The Reincarnated Thirty-Something Woman’s Otherworldly Reform Life
[I Found the Ledgers]
Translated by: ME
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While lost in thought about the Gilmore family's history and my father's various affairs, feeling a bit melancholic, Magnolia was circling the bookshelves, searching to see if there were any documents about the Azenda borderlands or the Burton Count's family, when a young butler, completely out of breath, rushed into the library.
He probably thought no one was there.
Startled by the door flung open with such force, Magnolia turned around with her eyes wide and round. Seeing her, the butler gave a surprised little jump of his shoulders, then bowed his head deeply.
「My lady! My most sincere apologies……!」
「Ith's okay.」
Confirming that Magnolia didn't seem bothered, he bowed his head again with utmost politeness and went on his way.
Was he a trainee, perhaps?
Then he unlocked a locked bookshelf. He seemed to be looking for some documents.
(……I wonder what's inside there?)
Magnolia glanced at the bookshelf.
The locked bookshelf that the butlers occasionally opened and closed.
Normally, truly important or critical items would be in Father's office or the safe, so perhaps it contained things like past receipts (if such things existed in this world) or account ledgers?
Or maybe minor documents concerning the territory?
She wasn't sure if it was related to territorial administration or household management, but she had always wanted to take a peek at the actual operational documents, to see their scale and get a feel for them.
After a short while, the butler gathered several bundles of papers in his left hand, and while checking the writing on the surface, he locked the bookshelf.
*Click-Clunk*
The louder-than-usual sound felt odd.
Glancing at the butler, perhaps because he had locked it while still checking the documents, the part that engages… the deadbolt, was it? It wasn't fully seated.
(Oooh! This is my chance!!)
The flustered-looking butler, of course, didn't notice. Magnolia waited with bated breath, quietly, for the butler to leave the room.
Then, confirming that Rosa, who had now returned her gaze to her hands, was quietly embroidering, she gently opened the lower section door.
Peeking inside with a thumping heart, she found bundles of opened letters, several stacks of papers tied with string, and a few notebooks placed inside.
The addresses on the letters were almost all for Gerald. The top parts of the paper stacks seemed to be some kind of records. Looking at the notebook covers, numbers were written on them, seemingly in sequential order.
……Dates? Years?
Flipping through one quickly, entries like 'Purchase Expenses', 'Social Expenses'… accounting category-like descriptions came into view.
(Bingo!!)
Magnolia grabbed two books from behind, and slowly closed the door so it wouldn't make a sound.
She slipped them between some innocuous books as usual, and let her gaze fall on the first page.
Her body felt hot, a tingling sensation from deep within.
It was the reaction of guilt and exhilaration from doing something bad.
She took a deep breath as if to let the heat escape, and while keeping aware of Rosa's presence, decided to examine the ledger.
To cut to the chase, externally, it was nothing major, just household account books for the Gilmore family.
However, for Magnolia, it was a jackpot.
She had been wanting objective evidence, something that would allow her to see the various differences clearly.
While it wasn't formatted like the bookkeeping she'd seen a few times in her previous life, making some parts hard to understand, it recorded dates, people's names, product names, contents (things that seemed like accounting categories), was organized by month, and had a total calculated every few months.
At a glance, she took one from the middle so it wouldn't be obvious a notebook was missing.
Even though she knew, she was still shocked by the enormous amount listed for Lady Wisteria's clothing expenses in both notebooks.
She quickly jotted down several accounting categories and amounts on her slate.
Just in case, she wrote the categories in Japanese and the numbers in Arabic numerals, not Greek numerals. So even if Rosa saw the slate, she wouldn't understand.
Checking the figures, she could only wryly smile at how severe the disparity within the household was.
(……I'll write this down too.)
Just as she finished writing down the budget for her mother's beloved cat, she suddenly looked up towards the mezzanine.
The library was also Gerald's domain.
Just like Rosa, for some reason, he seemed suspicious of Magnolia. On his days off, he would sometimes station himself in the library, nonchalantly sitting in a chair upstairs, observing her.
(……I wonder if it's a bluff. But there's no reason for him to set a trap on purpose. ……Just a coincidence?)
She had seen him get into the carriage to go to the castle this morning, so he shouldn't be here now.
She hurriedly returned the notebook to the bookshelf and slowly climbed the spiral staircase.
At the top of the stairs, ahead of the open space, stood a compact mahogany desk, worn to a deep amber hue. The chair with its Gothic-style intricately carved back seemed to stand in the ownerless space. The carpet, a simple deep green, was there to muffle sound.
With built-in bookshelves at its back, a seemingly comfortable sofa was placed.
