Chapter 86
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Roles and Repose
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“I heard Amy was an herbalist. And that you have an important herb you're trying to cultivate, Lady Cherry. Amy could be in charge of that, and since she's so agile... she could also assist the search team from time to time. Besides that, I'm sure there will be plenty of other things for her to do. We're all short-handed, after all.”
At Jose’s words, Amy’s face lit up. She nodded vigorously, her eyes fixed on me.
“I—I can do anything!”
Amy didn't need to sell herself so hard; I already knew what she was capable of.
Amy had made it from Brunel to Happy House all on her own. For all I knew, her combat skills might even be better than mine.
And the very thing that made me hesitate about her role was her skill with herbs. We did need someone to manage the garden.
Plus, since monsters went wild for the scent of the Elpinus herb, we had to find a way to grow it without letting the smell escape.
I told Amy firmly.
“I said your primary role was a bit ambiguous, not that you were useless. Just as Jose said, you're so versatile that I was struggling to decide where you'd fit best, since you'd do well anywhere.”
I had made a point to tell her this in front of everyone. She had seemed so disheartened.
What I'd said just now was the truth, and it wouldn't do for her to stay so downcast.
My words brought a look of sheer gratitude to Amy’s face. I was relieved to see her spirits lift.
* * *
With the roles more or less assigned, the meeting concluded.
We decided to take the rest of the day off to relax, get used to our new roles, and familiarize ourselves with Happy House.
*Perfect. I'm just going to spend the day lazing around under the canopy with a glass of milk.*
Nothing beat lying under the canopy in the warm weather, sipping milk. It was enough to make you forget, if only for a moment, the reality of the monsters swarming just outside the estate.
As I started to get up after the meeting, Harrison looked my way. That meant he wanted to talk. I suddenly felt the urge to flee.
“Miss Cherry, I'd like to have a strategy meeting with you regarding our search missions.”
Just then, Ethan called my name. *Ah, this doesn't look good either.* My eyes darted between them, but I decided Ethan was the lesser of two evils and followed him.
I'd have to come up with an excuse for Harrison later.
Ethan led me to the canopy in the garden. How did he know this was where I wanted to go? Sometimes I think he can read minds.
He brought me over and then flopped down onto the mat under the canopy. I stared at him, bewildered.
“What are you doing?”
“You looked like you wanted to escape, so I thought I'd help. If you'd rather not, you can go back inside.”
“No. This is exactly what I wanted to do.”
Without a second's hesitation, I flopped down beside him. Ethan, watching me, burst out laughing again. Lately, he seemed to find everything I did amusing.
Well, his positive reactions were a good thing, I supposed. I lay there, lost in thought, and glanced back at Happy House.
“You know, if Harrison sees us lazing around like this, he might drag me away.”
“Then we'll just have to pretend we're having a strategy meeting.”
Ethan rolled onto his side to face me, propping his head on his hand and gazing at me. I mirrored his posture, turning to lie on my side as well.
“I appreciate you helping me slack off, but I can't help but feel suspicious. What's your angle?”
“After all the help I've given you, it seems you couldn't care less whether I leave or not, Miss Cherry.”
Ethan said, the words tumbling out. I tilted my head.
“Hey, that's not true. I was quite disappointed at the thought of losing my morning milk-drinking partner.”
“...Milk?”
Ethan stared at me, dumbfounded, as if to ask, *That's the only reason?*
Of course, milk wasn't the only reason. It would be a shame to lose him. He was, after all, a valuable asset.
Instead of answering, I just shrugged.
His expression became unreadable, then his brow furrowed slightly in thought. What was on his mind?
“Cherry!”
Just then, the front door opened and Amy came running toward me. She flopped down beside me, beaming.
“You know I really like you, right?”
At Amy’s words, Ethan, who was still facing me, let out a scoff.
“That has nothing to do with Miss Cherry being the owner of the house, does it?”
“It's not like that at all!”
