Chapter 57 – Max’s Resolve (1)

“You’ve only just recovered, so don’t stay outdoors for too long.”

“I-it’ll just be a short walk.” She smiled at Rudis and walked away.

The quiet and calm maid, who rarely talked unless necessary, one day slowly began to fuss over her like a sister would. All she did was say a word or two out of concern without crossing the line, but that was enough to warm Max’s heart.

Is this really... my house... home?

Her eyes glazed around castle Calypse, the notion bringing to mind her life back in castle Croix. She had spent her whole life there, yet she had nothing she was emotional about. No people, place or anything for that matter, that could remotely make her miss the place. A cold castle that had once sheltered her for so long but she couldn’t bring herself to call ‘home’ – for it never felt like one.

She hoped that she just might be able to fill her life with new things completely different from that of her past. She hoped she would grow fond of this castle and its people, and hoped she would find love here and make this place her home. The pitiful, smidgen of hope that had erupted within made her heart tighten.

Is it really possible?

Leaving Croix didn’t mean she had become a completely different person. She was still that stutterer they had labelled dumb and inconsequential. Someday he’d also realize that I’m useless.Then everything might change. She felt her blood chill with the thoughts of losing his amorous, affectionate touch or burning gaze. What if he suddenly turns into my father and...?!

“Madam? I think you are still sick....”

She must have looked anxious as Rudis gave her a look. Max shook her head, as if the action was enough to dismiss the negative thoughts plaguing her. “I’m oh-okay. I would li-like a war-warm cup of t-tea.”

Max checked the banquet hall where the crew was dutifully removing the stone plates and then went straight down to the first floor to rein in items coming in from the upper branch. As if on cue, Aderon and his workers pulled in a large carriage into the castle. The servants of the castle unloaded the luggages inside the carriage and carefully carried it into the castle.

“They’re some marble plates and tools required for the process.”

“Wh-what about the wi-windows...?”

“The upper branch in Anatol doesn’t have that much glass. We have to order it from the capital or from Libadon to get decent quality glass. For now, I’ll send a telegram to see if we can purchase in bulk quantities of glass from a nearby branch.”

She almost replied with her thanks at the words that seemed like they were out of kindness.

Then, Max took him to the living room, swallowing a sigh on her own. She was acting like a deep-rooted servile person as the zealous merchant began to explain the time and cost of the refurnishings before the maid could even bring him a cup of tea.

Max tried to be attentive to every detail, grasping every inch of what he was saying without missing anything. However, as soon as Aderon began to use a mixture of unfamiliar currency names, her head became more and more of a convoluted mess. She sweated hard as she tried to catch up with all the calculations. One Soldem is 20 Lilams, 20 Lilams equals 240 Derhams, 240 Derhams equal 12 Denars, and 30 Denars equal....

“Oh my, I was too excited just now. Please forgive me!”

The merchant ceased his rambles just when she felt her head was about to explode. She flashed him a narrow smile.

“N-No, it’s all right.”

“I guess I can’t help but feel enthused at the thought of contributing to the redecoration of the great Lord Calypse’s castle.”

“Th-thank you, For think-thinking like that....”