She noticed a stack of paper, like stationery, casually left on the desk. On the right side was a glass inkpot.
This was probably what Father used when he worked.
(Hmm, hmm. I wonder if he'd notice if a few sheets went missing?)
She concluded it was unlikely he'd be counting the sheets.
How long would that lock remain open, anyway?
Even if she copied them onto the paper here, painstakingly writing on her slate wouldn't get her very far.
***
While Rosa was having dinner, Lila came to attend to her.
Noticing the new hair ornament adorning Lila's chestnut-brown hair, Magnolia complimented it. Lila blushed, saying she received it from her fiancé.
Magnolia felt an urge to tease her, but with Lila, a serious and typical noble young lady, that would probably backfire.
Stifling a laugh inside, she enjoyed the sight of Lila's happy expression.
「Ith lookth really good on you. …By the way, is Mother going to another evening party today?」
「Yes. It seems the couple went out together today.」
「I thee. At evening partieth, dinner is late, tho I can't thtay awake.」
Lila, relieved by Magnolia's carefree words, gave a wry smile.
「That's true… Perhaps tomorrow, the Master might have taken the day off?」
Just as calculated, Lila let slip Gerald's schedule.
He would be absent until late at night.
Today seemed to be her lucky day.
「Daddy'th hard to wake up in the morning.」
…Considering the importance level, the locking check for the library bookshelf seemed lax.
From what she saw, it seemed to be merely locked, and the documents inside didn't seem to be much of a problem even if seen.
Would it be checked, like locking up for the night? Or would it be locked when returning documents after checking them?
(Father went to the castle today, so he'll probably be busy getting ready for the evening party when he returns. The chances of him coming to the library after this should be low…)
It would be best to copy everything in one go, but during the day, the maids are watching, so she can't take out large amounts.
That said, the lock being open was a coincidence. Who knows when she might encounter such a chance again.
It's all or nothing. If she's going to check, it has to be tonight.
However, there is a snag.
「……Big Brother ish lonely, won't he shleep with me?」
「……Shall I go and ask?」
Lila lowered her eyebrows, looking troubled.
Brian didn't care much for Magnolia. The chances of him refusing were high.
***
「Hah? Why do *I* have to sleep with Magnolia?!」
As expected, Brian's reaction was unfavorable.
But recently, Magnolia rarely made selfish requests (except for walks). Thinking she must have gotten really lonely, Lila pressed him once more.
「She is still only three years old… And she seems to like you very much, Big Brother. Is it really so difficult to grant her request?」
「No way.」
He said it as if spitting the words out.
Lila swallowed a sigh and bowed her head slightly.
(Really… why does he treat her with such contempt…? When such a cute, little sister princess is asking him.)
「My apologies for the unreasonable request. I will inform Lady Magnolia that you declined.»
The maids assigned to Brian also looked troubled.
Everyone, rather than the selfish Brian, probably wanted to help the cute and carefree Magnolia somehow.
Brian glared at Lila and waved his hand, dismissing her.
Lately, he had even started disliking tea parties, and aside from Lady Daphne's lessons, all interaction between the siblings had ceased, their relationship reverting to what it was before.
Thinking of how disappointed Magnolia would be filled Lila with frustration, and as she closed the door, she let out a heavy sigh.
***
「…I thee. Thank you for checking for me. I'm shorry you had to go through that unpleasantness, Lila.」
(As I thought, he refused…)
While it was expected for Magnolia, seeing Lila report it so hesitantly made her feel sorry nonetheless.
For a time, it seemed the siblings' relationship was improving, but now it was only worsening.
Probably, seeing the attitudes of his maids or Lady Daphne's reactions, he found his little sister annoying.
(He doesn't need to be seriously jealous of a three-year-old brat. What a petty guy. He should just study seriously himself.)
It was painful to think that, physically, in this life, she was blood-related to such a guy.
Her inner voice couldn't help but turn vulgar.
…It wasn't like she actually wanted to have a sleepover with Brian.
The reason was the weight of the door.
At a glance, they were made in the same color, so it was hard to tell, but clearly, the weight of the door to Brian's room and the door to Magnolia's room were different.
Was it accidental or intentional?
(Either open the door on my own, or sneak in via the window.)
In this case, the window was the last resort.
Just in case, she had unlocked the window at the very end of the library, but it might have been locked again.
…And probably, before that, it was highly likely she wouldn't be able to manage it due to her lack of reach and height.
So, the frontal assault: just leaving the room normally. But if the door wouldn't open, that would defeat the whole purpose.
It would have been good if she could sneak out of his room after Brian fell asleep…
「It'th okay. I can shleep by mythelf.」
She smiled at Lila to reassure her, and after a moment, Lila also smiled modestly.
