Chapter 23 – Gift

“You’re in luck. A position just opened up.”

“Oh…!”

Eloise, who had been nervously clasping her hands, suddenly lit up with joy.

Her bright blue eyes were now filled with star-like joy.

Inside the office of a bead factory in Brightnum.

Mrs. Dunn, who introduced herself as the factory’s financial manager, said she had started here long ago as a day laborer and had reached her current position.

Her confident demeanor clearly showed her pride in the factory.

“The workers are all women, so it’s quiet and the work is easy. The boss is also known for his generosity, so there’s fierce competition to work here. You came at just the right time. Honestly, you won’t find a job this good anywhere else in this city.”

“…”

“If you’d missed this, you’d have had to go to a much tougher place. Like a meat factory…”

Contrary to her stern appearance, Mrs. Dunn was quite a chatterbox, but Eloise listened attentively, nodding along.

Mrs. Dunn’s words went on endlessly.

“But these days, even meat factories have lines of people wanting to get in. Workers are flooding in from the countryside and beyond the borders. Do you understand how lucky you are?”

“…Then, there must have been many applicants for this position. Why are you offering it to me?”

Eloise asked cautiously, her voice slightly lower.

Having already experienced several strange occurrences since arriving in the capital, she couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

“The boss prefers young and presentable ladies.”

“What?”

“He doesn’t listen when we suggest hiring someone quick with their hands… Anyway, just know you’re extremely lucky.”

Those words left Eloise with a strange feeling.

A young and presentable lady? It felt like she had secured the job unfairly.

Should I be happy about this? 

Among those who wanted this job, there might be someone older than her, too tall or too short, or with slightly longer hair than others.

What if there was someone who needed this job more desperately than she did?

‘…No. I’m desperate too. There’s no reason not to grab this opportunity, luck or not.’

Even as she thought this, the word “boss” that Mrs. Dunn had mentioned lingered in her mind.

The men in Brightnum seemed generally abnormal.

At that moment, as if reading her thoughts, Mrs. Dunn clapped her hands together.

“Oh! The boss is a busy man, so he doesn’t come to the factory himself. There’s a manager who supervises the workers. You probably won’t even get to see the boss’s face.”

“…”

That was a relief, but worried her expression might look bad, Eloise quickly waved her hands.

She didn’t want to ruin this golden opportunity by giving a bad impression.

“I think there’s a misunderstanding. I didn’t mean it that way…”

“Then, as I mentioned earlier, start coming in from tomorrow. I’ll explain the details then, so don’t worry. Our female workers are all kind.”

Before Eloise could finish her sentence, Mrs. Dunn ended the conversation.

She talked a lot, but she spoke very quickly, making the entire conversation feel overwhelming.

Eloise had hoped to get a tour of the factory, but it didn’t seem likely.

‘Well, everyone looked busy when I glanced earlier. I’ll be back soon anyway.’

Having concluded this, Eloise slightly squinted her eyes and put on the kindest smile she could manage.

She recalled Sarah’s smile as she did so.

“Yes, Mrs. Dunn. Thank you.”

Of course, unlike her sister, who had naturally upward-tilted eyes, it wasn’t easy for her to mimic Sarah’s smile.

* * *

The factory building, made of orange bricks, wasn’t very large, but it had an inexplicable dignity.

After finishing the dizzying interview and walking around the factory where she would start working from tomorrow, Eloise couldn’t help but let out a silly laugh.

Once she was far enough from the factory, Eloise let out a cheer she had been holding in and jumped up and down.

“Kyah! You did it, Eloise! You did it!”

A few passersby looked startled and glanced at her, but she didn’t care at all.

She felt like her heart would burst with joy if she didn’t express it somehow.

Looking back, the process of getting to Brightnum had been quite reckless.

She had been frightened when she first arrived, and when she found out that Uncle Simon had moved away long ago, her vision had gone white.

But after overcoming various obstacles, she had found a place to stay and even secured such a good job. She felt as if the whole world was cheering her on.

‘All on my own!’

She had experienced some absurdities she had never encountered in Maybury, but this overwhelming feeling of excitement could only be felt here.

Eloise realized anew that the cozy and warm world she had been part of was nothing more than a tiny fishbowl.

And she was glad she had left that safe fishbowl and come out into the ocean.

