Chapter 8 – Part 4

Lenci didn’t seem happy about receiving the flower order, even though it came from Rose.

Rose had never favored Lenci, hardly ever speaking to her, and always showing her displeasure whenever giving out salaries.

It was hard for Lenci to believe that Rose was ordering flowers from her brother’s flower shop.

“But why my brother’s flower shop? She hardly ever visited it before.”

“I feel uneasy about it too. Some things bother me…”

Kristin knew what would happen to Oliver and Lenci in the future.

They would be slandered by nobles because of the schemes of Rose and Elena.

If her stepmother was ordering flowers, it meant that things were going to go back to the way they had been, which was not good for Oliver and Lenci.

If future events couldn’t be changed even by altering the past, she would have to somehow prevent the subsequent incidents from happening.

Moreover, the Levi Mine had become Kristin’s property, and she needed to find someone to manage it. Though she owned the mine, she couldn’t manage it herself.

The pressing issue was the scheme involving Oliver’s flower shop concocted by Rose. There were only three days left until the debutante ball, and she had to find a solution within that time.

“Lenci, could you arrange a meeting with your brother today?” Kristin asked.

“My brother? Well, he’s quite busy these days, but if it’s your request, he’ll make time,” Lenci replied.

“Lenci, I want your brother to take on the responsibility of managing the Levi Mine. I’ll ask him today. Right now, I have no one else I can trust with this role.”

“The mine? Are you sure it’s okay to entrust something so significant to my brother?” Lenci was puzzled.

She couldn’t understand why Kristin would place such a responsibility on someone from her family, who were mere commoners, not nobles.

Lenci continued, “Wouldn’t it be better to have someone from a more prestigious family as the manager? I’m not sure if my family would be able to properly handle it if any problems arise…”

However, Kristin hadn’t considered anyone else. In this situation, there was no one she could trust. Oliver, who was diligent and dependable, was the only one who could genuinely help.

Moreover, Lenci had often spoken about her brother to Kristin. Oliver, like his sister, was hardworking and dedicated, the ideal candidate to manage the mine and look after the workers.

Lenci’s voice replayed in her mind,

“My brother did all sorts of jobs to make money for the flower shop. He worked at construction sites and took on any task that came his way. He often worked on behalf of others, thinking of them first.”

“I want to live a life that I’m not ashamed of, just like my brother. I want to live a life of hard work”.

Despite being young, Lenci worked tirelessly and was always looking for new tasks after completing her assigned ones. Oliver also managed his flower shop with great care.

“Lenci, from what I’ve seen, you’re a good person, and so is your brother. That’s why I want to entrust him with this responsibility,” Kristin said.

She couldn’t reveal the impending troubles to Lenci, who would likely not believe her.

“In any case, I won’t make such a big request again, but I hope you can arrange a meeting with your brother.”

Kristin wanted to protect Lenci’s family. The flower shop must not fail because of Elena and Rose, as it did in the past.

Elena’s planning to use flowers from Oliver’s shop for the debutante ball decorations was a ploy to create an opportunity for nobles to slander the shop.

Kristin spoke to Lenci once more.

“Lenci, Mother, and Elena aren’t friendly to you, right? I think they’re asking for the flowers to find fault with something. I want to prevent that, but I need to speak with your brother first.”

“Really? Why do they dislike and resent me so much?” Lenci’s round, clear eyes were filled with sadness.

Seeing this, Kristin felt even more determined to stop this.

‘I will help you, Lenci. I can’t let you live an unhappy life like in the past.’

* * *

Lenci arranged for Kristin to meet her brother.

It was unusual for a noble to request a meeting with a servant’s family.

Typically, nobles would command rather than request, but Kristin believed in treating her servants with respect.

“My brother will be thrilled to meet you. I’ve often told him how well you treat me. He even wanted to give you flowers as a gift. He sent you flowers often, didn’t he?”

