To My Rude Darling with Multiple Personalities

Chapter 4

In any case, Monica quite liked La Spezia. The road from the train station square to her accommodation was short, but bustling and enjoyable to watch. She was also satisfied with the dinner provided by the inn.

Monica went to sleep thinking about the young man named Louis, but the next morning, she had completely forgotten about him. Of course, this was because of the interview.

Mrs. Oran had told her that the name of the family that Monica would be working for was Mollet. The Mollet family mansion was located on one side of the district of mansions that Louis had pointed out to her, and was a long walk up from the beach.

The taffeta dress felt stuffy because of the sun beating down on her. She’d never known the sun at the beach could be this stinging. She should have at least bought a hat!

But the only hat that Monica owned was a worn-out, fur hat for the winter. Monica decided that when she got her first paycheck, she would buy herself a nice hat.

However, after seeing ladies walking on the beach with their beautiful parasols, she also thought, Wouldn’t a delicate parasol covered in torchon lace be nice?

Then, after thinking about the small wooden peg sticking out of the opening of the worn bag in her hand, Monica thought she should buy a bag, too. There were certainly many things that she wanted to buy.

After running out of breath while walking up to the mansion, she met Lady Mollet.

Her face gave off a lovely impression, with her gentle mien and elegantly curled brown hair. But the reason Monica thought Lady Mollet was an amazing person was because she served tea filled with ice to someone who would become the governess.

“It’s really hot outside, isn’t it? Please take a sip.”

“My goodness...”

Monica didn’t know how to react when she saw the transparent ice in the deep red tea water. To have ice in this weather!

I heard that even His Majesty the King in the capital values ice.

She was such a generous lady that she even gave ice to a commoner girl who’d come to interview to become the governess. Of course, the Mollet family’s wealth probably also played a role. When Monica had walked up the district of mansions, the Mollet family’s mansion was one of the largest.

Lady Mollet raised her teacup first with a smile on her face, as if she was very familiar with people who reacted the same way as Monica. Only then did Monica hurriedly pick up her teacup.

In hindsight, she wondered if this was a bit frivolous, but the moment the cold ice touched her mouth, those thoughts melted like snow.

“It’s so refreshing...”

“I was also surprised when I came to La Spezia. To have ice at the height of summer.”

Lady Mollet smiled as she put down her teacup. While Monica quenched her thirst, Lady Mollet explained how the people of La Spezia had worked hard to develop warehouses that could keep the air cool even in the summer.

“They must use alcohol.”

“Oh my. How did you know that so quickly?” The wife covered her mouth and opened her eyes widely. “I still don’t understand, no matter how hard my husband tries to explain it to me.”

“It was thanks to your kind explanation.”

“My goodness, how lovely. But thanks to that, I can entrust Martinel to you with peace of mind.”

Martinel was the name of the Mollet family’s second child, and the son who had been born to his parents in their later years. When Lady Mollet mentioned Martinel, there was an exceptionally warm glow in her kind, black eyes. It was clear how much she loved her son.

“He came to me when I was going through the most difficult time. People pity me over the fact that I worry over Martinel, as he is weak, but they’re mistaken. I immediately forget the difficulties when I’m taking care of my lovely Martinel.”

She was a very positive lady.

“How old is he?”

“He’s ten. Pardon me, but what should I call you from now on? Miss Or...”

Monica quickly took action before this sweet lady could call her by that horrible last name.

“You can call me Monica.”

“Wonderful. Then... if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you, Miss Monica? I think I heard it from Mrs. Oran, but my memory is not very good these days.” Lady Mollet smiled as she called Monica by her first name.

Monica smiled brightly and responded, “Ah, I’m twenty-two.”

“Oh, you’re the same age as my daughter.”

Lady Mollet’s daughter wasn’t married yet. This was surprising, considering that noble women usually got married around the age of twenty. But Lady Mollet shook her head.

“It turned out that way as the war dragged on, but it was good for me. How great is it to be able to have more time with one’s daughter? But my child is really too kind...”

Lady Mollet started talking about her lovely daughter, Riella. She described her as angelic, diligent, and well-liked by those around her. So, even before all the ice in her teacup had melted, Monica had learned that Miss Riella Mollet was very good with her hands, had dark eyelashes that made her look like a doll every time she blinked, and had a very elegant figure.

“Well, she says that she wants to live with me forever and not get married. Even at her age, she’s like a child.”

Monica smiled at her. “I understand what she means. If I had a mother like you, I would want to live with her forever, too.”

“Oh, are you perhaps...?” Lady Mollet covered her mouth in surprise.

Monica blinked quickly and said, “My parents aren’t around.”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t worry about it. I’m used to it now.”

It seemed that Mrs. Oran had not mentioned anything about Monica being an orphan. Monica liked Mrs. Oran a little more. No, it wasn’t just her.

Monica glanced around the room she was sitting in. The interior walls were covered with blue silk wallpaper, and there were beautiful decorations and portraits on top of that. There was elegant furniture, such as a deep red bookshelf, and chairs with an antique vine pattern engraved on them. Even from a glance, it was a grand mansion.