This ocean was too full of amazing hope to never have swum in it.

She even felt a bit smug, thinking she was already adapting to life here.

Ansel Blaine. The countless nights she had longed for that beautiful and noble man now felt like a distant memory.

It was only natural. Starting tomorrow, she will be working at a wonderful job and earning her own money.

‘I’m going to earn money…!’

Her heart pounded wildly. It wasn’t an uncomfortable sensation. It was, in fact, a very pleasant anxiety.

Wasn’t this what they called excitement?

The feeling of living a completely different life in just a few days was bewildering yet thrilling.

She wondered what kind of fantastic people she would meet at the factory. She might even become friends with a lady from the capital.

Thinking about all the exciting things that could happen made her legs feel weak with anticipation and excitement.

Eloise, carrying her heart full of hope, hurried her steps towards No. 4 Nostown.

Having secured a job, she needed to write a letter home as soon as she got back.

If she delayed any longer, they might come looking for her out of worry. Such slightly silly but pleasant thoughts filled her mind.

She had been walking for a long time now. Eloise, crossing the central square, suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Her gaze fell upon an old woman selling flowers, sitting on the ground with a tired face.

Her small frame and hunched back made her look even more pitiful.

Although many people were passing by, it seemed she hadn’t had any customers, as the amount of flowers didn’t seem to have decreased at all.

Eloise suddenly felt the urge to buy a rose.

It wasn’t just because she felt sorry for the old woman, but also to properly celebrate today’s joy. So it wasn’t an unnecessary expense.

“Hello, grandma. Can I have half a bunch of pink roses?”

Approaching the neatly arranged pile of roses and speaking softly, the old woman hurriedly got up.

Her tired expression was gone, replaced by the lively face of a merchant, and she waved her arms dramatically.

“Oh dear, just half a bunch? If it’s a gift for your lover, you should spend a bit more, pretty lady.”

“What? No, it’s not for a lover… It’s a gift for myself…”

Though it wasn’t something to be embarrassed about, her face flushed for no reason.

People in the capital were indeed passionate. Even this frail old woman.

“Really? Then you shouldn’t skimp even more!”

“Well, I’ve never bought roses before…”

It wasn’t a lie, but it was true that buying a whole bunch felt a bit burdensome.

She still had a long way to go before her first payday, and from tomorrow, she had to think about food expenses, and in a month, she would have to pay the rent.

The old woman on the street laughed with a wrinkled face full of the traces of time.

“Oh, are you from far away? In the village where I was born, roses would bloom in abundance around this time too.”

As Eloise smiled slightly, following her lead, the old woman rolled up her worn linen sleeves.

“I’ll give you a whole bunch as a special treat.”

“Oh, really? Thank you!”

Eloise completely forgot the virtues of a lady, such as refusing once or not showing her emotions too openly, and smiled brightly with a face like a peach blossom.

As the old woman’s wrinkled hands skillfully made the bouquet, the clear scent of roses spread on the afternoon breeze.

It was a day that couldn’t get any better.

* * *

「Mom, Dad, and Sally,

I should have written as soon as I arrived in the capital, but the day before yesterday, I fell asleep as soon as I unpacked.

Please forgive me for writing only on the third day. I’m eager to tell you how many things have happened in just three days.

Uncle Simon moved away long ago. I don’t know where he went. At first, I was at a loss, but fortunately, the current landlord offered me lodging.

It’s a two-story house where a spry old lady and an amusing-looking cat live.

For the capital, the rent is cheap, and meals are provided, so I had no reason to refuse. The food isn’t very tasty (I miss Chef Mitchell’s cooking!), but it’s not too bad. I like the room too.

Most importantly, I want to tell you that I found a job today.

It’s a factory that makes jewelry for noble ladies, and all the workers are women, and the work isn’t hard.

There are people lining up to get into this factory, but a spot opened up just in time for me. What luck!

I start work tomorrow. Honestly, I’m so nervous right now that I can’t write any more. I’ll introduce you to my new colleagues in the next letter, so look forward to it.

I’ll write again. I love you!

Sending a tender kiss,

Elsie.

P.S. I worry that the house might feel too empty without me. Especially Sally might feel lonely at night. I do too. I want to hug my sister tightly right now.」