*** *** *** *** ***
Epony Korre. The woman Cesare had sent was over forty years old.
Her neatly pulled back reddish hair and wise blue eyes gave her a dignified look. Though she had no smile, she exuded a gentle atmosphere.
She wore a cotton dress with modest bobbin lace at the hem. Modest, but too expensive for a commoner.
‘She’s certainly not just a maid…. She must be Popolo (middle-class citizen).’
Epony first led Adele to a room on the second floor.
“This will be your room from today.”
“……”
When Epony opened the oak door embossed with a mermaid, Adele was speechless at the sight of the room.
Unlike Cesare’s study, this room was decorated in soft greens and was much larger than Adele had anticipated.
The interior featured aggressive use of pristine Alençon lace, long chairs covered in deep green Terempe fabric, and Gobelin tapestries decorating various spots.
“The Buonapartes avoid excessive luxury, so it’s not too extravagant, but you shouldn’t find it uncomfortable. The suite includes your personal reception room, bedroom, dressing room, toilet room, and bath.”
Adele, staring at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling of the reception room, finally came to her senses.
“…This isn’t considered extravagant?”
“No. For a lady’s room, it’s quite frugal.”
Frugal….
To Adele, frugal meant cooking meat instead of roasting it or eating black barley bread instead of soft bread.
Sensing her thoughts, Epony said firmly,
“This is Buonaparte, my lady.”
Buonaparte. As if that alone explained everything.
“Also, I am your servant, so you must address me accordingly. Unless they are fellow nobles or officials from the parliament, it’s proper to address them informally.”
“…Understood.”
“Then, allow me to reintroduce myself.”
Epony seated the dirty Adele on the noble chaise and bowed slightly.
“From today, I will be serving you, Miss Adelaide. My name is Epony Korre. I have been assigned to assist you in becoming a member of the Buonaparte family.”
“Please take care of me.”
“If you don’t mind, may I say something about the ‘contract’ between you and the young master?”
Epony asked without expression. It was clear she intended to speak only with the ‘lady’s permission,’ something Adele needed to learn.
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“Thank you. First, about your education. Let me explain the education a noble lady typically receives.”
“Yes.”
“The basic education includes the Six Arts: etiquette, music, archery, literature, writing, and mathematics. Additionally, dance, basic fencing, national and world history, management and maritime studies, law, foreign languages, and vocal training are traditionally taught by the family before entering society. Hobbies such as horseback riding, art, tea ceremony, swimming, and astronomy are encouraged, along with archery and gardening for ladies.”
“……”
Adele was stunned again.
She had to learn all that in three months.
‘…Maybe I should just ask for a last meal for a death row inmate tomorrow.’
Seeing Adele’s wavering eyes, Epony spoke.
“Of course, that’s the general curriculum. Given the ‘game’ has a clear goal and a short timeline, the young master has set a different course.”
“So…”
“We aim solely for ‘Bella Figura.’”
Bella Figura. To be beautiful and attractive in every way.
“Your education will focus on looking beautiful, emphasizing basic etiquette, dance, music, and vocal training. You will also work on grooming your skin and hair, correcting your posture, and gaining weight.”
While the subjects had been reduced, it still didn’t sound easy. Adele nodded resolutely.
“I understand.”
“Do you have any other questions?”
Adele shook her head. She had many questions but doubted they would be answered.
“No.”
“Very well. Then, let’s move to the bath. I will assist you.”
Adele flinched at those words, instinctively clutching her front.
“…I’ll bathe myself.”
It was her first show of resistance.
But Epony responded in a businesslike manner, as expected.
“Noble ladies do not bathe alone.”
“There’s no one around. You already know I’m a shoe-shiner….”
“I am here. And do not mention that within the house. Also,”
Epony’s tone turned stern.
“What I say is not a request. This is all by the young master’s orders to ensure you become a proper lady. If I don’t assist, the young master will come and assist you himself.”
“…….”
Adele slowly released her grip on her clothes.
It was clear that any more stubbornness would result in a report to Cesare.
“…Fine. Please assist me.”
