SWS CH 36

Chapter 36

Meanwhile, Francesca was feeling uneasy after hearing that the family physician she had sent to Halara had suddenly disappeared. At Karl’s urging, she headed toward the banquet hall on the first floor.

She prepared a meal for me.

It was unusual. She had heard it was meant as a thank-you gift for the dresses.

I never asked her to do that.

All she had wanted was for the girl to stay quiet and behave.

Besides, Francesca didn’t have much of an appetite and rarely enjoyed food.

Just this once, she planned to eat a little out of consideration for the effort. Afterward, she intended to tell Halara not to trouble herself like this again.

She couldn’t exactly say, “Don’t stand out.” Don’t make yourself noticeable.

With that in mind, she entered the banquet hall.

The wide, endlessly lonely place.

Prepared to firmly speak to Halara, she stepped inside—then froze when she saw someone sitting alone at the long table.

“…Docep

Her eyes widened at the sight of her son.

Docep stood up at the sound of her voice.

Judging by his hesitation, it seemed he hadn’t known she would be coming either.

Francesca pressed a hand to her startled heart and walked further into the hall.

“Where is Halara?”

“I don’t know.”

Docep answered briefly.

May bowed her head and responded instead.

“The young madam suddenly felt unwell and had no choice but to return to her room.”

It was a lie.

Halara had suddenly cleared her own plate and said she had something urgent to attend to, leaving the rest to May.

May pressed her apron tightly.

The young madam stepped aside on purpose.

Hadn’t Halara even been looked down on by a maid like Getti? From what Getti and the main house staff had said, Nikolai had been furious on the day Halara arrived.

She probably stepped away so that it wouldn’t be revealed that the three of them were eating together and cause another fight.

If she had changed her plans so suddenly, that must be why.

In the short time May had known her, Halara was someone who liked people and was very considerate.

Probably the only person who would willingly put on a maid’s uniform just because someone handed it to her.

“…She’s sick?”

Clack.

Docep reacted instantly.

“Where is she now?”

“Yes?”

Startled by how quickly he seemed ready to rush out, May hurried to explain.

“It’s just a temporary condition. She told us not to worry and to enjoy the meal.”

“Sit down, Docep.”

Francesca assumed Halara had stepped aside on purpose and sat across from him.

After a brief pause, Docep quietly sat as well.

“It’s been a long time.”

Francesca spoke first, trying to ease the awkwardness.

She couldn’t even remember the last time she had sat across from her son like this.

“It’s the first time.”

“…Is it?”

“Yes.”

As mother and son sat awkwardly, May brought the dishes from the trolley.

Francesca wished inwardly that the food would be served quickly. Perhaps once they started eating, the tension would ease.

Soon, five dishes were laid out on the table.

They looked familiar, yet unfamiliar.

“The young madam prepared these herself since morning.”

The dishes seemed similar to common meals, yet slightly different. Francesca assumed they were modified versions of food commoners enjoyed.

“It will be delicious.”

Seeing her hesitate, Docep spoke first.

“Halara is very skilled at cooking.”

Francesca glanced at him. It seemed he had been served meals by her more than just that morning.

“This is the first time.”

“What is?”

“That you’ve praised someone.”

Francesca returned his words and picked up her fork.

She wasn’t particularly eager, but out of respect for the effort, she intended to take just a few bites.

“Mm?!”

That was before she tasted the pasta.

Francesca’s eyes widened.

It’s excellent!

A rich, savory flavor filled her mouth.

Sweet and salty in a way that felt both new and familiar, with vegetables that remained crisp despite being cooked.

The ingredients themselves were ordinary, yet she wanted to keep eating.

Before she had even swallowed, her fork moved again.

Faced with a feast that didn’t grow tiring, her mouth forgot how to rest.

Docep, sitting across from her, was also eating diligently, which somehow made her feel even hungrier.

She, who had always eaten alone in silence, finally felt like she was having a proper meal.

Docep felt the same.

All five dishes were excellent.

They weren’t overwhelming, yet they made you want another bite.

“She surprises me every time.”

He had tasted all the finest foods in the world. But this was his first time experiencing dishes like these. Just where had this woman come from, to keep astonishing him with new flavors?

“Did you just smile?”

Francesca didn’t miss his expression.

At some point, Docep had stopped smiling entirely.

No matter what happened, he neither smiled nor cried. Even when beaten by Nikolai and Helbern, he never bowed his head.

