Chapter 18

The maid was overly made up, not exactly in a refined way, and she looked like she could easily work as a waitress in a bar if she changed her clothes.

"You're not the usual maid, are you?"

"That's right! I'll do my best to brew a delicious tea!"

With a beaming smile, the maid's presence only increased the number of question marks in Twirid's head.

(The usual maid, Nina, wouldn't make a single sound when moving the cart.)

Every time Twirid came here, he was always impressed by the garden and the maid. Both were of world-class quality. Naturally, he thought the garden and the maid were the Earl's pride. However, watching the suspicious way the maid was brewing the tea, he became even more confused.

"Here you go~"

"…………"

The tea was offered with a sweet voice.

(Regardless of the appearance and the way she brews it, the taste might be good...)

Thinking this, he took a sip.

"Blah!?"

He couldn't help but spit it out.

"Cough, cough, cough, cough"

"Eh, eh, eh, eh~?"

"Y-You, what is this tea!?"

"Well, I prepared the tea that Twirid-sama likes..."

"The tea leaves are ruined!?"

The tea Twirid liked was a special kind, and managing the temperature and humidity was very difficult. Every day, the tea leaves had to be checked, and moved up or down on the shelf to maintain their quality. Of course, Nina had written this down in her notes, but the tea leaves that had been left alone were giving off a pungent, unpleasant smell.

"Eh, eh, eh, eh~?"

The maid didn't understand why she was being scolded. She had gone through a very harsh competition among the maids to serve here (in the end, the head maid decided by drawing lots). She had even brewed the tea that the elf liked. So, she thought she had done nothing wrong.

"Oh, I see."

The maid understood.

This person wanted an excuse to say, "The tea is bad."

To such an extent,

"Twirid-sama... If it's Twirid-sama, I'm always ready to accept any invitation..."

She understood—or rather, misunderstood—that he was seeking her.

"!?"

Twirid was taken aback when the maid suddenly lifted her skirt. How did her statement lead to "lifting the skirt"? Even Twirid, known as the "bridge between elves and humans," the "peak of continental mages," and one of the "Five Sages," couldn't understand.

"I'm uncomfortable!!"

He stood up and left the room, leaving the maid standing there in shock. The butler came out to see what was happening and led him to Earl Markwood.

"What happened...!?"

Earl Markwood, who was in his study, was flustered.

"Earl—"

Then, Twirid, like water pouring down a board or a machine gun, began to speak. He started by explaining how much he enjoyed his stay here, the harmony of the garden, the relaxing tea, and the wonderful hospitality. Earl Markwood, relieved to be receiving praise, was smiling. However, when Twirid mentioned the bad tea and the maid's advances, his face turned pale.

"I'm so sorry! I'll fire that maid immediately..."

"No, that's not necessary."

"But..."

"What I was hoping for today was 'peace' here. Please call Nina immediately. Drinking the tea she brews will calm my ruffled feelings."

Twirid managed to regain his composure because losing the "peace" at the Markwood estate would be a significant loss. There were few places where he could find such peace, and that was the only reason he stayed here.

"Nina?"

But when the Earl tilted his head, a dark cloud formed in Twirid's heart.

"Butler! Bring me the maid named Nina immediately!"

The Earl shouted, and the butler, sweating profusely, said:

"Sir, didn't you fire and exile Nina?"

"Huh!? Ah... Could it be, that maid!?"

Even the Earl realized it. The maid who had broken the pot and couldn't fix his daughter's dress.

"Wait a moment. I just heard something I can't ignore."

Twirid's freezing voice made the Earl break out in a cold sweat.

"I demand a detailed explanation."

In the end, Twirid declared that he would not visit the Markwood estate until Nina returned and left that day. Hearing this, the other nobles were overjoyed and laughed, saying, "The Markwood estate is finished."

"Bring her back immediately!"

With the Earl's roar, the bounty on Nina's head jumped to "10 million gold."