Praising You For Surviving (Salute for Lucien) - Chapter 44

“What?”

I didn’t know it was to that extent. I opened my eyes wide and exhaled, “Huh.”

“How could you not know that?”

“How would I know? The Baron isn’t interested in these things, and Nina is in charge of all the household affairs, so Brook can’t even touch it. It seems they divide the money they collect once a month.”

“Is there that level of trust between the merchant and Nina? Are they family or relatives?”

“They’re members of some group, I heard.”

“What group?”

“Fatura.”

I should have not understood that word. But I was too surprised to hide my expression.

Fatura was the name of a woman in ‘Where the Night’s Curtain Sings’, who regularly held orgies, and people called her a witch.

The description of those orgies appeared only twice, but from those two scenes, I was able to learn over fifteen sexual positions.

Laurel, who hesitated for a moment on how to explain further, quickly caught my expression and opened her mouth wide, grabbing my ankle.

“Kid. You know where that name is from? You, you…!”

“Is that important? I read books indiscriminately.”

I judged in a brief moment that it was better to be bold in this situation, but my face had already turned bright red. Laurel, who was looking at me with disbelieving eyes, soon started laughing and hitting me.

“Oh my! I guess I can’t call you a kid anymore! Hahaha, Lucy, you, really!”

“Stop laughing. Many people get married at my age, what’s the big deal?”

“Which part did you find the most interesting? Did you read the scene where Quabna and Essi meet the snake in the forest? Or the scene where Buti, Hui, and Rinne, who met at Fatura’s party, do nothing but that for three days, even refusing food?”

“I didn’t look at it that closely to memorize it like that.”

I said through gritted teeth, but it was useless. There was no way to stop Laurel’s laughter that had burst like a floodgate.

With a feeling of despair, I tightly closed my eyes. Laurel dramatically patted one of my shoulders.

“If you’re thinking about marriage, then you should know. Good. This sister will explain it to you. Let’s make today the first day of your wedding night education.”

“That’s not necessary, just continue talking about Nina…”

“To understand that group, you need to know anyway. Fatura wasn’t just a woman who incited people’s sexual desires. She had a clear purpose. She even killed people because of it.”

Laurel giggled with a somewhat excited face as she explained.

“So let’s talk slowly. If you know how to stimulate a man’s thing, it will be easier for you to respond. Of course, you don’t need to know too well. You shouldn’t seem too skilled for your first time. Above all, you need to properly know your own body. We can’t let only the man have fun, right?”

I didn’t want to hear it, but instinctively, my attention was drawn to the words Laurel was spitting out. While listening to the provocative words and explanations, I tried to maintain as calm an expression as possible, but I couldn’t help but be surprised to the point where my eyes almost popped out at times, or let out embarrassed laughter.

The night deepens in excited excitement and commotion. And that heat didn’t cool down until dawn broke.

* * *

It’s now full winter. The white snow that fell overnight had piled up all over the mansion, creating a mysterious landscape. Of course, for the servants who had to clear that snow, it would be nothing more than a grueling task.

Once I was out of the position of worrying about clearing the snow when it fell, I could finally see the beauty. As I looked around, blowing out small breaths, soft fur was wrapped around my nape. When I turned my head, I saw Kirhin’s face, wearing a thick fur coat, all scrunched up.

“I told you to keep your neck warm so you don’t catch a cold.”

The white fur touching my skin was ticklish, but it was warm. I smiled slightly and replied.

“I like it when big brother takes care of me.”

At that, Kirhin opened his mouth wide and burst into laughter.

“You’ve really improved your speech skills, pebble. The men will be head over heels for you. Don’t you have any visitors today or tomorrow?”

“Today is the day I go to the recitation meeting. I postponed my appointments because I might be tired.”

I started walking, lightly holding Kirhin’s arm that he extended towards me. A carriage was waiting.

Kirhin whispered with a deliberately serious face.

“But you’ll still have time to help me, right?”

“Of course.”

“That’s a relief. It’s truly a blessing from God that you’re better with numbers than me.”

