Chapter 74
The night passed, each of us leaving behind our own complex emotions as the darkness faded.
Once day broke, we all gathered in the banquet hall. It was the perfect place for a group discussion, centered around a large dining table that could seat ten. Hose, Emma, and Victor looked around the room in wonder.
“This place is truly perfect. A perfect shelter. I slept incredibly well, too. I can’t remember the last time I slept in a bed that soft.”
Hose circled the hall, clutching his sniper rifle tightly to his chest. With a face prettier and more delicate than most women’s, he seemed almost a bit airheaded at times.
But one shouldn’t be fooled by that face. Despite his looks, Hose was a top-tier sniper who could pick off targets without batting an eye.
For some reason, Eden and Knox had become noticeably quieter ever since the others arrived at Happy House.
Eden, in particular, sat crookedly in his chair, looking as if he didn’t have a shred of motivation left in him.
Yes, saying his motivation had vanished felt like the right description. He even looked a bit bored.
Emma and Victor remained intimidated by Eden and wouldn’t go anywhere near him. The same went for Emmy and Hose.
As I’ve mentioned before, the original novel described Eden as someone who saved many lives with his superior survival skills and combat prowess, yet was easily disliked because of his foul temperament.
“I plan to stay until Lady Cherry is feeling better.”
“If I’m not here, who’s going to stop this reckless young lady, huh?”
He had definitely said those things. I wondered how much my reliability had risen in Eden’s eyes. Was it still hovering somewhere near the bottom?
Contrary to appearances, Eden was a man of deep affection. Perhaps he really stayed because he thought I needed help.
Whatever the reason, now that there were more people, it didn’t seem like he’d have to worry about me anymore.
Was he perhaps looking for the right timing to leave?
I thought there were about two days’ worth of milk left. Drinking milk together every morning had become something of a routine, and it felt like it would be lonely without him. I should ask him to have one last glass before he goes.
‘Hmm. Is there anything else I can ask of him?’
As I was racking my brain, I suddenly felt a gaze on me. I turned my head slightly and locked eyes with Knox this time. Knox, who was sucking on a lollipop, gave a thin smile with an unreadable expression.
For some reason, that man was a little scary; it felt like he could see right through my inner thoughts.
In any case, I took the seat of honor at the head of the table again. I hated sitting there, but everyone acted as if it were only natural. Whenever I tried to sit elsewhere, they would give me pointed looks.
I was forced to sit in the seat of honor, the center of everyone’s attention, with a metaphorical tear in my eye.
Once I was seated, everyone gave a brief self-introduction.
Cherry Sinclair.
Eden Duncan Lancaster.
Knox Cornell Rudfercher.
Harrison Howard.
Vanilla Eddie Ruskin.
Hose Camburn.
Amy Wharton.
Victor Hope.
Emma Swaf.
There were nine of us in total, a fairly large group.
“My Lady, thank you once again. Our lives were extended thanks to you, so please use us for whatever work you need.”
Victor held Emma’s hand and thanked me once more.
“Me too! I came here feeling half-doubtful after hearing the lawyer’s words, but I think it was the best choice I ever made!”
Hose raised his hand and shouted toward me. His answer, delivered with stiff military discipline, was a bit cute, drawing low chuckles from the group.
“To be honest, I didn’t know you would use this mansion so well. I think showing the estate to Miss Sinclair was a very good move on my part.”
Vanilla sounded a bit blunt, but she seemed quite grateful to me nonetheless. Her tone was much softer than usual.
I looked slowly at those offering their gratitude.
Well, I wasn’t a philanthropist who only gave, so I didn’t feel particularly proud just because I received thanks.
‘I have to make them work as much as I’ve provided.’
And so, I made a firm declaration immediately.
“While you are staying at the mansion, everyone must earn their keep. To that end, I will be distributing tasks.”
“Yes, I know how to cook. I also know how to manage food supplies.”
After Victor pitched his usefulness to me, he took Emma’s hand and introduced her talents as well.
“Emma is very skilled with her hands. She’s good at anything manual. She can repair clothing, of course, and she’s good at fixing broken items.”
Just as Victor said, Emma’s talent was extremely, incredibly useful.
