Chapter 18 – I Can Give it To You

“What?”

The elderly woman narrowed her eyes and shrugged the summer shawl draped over her shoulders, letting out a sneer.

“Hey, young lady. That sounds like something I should be saying.”

“……”

“This is my house. Who are you, young lady?”

Startled by the aggressive attitude, Eloise didn’t back down but instead widened her glassy blue eyes even more.

“I’m Uncle Simon’s niece. I came from Maybury, and my mother’s name is Catherine Bailey, oh, she was known as Fairbain when she was a maiden.”

With a composed face, she added one more thing.

“You must have received a letter from my mother.” 

“Oh, is that it?”

As if recalling something, the elderly woman’s eyes lit up. Just then, a glimmer of hope was about to appear on Eloise’s face as she clasped her hands together.

“If it’s that letter, I threw it away.”

“You threw it away? Why?”

When Eloise asked back resentfully, the woman immediately snapped in annoyance.

“I’ve owned this house for over ten years! What do I care about a letter that came from the previous owner?”

“Excuse me? That means…”

The person living in this house isn’t her Uncle Simon. With that unexpected answer, her legs went weak, and her vision darkened.

Could this really be happening?

If there hadn’t been a kind relative uncle in the first place, she wouldn’t have made such a reckless plan to go to the capital.

So what should I do now?

“I don’t quite remember, but I think it said something about taking good care of the child…”

The elderly woman muttered as she pushed her glasses up with her dry, twig-like fingers.

But Eloise, lost in serious thought, couldn’t hear her properly.

“Sending a child to someone you haven’t contacted in over ten years—are you out of your mind? Especially sending such a young lady alone?”

At the sound of clucking her tongue, Eloise raised her head sharply.

Her face was still pale, but the voice, filled with clear emotion, was quite firm.

“I was the one who insisted on going to the capital without thinking. My mother only gave in because she had no choice. So, could you please refrain from speaking carelessly?”

“Ha……”

The elderly woman’s wrinkled lips twisted slightly.

Maybury, she came from far away.

Muttering softly, the old woman picked up a thin, crying cat that was rubbing its face against her ankle and asked,

“So, since you have nowhere to stay, are you going to go back home like this?”

“No, I can’t do that…”

Eloise trailed off, seemingly clutching at her skirt for no reason, then soon picked up the square bag she had placed at her feet.

“I guess I’ll have to find a way from now on. I apologize for the trouble. Well then…”

“Hey, young lady!”

A shrill voice stopped Eloise as she turned to leave.

“It’s not a good idea to roam the streets at night looking like an outsider. It seems like this is your first time in the capital.”

“That’s true, but I need to find a place to stay before it gets any later.”

Indeed, while she was talking to the woman, the evening sky had quickly darkened.

As if that weren’t enough, the wind was cold enough that it wouldn’t be strange even for autumn. Still, her anxious heart was making her break out in a cold sweat.

‘There probably won’t be a carriage to take me back right now, so I need to find a place to stay first. Of course, even if I can’t find one, I can’t just go back like this…’

But this was the capital of the Kingdom of Brightnum. Surely, there had to be somewhere to rest for the night.

She remembered passing a few inns and lodgings on her way here.

For now, she just wanted to lie down, feeling as if she might collapse at any moment.

Once she found a room, she planned to sleep well tonight and start looking for a more permanent place tomorrow.

‘But since I’ll have unexpected rent expenses, I’ll have to find a job starting tomorrow.’

Eloise sighed heavily, forgetting that she was standing in front of someone else’s house.

‘If I look around, there might be jobs that provide room and board, right? This is the capital after all. So maybe…’

But just thinking about it wouldn’t solve anything. She had to hurry and find a place to stay before it got any darker.

I shouldn’t be feeling so lost over something like this. Thinking about looking for a job starting tomorrow, this much is…

“Hey, young lady. What’s your name?”

Eloise, who had been trembling with a serious expression, turned around abruptly.

The old woman, with a grumpy face, was leaning against the door frame, watching her.

Her eyes, like those of the skinny cat in her arms, were strangely observant.

“…I’m Eloise Bailey. But why are you asking for my name?”

“Miss Bailey, how about boarding at my house?”

“Boarding?”

Her previously gloomy eyes widened in surprise.

“Aren’t you in a difficult situation right now? It looks like you’re going to have to spend an unexpected sum. It seems you have some reason you can’t go back, so why not stay at my house for less than the market rate? Finding a place to stay is quite a hassle.”

There was nothing wrong with her words.

