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The Reincarnated Thirty-Something Woman’s Otherworldly Reform Life

Hoping to say happy new year

Translated by: ME

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

Author's note:

I had intended to write a story fitting for the New Year, but the timing in the main plot... This felt like the only place to tuck it in, so let’s take a breath for a short side story.

*****

In the Kingdom of Ascald—another world, yet one somewhat similar to Earth—the Azenda Margraviate sits at the very edge. Magnolia, who once lived on Earth, was spending her first winter since her memories had returned (?).

One might expect that New Year’s wouldn't be highly regarded here, much like in some European countries on Earth, but surprisingly, the national character seems to emphasize the turn of the year. Even in the Margrave’s household, a modest, intimate party was to be held. It was modest specifically because everyone who had a home to go to had been sent back for the holidays. Those remaining at the manor, aside from the Margrave’s family, were only those with no other place to go or no living relatives.

Servas and Gai had been out hunting since morning, bagging many birds and briskly dressing them. Naturally, Magnolia, with her modern sensibilities, didn't have the courage to look directly at the process. The sous-chef stuffed the birds and roasted them whole, one after another. Beside him, Magnolia busied herself making hors d'oeuvres, baking cookies, and preparing crepe batter. The kitchen maid went about her usual laundry and cleaning.

When Plum and Dean came by to check on her, Magnolia assured them she was fine and pushed a whole roasted chicken onto them. This scene repeated itself as servants living nearby stopped in one by one, worried about the Margrave’s family, only to be sent off with a chicken of their own.

「This is the scene every year, isn't it?」

When she asked the sous-chef, he gave a wry smile while sliding the last bird into the oven.

「Indeed... though it seems there are more than usual this year. Everyone is likely worried about you, My Lady.」

Magnolia gave a faint smile, feeling a ticklish sort of warmth at the confirmation of how much she was cherished.

...What had she done until last year? Magnolia’s original memories were hazy. The original Magnolia, who was somewhat vacuous, didn't remember things in much detail. Whether she had consciously avoided remembering or if it was just her nature, she couldn't say now. She likely spent her days in that room with the heavy, solid oak door, not knowing if it was the New Year, not caring to know, and simply eating her usual meals alone.

Reserving one roasted chicken for themselves, they loaded the rest into a carriage and brought them to the church. They would be distributed not just to the people of the slums, but to anyone who knocked on the back door. She only hoped that, along with the warm soup, it would provide a small bit of comfort.

Despite it being the end of the year, the capital of the territory—where she was spending her first winter—was bustling with crowds. Stalls lined the streets, and energetic voices called out. There were sounds of laughter and chatter. The scent of food mingled with the unique smell of cold winter air and the spicy aroma of mulled wine. Seeing the joyful faces of the people passing by, Magnolia’s own cheeks naturally softened.

(I hope everyone can s-pend days filled with peace and gentle happinessh.)

She prayed to the gods of this world in the chapel, where candle flames flickered. While it seemed common to worship the goddess symbolizing the nation alongside the all-powerful Great God, people also worshipped goddesses related to their specific professions, suggesting a surprising degree of religious freedom.

Due to Azenda’s history of being ruled by various countries, the goddess worshipped there had often changed with the times. Now that it was part of the Kingdom of Ascald, the people generally worshipped the Goddess of Flowers. However, the Margrave's family did not stop the people from worshipping the Goddess of Wisdom—the deity originally worshipped by the Duchy of Azenda—and even seemed to encourage it.

Suddenly, the surrounding murmurs grew louder. Magnolia opened her ibis-colored eyes in wonder.

「...？...」

The space before her was filled with dancing particles of light. It was a mysterious, pale light, appearing white or golden. Here and there, soft hues of light blue, green, and red were mixed in. Just as she thought that, in an instant, the air in the chapel seemed to blend together, and a deluge of light swirled in a great vortex before exploding like fireworks in all directions, showering the entire space. It was beautiful... but...

(Snow Bugs...?)

Recalling the insects that appear in massive swarms in Hokkaido, she held out her palm. However, there was no sensation of touch; the tiny lights were simply absorbed into her palm and vanished.

「...It is a blessing from the gods.」

Servas, who had also opened his eyes at the sound of the voices around them, spoke quietly. Magnolia tilted her head and repeated his words.

「A blesshing fwom the gods?」

「Yes. It happens occasionally. The gods bestow their blessing on a whim, letting that light fall.」

「Heh, so that's how it is...」

It really was another world. She was impressed that such a mysterious phenomenon could occur even in a land that wasn't explicitly a "magical kingdom." Seeing Magnolia’s look of incomprehension, Servas gave a wry smile.

As they left the chapel, she felt a gaze and turned around. Priest Sharon was watching the people leave with gentle eyes. Their eyes met, and Magnolia gave a slight bow.

The flickering candle flames reflected off the stained glass, glowing as if to make the forms of the gods emerge. Feeling as though a world of distant myths or symbols had appeared before her, Magnolia squeezed her fists tight. It was a sensation she had never felt in her former world. Faced with the towering figures of the gods looking down, Magnolia felt small and sought an arm to cling to. The murmurs within the chapel did not subside for a long time.

Upon returning to the manor, they ate the feast prepared before their departure, talked, and laughed. There were colorful canapés, a mock version of the roll sandwiches she’d eaten in the capital, bruschetta, caprese, and the large roasted chicken. For dessert, there was a fruit tart topped with a variety of colorful fruits. Everyone in the manor spent the time together at the same table, regardless of rank or position.