Amy cried out indignantly, and I quickly shushed her. If we made too much noise, we might attract Harrison's attention. We were supposed to be pretending to have a serious meeting.
Although, lying so comfortably on the mat, I suspected it was already too late to look serious.
I just wanted to fall asleep right here.
* * *
Knox stood before the lobby window, quietly gazing outside. He didn't bother stepping out the front door.
He could see a man, a woman, and a young girl lying under the canopy, laughing happily. From a distance, they looked like a painting.
*They look like a family.*
The sight made his chest tighten, and he felt a sudden craving for a cigarette. He himself didn't know why.
Knox pulled a lollipop from his pocket and unwrapped it. His supply from Brunel was starting to run low. He'd have to start rationing them.
“Those two... when did they get so close?”
Harrison asked, having approached Knox's side at some point. Knox popped the candy into his mouth and let out a wry chuckle.
“Did it seem like I wasn't close with her? I'm quite close with Miss Cherry myself, Counselor Howard.”
At that, Harrison turned his gaze on Knox. Their eyes met, locking in a heavy stare.
“Not even a hello for your wife's brother, after all this time.”
“Did you ever properly act the part of a brother?”
Harrison retorted with uncharacteristic sharpness before turning his gaze back out the window. Knox was left speechless, staring blankly at Harrison's profile.
Anything more he said now would just make him look like a scumbag. Knox swallowed a bitter laugh.
*Then again, maybe I already am one.*
After all, he'd only made a brief appearance at the funeral of his own sister, Isabella.
Harrison was the husband of Knox's sister, Isabella, but the two men had rarely crossed paths.
Knox had used being busy as an excuse to avoid all involvement in the Ludpersher family's affairs, neglecting his duties as a family member.
“Bella was very fond of you, you know. We didn't see much of each other after we grew up, but whenever we did, she would always talk about you.”
“I know. Bella is still my cherished wife. And she was my first and last love.”
Knox fell silent at Harrison's reply.
When they first married, Knox had assumed Isabella would have a difficult time, believing Harrison Howard was a man who cared for nothing but the Sinclairs.
But he had misjudged. Harrison had always been sincere with Isabella; he was a far better man than Knox had given him credit for.
Knox, who did nothing but run from his problems, had no right to judge him.
Their gazes drifted back to Cherry and Ethan outside the window.
“...You seem to cherish the young lady of the family you serve. Like she's your own family.”
“Yes. She is my family. The one who gave me my place in this world.”
Harrison replied, his expression lost in thought, and continued to watch Cherry for a moment. His gaze was steady, resolute, and incredibly warm.
In that sense, Harrison was a man of the same breed as Ethan.
And that made Knox feel utterly insignificant—he who pretended to be affable to all while choosing to remain cold to his very core.
He followed Harrison's gaze back to Cherry.
What would Cherry think? How would she judge him? He was suddenly overcome with curiosity.
“I have no desire to control her.”
Harrison said, his eyes fixed on Cherry’s smiling face beyond the window.
“I only wish for her to be happy and safe from harm. That is all.”
Knox cast a strange look at Harrison, but Harrison’s eyes remained fixed on Cherry.
* * *
The management of the estate was proceeding smoothly.
Harrison took inventory of the daily necessities I had gathered, checked our food and supplies, and made a list of what we were lacking and what we would need to procure.
“Our food supplies are critically low. We need to find enough to last us until the crops can be harvested.”
Harrison reported, sitting across from me on a sofa in the first-floor salon.
“Well, the place was originally intended for just me, Harrison, and Susanna. I never expected our numbers to grow this much.”
I sank into deep thought. If I could just remember the details of the novel, there might be something useful.
Even though the story was told from Aurora's perspective, I still knew, to some extent, the major and minor events that would unfold over the next two years.
What's more, Aurora and her party had visited Brunel at one point. That meant I also knew about the events that would happen around that time.
*I'm pretty sure there was some kind of conflict in Kintne around then...*