Translator: Nabi

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Chapter 16

After starting cleaning the library in the East Annex, her daily life has stabilized.

No, to be precise, it would have been correct that she had accepted her life in the Persen’s mansion as ‘Kim Min-ha’s daily life.’

In fact, Min-ha didn’t think she would be doing the cleaning job for so long at first, as she thought it would be over soon after she had reached the Vatican for divorce. The divorce decision, which seemed like it would be done just by signing it right away, seemed to be delayed for some reason.

The servants of the Persen secretly looked at Min-ha, speculating that the Duke’s static, pure-blooded aristocrats were putting pressure on the Vatican not to proceed with the divorce, fearing he would marry the daughter of an Imperial nobleman.

Although Min-ha didn’t care since it was not something that has to do with her, anyway. Instead, she thought that she should focus on ‘making money,’ and devoted herself to the cleaning job even harder.

Mrs. Pompa and her attendants, who initially doubted that she would clean properly, also cast their suspicions at Min-ha’s hard work.

Not only that, some of them even came up to her and gave her tips on how to clean quickly without Mrs. Pompa’s knowledge. So, as the tricks and skills accumulated, the easier the job was, the more time she had.

Therefore, she used the rest of her time to learn various necessary skills from Wanda.

Originally, it was only sewing that Wanda was supposed to teach her, but now, she was also teaching her how to take care of clothes, laundry, and simple cooking.

Min-ha, who had been learning from Wanda as her teacher, was interested in cooking after sewing.

Money is the most necessary thing to survive in this world. And, the reason money is needed is to make ends meet.​​There would be no need to do this if you could deliver or buy any food at a relatively low price like in Korea. However, this world was a place where you had to hire someone if you couldn’t do it yourself. Hence, Min-ha somehow took the time to learn how to cook as well.

And, Noah was always the first to sample the dishes she made in the process.

Min-ha said, cutting a piece of freshly baked apple pie and sticking it out towards Noah.​​“Noah, would you like to take a bite? Now, ah—”​​“Ah—”

“…How does it taste?”

She then asked again, staring at the little boy who was munching the pie in his mouth with a nervous expression. Noah looked at her as he was chewing her apple pie, which was full in his mouth.

And, after swallowing everything in his mouth, he smiled broadly.

“It’s delicious!”

“Really? That’s a relief! Would you like to eat some more?”​​“Yes!”

Fortunately, Noah’s response was very good. With her happy face, Min-ha dipped a sliced ​​apple pie with a fork and put it in his little mouth.

At the same time, she also put a tiny bite in her mouth as well to taste after seeing Noah chewing happily.

At that, the soft texture of a well-baked apple and the sweetness of honey spread softly in her mouth. Luckily, it was properly baked today, so it was delicious.

She turned to Wanda, who was standing next to her, and opened her mouth with a smile.​​“Thank you for your help today, Wanda. Thanks to you, it’s very delicious.”​​“It is all thanks to your hard work.”​​“No, it’s all thanks to Wanda’s help. I’ll be in your care next time, too!”​​“Yes. As much as you like, Madam.”​​“Oh, by the way, could you hand out some of these to your attendants? Please. I think I made too much food for myself…”

Minha smiled shyly, pointing to the apple pie stacked on the tray next to the table.

It was a big problem since she always made an amount that Noah and herself couldn’t handle whenever she made something. Whether it was because she resembled her parents, who ran a restaurant, or whether her big hands are hereditary.

It was now a daily routine to throw away the waste and to share what was left with everyone. Still, she failed a little last time, but this time she can share the successful desserts.

​​When she asked her, thinking it was a good thing that there was a lot, Wanda replied with a smile.

“Of course. I think the servants will love it.”

“Really? I hope so. The candy I made last time was too sweet…”

“The candy you gave me last time was also loved by the servants.”

“Aren’t you lying to me now?”

“There’s no way. Everyone said it was very tasty.”​​At Min-ha’s suspicion that she was just saying something nice to hear, Wanda laughed softly and denied it. Then, Noah, who had been listening to the conversation while nibbling on the apple pie, suddenly raised his hand and shouted.​​“That’s right, sister-in-law! The candy was really good!”

“Really?”

“Yeah! But, today’s apple pie was the best!”

“Is that so? Then, I’ll do it every day!”

