VICTORIA OF MANY FACES
EPISODE 2: NO ONE SHOULD FEEL SORRY FOR ME
You've come home.
Brother!
Indeed, I'm here to check up on Mother.
By the way, Jeffrey...
I heard you went out all spiffed up.
A date with a lady, am I right?
Is that the only thing you came over here to ask me?
Don't be so cold.
I'm just happy for you.
You, out with a lady?
How long has it been?
Brother, I've asked you
to please stop treating me like a poor victim, haven't I?
Okay, fine. I won't bring it up anymore.
Well, did you have fun?
Yes, I did.
I had a nice dinner with a foreign lady who's just arrived in our country
and the six-year-old girl she's taken into her care.
You have an heir of your own, who is all you need to worry about.
You needn't fuss over me so.
Now then, I'll see you at Uncle's birthday party.
Speaking of which, he has a talented new assistant.
Eva was raving about her.
Apparently she's multilingual and a great housekeeper.
Is that so?
Uncle is proud and hard to please, so she must truly be exceptional.
Oh, I'm so glad you made it, Edward and Jeffrey.
Hello, Uncle. You're looking chipper.
It's good to see you.
Uncle is certainly acting rather cheery.
And the house looks neat and clean, just like when his wife was still alive.
It's all thanks to the new assistant.
Excuse me.
Your meal is ready.
Oh, thank you.
I know! Since we're all here, why don't you join us?
We have you to thank entirely for getting Uncle back to a decent standard of living!
Pretty please?
Oh, I couldn't...
Miss Sellars!
Why, if it isn't the captain.
It's been a while.
2 WEEKS AGO
I'm sorry to make you come all the way out here.
I wanted to thank you for catching that thief the other day.
It was nothing. Much obliged for the kind gesture.
Her movements are elegant and beautiful.
She said she was from Randall, but I wonder if she comes from wealth.
Now then, what are your plans from here on?
Surely you don't intend to live in that hotel.
Now that I have a job, I'll be renting an apartment.
I see.
If you're going to rent somewhere, why not live here?
Huh?
There's a one-story annex.
With a kitchen and a bath, even.
Consider it a thank-you for catching that thief. Besides...
As an Ashburian, I'd like to express my gratitude
for your taking this child in and looking after her.
Might I draw up the contract?
But of course.
THE NEXT DAY
This is most thorough.
Quite the bulletproof contract.
I'm rather pleased with you.
Half the price? But that's too...
Think nothing of it.
I'm delighted to get to know you.
By the way, do you work nearby?
I've been hired as an assistant and maid for Master Bernard, a historian.
My, that gentleman?
Oh no!
My late husband bought me that hat.
It holds so many memories for me, but...
I guess it was time to part ways.
I used to be a tomboy.
Is there anything you can't do? You're such a mystery.
I'm glad you found such nice tenants for the annex.
Indeed.
Milady, do you think once she gets used to us,
Nonna can sleep over in my room sometimes?
That way, Miss Victoria will be free to go out at night.
Do as you wish.
She's cultured and sophisticated.
No wonder she can work for that difficult scholar.
Master Bernard, I've finished translating the document you gave me yesterday.
Huh?
Just overnight?
Yes. If you'd be so kind as to check it and confirm there are no errors...
I'll clean the house in the meantime.
This is flawless.
She genuinely understood the material.
Erm, what might your favorite food be?
My favorite food?
Vicky's... It's Vicky's...
roasted lamb!
Oh.
I'm also partial to a lamb roast.
If you don't have any plans tonight, could you cook one for me?
You two are welcome to join me.
Oh, that's wonderful.
I'd be happy to cook.
Well, then... I'll pay you for the ingredients and overtime.
Please.
This is a great opportunity for Nonna to get to dine with someone besides me.
I couldn't accept additional payment.
Well, still...
I couldn't possibly.
But...
I insist.
However...
I appreciate the thought.
You're a stubborn one, aren't you?
I get that a lot.
Why, that is tasty.
Yeah! It's tasty!
Nonna, you shouldn't talk with food in your mouth.
Okay!
Initially, I thought someone with a child was out of the question.
But I don't mind well-mannered children.
I haven't had a pleasant meal like that since you passed.
What? Triple my current pay?
I must say, I think that's too much.
Not at all! I hear you speak four languages fluently,
and you're good at cooking and cleaning to boot.
Not to mention...
You transformed my uncle's haunted study into a scholarly office!
That's going too far, Eva.
Hardly. She does the work of three people, easily.
And now you have someone to talk to, Uncle.
Quadrupling her pay wouldn't be enough!
So it's settled!
I'd love to hire someone like you myself.
I know! Miss Victoria, may I ask you a favor?
What would that be?
We're having my uncle's 65th birthday party here with a few relatives.
We'll compensate you, so could I ask you to handle the preparations for it?
It doesn't have to be fancy.
Of course. I'd be happy to handle it.
So that's the story...
Yes. I was just thinking that I needed to send you a report, Captain.
Victoria, this is different from what we had the other day.
So, how do you know her?
Yes, I used nuts.
W-Well...
It's quite delicious.
What?! You tripped the thief while carrying her on your back?
That's rather fearless...
Looking back, I know it was reckless.
But it led me to renting an annex from the purse snatcher's victim,
and for a real bargain in the eastern quarter, no less.
So that's how you got to know Jeff.
