Chapter 4 – Part 16

“This is nicer than I thought it would be.”

Upon arriving at Zenfield, Ruby and Dominic faced a townhouse with two floors.

“Yeah, it is.”

As it was a house they had obtained through a favor, even Ruby, who hadn’t expected it to be such a nice house, was taken aback.

“My lady, let’s go inside quickly.”

Dominic pushed Ruby, leading her into the mansion.

It wasn’t as spacious as the grand mansion of the Marquis Grit, but it was a suitable size for the two to live comfortably. The fact that the kitchen was on the first floor and not in the basement was noteworthy.

“Wow! If we just clean a little, it’ll be fine, right?”

Dominic’s words were true. The house was clean enough that cleaning only a bit of accumulated dust would be sufficient, and most of the curtains and furniture were new.

They decided to use the first-floor room as a reception room for guests, and each took a room on the second floor.

The largest room on the second floor was assigned to Ruby, and Dominic took the room opposite hers.

“I’ll start dusting, and you can get your clothes in order and take a look around the manor.”

Dominic, who had worked from a low rank to become Ruby’s personal maid, knew well how to manage the mansion.

“Thank you.”

Ruby quickly organized her belongings, opened the window, and awkwardly shook the blanket. In the process, she also shook the blanket in Dominic’s room, who was cleaning the first floor in the same way.

Since they were going to live together from now on, she intended to help with simple tasks. If Dominic hadn’t come, she would have had to do them alone anyway.

Despite feeling sorry for Dominic, who suddenly took charge of cleaning the mansion, Ruby felt a bit relieved by her presence.

Dominic, with nimble hands, quickly removed visible dust and headed to the kitchen.

Having checked the cooking ingredients and kitchen tools, she quickly prepared to go out. Before it got too dark, she wanted to explore the surroundings and buy some groceries.

“Madam, I’ll take care of that.”

Dominic, who found Ruby wiping the window sills with a mop, stopped her.

“Now it’s my turn. I don’t know if it’ll be helpful, but…”

“No, I’ll do that when I get back. By the way, I’m going grocery shopping; do you want to come with me?”

Since both of them were new to this place, it seemed like a good idea to explore together.

“Let’s do that.”

Ruby also nodded willingly at the same thought.

***

The mansion where Ruby and Dominic lived was far from the bustling street with shops, as if deliberately chosen.

“We should rent a carriage when coming here next time, right?”

Ruby nodded, feeling that it would be inconvenient to carry luggage over such a distance.

However, the area around the house seemed sparsely populated. But unless one deliberately tried to interact, one could live without knowing who was around.

It seemed that the place was deliberately chosen for Ruby’s sake.

“Shall we have an expensive dinner tonight?”

“Is that okay?”

“Sure. It’s our first night in the mansion, so we should celebrate. Let’s buy some wine.”

“Sounds good!”

While walking to the shopping street, the two talked about the food they wanted to eat.

Thinking about delicious food made them excited.

As Dominic carefully selected ingredients, Ruby, who was next to her, noticed a store selling wine.

“Dominic, I’ll go to the wine shop first.”

“Yes. I’ll go there after buying everything, but be careful.”

As the distance was relatively short, Ruby quickly found the place.

“Do you have something you’re looking for?”

As Ruby entered, the owner approached.

“I’m looking for wine from the Kerna region.”

It was wine produced on the territory of Viscount Vance. It had a sweet taste that lingered in her memory, making it suitable for a celebration.

“Are you a noble?”

The owner, who quickly found the wine, casually handed it over, asking with an indifferent tone. Ruby felt a bit tense under the scrutinizing gaze.

“Do I look like one?”

Ruby awkwardly smiled and accepted the wine.

“It shows in your demeanor.”

She thought that someone who came to such a remote village was either a fugitive or screwed. Laura, the owner of the wine shop, was casually assuming the latter.

“I used to be a governess. I taught etiquette.”

When she realized she didn’t recognize her, Ruby quickly added, as if making an excuse.

“It seems like the habits have stuck with me since I taught for a long time.”

Even without saying it, she ended up telling unnecessary lies.

“…So, did you completely stop teaching etiquette?”

“If someone needs it, I’ll think about it when the time comes.”

Since it was doubtful that there would be someone in Zenfield eager to learn the etiquette suitable for high society, it was an answer that would be acceptable whether there was or wasn’t.

“If there’s anyone interested, let me know. I’ll come to buy wine from time to time.”

Ruby said as she paid, deliberately sounding businesslike to avoid suspicion.

“Sure. I’ll let you know if there is. What’s your name?”

“…Ruby.”

For a moment, she wondered if she had to lie, but she was too flustered to think straight.

“I’m Laura.”

Laura wrapped the wine in paper and handed it over.

Unlike her casual touch, her gaze scrutinized Ruby carefully.

“Nice to meet you, Laura. I’ll come back sometime.”

Ruby smiled as if nothing was wrong and quickly left the wine shop.

