The Villainous Older Sister Who Loves Her Younger Sister Aims for the Guillotine 49

49. Shoveling Snow

As I took the snow shovel from Leticia and began working, the tense atmosphere eased.

It was hard work, after all. They must have decided that even the head of the family was another pair of hands.

Some of the commuting servants, having braved the snow, gradually arrived, but those who lived further away were still absent.

The shared carriage wouldn’t be running in this snow. It was best not to expect them.

We prioritized clearing the area around the entrance, in case of visitors, and the paths to the firewood and food storage.

I left the main road in front of the mansion to the other servants.

While I wasn’t ashamed of it, shoveling snow myself wasn’t exactly the image I wanted to project, especially not outside the mansion. It was fine for the servants within the mansion to see me like this.

Of course, I trusted that none of our servants would be foolish enough to gossip about such a thing.

Our family, being a ducal house, offered good wages and decent treatment, but we were still known as the “Coldhearted Vanderwaals.”

…I was starting to wonder if Leticia truly understood that.

“Well, this should be enough. —Let’s stop shoveling snow for now. We have other duties within the mansion.”

I plunged the shovel into the snow and declared an end to the snow-shoveling.

Everyone was sweating and breathing heavily.

I clapped my gloved hands together, brushing off the snow.

Leticia’s forehead was beaded with sweat, and her cheeks were flushed a delicate red.

She was cute even when flushed.

While I was also tired, I tried to maintain a cool composure.

“Everyone, you’ve worked hard. I’m sure you’re all sweaty. You’re permitted to use the bath. Go in order of seniority.”

A wave of surprise rippled through the servants.

“Also, inform the kitchen staff to upgrade today’s meals. They can prepare whatever they like, except alcohol.”

A subdued, but unmistakable cheer went up.

Good, good.

“However, don’t get too carried away. Remember that this isn’t a holiday. Whether there will be a ‘next time’ depends on your behavior today.”

I didn’t forget to add a warning.

“—Ciel, I leave the arrangements to you. See to everything.”

“Yes, Lady Adelheid.”

Ciel bowed impeccably.

…How was she not sweating?

And she was in her usual maid uniform.

She seemed capable of surviving even in the harshest winter regions of Eustasia, all by herself.

“Lady Adelheid, is it alright for the other servants to bathe first? They can clean the bath while they’re at it.”

“I’ll leave it to you. I can bathe later.”

Ciel bowed again, then joined the other servants, giving detailed instructions as they entered the mansion.

Leticia and I were left alone.

It felt… strange to enter the mansion with ‘everyone else.’

“Haa…”

Leticia sighed.

She clutched the front of her sweater and fanned herself.

While it didn’t reveal any skin, the gesture made my heart skip a beat.

Noticing my gaze, she smiled.

“That was a good workout.”

“Yes, I suppose it was.”

I nodded.

Physical activity sometimes helped clear my mind, and now was one of those times.

Perhaps it was because I had a lot on my mind lately.

Leticia, despite her exhaustion, was still smiling brightly.

“…Leticia, you’re energetic.”

My sister tilted her head, looking puzzled.

“Huh? I’m exhausted.”

“You don’t seem…”

“Well, if I don’t shovel snow properly, I won’t have anywhere to sleep tomorrow, will I?”

“Huh?”

“The house I used to live in would probably collapse if we didn’t clear the snow off the roof. It was practically abandoned.”

…No, I’m sorry, Ciel, but I don’t think I could handle living in exile.

I didn’t have that kind of resilience.

After all, what I had undergone was ‘training.’

For Leticia, it had been ‘life.’ Fundamentally different.

“Besides, shoveling snow was a well-paying job. It was temporary, so it was first-come, first-served, but brothels paid especially well, so it was a popular job.”

“L-Leticia.”

That wasn’t something a noble lady should be talking about.

Due to the nature of my work, I knew the madam of a certain high-class brothel and could even bypass the usual procedures…

“The ladies there were so kind. They’d say, ‘Come see us if you’re ever struggling to make ends meet when you’re older.’”

Was that kindness?

Or recruitment?

If Leticia worked at a ‘brothel,’ I would become a regular… no, I would probably shower her with bags of gold coins and become her patron.

…Perhaps.

Just a possibility, but…

Perhaps even Leticia’s mother—

“…Maybe… that’s what Mother did…”

“…………”

I was speechless, unable to find a response.