Chapter 6

The inside of the house had changed considerably.

Thanks to the windows on all four walls, the room was bright and looked much cleaner.

The logs were neatly stacked, so no cold drafts came in like before.

"Wow, there's a lock on the door!"

"What's gotten into you, getting so excited over something so obvious?"

The amount of peace of mind a lock on the door could bring was something a sheltered young lady couldn't understand.

The door was made of thick planks, so it felt more secure to sleep than it did yesterday.

The entrance led directly to the living room.

The table and chairs were the same as before, but the number of chairs had increased from one to two.

There was also a mini kitchen in the corner, which looked like a toy kitchen.

"Cute kitchen. We can cook here. Seddie, let's see if the stove works."

Eugenie probably had no experience with cooking.

She had been fidgeting and eager to use the kitchen since she arrived.

"Sure, I'll let you have the honor of lighting this magic stove for the first time."

"Yay. Hehe, let's boil some water."

"That's a good idea, but have you done it before?"

"No."

Of course not.

I haven't either. (But that's a different story from my previous life.)

"Should I just turn this knob...?"

Eugenie handled the forbidden magic device with trepidation.

"Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes, I'm fine. Oh, the stove is getting hot!"

The iron wires glowed red in response to the switch.

"Stay calm."

"Y-Yes, I'm fine. This is nothing. I just need to put a pot of water on it, right? It's easy."

Eugenie kept her eyes fixed on the water as it heated up.

Boiling water might feel like a grand magic experiment to her.

"Bubbles! Look, Seddie, bubbles are coming out! What should we do? Will it explode?"

This must be her first time seeing water boil.

She truly is a young lady from a noble family.

"The water will bubble like that when it boils."

Eugenie was thoroughly enjoying the magic stove.

Still, this kitchen seems to be functional.

The stove has plenty of power, and there are pots, ladles, and dishes available.

"This cottage feels like a secret base, it's so much fun!"

Eugenie, who had turned off the stove, looked around the room excitedly.

"But there are still a lot of things missing. We only have a table and chairs. I wish we had a sofa."

"Can't you do something with that magic from earlier?"

Furnishings for the living room can be obtained by allocating points.

It seems this is thanks to Eugenie coming to visit.

A sofa can be installed for 1 point, with more luxurious options requiring 5 points.

However, I only have 4 points left.

I need to use them wisely.

"It's not possible right now, but maybe someday."

If my happiness level increases and points are restored smoothly, I'll consider it.

"Seddie, what's up there on that ladder?"

There was a ladder in the corner of the room, leading up to a loft.

"Let's climb up."

Since Eugenie was wearing a skirt, I went up first.

"The loft is a bedroom."

It wasn't particularly luxurious, just a simple bed and a bedside table.

The red lantern, part of the initial equipment, was also on the bedside table.

"The bed is a bit better."

The straw bundle had been replaced with a straw mat, and a brown blanket was laid over it.

"Doesn't the bed look hard? Is it okay?"

"We can't afford to be picky. I'll try to get a better one eventually."

If I save up enough points, I can even get a canopy bed.

There are also low-rebound and water beds to choose from.

"Oh, there's a window here."

There was a dormer window in the corner of the sloping ceiling.

A dormer is a small roofed window that protrudes from the roof.

It's often used when it's not possible to cut a hole in the wall for a window.

The window was double-hinged, and it seemed possible to go out onto the roof from there.

"Eugenie, do you want to go outside?"

"Go out on the roof? Won't we get in trouble?"

"There's no way we'll get in trouble; I'm the owner of this place. Or do you want to wait here?"

"No, I want to go up on the roof too!"

"Then let's go. Lady, may I have your hand?"

"Hehe, going up on the roof is a new experience for me."

Eugenie's right hand, which I held, was trembling slightly.

Still, we moved to the roof and climbed up further.

From the top, we could see the blue sea clearly.

"Aren't you scared?"

"Not at all! I ride Gian every day."

That's true.

Riding Gian allows you to fly much higher.

However, Eugenie was excited.

She must feel a sense of forbidden pleasure from going up on the roof.

"What a view. The sea breeze feels so good."

We could see a large port town beyond the bay.

That's Bellica.

Where I was born and raised.

We've come quite far...

"Do you miss your mansion?"

Eugenie looked at my face with concern.

"Not really. I've decided to work hard here."

"I see..."

Though she didn't say it, Eugenie must have been very worried about me.

She's always been that kind of person.

"Anyway, I'm hungry."

"Oh, Seddie, did you have breakfast?"

"Not yet. Actually, I was still in bed when you arrived."

"You're such a sleepyhead. But it's good. I brought some provisions."

We went back downstairs and sat at the table.

Eugenie took out sandwiches and fruits from the basket she brought.

"Thank you. I'll have breakfast now."

"Hey, why don't we boil some water again since we have the chance?"

"Sure, but we don't have coffee or tea here."

"I saw lemon balm and apple mint outside earlier. Let's pick them and make herbal tea."

I picked the herbs as Eugenie instructed.

There are quite a few useful herbs growing around the house.

Hmm? Come to think of it, I remember picking various herbs in the game.

I used them for cooking and alchemy.

I can't remember how to use alchemy, but I should start using these herbs.

We drew water from the well, boiled it on the stove, and made fresh herbal tea.

The fresh aroma was very pleasant and delicious.

I'll keep making herbal tea since I've learned how to do it.

For breakfast, we had herbal tea, sandwiches with ham, vegetables, and cheese, and freshly picked strawberries, and I was very satisfied.

A quick glance at the status screen showed that my happiness level had increased from 76% to 82%.

The enjoyable time passed quickly.

By the time we finished eating and chatting, the sun was already high in the sky.

"I have to go soon. I have a piano lesson in the afternoon."

Eugenie started getting ready to leave.

"How long does it take to get from here to your mansion?"

"It's quick if I ride Gian. So I'll come back again."

Griffins can fly, making it easy to go anywhere.

Even if the reef connecting the island to the mainland is submerged at high tide, Eugenie can still come without any problem.

"I'll try to develop the island as much as possible before you come back."

"I'm looking forward to it."

When we went outside, the griffin that had been lying on the grass got up.

Since the griffin has grown up with Eugenie since she was little, it doesn't run away even if it's not tied up.

It seems to have waited patiently for her today.

I really envy Eugenie.

Eugenie, who had mounted the griffin, looked around the forest with a worried expression.

"Are you really okay? Isn't it scary to be alone in such a place?"

Of course it's scary, but I can't admit it.

I don't want to look bad in front of my childhood friend.

"I'm not scared. I'm the lord of this island. I'll make it as grand as Gandalacia in a fairy tale someday."

I put on a brave face, and Eugenie nodded in agreement.

"I'll come back again. I'll bring some more provisions next time!"

The griffin spread its wings wide and took off vertically.

I watched until Eugenie's figure disappeared.

As soon as Eugenie left, I felt lonely.

Alone, the natural sounds that I had forgotten about became very noticeable.

The sea breeze, the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds—sounds filled the world.

Wait, did I just hear a strange sound?

I strained my ears.

"Uu..."

The sound of a woman crying carried on the sea breeze.

The voice seemed to be coming from the beach, but could it be the ghost of Elrene?

The ghost of Elrene is the spirit of a woman who died at sea.

It is feared for appearing at night with a blue light and dragging people who come to investigate into the sea.

That would be scary, but it's still daytime.

Besides, the sound isn't just a woman crying; there are also the shouts of a man.

It sounds like they are arguing.

I decided to go to the beach, thinking it would be wrong to ignore it.

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