Surviving Winter (9)
There is a saying that if you want to see the bottom of a person, give him power. Tanya has lived and sympathized with those words hundreds of times.
Until the eldest daughter, Arwen Rothtaylor, became the family’s successor, the Rothtaylor mansion had always been peaceful.
As the next head of the family, everyone in the mansion only looked at Arwen, but she never became arrogant or intimidated.
When I look at Arwen, who never lost her noble elegance and had no interest in anything other than honing herself, I think this is what elegance is, unwavering by the few pieces of power she holds in her hands.
Ed Rothtaylor, who lived as the second son of the mansion, under the influence of Arwen’s perfect glow.
Until then, he was a human being with nothing unusual about him.
However, what kind of person was Ed, who ruled the Rosstaylor mansion as the successor to Arwen Rosstaylor after her death?
The appearance of a tyrant who had a small amount of power as a successor and acted as if heaven and earth were all his own… is the true image of Ed Rothtaylor that Tanya saw.
How despairing it was that the heir to take charge of the family was a man so dishonest that he was corrupted by a little power. I could never leave it alone.
That’s why Tanya had to defeat Ed.
In order to carry out my will, I had to use any trick to prevent Ed from becoming the head of the family.
Will you kill him?
If everything had been resolved with a single blow of a dagger, I wouldn’t have had to worry so much.
How heavy was the name of the heir to the Ross Taylor family?
It was obvious to anyone that if a dagger was driven into Ed’s chest, Tanya would not be safe either, and before that, Tanya at the time was a young girl who had just opened her eyes to magical powers.
It is too much to ask for a strong young man who boldly stabs the dagger in his hand or a scheming trick that will drive him to death without anyone knowing.
In the end, there is only one path for Tanya.
All I can do is grit my teeth, train myself, and wait for my time in the dark shadows.
All you have to do is stay up all night to study, learn etiquette, train your magic, and endure again and again until the sun rises.
Ed didn’t even stab his younger brother, who was born with the same blood.
But what was Tanya’s life like when she had to spend years living under such pathetic people?
I gritted my teeth and lived my life acting like a good younger brother.
I endured it among the people in the mansion who were in pain. Although I could sympathize with their appeals… I lived as a helpless person who had no power to solve their problems.
Although he has a habit of talking about his noble lineage, he has never once raised his voice properly.
–
After a long day, Tanya lay down on the bed in the private room of the Ofilis Building and took a deep breath.
So much happened in just one day. There are so many unknown things.
Still, there is still more work to be done.
I lived half my life oppressed by my tyrant-like brother.
What value did you find in a life of refining yourself as the next head of the family, not knowing if you could become one or not?
When people ask that, Tanya just quietly repeats it.
I lived and pretended to be dead.
I had no doubt that if I lived like that, the time of opportunity would surely come.
Now that Ed has been excommunicated, all that remains is to prove himself.
For Tanya, the student council president election coming up next semester seemed like a unique opportunity.
“Before that… I’ll have to do well on the placement test… Three days later, at the entrance to Mt. Orn… I guess it was a gathering… Umm, what to prepare…” The
end of those words became blurred as I couldn’t overcome the fatigue and quickly fell asleep. Because it was thrown away.
It was the first sound sleep I had in quite a while.
*
“Please introduce me to a man.”
To Belle, the maid, the connections outside of Ofilis Hall are quite important.
Most of them are people I have known since my days as a senior maid, so they treat me comfortably, and they are also an important source of external information for Belle, who rarely goes outside of the Ofilis Building.
Among them, Anis, Jenica’s best friend, is one of the welcome people who often visits Belle. Most of the business was to ask for various opinions about Yenika’s love life.
This is because Belle was Jenica’s maid when she was using Ofilis House, so she knows her well and has a good sense of perspective, so she can quickly grasp the essence of human relationships.
When Anis visited this time, I was secretly hoping that there would be some progress between Yenika and Ed.
As Belle is also human, it is inevitable that she will be curious about Yenika’s love life. For Anis to actively come to Belle and ask for her opinion, I was ready to listen, thinking that something really big had happened… But…
“If possible, I’d like it to be someone who’s handsome, tall, and good-looking.”
Anis spoke confidently as if she didn’t care about Yenika.
“You mean suddenly?”
