Chapter 63: Maid Of The Blackdahlia Family (1)
5:00 AM.
Frederica, the head maid of the Blackdahlia family, woke up.
Though the sun had not yet risen, a maids morning starts early.
Especially for someone like Frederica, who held multiple roles such as head maid, chief butler, top security officer, among others 17 positions in total, excluding the cook her morning had to start even earlier.
Changing from her pajamas into her maid uniform, Frederica glanced out the window and muttered to herself.
Its time to call the gardener.
Swoosh-
An enormous pile of documents was stacked on the desk in the office.
Had Frederica not streamlined the majority of the Blackdahlia familys businesses, keeping only the leasing business, she would have collapsed from overwork long ago.
Even with such an insane amount of work, Frederica never considered leaving the Blackdahlia family.
Because of money?
No.
Certainly, she received a salary far beyond what one would expect for a maid, but money was not important to Frederica.
Proof of this was the fact that Frederica, who effectively acted as the chief steward of the Blackdahlia family, did not embezzle a single penny, even though she could have easily done so.
So, why did Frederica stay with the Blackdahlias?
Master.
It was her loyalty to the Blackdahlia family.
It was Gilbert, the former head of the Blackdahlia family, who had saved her when she was caught and beaten nearly to death for pickpocketing.
And Gilbert did more than just save her.
He let Frederica stay in the mansion without any compensation and even hired a private tutor for her, teaching her the literacy and skills needed to survive.
Thanks to that excellent education, the child from the back alleys could now serve as the chief steward of the Blackdahlias.
Gilbert-nim might not have anticipated such a situation, but
Of course, Frederica was as loyal to Estelle as she was to Gilbert.
From the young ladys perspective, it would have been reasonable to be upset about an unknown person rolling into the household and sharing the attention of the master and madam
Huh? Sister Frederica!
Sister?
Yes! Sister!
The young lady was so kind and cheerful, never showing jealousy, calling Frederica sister and treating her like a real older sister.
But
The once bright young lady completely changed after the former master and madam died in a carriage accident.
Ah!Ah!Uh!Aaaah!!..Sob!Aaaa!!Ohmom!Ahdad..!!..Huhu..!!..No, no!Not true!Not true!!..!I hate it!!..Ah..no way..!Ahdadmom..sob!
Frederica would never forget the sight of young Estelle clinging to the coffin, screaming and desperately calling for her mom and dad.
Frederica.sister..!..SobIIwhat do I doIImalone..Sob!left alone
Its okay, Miss, Im here for you. And look, youve got a letter. Your uncle is coming to take you. You might get adopted if you go with him.
AAdoption?SobII dontwant to leaveIsob!
Miss I understand your feelings, but Ive often heard good things about Mr. Jeffrey. He donates a lot to orphanages and often volunteers And youre still young, Miss. It would be better for you to be with a family.
SobsobThen, what aboutyou, Sister?Sob..If..I get adoptedwill youalso disappear likedad and mom?
Tightly grasping-
Dont worry. Ill come with you. I will always be by your side.
Ah!Ah!Sob!Sister!
Then, a few days later, Mr. Jeffrey and his family came to adopt the young lady
Youve been through a lot, Estelle. From now on, Ill be your father. I cant replace my brother, but I promise to do my best.
Mr. Jeffreys family was annihilated in an attack by someone.
A horrific scene where an entire family was brutally murdered.
Especially Mr. Jeffrey, whose body, except for his left leg, couldnt be found, indicating the extent of the violence he had suffered.
After losing her entire family in such a manner, the young lady inherited a massive fortune, but
UmSister?Somethingfeels strange.
Compared to the misfortune that befell the young lady, all the gold in the world seemed insufficient.
II.Sob!Mylegswont moveHuhu!Icant feelanything..Sob!.
Its okayIllmake sureyou get betterIts justshockthats all
From that day on, Frederica tried everything to cure Estelles legs but failed every time.
The death of her parents, the annihilation of her uncles family, paralysis of the lower body.
Was it these continuous misfortunes that changed the young lady?
Ssshh-!
You cant even brush my hair properly without hurting me!!!
