The Reincarnated Thirty-Something Woman’s Otherworldly Reform Life
[Mother is Currently Marking Me as an Enemy]
Translated by: ME
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It happened a few days after my encounter with Father in the library.
A rather high-handed maid suddenly showed up, telling me to come to the small drawing room.
Having no choice, I followed her, only to find Wisteria Gilmore, the Marchioness, acting like a queen, elegantly lounging on a settee.
Her abundant, wavy brown hair was beautifully styled. Her moist, sapphire-blue eyes seemed to have something to say. A fragile aura that made one want to protect her, belying the fact she was a mother of two. And yet, quite an impressive bust.
She was *the* epitome of femininity.
The womanliest woman painted in a picture. The Queen of Femininity.
I wanted to share some of this feminine power with the Japanese ex-Magnolia, whose own had crumbled to dust (?)... Not that I need it!
While the individual colors themselves weren't rare and were rather ordinary, each feature was beautifully proportioned. As per my memories, Mother is quite a beauty.
Both parents are a handsome man and beautiful woman couple.
***
Hearing from the maids' conversations the number of luxurious dresses she apparently has made each season made me, having read several books on territory management, wince slightly... but well, it seems there's money.
...That's right. The Gilmore Marquisate was incredibly wealthy!
My worry, seeing Magnolia's shabby—ahem, modest and severely limited wardrobe, that 'the family must be in financial trouble...' was just baseless anxiety. It was simply that there was no money to spend on an unnecessary person.
For someone supposed to be a young lady of a prestigious family, it's a harsh world.
From the perspective of stimulating the economy, some extravagance might be necessary, I suppose. As long as it doesn't trouble the commoners or servants, the rich need to spend a lot of money to invigorate commerce and industry, right?
If they're fine with it, considering it the doing of that gentle-looking father, then it's okay.
「Young lady, you have grown, so we shall have some new clothes made for you.」
Rosa smiled and signaled to the seamstresses.
「What colors would you prefer?」
Seeing Rosa's strained smile, probably feeling uncomfortable, I hummed thoughtfully.
...It doesn't feel good to be deemed unnecessary. But having money spent on me unnecessarily and then being nagged about it or told to pay it back later is even worse.
I don't particularly want new clothes anyway. They don't need to be custom-made; ready-made items are fine.
...But the atmosphere doesn't allow me to say that.
First of all, I have absolutely no memory of ever having clothes made for me before.
(I wonder how my previous clothes were handled?)
Anyway. However rich my parents are, it's not my own income, so modesty, thrift, and economy are key. Absolutely.
「Black or navy. If not, brown or dark green, please.」
「「「「Eh?」」」」
At the uniform-like color choices, Rosa and the seamstresses taking measurements and notes all looked at Magnolia in surprise.
「Are there any rules about length? Regarding seasons or age?」
「No, not particularly...」
「Then, make them long. Preferably around calf-length.」
「Please leave some ease around the shoulders and chest. Put tucks at the neckline and chest, which can be let out when I grow. Please attach a ribbon of the same fabric, or something like a drawstring channel, so it can be tied to adjust the size.」
「The fabric can be similar to what I'm wearing now. The shape should be a simple A-line.」
When I rattled off all these instructions at once, the seamstress acting as recorder looked flustered, her eyes wide, as she noted everything down on her wooden tablet.
Yes. It's an A-line dress, common for young children, that ties with a ribbon at the back or front.
But with extra fabric hidden here and there to allow for wearing it for a looong time.
「I see... So it can be worn for a long time even as you grow.」
A black-haired man, who seemed to be the person in charge or the shop owner, approached me after I came out from behind the screen, having finished his conversation with Mother. His narrow eyes held a gentle smile, and he had the look of a 'capable steward'.
「Even though the craftspeople are kindly making them for me, I'll just grow out of them, so I want to wear them carefully and make them last.」
No, the truth is I want to scrimp on the upbringing costs (read: debt) attributed to me as much as possible... So, wanting to take good care of them is true.
I smiled brightly while stating my true feelings inwardly.
「...... Shall we make a few pieces? Perhaps some in other, brighter colors?」
Rosa tried to smooth things over as she asked.
I hummed again, picturing the dresses in my room. Including spares for laundry, how many are actually needed?
「Then, two pieces will suffice. Also, ready-made items are fine, so two cotton blouses as well.」
Thinking of the clothes hanging in my closet, I reaffirmed that I still have plenty to wear. The bare minimum is truly enough.
「I don't need bright colors. I'm a child, so they might get stained.」
The clear instructions and their content left Rosa and Wisteria's maids speechless, freezing in place.
「My, what servant-like colors.」
Laughing, she glanced my way, then, as if having lost all interest, the lady of the house elegantly sipped her tea.
The difference in the number and material of clothes made for her elder son, and the overwhelming disparity with her mother's own, left everyone except the black-haired man and Magnolia dumbfounded, blinking, shifting their gaze awkwardly, or staring open-mouthed.
The man, seeing the clear difference in treatment between the heir who had just left and the daughter before him, and the mother's cold demeanor... quietly grasped the situation—that this small child was unwanted—slowly knelt to meet her eye level, and nodded to Magnolia.
