Chapter 86

When I woke up, I found myself not in my room, but in the infirmary inside the castle.

It was surprisingly empty, and the curtains were fluttering as the wind blew in through the open window.

(...Ah, so it wasn't a dream. Of course it wasn't.)

The large bandage on my cheek reminded me clearly that the garden party had been held and monsters had appeared.

I must have been carried here by someone after I fainted. I guess they brought me to the infirmary and treated me because I was injured.

Healing magic? That's something only the elite can afford.

Those who can pay a high price can ask a healer, but since there are so few people who can use healing magic, it's also a way to prevent them from being overworked. Still, it's hard to deny that it's a form of privilege... but that's not the time to think about it.

"Princess Primera"

I hope you're not hurt.

I hope you didn't cry out of fear.

I must have worried you.

I have to go see her, I have to go see her!!

The sky outside the window had already turned a deep crimson, and there was still a faint smell of burning in the air. I wonder what happened to the monsters.

"Oh, you're awake."

"Yes, um, can I go back now?"

"Yes, you were unconscious and had a burn on your cheek. Just to be safe, since you might have hit your head, you'll need to come back for another check-up tomorrow—"

"Okay, I understand!"

"Ah, don't run yet!!"

I answered the nurse's instructions eagerly and hurried out of the infirmary.

Come to think of it, my maid's headpiece and apron were missing. Did I leave them there?

But now I want to get back to the princess's chambers as quickly as possible.

"Princess Yuria...?!"

"Meina!"

"You noticed me! I'm so glad..."

"Ah, look, um... don't cry. I'm sorry for worrying you."

"Uuuee..."

The moment Meina saw me, she burst into tears, and I realized I had really worried her.

Of course, it's understandable. The last person to retreat, surrounded by knights and unconscious, would be nerve-wracking.

I hugged Meina and asked about Princess Primera, who apparently had been very worried about me after I fainted. Meina, relieved, said she would tell everyone and ran off.

I should have known not to run in the hallways... but I did it just now. I need to reflect on that.

"...Excuse me, it's Yuria."

I called out in front of the door to get permission to enter.

There was no response. Had she fallen asleep from exhaustion?

I thought at least I could see her sleeping face, but as I reached for the doorknob, the door opened wide.

Thank goodness it opened inward...

"Yuria!"

"Ugh! P-Princess Primera?!"

But the one who opened the door and rushed out was Princess Primera.

She opened the door with such force and tackled me that I stumbled.

I couldn't help but let out an un-ladylike sound, but I hope you can understand. Even though she's slender, it's not easy to catch an eleven-year-old girl's full-force tackle unprepared... I deserve praise for not falling over.

She clung to me tightly, her small shoulders trembling. I don't care if I'm uncomfortable right now, honestly!!

"Princess Primera, I'm sorry for worrying you. Let's go inside."

"Okay... okay..."

As the princess's personal maid, I had responsibilities as the head maid at that time.

But when I fainted and returned, it must have been very painful for Princess Primera.

Thinking about how much burden I placed on her kind heart, which sees me as a mother, makes me feel truly sorry.

Somehow, I managed to get back to the room with Princess Primera still clinging to me, closed the door, and saw Lauren standing there with a troubled look. But when she saw my face, she smiled.

She must have been trying her best to comfort Princess Primera, who was upset, but was probably told to leave her alone and was at a loss.

But after such an incident, they couldn't leave her alone, so a knight was probably with her.

"Princess Primera, please show your face. Are you hurt? Are you still scared?"

"I was scared. I thought Yuria would disappear from my side like my mother."

"That won't happen. I'm sorry, but I fainted because I was too nervous in front of the monsters."

"But you have a bandage on your face."

"That's because a bit of the monster's fire burned me."

"Does it hurt? I wish I could use healing magic."

"It will probably go away soon. This bandage is too much!"

It really only stung a little. I don't know how much it hurt because I was so nervous at the time. But if it had been a bigger burn, the treatment in the infirmary would have been different.

I didn't look in a mirror... oh, maybe my hair is a mess now. And my glasses are missing too.

"It's okay, it's okay."

"Princess Primera..."

"It's okay, it's okay..."

Her eyes were red, and I wondered how much she had cried. Tears started to fall from her eyes again.

Princess Primera started crying loudly, which might be considered unbecoming for a princess, but I was truly moved by her feelings.

(Ah... I'm so loved...!!)

I'm so glad I didn't die!!

No, I didn't want to die, but I did think for a moment, just a moment, that I might die when the monster attacked.

After that, I prepared a cold towel for Princess Primera to cry her heart out, took a couple of days off, and when I went to the head maid's office, I was praised for protecting the guests... and told I didn't need to help with the cleanup.

I don't know how the guests are doing, but I'll take their word for it.

The castle still feels hectic, but that's because of the cleanup, right?

It's because of the monsters, I guess. I can imagine a lot, but I'll stop making assumptions. As a maid, I don't need to know the details of what happened.

There will probably be political issues... scary, scary. I think it's best not to get involved. If there's no reason to get involved, it's best to stay out of it.

Sigh... I worked so hard on the garden party preparations...

I went back to the office and got information on the guests' safety from Sebastian. Most of the guests were not injured, which was a relief.

Sebastian, the veteran butler, really knows everything...!! He took care of all the serving today, so I'll take advantage of that.

It was a tiring day, no matter how you look at it.

Even a regular garden party is tiring, but this one was too much.

What happened, again?

First, I was worried about Meina and Scarlett, but they did well. I just need to make sure they don't get weird bugs.

Then there was Eiren. What happened with the battlefield issue? I hope she didn't misunderstand and think I was cheating with Edi... I can ask the head maid of the outer palace later. She might contact me.

Next, there's Gilderock Jude. The proposal and the rudeness to the Dowager Queen shouldn't be a problem since she knows about it. I hope I won't be blamed, even if I don't get a bonus, because I at least protected Mrs. Balmonk.

Most importantly, the monsters. Depending on the source, it could become a bigger issue.

If that happens, will Lord Aldar Saul have to go to war?

...Come to think of it, how is Lord Aldar Saul doing?

After the garden party, we made some promises. He must be busy for a while.

"By the way, Yuria."

"What is it, Sebastian?"

"While you were asleep, the palace guard came to visit you several times. He must have come during his breaks. I just informed him, so he might come by."

"Really?"

"Well, the rest is up to the young couple."

"Wait, Sebastian...?!"

"That's what they call a matchmaker, I think."

"Wait!"

What are you setting up, you cheeky man!!

Ignoring my protests, Sebastian said, "I'll get back to work," and left with a cool expression.

...I wonder how much he knows and is doing on purpose...

I need to reflect on that.