Chapter 58: Ashes

Standing before her, Garde placed his right hand over his chest and respectfully bowed.

In response to Garde’s politeness, she softly called his name and nodded in acknowledgment.

“Mr. Garde.”

“Lady Finihiya, are you planning to cook something? Please feel free to tell me if you need any ingredients.”

Because the previous few times she came here, it was always to cook, Mr. Garde naturally assumed this time would be the same.

“No.” Finihiya shook her head gently, the long veil-like hair cascading down swaying slightly with the motion. “This time, I’m not here to cook. I want two things.”

“Two things?”

“Yes! Do you have plant oil?”

“Plant oil?” Garde repeated the words, then glanced toward the kitchen counter piled with ingredients. “We do have plant oils, but there are many kinds. Which kind of plant oil would you prefer, Lady Finihiya?”

“Any kind of plant oil will do.”

“Please wait a moment, then.”

Having said that, Garde turned and walked toward a counter a little farther away.

Lye solution, vinegar, and oil—the oil here had some specific requirements.

Plant oil contains natural nutrients and moisturizing properties, but adding animal oil would only make hair greasy.

Not long after waiting there, Mr. Garde returned slowly holding a clay jar.

“Lady Finihiya, this jar contains olive oil pressed just yesterday. Will this do?”

“Of course.”

As she reached out to take the clay jar, Garde suddenly withdrew his hand.

Seeing this, a question flickered in her mind, but before she could voice it, Garde spoke seriously.

“This jar is very dirty. It might stain your clothes, Lady Finihiya.”

“Uh…” Tilting her head in momentary daze, Finihiya then understood Garde’s meaning and smiled lightly. “Then could you please take it to the pavilion in the courtyard?”

“I would be honored to serve you.”

Finihiya remained standing in place.

***

Just as Garde Winters, holding the clay jar, was about to step out of the kitchen, he noticed Finihiya still standing there.

Only then did he suddenly remember that Lady Finihiya had said she wanted two things, and the jar full of olive oil in his hands was only one of them.

With this realization, Garde returned with an embarrassed expression.

“What is the other thing Lady Finihiya needs?”

“Ash.” Finihiya shifted her gaze to the flames crackling beneath the counter. “The ashes left by burning wood.”

“…How much do you need?”

Although puzzled by the strange request, Garde did not ask further.

“Not much, about the amount of one cup will be fine.”

“Please wait, I will collect it for you immediately.”

“Thank you, Mr. Garde.”

“No, it’s my duty. Please don’t be so polite, Lady Finihiya.”

***

After gathering the olive oil and ash, Finihiya returned to the pavilion in the courtyard.

On the stone table in the pavilion lay muffins, sponge cake, cookies, and steaming hot black tea. Because dusk was falling, two small oil lamps were thoughtfully lit nearby.

This was likely arranged by Danila.

The amounts of muffins, cake, and cookies were modest, perhaps intentionally reduced because dinner time was near.

Finihiya sat gracefully before the stone table, lifted the handle of the teacup, and took a gentle sip.

“Lemon tea?”

The dark tea spread a faint tangy lemon flavor in her mouth.

After another sip, she picked up a small cookie and placed it in her mouth.

Having eaten a little, Finihiya resumed preparing the base liquid.

Placing two small wooden cups received from the servant onto the ground, she poured clean water into them.

Then, using a spoon, she scooped two spoonfuls of wood ash left from the burned wood into the water.

Her fair fingertips held the spoon as Finihiya slowly stirred the water mixed with wood ash.

Once fully mixed, she covered one of the wooden cups with gauze and carefully poured the wood ash-infused water over the gauze to filter it.

Filtering it back and forth twice, Finihiya obtained the clean lye solution she wanted.

After washing the dirty spoon, she took two spoonfuls of the spoiled wine and added it to the lye solution.

As she stirred slowly, tiny bubbles began to rise in the solution.

Gurgle, gurgle…

This was the reaction between the wood ash and the acid—vinegar.

“Done.”

***

Bathed in the faint light, Finihiya’s cheeks glowed rose-colored, and a happy smile played on her lips.

When she added a spoonful of olive oil to the solution and stirred evenly, she obtained the solution she wanted—one that could enhance the cleansing power of the base liquid.

“Lady Finihiya.”

Just as she was immersed in this small joy, Danila’s peaceful voice suddenly sounded beside her. Finihiya turned her head to look.

Danila stood outside the pavilion, holding a gray parasol.

Soft rain fell from the darkening sky, the pattering “tadadad” sound landing on the parasol.

Seeing this, Finihiya withdrew her smile and politely nodded toward Danila.

“Miss Danila.”

“It’s time for dinner.”

“All right.”

Danila folded the parasol and walked over.

She crouched down before Finihiya, who looked at Danila’s unusual behavior with curiosity.

Then Danila slightly lifted her skirt and gently indicated.

“Your silk stockings are torn.”

Hmm?

Hearing this, Finihiya looked down.

The silk stockings had a small hole at the knee, revealing snow-white skin that shimmered faintly under the dim light of the oil lamp.

This was likely caused by kneeling on the ground while stirring the solution.

“I’m sorry…”

Danila lifted her face slightly, staring directly at Finihiya’s unbelievably beautiful face. Regarding Finihiya’s apology, she remained silent for a moment and chose not to reprimand further.

She had said many times that there was no need to be so humble toward servants.

But Lady Finihiya clearly hadn’t changed this habit, so Danila could only helplessly accept it.

Being so polite even to servants must be because of her gentle and kind nature.

After looking for a while, Danila withdrew her gaze and spoke in a calm tone.

“Clothes getting damaged is quite normal. It’s only cause for joy if it’s not from injury. You should change into a new pair immediately.”

“It’s fine, I can just take them off.” Finihiya said. “I’m going to take a bath soon anyway.”

“If you say so, I will leave it to your judgment.”

With these words, Danila slowly stood and picked up the gray parasol nearby, opening it outside the pavilion first.

She turned slightly, casting a sidelong glance at Finihiya inside the pavilion.