The Mansion Awaits Spring
Chapter 82
After finishing her bath, the children returned with a large pot. Inside was a fish stew, thick with chunks of white cod.
“My grandmother came by and made this!”
Fred spoke with immense pride. April, who had already been missing the food made by Fred’s grandmother, beamed with joy.
“I was actually just thinking about how much I wanted to eat her cooking.”
“Really? But Grandmother keeps saying this isn't the kind of food a precious young lady should be eating.”
“Even after I told her how much I enjoyed it?”
“That’s what I told her!”
April beckoned the indignant Fred to sit, and he took a chair across from her.
Hannah, who had felt the loss of April keenly over the past few days, had climbed onto the bed with her permission. She was clinging tightly to April’s waist, refusing to budge.
Knowing that Hannah considered living in the Lunos mansion her very lifeline, April didn't scold the child. Instead, she began to eat the stew despite the awkward posture.
Perhaps because the cook didn't know how to use the herbs displayed in the kitchen, the stew smelled of nothing but tomatoes. However, a spicy ingredient must have been added, as it had a stinging heat that prickled her tongue.
Having never eaten spicy food in her life, April struggled even with this very mild heat.
“Wow, it’s really spicy….”
At that, Fred, who was resting his chin on his hands, said,
“Grandmother and Grandfather say they like things spicy. I’m so glad I can work at the Lunos mansion. It means we can afford to buy lots of spicy ingredients!”
“That’s interesting….”
In truth, April found something else interesting.
It was the fact that Fred, who usually got frightened whenever a stranger appeared, was more talkative than the normally extroverted Hannah.
April set her spoon down for a moment and gently pulled Hannah, who had buried her face in her back.
“You should eat some too.”
“I’m going to kill him.”
“Hm?”
“Tabbish.”
April belatedly realized that the owner of the factory where Hannah used to work was also named ‘Tabbish.’
April leaned down to look at Hannah’s face.
Hannah’s eyes were open. For some reason, the sight felt strangely unsettling to April, though she couldn't quite place why.
No, in truth, she had known for a while.
Hannah hadn't forgotten a single thing that had been done to her.
Having been so malnourished while growing up, Hannah had been significantly smaller than other middle-class children her age. But since she had started eating and sleeping at the Lunos mansion, she was undergoing a rapid growth spurt.
April stroked Hannah’s head gently as she spoke.
“Make sure you get my permission before you do anything dangerous.”
“Will you give it to me?”
“Yes.”
“Even for killing someone?”
“If it’s justified.”
“Is it ever justified to kill a person?”
“Yes. It was justified when my parents tried to kill Miller Dieus.”
April surprised herself by saying those words.
For a long time, she hadn't been able to decide exactly how to feel about her parents' choice. It was because the resulting backlash had utterly devastated the Runos family.
But now, the words had come out without a second thought, and reflecting on them, she realized that was how she truly felt.
“The only part that wasn't justified was that my parents failed to kill the man who got engaged to me while loving another woman, and then tried to break the engagement because he couldn't endure it any longer.”
At her calm words, the corners of Hannah’s mouth lifted of their own accord.
“I think so too!”
“That’s why you have to eat. A person needs strength.”
“I’ll eat! Fred, will you cut some bread for me too?”
“Yeah! I’ll cut you a big piece!”
Since he loved cooking and slicing bread, Fred—who was always in charge of the bread at the table—happily sliced a large portion for Hannah.
Hannah took a large piece of bread, soaked it deep in the stew, and stuffed it into her mouth. Finding the taste satisfying, she took another huge bite before asking April,
“Can I become a police officer too?”
April asked back, taken aback by the question.
“I see Fezin has been coaxing you.”
“Yes…. He said I can do it even with one hand. If I work three times as hard….”
Watching the embarrassed Hannah, April let out a laugh and said,
“What more could I ask for? If you were to become a police officer.”
“Didn't you want me to be an artist?”
“I think Fred will be the artist for us.”
At her words, Fred clenched his fists and nodded firmly.
He was learning diligently from Bauman, and Bauman himself had declared that the boy had ‘talent.’ April found it miraculous that such talented children had appeared at her home. At the same time, she felt a chill imagining what would have become of Hannah’s life after losing her hand at the factory.
Though the stew tasted good, April had no real appetite; however, having given Hannah a lecture, she forced herself to take large spoonfuls and finish the meal as she continued.
“We need many people in the Grand Duchy. So, I’m going to make sure everyone who can learn gets an education.”
When she had discovered that Fezin had paid the balance on her behalf, she had felt wretched.
In her heart, she didn't want to receive help from anyone, but thinking realistically, she desperately needed Fezin’s money.
She felt pathetic, hateful, and disgusted with herself for accepting it. However, she intended to suppress those feelings, feign ignorance, and shamelessly accept the aid. She had no intention of standing on her pride in front of him. When she saw Fezin, she planned to start by thanking him.
But even if she was grateful, she couldn't help but wonder.
Just why was he giving her such a large sum of money…?
With that question lingering, she lay down in bed after finishing her meal.
Exhausted from her trip to the Empire, she fell into a deep sleep the moment she lay down. She woke up only after she had slept enough to rise without anyone needing to wake her.
She found Sebio sleeping beside her, along with a note from Bauman that the dog had brought to the bed.
[Young Master Kayani is waiting in the drawing room, My Lady.]
She had actually intended to go to the Morrow house to ask Jeff something anyway.
Thinking the timing was perfect, April left the bedroom.
When she reached the drawing room, she found Kayani Morrow reading a book while waiting for her. Like his father, Kayani seemed to enjoy reading.
Hearing her approach, Kayani turned his head, spotted April, and stood up. April asked,
“Is something the matter?”
“Ah, nothing in particular, but I came by after hearing the news that you had returned.”
The idea of someone visiting even when nothing was wrong felt very foreign to April, yet it also felt incredibly welcoming.
April looked at Kayani’s attire and asked,
“You came in your school uniform.”
“Yes, noona. I came straight from school.”
“Today is Saturday… so yesterday?”
“Ah, I just came unnecessarily early. I knew you’d be tired. Mr. Bauman welcomed me warmly, so I’ve been resting quite well,” Kayani said nonchalantly.
Kayani carefully checked April’s complexion first before asking,
“Is your health alright?”
“Of course I’m fine. Besides, it’s not bad at all to have such a welcome guest visit me.”
“I’m glad to hear that then.”
Kayani tried his best to smile brightly, matching April’s effort to appear spirited.
After inquiring about her well-being, Kayani spoke again.
“You have no idea how much my parents worried. My father has recovered so much since you visited.”
“That truly is wonderful news.”
“Both of them are waiting for you so much that I’ve started feeling guilty—like I should have been born as the youngest daughter instead to be a better son.”
April burst into laughter at Kayani’s remark.
Kayani then pretended to be serious as he continued.
“This is no laughing matter, I’m serious.”
“Alright, I get it.”
“Still, it’s a relief to see you laughing like this. Since the bank teller is here as well, shall I step out for a moment?”
“Bank teller?”
“Yes, Birta.”
“You mean Mr. Miller? He’s not a bank teller.”
“Ah, yes. He became a bank teller this time.”
“What? How?”
