Chapter 75

In the end, Scarlett dedicated herself to serving. This time, we decided that by doing so, she would observe her surroundings carefully, remember the faces of the guests, and perform well next year...

Ah, yes. Well, it’s not possible to drill conversation skills into her head due to time constraints, and I’m not particularly good at politics or economics either.

Also, I understood why she disliked making tea. For some reason, she is terribly bad at it. No matter how much I taught her, she somehow always failed. According to her confession, which she muttered, she’s bad at cooking in general... I wonder if there’s such a skill, but no, this world doesn’t have that kind of thing.

This wasn’t a game with status windows or anything; it’s the real world, after all.

For me, just being able to use magic is already amazing, so this is enough.

"Understand? Smile silently. Just that will make people feel your charm and come to you. However, it’s not a good idea to cheapen your charm to those who approach you based on appearance alone, nor to be coldly indifferent."

"…Then what should I do?"

"Correct your tone. First, just smile. Make a good impression. If they approach you later with a letter or something, it might be worth considering."

"…I understand."

"It’s a promise, okay? Got it? Smile and serve. It’s a promise, okay?"

"I understand! I promise on the honor and pride of blue blood!"

So, I got Scarlett to agree, emphasizing it over and over. She seems to be the type who keeps her promises, especially when it concerns honor.

If I continue her education during this time... well, you know, a girl with a mysterious appearance but a rather straightforward personality! There might be a charm in that contrast.

...Yeah, maybe it’s a bit of a stretch?

No, there are various things about her unrequited love, and what Scarlett thinks is important.

First, we need to finish the garden party. It must end successfully.

Finally, the day came when the head maids gathered for the final check.

While Scarlett’s education wasn’t entirely satisfactory, she can now converse quite well and work in coordination with other maids, so I think it’s a significant improvement, and there shouldn’t be any reprimand!

This meeting is just for the final check before the event, so we’ll just confirm that there are no changes or concerns.

Think of it as six different areas, each hosted by different royal families.

The head maid in charge of the area around His Majesty the King.

The head maid in charge of the area around Her Majesty the Queen.

The head maid in charge of the area around His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Prince.

The head maid in charge of the area around the Minister and his wife.

The head maid in charge of the area where the heads of the Rizel Guild and other prominent merchants are.

And I will be in charge of the area around Her Royal Highness the Princess and Her Majesty the Dowager Queen!

If something happens in any of the areas, we will report it and follow the head maid’s instructions.

Around His Majesty, there will be a constant stream of nobles and prominent merchants from various countries. Around Her Majesty, many cultural figures gather every year. Around His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, many aggressive women will appear, vying for the position of future queen. It will be interesting to see what effect His Royal Highness the Prince will have as a shield!

Around the Minister and the head of the Rizel Guild, there will be many merchants and politicians from various countries.

While I find it troublesome, this garden party is an important diplomatic event to showcase our country’s cultural level.

Around Primera, I expect it will be a round of greetings, probably starting from the Dowager Queen.

With the event just two days away, we must confirm everything to ensure it goes smoothly... it’s important, right!

"Everything seems to be in order. Fortunately, it’s expected to be a clear day, but we won’t know what will happen until the morning of the event. Everyone, stay alert."

"「「「「「Yes」」」」」

We responded in unison to the head maid’s closing words.

...But, the head maid of the outer palace raised her hand, indicating she wanted to speak.

"Head maid, I have something I need to confirm in front of the other head maids. Could everyone please spare a moment?"

"...Alright. Small matters before important ones can lead to bigger problems. What is it?"

"Head maid of the Princess’s palace, I need to confirm something with you. Have you ever insulted one of my maids? She has been depressed ever since..."

"Oh, who is it?"

"A maid named Eiren. She was firm with a man who was making inappropriate advances, even though she has a fiancé, and you questioned her..."

Now, really?!

This is the busiest time... oh, I’m sorry. Just when we’re about to hold a national event, you bring up something trivial! No, it’s not trivial, but couldn’t it have waited until a less busy time?

Honestly, I was so busy with Scarlett’s education that I forgot about it. And a lot has happened since then...

Why bring it up now... oh, I did it again. I need to calm down, calm down!

"...Is that true, head maid of the outer palace?"

"Head maid, I finally got it out of her. She was heartbroken and pitiful..."

"Head maid of the Princess’s palace, what do you have to say?"

"..."

I looked far away for a moment. I probably have the same expression as when I regained my memory, like a Tibetan sand fox!

When questioned by the head maid, I was about to be speechless but managed to pull myself together and looked at the maid from the outer palace. She was glaring at me, and I couldn’t help but sigh. What will happen to my happiness?!

"I only learned Eiren’s name when I was present during her argument. Head maid of the outer palace, do you know who the man making inappropriate advances to Eiren was?"

"No, she refused to say. According to her, he was of a higher status, and she was concerned that he was above her fiancé..."

"Then, who is her fiancé?"

"I believe he is a young man of common birth, a guard. She, too, values ability over bloodline..."

"Eiren’s fiancé, Edi MacKay, a guard at the Princess’s palace, confronted the royal guard, Aldar Saul, in the courtyard of the servants’ quarters in broad daylight, in front of a crowd, to stop him from making inappropriate advances to Eiren. Eiren said it was a misunderstanding."

"What, what do you mean?"

"Head maid of the outer palace, why did you accuse me without confirming the facts? I happened to be there and advised her to consult you about the misunderstanding. Please confirm the facts with both parties."

"...This seems to be a more serious and malicious matter than a trivial dispute. Head maid of the outer palace, investigate it again. Head maid of the Princess’s palace, you should have confirmed the facts with both parties and reported to me immediately if such an incident occurred."

"I apologize."

"I, I apologize! I trusted Eiren and didn’t think she would lie... It was my fault for not confirming the facts."

"Head maid of the outer palace..."

"Yes... I understand. I will investigate again."

Was it a failure to report and communicate? Was it my responsibility?

No, no, Head maid, the problem was pushing Scarlett’s education onto me in the first place, right?!

But, of course, I can’t say that... I’m a coward, sorry.

The head maid seemed satisfied with my bow and nodded, but the head maid of the inner palace raised her hand to speak.

"I don’t know how capable the maid Eiren from the outer palace is, but I have heard that a girl named Eiren often tries to seduce the clerks in the inner palace."

"I have also heard this rumor in the harem. I don’t think the head maid of the Princess’s palace delayed reporting this just because she has a new maid and it’s the Princess’s first official duty."

"...Yes, I don’t think the head maid of the Princess’s palace is at fault, but we should confirm the facts with Edi MacKay and Aldar Saul."

Hey, did the inner palace and the harem just come to my defense?

I think the inner palace was helping me with Scarlett, but what about the harem... is there some ulterior motive...?

Ah, maybe it was just kindness! It’s shameful to doubt people’s kindness.

"Everyone, stay alert for the event tomorrow."

The head maid said this again, and we finally left her room.

I decided to thank the two who had helped me.

It’s important to do this, even if it seems like a formality.

"Thank you both."

"It’s fine, take care of Scarlett."

"Yes, it’s a great help to have her!"

"...Ah, yes..."

The effect of Scarlett, I guess.

I was about to tilt my head at the thought of the harem thinking this way when the head maid of the inner palace told me.

She is a distant relative, but the head maid of the harem is also a distant relative on Scarlett’s father’s side...

She was really worried about being approached if this was known!!

What’s going on with the Pigeot family’s relatives? How many are there?

Oh, with so many children over generations, it’s possible they are connected to many places... wow.

I didn’t want to know that I was treated kindly for such a reason!!!

I haven’t forgotten about the woman named Eiren!