Before bushclover became popular, it was known by another name, bisuri, and was used for brooms or animal feed.

Cynthia sighed while looking at the bushclover broom. She couldn’t shake off her uneasiness.

Surely there wasn’t some hidden authorial intent?

No matter how she examined it, it was just ordinary bushclover without any novel buff.

‘I’m lucky to have found clean, dried young branches.’

Now she could make a deal with the villain. Cynthia rose with a solemn expression.

It was time to meet Kaisel.

❀❀❀

By asking the villagers, she was able to reach the vicinity of the grand ducal residence where Kaisel stayed. After walking along a stone wall that seemed twice the height of an adult, an arched iron gate appeared.

The sheer size and breadth of the mansion, which looked like several mansions combined, was intimidating.

Seeing the cast iron dragon decorations all over the heavy iron gate, this was definitely the mansion where Kaisel stayed.

Cynthia emptied her pockets completely. She had no money left after coming all this way.

‘I can’t turn back now.’

But something was strange.

There were no guards at the entrance of the mansion nor any servants passing by.

Cynthia hugged the bushclover broom like a treasure and knocked on the door knocker.

But still there was no response. The huge mansion seemed completely empty.

She felt disappointed, wondering if they had all gone on a trip. She pondered what to do next and decided to wait a little longer.

About an hour had passed since she crouched in front of the mansion. The entrance remained deserted without even an ant in sight.

Cynthia let out a deep sigh. Just when she thought things might go smoothly, apparently not.

Where should I go now, dear author?

As she was reciting sad song lyrics, a long shadow fell across her.

“Who are you?”

A woman with narrowed eyes was looking down at her. Startled, Cynthia awkwardly got to her feet.

“I-I’m sorry! I came because I had something to say, but there was no one at the mansion so I was waiting.”

The woman, who had a large pouch-like bag slung over her left shoulder, opened her mouth with an utterly calm face.

“If you were in your right mind, you wouldn’t come to the Grand Duke’s residence without an appointment. You’re not from the capital, I see.”

“……That’s right.”

The woman frowned, putting down her bag with a thud.

This mansion was avoided by everyone for fear the curse might spread. It was natural for an outsider not to know the circumstances.

How many hours had she been waiting? Tsk.

“I’m Hannah, the mansion’s cook.”

“I’m Cynthia.”

“So what brings you here?”

Cynthia wondered how to explain herself to someone other than Kaisel.

Meanwhile, Hannah recalled the maids chattering about getting permission for additional recruitment notices recently.

Looking at her skeletal thinness even hidden under the robe, she thought this girl must have a story. If nothing else, Hannah prided herself on her judgment of character.

Besides, even if she came to harm the Grand Duke, she would be filtered out by the head maid anyway, so they could deal with it when they returned.

Hannah discreetly grabbed her left wrist. The aching wrist suggested rain would fall soon. She sighed and muttered.

“Did you come after seeing the maid recruitment notice? Seeing you with a broom, you’re certainly prepared.”

“What? No. I…!”

As Cynthia tried to explain, Hannah, who had already lowered her guard, took out a round pocket watch from her bosom.

Suddenly, blue light spread out and the dragon’s eyes turned golden.

Soon, with a clank, the iron gate opened.

Cynthia’s eyes widened at the amazing sight she had never seen before.

“Follow me.”

Was it really okay to enter the mansion like this? But with no other options coming to mind, she hurriedly followed behind her.

The place Hannah took Cynthia to was a large kitchen connected to the mansion. The high ceiling, large hearth, and various cooking utensils were fascinating.

“You almost spent the night in front of the mansion. Servants usually work three days a week, and when the master leaves the mansion, everyone gets time off. The grand ducal residence doesn’t even have knights standing guard.”

Cynthia’s eyes widened. These were radical working conditions impossible in this world.

“So that’s why no one was around. Then does that magic protect the mansion? Even when the Grand Duke is away?”

Cynthia subtly phrased her question to confirm Kaisel’s absence.

Hannah nodded as she organized the items in her pocket.

“The grand ducal residence has many trap spells, so small fry can’t even get near. If you don’t want to die, don’t go into the mansion and stay put.”