I see. You must be the lady he went to have a nice dinner with.
Pardon?
B-Brother!
You said the eastern quarter. Where exactly, pray tell?
The residence of Lady Yolana Haynes.
The wife of the late Count Haynes, eh?
That's something.
She can be a tough one, no?
Oh, no, she's a kind, wonderful landlady.
Right, Nonna?
Yeah. Lady Yolana is kind.
Is that so?
Seeing how you've tamed my uncle, perhaps it's not so unbelievable.
How rude.
Master Bernard is kind too.
My!
Master Bernard had quite a bit to drink.
He must have really enjoyed himself.
It's all thanks to you. I'm so grateful.
Well, we should be on our way.
I'll head home after I chat with Miss Sellars a bit.
I see... Then we'll be off without you.
What did you wish to discuss?
R-Right...
I so enjoyed having dinner with the three of us,
I was hoping we could do it again.
Oh, this is...
Back when I was an agent,
I staged romance of sorts to gain information, but...
Would that be a bother?
No, I would never say that.
But a woman like me has no business cozying up to nobility.
I'm just a second son.
As I'm not the heir to the family,
there's really no need to be concerned about class.
Is that so?
Right now, my top priority is raising Nonna.
I understand.
Then how about the three of us go on a picnic?
Huh?
What's a picnic?
Gracious, now you've got Nonna all excited about it...
I see how it is.
Very well. Let's pack lunch and go on a picnic.
Picnic! Picnic!
Don't go too far away!
Okay!
I've pretended to have picnics alone or for work,
but I've never brought a child with me.
Now that I think about it, I never picnicked as a child either.
Nonna, great job!
You hit with every single one of them!
Vicky's even better at it.
Huh?
Is that so?
Victoria, I'd love to see.
From who, me?
What do I do?
Should I suck at it?
Only if you'll demonstrate first, Captain.
Sure thing.
Wow! Right in the same spot!
Now it's your turn.
Aw, too bad!
Actually, I'm impressed with both of you.
I used to be a tomboy.
Tomboy!
Hey, and now you're climbing a tree?
Hold tight and don't fall.
Vicky is even better at this!
What?
I was a tomboy, growing up in the countryside and all...
B-But I'm not climbing that.
I'm wearing a skirt.
I know that.
That doesn't look safe.
Did you really teach her this as well?
I'm teaching her the things I know.
Besides, if she avoids every danger there is,
she'll turn into a woman who only exists to be protected.
Not to sound arrogant.
Oh, hardly.
I've just never met a woman who says such things. I was surprised, that's all.
Mm! Our dinner the other day was great, but this sandwich is excellent too!
Thank you most kindly.
Were you a cook?
Or were you a scholar?
I have worked as a cook before.
And languages are really my hobby.
Wow, that's incredible.
Nobles are expected to master languages in childhood, no?
Well, that's true.
But you're a commoner, aren't you?
Yes, I was born into a poor family.
I had to do anything and everything.
I see...
That was my job, after all.
This is fun, isn't it?
Yeah!
I see she's totally warmed up to you.
Yes. I'm absolutely smitten.
I never knew how precious children could be.
Aren't you glad he brought us on a picnic?
Are you happy too, Vicky?
Yes, very much so.
This is such fun!
I wanted us to have a nice time, just the three of us.
But I didn't think this through.
If you're tired, I can be the coachman.
Oh, I just meant that with a driver, I could talk to you two on the way...
So you can drive a coach too?
Some would call me a master of none.
That hardly describes you.
If this were a job, that was where I'd smile happily.
What kind of face did I make?
That gesture could make my skin crawl depending on the actor,
but it certainly wasn't unpleasant.
I've had my share of assignments,
but I've never truly been in love before, nor have I gone on a real picnic.
There must be so much I'm still missing out on.
But there's no need to rush.
It'll be fun to fill in the blanks.
And it'll be good to have new faces I can use at my disposal.
A ball hosted by the royal family?!
Yes, that's right.
I couldn't possibly attend!
I'll furnish your dress and jewelry.
You only need to stand at my side and look cozy with me.
You want me to go so I can repel other women?
There's that too...
I just want my boss to give up trying to play matchmaker for me.
I think you'd play an excellent noblewoman.
I see.
I think I'll have to decline.
Would you please go?
You have to deal with my difficult uncle day after day.
I feel terrible to think you spend all your time
working with an old man and a child.
Oh, but I...
I can watch Nonna, so don't worry about a thing!
It's to help poor Jeffery.
Nonna, you can do without Victoria if it's only for a night, right?
I can.
Vicky, you should go with the captain.
Really...?
Then we'll start etiquette lessons tomorrow!
Trouble falling asleep?
I know you don't want to stay behind.
I can do it...
Listen, Nonna. You don't—
I can!
I didn't like hearing that someone feels sorry for you.
Nonna...
Living with you brings me joy.
No one should feel sorry for me.
Lady Eva didn't mean it like that.
So don't you worry.
Vicky...
Are you going to dress up?
I am.
And wear jewelry?
Quite possibly.
Yes? What is it?
I want to see you turn into a princess...
I know. Good night.
A gift to celebrate your first job.
We didn't find her body.
It's possible that she fell reaching for her hat blown away by the wind.
Some say she was so distraught that she'd grown thin.
I'd take either theory...
Chloe, are you still alive somewhere?