The Resetting Lady - Chapter 1

1. Necklace of Isela

Translator: Soju
Editors: Reki and Aurum

“Hiya.”

Isela’s feet were tormented by the path to the mansion of the Haier Lord, famed for its breathtaking red roses, which was uphill from the road’s entrance. From the start of the trip, it wasn’t healthy for her.

The roads here were poorly maintained, and the carriage shook violently, which resulted in the horseman falling from his saddle. On top of that, the horse fractured its ankle. The rest of the way could not be done by carriage, so Isela had to ascend the mountain with her own legs.

What’s good about this countryside anyways?

When Isela followed her father from the capital to the small country, she saw the results of his cultivation. He was blessed by the Heavens, and with the addition of his hard work, the barren land bloomed in the spring and bore fruits in the autumn.

Even though it was a basin on a rough mountainous landscape, it was a very good area to gain income since there were many precious trees and few inhabitants – it did not need a great deal of management.

In short, it is a place where efficiency and profit was excellent.

Of course, even though it was my father’s eyes that saw the land as a profit target, and it was nothing more than a curse to me now.

“This will be our land.”

Berdick smiled and held his daughter’s hand. Away from the major cities, far from the aristocracy – it was good since he had only one daughter. The land was a good prey for the target, Berdick Evans. Haier, the lord of the mansion, was behind the scenes as he’d been reclusive for a while and ceased to make proper inspection of his land.

“Don’t worry, Isela. We’re going to be aristocrats now. The days when the king gave the land are over. You can buy holy grounds with money now.”

To make the land easier, Haier had intended to sell some of Karen’s jewels to buy the vast and useless lands around him. Isela’s lips twisted at the thought of it. Among them were accessories inherited from her grandmother. They were beautiful gems that the land seller received instead of them.

The Evans hated and loved the nobility, royalty, and clergy. It was the honor of the family to receive wealth and honor through all kinds of methods from aristocrats, who were pigs that they could leech profits from.

We’re in the gut. We can manage it better if we have the profit. We’re the ones who really need to be up there – with power.

“I heard you met the Haier’s heiress at the chapel last time. How was it?”

“Ah, that wasn’t good. It looked rustic.”

“I’m glad I was invited this time.”

Well.

When I saw Karen’s face, I felt even more shaken. Even though she lived in such a mountainous area, she could have been rumored for her beauty.

No, the rumor was far from enough.

She was horribly beautiful.

“When my father sees the man he brought in for her engagement, he would know how nervous he will be.”

“Ha-ha, how can there be a more decent man compared to Lord Raymond?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Isela recalled her last meeting. When Karen saw her face, the pain that gnawed on her intestines disappeared as if it had washed away when she saw her fiance Dulan next to Karen.

“Look at him! I can’t believe you’re trying to marry a man like that to keep your land!’

“You must be very keen on maintaining the territory if you can get him engaged early. The more desperate people are, the easier it is to make a deal.”

“That’s a relief.”

When she saw her, Isela Evans laughed at Karen’s light dresses and cheap accessories. She observed Karen’s gaze at the necklace that Raymond gave Isela. She looked so envious that she couldn’t take her eyes off Isela’s neck. Isela liked that look and smiled – her eyes twinkled with anticipation.

“Glad to invite you, Miss Haier.”

“Don’t mention it, Miss Evans. I hope you enjoy it while the fathers talk about their difficulties. I am very glad to see Miss Evans visit here because there are no young girls my age.”

In contrast to Karen Haier’s soft-smiling voice, Isela was presented with a gift from a porter. Even the wrapping cloth, which was to be peeled, was embroidered by hand.

“Please take this.”

“Bowen.” Karen gestured to her servant.

The goods that Isela brought were accepted by the servant next to her.

“I bought a popular tea box from the capital for you to enjoy.”

The small wooden box was engraved with elaborate designs. The lady from the countryside was shown patterns and craftsmanship that she had never seen before. For a short time, Karen was so embarrassed that she could not open it –  even the bells on the side were amazing.

While she enjoyed the constant response, Isela opened the small lock and the gentle beauty of the tea caddy was revealed.

“The pleasure of refreshments to enjoy with your eyes, ears, and nose.”

It was about the pleasure of the tea itself, not the caddy, but Karen smiled and looked at the box without any response. Isela opened the box and handed it to her.

“In places like this, I thought that it might be difficult to enjoy just one type, so I prepared a variety.”

There were all kinds of teas. Bottles full of dried leaves were in different compartments and arranged in colors, while the back of the small lid contained the name of the tea and the recommended blending recipes written in gold.

It was a luxury that would rather be called a jewelry box than a tea caddy. Karen probably had not even seen anything this valuable in her life.

“Yes, it’s hard to enjoy various scents in these mountains.”

“Oh, I apologize if you were offended.”

Of course, what she said was offensive. Isela waited for word to be heard soon enough, but Karen smiled and did not say anymore. When there was no response, Isela soon became dull and tilted her head back. When the water finished boiling, the quiet table became lively again.

“It smells very good.”

“There is tea from each region, but I also like to enjoy various scents. Wouldn’t tea time be too boring if you just enjoy one thing?”

“I agree, Ms. Isela. It’s too boring to enjoy just one scent. Even if it’s not perfect, I think it’s a job for a person to pursue diversity.”

Karen’s answer made Isella’s expression quiver.

“That’s too big, Haier’s young lady.”

“Life begins with tea time. “

Karen placed more leaves in her tea with a bright smile.

“I don’t know how happy I am to see you come and change my monotonous routine.”

“Of course.”

***

Isela opened her eyes to a pounding headache.

Where am I?

Last night’s meeting went too long. She was escorted to the guest room to stay at the Haier mansion.

“Even the guest room is cheap.”

Her back ached from the straw bed, unlike the fluffy bed Isela was used to in the capital.

It was still dusk. The cold air cooled her face as she opened the window. The garden was sprinkled with dew on the flowers that had just begun to bloom.