“Mr. Bell, since you worked as a maid at the Ofilis building for a long time, don’t you think you know a lot of guys who seem to be a bit smart but don’t have lovers?”
“You can’t recklessly reveal the private lives of new recruits, but…”
“You don’t have to divulge anything. Just introduce me to men you’re okay with.”
Ofilis Rose Garden in the early morning.
By chance, it was Belle who was cutting off the stems of roses on the side of the passage to prevent the new freshmen from getting pricked by the thorns.
It’s not surprising that Anis looks strangely tired, as if she hasn’t had a good night’s sleep.
This is because students are always burdened with all kinds of burdens. She is a girl who is single-handedly responsible for Assistant Professor Claire’s lab as the chief assistant while juggling various scholarship duties and studies.
It is a workload that cannot be handled with even a decent amount of intelligence and time management skills.
“But Lady Anis is also surprising. I didn’t think she would care much about things like love.”
“I can date, too. I don’t mind if I’m a bit unlucky, so if possible, please introduce me to a guy who is tall and looks handsome at first glance.”
“You’re not the kind of person who goes around meeting men that much, right…? Or, have you ever had dating experience in the first place…?”
“…”
“Excuse me. I… didn’t mean anything bad.”
Uncharacteristically, I made a mistake with my words. It’s something that happens almost once a year. Bell was also in the midst of being embarrassed.
“You’re the type of person who’s always busy and does his best to take care of things on his own. So, I naturally thought you had no intention of dating. Why… like Master Ed from the third year of preparation? There are many things about the two of you that are strangely similar… ”
“Hmm…”
The sight of him clenching his chin as if embarrassed and averting his gaze to the side is unusual.
As for who Ed Rosstaylor is, isn’t he the person that Yenica Palover has a crush on?
And the fact that Anis is Jenica’s best friend whom she can trust… That level of relationship is already clearly drawn in Belle’s head.
Belle, who was incredibly quick, carefully picked up Anise.
“Ho, by any chance…”
Anis is looking at the roses in the garden needlessly while subtly avoiding gaze.
Belle swallowed her breath for a moment.
“Well, since Mr. Bell has an amazing sense of insight, I won’t bother hiding it. Yes, that’s right. It’s exactly what Mr. Bell thought.”
“How did it happen…?”
“Well, it’s funny, but… that guy had such bad rumors about him. From what I heard, he also had an extravagant history with women. I’ve heard that most of them were false rumors, but… I still have to check it out for myself. “I wanted to.”
“I see. So…?”
“So what… As we did this, we got involved in various ways… That’s how it turned out… We had more in common than I thought, and we communicated well… People have a strong taste, and that’s just the way it is…”
Middle From then on, he turns his head and blurts out words, saying something in between. However, Belle’s astounded gaze noticed that the tips of her ears were already red.
Is this a major incident? Belle was so dumbfounded that she almost lost her mind and could barely control herself.
“I don’t necessarily hide it. I’m good at self-objectification. I’m the type of person who shyly denies my feelings but doesn’t do things that don’t work.”
“Then in the end, to Master Ed…?”
“Yes. Well, I’ll admit it. I felt attracted to the opposite sex. That can happen, I’m a girl too. Since things have come to this, I have to admit what I have to admit and find a solution. Isn’t that right?”
The ability to identify problems, solve problems, and drive worthy of a senior assistant are worthy of applause.
However, there is no way that the problem of love between people can be handled just like that.
However, such things were of no concern to Anis. Rather, it was convenient to cut it off in a business-like manner.
“Mr. Bell, Yenika is one of the few friends I cherish with all my heart. On the contrary, this is good news. If a man is so genuine that I find him attractive, it means that Yenika has truly found the right partner. This is another happy ending. Where are you.”
“Uh… Miss Anise.”
“In the end, if I quickly get rid of my heart, there will be no more problems. I’m glad I found it early. After all, love is part of the chemical process that takes place inside a person’s head, right? Considering it’s a malignant tumor, it’s fortunate in a sense. “You found it so quickly.”
I’m glad that I have developed the habit of looking at myself objectively, excluding subjective viewpoints as much as possible.
After saying that, Anise took a deep breath and sat quietly in the pavilion in the rose garden. Looking tired even though I hadn’t done anything in particular didn’t look good in Belle’s eyes.
