205 - Kalisa's Evolution and Alf's Delivery
While waiting for the new thread to arrive, I tried my hand at new patterns using lower quality thread. Perhaps because I had thoroughly practiced the basic weaving methods at the start, as long as the pattern was simple, I could weave even new ones without much trouble. If I could weave the same way even with higher quality thread, I might raise the difficulty of the patterns a little more.
From Elke, to whom I had sent a ribbon through Petrona, a polite thank-you letter and a romance novel arrived. It seemed Petrona had let slip that I was under confinement. That the genre of the book she chose to comfort me during confinement was romance was very like Elke, if I had to say.
...This shape is quite convenient.
Until now I had been using something else as a substitute, but when trying new patterns, I switched to the cylindrical pillow that Aurelia used. Since this pillow is cylindrical, I can rotate it as I weave and move to the next surface. It should be optimal for making long things like ribbons.
While alternating between bobbin lace until I got bored and then making aprons, a letter arrived from Kalisa. For some reason, a letter from Dietfried was also enclosed, so after briefly glancing through it, I presented it to Hermine. When it comes time to return it, it becomes a letter that Hermine grades and turns bright red, but recently even so, I think his handwriting has become neater and his sentences easier to read.
...So I wrote my reply in English.
Since I hear it is one of the basic accomplishments of nobles, it should be necessary for royalty as well. Writing in English should not be a problem. Besides, the English I can write is still only simple short sentences. I think it is just right as study material for Dietfried to learn English.
"Wow. Amazing."
I spread out the lace that was enclosed separately from Kalisa's letter and let out an impressed voice. We should have learned from Aurelia at the same time, but unlike me, who is still struggling with geometric patterns, Kalisa's bobbin lace evolution is remarkable. Kalisa's work, who had even been taught how to arrange designs by Aurelia, is not a geometric pattern but a single picture. Enclosed were a coaster designed with flowers of the four seasons, a ribbon with a pattern so complex it does not even bear comparison to what I am making, and even what seemed to be the pattern Kalisa had drawn.
"...Are our brains built differently?"
When I muttered quietly while looking at the too-perfect lace, Salisa, who must have heard, gave a wry smile.
"Kalisa has been good at calculations and memorizing things since she was little, so I think she is the best among us sisters at this kind of detailed work."
"That is a problem, Salisa. It seems Kalisa is not the only one who is good at it."
I opened the cloth that was wrapped separately and showed Salisa the letter and lace that came out of it. The letter I skimmed through was from Alisa. It seems all the servants of the Mandez Residence tried their hand at the bobbin lace that Kalisa had brought back to Mandez. Alisa seems to be struggling a little, but Iridal apparently can already design pictures. On the detachable collar that the letter said was made by Iridal, two cats, one white and one black, were designed.
"Oh my, how lovely. Let us put this to use on the young lady's summer clothes right away."
Salisa began looking at the lace collar, saying it could be reused on anything since it was a detachable collar, but even as she said reuse, she had the air of someone about to have new clothes made. If she said she wanted to make clothes for me, Leonardo's permission would come down right away.
...Should I send Aurelia's difficult lace and patterns along with a thank-you letter?
Even if there were parts she could not decipher, she could not ask Aurelia anymore. But I felt that Kalisa and Iridal would be able to decipher and reproduce them without difficulty.
"Young lady, you have a guest."
"Is it the thread delivery?"
"No, it is a guest for you, young lady."
Wondering who could be visiting me, I moved to the living room with Salisa as my escort. When the door opened, Alf and Mirshe were waiting inside.
"Mirshe-chan! Did you come to play?"
I quickly corrected myself, not "did you come to play," but "have you come to play?" This was inside the Fortress Lord's Residence. Even if the other person was Mirshe, I should be careful with my wording.
Happy, I could not help but run over to Alf and Mirshe, and Mirshe stood up straight.
"We have come from the Three Crows Tavern to deliver dishes to the young lady Tina."
"Deliver dishes, is it?"
I wondered what this could be about and had no idea, but from Mirshe's manner of speaking, I understood she had come for work. That was probably why her tone had become formal. In that case, I should probably speak like a young lady too.
I received the napkin-covered basket she offered. Since I could not remove the napkin like that, I placed the basket on the table first. What came out from under the lifted napkin were two teriyaki chicken (Nikitz) sandwiches that had toppled over and lost a bit of their shape.
"Teriyaki chicken (Nikitz) sandwich! I am so happy! Thank you, Mirshe."
"These were ordered by Alf-sama. He asked me to deliver two teriyaki chicken sandwiches to the young lady Tina."
To Mirshe, who was downcast saying she had carried them carefully but they had toppled and fallen apart, I comforted her with words unbefitting a lady, saying they would all be the same once in the stomach. Even though she had covered it with a napkin to keep off dust, it was because it was not wrapped in disposable paper like fast food from my previous life. Since it is possible for hamburgers and sandwiches stored in a space with room to move to fall apart, Mirshe, who had carried them, was not at fault.