How many times had he been hit simply because he wouldn’t say, “I’m sorry,” or “I was wrong,” or “I won’t do it again”?

And yet, now he was smiling.

When did he learn how to smile like that?

She suddenly noticed how tall and broad he had grown.

He had grown almost as much as Nikolai.

“Tell her I said thank you.”

After some thought, Francesca said that.

Docep’s smile deepened.

“Thank you.”

Francesca nearly dropped her utensils at the sight.

It was the first time he had smiled at her like that.

She was grateful.

“Don’t smile foolishly.”

The words came out crookedly, unlike her heart.

That’s not what I meant.

She had meant to say, Congratulations on your awakening. It must have been hard all this time.

Instead—

“Now that you’ve awakened, don’t become reckless.”

She had meant, Don’t shrink back anymore, no matter what your brothers say. Walk forward proudly.

Instead—

“Always remain humble and strive to become a knight who can succeed your father, like Nikolai and Helbern.”

Her words kept going astray.

Francesca bit her tongue.

If she kept speaking, she might only hurt him.

“I’m sorry for causing you worry.”

Docep lowered his head and apologized.

“What is this red thing?”

Not wanting to say anything else she didn’t mean, Francesca changed the subject.

Among the colorful dishes, one stood out.

A dish made of cabbage.

She couldn’t tell what it was by sight, but its red color and sharp smell made it seem intense.

“Ahem.”

She quietly moved her fork away.

“What kind of dish is this?”

Docep pointed directly at the kimchi.

“It’s kimchi made from cabbage. The madam said it refreshes the palate when the food feels greasy.”

May explained promptly.

Docep picked up a generous portion and put it in his mouth.

Cough—

The moment he did, he covered his mouth and coughed.

Francesca quickly stood and handed him a handkerchief.

“Are you alright?”

For a moment, cold sweat gathered in her palm, afraid he wouldn’t take it—but he accepted it without hesitation and nodded.

“It must be very spicy. No wonder no one was reaching for it.”

“No. It’s delicious.”

“Delicious

After coughing like that?

“You should try it too, Mother.”

Docep politely indicated the kimchi with both hands.

Francesca blinked at this unfamiliar gesture.

“As described, it clears the palate.”

He even evaluated the taste.

“Ahem. Since she put effort into it, I will try it.”

Feeling slightly guilty for hesitating earlier, she lifted some onto her fork. She assumed it would be strong but manageable.

Then—

“Cough! Ah!”

The spiciness burst across her mouth.

Her face turned bright red at the unfamiliar heat.

“Haha.”

“Are you laughing?!”

“No. Sorry.”

This time, Docep handed her a clean napkin.

After dabbing her mouth, Francesca glared at him.

“But it tastes good, doesn’t it?”

He joked lightly. After the fit of coughing, the stiff atmosphere had softened.

“It’s too spicy.”

“I like it.”

“You can eat spicy food?”

She spoke slightly awkwardly with her tingling tongue.

Docep smiled faintly and nodded.

“I’ll bring something cool to soothe your tongue.”

With that, he left his seat.

Silence returned.

Face still flushed, Francesca took a sip of wine, panting slightly from the lingering heat. Embarrassed, she spoke to May.

“You’re a maid from the annex.”

“Yes.”

“But I heard from the head butler that Getti was assigned as her personal maid.”

Was she freely taking other maids as well?

Still, she had no intention of criticizing her. Thanks to Halara, she had been able to share a meal with Docep today.

Though the girl brought no benefit to the family—perhaps even trouble—

For some reason, Francesca couldn’t resent her comfortably.

“Getti ran away yesterday, so I was urgently assigned to serve the young madam.”

“What? Ran away?”

It was unexpected.

“She suggested to the annex maids that they bully the young madam and drive her out. Chef Hatsen found out, and I think that’s why she fled.”

“She suggested driving her out? Is that true?”

“Yes. She definitely did.”

“How dare a maid suggest expelling her master?”

Getti had been sent because she was said to be loyal to the family.

And surely she knew Francesca had accepted Halara.

“Does Halara know?”

“Yes. The young madam knows.”

“Oh…”

Then Halara might have misunderstood, thinking Francesca had sent such a maid on purpose.

And yet she prepared food for me.

Francesca pressed her forehead.

She felt too ashamed and apologetic to lift her head.