Chapter 12: Fluvia Talks with Beth

I remember when the Healer told Earl and Lady Dellarose that Young Lady Fluvia’s personality had changed after she awoke from the brain fever.

Both of them were deathly pale and Lady Estella wailed non-stop for days.

However, as the Young Lady did not become a mental cripple, I felt that the Earl and Lady were being a little melodramatic.

She was alive and functional, so we were very fortunate.

However, at that time, I did not realize exactly how deep the change was.

Young Lady Fluvia was… to put it lightly, she was no longer Young Lady Fluvia.

No, more accurately speaking, she was no longer a child of 5.

That’s what I felt.

As I followed behind Lady Estella to visit the Young Lady every three days, I couldn’t help but notice the little differences in the Young Lady’s behavior.

Her sharp gaze, the clever ways she manipulated Lady Estella and Young Lord Fedor…

Rather than Lady Estella’s sharp temper and tendency to fly into a rage, I was far more scared of the sharpness of Young Lady Fluvia.

“Beth, how is Brother doing with his studies?”

Every time, the Young Lady would wait for a moment with Lady Estella was distracted with Young Lord Fedor and ask me about the doings of the household.

Although I was scared of her, I was also greatly appreciative of the Young Lady’s advice.

Lady Estella leaves anything that the Young Lord must do but doesn’t want to do for me to deal with, after all.

Young Lady Fluvia, seeing through that in an instant, has taken to approaching me regarding Young Lord Fedor’s rearing.

“Thank you, once again, for everything you do for Mother and Brother, Beth.”

The Young Lady thanks me like that every time.

Even though I don’t do my job for the praise, I can’t help but feel good when she thanks me.

One time, I answered,

“Certainly, Milady. I am the Dellarose Household’s slave, after all. My greatest wish is to do my position justice.”

These are my true feelings.

Lady Estella’s temperament was a bit testy, but even if she was somewhat nastier, I’d still be proud to be a slave of the Dellarose House.

Even if the House IS going through a decline, being able to become the personal maid of the Lady of the Earldom is a rather prestigious position.

… Strangely, even though I thought I conveyed my pride well, Young Lady Fluvia turned pale.

“You’re a slave? Do we have many slaves in our House?”

She even went on to ask.

“Yes, Milady. Many of the servants and maids are slaves.”

It seems my answer shocked her.

I don’t really understand why the Young Lady seems so disturbed.

Many laborers, like us maids, as well as household servants and farmhands, are slaves.

However, I dutifully explained the slave system as the Young Lady requested.

Although she’s still young, I suppose it’s not a bad thing that the Earl’s child took in interest in the system most of this country’s labor is provided through.

Or rather, I would rather appreciate a noble who is interested in being aware of the things commoners tend to rely on.

Although the slave contracts can all differ a little in the exact terms and conditions, they are all essentially contracts where the slave will perform the specified labor while being guaranteed their livelihoods in exchange for the patron to sponsor a large sum of money.

One of the most common types of slave contracts is debt contracts, where the patron pays off the slave’s debt in exchange for the slave’s labor for a set period of time.

In general, a 10,000Valin debt would require the slave to work for his patron for at least a year and a half.

“Even though 10,000Valin is less than a year’s income?”

I was quite shocked at the Young Lady’s ability to realize that 10,000Valin was less than a year’s income for a commoner, as well as that she was instantly able to recognize the inconsistency over a slave to work 1.5 years for less than 1 year of income, but I hid it as best as I could and responded.

“Ah, that is correct. In exchange for having his labor, the slave would have his debt paid off as well as his welfare guaranteed. That includes meals and living space, and sometimes even pocket money.”

Although getting extra money would naturally extend the length of the time of labor for the slave. There are also times where the patron will also buy back the slave’s collateral, which would also cause the time of labor to be modified, depending on what the collateral is and how much it is.

The other type that’s most common is the sponsorship contract.

That’s the type of slave contract I’m under.

For an unspecified duration of time, every specified period, like every quarter season or every year, a sum of money will be paid to a person or business in exchange for the slave’s continued labor.

For me, my merchant father receives a large amount of Valins every season, as long as I remain working for the Dellarose House. I also receive a stipend and room and board.

It was my own good fortune to be able to become Lady Estella’s personal maid; it wasn’t within the contract, of course.

Initially I, as a 16-year-old woman, was assigned as a luggage bearer to the then 26-year-old Lady Estella of the Cornewall Barondom, before her marriage. Naturally, my slave contract was held by the Cornewall Household at the time.

During that time, I became Lady Estella’s most reliable servant, so, when Lady Estella got married nearly 13 years later, she requested my slave contract be transferred to the Dellarose Earldom.

