Chapter 17

However, the end of this month is too soon. Too soon!

Honestly, considering the financial situation of the Fandeed Viscount family, it’s far too late to start preparing a new dress and accessories!

On the other hand, I don’t know what will happen if I refuse the proposal from the Prime Minister, who is known for his sharp mind.

Moreover, he didn’t explain why I need to make my debut in society or what the benefits are. He just said, “The best person to explain it to you will do it,” and then he kicked me out because he had another meeting.

Furthermore, he said that the person who will explain it to me is also the one who’s trying to meddle with the finances of the Shagran royal family and Princess Primera’s marriage. He also told me to wait for the explanation. And, oh, Father is apparently doing well, but they said he’s resting in a certain place because bringing him back to the viscount family now would break his heart.

Well, I was relieved to know that Father is safe.

In the end, I had no choice but to return to my office and bedroom, still confused.

When I got back, I had work to do, so I had to finish it. I summarized today’s events in my work diary, and while doing so, I noted that the price of silk has risen again, that the Rizil Guild has released new products, and that with the new accessories from the problematic Kingdom of Shagran, imports will become more active. Before I knew it, it was late at night.

As the head maid, I don’t have to stay up all night, but I mustn’t show any anxiety on my face to avoid worrying Princess Primera!

“...? Come in.”

Who could it be at this hour?

Well, it’s probably Maina. She’s a merchant’s daughter who’s here to learn etiquette, but she’s still a bit scared of sleeping in the palace, so she sometimes comes to me for a little comfort. She’s so cute!!!!

Of course, I treat her as the head maid, so I don’t just show a sweet face. I listen to her a little and offer her honey hot milk or cocoa. My recommendation is soy milk cocoa.

It’s important to give her a little attention. She works hard every day, away from her parents, so being too strict would be hard on her!

But when the door opened, no one came in.

I definitely heard a knock, but... could there be someone playing a prank inside the castle?

Surely not His Royal Highness the Prince, no matter how he is, he wouldn’t play such a prank by slightly opening a woman’s door at this hour.

“It’s not Christopher. What are you doing here at this hour!”

Looking into the corridor, I saw a boy standing there, unsure whether to come in after opening the door.

I only know that this boy is named Christopher, that he’s from the Duke’s territory, and that he’s a distant relative of Mr. Grill. I gave him a cookie I baked before, and he seemed to like it... that’s the extent of our relationship.

He’s a very expressionless child, with pale skin, gray hair, and amber eyes, giving him an almost albino appearance. He’s also very thin and frail, making him look very delicate.

He’s about the same age as Princess Primera, still short, and seems to be uncomfortable with adults, rarely speaking.

I had seen him a few times with the Duke, but he never made eye contact, so when I gave him a cookie, I felt like I had tamed a stray cat.

“...Duke”

“Huh? Oh, did you bring a letter?”

“No”

“Um... come in, then. Aren’t you sleepy at this hour? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine”

His eyes, like marbles, looked up at me, and he thrust an envelope at me.

I let him in and offered him two cups of soy milk cocoa and some apple chips.

I didn’t expect Christopher to come, so I had no snacks!

But giving him snacks at this hour isn’t good for his education. I think it’s a problem that he’s here as the Duke’s messenger...

“Hmm”

“Does this require a reply?”

“No”

“I see. I’m sorry, but that’s all I have. Otherwise... maybe some bread for breakfast? Do you need to get back quickly?”

“I want to stay a bit longer with Lady Yuria”

“Okay? Let me know if you want more.”

“Okay”

I felt the expressionless boy soften a bit.

I resisted the urge to pet him and took the letter from Christopher.

The envelope was plain white, with no address, sender, or seal.

Perhaps it’s because Christopher can be trusted to deliver it reliably.

...I was surprised when I opened it. I’d like to be praised for not making a sound.

The letter was from the Queen Mother! She’s Princess Primera’s grandmother and the mother of the current king.

She currently resides in a detached palace to the west of the castle, but... she’s been on bad terms with the current king since they had a disagreement over the queen consort.

It started because the king was favoring his concubines, and after Princess Primera was born, the Queen Mother warned him about his favoritism. She’s a very sensible person.

She occasionally visits Princess Primera and offers kind words to us maids. She’s a beautiful and dignified lady.

To be honest, the royal family tends to produce good kings who have a bit of a favoritism tendency. The current king is highly regarded by the people and in other places!

So, the queens who marry into the family have a hard time. That’s why the queen consort was educated to be strict with herself. I couldn’t help but agree with her heartfelt words. That’s why the Queen Mother became an ally of the queen consort...

The Queen Mother is offering to back my debut in society, so I shouldn’t worry!

Apparently, the dress will be made by her personal seamstress... and the accessories as well.

I hope I won’t be charged an astronomical amount later...

And my debut will be escorted by my younger brother.

By doing this, they plan to create a touching story about a half-sibling relationship to improve our family’s reputation and ensure a smooth transition of my father’s retirement and my brother’s succession...

A touching story, you say?

It’s like this:

The half-sibling brother, who is only half-blood related, wants to be recognized as the heir, so his older sister, who wanted to make her debut in society first, decided to step back and stay quiet until he gets married.

The father, understanding that this would be for his daughter’s benefit, helped her with her unfamiliar independent life by taking out loans.

However, when the stepmother and brother learned of this, they disapproved and encouraged the sister to make a grand debut in society. The father, moved by the family’s love and feeling inadequate, consulted with the Grand Duchess and decided to retire, leaving the viscount title to his son... that’s the scenario!

What is this?!

What is this?! (I can’t help but say it twice!)

Isn’t this scenario a bit too far-fetched?! And I’m not exactly a debutante at my age, and it’s already unusual, so making it “grand” is even more...

Wait, this seems a bit too difficult for me.

Anyway, the letter specified a time for me to visit the detached palace tomorrow, and it was tied with a note to burn it.

“...Christopher”

“You can’t run away”

The expressionless boy shook his head slightly from side to side and looked at me with a bit of pity in his eyes.

I... I’m not going to cry or anything!!!