Camilla stared silently at the two figures before her—no, two ghosts—who were looking back at her with faint smiles.
[What is it?] [Do you have something to say to us?]
The kitchen ghost, Ferrol, and the butler ghost, Derin, tilted their heads in confusion. Did they do something wrong?
"Now, tell me."
[What should I say?] [What do you mean?]
"What do you want from me?"
After over twenty years of coexisting with ghosts, she realized something: no wandering spirit helps people without a reason.
'Especially not for others.'
Could they be any different?
"I still need your help moving forward."
It was too much to expect that their image would change just because she decorated with a flower and prepared a meal.
"So please tell me what you want."
She was willing to listen to almost anything. After all, they were the ones who could help her avoid death.
[....] [....]
At Camilla's words, Ferrol and Derin exchanged glances and burst into laughter simultaneously.
[There's only one thing I want.]
"What is it?"
[Cooking.]
"…Cooking?"
Camilla made a perplexed expression. Cooking? Did he want her to prepare a meal for a ritual or something?
'I'm not particularly skilled at cooking.'
The cooking she did earlier in the kitchen wasn't even her doing; it was Ferrol's hands that had possessed hers to create the food.
[I wished to cook again. There's nothing happier than having someone enjoy the food I made.]
Unexpectedly, Ferrol's words struck her.
"You want to cook?"
Not that she would be making food for him, but he wanted to make it himself?
At Camilla's question, Ferrol smiled softly again.
[Thank you.]
"...."
[For letting me cook again.]
He thought he would never touch cooking tools again. He believed he could never showcase his culinary skills again.
It still felt like a dream that he could stand by the fire once more.
Even if it was through Camilla's hands, just holding the knife and pot again brought him immense happiness.
"…I see."
Camilla nodded with a somewhat reluctant expression. Since he claimed he had no other wishes, it would be foolish to pry further.
However, having never experienced receiving help without a price, she felt uneasy.
[I feel the same way.]
The butler ghost Derin also smiled faintly at her gaze.
[I was happy to bring gypsophila back to the lord's office.]
…What? Is that really happiness?
[Being able to help the duke's family with the information I know is a great joy for me.] [Thank you.]
Seeing the two ghosts express gratitude made Camilla feel slightly bewildered.
'These people…'
In essence, they were lingering in the afterlife because they were regretful about bringing joy to others. She had never encountered such strange souls in her life before.
'Well, I'm fine with it.'
In any case, they both said they didn't particularly desire anything?
Camilla clasped her hands politely and bowed her head respectfully toward Ferrol and Derin.
"I look forward to your continued support."
She didn't know what would happen later, but for now, she found herself in a position of receiving help without any conditions. She was willing to show enough courtesy and respect.
[....] [....]
Ferrol and Derin's eyes widened in surprise at her unexpected greeting.
But soon after, gentle smiles spread across their faces again. "C-can you make this too?"
Chef Gelard widened his eyes at the dish Camilla had completed.
That red sorbet. The dessert made with wine was something his late master used to make beautifully as well.
After finishing the decoration, Camilla turned and gazed softly at Gelard.
"...."
"...."
Silence hung between them for a moment before Gelard slowly bent his knees. Only after lowering his gaze did Camilla speak up.
"Don't you know this recipe?"
"Ah, I do."
The problem was that whatever he made didn't turn out that beautiful color.
He had been observing for over ten days now, and every time Camilla prepared food, it was astonishingly skillful—particularly dishes his master Ferrol loved making.
'Could it be…?'
This naturally led him to doubt her abilities.
'Does she have a recipe book left by my master?'
Had Lady Camilla found it?
'No, no!'
But he quickly shook off that thought. This wasn't something that could be solved by having a recipe book. Her skill was beyond what could be achieved merely through recipes.
'And what's with her demeanor!'
The way she effortlessly found tools and ingredients scattered around the kitchen made her seem like someone who had worked there for decades.
"Um… what's left here…?"
"Eat it."
"Yes!"