It was greatly appreciated by my father, since the slave contract could also be seen as the physical representation of an alliance between the patron and the recipient, so changing the alliance from the Cornewall Barondom to the Dellarose Earldom was a huge step up.

Of course, it was to Lady Estella’s great fortune to be marrying up in society despite her age, as well.

As for our slave collars, well, rather than slave collars, all the servants of the nobility tend to wear the mark of their noble’s as chokers to show that we were people of their direct Household.

Slaves’ chokers often have the capability to magically contain the terms of the contract. The patron also contains a magically inscribed copy of the contract.

This way, the terms of the contract couldn’t be one-sidedly changed.

Hm? Of course we can remove them.

The Young Lady seems to be confused, asking such a question.

Well, certainly there are unscrupulous patrons who don’t give the slave a copy of the contract.

In the case of a dispute over the terms, if the patron is colluding with the slave trader, of course the slave will be at a disadvantage in court.

“What if you are forced to do something against your will?”

“What, you say… of course you go to the guards or go to court. Or, if it’s just a differing of outlooks, you can break the contract and end your relationship with the patron.”

“So a slave is allowed to go to court…”

“Of course. They are citizens of the country.”

“Is that so… so a slave is basically a live-in worker, rather than purchased labor. I see…”

While Young Lady Fluvia muttered to herself, I suddenly realized that she had thought that the slave system meant that people could be bought and treated like objects.

Although I felt somewhat disturbed that a child could think of a system that would completely disregard all the rights one should naturally have as a human being, I think I should think positively about it, since the idea so clearly disgusts the Young Lady.

After all, there ARE those types of scum that abuse the slave system to victimize their slaves.

It may not be a bad thing that the Young Lady can instantly see how something can go wrong and feel the need to stand against it.

I think, rather than saying that the Young Lady has become more mature, I would say that it feels like she’s gained many years of wisdom after she awoke.

Certainly, it’s strange from a 5-year-old child, but if she thinks seriously and kindly about the others around her, I can’t say that I feel there’s anything WRONG with it, morally speaking.

Earl and Lady Dellarose were slightly concerned, but seeing her eagerly taking their doting and becoming attached to Young Lord Fedor, they seemed to stop thinking about it.

I think I understand Lord Minister Wynchestor’s confusion about how Young Lady Fluvia came from Earl and Lady Dellarose… but in this case, I’m relieved they aren’t going to pursue her changes too much.

Today, although the 3-days between visits hadn’t passed, I brought Lady Estella to Young Lady Fluvia’s sickbed.

These were all on the Young Lady Fluvia’s orders. Although I was unable to convince Lady Estella to leave Young Lord Fedor behind, I hope the Young Lady will understand that I’m not exactly in the position to be able to make Lady Estella listen to me.

As we entered the House of Healing, I felt the sweat bead on my back.

If they don’t allow us in, I already know that Lady Estella would fly into a temper and grow angry at me for embarrassing her by convincing her to come see the Young Lady before the time the Healer allowed her to.

“For Mother’s hair and skin… bring her back tomorrow. I’ll make the arrangements with Healer Martin.”

I can only trust in the Young Lady’s words.

“… Lady and Young Lord Dellarose? This is…”

The guard looks down quickly at the list of allowed visitors for today.

“… Ah, I see, there’s been a change in the schedule. Please, go on in.”

My knees feel a little weak as a relief shot through my body.

Lady Estella nodded curtly at the guard, but her impatient steps showed how happy she was to see her daughter.

Although Lady Estella is known for her quick temper and over-reactions, only those who are often near her would understand that childish cuteness lying underneath.

I don’t enjoy being scolded or raged at, but after all that Lady Estella and I have been through together, I no longer fantasize about running away and going home when it happens.

And… I’m earnestly hoping that Young Lady Fluvia has something up her sleeve for Lady Estella.

Lady Estella’s hair is no longer as supple and shiny as in the past, and her skin is drier and older as well.

In other words, Lady Estella is very concerned over her age.

It doesn’t help that Earl Dellarose is nearly 10 years her junior.

After she turned 40, although she successfully had children, Lady Estella has become more and more neurotic about how others see her, especially her appearance.

Unfortunately, because I have been by her side for so long, my soothing words no longer have much effect.

When we entered Young Lady Fluvia’s room, Mary had a somewhat unreadable smile on her face.

“Mother, Fluvia was thinking about how Mother could be even prettier, but it was reeeally hard for Fluvia to think of anything.”

As expected of Young Lady Fluvia.

With those words of flattery, Lady Estella beamed and cooed,

“Mother is very happy that Fluvia thinks of her so much.”

“Un! All I could think of was this!”

Young Lady Fluvia pointed to the bowls on a table in the room.

“Hm? What is it, Fluvia dear?”

Lady Estella asked, gently stroking Young Lady Fluvia’s hair.