Indeed, Oliver had sent Kristin flowers before.

In spring, he sent fresh Freesias, Magnolia in March, red Roses in May and June, and Chrysanthemums grown in an indoor garden during the cold winter months.

He had a strong work ethic and kept a list of customers to offer discounts and complimentary cards for their next visit.

Oliver ran the flower shop not just for business, but with a genuine passion for sharing beautiful flowers with people.

“Now that the carriage is ready, shall we go? It should take about ten minutes to get there.”

Lenci seemed very happy at the thought of meeting her brother during work.

Unlike other siblings, they were very close, but due to Rose and Elena’s schemes, Oliver’s flower shop had been forced to close, causing great disappointment for him and even making Lenci develop speech problems.

For this lovely, smiling child, and to offer Oliver a better position, Kristin thought it would be better to give him a responsible role rather than just wealth.

However, Kristin was not fully confident that Oliver, who so dearly loved his flower shop, would accept the position of mine manager.

Nevertheless, Kristin had too many things to handle: post-incident management, compensation for workers, installation of facilities for mining, and more. Thus, she had to find a manager as soon as possible.

With a proper manager, the mine could run smoothly, and the workers’ lives would improve as well. Kristin wanted to meticulously handle every detail of this new life she had regained.

“Alright, let’s go. I’m ready,” Kristin said.

“Yes, My Lady. Just in case, I’ve prepared some warm tea in case you need it when we arrive at the flower shop,” Lenci replied.

“That’s why I can’t help but adore you. You treat me like a precious person,” Kristin said warmly.

“But I hope you’re treated like a precious person wherever you go. I’ve also packed a parasol and some handkerchiefs,” Lenci added.

“You’re the only one who thinks of me like this,” Kristin said, feeling grateful.

Kristin was grateful to have Lenci by her side.

As they went downstairs, Rose’s face appeared at the door.

“Kristin? Are you going somewhere?”

Rose was standing right outside the door, close enough to have overheard their conversation.

It meant she had been eavesdropping on their conversation from outside the door. However, Kristin smiled calmly at Rose.

But Kristin smiled calmly and replied, “Just as you suggested, Mother, I’m going to the flower shop run by Lenci’s brother to personally select the flowers. After all, I need to choose the flowers myself, don’t I? Isn’t that right, Mother?”

Rose nodded, saying, “Yes, that’s good. I’m not sure how beautiful the flowers will be, but I hope he can prepare some nice ones. The ball is just a few days away, so it would be best to have good flowers ready.”

“Understood, Mother,” Kristin replied.

She lightly patted Rose on the shoulder and walked down the stairs.

Then she turned back and said.

“Oh, and noble ladies must maintain their dignity, right? I’ll make sure you and Elena look dignified. You’re both like beautiful flowers, so I’ll prepare suitable flowers for you.”

Kristin turned and smiled brightly at Rose. This was not the forced smile she usually wore, but a genuine one.

Rose seemed to feel uncomfortable seeing this smile, but Kristin had intentionally provoked this reaction. She couldn’t let such eavesdropping behavior go unchallenged.

‘I know you want to ruin me, but I won’t fall easily. You should have kept your ordinary position running a general store. If you and Father drove my mother to her death, I can never forgive you.’

Hiding her true feelings, Kristin left the Viscount’s residence.

* * *

After leaving in the carriage, it took less than ten minutes to reach Oliver’s flower shop. The shop was located on the outskirts of the shopping district, making the surroundings quiet.

Inside the mansion felt like a battlefield, but outside was a different world. The early morning in the shopping district was peaceful and calm.

“Ah, there it is. That’s my brother’s flower shop.”

Lenci pointed out, and the coachman stopped the carriage.

With a smile, Lenci said to Kristin, “My brother will be so happy to see you. He always wanted to thank you for being kind to me.”

“Is that so? You must have spoken very highly of me. Thank you, Lenci,” Kristin replied.