***
“Really?”

The two of them went shopping for necessities and returned home after renting a carriage. Dominic took charge of the kitchen, and Ruby, while offering to help, was busy preparing dinner.

Dominic had told Ruby to just stay still, but she insisted on helping with simple tasks in the kitchen.

“They can tell right away. Should I be concerned about my behavior?”

Ruby felt embarrassed because she had never thought that her accustomed manners would be so noticeable.

“You’ve already mentioned that you used to be an etiquette teacher, so I guess it’s fine.”

“Yeah, maybe. Will this size be enough?”

Ruby quickly agreed with Dominic’s words, and they started cutting the cheese for the dish.

“Yes, just cut it to that size.”

Listening to Dominic’s instructions, Ruby felt that she was doing the right thing. Relieved, she diligently cut the cheese.

* * *

“Can we realistically get by without a carriage?”

Eli was not asking out of curiosity but rather scolding.

“I’m afraid not. I’ve been looking as best I can, but there have been no cases of women alone or in pairs renting carriages in the nearby areas.”

At first, it seemed like they would find her quickly. Eli thought they could at least grasp a small clue. However, even after two months, Ruby seemed to have evaporated, and they couldn’t even chase her.

“What about her family?”

“They have not been involved.”

“What about the Viscount Starlet?”

“I’ve checked that too. There were issues found only in matters related to his own business. It had nothing to do with Madam.”

Out of caution, Eli investigated everyone who might wish for Ruby’s disappearance, even those he suspected. He wondered if someone might hold a grudge and harm Ruby while she was alone.

“Seriously… sigh.”

Eli just wanted to hear news that Ruby was alive.

* * *

“Ruby!”

Startled by the sudden call, Ruby, who had gone out with Dominic to shop, turned her head towards the source of the sound.

It was Laura, the owner of the wine shop.

“You’re not buying wine today?”

Seemingly remembering that Ruby mentioned she might visit again, Laura inquired.

We have some new wine that just came in; do you want to stop by?”

Laura spoke as if there were no other intentions and quickly entered the shop.

Concerned that rumors might circulate in the small town about outsiders, Ruby, along with Dominic, exchanged glances before entering the wine shop together.

“This is the new one. I thought you might like it since you seemed to enjoy the sweet wine last time.”

While the two were contemplating, the wine for tasting was already poured into glasses.

“Thank you. I was already thinking that the wine tasted good last time.”

Saying so, Ruby tasted the wine. It was even more delicious than the wine she had on the first day of moving. Dominic, seeing Ruby’s reaction, also smiled.

“I’ll take a bottle of this.”

Grateful for the thoughtful gesture, Ruby requested to buy it. Having a glass each evening seemed like a good idea.

“I’ll give it to you as a gift for moving to town.”

Laura gladly handed over the pre-packaged wine.

“Thank you, but… it feels like too generous of a gift.”

It probably wasn’t very cheap, and Ruby looked at the owner with a somewhat uneasy expression.

“Well, you mentioned that you used to teach etiquette, right?”

Laura brought up the subject with Ruby, who seemed hesitant to accept the gift.

Surprised by the sudden question, Ruby quickly nodded in response.

“How much do you think you’d like to work again?”

“What?”

“There’s this kid who wants to learn etiquette.”

Laura was in the middle of her sentence.

“Mom!”

A young woman about Emily’s age walked into the store. When she spotted Ruby and Dominic, she greeted them with a fumbled greeting.

“Hello, Ruby. This is my daughter, Palman; this is Ms. Ruby.”

Laura gave a small sigh, as if she couldn’t help herself.

“Hi, Palman.”

Ruby gave her a proper, socially acceptable greeting.

Palman returned the greeting.

“Wow…….”

Palman stared at Ruby’s greeting with her mouth open.

Then she snapped, turned her head, and stared at Laura.

Laura gave a small nod of understanding.

“My daughter is going to live with our relatives in the capital next year, and she’s going to be making her social debut, and I thought it would be good for her to learn a little before then, and since Ruby was an etiquette teacher, I thought I’d ask you to teach her.”

“Oh, if that’s the case, please leave it to Ms. Ruby. She’s a good teacher.”

Dominic, who had been silent throughout, stepped forward on Ruby’s behalf.

“She specializes in high-level education. If Palman learns from her, she’ll undoubtedly become a polite and dignified lady. You’ll receive praise in society for having such a well-mannered daughter.”

“Is that so?”

Startled by Dominic’s sudden enthusiasm, Laura was taken aback, but it was a compelling story.

“Yes.”

Dominic leaned in close to her face.

“You never know; she might find a suitable groom in social circles, and in aristocratic society, manners are very important.”

With a confident gaze, Dominic exchanged glances with Laura.

“So, when should we start? It would be good for her to learn as soon as possible before debuting in society, right?”

Seeing Laura’s eyes filled with anticipation, Dominic quickly sealed the deal.

And just like that, Ruby unexpectedly became a teacher.