"Alf-san, thank you as well. So you 'demae-d' Mirshe to me."
"I am glad you seem pleased. By the way... 'demae,' what is that?"
"Huh? Um..."
In this world where transportation means were legs, horses, or donkeys, there was no way he could understand a service where food ordered by phone could be delivered by motorcycle or car. The concept of 'demae' probably did not exist.
...I slipped up. Just because Alf already knows I am a reincarnated Japanese person, I let my guard down too much.
While I was hesitating about how to explain it so it would make sense, it seemed he had figured out where the knowledge (word) had come from. With a wry smile, Alf told Mirshe to borrow a plate and fork from Salisa, sending the two of them away from the living room.
"So, um, 'demae' was a service that existed in Japan..."
I explained that it was essentially a service where a shop would deliver ordered food to a workplace or home. It was a convenient service, but if someone tried to reproduce it in this world, the costs would not balance and no one would bother. The employee delivering the order would have their hands tied up, and it would take time. Using a horse would shorten the time, but the cost of maintaining that horse was no joke. And if the price was the same as eating at the shop, there was no benefit for the shop to adopt a delivery system in this world.
"...But if it includes a delivery fee, could they not make an exception once in a while? I think I should have a good talk with the owner of the Three Crows Tavern."
"Tina, your tone."
"Ah..."
The moment I was called out and fell silent was the same moment Mirshe returned carrying plates.
There were two portions of chicken sandwich, but I shared one with Mirshe, splitting it in half. Alf had bought two, calculating one for each of us, but with our small stomachs, if we ate one whole, it would affect dinner. When Alf said he would give the remaining one to Leonardo, I insisted he should eat it himself, pushing the remaining sandwich on a plate toward Alf.
"No, since I bought it, there should not be a problem if I eat it, but... I did not expect Tina to say 'do not give any to Leonardo.'"
"It is fine for Leonardo-san. It has been over a month already, and he is a mean big brother who still will not lift my confinement."
Out of irritation, I took a bite of the chicken sandwich. With each bite, the lovely smell of soy sauce spread through my mouth.
"That is a long confinement, for Leonardo."
"Well, confinement does not bother me at all."
When I explained to Alf that since it was not a punishment to me, it seemed Leonardo could not easily lift the confinement, he nodded in understanding. Because Leonardo and I have different personalities, it was different from Leonardo, for whom confinement had worked as a punishment.
"Tina big sister, did you do something bad and get scolded?"
"That is right. I did something bad, so I am obediently receiving my punishment."
Was it because her delivery job was done that Mirshe's tone had returned to normal? I personally think it is fine as is since it is cute and does not feel out of place, but since she came here for work, it might be better to teach her later that it is still work until she returns to the shop.
"Big sister, did you properly say 'I am sorry' to Leonardo-sama? If you say sorry, he will forgive you."
"I did properly say 'I am sorry,' but bad things are bad things, so I have to properly receive my punishment..."
In Mirshe's mind, Leonardo had become branded as a bad person who would not forgive her even though she properly apologized. I do think Leonardo, who will not lift the confinement, is mean, but this time it is completely my fault. As I was thinking about how to clear up Mirshe's misunderstanding, Salisa brought over the freshly finished apron.
...Perfect timing.
Trying to distract Mirshe with this, I spread the apron I received from Salisa in front of Mirshe. It had no decorations like lace or frills, but it was a clean white apron. Prioritizing practicality, I only put embroidery on the pocket part. Crows are said to be symbols of bad luck in Japan, I think, but in this country they are known as clever birds, and the shop where Mirshe works is called the Three Crows Tavern, after all. Since it is an apron to wear at the shop, there should be no problem with the embroidery of three crows on it.
I made three ribbons and gave them to Elke and Petrona. But to avoid danger, I decided not to give one to Mirshe. This apron was instead of that.
I explained this to Mirshe honestly. If I explained from the start, even if she happened to see Elke and Petrona wearing matching ribbons, even if they said they got them from me, she would understand that she was not the only one left out. I did not forget to add that when Mirshe grew up and could avoid dangers that might befall her on her own, I would give her a ribbon then.
"Thank you, Tina big sister. I will treasure it."
After hearing all the explanations, Mirshe smiled brightly and accepted the apron. For just a moment, I felt like telling her never to take it home, but I held my tongue, feeling that was poking my nose too far into another family's affairs. However, it seemed Mirshe had easily seen through my true intentions when I opened my mouth and then closed it again. With a troubled smile, she said she would only use the apron at the shop.
Time is up. I could not write as much as I planned.
Fixed any typos and omissions I found. Typos and omissions again another day.