Chapter 30

When I returned with Primera-sama’s tea and tea cakes, she was in the middle of reading.

Ah, a beautiful girl reading in an elegant dress in the dim sunshine streaming through the curtains, it’s really picturesque…!

On her chest is an orange coral necklace in the shape of a rose, a gift from Dean Dayne. And on the round table, she used for reading is an orange rose given to me by the head of the Jenda Trading Company.

Surrounded by roses and the flowers in the house! Primera-sama! She’s my pride and joy!

I don’t think I would say this to you as the first maid-in-waiting, so keeping it to myself.

Of course, even if I wasn’t the first handmaiden, I wouldn’t be someone who bragged about the princess for a long time, don’t worry. It’s in my brain. It’s just me venting in my brain. It’s just my brain that’s letting off steam.

“Why don’t you take a break, Primera-sama?”

“Ara, is it that time already?”

“Hai, is this new release that interesting?”

“Yes! Dean Dayne wrote ‘I’m going to be reading this new one a little late but I can’t wait for you to read it. I hope we can talk a lot about this book at our next tea party. I’m sure it will be of interest to you, Dean Dayne’!”

“Well, I seem to remember that Dean Dayne-sama went to the villa to be trained in person by his father, Count Baum, or something.”

“Oh, that’s right… I hope he is not hurt.”

“It’s true.”

Apparently, his father’s hot-blooded spirit has been ignited by his son who is more motivated than ever in his studies and chivalry, and he’s going to a summer resort in the territory where he can wield his sword to his heart’s content, a kind of strengthening camp. Arder Saul told me that Dean Dayne-sama is not happy with his tutor’s absence, which was done according to Count Baum’s wishes, during that time.

However, even Count Baum would not train his son to be so injured, since he is probably cute. ……..you wouldn’t, would you? You don’t have a wise family or anything, do you? I’ve met Count Baum before, but I’m not close to him, so I can only tell what I’ve heard about his personality.

“Speaking of which, father suggested that I go to a summer resort this year. The Marquis de Nashanda’s rose garden is the one recommended for me.”

“The Marquis of Nashanda’s estate? It’s certainly a scenic area, and as His Majesty says, it’s a good place for a summer retreat. Especially the Marquis of Nashanda.”

“Yes, he’s a step-grandfather to me. We didn’t talk much, but … do you have any advice Julia?”

“Hai, on several occasions you have been so kind and laborious.”

Yes, her grandfather-in-law. Luis Ares, Marquis of Nashanda, is the father-in-law of Primera-sama’s mother.

Or rather, it was difficult for her mother, the daughter of the Jenda Trading Company, to remain in the king’s entourage as a commoner. It’s a common story that she was adopted by a nobleman and joined the royal court.

But here is a story that I had never heard before. The Marquis is very close to the head of Jenda’s merchant association, although I only recently learned that Jenda’s company was in the financial business…..In other words, there was a rumor that they lent and borrowed money, and it was through this connection that he adopted a member of his friend’s family.

Well, according to the head of the Jenda Trading Company, they’re just partners with a common interest in breeding roses. Yes, there aren’t many people who love roses so much that they are called the Marquis’ rose fanatic. You don’t have to be too close to them to know the story, since it’s so well known.

Oh, could this orange rose be the one that the Marquis grew after consulting with me? It’s a bit different in shape and color from the ones we see at the flower shop. The Marquis once complained to me that roses were easily damaged by insects that eat the buds or something like that.

The invitation to the summer resort must be a form of kindness in His Majesty’s way to keep his daughter away from the exchange with the neighboring country, starting with my father the other day, which is a bit fishy. As expected, I have neither interest nor wisdom as far as politics is concerned, but I know that Her Royal Highness’s behavior was not good. And considering the position of the Grand Duchess, something political will be done in relation to the neighboring countries.

“Oh yes, brother is going with us too! This is going to be fun!”

“…His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Yes, of course, you’ll have to come with me, too, Julia.”

“It is, yes. Naturally, I’m a little surprised that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would be with you at the summer resort.”

“Yes, that’s right. Father kind of said that siblings should be close to each other. He talked about his own siblings and how they supported each other. Uncle Albert also smiled and didn’t say anything. I’m a good friend of my brother, if I say so myself, and I’m not sure if we could get along any better. At the summer resort, they don’t send tutors, but we can study at the Marquis’s place. I heard that you’re welcome to join us too. You can also join us for a long ride, and I’d like to take Shayna with me as well.”

“The training of Shayna has been completed, if that’s alright with you, but just to be sure, I will ask the Marquis’ for permission. It’s a very good idea to have a horse and dragon accompany you if you plan to ride a long distance. I’ll discuss this matter with my escorting knight as well.”

“Take care of me! Will Julia come with me on the long ride?”

“Yes, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Of course, ah, going to a summer resort means we’ll be traveling! If I think about it, this is the first time I’ve ever gone far away from my father’s office, other than to accompany him on his official duties. Hmmm, I’m really looking forward to it!”

Priceless, frolicking Primera-sama.

Kuu…I’m proud of my ability to take care of Primera-sama’s maidservants, but I can’t escort them! It’s said that when the time comes, you should put yourself in harm’s way to protect others, but a situation where a maid becomes a meat shield is pretty dire. The most important thing is to prevent that from happening…But I haven’t taken any self-defense classes lately.

In the meantime, I’ll have to contact the Marquis and pick up Primera-sama’s belongings for the summer resort. A new summer dress should be tailored for her since she’s grown taller by now, and I should also get a hat for her. Also, if you’re planning to ride a dragon, we should get you a new saddle and some riding clothes.

I’d really like to provide you with sunscreen, but we don’t have any BB cream in this world. Fortunately, Primera-sama’s skin is very beautiful and she doesn’t need foundation!

For now, I’ve mixed a lotion-like product with a loofah and rose oil and it’s pretty good, but I don’t know if I can recommend this to people, so I only use it myself. Cosmetics are super luxury stuff in this world!

Lipstick is made from colors extracted from certain red flowers, and white powder is made from rice flour or from the seeds of Ochirobana, and so on. I didn’t really understand, but it’s a product for the wealthy because it’s a little out of reach for the general public. I’ve been consulting with the wife of the president of the Rizil Trading Company to see if the lotion made from loofah and rose oil is safe, and she recommended a better oil, but the price is…

Haha, that’s not the point.

Traveling with Primera-sama! Traveling! I’m looking forward to it.

I’ll have to design a new summer dress for you!