Oh well. She'd just have to give it her best shot, even if it was a long shot.
***
After getting into bed and giving Rosa her goodnights, Magnolia ran through the simulation in her head over and over so she wouldn't fall asleep.
A three-year-old's body was so inconvenient.
She had neither strength nor stamina. And at night, she got sleepy so easily. If she carelessly fell asleep, the next time she woke would undoubtedly be morning.
With the master and mistress absent tonight, the mansion staff would probably finish work earlier than usual.
Enjoying meals or drinks among themselves, heading out into the town, or relaxing in their rooms.
If it got late, the section where the library was located should be devoid of people.
Surprisingly, it seemed the library wasn't locked. Apparently, there used to be a trainee who studied after work finished, so it was kept open at all times for those who wanted to study.
Although, it was said that currently, almost no one used the library privately.
***
「…I can go now, I think.」
About two hours had passed since then. Her small voice echoed in the room louder than she expected. She had to be careful.
Magnolia got up and changed into a dark-colored dress. Then, she covered her conspicuous hair with a kerchief, tying it under her chin. It was to hide her noticeable hair and blend into the darkness a little.
…She looked strange, but needs must.
Just in case, she checked the hallway through the keyhole, confirming no one was around.
To open the locked door, she carefully turned the thumbturn so it wouldn't make a sound.
And then,
(Grrrrraaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!)
Putting her whole body into it, she braced herself, grabbed the doorknob, and pushed and pushed and pushed with all her weight.
(Seriously, how many kilos *is* this door?!)
Since it was in her mind, her language reverted completely to her previous life's. She'd tossed aside her lady-like facade along with her pajamas.
Right now, dealing with this ridiculously heavy oak door came first!
The longer it took, the more the door would settle and become harder to open.
A short, decisive battle—a race against time.
(Puuush with all your might!!!!!)
Her pretty face was probably making a terrifying expression right now.
It was surely a gritted-teeth, straining face that would put that 'Gutsy Frog' manga to shame. Rough breaths and low, groaning-like sounds leaked from her mouth. It was definitely horror material.
Whether it felt long or short…
*Click.* With a small sound, the door opened slightly.
Without a moment to rejoice or catch her breath, she gave it one more hard push, hurriedly wedged her foot into the now-wider gap, slid her body through, and scanned the hallway.
(No one's there!)
Keeping her foot and arm wedged in the door gap so it wouldn't close, she worked her body out.
Quickly pulling a folded black cloth from her pocket, she jammed it near the deadbolt to prevent it from closing completely.
Ideally, she'd want something solid like a board or a stepping stool as a stopper, but if anyone saw it, they'd know the door was open.
By jamming the cloth to cover the deadbolt and the strike plate—that small latch-like mechanism part where the door closes—it should require much less force to open. Precisely because the door was heavy, it should stay firmly jammed.
(I did it……!)
She wanted to take a breather after the great task, but she had to hurry.
Confirming no one was there, she hurried down the dark hallway at a trot.
Moonlight streamed in through the windows, faintly illuminating the darkness.
Magnolia avoided the light, continuing to run through the shadows.
Strangely, her heart was calm, and her mind felt sharply clear, as if its core had frozen.
For some reason, the surroundings seemed more vivid than usual, the outlines of objects appearing distinct.
The library door opened easily when pushed.
She opened the door slowly to avoid sound, checked inside, and as expected, no one was there. She let out a small sigh of relief.
It was hushed and silent, so much so that it almost hurt her ears.
Placing her hand on the locked bookshelf, it opened without any resistance too.
She took out the notebooks from the latest one to those from ten years back, and hurried at a trot to the mezzanine desk.
Using the paper and pen left there, she quickly began writing down the necessary items for each year, making sure not to miss anything.
—Before long, she finished writing everything down, and finally let out the breath she had been holding.
Staring at the white moonlight and the jet-black shadows of the trees, confirming that her parents' carriage still hadn't returned, she quickly tidied the desk, checked that no traces remained on the floor, and hurried back downstairs.
Carefully checking the order and orientation to ensure it looked natural, she returned the notebooks to their original places, then hurried back to her room at a trot.
If she was seen by anyone on the way back, all her hard work would be for nothing. Only now did a cold sweat break out.
It was an era without electricity. She thought it was nearly impossible for fingerprints or DNA to be identified, but just in case, she wiped all the places she had touched with an unused kerchief.
(I feel like a criminal.)
But well, even if it was pointless, it was better for her mental health to wipe them and feel at ease than to regret not doing it later.
After a while, she changed back into her pajamas and got into bed. Perhaps from relief, she fell asleep like a log.
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