“Yes.”

At the somewhat villainous warning, Cynthia responded obediently as if to prove she was harmless.

“The head maid is also out on an errand for the master, so it’s difficult to meet her right now. I’ll show you where to stay later.”

“Thank you.”

Cynthia breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn’t even thought that Kaisel might have left the mansion.

With no money left, it seemed wise to stay at the mansion pretending to be a maid for now.

Growl.

Was it because the tension had eased? Her face flushed red as a loud sound came from her stomach.

Hannah clicked her tongue.

She was bothered by the bony arms that looked like they would break with just a slight squeeze and the gaunt cheeks, suggesting she had been starving.

She washed her hands at the sink and took out an apron hanging on the shelf to tie it on.

“If you don’t mind leftovers, how about a simple dinner? Any foods you can’t eat?”

“Not particularly.”

Hearing her answer, Hannah silently took out a knife and began cooking.

Her movements were like flowing water, without any unnecessary actions.

Hannah sprinkled spices over large cuts of venison and topped it with plenty of chopped vegetables.

The simmering stew warmed up, releasing a delicious aroma.

“Can I help you?”

“I don’t like anyone touching my cooking utensils. Just sit there.”

At the firm refusal, Cynthia had no choice but to watch.

Soon, Hannah prepared an excellent dinner in the blink of an eye.

Warm tomato stew with soft bread, and for the main dish, a stew with vegetables and venison. The dessert was even lemon pudding.

Cynthia’s eyes sparkled continuously at the steaming, appetizing meal. Hannah, regardless, wolfed down her food.

Cynthia also tasted the tomato stew.

‘Wow! This is so delicious.’

It was truly, truly delicious.

How could it have such a deep flavor?

A warm and cozy home-cooked meal.

After her grandmother passed away, she thought she would never be able to have a meal like this with someone…

Cynthia felt tears welling up at the kindness readily offered by this stranger.

❀❀❀

After finishing the delicious dinner, Cynthia cleared the dishes and quietly opened the conversation.

“Chef. If it’s alright, may I make you some medicine that’s good for wrist pain?”

Hannah frowned as she looked at her. Did she know her wrist was hurting?

“The medicine I make doesn’t need herbs and can be made with just ingredients. I saw the ingredients when you were making dinner earlier. Is that okay?”

“Well, do as you please.”

Hannah crossed her arms and handed over the kitchen.

Earlier she had said she didn’t like people touching her cooking utensils, but despite her gruffness, she was a good person. Swallowing a smile, Cynthia boiled hot water in a kettle.

Meanwhile, she mixed finely chopped ginger, cinnamon powder, honey, the spice bisa, flour, and a little water in a wide bowl, kneading it thoroughly.

Then she shaped it into a round form and placed it on a plate. Next, she took out well-organized gauze and tea towels from one side and soaked them in boiling water.

“I’ll start with your wrist simply.”

Cynthia placed the kneaded lump on Hannah’s wrist and covered it with gauze. Then she wrapped a tea towel soaked in hot water over it.

Hannah silently stared at the compress area.

With her sensitive sense of smell, she really hated the bitter and astringent smell unique to artificially made herbs.

But perhaps because they were familiar ingredients, she couldn’t push away this strange dough.

Along with the warmth, the pain gradually subsided, and above all, her wrist felt refreshed.

As warmth seeped into the aching area, her sensitive mood also gradually stabilized.

“This is called a poultice. Just place it on the painful area, cover it with gauze, and then wrap it with a warm towel for a compress. Bisa is used as a spice, but it’s an herb that reduces inflammation. It also creates a synergistic effect when used with cinnamon.”

“……”

“As time passes, the pain and hardened areas will become comfortable. It’s my thanks for the delicious dinner you made.”

“……It’s nothing.”

Hannah swallowed a forced cough. The tips of her ears turned red.

❀❀❀

“Since you’ve come to a strange place and eaten, why not take a walk to aid digestion? I don’t want to deal with the corpse of a maid who got indigestion in my kitchen. Don’t go inside the mansion.”