Gradually, the kind demeanor of the young lady disappeared, and she began to punish her employees harshly for even minor mistakes.
As the young ladys behavior worsened, employees started leaving, but Frederica stayed until the end.
Then one day
Crash!
Exhausted, Frederica, handling all the servants duties alone, accidentally dropped a teacup.
Ah! Ah, Miss!Im sorry! Are you hurt anywhere
Ssshh-!
Dont touch me with your filthy hands!! Disappear from my sight!!
.MiMiss?
Shut up!! Cant you hear? I said go! Youre fired! Get out!
Whywhyare you doing thisMiss..pleaseItsmy faultI wontmake mistakes
Why? You should be grateful that Ive kept a gutter rat like you around this long, shouldnt you?
..
Ha You still want to cling to this house? Fine, stay if you want. But dont you dare show your face to me again.
Yes, Miss.
Frederica never understood why the young lady had said those things.
But one thing
She knew that the words spoken that day werent what she meant.
Ding Ding
Miss!?!
Startled by the ringing of a bell she hadnt heard in ages, Frederica immediately stood up.
Despite many unresolved tasks and documents, nothing was more important to Frederica than the young ladys call.
Huff.
Arriving at Estelles door, Frederica sighed deeply.
Once a room she entered so naturally as a child, she now feared even knocking.
Knock knock-
Come in.
Excuse me.
Seeing the young ladys face for the first time in a long while, it appeared noticeably brighter than before.
Frederica.
Miss
Its beena while.
Yes, it has. Its been a long time.
Frederica felt like she might burst into tears during this long-awaited conversation with the young lady but swallowed her emotions, not wanting to ruin the moment.
Ah! But what brings you here? Do you need something?
Yes, there is something.
Tell me anything! If you wish, Ill even pluck the stars from the night sky for you.
No need for that Just
The young lady hesitated at the end of her sentence, then spoke softly.
I just want to learn how to make macarons
?!!
Flushed ears, a tense voice, the sudden call, and above all, the upcoming Day of Saint Elise.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The pieces of the puzzle fit together in Fredericas mind as she realized the implication.
Miss!!! Could it be with the Day of Saint Elise coming up do you, do you have someone you like?!!!
.!!
Frederica didnt need to hear the young ladys answer; she knew it was true.
The question alone turned the young ladys face as red as her ears, as if hearts were pouring out.
It was hard to believe that this was the same person who had once spitefully uttered cruel words with a pained expression.
Who, who is it! Who is this lucky person who has captured your heart!!
I didnt say I had someone I like.
Its obvious! But why macarons? On the Day of Saint Elise, it should be chocolates!! If youre going to confess, it should be with chocolates!!
Clap-!
Frederica clapped her hands as she continued.
Yes! Indeed, instead of conveying something special like macarons, confessing love with chocolates would be better.
No. I can only do this much Chocolates are not possible
Why not! What are you lacking, Miss! Family! Beauty! Figure um, well, anyhow, men would line up for you!! Go with chocolates!
Fredericastopeven macarons are too much.
Uh!!
Frederica flinched when Estelle called her name.
-Shiver
Frederica was deliberately being over-the-top, pretending not to be affected by the trauma of that day.
Ha ha Sorry, Miss I guess I got too excited.
Eventually, Frederica stepped back and apologized.
Despite knowing it wasnt heartfelt, hearing such words from the young lady again might shatter her heart.
Its okay. Then could you get me the recipe for macarons from Mr. Ramsay? And if you prepare the ingredients in the kitchen Ill be grateful.
Yes! I will. Oh! Can I help you when you make them?
.
Frederica swallowed hard, expecting a refusal, but Estelle took longer to decide than she thought.
No thats not possible Lets continue to avoid each other as much as we have until now.
Ah Ha ha Right? I was just saying.
Frederica had hoped this could be an opportunity to reconnect with the young lady as in the past
Sorry
Oh, no! You dont need to apologize, Miss. It was just a thought. Ha ha ha
Yeah. But Frederica.
Yes Miss
Sometimes just sometimes will you talk with me like this?
Whoosh-!
Frederica responded with a broad smile to Estelles last request.
Of course, Miss!
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