Chapter 107. The Future Different From The Past, Part XIII
Translator: Khan
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
Aria asked again, "Then if you share all the perfume with other maids in the mansion and you have nothing, what should you do?"
"If I don't have... I should buy it again, right?"
"Where?"
"Of course, from Baron Burboom's shop... Huh?"
Only then did Annie's eyes glisten again since she found an answer.
"Wouldn't it better for you without the perfume, because if you have a lot of perfume, you won't have to go again?"
Of course, with that, it was Annie who would be happy the most. She would be able to meet the great Baron Burboom that she had been praising so much just now.
"Yes, yes!"
Annie nodded, shining her eyes.
"And now I don't want to go there because I'm bothered. Try to buy the perfume in person, whenever you need it. You can buy it and credit it in my name."
"Are, are you sure?"
"When did you see me flip over?"
"No! No!"
This would be the happiest moment of Annie's life. He was a wonderful man, and she could raise her status if she did well. Furthermore, Aria's support also played a part. And when Annie looked back on Aria's behavior, she didn't doubt that Aria would actively help her. Was there any better condition?
"Miss! I'll gather the maids!"
Annie's voice was brighter and clearer than ever.
"Yes, do it."
"Do you want me to hand them out because it's a hassle for you?"
Annie was ready to destroy all the perfume if she could. Aria smiled and said yes, and Annie hurriedly disappeared into the mansion.
Annie, who called in the maids of the mansion, handed the maids the perfume in a condescending manner. Even though Annie was arrogant and handed out the perfume, the maids were laughing at the precious gifts, and Aria's reputation for her kindness soared high into the sky.
After a few days, Annie, who had borrowed Aria's cosmetics and decorated herself to the fullest, asked Aria. "Miss, I don't have any perfume left. Shall I go buy it?"
Aria answered with an airy smile, "Yes, do it."
"How many bottles shall I buy?"
"Do whatever you want. I won't get involved. Would you just care so that my perfume won't run out?"
At Aria's words of leaving everything for her, Annie hurried to the busy street, excited. She had a sweet cake in her arms that she had just found throughout the capital. When she thought of eating it with Baron Burboom, she felt like she was already flying above the sky.
Arriving at Burboom's shop, Annie headed straight to the counter. It was to find Burboom. She snooped at the counter, recalling that he had come down from the second floor last time. Fortunately, no one was there, so she went over the counter and climbed the stairs that were behind it.
'Where is he? I should've just asked a staff to show me around.' It would have been easier if she had used Aria's name.
Annie was forced to walk upstairs and open a few doors before she could find Burboom's office. Annie, who found Burboom, who was looking at the papers with concentration, hurried to apologize to him as if she had mistakenly come to the wrong place.
"Oh my, I'm sorry! I got lost..."
All the perfumes were displayed on the first floor, so there was no reason to get lost on the second floor. But Burboom welcomed her visit with open arms because he remembered Annie had been a companion to Aria.
"I see. I've made a lady lose her way... I may have to change the structure."
Annie's cheeks glowed with affection. Burboom led her to a sofa on the right side of the office and prepared tea to calm her lost and frightened mind.
It was a simpler treatment than Aria's visit, but Annie was satisfied enough with it. In the first place, even though she was a commoner, he called her a lady and treated her politely.
Burboom, of course, just called the title "lady" because it didn't matter whether she was a noblewoman or not.
"I was about to buy a cake, and it's great."
Annie handed the cake, and Burboom waved his hand with a surprised face.
"How can I get this precious thing? Why don't you have it with Lady Aria later?"
"Of, of course, I've set aside Miss Aria's share. I bought this for extra money, so don't worry about it."
The cake Annie gave him was put on the table when she said she had Aria's share. In fact, Annie was uncomfortable with one side of her heart since she had not prepared it separately, but she was able to erase it quickly because she had more joy than that. So she wanted to enjoy her tea for a while and enjoy the time with Burboom.
However, he had just taken a sip of the tea without waiting for her to do it and asked her, "But why did you stop by here today?"
"Ah... I'd like to buy some perfume."
"Are you talking about perfume?"
Burboom cocked his head. Just recently, he had given her the perfume by types, but he was asking why she would buy them again. It was more than enough for her to use for years.
"Yes. Lady Aria gave them to the maids of the mansion. Miss always gives out what she has."
When Annie spoke proudly, Burboom's expression was eerie. It seemed a bit awkward and annoyed that Aria had given someone the gifts he had given. At the same time, however, he was admiring Aria's character, which was different from rumors.
"And..."
"... yeah?"
"And if I don't have any perfume, I can see Baron Burboom again."
Annie blushed her cheeks. Her makeup was thick and slightly pinkish, but the color of the spring flowers matched well with the shy girl's face. It was enough to make the hearts of boys of her age cry.
Annie wriggled her fingers and waited for Burboom's answer. Unable to look at the baron, her gaze was fixed on the cake on the table. It was quite a courageous remark for her.
"... I see."
After a moment of silence, he answered slowly. His voice was quivering fine. That alone made Annie feel how happy he was. So she looked up with a hopeful face, and, strangely, it was not Annie's place where his eyes touched. He looked as if he were looking somewhere far away. It was a look as if to see someone not here.
"I didn't know that Lady Aria thought so. She must have been very kind. What's more, she wanted to come back to see me again..."
Burboom was very deluded. It was Annie, not Aria, who had wanted to see him. He didn't seem to have any interest in Annie, so he didn't seem to have thought of that possibility at all.
"So, when did she say she'd visit again?"
At the same time that Burboom's face turned red, Annie's face cooled down. Spring flowers withered and became frosty snowflakes in winter, and the stars that twinkled in her eyes suddenly disappeared, leaving only thick darkness.
Annie didn't think he'd pay attention to herself from the beginning, but she didn't think he'd pay attention to Aria. 'Doesn't he know what position Miss Aria has?'
Aria and Burboom did not match. Although she was of humble origin, Aria was the daughter of Count Roscent. She wasn't a lady who he dared to covet. Therefore, Annie thought he would match her, a commoner. So she forced herself to smile.
"I think it'll take a while. I think I'll be visiting for a while."
"Really? Is it worth it? She's a busy lady."
Burboom, who was in a delusion, was still genuinely pleased. If she said Miss Aria was not interested in him, would his expression be able to remain? She was sure it would not.
Somehow, she went back to the mansion with a chill in her heart. Her hands were filled with the perfume he had given her. They were even a few bottles, but why were they so heavy? Her feet were so heavy that she wondered if they were going to go under the ground.
Annie's steps stopped in front of Aria's room. She had to report because she had gone out. Annie, who had agonized in front of Aria's room for a long time, eventually failed to overcome her duty and knocked on the door and raised her voice. Unlike when she had left, Annie returned with a dull face, and Aria welcomed her with a mother's heart.
"What happened that it makes you look so sad?"
"Miss..."
Annie swallowed her words she wanted to tell, "The man I showed interest in for the first time seems to like you," since Aria was the only one who could make her happy, both now and in the future.