<span>When Rishe told Elise what she wanted to do, she nodded curiously and willingly extended her hands.


    <span>Sitting across from her, Rishe first disinfected her slender fingers.


    <span>Making sure there were no stinging scratches on her fingernails or fingertips, she began preparing.


    <span>“In Eastern Countries all the way from here, there’s a culture of dyeing nails with flowers. This is abination of that culture and nail art reinforcement.”


    <span>She dipped her brush into the milky liquid and exined as she painted Elise’s nails.


    <span>Elise listened curiously as she talked about the distantnd.


    <span>“Does that mean the nails will be stronger?　Mine are always brittle.”


    <span>“The area where it’s applied should be less prone to cracking. But the best thing you can do is to eat a well-bnced diet of meat, fish and beans.”


    <span>Nails were a part of the skin. What was good for the skin was also good for the nails.


    <span>“Meat, fish, beans,” Elise murmured and nodded.


    <span>“I’ll remember. From now on, I’ll ensure I’ll be able to eat on my paycheck.”


    <span>“I know your family is in a difficult situation.”


    <span>“We’re poor and I have many brothers and sisters. Now, if we manage to get some meat or vegetables, they’re fed to my little brothers and sisters.”


    <span>Rishe has heard about it when she wasn’t yet her handmaiden.


    <span>Elise was working to contribute to the family and she said she really wanted to be employed at the castle as a handmaiden.


    <i><span>I’ve heard there are shanty towns in this country before. As I recall, on the way to Garkhain, during a break after being attacked by bandits…</i>


    <span>At that time, she was told that one of the knights, who was a vassal of Arnold, was from the favs.


    <i><span>Even His Highness Arnold’s policies didn’t save everyone. In the first ce, his policies were partially obstructed by someone else…</i>


    <span>With that in mind, she finished applying the primer solution to all her nails.


    <span>When she finally dipped the brush in the flower-dyed sap, Elise’s eyes were glued to the brush. While she was carefully applying them evenly, she couldn’t help eximing in wonder.


    <span>“Really, it’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen anything so sparklingly beautiful before.”


    <span>Else was a very fashion-conscious girl.


    <span>She seemed to enjoy picking out Rishe’s dress and styling her hair every day. She was also very dexterous with her hands, so she probably could paint her nails well.


    <span>“It’s only pink right now, but let me know your favorite color, too. I hope you’ll ept it once it’s done.”


    <span>“N-No. It’d be a waste for me to take something so wonderful. I think I’m going to pass it.”


    <span>“Oh, no, not at all. I’d be happy to let Elise and the others use it.”


    <span>“Rishe-sama…”


    <span>Rishe breathed a sigh of relief as she finished painting her entire right hand. The process was hard to fix once it failed.


    <span>“What color do you like?　There’s also the blue of a forget-me-not and the yellow of a sunflower. There’s red, orange, pink and even purple.”


    <span>“…”


    <span>“I bet any color would look great on your white fingers.”


    <span>With her smiling and saying so, Elise looked at her with a somewhat pensive expression.


    <span>Then, beads of tears trickled down herrge, round eyes.


    <span>“Elise!”


    <span>Rishe panicked in front of the maid, who suddenly began to cry.


    <span>“Hey, what’s going on? Have I scratched you!”


    <span>It would be terrible if it was smeared with the liquid. But Elise shook her head repeatedly.


    <span>“No, no. I’m just very happy.”


    <span>Elised paused for a moment and then blinked.


    <span>“I-I’ve never had anything so beautiful in my life.”


    <span>While speaking, tears ran down her cheeks.


    <span>“What I needed most was food for my brothers and sisters. When I had a little money, I had to buy what I needed to survive.”


    <span>Her tiny voice gradually turned into choking sobs.


    <span>“I never had a hair ornament, and my clothes were always tattered. I always wore boy’s hand-me-downs. So I was really happy when I received such a pretty uniform at the castle.”


    <span>Rishe remembered.


    <span>When she first met Elise, she had been very sad that her uniform had been soiled.


    <span>“I was just happy that Rishe-sama hired me and I got my official uniform. I had to put up with all other beautiful things. So…”


    <span>Elise wiped a tear with the back of her hand.


    <span>“I’m so happy, Rishe-sama. So happy that I don’t even know how to thank you…”


    <span>“Elise…”


    <span>Rishe gently patted her head.


    <span>All the maidservants of this detached castle were working for their families. Just like Elise, there were more than a few kids who have been stifling their own aspirations and dreams.


    <i><span>The business I’m trying to establishcked the ideas that I needed urgently!</i>


    <hr>


    Part 2 will be tomorrow. Have a nice day!