“What do you mean?”

“Oh dear, Madam. Going out dressed like that is asking for trouble!”

The central hall was already cold.

When someone spoke, a cloud of white breath escaped their mouth.

Cecilia always draped herself in fur before stepping out of the sitting room.

“Is what I’m wearing insufficient?”

“You’re in spring clothes, Madam.”

“……”

Cecilia glanced at the maids.

They were only wearing light leather coats, no fur.

“Well, it’s clearly not spring, yet you all are dressed as if it is.”

In response to the man, she remarked in the aristocratic, sarcastic tone she often used.

He didn’t seem to understand her sarcasm.

He grinned and said,

“We’ve lived here our whole lives, so we’re used to the cold. But even we wouldn’t dare step outside like this.”

“Yes, Madam. That’s true.”

The maids agreed, nodding.

“Why do you want to go outside, Madam? If there’s anything you need, you can just tell me.”

Cecilia stared at the man’s simple, good-natured smile.

He was a rather impudent servant, yet she wasn’t offended.

There was a genuine concern for her well-being in his tone.

The more she interacted with the people of Lagos, the more she realized how different they were from those on the continent.

They met their superiors’ eyes without hesitation and expressed themselves with a variety of emotions.

While their faces often appeared stern, as if perpetually angry, their expressions softened quickly during conversations.

“Your name is… Chad, right?”

“Oh, my! You remember my name, Madam. Yes, it’s Chad.”

“I want to enjoy the sight of the snow. Could you bring some inside for me?”

“Of course, Madam! I’ll bring you the prettiest snow I can find.”

With an excited expression, Chad ran off somewhere.

“Prettiest snow?”

Cecilia chuckled.

Abandoning her plan to go outside, she returned to her room. Not knowing how cold it was outside made her hesitant to step out carelessly.

She instructed a maid to fetch some medicine from the doctor, and the maid soon returned with a small jar.

“This is ointment for treating skin abrasions, Madam.”

“Do you know this ointment?”

“Yes, Madam. It works well on minor wounds.”

“How do I use it?”

“When you open the jar, you’ll find a translucent ointment inside. It’s solid but softens when scooped by hand. You just rub it on the affected area.”

Cecilia nodded.

“Do you know who used my room before me?”

“It had been vacant for quite some time, Madam.”

“And before that?”

The maid hesitated before replying.

“I wasn’t here at Lagos Castle back then, but I’ve heard it used to be the late Madam’s room.”

“I see…”

She had suspected as much.

Yet confirming it made her feel strange.

There was a knock at the door.

“Madam, I’ve brought the snow,” Helen said.

Behind her, a maid carried in a large brass basin filled with a mountain of pristine snow.

Cecilia burst into laughter.

She had expected a small bowl at most.

Her laughter lit up the maids’ faces.

Helen spoke up,

“Madam, it’s clean snow. Shall I pour some fruit syrup over it for you?”

“Fruit syrup? You eat snow?”

“Yes, Madam. It’s a winter delicacy.”

“Really? Bring it, then.”

“Yes, Madam. Also, the Elder Missus hasn’t woken yet. She’s just resting, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Huh? Oh…”

Until Helen mentioned it, Cecilia had completely forgotten about her nanny.

“She’ll wake up on her own once the alcohol wears off. Pass my thanks to Chad.”

Helen smiled and replied,

“Yes, Madam.”

Soon, a maid brought a small bowl of shaved ice.

Bright blue syrup had been poured over the white snow, with pieces of blue-fleshed fruit scattered around.

The vibrant color was unfamiliar to Cecilia, but the contrast between the pure white snow and the vivid blue syrup was beautiful.

“Pretty snow, huh…”

She cautiously scooped a spoonful and brought it to her mouth.

The cold snow melted smoothly on her tongue, blending with the sweet, fragrant fruit.

The room was warm, and beyond the window, snow continued to fall.

Here she was, tasting fruit-laden snow in the heart of winter.

In her previous life, she had lived in a grand mansion with hundreds of servants, yet she had never experienced such a luxury.

Cecilia closed her eyes, savoring the dessert’s flavor.

In that moment, she felt as though there was nothing left to envy in the world.