“It’s whipped egg with milk and honey! It goes in your hair. This one is ground oats with milk and honey, and you put it on your face.”

As Lady Estella froze in shock, Young Lady Fluvia tilted her head and widened her eyes, appearing somewhat teary-eyed.

“Is it… no good?”

See how calculating she is-!

Ah, excuse me.

Unable to bear her daughter’s sad look, Lady Estella hugged her passionately.

“No, of course it’s good! I’m so happy, my dear Fluvia!”

Aaaaah… Lady Estella… you’ve been had-!

Mary helps me apply the strange mixtures to Lady Estella’s face and hair, then wrapped Lady Estella’s hair in a towel.

“Then we wait for half an hour and rinse it out. Ah, the face mask can come off in half that time, Mary.”

The Young Lady said.

Oh dear, so it stays on for that long?

Lady Estella has a somewhat strained look, but she settles herself into the chair to wait.

Lady Estella, to think you can suffer through anything for your children!

I feel a little choked up that the willful and selfish Young Lady Estella could become like this after becoming a mother.

“No fair! Why is Mother the only one who gets it? I want it too!”

… Young Lord Fedor?

Do you even understand what we’re doing?

Although I understand he doesn’t want to be left out, this is cosmetics, you know?

Before I can move to try to soothe him, Young Lady Fluvia tilted her head then laughed, saying,

“Hehehe! Brother too, let’s make you look cooler!”

Young Lord Fedor excitedly sat down as Mary, struggling to keep from laughing, put the concoction in his hair.

I note that Mary wisely chose to avoid spreading the facial mixture on his face.

His hair, wrapped in a cloth towel, is one thing, but the facial mixture would get everywhere once Young Lord Fedor starts running around.

I fully expect his patience to run out quickly.

Young Lady Fluvia, with her all-seeing wisdom, waited a little until Young Lord Fedor began to squirm, quickly calling for Mary to bring a picture book for Young Lord Fedor to read.

I ended up standing behind Young Lord Fedor, holding the towel so that it wouldn’t fall over his eyes while he stubbornly attempted to read.

During that time, Mary gently washed the ground oat mixture off Lady Estella’s face.

“Hm. It might feel a little softer and smoother?”

She said as she stroked her cheek.

Personally I think her skin looks more radiant, but I don’t know if it’s truly the effect of the oat mixture or if it’s my wishful thinking.

It’s a subtle change.

“Uun. Skincare really only shows after use for a long time, after all.”

The Young Lady had Mary use a mixture of diluted vinegar to rub onto Lady Estella’s face, then, when it dried, a miniscule amount of sweet-smelling oil was applied.

“Mm. Sister, I’m reading to you!”

Young Lord Fedor pouted when Young Lady Fluvia directed her attention to Lady Estella.

“I’m sorry, Brother, please continue.”

Young Lord Fedor, I don’t think Young Lady Fluvia was listening at all from the beginning… but it’s fine.

Anyway, only a little later, Young Lord Fedor grew tired of sounding out the words, and the 30 minutes were up, or at least nearly up.

As expected of the Young Lady.

First ask him to sit quietly to train his patience, and then use the diversions to extend the time he would sit still.

Mary gently rinses the mixture out of Young Lord Fedor’s hair and I gently dry his hair.

Using the [Breeze] wind-attribute magic and a comb, because the Dellarose family has light and thin hair, I’m able to dry Young Lord Fedor’s hair in 10 minutes.

This is…

It’s indeed silky and shiny!

“That-!”

Lady Estella sat up suddenly as she stared at Young Lord Fedor’s hair.

I turn, and I’m also surprised at the look of Lady Estella’s skin. Even though it’s not a drastic change like Young Lord Fedor’s hair, it’s certainly a smoother look.

Lady Estella’s expression, as well, has changed.

Even though she had just been watching her two children with a gentle look, now there was a trace of agitation in her clear, smooth(er) features.

Lady Estella runs a hand through Young Lord Fedor’s hair, then turns, looking excitedly at me.

“Beth! This-!”

“Yes, Lady Estella.”

I quickly move behind her and help Mary rinse out the Lady’s hair.

Mary applies a light [Heat] as I use [Breeze], combing out Lady Estella’s hair as we dry it.

Even as we dry it, I can feel that the brittle strands of hair have noticeably softened.

When we had finished, although Mary was looking at the Lady Estella with some happiness, I felt a good deal of emotions flood through me as I saw the Lady with her hair, soft and silky as it had been long ago, falling about her shoulders.

Her hands trembled a bit as Lady Estella took the looking glass.

Wordlessly, she ran a hand through her hair.

Then, as if noticing her skin for the first time, she stroked her cheek and said,

“This is… me?”

Lady Estella’s eyes haven’t been this bright when looking at her reflection in a long time.