62: The Masked Noblewomen / Another Sanada / Roast Pork Sandwich with Honey Mustard 8

Even after the prototype loom was completed, Jill and Garda continued to make improvements. They worked to create a mechanism that was as simple as possible and prevented threads from tangling, while simultaneously enhancing its performance to weave long, sturdy Sanada cords.

Before they knew it, Garda had become deeply invested in the loom’s development. He grew more knowledgeable about its design and structure than Jill and boasted, “I’ll make this into an extraordinary masterpiece.” Jill, thinking “good grief,” focused her efforts on weaving the Sanada cords.

“And so, this is what we’ve got.”

While everyone was engrossed in the loom itself, it was Maureen who noticed the brilliance of the Sanada cords.

She highly valued the cords for their combination of fashionability, affordability of materials, and high durability.

“Master, this is fantastic…! You can enjoy them in various colors, and they’re sturdy. You could wrap them around your waist like a belt, or use them as packing cords…!”

In Jill’s workshop, Maureen’s eyes sparkled as she held the Sanada cords.

“Plus, the method is straightforward. Anyone with experience in weaving can make them.”

“The tabletop loom is still undergoing improvements by Garda. Shall we have him make one for you as well, Maureen?”

“I’d love that. I’d like to try making the cords myself.”

“That said, Garda wasn’t too fond of the cords, though. He looked troubled.”

Maureen chuckled at Jill’s remark. Garda had started to worry halfway through, wondering, “If this becomes common, won’t it reduce the demand for leather?”

“Honestly, helping out and then worrying about that—what a contradiction.”

“Well, I do understand the concern. But I think it’s possible to carve out distinct roles, and even if I were to start a business, I’d make sure not to encroach on leather’s domain.”

“The heavy feel of leather isn’t present in these Sanada cords, and the convenience of Sanada cords isn’t something leather can offer. So I think it’ll be fine… Anyway, can you tell me now?”

At Maureen’s question, Jill looked puzzled.

“Sorry, what are you referring to?”

“I mean, why were you making these cords as a gift for the lord’s lady? It was originally about repairing the teaware, wasn’t it?”

“Oh, no, I got so engrossed in making the cords that I forgot. I just assumed the cords and teaware went together by default…”

“Good grief.”

Maureen sighed in exasperation, a wry smile on her face.

“Let me explain. First of all, the teaware repair is already complete. I worked on it bit by bit in between other tasks.”

“So, it’s done then?”

“Yes, but I thought it would be too plain to just hand it over as it is. The lady doesn’t seem to favor overly ornate things, so I was wondering what to do…”

Saying this, Jill showed Maureen a small wooden box.

It was just the right size to hold a teacup.

The surface was carefully polished, giving it a subtle sheen, but it wasn’t particularly rare or fancy.

“First, the teacup goes in here.”

“You’re putting it in this instead of a paper or decorative box?”

“Yes. Instead of a paper box, I’m using this wooden one. And instead of a ribbon to tie it closed…”

Jill used the Sanada cord to secure the box.

The vibrant Sanada cord stood out beautifully against the pale wooden surface.

Its appearance was refined.

While it lacked any extreme flamboyance, it possessed a peculiar presence.

In a word, it was tasteful.

“This is one of the proper uses for Sanada cord,” Jill said.

◆

The lord was always busy.

Despite being over seventy years old, Scott rarely had time to rest. Troubles arrived without regard for weekdays or weekends, and he couldn’t neglect his regular duties while dealing with them. Relations with other territories, ties with the royal capital and central authorities, and the peace within his domain—all these responsibilities rested squarely on Scott’s shoulders.

“Charlotte. Shall we have lunch? Perhaps some tea as well?”

Thus, he made sure to set aside breaks during his day. Unless it was an urgent matter, he would decline appointments. Sometimes he would visit his daughter or granddaughter in secret, or spend time enjoying tea with his wife.

“Oh, how rare. I thought you’d gone to see the grandchildren, but you’re at the manor.”

Scott’s wife, Charlotte, was an elderly woman with white hair. However, her dignified demeanor, brisk presence, and the strength in her gaze and words belied her age, except for her white hair. She was strict about her work and upheld frugality, possessing a charisma distinct from Lady Emily’s.

