Chapter 48

Speaking of autumn.

In my past life, there was the autumn for reading, the autumn for sports, the autumn for art, and the autumn for appetite. Yeah, there are quite a few, right?!

But for us servants working in the royal castle, it is a very busy time.

Yes, it is the autumn of the garden party.

Even if I try to put on a cool act, the busyness doesn't decrease at all.

Meina, who has been serving in the princess's palace for less than a year, was initially tilting her head in confusion at her first garden party, but as the preparations gradually began, she must have imagined what was to come, and she turned pale. Hang in there. Really, hang in there.

The autumn garden party can be thought of as a super large-scale tea party hosted by the Empress.

The entire spacious courtyard of the royal castle is used as the venue for the tea party.

Those invited are couples of appropriate status, their children, diplomatic families from other countries, and wealthy merchants, among others. It seems to be a gesture to show that the royal family is open to the people, but I don't really understand it.

Anyway, we maids have to work regardless of which palace we belong to on that day.

In particular, the head maids of each palace, being acquainted with many nobles, must greet them with proper etiquette while giving instructions to the lower staff, all while remaining calm and graceful, to avoid showing the guests an unseemly sight of the servants bustling about.

Alright, I have to try really hard. If I don't, it will affect my bonus. It will definitely affect it.

On top of that, the head maid of the harem and I must arrange and prepare the new dresses and accessories for the ladies we serve. Lady Primera, who is making her debut in society again, will attend wearing a mask. The Crown Prince will also attend.

After all, this tea party is, of course, a social event, sometimes a diplomatic event, and for the noble children, it is also a place to find a fiancé. Of course, there are cases where parents decide to match their children with a certain young noble or lady.

So, the Crown Prince is surely the "ideal partner" that any unmarried young lady would desire, and the same goes for Lady Primera.

It hasn't been officially announced yet that she is with Sir Dean Dain, and if Lady Primera were to say that she likes a certain young noble, King might approve of it.

Well, that's unlikely.

For now, Sir Dean Dain is well-liked by Lady Primera, and from her wisdom, she seems to have a proper understanding of marriage as a royal who must lead the nobility. She laughed and said it was vague, but I can't help but worry if a 11-year-old girl is being too philosophical.

Well, if I can follow her even after she gets married, I will!

Before that, there's the garden party, the garden party.

Of course, knights and guards will be on security duty, and since only invited guests are allowed in, it's reassuring in that sense, but the fact that there's no absolute safety is unfortunately the truth.

All maids and maidservants are told that in the worst-case scenario, they must protect their mistress with their lives, but it's best if it doesn't come to that. Well, since it's not wartime, I believe the probability is low.

Hmm, what should I do?

The garden party is busy, but I can still take some time now.

The glass pen I want to give to Sir Dean Dain hasn't been completed yet, but if I wait too long to thank Lord Aldar Saul, I might miss the opportunity.

Lord Aldar Saul will surely be busy with garden party-related matters, and after it ends, he will be busy with post-event tasks. Yes, since my future will be like that, it must be the same for him... So, I should thank him first.

I'll send a letter right away, asking for a convenient day... and wearing that hair ornament.

If I give it to him saying it's because he usually helps me, I'm sure he will understand, being a considerate person.

I learned at the dance party that he has a bit of a mischievous side, but he is fundamentally a kind person who cares for his younger brother. I empathize with his complicated family situation, but when I think about it, he is a much more impressive person than me...

If it weren't for the matter with Sir Dean Dain, I wouldn't have met him. We might have passed each other somewhere.

Ah, but once the date is set, I need to hurry and make some sweets.

I might offer some to Lady Primera. Since I still have rose tea... Yes, I'll wait for Lord Aldar Saul's reply and make a few things.

Ah, right. How about a brandy cake for Lord Aldar Saul?

It gets better a few days later... If I use a little of the secret stash from the kitchen's wine rack, it will surely be delicious.

I'll make a castella for Lady Primera.

Since we have delicious honey! On the day of the garden party, the Empress's chef will make the food, so if I can make Lady Primera happy with a taste she's not used to, I'll work hard during my breaks!

Fortunately, Meina and the other maids have understood how to write documents efficiently by using the examples I made, so the paperwork is going smoothly, and I think the Princess's Palace is progressing preparations more calmly compared to other palaces.

Yeah, our team is excellent and a great help.

The men are elderly, so they are reliable in terms of wisdom and experience, but their physical strength and stamina are a bit scary... I don't want to push them too hard!!!

Ah, but the autumn garden party...

Every year, it's depressing.

The head maid of the Prince's Palace is somehow hostile towards me, the head maid of the Inner Palace is on bad terms with the head maid of the Outer Palace and always says bad things, the head maid of the Outer Palace only talks about making me her ally, and the head maid in charge is scary and strict. Everyone should try to be more cooperative...

I wish it would end soon... I know it's work, so I have to endure...?

If it were a tea party for Lady Primera and Sir Dean Dain, I would be excited from the preparation stage.

No, I am the head maid of the Princess's Palace.

As someone who serves Lady Primera, I must not be ashamed.

No matter what I think in my heart, as long as it doesn't show on my face, that's all that matters!! Hang in there, me!!

Oops, I shouldn't write a letter to Lord Aldar Saul while I'm in a bad mood.

What kind of stationery should I use today? Oh, I got some embossed stationery the other day.

I'll use that. This is one of the few places where I can be fashionable as a woman... Yes, considering my background...

That day, my debut in society was all about makeup magic... I think about that every morning when I look in the mirror.