Chapter 15
This unlucky bastard sometimes acted like he was my teacher in front of me.
Unlike when the Head Maid taught me, the reason it grated on my nerves was because I could clearly sense his intention to tease me.
“Didn’t you learn how to greet someone properly? Now try it again.”
“…….”
“Even dogs repay kindness, but I don’t think our Miss Daizy is worse than a dog.”
Grit. I clenched my teeth and glared at him as I answered.
“Thank you.”
Either way, it was a fact that I’d received Lu’s help.
His smile deepened as he received my greeting.
“Thank you?”
“……Thank you.”
“If you’re grateful, you have to pay the price.”
What price? I shot him a wary glance.
“From now on, don’t do such reckless things when you don’t have the skills for it, don’t act like there’s no tomorrow, always use your head before your body, and if you ever absolutely have to dispose of a body, tell me first. Easy, right?”
Was Lu perhaps aspiring to be a gardener, cook, and teacher all in one?
“Your answer?”
Why should I? Just as I was about to retort, the thick earthy scent from inside the envelope pierced my nose.
In my mind, I pictured Lu going back and forth to the outskirts for half a day. And his back as he returned to the mansion and started cooking with those fresh ingredients.
My will to argue fizzled out.
‘Lu really is weird.’
He gets so enthusiastic about the strangest things. Going all the way to the outskirts just to get fresh ingredients.
I whispered softly that I understood, and Lu, looking satisfied, closed his eyes again.
“But are you a noble?”
“You?”
“Is Lu-ssi a noble?”
“I’m curious about why you’d guess that.”
With his eyes still closed, he recited in a slow, drowsy voice like sleep-talking.
“Of course, I’m elegant, dignified, rich, considerate, handsome, fit, kind, intellectual, and full of self-awareness. But that’s not enough reason to look like a noble.”
You know you have sky-high self-awareness, huh.
“You got it half right. And on top of that, you helped me and the Head Maid.”
“Good.”
“……What’s good? Taking it out for you?”
“No, the long-winded talking. Keep chattering away like that from now on. Don’t speak in that idiotic, choppy way.”
I was flabbergasted.
‘Idiot…….’
Fine, I can’t help how I look.
But does he have any idea how much he hates it when I talk more because of him?
Of course not, since I’ve never told him. And I don’t plan to!
“Refused.”
“What a contrary little frog.”
I shook my head coolly, and Lu snorted.
“Aren’t you curious how I got those two out?”
“Yeah.”
“If you’re curious, make it bloom. Easy, right? This is a bargain.”
What’s with that “easy, right?” of his.
“It takes too long. It hasn’t even sprouted yet!”
“You just stuck the seed in the dirt and ignored it—how’s it supposed to sprout?”
“If it only sprouts when you care for it, then how do roadside weeds grow so vigorously?”
“Don’t ask me—experiment yourself. Who knows, maybe if you pretend to recognize it while passing by, the cotyledons will pop up.”
“I’ve been taking care of that weed clump in my own way.”
“You can’t even name that weed clump. Potted Lu? You’re joking, right, Miss Daizy?”
Lu opened his eyes again and gazed at me steadily.
“Fill in the nameplate.”
“…….”
“Then I’ll answer that question. What was it—am I a noble? It’s not a hard question.”
“…….”
“If you hate even that, just get rid of the nameplate and the pot entirely. What’s the point of forcing it to grow? There’s nothing more foolish than stressing over a few flowers. Right?”
Lu seemed to be under some grand delusion.
‘Does he think I’ll throw it all away in a fit of anger if he nags me like that?’
As soon as we arrived at Weatherwoods Mansion, I got off without looking back.
After placing the cooking ingredients in the kitchen, I grabbed a pen and headed straight back to the entrance. Then, holding the pot, I squatted on the stairs.
Staring at the blank nameplate made my head feel blank too.
‘It’s fine. Naming isn’t a big deal. I decided on Daizy in 10 seconds. Just do the same.’
A name that sounds just like a potted plant to anyone who hears it.
……There’s no such thing.
‘Then just name it anything.’
But how do you name it “anything”?
Truth is, naming isn’t something you do carelessly. Names carry meaning and affection.
And the moment you feel affection, responsibility inevitably follows. Especially since the owner of the name is a plant I planted and raised myself.
