In the evening, before the Sun had completely set, Klein and Melissa, who had been in class all day, appeared at the door of their rented house almost simultaneously.
Smelling the scent of food wafting from inside, they asked each other in unison, "Is this your cooking?"
"I just got home." ×2
"Benson!" ×2
The two quickly opened the door and immediately saw Benson sitting at the dining table waiting for them, with steaming food on the table.
When Benson noticed them return, he quickly said, "Come quickly, today we're having 'Lamb Stew with Peas'."
"I specifically bought the finest tender lamb today. Using the method you taught me, I stir-fried the onions and carrots together, then added the pre-soaked peas and simmered it over low heat for several hours. It just came out of the pot."
Hearing Benson's words, Klein and Melissa looked at each other and then simultaneously made a strange expression.
But perhaps because they hadn't eaten meat for a long time, the two still endured the discomfort and ate the dinner.
After eating, Melissa still offered her suggestion, saying, "Benson, you're so busy every day, it's tiring enough. After work, you can just rest at home. Leave small things like cooking to Klein and me."
Looking at the two, Benson felt gratified deep inside and explained, "It's mainly because I got off work really early today and had nothing to do, so I made dinner."
"By the way, I also brought gifts for both of you."
After saying that, Benson pulled two bags out from the room he shared with Klein and said, "I also roughly estimated your sizes based on my memory when I bought them. Take them and try them on first; if they don't fit, I can go exchange them."
Looking at the bags in Benson's hands, Melissa asked suspiciously, "These aren't clothes, are they?"
Hearing Melissa's words, Benson nodded and handed the bags forward, signaling her to take them.
When Melissa took the bag, Benson reminded her, "Melissa, go try it on. I'm mainly afraid the clothes I bought for you won't fit."
Then he turned to Klein and said, "Klein, take your clothes and try them on too. Although we're similar in build, just in case they don't fit."
After taking the bags, the two returned shortly after. Melissa asked suspiciously, "Benson, our family shouldn't have the money to buy clothes like these."
"Where did... these come from?"
Benson looked at Klein and Melissa and found them both looking nervous. He then sighed, patted their shoulders, and explained, "I have to go to Morse Town tomorrow. These clothes were bought using the 'clothing allowance' given by Amos. Don't worry, it's fine."
After hearing his explanation, Klein and Melissa relaxed their tense expressions slightly and asked curiously, "Aren't the 'winter relief packages' usually delivered by someone? Why go to Morse Town this year?"
Benson was silent for a few seconds, as if weighing his words: "I'm not sure about that either, but going to Morse Town tomorrow isn't to collect a 'winter relief package'. It's because Earl Altair wants to meet me."
Standing to the side, Klein asked curiously, "Shouldn't the noble in charge of Morse Town be Baron Sheffield? Has the territory changed hands?"
Benson shook his head and explained to them, "The land of Morse Town hasn't changed owners. Earl Altair is Baron Sheffield's daughter. She inherited the family's legacy and title after her father passed away."
"But as for how the original rank of Baron was promoted to Earl, I'm not sure. As you know, such matters are generally not disclosed to commoners."
Then Benson added, "But don't we have a university student studying history in our family? Klein, has anything like this happened in history? What would usually cause it?"
Klein thought for a moment and explained to them, "There are many such cases, usually due to holding important official positions, noble marriages, territorial expansion, and so on."
"But you just said Altair is Baron Sheffield's daughter. Based on age, she should only be a bit older than Melissa."
"So marriage and holding important positions can be completely ruled out; it's impossible to be for those reasons."
"Considering the uniqueness of the Sheffield Family, I guess it's because of military merit. If a noble performs exceptionally well in war, the King usually rewards them by raising their title."
...As the three gossiped and chatted, time flew by. The nightlife of commoners in this world was just so monotonous and tedious. After dinner, they either spent time chatting or went to sleep.
After all, gas lamps weren't cheap; every bit saved counted. Of course, if you were a noble, that was another matter; nobles didn't need to consider the cost of a night.
Once Melissa yawned, she said to the two, "I can't go on, I need to go to sleep."
Benson and Klein both nodded and said, "Then let's wash up and sleep. Tonight's chat ends here."
"Melissa, you go to the washroom first."
Melissa stretched and nodded gently, saying, "Mhm, I'll be as quick as possible."
Then, as if remembering something, she reminded Benson, "Benson, you haven't prepared a gift for Earl Altair yet, have you? Have you thought about what to bring tomorrow? Do you want us to help give some suggestions?"
Hearing Melissa's reminder, Benson shook his head and explained, "Don't worry, I've already thought of what gift to prepare."
Looking at Benson's expression and thinking of his personality, Melissa gave an "mhm" and left for the washroom.
The next morning, after seeing Klein and Melissa off, Benson left the rented house with a gift box.
It cost 7 sol to find a carriage driver willing to go to Morse Town.
After a half-hour journey, the carriage finally arrived at Morse Town.
After getting off, Benson inquired as he walked toward the Sheffield Family castle.
Upon arriving at the castle gates and explaining his purpose, someone received him and led him to the drawing room.
Old Clayton entered the drawing room just after Benson sat down, fulfilling his duties as a butler to attend to the guest.