And that wasn’t all. Monica also liked the kind lady who sat in front of her. She hadn’t seen Miss Mollet yet, but she was quite envious of her already.

She was a young lady who had nothing in common with her except their age. How lucky Miss Mollet was! To live in this mansion with such a mother.

A young lady who could spend her time casually drinking iced tea and reading expensive books would certainly not have any desire to get married. If she were to get married, she would have to leave this mansion and her mother.

At that moment, Lady Mollet suddenly took Monica’s hand. Monica opened her eyes wide in surprise.

Lady Mollet softened her expression and whispered sweetly, “I like you, Miss Monica. You seem like an intelligent, amazing young lady. I think you’ll take good care of Martinel.”

“You are too kind, my lady.”

“While you’re here in our house, you can think of me like a mother. If a problem arises, do let me know, okay?”

Monica was overjoyed. It may have just been lip service when she’d said to think of her as a mother, but what Lady Mollet was saying was that she was hiring Monica to be the governess in this beautiful mansion.

“I wish I could introduce you to Martinel first, but right now, it’s time for him to take a nap.”

“I see. A proper nap is essential for a growing child.”

“Oh my, people from the capital are generally negative about napping.” As she stood up, Lady Mollet added, “Southerners always take a nap during the summer when the sun is too hot.”

Monica also stood up without thinking.

Lady Mollet gestured to a maid with her chin. “Take Miss Monica to the room next to Martinel’s. And this is Maria, Miss Monica. Let her know where you’ve been staying. She’ll arrange for your things to be brought here.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, and your pay will be...”

Monica tensed her shoulders. Lady Mollet smiled when she saw Monica doing that.

“Five hundred shillings per week.”

Monica tried to hide her surprise, but she just couldn’t.

I’d be very grateful with five hundred shillings per month!

She knew that they were a wealthy family, but they seemed to spend a lot of money as well. Lady Mollet winked at Monica when she saw that her green eyes had grown to the size of orbs.

“There are a lot of things young ladies your age need to spend money on. I can’t ignore that, since you’re the same age as my daughter.”

“Thank you, my lady. Thank you so much.”

“I want to say thank you in advance. Please take good care of my Martinel.”

Five hundred shillings per week. That was more than ten thousand shillings in one year. Even the best governess in the capital probably didn’t receive this much! Monica tried desperately to calm her shoulders, which were shaking with joy. She didn’t know if she was imagining things, but Maria the maid also seemed to be looking at her with envious eyes.

I’m going to get a summer wardrobe with my first paycheck! Ah, a hat too!

As Monica followed Lady Mollet out of the room, her heart pounded wildly. How much would it cost to get a summer dress made?

Should I just get the chest area embroidered? No, it won’t cost much to just wear a blue ribbon around my waist…

Beautiful floral patterns or stripes may have been difficult, but an undyed ivory or solid linen dress wouldn’t cost a fortune.

The trend these days was to let the bottom of the dress slightly touch the floor, but since the lace trim would wear out quickly, only very wealthy ladies followed this trend. Even though hers would be an ordinary dress that stopped at the ankles, Monica was still confident about ordering a very pretty dress!

“Miss Monica, I’ll introduce you to Martinel during dinner,” Lady Mollet informed her.

“Will that be all right?”

All she could think about was new clothes. However, that did not mean she forgot her duty as an employee. Monica was embarrassed when she heard that she would be invited to dinner, but she clasped her hands together as if she were grateful. It was customary for nobles to only have dinner with family or very close friends.

“Of course. Precious Martinel will...”

“Madam!”

It was at that moment that the chirping voice of a young boy and a contrasting form of address rang out. At the same time, Lady Mollet’s face filled with a calmness that was completely different from before.

Before Monica even turned around, she realized it was Martinel.

“Martinel! You’re awake. And Riella, you’re here too?”

It seemed like Lady Mollet’s two children had both arrived.

“What good timing, Martinel. This here is...”

As she heard Lady Mollet begin to introduce her, Monica turned and slightly bowed her knees and head. She also didn’t forget to grasp her dress with both hands and lift it slightly. It was a southern greeting that she had practiced all night yesterday.

In a satisfied voice, Lady Mollet continued, “This is Miss Monica, your new governess.”

“How do you...”

As she was about to finish her greeting, Monica looked up and flinched. In front of her was a young boy with brown hair and sparkling black eyes. He looked exactly like Lady Mollet. But it wasn’t the boy that surprised Monica.

There was a beautiful young lady standing behind the boy. No one would have suspected that she wasn’t Miss Riella Mollet. Her hair was also brown like Lady Mollet’s, but her eyes were gray. Her cheeks bulged as if she were biting on candy, but they also emanated elegance. She looked lovely in a pink striped dress that was trendy these days.

“...do?”

It was a face Monica knew.

“You’re smart and pretty. I get scolded by the director every day... I probably won’t ever get such a chance because I’m just a stupid, worthless girl! But you’ll get another good chance!”

Lizzie.

Lizzie Orphen.

The girl who had once had the same last name as Monica, whom she could never forget even in her dreams, was there.