On days without formal ceremonies, she wore traditional clothing made of hemp fabric, which never appeared shabby. Instead, she exuded the serene aura of an ancient sage or a witch, a quiet wisdom that commanded respect.

“Isn’t it fine to stay in occasionally? Besides, Emily rarely gets a chance to go out. If we don’t take her out ourselves, she might feel stifled,” Scott replied.

“I understand your concerns, but you mustn’t spoil her too much. If your name is invoked, it might trouble Mr. Byron’s family as well.”

“I know that. Besides, I’ve been at the manor all morning.”

“But you didn’t seem to be in the study?”

Charlotte often had many words of admonishment for her family.

And for her husband, Scott, she reserved the most.

“Well, well, there are various reasons. Forgive me.”

“This isn’t about whether I forgive you or not. Listen carefully, as the lord of this domain…”

Whenever it came to this, Scott had no choice but to bow his head.

And yet, he didn’t find it unpleasant.

Charlotte, on her part, was deliberately stern with Scott.

If she weren’t, there would be no one to chastise Scott or push him to reflect on his actions.

Charlotte’s outward severity was, in a way, her method of comforting her husband’s unspoken solitude.

“Oh, is that something you should be saying? Today’s tea is rather special, you know.”

“Oh? Not one of our traditional brews?”

“That one’s mild and soothing, but isn’t it fine to indulge in a more adult taste every now and then?”

“Fufu. Adult taste? Aren’t we already past that and into old age?”

But today was a bit different.

Perhaps influenced by Scott’s unusually cheerful demeanor, Charlotte’s attitude softened as well.

“I managed to get my hands on a tea we used to drink in our youth. Someone has revived the legacy of the great tea master, Enriu Chadoushi (tea master).”

“Oh my! How nostalgic!”

Enriu was not only a brand of tea leaves but also the name of a renowned tea master who cultivated them. The tea was known for its bold bitterness and even spicier aroma, a taste too strong for their children. For decades, Scott and Charlotte had made it a habit to blend these leaves with gentler ones to suit the family’s palate.

Over time, the passing of the tea master made it increasingly difficult to obtain, but Scott had managed to secure some of the nostalgic tea leaves and secretly saved them for this day.

“And breakfast, you mentioned?”

“I woke up a bit early and made sandwiches.”

“Early, you say? It’s the same as usual, isn’t it?”

“Well, what else can I do? This is about the only thing I can manage. Complicated dishes are long forgotten. Besides, you like it too, don’t you?”

Scott’s specialty dish was roast pork.

To be precise, it wasn’t so much a specialty as it was the only thing he could make with confidence.

He seasoned pork shoulder, placed it in a preheated oven, and roasted it for about an hour. While he had to be careful not to let the heat get too high, he had mastered this basic technique.

The sauce he used was equally simple: a mix of honey, mustard, and mayonnaise. Yet, the combination of the tender, moist pork and the sweet-spicy sauce created a straightforward but delicious roast pork.

This recipe was passed down to Scott by Conrad. It stemmed from a time when Scott had gone overboard celebrating the birth of his grandchild, throwing party after party until the maids were at their wit’s end. Charlotte had finally had enough and scolded Scott harshly.

It was Conrad who stepped in as a mediator. Normally, Scott would scold Conrad for being a frivolous man who indulged in cooking, culture, and art. But on that occasion, Conrad had turned the tables, sarcastically saying, “Why don’t you try experiencing some of your wife’s hardships for a change?” with a smug grin.

Though grumbling in frustration, Scott learned how to cook from Conrad. The dish he mastered most thoroughly was roast pork with honey mustard. By adding lettuce and tomatoes and sandwiching it between slices of bread, he prepared a simple breakfast for Charlotte. This gesture finally brought their marital quarrel to an end.

Incidentally, the story of this quarrel and subsequent reconciliation was shared by the maids with the townsfolk. The dish came to be known as the “Scott Sandwich,” celebrated as a recipe for marital harmony. Though Charlotte often made snide remarks, she always looked at the Scott Sandwich with a pleased expression when it was served.

“Before you eat, let me tell you something: it’s finished.”

“Oh, so that’s why you bought the tea leaves and made breakfast. I thought you might have wanted to buy something for yourself.”

