BBQ (3)
"Excuse me from above—are you all enjoying yourselves?"
While still being carried by Mr. Abe, I called out to the group of servants.
"Oh, young lady. Yes, we are enjoying ourselves. Thank you."
"This negi-salt-lemon sauce is refreshing and so easy to eat."
"Exactly. I feel like I might overeat!"
Seeing everyone enjoying themselves brought a sense of relief.
After Mr. Abe set me down, I pulled out some prepared items from storage and handed them out to the maids and Anny.
"This is a token of my gratitude for all your hard work. Here you go!"
The packages, wrapped in oil paper and tied with simple knitted yarn, were received with a bit of hesitation but eventually accepted.
"Inside the oil paper, you'll find dried fruit cookies and nut cookies. Also, the yarn used for tying is stretchy and can be used as a hair tie. Like this."
Turning around, I showed them my ponytail tied with the same knitted yarn.
[Thank you very much!]"When did you manage to make all of this, young lady?"
Sarah asked, surprised.
"Hehe, it's a secret~ After all, Mother says a woman should always have at least one secret."
I placed a finger on my lips and gave them a wink, just like Kira used to do.
[!!!](Oh no, the young lady is too cute!)
(Her Ladyship’s training is impeccable.)
(Good job, Madam!)
(She’s only five years old... this is going to be trouble later.)
(Matching hair ties with the young lady... I’ll treasure it forever.)
"I’ve never seen this stretchy knitting method before, Young lady.”
Sarah remarked, astonished.
Oh? Could it be that stretch knitting isn’t a thing in this world? It’s such a simple technique.
… Does that mean it could sell?
I could make some pocket money, couldn’t I?
"Hey, Sarah, do you think these hair ties would sell?"
"Of course! Let’s talk to Madam about it first! (Better report it to Madam and Nancy before negotiating with merchants, or I’ll get in trouble.)"
"And for the gentlemen, here you go."
I pulled out similarly packaged items from storage and handed them to Mr. Abe, Mr. Arthur, Master, gardener Grandpa Tom, and Mike.
"Inside are nut cookies and salt-butter cookies. The string tying the oil paper is a handwoven charm bracelet called a misanga. You wrap it around your wrist and make a wish. When it naturally breaks, your wish will come true."
"Even for someone like me?"
Grandpa Tom asked hesitantly.
He was 60 years old this year, a sturdy former adventurer who commuted from the city to work as a gardener.
"Of course! You’ve helped me out so much, Grandpa Tom. Oh, and this one’s for Mrs. Zara."
I handed him a package with a hair tie.
Mrs. Zara was Grandpa Tom’s wife and ran a flower shop in town.
"Thank you so much, not just for us but for Grandma too, young lady.”
Mike said gratefully.
Mike was Grandpa Tom’s and Mrs. Zara’s grandson who lived with them in the city.
"Ah, everyone, stop calling me 'young lady' and use my name instead!"
I puffed my cheeks in mock frustration.
"Haha, young lady, even with your cheeks puffed, you’re just too cute.”
"See, there it is again! Can’t you call me by name? Please?"
Like before, I clasped my hands together and tilted my head adorably.
[!!!]((Heart-throbbingly cute!))
(This is dangerous—she’s too adorable!)
(I just want to hug her!)
(Can we keep her?)
(No way, this much cuteness is unfair!)
(I just want to pat her head.)
For some reason, people were blushing again. Did they drink too much?
"It’s not that we can’t. Are you really okay with it, though?"
"Of course!"
"Alright, I’ll try my best!"
Huh? Try their best at what?
Anyway, I asked everyone to call me by my name, so will it change starting tomorrow?
"Young... no, Miss Joan."
Anny approached me.
"I’d prefer it if you dropped the ‘miss’ Anny, but I guess that’s asking too much?"
She shook her head so vigorously I thought it might make a sound.
"Miss Joan, thank you so much for organizing this barbecue. When you called us family, I was so happy... I don’t even know how to properly thank you..."
Tears welled up in Anny’s eyes as she spoke.
"What’s wrong, Anny? Are you hurt somewhere?"
"No, no, Miss. Anny grew up in an orphanage. Madam brought her here after noticing her during a visit to the orphanage."
"Yes, so just being taken in was already more than I could ever ask for... and I was even allowed to attend school. And then... for Miss Joan to call me family... It’s my first time having a family, and I’m just so happy..."
Anny explained, tears streaming down her face.
"I see. I’m sorry I didn’t know. But I think of everyone here at the estate as family. I can live the way I do because of all your support. So don’t cry, Anny, I’m the one who’s grateful."
I hugged her tightly.
"Thank you, Miss Joan. Thank you so much!"
"Hey, Anny, you’re making the young lady worried. Calm down, alright?"
Mr. Abe tried to console her, but Anny continued to cry.
"If you cry that much, your eyes will disappear!"
Eventually, Anny stopped crying and, claiming she was hungry, returned to eating more meat.
Anny, you’re tough.
But I guess orphanages exist in this world too.
Maybe I can tag along the next time Mother visits one.
What do you think about this chapter?
