Chapter 14
The exam ended without any problems. All the test papers the applicants took were handed over to the psychologists. We had to wait for the results.
“I’ve made a big mark in the history of this world.”
Even I was surprised and clicked my tongue.
Right now, I was out. Since coming to Jeremias, this was the very first time I had gone out like this. The weather was excessively cold, and it wasn’t the social season, so there were no invitations.
I wondered if anyone would invite me.
Come to think of it, winter was about to end. Starting in March, the real social season would begin. Unlike the small gatherings of winter, all the mansions would open wide and hold social events.
There had been no events at Jeremias until now. Because Maynus hadn’t married. Without a lady of the house or a sister to lead social gatherings, there was no choice.
Maynus really needed to meet a good person soon.
Lost in thought, I found myself arriving at the restaurant where Maynus was waiting. Maynus had sent me a note to come here from the imperial city.
The maids were excited to hear I was going out, so they helped me get ready. That’s why I was standing here sparkling.
“Oh, Maynus!”
I found Maynus, who had arrived first, and sat across from him.
“Veloce. You were surprised to be called suddenly, right?”
“No.”
“Wasn’t it too cold outside? The weather is warming up, but you might catch a cold like before, so be careful.”
He seemed to be referring to when I got sick shortly after arriving at the mansion.
“I rode the carriage, so I didn’t feel cold at all. How did your business go?”
“Let’s order food first. Do you have any allergies or foods you avoid?”
I shook my head.
“I eat anything, so order something delicious.”
Since I had never been to a place like this, I left the order to Maynus. He skillfully placed the order.
“I arranged this dinner to thank you, Veloce. Thanks to your idea, we saved a lot of time.”
“I’ve already heard plenty of thanks…”
Enough to make me embarrassed. Marten talked about what I had done every time he saw me.
“But I feel like I haven’t really done much.”
Maynus smiled gently. It was the first time I’d seen him smile like that. He looked like a cat who had let down its guard. It wasn’t like Maynus, who usually built walls between himself and others.
Maynus said to me,
“So I wanted to treat you to this meal… and it’s payday.”
Maynus placed a thick envelope on the table. Wow. It was more delicious and beautiful than any food. It meant I’d been working with Maynus and Marten for a month.
At the same time, it meant I had been at Jeremias for two months. When I reached for the amount, Maynus added,
“I put in more than we agreed. Think of it as an incentive for this work. I thought about buying you a present, but I wasn’t sure what you needed. Buy whatever you need, Veloce.”
“Maynus!”
What a wonderful employer!
The amount was definitely more than promised. I wanted to dance with joy holding the thick paycheck envelope. This was enough to pay rent, buy gifts, and still pay rent again.
I planned to buy gifts for the maids who took care of me, Delerone’s nanny, the head butler, Marten… and even Maynus.
Thinking about that made me feel much better.
Maynus’s already radiant appearance seemed even brighter. I looked at him with eyes full of emotion. Maynus was becoming like a tall, kind uncle to me.
Maynus was endlessly generous. Without him, Delerone and I wouldn’t be living comfortably like this. Thanks to Maynus, I could dream and set goals.
And Maynus was always so just and warm.
Ah. How did I create such a person?
Almost a perfect man. Looks, ability, wealth, and character. Nothing lacking. I truly hoped Maynus would meet a good woman.
I imagined someone who would stand by Maynus.
Hmm.
I don’t know. Maybe no one suits him.
“I’m glad you like it.”
I calmed down and put the envelope down. That envelope would be the driving force for me to work another month.
“Oh, you asked why His Majesty called you?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s actually one reason I called you here.”
“Hm?”
Is he going to buy me a meal and kick me out? Maynus’s expression was serious enough to make me think so.
“His Majesty called me because of you. He was curious about you. And I made a request to His Majesty.”
What was he going to say…?
“You know Artemio is in charge of building the national healing center.”
“Ah.”
Thanks to saint Ellice, Artemio got the job. But why?
“You said you wanted to open a healing center before? I asked that the national healing center construction be entrusted to you.”
“Eh?”
I never thought about that. Of course, I hoped Artemio would pay for what they did to me and Delerone. I’m human after all. But to take Artemio’s work?
Wow, that’s great.
“But can I really do it alone?”
“His Majesty was worried about that too. But I believe Veloce can do well. Marten and I will help. Did I cause unnecessary trouble?”
“No!”
Definitely not. I was grateful. Taking something away from Artemio was good enough… At that moment, Maynus thought about what I wanted. It warmed my heart.
Maynus was the only one who truly saw black-haired crow Veloce, whom even her family ignored. My heart fluttered. Had I completely merged with Veloce? I felt like crying.
“Thank you so much, Maynus.”
“I’m glad. I thought you’d be happy. My guess was right.”
Maynus smiled. At this moment, I felt lucky to be the only one who could have Maynus’s kindness and smile. But it didn’t end there.
Maynus added,
“And the emperor wants to meet you. He asked Marten about the dukedom Sir Alexand was supposed to receive, and I accepted that too. If I’m wrong…”
Before Maynus finished, I shook my head.
“I’m so happy. Thank you, Maynus.”
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
I jumped up and then lay back down. Morning sunlight settled on the bed. What happened yesterday felt like a dream. It seemed like a fantasy my brain created because I wished it.
But no matter how much I pinched my cheek, the situation didn’t change.
The dinner outing with Maynus yesterday was truly perfect. The food was delicious, and the park walk afterward was nice. The weather was warming, so it wasn’t freezing, and wearing a coat made it perfect for a walk. It was only 15 minutes, though.
The lit street lamps shone on the park, reflecting off the snow and sparkling. The few footprints on the white snow would be a lasting memory.
Having trivial conversations and returning home with someone felt so warm. Maybe because I’d never experienced it before.
“What’s so great about this?”
Come to think of it, I became Veloce and gained a family. I’d never had a family before. I only remembered struggling to survive. Now I had Delerone by my side, maids, and Maynus.
Maynus did so much for me yesterday without expecting anything in return. Maynus probably didn’t know what that meant to me. After all, from the moment he accepted me and Delerone, he never expected anything back.
We looked like penniless beggars. Yet he accepted us and did so much yesterday. Today, I planned to be a magpie repaying a favor. I boldly requested a day off yesterday.