In the bath, Adele gave up and removed her hat.
Her wavy hair cascaded down like a waterfall. Epony helped her out of her tattered shoe-shiner clothes.
Seeing Adele naked, Epony’s eyes widened in shock.
The ragged underwear and bruises covering her body looked like mold spots.
Adele spoke quietly.
“The bruises will go away soon. I’ve been hit enough to know. These won’t even leave a mark.”
“……”
Still, Epony didn’t respond, and Adele felt a pang of anxiety.
What if she said Adele’s body was too dirty for the plan?
“…Will you report this?”
Adele’s trembling eyes met Epony’s.
Epony averted her gaze.
“…The ‘contract’ between you and young master Cesare is to last until the marriage with Della Valle is secured. As long as you do not reveal your body to the young master of Della Valle before the wedding….”
“That’s a relief.”
Epony tightly closed her mouth and took the dirty clothes.
“…But Fornatti’s dresses are thin. We need to heal your body quickly. May I discard these clothes?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you. For the time being, you should eat more than four meals a day. A lady needs some flesh. You’re too thin now.”
Then she pondered for a moment before asking.
“I suggest we eat now. Is there anything you’d like to eat?”
The question Adele least expected.
*** *** *** *** ***
Before entering the dining room, Epony asked,
“You are not yet accustomed to a noble’s feast, so please tell me your preferences, and I will select for you. Is that alright?”
After a moment of thought, Adele answered.
“I’m not fond of rotten food. Other than that, I can eat anything. Even bugs.”
“…You’re not picky. That’s a commendable trait for a lady. I’ll take care of the menu for now.”
The lunch menu chosen by Epony was, in a word, heavenly. There was no other way to describe it.
The aperitivo (pre-dinner drink) was a floral white wine, and the antipasto (appetizer) was a bruschetta wrapped in watercress and smoked salmon.
Then came tuna carpaccio with arugula and celery, linguine with mackerel and abalone, and halibut wrapped in potatoes with tomato sauce.
Everything was superb. Adele almost wanted to lick the plate. If Epony weren’t there, she might have.
Epony, who had made sure Adele ate like a person, offered advice throughout the meal.
“Use the cutlery from the outside in. Don’t place your elbows on the table. Keep your hands above the table during the meal.”
There was no hint of disdain in her gaze. Epony was truly an excellent maid.
Adele appreciated her dispassion and took her teachings to heart. She wanted to eat before the food got cold next time. It was still delicious even when it was cold.
Adele finally cleaned her plate, finishing the panna cotta dessert, and then glanced at Epony.
Did I eat too much like a vagrant?
“You ate well, which is very pleasing to see.”
Fortunately, Epony, like a middle-aged woman, seemed very satisfied with Adele’s appetite.
After the meal, Adele donned a fine muslin dress and draped a thin shawl woven from taffeta as she went on a tour of the mansion.
“Since you are now a member of the Buonaparte family, you need to know the mansion’s layout. This is the library. This is the meeting room, and this is the long gallery. The billiard room is here, and the dining room is….”
The explanations continued nonstop. Adele quietly followed Epony, memorizing the paths.
Unlike the tangled back alleys of Fornatti, the spacious and straightforward layout was easy to remember.
Crossing the courtyard on the first floor, Adele noticed a large window shining above the garden.
‘Is that Eva Buonaparte’s room?’
She wanted to ask, but the chairwoman’s quarters might be confidential. Instead, she asked something else.
“What about the chairwoman?”
“You should call her ‘Elder.’”
Epony, walking ahead, spoke in a low voice.
“‘Chairwoman’ is her official title. Since you belong to the family, you should use ‘Elder,’ which denotes the family head.”
Epony hesitated.
“Of course, ‘Grandmother’ would be more appropriate, but for now….”
Meaning she should consider Eva’s feelings about being called grandmother by a shoe-shiner.
Adele nodded.
“Understood. Where is the Elder?”
“The right wing of the first floor is where she stays. She is currently away on parliament business.”
I should avoid that place.
“What about my brother?”
“He stays in the central section of the first floor.”
“I see.”
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