‘Can someone like me, who only has three years left to live, even afford to take on that responsibility?’
If I don’t care for it, this plant will die.
If I’m lucky, another maid might keep tending it, but even for a mere weed, I couldn’t leave a life I raised up to chance.
“Sigh.”
Naming. What an annoying price to pay.
After hesitating dozens of times in my squatting position, I finally filled in the nameplate.
『Lu』
‘This name definitely feels less burdensome.’
By the time I settled on it, the moon had already risen. I stood up in a daze and returned to the kitchen, where a delicious aroma stimulating my sense of smell wafted through the air.
He was nearly done cooking—Lu stood by the fire, one hand on his hip, stirring the stew with the ladle vigorously. Maybe because he was so tall, he seemed to be bending his head down extra low.
Only then did my forgotten hunger come rushing in.
After placing the pot on the kitchen table, I spoke to the back of his head.
“Say hello. To my Potted Lu.”
Lu glanced at the pot with a scoffing chuckle, then turned his eyes back to the stew.
But that didn’t mean he kept his mouth shut.
“Like it?”
I stroked the pot with a swish-swish sound as I replied.
“The name? Not bad. Lu got a good owner. That disobedient Lu bastard. He won’t sprout even though I tell him to, total no-show, but what can I do? As his owner, I’ll wait generously.”
Of course, of course.
I grinned happily and stared at human Lu’s nape.
And I realized something new. Teasing human Lu didn’t make talking long-winded feel tiring. If anything, it made my tongue itch to tease him even more diligently.
Thud. Human Lu set down the ladle, took off his apron, and turned to look at me as he asked.
“Not that. Does hugging Lu and kissing it feel good?”
……What?
“When did I—?”
Lu flashed a smile so beautiful it could confuse anyone’s mind as he replied.
“You just rubbed your lips on it hard. On Lu.”
“You crazy cook…….”
No.
I can’t fall for that wordplay.
He was provoking me. It was obvious from that smirking face. Those eyes were hoping I’d get mad and throw a tantrum.
To prove I wasn’t affected at all, I crossed my arms and smiled leisurely. At that exact moment, my eyes met sudden green ones.
The Head Maid, passing through the kitchen.
She looked back and forth between Lu and me with narrowed eyes.
“……Romance between staff is forbidden, Miss Daizy and Lu-ssi.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“Misunderstanding!”
“We’ll see if it’s a misunderstanding or not by watching. Be careful from now on, Miss Daizy. If you’re caught, it’s a pay cut.”
The Head Maid vanished into the darkness after her eerie warning.
After the sharp click of her heels faded away, human Lu—who’d been pretending not to notice as he removed his apron—passed by my side and whispered.
He crossed the stew-scented space, and his cool scent wafted over me suddenly.
“I get that you love Lu and all, but the Lu in question seems burdened, so you should restrain yourself, Miss Daizy. Even the stroking. That’s harassment.”
This madman talking about restraint? Restraint is what your mouth needs.
“How would you know what Lu thinks?”
“For starters, I am a ‘Lu’ too. Maybe ‘Lu’s’ just understand each other.”
His long finger flicked the nameplate that read ‘Lu’ with a tap.
“Still, you didn’t completely ignore my suggestion this time. Good job. I have to bait you like this every time? You’re so picky because you’re such a contrary frog.”
“Keep your promise.”
Human Lu tilted his head with a face asking what promise, then let out a belated exclamation.
“……Ahh. You asked if I was a noble, right? I don’t have a title, and no relatives with titles either. Of course, I have plenty of money. But having money doesn’t make you a noble.”
Not a noble?
‘Then how did he stop Baron Pedegail?’
Even if he’s a total scumbag full of greed, the guy’s still a noble.
A noble’s pride generally pierces the heavens.
How furious would he be at being harmed by a mere maid? No amount of words could persuade him.
‘Must’ve been blackmail. Or maybe he scared him off with money.’
From the passageway connected to the kitchen, Lu’s advice came.
“Simmer it for another 5 minutes or so, then eat. If the seasoning’s off, add more salt.”
5 minutes. Salt.
A cook’s instructions can’t be ignored with one ear. I stopped pondering, stood by the fire, and gazed at the gently bubbling stew.
‘Looks delicious.’
Fresh stew made with fresh ingredients. My day’s fatigue felt like it was washing away in an instant.
