Quick Transmigration of the World Destroyer

Chapter 7: The Transmigrator and Aileen (7)

"How about that gum-powder you talked about before, Young Miss?" Ye Ai asked Althea, who's having another unreasonable attack at the moment. She was also just prodding whether the girl has any development on that one.

"GUN not gum-powder! What would you know anyway? You don't even know how to read and write!"

Althea had more of these outbursts lately. She's under a lot of strain because the Grand Duke had been bugging her on her 'progress'. She has laid to her great father her plans and blueprints and received a very proud and supportive response. But it's been months and she's yet to show any results!

In addition, she felt vexed every time she saw the protagonist of this world, Aileen. She could say that the girl was really an innocent and a very backwater character but she can't erase the feeling that this shouldn't be like this, that she's way too... odd. She thought she'd be the typical protagonist, a fighter with good heart or maybe a duty-bound hero or just at least has some self-preservation. But she wasn't any! At first, she wanted the protagonist gone the very first time she met her since she's not yet ready to face her protagonist halo but her stupid compassion just started working that time when the matron tried to speak up for the girl. Ever since then, she's been watching her very closely to know her stuff since she remembered that there were protagonists too who were black hearted but acted like a pure white lotus. It was also the main reason why she asked the matron to exchange her from Horam, her long time maid, to watch her closely. And yet, she hasn't seen the protagonist slipped up. She's either really good in acting or she's a genuine soul.

"I'm sorry, Young Miss. I won't ask," Ye Ai bowed her head again and again while her eyes were glinting surreptitiously.

"I-I didn't—" Althea stammered. She always felt that she's a bully every time she shouted this girl. Lately she knew she's been too harsh with her; shouted at her, demanding her of the impossible, even flinging off her things. But in response, the girl would only apologize while trying not to cry. Sometimes she would run to the garden to air her grievances but that's all. She hasn't heard a word of protest from her.

But she just can't help it! Her mood was on a rollercoaster. She felt such a disgrace; she's from the future, the modern times! And yet she hasn't done anything right. She's probably sent here not only to help this similarly named Althea to sort her grievances but also to bring this kingdom to heights of success. This kind of medieval backwater country would never be suitable to her. In all actuality, she's also missing her original city where it was always well-lit, always alive even in the darkest of dawn, and had places of everyone's imagination. But she has no idea how to get back there. She hasn't even figured out yet how she got here in the first place!

"Do you want your l-lemom ju-uuse to sooth your throat?" Ye Ai asked, conveniently forgetting her previous statement of no longer asking.

"It's lemon. L-E-M-O-N, juice... jooos. Forget it, you won't understand," she heaved a great sigh since she knew her lessons about spelling and whatever would never sink the shallow mind of this girl. She had seen her try before and was half exasperated and half sympathetic. This protagonist has no self-indulgence; she would rather work than learning any subjects or talents like calligraphy or music. Again and again she'd answer that she'd never earn money with those.

"Sorry..."

"Just go, get me my lemon juice. Remember, follow how I taught it to you," she said as her frustration seemed to build up again. 

Regarding this lemon juice, she was highly affronted that there's no juice in this era and kingdom. What kind of place doesn't have sweetened drinks? People here drowned in tea leaves! And all kinds of herbs and grasses! There's not even coffee! So, she had her servants look for coffee beans or Coffea Plants but since it wasn't heard before, everyone was unsure where to start. Fortunately, there were similar looking fruits in this country and her own world, that's why she was able to create various sweetened juices. And yes, her favorite was the Lemon juice.

Lemon wasn't considered edible in this kingdom and it wasn't actually called 'lemon'. This fruit has greenish color, half the size of the original lemon and three times more sour bordering bitterness. Luckily, she also discovered a stevia like plant which was five times sweeter than that from her original world. It highly attracted insects and animals due to the sweet scent. She had these two transplanted to their vast garden and then used them to make a new variety of drinks, the Lemon Juice. It was such a fad with the noblemen and ladies especially when she mentioned it should help digestion and keeping a wonderful body.

"Yes, Young Miss," and Ye Ai quickly scampered away but deliberately worked slowly and clumsily. She delivered the juice a bit longer and yet much quicker than before. Althea can't help sighing again and again. She has no heart to tell the girl off. The girl maybe a bit stupid but she recognized her efforts and knew she was doing all these for her family especially her sickly brother. Althea saw herself not some cruel antagonistic woman to kick someone who's already down; she only has great ambitions and, of course, has high regards with herself for being a modern woman, fair and gracious.

For the nth time, she just sighed while watching the protagonist of this world. She's still thankful she transmigrated into this body instead of hers. She couldn't make much of a change if she transmigrated into a poor family.

Time passed and passed, Aileen has been working for a few months now in the Grand Duke's household. She has learned many secret plans of the Grand Duke and can't help lighting a candle to this man in her mind. She can't believe that he's actually supporting his daughter's bid for revolution against the Royal Family. When Althea explained to him the whole plan and about her future inventions, he started becoming more devious. Of course, to become a Grand Duke one has to be sly and clever; but Grand Duke didn't have thoughts of tipping over the power of the Crown before. Everything started by the new Althea and her inventions. Ever since then, he's become more enthusiastic with their plans, constantly reminding his daughter that becoming a free country will make everyone happier and live better. Althea, in return, worked more passionately. But Ye Ai best knew how deceitful a human's heart could be that even family can be the sacrifice to reach the goals. She clearly saw all of them—ambitiousness, greed, cruelty—in the Grand Duke's eyes.