“Yes! I’m excited. I wish it was my birthday every day.”

“…Huh?”

Min-ha, who smiled at Noah’s happy face, stopped her words for a moment and asked again.

‘I think he just said it was his birthday…?’

Whose birthday is it? No way—

She pressed him again to confirm as she gazed into his eyes intently. “Birthday, whose birthday is it?”

“…Ah.”​​“Noah, is it your birthday?”

Noah nodded as he lowered his eyes at her question.

“Oh, my!”

Startled, Min-ha took a deep breath. Then, she put both hands on the little boy’s shoulder and hurriedly asked.

“When? Today? Is today your birthday?”

“…Yes.”​​“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“…That’s—”​​Noah hesitated and couldn’t answer. It was sad to see him like this.

‘Did he ever get nailed to ‘Minase Persen’ that girl never does anything like her birthday party?’

It was at that time when she was about to question Noah the reason one more time, wondering if ‘she’ really was the reason.​​“It was customary to pass the Young Master’s birthday quietly every year, Madam.”​​“Why?”​​“Because Young Master Noah’s birthday is the same day as the anniversary of Grand Madam.”

“Oh…”

The answer came from Wanda.​​Min-ha looked down at Noah, who was speechless as if he had really forgotten. He bowed his head after hearing Wanda, who answered with a complicated face. It was very heartbreaking to see a child like that…

Still, she was upset to think that his birthday passed without proper congratulations every time because his mother’s death anniversary and his birthday overlapped. No, she was desperate for the child’s wish just now on his birthday, when he should be the day he’s most excited about.

Thinking so, Min-ha got a little angry. The same was true for the servants, but she was most upset with that man especially… Seth Persen. Shouldn’t he be nicer on his birthday so that Noah doesn’t feel guilty?​​‘That person called brother, seriously!’​​Lowering her head and tapping Noah’s shoulder gently, Min-ha gazed into the face of the child, who raised his head in surprise and spoke in a very serious voice.

“Let’s go, Noah. This sister will congratulate you properly.”

“…Yes?”

“I’ll buy you a birthday present. Let’s go.”​​“No, Madam!”

Then, Wanda, who was listening to the two of them, hurriedly intervened. She grabbed Min-ha’s arm, a little excited, and spoke as though to stop her.

“It’s impossible for only the two of you, Madam and Young Master, to go out! At least if you don’t get permission from the Duke and are accompanied by an escort…!”​​“So, all I have to do is to get permission from him?”

“…Yes? …Yes. That’s right.”

‘All right.’

Min-ha nodded her head and got up from her seat. She went to the drawers next to the bed and brought with a pocket of gold coins she had collected so far, before turning to Wanda with a puzzled expression on her face.

“Then, I’ll be back with permission. Noah, would you like to go out with me?”

“…Can I really go?”

“Why? Does Noah hate going out with me?”

Saying so, she glanced at the little boy who hesitated. Noah paused though soon replied as if he could be honest with her looking at him affectionately like that.

“…No, I don’t. I want to go!”

“Well, let’s go! Off to get the permission!”

At Noah’s honest response, Min-ha smiled and reached out her hand to him. The little boy grinned brightly at her as he came closer and grabbed her outstretched hand.​​Holding on the hand of little Noah, who held her hand tightly, she shook it up and down as though playing with him before opening the kitchen door.

“…Are you all right, Madam?”

“It’s okay. I know what Wanda is worried about. Where do you spend a day or two talking to that person? I’m used to it now.”

Min-ha smiled lightly in response to Wanda’s worried face. At the same time, seeing Noah, who was slightly discouraged by Wanda’s concerns, she led the child’s arm out the door to urge him.

As if to believe only in herself, Noah was dragged along as she led, with his round and big eyes twinkling again. Seeing Noah like that, Min-ha was determined to get permission to go out at any cost.

​​In fact, just thinking of his face, the thought of meeting that sarcastic, handsome face for a long time seemed awkward after a long time. However, for Noah, she could endure that much.​​‘That’s right, I’ll do it. Since he loves it so much!’

At that, she held Noah’s hand tightly, firmly swearing that she would unconditionally carry out her will no matter what that sarcastic man said.

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Rate the novel on Novel Updates.

Join our discord to receive the latest update as soon as possible!