Chapter 26

First Half / Third Person Perspective

Second Half / Usual Protagonist Perspective

I hope you can feel the gap between the protagonist and her surroundings.

The royal palace is divided into various sections: the outer palace, inner palace, harem, detached palace, princess palace, and prince palace, each with numerous assigned servants. Among them, a young girl, still just an apprentice, was struggling to clean the outer palace when another girl, who had also just become an apprentice, nudged her with her elbow to get her attention.

"What's wrong?"

"Look, that! That one over there! The one with the bobbed hair and glasses. That's the famous 'Ironclad Maid' Yulia von Vandeed, the head maid of the princess."

"Really, the one they talk about?!"

The girls were daughters of lower nobility. They had come to learn etiquette alongside the children of upper nobility, but under the unspoken rule that lower-born individuals handled the menial tasks, they were diligently cleaning. For them, the rumors about the "Ironclad Maid" had been circulating even before they became apprentices.

It was said:

- Despite her low birth as a viscount's daughter, she was talented and favored by the dowager queen, becoming the head maid of the princess.

- She showed respect only to the princess she served, even refusing the prince's summons.

- She was a talented woman who could handle any difficult task and was highly trusted by the prime minister.

- The king himself praised her work despite her being just a maid.

And so on.

On this day, she was walking with the head of the famous Rizel Trading Company, maintaining a calm demeanor as if it were perfectly natural to be leading one of the world's most prominent merchants. Even nobles of high rank would often try to flatter the head of the Rizel Trading Company with smiles and hand wringing, such was the company's influence and the king's favor. Yet, she walked with a perfectly straight posture, her steps silent and her movements graceful, as if it were her duty to guide him. Occasionally, the head of the Rizel Trading Company seemed to be speaking to her, but the conversation was inaudible. However, the man's soft smile suggested that they were likely having a casual conversation, not discussing business or complex matters. The maid, however, remained expressionless, and the apprentices couldn't help but admire her stern and resolute demeanor.

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I am currently flustered.

So flustered that I want to recall the value of pi.

Why, you ask?

Because the head of the Rizel Trading Company, the most shrewd and elusive fox in the country, has come to visit me!!!

Well, to be honest, I did receive information the other day. I was told that the Talbot Trading Company had paid off my debts and that we would discuss the repayment plan later. Yes, I did say that. The dowager queen's recommendation for an interest-free loan was incredibly generous, and I am very grateful. I understand that once this matter is settled, most of the debt will be manageable, but until then, I plan to repay it diligently. I have already discussed this with my family, and I am in charge of the repayment.

But why has he come here?

Did he find my repayment plan too lenient? Did he come to criticize it because it was inadequate?

"Ah, what a fine day today, isn't it?"

"Yes, indeed. A completely overcast sky with no sign of blue."

"Ha ha, the sun can be too bright for me. I suppose age catches up with everyone."

"Not at all. You are still young. Your son says you travel energetically to other countries..."

"Oh, no, I haven't found anyone capable enough to run the store yet. It's quite embarrassing."

"Please, don't be modest. I've heard that the Rizel Trading Company is known even in foreign lands."

This is the most surprising thing about my job—being able to respond smoothly without much thought! Yes, even when my mind is preoccupied, I can still give appropriate responses. Sometimes the maids in the princess's palace compliment me, but I'm often thinking about other things, like what to have for a snack today or that I forgot to marinate the fish I bought yesterday. Right now, I don't really want to be walking with the most prominent merchant in the country, but since the head insisted on me being the guide, I can't refuse. I'm wondering why he came to see me. I should have gone to see him, or at least been summoned! This is making my stomach hurt!

I can only face forward and try to hold back the urge to cry and prostrate myself. I wish someone would notice and help me... but I can't involve anyone in matters related to my debt repayment...

What a day. I just wanted to do my usual maid duties, greet Princess Primera, style her hair, watch the crown prince study, and then continue the post-party cleanup. I had planned to visit the Rizel Trading Company and the Jenda Trading Company in the afternoon, but why did he come here? It takes me a while to build up my resolve, and if I'm pressured too quickly, my heart might just break. I hope he can be a bit more considerate.

...Sigh.

I miss my peaceful days...

"By the way, Yulia, I heard from my son that you are skilled at making pastries!"

"...I am not very good, but if you would like, you can try them..."

I miss my peaceful days!!!