With a face that seemed to shake off his worries, Kirhin laughed leisurely. I glanced at him sideways and suddenly spoke up.

“I knew you had a good relationship with them, but I didn’t know you’d even do business.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“The Rihasbin merchant group. Are you managing it directly, big brother?”

When I asked as if it was just simple curiosity, Kirhin made a sound like a cat being strangled.

“Y-you, how did you…”

“I saw the contract that was in front of you when we were calculating the total. Is it something that needs to be kept secret?”

I blinked with an innocent expression. Kirhin cleared his throat and lowered his voice.

“I suppose so. Contracts usually have many sensitive information, you know.”

“I won’t tell anyone. It’s a family business, after all.”

“Right. That’s right. But, have you by any chance met Damian recently?”

I thought quickly at Kirhin’s question. The fact that he was asking like this meant that Lars hadn’t said anything about our meeting that day, so I thought it would be better if I didn’t reveal it either.

“No. When was he at home?”

Kirhin, who was rubbing his chin with a “hmm,” got into the carriage first and then extended his hand to me. I climbed the steps, receiving his escort.

That day when Kirhin returned home, he immediately looked for me after seeing the total prices written for each item. It was laughable how worried I had been about being scolded for carelessly meddling, as he was so pleased that he even handed me a few more sheets. The strong smell of alcohol and perfume made it not difficult to guess where he had been.

Although Lars would probably disapprove, I was willing to actively cooperate in increasing the time Kirhin spent with his lovers.

Calculation is essential in buying and selling goods. As the Bickman family was starting a new business, and one related to Lars at that, someone would have to take on that role since Kirhin lacked calculation skills. I was determined to do it myself.

Lars had come to my room after that. I didn’t run into him, but I knew from seeing the dagger in the drawer at some point. I could only shake my head, feeling complicated emotions.

…Anyway, since he gave it forcefully, I guess I don’t have to return the book.

I took out the cloth and book I had prepared in advance from my bag. I had deliberately embroidered wildflowers around the edges of the cloth piece a week ago. It looked simple, but it was a labor-intensive work. I planned to wrap the book with this cloth.

Penu wouldn’t dislike this. There was an anecdote that Cynthesi, whom he liked, always wrapped his books with handkerchiefs to take care of them.

“What’s that?”

As I spread out the cloth, which was made much larger than a handkerchief, and placed the book in the center, Kirhin’s eyes widened as he turned his head.

“It’s Cayonbe’s epic poem!”

“Yes. Since we’re invited, I thought it would be proper to give a gift to Lord Penu.”

“No, that’s not the problem, that book should be with Lars, I mean, Damian, so why is it in your hands…”

His blue eyes showed a look of disbelief. I neatly wrapped the book with the cloth and tied a pretty knot, then looked at Kirhin and said,

“I told you before, didn’t I? I borrowed this book from him with a perfume bottle as collateral, but he said he lost the perfume bottle. So I decided to keep this book.”

“What? And you’re saying you’re going to give this book to Lord Penu?”

“I heard at the succession ceremony. He had this book when he was young, but he gave it as a gift to a close friend.”

I shrugged lightly.

“If I give it as a gift this time, it will be quite meaningful, won’t it?”

The carriage that started moving jolted. As I was adjusting the hem of my dress while maintaining balance, I suddenly realized that Kirhin was silently staring at me and raised my head.

Kirhin, who was making an uncharacteristically thoughtful expression, let out a short sigh and furrowed his brow.

“Why are you going to such lengths, Lucy.”

“I want to be recognized. That your choice wasn’t wrong.”

“From Administrator Penu?”

“…From more people.”

Seeing his serious expression, I tried to change the subject slightly. However, Kirhin quietly placed his hand on my arm and said,

“I know you think of Damian as special.”

“……”

“But it’s not good to be associated with that person with half-hearted feelings. He’s much more dangerous than you think. Think about the young ladies from other noble families. How comfortable and happy they look. Their worries are just that they don’t like their hair today or who to invite to the tea party in the afternoon. Don’t you want to live like that?”