Chapter 62

"Isn't this getting a bit out of hand?"

I, Yuria, am regretfully caught up in this mess.

"…What exactly do you mean by 'toying with'? It doesn't sound peaceful. If it's true, I must report it to the Head Maid, but personally, I can't imagine Lord Aldar Saul doing such a thing."

"Thank you. Yes, of course, I swear to the gods that nothing of the sort has happened."

At my words, Lord Aldar Saul seemed to relax a little and nodded firmly. Well, yeah, it would be bad if he were labeled as a man who toys with others.

Still, I think there must be a reason he's being accused of this. So, I decided to hear him out.

"Edi, what do you mean? If it involves a maid, as the head maid of the princess's palace, I would like to hear about it."

"Very well, I was also hoping to get this sorted out properly!"

"Edi, that's enough. We shouldn't keep the head maid, who is busy preparing for the garden party, any longer. It's not right!"

"But, Eiren, this is something that needs to be addressed properly…"

Eiren. So her name is Eiren. I'll remember that she's a maid from the outer palace.

She's trying hard to pull Edi's arm and pretend nothing happened, but it's not going to work because Edi is breathing heavily. Ah, I can already imagine how this will end.

"Lord Aldar Saul?"

"…What is it?"

When I called his name softly, he replied in a whisper.

Yeah, I don't really need this kind of默契 (tacit understanding).

"Have you been approached by that woman?"

"…Well…"

"Be honest."

"Yes, but I declined."

"I thought so."

This is just a sigh-inducing situation.

According to Miss Scarlett's testimony, that woman, Eiren, seemed to be close to Edi. But Eiren also approached Lord Aldar Saul at the same time. Although she was rejected, someone must have seen it and told Edi. She wouldn't confess bluntly that she was flirting with another man while in a relationship, so she probably said she was being approached and felt bothered.

When she tried to win the man's heart by acting clingy, the man overreacted… That's probably what happened! Actually, this kind of pattern isn't rare. I've witnessed it a few times before I became the head maid, and since joining the princess's palace, the head maids have warned each other about such incidents, saying, "Be careful."

Whether they are civil servants, military officers, nobles, or commoners, some people are just bad. If they are good at handling situations, it doesn't become a problem, but usually, the ones who cause trouble are not good at it. And they tend to involve troublesome people or people of a certain status, making the aftermath a nightmare to deal with!

…In this case, the head maid of the outer palace, the captain of the guard, and I will be involved, won't we?

If my guess is correct, the head maid of the outer palace will have to apologize to everyone for Eiren's actions… The captain of the guard will have to apologize for Edi's rudeness to the guards without confirming the facts. And since I was present at the scene, I will undoubtedly be asked to help in some way!

Oh no, with the garden party preparations and the new problematic maid who needs training, this is just too much! What a mess…!!

"Maidservant Eiren, you are a maid from the outer palace, correct? What are your plans for today?"

"…I am off duty today."

"Yet you are in your work uniform. It's already a big commotion, and the head maid of the outer palace should be informed. Will you report it yourself, or should I do it for you?"

"…I will, myself, right away. Yes, I will go right away. There seem to be many misunderstandings, and I wish to clarify them properly!"

"Understood."

Oh, Eiren dashed off. Well, staying here wouldn't help.

I hope she can explain the misunderstanding to the head maid of the outer palace… Even if the story has already spread.

Now, let's wrap up our conversation and disperse.

We need to hear the story and, if necessary, take it to our respective superiors!

"Edi, what are your duties as a guard today?"

"Since I was on night duty, I am off in the afternoon…"

I'm busy too, you know. The autumn garden party is coming up.

The reputation of the royal family is at stake, it's the garden party. Why should I be in a bad mood?!

Well, my expression doesn't change much… Actually, my serious face is often mistaken for being unfriendly, so I noticed Edi was getting nervous. Deep breath, deep breath!

"Lord Aldar Saul, where are you going?"

"A, ah… Is it not okay, Yuria?"

"It's not okay. The suspicion was originally directed at you!"

What are you trying to sneak away for? Of course, I won't let you go! How can you just leave after causing trouble for others?! Just because you're handsome doesn't mean you can get away with anything!

I feel bad for glaring, but I need to hear the story and decide whether to report it to the head maid. This is part of my job. It's a hassle, but it's my job!

"Let's start with Edi. What is your relationship with the maid Eiren from the outer palace?"

"She is my fiancée. Despite publicly declaring her as my fiancée, I heard that Lord Aldar Saul is using his position to approach her. I encountered him doing so today! Many other maids are also being misled by his sweet words…"

"Wait a moment, that's outrageous!"

Clearly irritated by such accusations, Lord Aldar Saul interrupted Edi.

"I swear by the honor of a knight that I have done nothing of the sort. The maid who claims to be your fiancée has sent me letters multiple times, which I have always declined. But she continued to approach me! Today was no different! I chose a crowded place to prove my innocence! If I had intended to do anything secretly, this place would not be suitable."

"Your fiancée doing such a thing?! That's an insult!"

"Let me be clear, I have someone I like, and I have no intention of being close to anyone else!"

Oh… A bombshell declaration. When Lord Aldar Saul said that, the female servants around us gasped! Wow, he's so popular!!

But this isn't the time for daydreaming.

It seems Edi is the type who tends to overreact, as I've noticed a few times before. I'm worried he might draw his sword.

"What! Then bring that woman here to prove your innocence!"

"I only said I have someone I like, not that I am in a relationship with her."

Lord Aldar Saul didn't snort at Edi's words.

Why are both of you so confrontational! We need to have a calm discussion.

The female servants and even the male guards are listening intently.

But are you two getting off track?

I think people who cheat will cheat, even if they have someone they love. Sometimes, the conditions for a wife and a lover are similar but different. Relationships are as complex as in past lives.

Well, I don't need a man who cheats, in general! Not that I have one.

"So, you have nothing to prove your innocence!"

"Conversely, you can't prove that I've been misleading the maids with sweet words, can you?"

"…This is just a pointless argument."

Both sides are equally at fault, but they seem very serious. They might be too heated.

This isn't going to lead to a calm discussion.

Really… I just want to go back and be healed by Primera!

But, I wonder who Lord Aldar Saul's crush is. I've never heard him mention it before. Could this be the start of a love story?!

When we return to the princess's palace, this rumor will keep Meina and the others entertained for a while!!

Surprisingly, this spinster actually wants to talk about love stories.