Chapter 8: Grandfather’s legacy(3).

As I reminisced about the past, Abel suddenly piped up, eager to show me something.

“Oh, right! Hey, Christina-nya, we’ve got something special prepared, both of us!”

““That’s right, that’s right!””

Cain and Abel grinned, narrowing their eyes and exchanging glances. They grabbed my hands.

The two dragged me upstairs, scampering up the steps with me in tow. Among several doors, Abel opened the one to what used to be my room.

“…My room?”

““Yup, yup, take a look!””

They creaked the door open.

“Wow! So nostalgic!”

The wallpaper had white and pale pink vertical stripes, with a floral pattern neatly arranged on the white sections. The curtains matched, pale pink with lace backing—just like when I was a child. Yet, they hadn’t faded at all.

That was the first thing that caught my eye, stirring nostalgia.

“See? See? We kept it clean and perfect, nya!”

Cain puffed out his chest proudly. The mansion’s upkeep was always Cain’s job, while Abel managed the Farm Utopia. He was thrilled to have his efforts appreciated, looking quite pleased.

“Don’t be amazed yet!”

Abel called out, standing by the closet. Noticing my gaze, he flung open the double doors with a flourish.

“Wow!”

I hurried over. Instead of the familiar children’s clothes, the closet was filled with garments fit for me now.

There were dresses and corsets befitting a marquess’s daughter, as well as everyday dresses a town girl might wear. For cooking or alchemy, there were even aprons. Shoes were neatly lined up, too.

““We prepared them together!””

“Grandmother left instructions! To always have clothes ready for Christina-nya’s return, sized for your growth!”

Cain explained.

My parents’ marriage was strained, leaving me neglected. My arranged marriage to Adolf was due to our grandfathers’ decisions, and he had that awful personality. Perhaps Grandmother, worried for me, ensured I could escape here anytime—before or after marriage.

“Thank you, Cain, Abel… and Grandmother.”

I picked up each garment, inspecting them. They were all to my taste—simple yet charming.

The apron was especially moving. Though now sized for an adult, it brought back memories of alchemy with Grandfather and cooking with Grandmother.

The two Cait Siths looked up at me, delighted by my joy.

“Thank you both.”

I kissed their upturned noses one after the other to show my gratitude.

They squealed, ““Yay!”” raising their front paws and spinning in unison. Their joyful antics were so adorable, I couldn’t help but smile.

Then, Cain and Abel tugged at my dress’s hem.

“Christina-nya.”

“You’re staying here from now on, nya?”

They stared up at me earnestly.

I smiled brightly at them.

“Yes, that’s the plan. Is that okay?”

“Of course, nya!”

“Yay!”

The Cait Siths high-fived in celebration.

Then I noticed I was still wearing the duchess’s dress from the Bloom estate. It was bought with their money—well, practically my earnings, but still tied to that house. I didn’t like it.

“…I don’t want to wear this dress anymore. This is my home now.”

I no longer needed the Bloom ducal dress.

—I’ll change. Then wash this dress and sell it to a secondhand shop.

I made up my mind.

I pulled a light blue, knee-length dress from the closet, easy to move in. I tied my hair into a ponytail with a ribbon.

“I’ll grab an apron and leave it in the kitchen.”

I took a white, frilly apron.

“Now, time to change… Cain, Abel?”

I tilted my head, glancing at them with an upward look.

“We get it, nya! Christina-nya’s a lady now!”

“We’ll skedaddle, nya!”

With that, they dashed through the door, slamming it shut. I heard their pattering footsteps descending the stairs.

“Such cute little ones.”

Listening to their fading steps, my eyes softened with affection.

“Now, time to change. Finally free from this ducal dress and corset!”

First, I set down the backpack-style Magic Bag I’d been carrying.

Then, I struggled alone to remove the elaborate dress and corset, usually requiring a maid’s help. I slipped into the fresh, light blue dress.

“Ahh, so freeing! No corset or stuffy dress—just this feels so liberating!”

I stretched widely.

Carrying the new apron, corset, and dress, I headed downstairs.

I hung the apron on the kitchen’s rack, then went to the utility room’s Wash Machine. Opening the lid, I tossed in the corset and dress, pouring in the special detergent.

It was like a washer-dryer from my past life, but better. It could clean delicate dresses perfectly, leaving them soft and wrinkle-free—a marvel that would put laundromats to shame.

“Do your thing.”

I closed the lid, speaking to the device. With a press of the switch, I heard water rushing inside.

“Now, I’ve got some time.”

It’d take a while to wash and dry.

“Might as well unpack my things.”

This was my home now, so I’d settle in.

I headed upstairs to my room.

I hadn’t brought much from the Bloom estate, not wanting reminders of that place.

I’d considered bringing my alchemical mage guidebook but remembered Grandfather’s secret tomes here, so I left it behind.

“Unpacking’s done quickly.”

With that, my move from that house was complete. I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.