“Now that the problem has been recognized and a solution has been figured out, all that needs to be done is proper treatment. Imagine discovering it too late and not being able to resolve it. How terrible. It is truly a blessing that it was discovered so early. .”
“Calling that as therapy is a bit…”
“I think it’s similar in the end. Anyway, everything in the world is a series of relationships, and even if you’re a man, you’re not the only one… You just have to meet a new relationship and fall in love well, right? ”
“You speak so easily…”
“Even something that seems complicated is simpler than you think when you systematize it like this.”
Anise placed the folder she was holding in her arms on the table in the pavilion and quickly wrote something down with a quill.
Belle slowly raised her head and looked at the folder.
The bottom page, visible through a twisted gap, clearly shows various impressions of Ed Ross-Taylor and various mind maps drawn on how to deal with him in the future. It looks like a lot of effort was put into it, as there are a lot of drawn out parts and many details.
He pretends to be relaxed, but in his head, it’s like he’s fighting a war alone.
“Anyway, liking can be overlaid with even greater liking. If you meet a better, more solid man and share a sweet love in your own way, everything will work out, right? So, if you just find a replacement man and spread rumors around the neighborhood that we are lovers. …”
“I have two opinions I would like to give you.”
Uncharacteristically, Belle interrupted Anis. Anise flinched and listened to Belle.
“First of all, asking someone to introduce you to someone while saying you are a ‘replacement man’… is a huge disrespect to the person involved. At least I can’t arrange a meeting with someone like that.”
She truly deserves to be called a veteran maid as she firmly conveys her correct opinions without making others uncomfortable.
“No matter how much Miss Anis I am, I have never lacked consideration for others to this extent. And even if you are looking for a new relationship, you just need to get to know each other and there is no need to rush into stamping it as a romantic relationship. In my eyes… It feels like Lady Anis is being chased very much…”
“…”
“By any chance… Did Lady Yenica notice Lady Anis’ love for you?”
Anis took a deep breath with a huffing sound.
“In that case . This also explains why Lady Anis is in such a hurry to try to find a lover.”
Anise knows well how good Belle’s sharp senses are. That’s why she and Clara always came here to consult about Jenica’s love life.
That sharp senses . He may never have imagined that the arrow would be pointed at him.
“Anyway, my heart is somewhere else… The cleanest way to prove his innocence would be to get a new lover… Lady Anis… Really, yes. It seems that Lady Nika is precious to you.”
Anis was afraid that Yenika would be hurt before her thoughts went out, so she quickly tried to come up with a solution.
At those words, Anis hesitated for a moment, but instead raised the corners of her mouth and smiled proudly.
” It would be better if you packaged it that way. Something seems very plausible.”
Then he cleared his throat a few times and continued talking.
“You spoke in very grandiose terms, but in the end, I think that human emotions are nothing more than a collection of organic reactions that can all be adjusted. Because they do. Well, it’s not like they’re being very considerate. It’s still only the beginning, so if we adjust slowly…”
“Have you met Lady Yenika?”
Anis was once again speechless at Bell’s question, which ignored everything Anis said and cut straight to the core.
Eventually, she slowly answered as if she was going to a confession . He spat out.
“Yes… I ran into him while passing by the teacher’s building the other day… and we parted ways without even saying hello… We felt awkward… so our expressions looked dark…” “I
see.”
“And… I have to supervise the placement test with Ed next week… I don’t know what kind of face I should show…” After
saying that, Anise lowered her head and said nothing.
Belle said nothing. I sighed deeply, rested my chin, and thought for a moment.
There was silence for a long time in a corner of the rose garden, where sparrows were chirping in the morning sunlight.
“It might not be as big a deal as you thought. On the contrary, it might have a positive effect…?”
Eventually, the conclusion that Belle came up with was unexpected.
“Yes?”
“If you think about Lady Jenica… she can’t remain like a pure white canvas forever, right?”
After careful consideration, I came up with a way to end the story without hurting anyone.
There was one person who might get in trouble, but for the moment, there was nothing we could do. Belle sent a deep apology to Ed in her heart.
” As you know well, Miss Anis, isn’t Miss Yenica a person who is always friendly and sincere toward others? That’s probably a good thing… but sometimes people break down more easily than you think if they don’t let go of their negative emotions.”