The conversation turned to the sudden blessing at the church. While Servas had said it happened "occasionally," it seemed to be an extremely rare event; Gai, the sous-chef, and the kitchen maid were all talking about it excitedly.

Then, at midnight, the church bells rang out. Apparently, bells in churches across the country rang all at once. Though the sound was different, it reminded Magnolia of the New Year’s Eve bells in Japan, and she found herself smiling.

As a young child, she was eventually ushered off to bed. Would the adults be letting loose and drinking the night away now?

(Since neither Sebastian nor Plum are here, a bit of a wild party is okay sometimes, right?)

She thought to herself. Having once been an adult herself, she knew the joy of drinking and talking with close companions. It should be fine once in a while. She said her goodnights and sat alone on her bed, listening to the sound of the bells echoing in the silence of the night.

*Tap, tap.* There was a small sound of something hitting the windowpane. At first, she thought she was mishearing, but when she strained her eyes, she saw a crow pecking at the window with its beak while looking at her.

She scrambled off the bed barefoot and hurried to open the window. Along with the cold air and powder snow, the crow flew in with a single caw, looking for all the world as if it were telling her she was late.

「Sorry, sorry. What brought you here in the snow?」

Hearing Magnolia’s question, it turned around and showed her the small parcel on its back. Urged by the bird, she opened it to find a small card and an even smaller case. Inside the case were tiny, multi-colored candied flowers in pale shades, much like the lights she had seen at the church.

"Happy New Year."

The card, with those few words written in elegant script, was from Claude. Magnolia picked it up, smiling faintly as she wondered if it was meant to be brusque or full of consideration. Looking at the lovely case adorned with a squirrel and small flowers, she found it even more amusing to think that the surly Claude had chosen something so cute.

According to everyone’s stories, New Year’s banquets were held all through the night in the Royal Capital. Was he perhaps dancing the minuet or the waltz in the glittering royal palace right now? She laughed again, imagining Claude taking a young lady’s hand with his usual sullen expression.

She treated the crow, which had dutifully flown through the cold, to some of the dried meat she’d received for her birthday, a piece of a cookie she’d made earlier, and water from the pitcher. Then, picking up a small sweet with her slender fingers, she popped it into her mouth and slowly enjoyed its aroma.

「Happy New Year, Big Brother.」

And to everyone else... Happy New Year. May it be a good year...

***

In the Royal Capital during the year-end and New Year holidays, balls and evening parties were held everywhere. Although Claude narrowed down his attendance to those he absolutely had to go to, the daily banquets left him with nothing but sighs. ...It was beyond troublesome.

Glancing out the carriage window, a pastry shop caught his eye.

(...Come to think of it, I wonder if that girl has ever eaten flower sweets for the New Year.)

Recalling the members remaining at the manor, he realized no one was likely to tell her about them. They were a crowd that seemed likely to serve nothing but meat, alcohol, and more meat. ...While the sous-chef might have the foresight to make some, Claude could clearly envision him being too busy with the day's preparations to get around to it.

On the continent—especially in the Kingdom of Ascald, which bore the title of the Land of Flowers—it was customary to eat candied flowers, known as "flower sweets," as a lucky charm for the New Year. While often used for other celebrations, they were such a staple that people said, "New Year’s means flower sweets."

Opening the door to the charming shop, he found the interior filled with a sweet aroma. Feeling a slight sense of discomfort as he saw many lovers and people leading small children by the hand, he moved toward the flower sweets section.

At this time of year, many different containers could be chosen for the flower sweets. Unless they were sold at street stalls, pastry shops usually carried a wide variety. There were many standard floral patterns named after the flowers themselves, as well as small paper bags, paper boxes, baskets, and ornate carved wooden boxes. They ranged all the way to one-of-a-kind items resembling the luxurious jewelry cases sold at jewelers.

For his niece, who unexpectedly seemed to like cute things, he chose a small case decorated with a squirrel. It was silver with a squirrel engraved on it, and the small flowers were depicted with inlaid, finely cut gems. She had been delighted to find one during their ride, and the sight of her eating with her cheeks stuffed was the image of a squirrel itself.

「Is it a gift for your lover?」

The clerk’s question made him start and look up. The smiling clerk was definitely looking at Claude. Looking around uncomfortably, he answered quietly.

「...No, for family.」

「Oh my! For a younger or older sister? Or perhaps your mother? ...If they receive such a grand and lovely case, they will be very happy!」

—Indeed. He thought it might be a bit expensive to give to a toddler, but he changed his mind, deciding it was fine. That girl wasn't the type to lose it or leave it lying around like a normal small child.

「...I would like you to select some small flower sweets to put in there.」

「Certainly. What colors would you like? A single color, or a mix?」

Recalling her gluttonous face, he decided to have several colors mixed so she could enjoy various aromas.

「I’ll include a card as well, so please use it to add a message. Have a good year!」

Claude gave a small nod to the clerk, who remained smiling until the end.

He felt bad for the crow in this cold, but he would have it work hard and fly. ...Would it arrive by the turn of the year? Imagining his niece—of whom he couldn't tell at all if she was small or older—stuffing her cheeks with sweet flower sweets, his expression softened peacefully.

To cool his flushed cheeks, he stepped quietly outside, avoiding the crowd in the Great Hall. The evening party celebrating the New Year was only just beginning.

As if to make the piercingly cold night air vibrate, church bells across the country rang out their melodies. Looking up at the star-filled sky, he prayed that the new year would bring happiness to all.

*****

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