Pointing cautiously at the leftover wine sorbet in the glass, Gelard hurriedly took it into his mouth upon receiving permission from Camilla.
'As expected!'
Gelard's eyes flickered intensely after tasting the wine sorbet.
Why? What was this? Why couldn't he replicate this flavor even when using the same recipe?
"Is it good?"
"It's not bad."
Despite still holding onto some pride, he subtly deflected the compliment.
Watching Gelard act this way made Camilla tap her fingers against her neck lightly.
Silence returned as Gelard's gaze dropped once more.
"Miss."
At that moment, butler Rube entered through the kitchen door.
Seeing Gelard slightly bowing while facing Camilla made Rube stifle an emerging smile.
"Are you all set?"
"Yes."
Camilla pointed toward one side where wine sorbet sat. The small glass was filled with round red sorbet topped with a tiny mint leaf adorably placed on top.
"Please take care of this today as well."
"Yes, Miss."
With a slight bow of his head, butler Rube gathered up the glasses filled with sorbet.
'This is quite unexpected.'
Rube took one last glance at Camilla.
'Why has she changed so suddenly?'
He had never disliked her. Yet neither had he liked her. He knew well how isolated she had become within the duke's household but felt no need to offer help.
Extending a hand first to someone who did nothing for themselves was something he despised most. So he simply watched over her from a distance.
'But…'
Recently, Camilla had changed. Was it really just coincidence that food tampered by kitchen maids ended up in the duke's mouth?
Whatever the reason may be, Rube found himself increasingly intrigued by her these days.
'Even now.'
To think she could transform that selfish and unpleasant Gelard into someone like this!
Seeing Gelard sneakily eating sorbet while glancing at Camilla was truly fascinating.
"But are we having a meeting at this hour?"
Camilla's voice rang out again.
"Is something happening?"
The sorbets prepared today were not just two as usual; multiple trays filled with glasses were present since all household retainers were gathered in the meeting room due to an impromptu meeting called by Duke Sorfel today.
"I wonder."
Butler Rube smiled broadly at Camilla's question.
It was Duke Sorfel who postponed today's meeting—which should have happened during daylight hours—to this time when snacks were being served instead.
"Well then, I'll take my leave."
With a slight bow of his head, Rube quietly exited. A few maids followed behind him carrying trays of sorbet.
"How can such colors come out…?"
"Do you want to know?"
"Yes!"
"In that case, show me some charm."
"How should I do that?"
"…Remove your hand from your cheek and don't make any childish sounds."
Hearing their conversation from behind made Rube struggle not to burst into laughter again. "H-holding a meeting at this hour is quite novel."
"I agree."
"I've been suffering from less sleep lately; this works out well."
Those gathered in the meeting room exchanged awkward smiles while speaking up repeatedly; however, internally they were puzzled about why they were there at such an hour.
'Why exactly now?'
'Didn't he say he couldn't make it during the day because he was busy?'
'I heard there wasn't anything particularly urgent today…'
No one understood Duke Sorfel's intentions behind calling an afternoon meeting—originally scheduled for daytime—at midnight when there were no pressing matters on hand; they could have easily rescheduled for tomorrow during daylight hours instead. Of course, no one openly expressed their confusion or dissatisfaction toward Duke Sorfel either.
'But…'
'Why does he keep checking his watch?'
Everyone noticed Duke Sorfel glancing repeatedly at the clock mounted on one wall throughout their discussions.
Surely there couldn't be another appointment scheduled for this time?
Knock!
Just then came a knock as butler Rube entered along with several maids carrying trays into the meeting room.
"Duke! Miss Camilla has sent snacks today as well."
"Hm? Bring them here."
Duke Sorfel lightly nodded his head while addressing Rube so everyone could hear him clearly once more.
"Did Miss Camilla make these herself?"
"Yes, Duke! The lady prepared desserts personally and ensured there were enough portions for guests as well."
At their exchange of words, everyone's eyes widened in astonishment: Who made what?
"No way! Are you saying she made these?"
"Oh my goodness…"
"Can she really make such things?"