Of course, what made me even happier was the fact that Victor was a chef.
‘I was planning to kidnap a dedicated chef for Happy House before the world ended…!’
To think a chef would just roll right in on his own.
Anyway, Victor’s original profession was a head chef, and Emma had been a clothing shop owner. Consequently, Victor became the dedicated chef of Happy House, while Emma took charge of repairing clothes ruined by fighting monsters and overseeing general housekeeping.
Victor and Emma, in particular, looked like they might burst into tears if I didn’t give them work, so they were greatly relieved when roles were assigned. For me, it was a welcome development.
The general resource and administrative management of Happy House naturally fell to Harrison. Harrison adjusted his glasses habitually, saying it wasn’t a difficult task.
“I was looking after the back affairs of an unscrupulous corporation like Sinclair; this much is easy.”
“The heir to that unscrupulous corporation is right next to you, Harrison.”
I offered a subtle reminder, as if Harrison had forgotten my presence. Harrison, of course, simply responded with a thin smile.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say Harrison handled almost all of Sinclair’s affairs (in fact, he likely knew more about Sinclair’s situation than I did as the heir), so I decided to just stay quiet.
As I shut my mouth under Harrison’s gaze, Hose raised his hand and spoke.
“I heard there’s an observation deck on the roof for keeping watch. Since I’m a sniper, I’ll take charge of weapon maintenance and guard duty.”
He spoke with eyes sparkling. He looked like a model student sitting in the front row, focusing on the lesson with an almost overwhelming intensity.
Since Hose was a weapons expert, it was decided he would manage and modify the weapons at Happy House while also serving as a lookout.
Following Hose’s words, Vanilla, who had been quiet the whole time, raised her hand. Her face remained expressionless and aloof.
“I’m also confident in my marksmanship. If we need to form a hunting team, you can leave it to me. Aside from that, whether it’s scouting or guard duty, I’ll do my best if you just give the order.”
No matter how I looked at it, calling Vanilla an ordinary noble lady was a stretch. She was far too capable. Regardless, she decided to rotate guard duties with Hose, utilizing her experience from hunting birds.
Knox, who had been sitting elegantly with his legs crossed, spoke up in a smooth voice.
“Since I’m a doctor, my role is clear, isn’t it?”
Just as he said, Knox’s position was so obvious there was no need to assign him anything specific.
Finally, I decided to handle scouting and reconnaissance. Vanilla would assist by alternating between guard duty and the scouting team.
“What? Lady Cherry, why are you leaving me out?”
That was when Eden interjected, questioning the role assignments. I looked at him with a puzzled face.
“Aren’t you leaving?”
“I’m not leaving. I’m not. I can’t. I’m going to stay a while longer.”
Eden answered as if he were exhausted, rubbing his face with his hands. And then—
“I’m afraid you’ll go on a rampage without me, so I can’t leave out of fear.”
He added those words, shaking his head. He acted as if he truly had no other choice.
Was he talking about me? I tilted my head, unsure of Eden’s true intentions. Harrison replied while noting down the roles in his notebook with a fountain pen.
“Sir Eden is someone who adds great strength to our forces, so we would be grateful if you stayed. We shall place you on the scouting and reconnaissance team with the Young Lady.”
There was an edge to the phrase ‘scouting and reconnaissance team.’ Harrison clearly didn’t like the idea of me going out to scout or patrol myself.
However, considering my status and reputation, Harrison tended to refrain from nagging in front of others. He was frighteningly good at maintaining professional boundaries.
Emmy’s eyes darted around before she raised her hand high.
“Sister! Then what about me?”
Everyone’s attention focused on Emmy. A moment of silence followed.
Emmy was multi-talented, but her young age was the problem. I wasn’t sure if it was right to assign her dangerous work. Consequently, I was conflicted about what position to give her.
Emmy closed her mouth again, her face falling.
Only then did I realize the reason Emmy had been walking on eggshells around me the previous night. It seemed she knew her position was unstable. She must have thought I would kick her out if she wasn’t useful.
“Um… how about Emmy takes on an assistant role?”
Hose spoke up, breaking the silence. Emmy looked at him.
She seemed quite surprised, as if she hadn’t expected Hose to step up on her behalf.