Belle sat down next to Anis and continued the story slowly.
“Maybe this will be a good opportunity for Lady Yenica. It’s about getting angry, saying unpleasant things, and complaining. It may be difficult right now, but it’s surprisingly helpful to let out your emotions in that way.” ”
Is that so…?”
“More than anything, one of the emotions that stimulates that area the most is jealousy. Lady Yenica is a truly selfless person, so she must have had little experience harboring deep feelings of jealousy toward others. And if you are confused by those emotions, your mind will most likely become weak. You must be having a very hard time.”
Isn’t that exactly what Anis was worried about? Just as Anis was about to point out that nothing had been resolved, Bell struck first.
“Wasn’t the problem that Lady Yenika was too perfect in the first place?”
Anise was once again speechless as Belle spoke, penetrating the essence of the problem.
“Now, repeat after me. Protective instinct.”
A conversation she once had with Clara came to mind… Anise’s mouth fell open.
Belle already knew from the beginning.
It’s obvious that Yenika is the place to go when her mind becomes confused and difficult.
Belle is. I sat quietly and gently patted Anis on the back.
Anise suddenly relaxed at the sight of her encouraging me that there was no need to feel so guilty.
*
“What is it? When did you come here?”
“…”
I brought the magic engineering supplies near the entrance to the library. I was in the process of covering it with a tent to prevent
snow from accumulating on top. It was time to prepare the materials for building the warehouse. Just
because you have reached a certain level of skill in the production field, you should not neglect training.
Above all, the space inside the cabin itself should not be neglected. I feel the need to expand a little.
Most of the engineering training will be done in the library, but I thought it would be good to be able to make simple daily necessities or do simple processes in a cabin. I
drilled a hole in one of the outer walls to create a warehouse space and created a warehouse space on the other side. I’m thinking about opening up some space and turning it into a living room area. I’m worried that if I do that, the workload will be too much, but… I’ll have to look at the vacation schedule and figure out how to do it.
Anyway, it was quite cold when I returned to camp while thinking about the production schedule. When I came out with a blanket roughly draped over my shoulders, I saw Yenika sitting in front of a crackling bonfire, holding her knees. She
didn’t feel as lively as usual, so her expression was as dark as expected.
“It’s cold. Would you like a cup of tea?”
When he said that, he nodded slightly and placed his chin on his knees. Normally, he would have already been chatting and telling personal stories, but I could tell that something had happened just by looking at Yenikagan.
I could tell that something had happened.
After pouring the last remaining herbs into the glass, scooping up the tea leaves and organizing them, he took two glasses with him. He sat
down next to Yenika and held out one of the glasses, and he took the fairly large mug with both small hands.
Then, he quietly sipped the tea. They sat side by side in front of the bonfire and rested.
“It’s snowing again. It’s already piled up quite a bit, but it seems to come once every two days.”
The place where light snow falls calmly is already full of passengers.
They say evergreen trees don’t lose their color even in winter, but there’s nothing you can do in front of the pure white snow. .
Since the whole world has been dyed white, only the clear light of the crackling flame is more noticeable.
When I glance at Yenika from the corner of my eye, she is still hugging her knees and just following a few tea leaves floating in the mug.
So far . It is not common for Yenika to be openly shy.
This is because she knows very well how embarrassed the people around her, who has always been bright and innocent, become timid.
“If you have any concerns, you can tell me.”
When she said that, Yenika flipped out. He lifted his head and looked at me… He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped.
Then he spoke with eyes that looked particularly sad.
“I’m sorry. “I can’t say it.”
“Then you don’t have to say it.”
What we sometimes forget is that Yenika is also a person with limitations. The way she
lowers her head, hugs her knees, and looks depressed is like a small animal cornered. … It often triggers an unknown protective instinct.
I roughly raised my hand and wrapped my arms around Yenika’s other shoulder… and patted her. Sharing the warmth of the thick blanket was a bonus.
Just in case she got startled and distanced herself. I was worried, but Yenika lifted her head up like a mole and was about to say something for a moment, then pursed her mouth again. I felt drained because she was gloomy. Soon,
Yenika buried the side of her head on my shoulder.
We stayed silent for a while like that. I looked at the bonfire.
Winter continues.
It’s too cold to endure with just a blanket and a bonfire.
Still, spring is lightly approaching.