However, it was also true that the woman, who had been cold the whole time, suddenly changed her attitude and felt a bit suspicious.

“Why are you making such a suggestion all of a sudden? Do you usually take in borders?”

“I’ve been thinking lately that I might like to try that, but I was hesitant to let a complete stranger into my home. However, I thought someone like you would be fine.”

“…….”

As Eloise hesitated, the old woman quickly added a few more words.

“It’s just me and a cat in the house, so it’ll be comfortable for you! There’s a room on the second floor that my son used to use, and I can give that to you. He’s my only family, but he left for Chatham two years ago.”

Chatham. It was definitely a name she had heard from the carriage. Eloise’s lips moved involuntarily.

“That’s where the military academy is.”

“You know about it? It seems it has quite the reputation even that far away. Aside from that, there’s nothing else there.”

Eloise, hating herself for thinking of Ansel without any reservations, rubbed her tired face.

“So, what will you do?”

“I’ll do it.”

It was an immediate answer. The old woman let out a laugh like the wind.

“Huh? Not even going to see the room?”

“A room where I can just sleep will be fine. Since it was your son’s room, it should be okay. If it’s boarding, meals will be provided, and if it’s cheaper than the market rate, there’s no reason to refuse.”

With a face that seemed to have lost all hope, she accepted the proposal with a surprisingly brave attitude.

The old woman nodded, seemingly satisfied.

“Right, good thinking. However, as you can see, I’m quite old and have no one to help with the household. It’s best not to expect anything grand in terms of meals.”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Good. It’s chilly, so let’s go inside.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Call me Mrs. Mullich.”

“Yes, Mrs. Mullich.”

Following the old woman, who turned swiftly, they entered a house dimly lit by just a few candles.

Inside, there was a musty smell reminiscent of old tea leaves.

It wasn’t particularly pleasant, but Eloise was simply relieved at the thought that she would finally be able to sleep in a proper bed.

Reaching behind her to close the door, Eloise followed the cantankerous landlady up the stairs.

“……Ah.”

The old woman stopped as if she had remembered something.

“What is it, Mrs. Mullich?”

“You need to pay a deposit, Eloise.”

“Oh, right.”

Although she had carelessly forgotten, paying a deposit, which meant paying one month’s rent in advance, was a common practice.

Her heart sank at the sudden realization, but in any case, the deposit was money she would have to pay somewhere else.

‘It’s okay. If I add the money I brought to the allowance Dad gave me, I think I can manage until I find a job after paying the deposit.’

Regaining her composure, Eloise asked readily.

“Is it enough if I give you one month’s rent?”

“No. I’ll need two months’ worth. The rent will be paid afterward.”

It was a strict attitude with no room for negotiation, not even a needle’s worth of leeway. A bewildered voice escaped her.

“Excuse me? Two months’ worth?”

“I have my own circumstances, you see. Why? Do you not have the money?”

However, Mrs. Mullich stood with her arms crossed, showing no sign of backing down.

The cat in the room was also glaring at Eloise with a sulky face.

If she said she had no money, it seemed likely that Mrs. Mullich would tell her to leave immediately and look for another lodger.

It felt like she would be unceremoniously thrown out into the cold, windy street.

“What? Didn’t they even give you enough money to come here? What kind of family…”

“I have it!”

Eloise quickly interrupted the woman, squeezing her eyes shut.

It wasn’t a lie. Although the money she brought wasn’t enough, if she added the emergency fund Sarah gave her, she could pay the amount without a problem.

“…I can give it to you, ma’am.”

However, Eloise was choked up. She hadn’t intended to spend it so easily.

I really can’t do without my sister. 

She hadn’t expected to realize this obvious fact so suddenly in such a strange place.

It was only natural that she would come to loathe herself for running away, feeling tormented by watching her sister’s happiness.

As if it were a habit, her eyes grew warm, and Eloise bit her lip tightly.

‘No. I came here to find my place. So let’s stop having bad thoughts.’

Eloise couldn’t just burst into tears in front of the landlord she had met for the first time today, so she decided to think of something else.

‘Hmm… I guess I should start looking for a job right away from tomorrow?’

What kind of work will I do? It won’t be easy while I’m here, but no matter what, I’ll work hard.

Eventually, my lost and wandering heart will find its place, and then I will be happy with my family…

“Sigh.”

Can it really be that way? 

The overwhelming sadness and fatigue seemed like they would collapse beneath her feet at any moment.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to unpack?”

“No, I’m going.”

Now, she really wanted to rest.