Chapter 2: The Old Mistress

The old lady’s visage quivered in despair. But after hearing the familiar titters of the smelly brat hugging her from behind, she closed her eyes, gritting her teeth. She held her heaving chest, calming the hammering beats of her heart. Damn it, she almost thought it was a thief. She almost had a heart attack thinking it was some old robber from the slums. “Lili!”

“Yes, headmistress!” The young lady stood ramrod straight like a soldier. Mirth dancing on her lips after she successfully pulled off her mission. She had the smile of a sea navigator who conquered the seven seas.

Plap!

“Ow.” Lili yelped.

The old mistress had thrown a slap on the young lady’s head. Huffing, she threw a sharp gaze at the frivolous young lady, roaring at the top of her lungs. “Where the hell is the things I taught you, brat!? Where’s the ladylike stuff, huh!? I almost thought it was a damning thief! Y-you crazy brat!”

“I-I’m sorry, headmistress.” Lili tore out a little because of the sting. She touched her head, hoping it wouldn’t form a painful lump tomorrow. After all, it was sore. She wouldn’t become stupid, right?

“Sorry? You brat! I almost died! If I died, ah, who would deal with the noble! You!?” The old lady roared as if a hungry tigress awakened from her sweet slumber. After building a few more lumps on the young lady’s head, the old mistress had finally calmed down. Though only a little. She glared at Lili, her eyes still furious. “Tell me you’re never going to do this again!”

Lili peeked at the old lady’s flame-breathing scowl before lowering her head immediately. She had never seen the old mistress this angry before. She took her jokes a little too light and a bit too far. Scratching her cheek, she raised her head and answered, “I-I won’t do it again. So don’t hit.” 

The old mistress didn’t buy it immediately and glared harder. She knew this brat like the back of her hands. “I know you long enough, Lili. Not to anyone! Promise me!”

Ah, she got her next plans crushed at the first steps. She also planned to do it again and scare the young orphans to sleep. Lili frowned a little but immediately felt a chill after she saw a wrinkly fist lifted in the air, ready to dine on her thick skull. “I-I will headmistress.”

“Promise me!”

“I-I promise headmistress!” She stuttered a little, faltering against the loud voice of her old caretaker.

“Hm. Fine! I’ll trust you on this, you little imp.” Heaving a tired sigh, the old mistress massaged her temples with a hand on her waist. She turned back and walked out towards the door. “I’ll really die the next time you do this. Anyway, cook now. We will feed the children early. The great noble will come after breakfast.”

But before she fully went, she stopped for a moment and gazed at Lili. “Prepare something special for the leaving ones, okay. Don’t hold back on the ingredients. The great noble will bring us a new batch of goods today. He might even bring new little ones to take care of.”

“Yes, headmistress. That’s actually why I woke up a little earlier.” Lili nodded, her tune solemn than usual. “I’ll make it the best.”

The old mistress hummed and nodded. She marched back towards her room. Still huffing after Lili’s prank. Her steps were heavier as she waltzed away.

Lili watched the old mistress hunching back before shaking her head. “If I ever get rich. I’ll find everyone again for the old mistress. She might be missing the others. Alright time to cook!”

Oh, she must also prepare a little tea for the great noble. She remembered that the great noble loved tea. Was it to calm down the nerves? Then he remembered the great noble’s receding hairline. Hm, for his stress and hair? Or for his belly fats?

Unlike the other orphanages, they had blessed this place because of the kindness of the great noble. They had good clothes, a warm home, and nutritious food. The noble even hired a few retainers to teach the orphans how to count and read. Aside from the forced eviction at 15, everything was wonderful.

Lili’s thin hands danced over the table, a mixture of crushed grains—barley, wheat, and a little flour. She then added a little water, kneading it continuously until the dough achieved the right texture. Though it was a bit tiring as compared to making normal soup with vegetables, Lili endured so that the leaving young ones would get a taste of her best cuisine. Adding a few yeasts, the bread was perfect. After an hour, it would finally go to the warm oven.

It was time for the soup. Making the soup was much easier. She had been doing it for a long time, after all. Almost every day of her life in the orphanage. For today, the soup would also be a little thicker than usual. After all, the headmistress had allowed her to use more ingredients for the breakfast.

An hour later, she finally finished cooking the soup.

It was time for the bread to enter the warm oven. Lili moved her hand nearer to the oven to feel the movement of the flame. Ever since she was young, she had always been sensitive to the flames. It was a talent she was proud of. She called it ‘flame reading’ to make it even sound more amazing. Though it was useless most of the time, at least her talent was good for cooking. That was enough for her and the orphanage.

The young lady moved her hands away, wiping her sweat before nodding. The temperature rose within the right level, at the perfect level. It was at this temperature that her bread was at its greatest and tastiest state. She scuttled, putting the puffy dough in the oven.

“Now all I need is to wait.” A beam formed on her face. But after remembering the leaving little ones, that sweet smile soon fell. Though not blood-related, her little brothers and sisters were going to travel away and start their new lives. As an orphan herself, she treats each individual in the orphanage as family. The old mistress as the mother, and she as the big sister.

Lili lifted her fingers, counting the 15-year-olds. “So we have three people going out, I hope Aldis, Nicol, and Betha enjoy these treats.”

Her memories flashed. The spunky little midgets had grown so much. And now, it was the time to say goodbye. Although Lili wanted them to stay, she had no other choice but to let them go. She got no money to feed them. Her meager salary was just enough to add a few vegetables for their food to make it tastier. And in times of almost perpetual war, the food prices just break record after record. “I hope the goddesses show mercy on those three. Maybe, I’ll meet them along with the others soon.”