would also be good to display advertisements in places like the square clock tower.’

‘That’s a good idea. Then, on a continental scale?’

For a moment, I wondered if he was doing diplomacy.

‘I’m not sure about that. How about sending official documents? They usually send them with gifts, don’t they?’

‘Is that so?’

Kashar nodded.

I had forgotten about it for a few days after that, but on the day I went to see my shop, I realized why he had asked such a thing.

“I’ve never seen anyone announce an engagement like that in my life.”

Kashar really mobilized all the methods I had mentioned.

A portrait of me and him was hanging on the square clock tower, though I didn’t know when it had been painted, and in front of the magic shop, a vision orb displaying the engagement scene was spinning and sparkling 24 hours a day.

‘I had just managed to forget about it.’

Moreover, the advertisement was still ongoing, and it had been reported in the newspapers several times.

It was to the point where I felt anyone I asked might know that I was Kashar’s fiancée.

Going out bare-faced was out of the question for a while.

‘He must have done it on purpose.’

Perhaps it was Kashar’s kind consideration telling me not to do any more foolish things.

I shook my head alone, making my own guesses.

“That’s enough.”

“You seem embarrassed. Congratulations on your engagement.”

“I didn’t know he was going to do that!”

It was clearly a teasing remark.

But Mihail didn’t notice it at all.

“Such a splendid production. As expected, a fated love is different in every way. I’m really envious!”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

Jeiana made a disgusted face at his manic innocence.

I wished the topic of conversation would change to something else.

I took this opportunity to ask about her recent situation.

“How have you been, Jeiana?”

Jeiana’s hand trembled slightly as she put down her cup.

I wondered if there had been some problem after she helped me.

She slowly opened her mouth.

“When I said I wouldn’t get married, my family treated me like an outcast.”

It was the first time she had spoken honestly.

But her parents and other family members were upset, saying their once obedient daughter had gone astray.

“But that was better. Isn’t it funny?”

Jeiana laughed as if it was amusing. There was a bitter taste in her laughter.

“Well, that’s how it is. We should talk about something else.”

It was when Jeiana was trying to change the subject.

Mihail, who had been listening attentively to her words, opened his mouth.

“You’re admirable.”

“Pardon?”

Jeiana’s eyes sharpened.

“Are you mocking me now?”

“No, it’s just that you’re truly admirable. You must have hesitated a lot before saying such things.”

Mihail was sincere.

When Jeiana remained silent, he smiled brightly. It was the glass doll-like smile that even made the female lead fall for him.

“My lady, you are truly a courageous person.”

Flush.

Mihail’s innocence finally set Jeiana’s face on fire.

“…It’s nothing special.”

She answered shyly.

‘What’s with this atmosphere?’

In the midst of this peculiar atmosphere, I remembered something I had forgotten.

“Ah, that’s right. Jeiana, you were in the newspaper.”

“Me?”

Jeiana blinked at the sudden mention.

I rang the bell, and Eshtra came in.

“Yes. I kept it to show you. Eshtra, could you bring the newspaper from my room?”

“Certainly.”

A moment later, Eshtra handed over a cut-out piece of newspaper and left.

“Look here. ‘Lady Jeiana Enders. An angel’s touch at Crode Orphanage’.”

At the bottom of the newspaper, there was a small article about a noble lady’s good deed.

Jeiana cleared her throat. She had a habit of speaking stiffly on purpose when she was embarrassed.

“It’s only natural as a noble.”

“But it’s not common for someone to do it consistently like you, is it?”

According to the article, Jeiana had been donating and volunteering at orphanages for over 5 years.

This was not just doing it a few times for the sake of image.

“…It was a way to escape from my family. It seems to suit me too.”

Even her family, who had been severely interfering with Jeiana, left her alone when it came to activities that increased her value as a bride.

‘Volunteering and donations.’

I felt like a good idea was about to come to me.

“Jeiana, want to do a business with me?”

“A business?”

“Yes. I have several items in mind, and I think we can link them to donations.”

The main criterion for exchanging magic power was the recognition and reputation of this world’s items.

I thought it would be good to sell high-priced items to nobles and donate part of the amount, while circulating the donations to sell various lifestyle items to commoners.

‘It needs to be popularized like forks and knives.’

The point was that both premium and general lines should be indispensable items.

When I only outlined the idea, Jeiana expressed doubt.

“It won’t be easy to create such items.”

Her family was also running various businesses, but popularization was always a difficult issue.

However, bringing such items was my specialty.

“Just leave the items to me. I’d like you to create a donation system, Jeiana. Something that will dramatically boost the reputation of the business.”

This time, I was planning to create it independently without borrowing Frigia’s power.

Jeiana was hesitating.

But I knew well what would tempt her.

“Why don’t you leave your family altogether with this opportunity?”

“…Leave my family?”

It was a look that said it was nonsense.

Usually, it was. It was common for noble ladies not to even think about leaving their families.

“You have the ability, the guts, and the character for it, Jeiana.”

Her eyes wavered.

I didn’t miss the chance and said,

“Let’s make the business successful together. The most important things for staying single are determination, money, and quick action.”

“…Alright. I’ll do it.”

A new business partner was born.

I took her hand and shook it lightly.

After a light meal, it was time for Jeiana to leave.

“I’ll contact you again when things are more concrete.”

Her steps seemed a bit lighter as she got into the carriage.

In the twilight of the evening.

Back in my room, I sat Hayang on the table.

“Hayang. I think I need to use this card now.”

I don’t know how this card is used, but I’ll figure it out somehow.

[Okay. I’ll open the door for you.]

As the teddy bear waved its arms, a door appeared on the wall where there was nothing before.

Just as I was about to pull the handle, I heard a presence from beyond the room door.

But when I turned around, nothing was visible.

‘Must have been my imagination?’

I opened the newly appeared door and went inside.

‘It’s hazy.’

Through the mist, a small shop was visible.

‘A hole-in-the-wall shop?’

As I approached, a figure came into view.

Behind what looked like an old counter stood someone who appeared to be the owner.

“Welcome.”

A handsome man with snow-white hair and red eyes greeted me.