「Understood, young lady. Thank you for saying you will wear them carefully. We, the craftspeople, will put our hearts into making them for you.」
The seamstresses waiting behind him also nodded earnestly.
Wisteria sniffed slightly, as if displeased.
「Thank you.... Also, leftover scraps of fabric would be fine; could you please deliver a few pieces suitable for making handkerchiefs or pouches, along with several spools of thread?」
Judging from the reactions around me, I probably managed to cut the budget considerably, so I'll procure materials for practice and earning pocket money. Let's do that.
「Are you planning to practice sewing?」
The man, sensing the unexpected composure of the little girl before him, completely ignored the surrounding atmosphere and the mother's reaction, dealing with her politely.
Embroidery is one of the accomplishments of noblewomen (apparently).
The starting age seems to vary by household, but it's a skill started in childhood (apparently).
「The maids who take care of me will be leaving soon to get married. I wish to make something to give them as a thank-you and a congratulatory gift.」
Daisy and Lila are set to leave in four months and six months respectively for their marriages.
...If I'm going to practice anyway, having a purpose will boost motivation and help me focus.
And once I become somewhat proficient, I heard that commoners or lower nobles sometimes sell their work to haberdasheries or clothing stores for pocket money. In an era without sewing machines, sewing skill is a marketable ability.
...Eh, you think that's the real goal?
No, no, wanting to thank them and congratulate them is true. Really, truly.
「How kind...」
One of Wisteria's young maids murmured, her eyes glistening. Rosa was also beaming.
...Ooh. I feel a little guilty...
The man smiled and said,
「Understood. I shall bring several pieces of good-quality leftover fabric. I am sure they would be delighted to receive small items made by the young lady's own hand.」
He properly responded even to such a small child and seemed to understand my intentions to some extent. What a wonderful gentleman!
Just as everyone was feeling warmed, Wisteria sighed and interjected.
「If it's a thank-you or congratulatory gift, you should just buy a proper one! A child's handmade thing would be embarrassing.」
「…………」
Once again, everyone except the man and Magnolia made subtle expressions.
Well, she's not wrong, in a way. It's a valid point. Sloppy embroidery shouldn't be given as a formal congratulatory gift.
However, proper gifts are given by the employers—the parents—or the official department head, or someone like the steward or head maid, along with severance pay or a monetary gift, right...?
A child's handmade gift is, well, the same category as the pictures or letters kindergarteners or preschoolers give to teachers who took care of them.
I'll try to make them as neat and careful as possible, and I don't want to miss this chance for practice & material acquisition.
...Judging by this situation, it seems better to check with Rosa later whether proper parting gifts will be given, or if I should also give a purchased item.
I want to avoid a situation where they say, "Since Magnolia gave (a handmade item), we won't." It's strictly meant to be an extra...
「...For now, why not practice and give them only if you are satisfied with the result? An item made with care by the young lady they themselves looked after would surely become a treasured keepsake for the maids.」
He nodded with a gentle smile, skillfully wrapping up the conversation, which was a great help. What a capable man!
After politely taking my leave for a moment, he took a small box from his bag and gently placed it in both of Magnolia's hands.
「What's this?」
It was a small box decorated with birds and vines. The gentle colors and careful handwriting were utterly charming.
「When we hear that a young lady who patronizes our shop is beginning sewing practice, we present this small gift—a sewing kit.」
Opening it gently, I found a small pincushion with several needles, tiny scissors, a crochet hook, a needle threader, a thimble, and some straight pins. There were also a few folded small pieces of cloth, probably for practicing stitches.
「When you use the needles or scissors, please always return them to this box. Be especially careful with the needles; always count them at the end to ensure you have the same number as you started with. And as it can be dangerous, please always follow the instructions of whoever is teaching you.」
After giving these safety warnings, he bowed politely and smiled gently.
「My apologies for the late introduction. I am Simon Campbell, the head of the Campbell Mercantile Company. I look forward to serving you.」
Head... like the president, I suppose. No wonder he seemed so unflappable.
His coloring was almost Japanese-like. The nostalgic combination of black hair and brown eyes evoked homesickness and, strangely, made me feel at ease despite not knowing his character.
Campbell Mercantile Company. I repeated the name in my mouth.
Facing his gentle expression, Magnolia also smiled and said she looked forward to his service.
***
Beyond him, my beautiful mother was looking at Magnolia with a bored expression.
Despite her face being devoid of expression, her eyes held a turbulent surge of intense emotion.
Somehow, this feels more dangerous than being glared at.
...Compared to my father, the sheer, undisguised disgust is on a whole other level, enough to make one recoil.
(I mean, what's with this!? She's completely treating this innocent little girl as a genuine enemy!)
What did Magnolia do!? I have no recollection at all.
Could it be... she's a wicked mother!?
Until I left the room with Rosa, all I could do was swallow my bewilderment under that piercing gaze and tightly drawn lips.
This time, I met (was summoned by) Mother!
***
Me's note:
Such optimism!!!
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