Chapter 16

Walking through the castle is always nerve-wracking, but today feels especially so.

In front of me is a heavy door.

The apprentice knights at the entrance look suspicious that I, a maid, am a formal visitor, but they have no choice but to announce me and my purpose to the person inside once I properly state my name and business.

"The Chancellor will see you. Please come in."

"Thank you."

Once inside, an elderly man bows politely.

He is the Chancellor's secretary, and of course, he knows who I am.

I curtsy, and he smiles warmly.

From behind him, a cold voice rings out.

"Good of you to come. Bianca has told me about it."

"…Not from the Prince, then?"

"Do you think that man can give a proper explanation?"

"I don't think he is as incompetent as you make him out to be."

"Well, he doesn't matter. I'll tell you what you want to know. Sit down. …By the way, do you have any gifts?"

The way he asks if I have any gifts shows that this man, the Chancellor, who is known for his brilliant mind, has a long-standing friendship with the Prince.

He is called "Chancellor" by everyone, but I know he doesn't like being addressed by his title, especially by friends and personal acquaintances, who he prefers to call by his name, Ernest Bellerk.

However, if you get too familiar, his approval rating drops below zero, making him a difficult character to deal with, like a challenging NPC in a game.

Of course, he's not a character to be "conquered," but he does have a protégé, a young assassin, who is another "conquest" target.

I wondered what kind of life it must be to have an assassin by your side, but I decided not to think too deeply about it.

"No, I asked Grill to prepare the necessary items for a freshly made treat."

"Hmm, Grill?"

"Right this way."

Actually, this elderly man, Grill, is not only the Chancellor's secretary but also a long-serving butler in the Trymer Duke's household.

His skilled and elegant manners are a great source of learning for me.

He is a super senior!

I had asked for sugar, milk, and eggs, the ingredients for the ice cream that Princess Primera enjoys.

Grill placed the beautifully crafted dish, filled with the ice cream he had just finished making with magic, in front of the Chancellor.

"Hmm… a cold dessert, hmm! This is… this is quite… the airiness makes it smooth, and the sweetness of the milk, eggs, and sugar is just right. It melts in your mouth, and you can enjoy the texture…"

You don't need to evaluate it so meticulously; this isn't a gourmet show.

But I was relieved that he liked it. After all, he's not so idle that he would do something for nothing, nor does he feel any particular friendship towards me!

If anything, it's his passion for desserts and his wife's request that motivates him.

I thought about dampening the man's enthusiasm, but instead, I looked at Grill, and we nodded in agreement.

"Your Grace, would you like to try this cold dessert with a little extra touch?"

"Hmm, this one?"

"Yes, I have prepared a strong cup of tea. Please pour it over the dessert and try it."

"Tea…!!"

The middle-aged man's eyes sparkled, which is fine to look at, I suppose.

Is it really okay to treat him like this, though? It feels like conditioning.

Of course, I wouldn't say such a thing out loud or show it in my attitude.

As a maid, I must always remain calm and do what my master desires. I'm sure Grill understands what the Chancellor wants, but all I could do was recite the Heart Sutra in my head.

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Well, he was very pleased with the tea affogato, and I promised to deliver the ice cream recipe, which involves magic and is quite complex, at a future tea party with his wife.

What I learned was that the Tarbott Trading Company was indeed behind the plot to frame my father.

The people behind them want to marry Princess Primera into the Shagran royal family to secure financial support from Kurlaum, as the Shagran royal family's finances are in decline.

It's a rather shoddy plan, and it's no wonder it's falling apart. It's like a cheap play.

The Tarbott Trading Company, apart from gaining trading rights in the Shagran Kingdom, only engaged in money-lending at gambling dens, so they can't be held legally accountable.

Well, that makes sense…

However, it is a fact that Viscount Fandeed visited the Grand Duchess frequently, and a plan was proposed to counter this. Apparently, there is no option to refuse.

This was a reality that made me want to scream and gape in shock.

"At Princess Primera's birthday party at the end of this month, I want you to make your debut in society, Lady Yulia, the daughter of Viscount Fandeed."

What a turn of events.

I have to make my debut in society, which I have been avoiding all this time?!

When I returned and told Princess Primera, who looked like she was about to die, she smiled like a blooming flower.

It seems she is delighted that I will be given the right to call her by her name in public.

But, Princess Primera, that's only when I stand before you as the daughter of a viscount, right?

As a maid, I can't call you by your name when I'm by your side.

I couldn't bring myself to say this to the delighted Princess Primera… and I thought that, being as intelligent as she is, she would eventually realize it and roll around in bed. All I could do was quietly lay down rugs around the bed in case she accidentally fell.