Chapter 3: Gold Spoon Experience (3)

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3. If you spot the gardener trimming roses, vacate the area immediately. Do not look back until you are completely out of the garden.

4. No humming, whistling, or singing of any kind is permitted in the garden.

“He’s not here.”

He really wasn’t. I sat down in dismay by the fountain. No matter how much I looked, I couldn’t find the gardener. Maybe my designated ‘walk time’ doesn’t overlap with his working hours.

Come to think of it, that makes sense. Who would want to do their job while constantly running into their employer? Even working at a convenience store, it’s awkward when a customer stares at you while you restock shelves. Gardening, with its delicate attention to plants, must be even worse.

So in the end, all I did was get some cardio in… but hey, that’s not a bad thing. Staying active is good for someone who’s supposed to be in fragile health. I consoled myself with that thought and trudged back toward the mansion.

Now that I think about it, everyone treats this body like it’s weak or ill, but I haven’t felt any discomfort. I don’t feel especially frail, and even after walking this long, I’m just tired, not dizzy or sick or anything.

And then, like lightning, a new theory struck me. Wait a second… what if the original owner of this body was only pretending to be sick for an easier life?

I mean, this house is loaded. Why bother working when you can live off luxury? Maybe they didn’t want to be seen as lazy, so they faked being sick just enough to avoid suspicion, but not enough to cause real concern. Hm.

“That’s actually pretty convincing.”

If that’s really the case, they could’ve been my soulmate. We would’ve been great slack-off buddies. But now, somehow, I’ve become them instead. Go figure.

I patted my own shoulder solemnly and thought, Wherever the real owner of this body is now, I hope they’re not stuck in my broke, overworked body back home. May they be enjoying a dream life in an even richer body somewhere out there.

“It’s time for dinner, young lady. Would you like me to escort you to the dining room?”

“Ah, sure.”

As I returned to the present, I realized the sky had turned crimson with sunset. The rose petals and droplets from the fountain sparkled like flowers in the orange light.

Spending the whole day outside like this… I guess being a rich bum does inspire a more passionate lifestyle. I looked up at the sky, oddly sentimental.

I hope dinner has a lot of meat today. Something with killer marbling, please.

* * *

Hooray! Charcoal-grilled pork for dinner! The smell was just divine. I had to hold myself back from drooling and flaring my nostrils like a starving beast. Even if we were family, I couldn’t risk looking so disgraceful.

As always, the red-haired woman who appeared to be this body’s mother smiled gently and offered a warm comment.

“Did you have a pleasant day today?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Yes, it was wonderful! Oh, but I do have a question.”

A brief silence followed. Wait… could it be that the original personality of this body was the kind of food connoisseur who refused to make small talk during meals to focus solely on eating? Why’s the mood so weird all of a sudden? The older sister sitting across from me (well, I assumed she was my sister) had gone completely expressionless. She must be really shocked.

“What sort of question is it?”

“I was wondering… what are the working hours of the gardener?”

As soon as I said it, I realized that someone living in a mansion like this probably doesn’t know the staff’s schedules down to the hour, right? Sure enough, Mother (I guess she is my mother) responded with a faint smile and smoothly changed the subject.

“Well… I’m sure he’s always taking care of the garden.”

So the gardener must be very passionate about his job.

“But that’s not something you need to worry about, Rose. All you have to do is enjoy the beauty of the garden and live happily in this mansion.”

Mother, your parenting style is very gentle, but to someone as lacking in willpower as I am, it feels like you’re guaranteeing me a life of utter luxury and idleness.

Anyway, I’ve taken one step closer to the dream life of a rich, jobless noble. I didn’t say anything else and just nodded with a smile.

“Now that I think of it, what brought this question on all of a sudden? Has something been on your mind lately?”

Finally, the perfect opening! I furrowed my brow slightly, trying to subtly drop a hint.

“Well, actually… my memory’s been a bit fuzzy lately. I can’t remember much from when I was young… maybe I’m unwell?”

“Oh my!”

Mother gasped, covering her mouth. My sister (again, I’m assuming here) who’d already looked stiff, turned pale. On closer inspection, the hand holding her fork was trembling. They were so genuinely concerned it actually made me feel a little guilty.

“We need to call the doctor. Dearest Rose, rest until he arrives, all right? No going outside. You must stay home and recover as much as possible!”

Oh no. Maybe claiming amnesia was too much. Their reaction was way more intense than I expected!

“U-um, I’m not that sick. It’s not like I’m having trouble with daily life.”

“No, no. You must stay in the mansion until you’re fully recovered. What if you suddenly collapsed outside? As your mother, I couldn’t bear it…”

She even put her hand to her head like she might faint. Mother, you’re laying it on a bit thick… With my mood rapidly cooling, I just gave a nod in the end. Only then did Mother’s expression soften. She must have felt reassured.

“Nothing helps recovery more than eating nutritious food. You need to eat plenty.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Wise words. I watched in awe as the staff brought out the main dish from the trays and carefully plated it before me at Mother’s direction. I was genuinely touched. So this is what family feels like.

That night, I devoured the marinated charcoal-grilled pork with great enthusiasm. I was starting to crave kimchi by this point, but I held out. All in all, it was a deeply satisfying dinner.

That said, the sister sitting across from me didn’t touch a single bite. Actually, looking closer, had she not even touched her utensils at all?? Her plate was spotless. Unless she’d licked the sauce off, there’s no way that should be possible. It was a little concerning.

“That was a lovely meal. Let’s greet each other with bright smiles tomorrow too.”

“…Yes. It was a lovely meal.”

“A lovely meal indeed!”

She didn’t eat a thing. How could it have been lovely? After some hesitation, I decided to speak to her once Mother left and she started getting up. If we were sisters, surely she wouldn’t mind me talking casually?

“You didn’t eat anything. Is your stomach upset?”

Her pale face went even whiter. She gritted her teeth as she glared at me.

“Don’t act like you’re part of this family when you’re not even the real daughter.”

An unexpected revelation about my origins hits me like a soul-leaving possession. What!? Then she shoved me aside and stormed out of the dining room. For someone with such a frail frame, her shove actually hurt. Girl didn’t even eat dinner, and she’s that strong? I stared after her, dumbfounded.

* * *

Workplace Guidelines

5. The mansion’s basement and kitchen are restricted areas. If anyone asks you to go to these locations, report to Mrs. Perkins immediately and return to your assigned post.

— — — 

Back in my room, I tried to calmly sort through everything. I could see three possible explanations:

First, there’s actually a hidden birth secret.

Second, this body is adopted.

Third, the parents remarried.

As a Korean who’s been thoroughly exposed to daily dramas, my gut strongly pointed to the third option. After all, in dramas, birth secrets usually get revealed at a more dramatic moment, and adopted kids typically wouldn’t be allowed to lounge around spending money like a pampered noble. That’s my narrative instinct talking, but my rational side decided to dismiss it for now.

In these situations, there’s only one thing to do: test the waters with a staff member!

“How long has it been since Father passed away?”

Wow. That was honestly the most perfectly ambiguous question I’ve ever asked. It could apply to someone who died, got divorced, or even just went on a long trip!