Chapter 22
But perhaps saying “it’s okay” had the opposite effect.
Sally’s shoulders began to shake even more violently. Grace awkwardly patted the hand she had placed on Sally’s shoulder.
“Actually… I used to speak badly about you, my lady. At first… I said you didn’t know anything… that you were someone who couldn’t do anything.”
“……”
“I only realized later that you care about us a lot and think about our well-being. I’m truly sorry. I don’t even know what I was thinking, saying those awful things…”
Sally raised her head. She was careful not to let her sobs interrupt her words.
If she was going to apologize, she had to do it properly.
“You even saved the life of someone like me. I must have been out of my mind. I was wrong. Even if you decide to kick me out, I won’t have any complaints.”
“N-No, it’s alright.”
Grace gave her a small, shy smile.
“I-I don’t speak… well either. And I’m not… very good at things.”
“You’re not like that at all, my lady.”
Sally shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes.
“You’re the most thoughtful and warm-hearted person. I’m the one who doesn’t understand anything. I’m the rude and ignorant one…”
“S-Sally…”
The hand that had been resting on Sally’s shoulder gently slid down to hold hers.
“Sally… y-you do your work well.”
“……”
“You… you clean the rooms so nicely and prepare the clothes so… beautifully. Thank you.”
“That’s… just something I’m supposed to do.”
Being praised for the job she was paid to do only made her feel more ashamed.
“M-Me too… I’m the same.”
Grace pointed to herself with a smile.
Even though the words were short, Sally understood. Grace meant that she was just doing what she was supposed to, so Sally shouldn’t feel too guilty about receiving treatment.
“Th-Thank you. That’s all I can really do… cleaning well…”
“……”
“I don’t even know how to properly apologize. But if you give me another chance, I’ll do my best to serve you faithfully.”
“O-Okay. G-Great. Sally!”
Sally’s expression grew determined.
Grace smiled brightly. She was glad that Sally had pulled through and regained consciousness. And it made her happy to hear words of gratitude from someone who had once been hostile toward her.
“I-I was h-happy.”
Happy that she could save Sally.
When Emily was sick, no one came to help no matter how loudly she cried out—but this time, Sally had been different.
“Everyone h-helped…”
“Who would dare ignore a command from my lady?”
“I-I like that.”
Grace gently stroked the back of Sally’s hand.
“When I ask f-for help… and they c-come.”
And being able to give people what they needed.
‘Would that be enough for her? It’s only natural though…’
Why had she hated someone so pure? Sally hated the version of herself from before. How foolish and pathetic she had been.
“I’ll do my best from now on, my lady.”
“Y-Yes. Me too!”
Starting now, she would do her very best. Looking at Grace’s beaming smile, Sally made her vow.
Thanks to Grace, she had survived. From that day forward, she was reborn. She would become Grace’s person—warmth filled her heart.
“Hello, my lady.”
The new tutor was a young woman with brown hair. The freckles on her nose added to her lively charm.
“H-Hello…”
Grace returned the greeting. She could now handle meeting new people without stammering or hesitating too much.
“My name is Alice. I’m here to teach you reading and arithmetic.”
“Okay…”
“I look forward to working with you. I’ll do my best to teach you.”
Alice smiled brightly. Even though they had just met, Grace had a feeling she was a good person.
“Well, before we start learning letters…”
Alice studied Grace’s posture and then smiled again.
“Would it be alright if I touched your body for a moment?”
“…Pardon?”
“I was thinking of helping you with your posture. Is that okay?”
“Oh. Y-Yes! That’s… fine!”
Grace answered confidently. Since Alice had come to teach her, she felt she should absorb everything and follow along as best she could.
“Excuse me, then, just for a moment.”
Alice stepped closer and placed her hands on Grace’s shoulders and waist.
“Here… If you straighten your shoulders and push your chest forward a little, I think it’ll make you look more dignified.”
She gently pushed Grace’s shoulders back and waist forward, adjusting her posture.
“How does that feel?”
“Um… uh…”
Grace hesitated, not sure what to say. It wasn’t a familiar position, and it felt very awkward.
“It’s different from what you’re used to, so it’ll feel strange at first, and it may take some time to adjust. But I recommend trying it. From what I’ve seen, your usual posture tends to slump forward and your gaze is downward. Looking straight ahead would be better.”
“Y-Yes…”
Grace nodded eagerly.
Her hunched posture had developed during her time in the Reinheim household.
Her half-siblings would curse her out whenever she made eye contact, saying she brought bad luck. The servants would frown at her. So, Grace had made it a habit to look down and shrink away to avoid meeting anyone’s gaze.
“Shall we take a seat at the table?”
Alice guided Grace to the table and took a seat across from her. She pulled a bundle out of her bag, untied it, and flipped it upside down onto the table.
Dozens of wooden tiles, each about the size of a baby’s palm, spilled out. Each piece had something written on it in black ink.
“These markings are letters.”
“Ohh…”
“There are 26 letters in total, and each one has its own role and position.”
“You did great for your first lesson today. You wrote the letters very neatly.”
“Th-Thank you…”
“Well done.”
At Alice’s kind praise, Grace’s face flushed with warmth.
“If you keep looking at these and practicing writing them, you’ll be able to learn the letters quickly.”
Grace wondered, If I learn them fast, will she praise me again? A sense of anticipation bloomed in her heart.
From that day on, she frequently looked at the wooden tiles and memorized the letters diligently. Even after lessons ended, she would keep copying the letters over and over.
“You’ve already memorized this much?”
Alice praised Grace daily for how quickly she was picking up the letters.
“At this rate, you’ll be finished learning the alphabet soon and move on to writing words.”
“R-Really?”
“Yes. I’ve taught a lot of people, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone memorize this well.”
Alice’s words fired up Grace’s motivation even more. Apart from sleep, meals, and walks, she poured all her time into studying letters.
“Your focus is incredible, my lady.”
“N-No, I… I have to learn faster.”
The maids were amazed to see her sit still for hours at a desk, copying letters. But Grace only shook her head. She wanted to learn everything Alice could teach her as soon as possible. She glanced toward the bookshelf in the corner of the room.
“If you learn more letters and words, you’ll be able to read those books too. There are so many fun stories in the world. Once you discover them, it’s hard to stop.”
Alice’s words echoed in her mind. Reading those books became Grace’s goal. A few weeks later, she finished learning the alphabet and started learning words.
“Please read this, my lady.”
“S… Sa… Apple.”
She looked at the card in Alice’s hand and read it aloud.