“You’re so suspicious. Yet, you can’t even remember your own birthday.”

“Oh!”

Charlotte’s cheeks turned red as she smiled shyly.

“Right now, our children are preparing meals and gifts, but I wanted to get ahead of them. How about we have a quiet celebration before joining them?”

“Honestly, wanting to celebrate ahead of the children… You’re just a big kid yourself.”

“Well, nothing wrong with that. Now, go ahead and open this.”

Scott took out a wooden paulownia box he had hidden away.

It was plain and unadorned, save for the cord tied around it. Its simplicity was striking.

Yet, it was this simplicity that tugged at Charlotte’s heart.

“It has such a calm and refined air, doesn’t it? Oh, and this cord is sturdy. What could it be?”

Rather than opening it immediately, Charlotte held the box in her hands and studied it carefully.

Charlotte’s gaze was particularly drawn to the cord tying the box.

The cord was primarily white, with yellow edges accentuating its design.

Its bright colors gave it a calm and understated elegance, free from the glittering flamboyance of gemstones.

“It’s called *Sanada-himo,*” Scott explained. “I heard it’s woven from dyed threads.”

Sanada cord.

Jill’s decision to include it as part of the gift wasn’t just due to its durability, resistance to stretching, or the unique charm of its woven design.

The inspiration came from a book Jill read in the *Acacia Book,* where Sanada cord was described as a traditional accessory for securing tea utensils stored in lacquered boxes.

In the world where the Sanada cord originated, it was part of a luxurious presentation involving tea sets in lacquered boxes bound with silk braids. However, a certain tea master popularized the use of Sanada cord as a way to bring tea culture to the common people.

Sanada cord’s strength, combined with the ability to customize its colors and patterns, made it a versatile tool. It also served as a symbol, representing different schools, families, or individuals. Additionally, people living in impoverished regions once made a living by weaving Sanada cords. This aspect deeply resonated with Jill. Whether rich or poor, anyone could use and enjoy it. With various weaving styles, individuals could express their personality and creativity. Jill believed that this blend of beauty and meaning would surely resonate with Lady Charlotte’s character, as he had come to understand it.

“This is woven fabric? How fascinating… I didn’t know such things existed,” Charlotte mused.

“Now, now, the real gift is inside the box,” Scott said with a chuckle. “Though the cord and the box are part of the gift too.”

“My apologies. It’s just such an intriguing piece,” Charlotte replied.

She opened the box.

Inside, a tea set was revealed, leaving Charlotte wide-eyed in astonishment.

“Oh my…!”

There was a kintsugi cup and saucer there.

And Charlotte once again looked at the string.

The string and the cup inside were made to match the same color tones.

It was easy to understand, and quite playful.

“Lady Jill’s arrangements are amusing, aren’t they?”

“Yes, very… they remind me of that person.”

At Charlotte’s words, Scott nodded deeply and murmured in a gentle voice.

“Indeed… perhaps they’ve inherited their playful nature and subtle attentiveness even more strongly than Lord Conrad.”

“The tea parties and dinners hosted by that person brought joy to everyone…”

In Charlotte’s eyes at that moment, beautiful memories of the past were reflected.

“Even as a maidservant called to assist with preparations, I couldn’t help but feel so happy. Even the stern diplomats and foreign royalty became as innocent as children in their presence. Back then, the royal palace was like a festival every day, bright and full of smiles.”

“Indeed…”

“When the former queen, Lady Clarissa, was assassinated… and when Lord Conrad, who tried to carry on her will, was no longer with us… If only they were still here, the world would surely remain peaceful even now… Oh, what a loss it is to have lost such remarkable people.”

Charlotte’s hands trembled uncontrollably.

Scott placed his hand over hers.

“The lost cannot return. But their spirit remains, even now. Just as this cup has been revived.”

And he gently held her trembling hands and embraced her tenderly.

“I-I’m sorry, dear. How embarrassing of me, getting caught up in the past like that.”

“It’s all right, Charlotte.”

Then Scott began to prepare the tea with care. The fragrance of the tea leaves, the warmth, and the savory aroma wafting from the sandwiches gradually eased Charlotte’s heart.

“Come now, let’s eat before it gets cold.”

At Scott’s gentle smile, Charlotte wiped the corners of her eyes and nodded.