Chapter 56

I returned to my room after parting ways with Lord Aldar Saul. Although I couldn't help with the dinner preparations, I could still serve, so I changed into my maid's uniform and fixed my hair.

I put away my hair accessory.

Wearing the maid's uniform does make me feel more at ease...

However, there's still some time before I need to serve, so I should think about what happened today.

The problem is still Miss Scarlett. I should probably tell the head maid of the Inner Palace about today's events. Even if I soften the details a bit, I don't think it's a good idea to be too vague, given that the guards have likely already reported to her.

However, Lord Aldar Saul didn't seem to be asking for an apology, so I'll leave that to her... Lord Aldar Saul...

Suddenly, I remembered how he held my hand and blushed.

Ah... what am I, a middle schooler...

But still, it's his fault for suddenly doing something like that!

But Miss Scarlett, does she have a crush on someone in the Guard?

I thought she was in love with Lord Aldar Saul. I'm sure everyone around her sees it that way, and she herself has mentioned the backing of the marquis's family.

I wonder if she's been misunderstood by her crush. What's the situation there?

From her comment, I thought she meant that the Pigeot family would support us if we got married, but maybe she just meant she would help us out. Even so, her words were still very careless, and the head maid of the Inner Palace should give her a stern warning.

I was so surprised that I didn't really listen to her, but if she has a crush and still acts so flirtatiously with other men, it might push him away even more... Or maybe she's already given up on her crush and is choosing a friendly man instead.

No, I can't imagine her doing something so virtuous.

If that's the case, she really is thoughtless...

Just then, Sebastian came in and gave me the report for today's Princess's Palace. I felt a bit awkward bringing up today's encounter with Miss Scarlett and her comments, but he frowned and said, "That's not good..." So it must be a big problem.

I know it's not something to spread around, but as a fellow maid, it's unfortunate that it might spread from the Inner Palace to the Princess's Palace. If it became a laughing matter that the maids in the royal palace are not very smart... that would be no laughing matter!

But Miss Scarlett is, of course, the daughter of a marquis, so I think she will be serving at the garden party. It must be a headache for the head maid of the Inner Palace.

The autumn garden party is a large-scale event hosted by the royal family, so they put a lot of effort into the service, which is naturally carried out by the maids, who are mostly the children of nobles. She is, of course, on the list of servers.

Only Meina and I are from the Princess's Palace, but since the Princess's and Prince's Palaces have dedicated maids and butlers, they naturally have fewer staff. The Outer and Inner Palaces, on the other hand, are a different story.

To put it bluntly, the maids who serve in the Prince's Palace, Princess's Palace, Harem, and Detached Palace are selected maids!

I can say this with pride. Let me say it again, they are selected maids!!

After all, to serve the royal family exclusively, one must have the right status, family, and financial background, and above all, the trust of the person they serve. While some members of the royal family have enjoyed having many maids, the current royal family prefers a small, efficient team.

The Harem, which used to be a place of many ladies-in-waiting, now only has the Empress, so the number of maids is limited. However, it is still more than the Prince's and Princess's Palaces.

The Prince's Palace has fewer ladies-in-waiting because the women who want to win the Prince's favor are too aggressive... Well, it can't be helped. I can only pray that the Prince doesn't become cynical about women. Perhaps this is where a heroine should appear.

The Outer Palace is the important entrance for guests. It is always busy with the arrival of nobles from other countries and diplomats. Therefore, there are many maids and ladies-in-waiting.

The Inner Palace has many duties to support the civil and military officials inside. Since the higher-ranking officials are nobles, proper etiquette is essential.

So, the maids who take on these roles gather and rush around to serve... that's the autumn garden party!

Of course, I think Miss Scarlett, as the daughter of a marquis, has learned proper etiquette, but that haughty attitude of hers... if it shows up at the garden party, it would be terrifying.

I heard from Sebastian that she has been close to someone before, but she was cruelly rejected. Wow, Sebastian knows a lot about the maids.

When I was impressed, Sebastian sighed and said, "You are too indifferent to everything except for Primera and us." That's unfair.

I always study and work hard to serve the many guests.

But... I thought maybe he was right.

Today, after going out with Lord Aldar Saul, I realized that my social circle is quite narrow.

I thought it was enough to have Primera, the Princess's Palace, and my family, but that makes my world too small. I realized that.

Primera is still the center of my life.

But I feel that expanding my circle of friends and acquaintances would be beneficial for me.

Lord Aldar Saul, Dean Dain, Marquis Nashanda, Albert Agares, and the chairman and chairwoman of the Jenda Chamber of Commerce... they taught me a lot about things I didn't know.

I used to think that as long as Primera was happy, that was enough. I even thought I could be a villain or anything. But in reality, I can't do that.

I'm not the type to show my feelings, and I'm not that good at behind-the-scenes work!

I just do my job with all my heart. That's what I'm good at.

"By the way, Yuria."

"Yes?"

"Was the date fun?"

"Date... Yes, it was fun. But using such words might lead to misunderstandings, so please refrain from teasing me here."

"Oh, I thought a date was when a young man and woman go out alone. Is it different among young people these days?"

"...No, it's not different. No! That's not what I mean!!"

"Even if you don't think of it that way, what about the other person?"

"They probably don't think of it that way... I hope..."

That's right, I shouldn't cause any trouble for Lord Aldar Saul.

But my voice gradually became quieter.

Because.

No, but.

What if?

No, no, it must be a misunderstanding.

In my past life, I made a fool of myself due to misunderstandings, so I can't imagine my luck suddenly changing in this life.

"That's right, they probably don't think of it that way. Lord Aldar Saul and I are comrades in improving the relationship between Primera and Dean Dain. It's not right to call it a date, Sebastian."

"...Sigh, you are such a stiff. Can't you be a bit more relaxed and enjoy love?"

"Using the word 'date' and then suddenly using 'relaxed' is more surprising."

"I'm still young at heart."

No, Sebastian, you're 73, right? 74 this year, right?

I think of you as a super gentleman with a straight back, no bald spots, and the ability to read newspapers without glasses. There's a rumor that you're the best at polishing silverware in the royal palace! Wow, the epitome of a butler!!

"Sometimes I think you're like a nun, Yuria, avoiding love so much."

"Avoiding love? It's not that bad!"

"Maybe I went too far. But this country is open to love. While early marriage is desirable for noble daughters, it's good to have the freedom to enjoy love..."

"If I meet the right person, I'm sure I'll fall in love."

That's because I have no immunity.

I might fall in love instantly!!

...But remembering how I was rejected in my past life still makes me feel down.

No, no, that's why I'm living cautiously in this life and have a skill to rely on.

I have a solid future plan!!

If I fall in love before then, well, that would be fine.

But right now, I'm having so much fun with my work that I don't really think in that direction.

More than that, I...

Maybe I don't meet enough men to fall in love with!

I was surprised to realize this.

I mean, there are plenty of men in the royal palace, but the financial officer I see every day... well, Meina has been handling that recently, and Metabon has a girlfriend, and the butlers are all elderly. I don't think about such things during work, and in my private time, I'm either in my room or shopping, so I don't have any opportunities to meet anyone...

Well, I've given up on that direction because I'm not attractive.

It's too late for that!!

I'm still as bitter as ever.