Chapter 55

I was utterly exhausted after Miss Scarlett made her appearance.

After that, it was very difficult to silence her, who came complaining loudly. Her appearance as a palace maid, shouting, stood out in a very bad way. Well, not everyone in town knew she was a palace maid, so it might have been mistaken for a lovers' quarrel. That would have been a problem in itself!

Fortunately, it seemed she wasn't alone. An older maid, who appeared in a flustered state, immediately grabbed Miss Scarlett's head and bowed to us without even listening to the situation. Her movements were so fluid and graceful, it seemed she was well-practiced.

I knew this maid, so I asked her to convey that I wanted to speak with the head maid of the inner palace later. In any case, Miss Scarlett was taken away.

By the way, if she wasn't alone, did she wander off on her own? What would happen to her if she got fired? As a viscount's daughter, the world is harsh in such matters. She probably doesn't understand that... But if she works in the royal palace, she won't be fired easily; instead, she might be demoted and rigorously trained.

"I am very sorry, Lord Aldar Saul."

"Lord Yuria, there's nothing for you to apologize for."

"But as a fellow palace maid—"

"You're used to it."

"What? Does she come to Lord Aldar Saul's place often?!"

"No, not like that—"

Lord Aldar Saul smiled a bit nervously at my sudden change in expression.

Then, he gestured for me to walk with him.

It was a bit embarrassing to place my hand on the arm he offered, as if nothing had happened, but there was no choice. If I thought of it as part of my training as a lady, it would be easier to bear. Otherwise, I might die of embarrassment. Well, I wouldn't really die, but...

This wasn't a situation to joke about.

No matter what, Miss Scarlett's attitude was unacceptable, and it wasn't Lord Aldar Saul's fault to be angry.

"Did you know that I wasn't the child my father wanted?"

"Um... yes, I've heard rumors..."

"Don't hold back. It's because of the people who were dissatisfied with my immediate entry into the Royal Guard and spread various stories. But it's true... My father, regardless of the circumstances, has recognized me as his son."

Lord Aldar Saul spoke about his childhood as if it were just casual conversation.

He said he grew up in the Baum family's secondary residence, where there were household members but the concept of family was unclear. However, after the head of the family married and his official wife accepted him as the eldest son, he is now happy.

"My younger brother is adorable, though he's a bit mischievous and I worry about him."

"Hehe... Yes, Lord Dean Dain might be at the age where he wants to take risks."

"But he just ends up worrying the one he loves."

"But isn't it natural for a young person to want to take risks to grow up?"

I said this without thinking, and it reminded me of my own younger brother, who shows a desire to act more grown-up in his letters. He must be at that age.

"Yes, that might be true. So, Lord Yuria."

"Yes?"

"I'm used to being spoken to in a way that belittles me. It's unpleasant and frustrating, but I can now face my family properly, so that's enough. Therefore, you don't need to apologize."

"But—"

"If you're apologizing as a maid, I don't think it's necessary. If I were to file a complaint, it would be with the head maid of the inner palace or the chief maid of all the maids."

Maybe I overstepped. It might have been the case.

I apologized because I thought we were fellow maids working in the palace, but now that I think about it, that's not the case. Even if it's not in my jurisdiction, I can't pretend I don't know. So, what should I have done?

Moreover, was I just apologizing as a maid, or was there more to it?

The answer came quickly and clearly.

"But... I didn't like that you, Lord Aldar Saul, were made to feel bad by another maid."

"Huh?"

"I am a separate entity from her, and I can't be lumped together with her. But I didn't like that she spoke about you in a derogatory way."

" Hmm, that's complicated."

Lord Aldar Saul stopped and smiled wryly.

Yeah, I guess so.

It was a matter of my own feelings.

As a maid, I got to know Lord Aldar Saul.

Knowing that he is more than just the son of a viscount, that he is now properly facing his family, that he wants to support his younger brother, that he is willing to accept the branch family while wanting to live as a knight, and that he is a hard worker, kind, a bit mischievous but considerate...

That's why it felt humiliating for another maid to be disrespectful to him.

No, that's not it.

I think it was just a pretext to be a maid.

"...I think I didn't like that you felt bad."

Yes, that's it.

Lord Aldar Saul is not just "a viscount's son" or "someone who couldn't be the heir."

Sure, he might have had some advantages at the start, but he is now respected in the Royal Guard for his abilities. He is hardworking, kind, a bit mischievous but considerate...

"So you apologized for that?"

"Yes."

"If that's the case, it would be shameful for me as a man not to accept it."

"Huh?"

"Then, as an apology... How about we go out together again after the garden party? Perhaps a ride outside the city? I think it would be enjoyable to see the different atmosphere of the town outside the city. It's a promise."

Lord Aldar Saul smiled brightly, looking in a good mood.

Wait, if I think about it, I said something quite embarrassing without thinking.

But this isn't love!

It's purely, purely the anger of a friend.

Still, outside the city?

Hmm, it's quite an appealing invitation.

I only see the outside world from a carriage when I go home... Oh, maybe I am a bit sheltered?

"Then, let's go to the bookstore, shall we? It would be nice to find a new adventure story."

"Yes, and why not check out the latest trends as well? I'm sure there are some interesting things."

"Actually, there's a book I'm interested in."

"Oh, what a coincidence, me too."

After the garden party.

Maybe I can take a little break before going home.

Being with Lord Aldar Saul is tense because he's so handsome, but he's not a bad person.

But after the garden party, I have to go to Lord Dean Dain's tea party first!

"By the way, I plan to have a tea party after the garden party. Will Lord Aldar Saul come?"

"Yes, my brother has asked me to. ...By the way, what kind of pastries do you plan to serve?"

"It's the season for apples, so I plan to serve tarts. ...Of course, I will prepare some for Lord Aldar Saul as well."

"I'm looking forward to it!"

He smiled genuinely, looking even younger than usual.

I secretly thought that his smile, a bit like a child's, was even more handsome.

Hmm? Did we just make more plans?

"Ah, but Lord Yuria, there's one more thing I want to tell you."

"Huh?"

As we parted ways, Lord Aldar Saul winked and put his finger to his lips.

It was a pretentious gesture, but it looked playful when he did it.

"The man in the same room, well, Miss Scarlett's target is actually him."

"Huh?"

"At first, they were just acquaintances within the palace, but they don't really get along... It's a one-sided infatuation on her part. She probably wanted to know about him through me. The man in the same room is Hans Edward von Lemred, the third son of a viscount, and a childhood friend of hers."

"Wh-What?!"

"It's a secret."

She became a maid at the prince's palace with the intention of catching the eye of the crown prince, but her plans were thwarted, and she was assigned to the inner palace as a regular maid (which is normal, but she thought she would be treated specially as a viscount's daughter). When she was about to give up, her childhood friend spoke to her.

And then, the typical story of a girl falling in love with her childhood friend, who had grown up to be a man, unfolded.

However, Hans Edward is quite a womanizer and loves delicate, frail-looking women, which are the beauty standards of this country.

To be fair, Miss Scarlett is beautiful. She is incredibly beautiful, but with a very sharp and strong face. On top of that, her personality is haughty and condescending... Oh, that's a bit complicated.

So, not being noticed by Hans Edward, she couldn't honestly say that she wanted him to stop looking at other women. Instead, she started complaining about the nobility's shame. Naturally, the distance between them grew, and for some reason, she turned her anger towards Lord Aldar Saul.

But of course, Lord Aldar Saul, even as a friend, didn't want to get involved in someone else's love affairs...

Sigh. So, was it a case of words leading to more words?

I think I'm quite unique, but she's in a league of her own...!