Chapter 91

"In the recent garden party, everyone worked hard. It is very regrettable that an unforeseen incident occurred, and Their Majesties are also deeply saddened, but fortunately, no guests were injured."

In the head maid's office, we, the head maids of each palace, gathered around the table for a debriefing of the garden party.

Well, this time it might be more accurate to call it a consolation meeting rather than a debriefing. After all, the garden party was interrupted by the appearance of monsters, and it would be too harsh to ask us to reflect on such an abnormal situation.

Protecting the garden party from monsters is not something that should be expected of us maids.

I think it's a good thing that no guests were injured.

Still, for the Queen, who was the host, it must have felt like a smear... But I think it was done with prior knowledge.

The important thing is that there was prior information.

(Obviously, some noble's daughter must have wanted to see the monsters, and there must have been a way to stop it... But since they didn't, I think it was used as a good opportunity for a purge.)

That's why, even though the information about the possible appearance of monsters was known in advance, the knights were only slightly more vigilant than usual. It wasn't obvious, but that was all they did.

Of course, the first priority was the safety of the guests, but if you consider it without those intentions, the best course of action would have been to prevent anything from being brought in. Even a young maid like me can see that, so the head maid and those above her must have known it too.

It's a big deal to use a state banquet for a purge... Maybe this was the moment to do it all at once because of the ongoing issues with the Shagran Kingdom.

We haven't been given the details. Well, of course not.

Politics is the domain of politicians, and what is required of us maids is to serve well.

"Her Majesty and His Majesty were very pleased that Yulia von Vandeed, the head maid of the Princess's Palace, worked hard to ensure the safety of the wife of Minister Balmung, the Duke of Shagran, during the evacuation. She demonstrated the exemplary conduct of a maid who does not abandon guests and protects them with her own body, both inside and outside the country."

"Thank you very much."

"However, considering that the garden party caused fear among the guests, we cannot publicly commend her. This is the word of Their Majesties."

"Understood. That is sufficient."

Public commendation? No way.

No, if that happened, my lifespan would be shortened!! After all, I ended up being a substitute and almost died while guiding the evacuation. I wouldn't be happy even if I were commended for that.

Well, just being praised is enough. I don't want to worry Primera, which would hurt me more...

"Later, we will present a written record of this commendation, and Their Majesties have promised to give a reward. Please be grateful."

"Yes."

Oh wow! Not only a bonus, but an additional reward too!!

This is a great offer. Oh, I'm so glad. I was thinking of buying something nice for my birthday around the New Year's Festival. Ah, my birthday is right after the New Year.

Hehe... My birthday is always an afterthought during the New Year's Festival, but I don't mind!

It's like having your birthday on Christmas. Well, in this case, it's like having your birthday on New Year's Day.

Well, the Vandeed family isn't that wealthy, and as a lord, greeting rounds were a priority, so it couldn't be helped.

Even after starting to live in the royal castle, there was no special tradition of celebrating my birthday... It's fine. Having Primera and Sebastian prepare a cake is the best, isn't it!

But next year... Well, I might invite Aldar to the New Year's Festival if we can go... No, I haven't checked his schedule yet. I have to wait, as there's the Crown Prince's birthday celebration before that!

It's a critical moment for the protagonist to appear, so I have to focus on that!!

"Separately, I have a question for you."

"What is it?"

"Do you remember Eiren?"

"Yes, of course. Was she injured?"

That's right, Eiren. If I could find out what she knows about 'Murietta,' it might help a bit.

But after the commotion, I didn't know what happened to her... If her ex-boyfriend was involved in the monster incident, she might have been interrogated by the knights.

The head maid of the outer palace showed an indescribable expression at my worried words.

But the most understandable expression was one of regret.

I looked at the head maid, but her expression was hard to read.

"The girl was detained by the knights for questioning because a friend from her hometown was involved in the monster incident, but she is uninjured and well. However, her defiant attitude may prolong her detention."

"I see... I'm relieved to hear that she is not injured."

"Separately, Eiren was furious that her fiancé was cheating on her with you. Is that true?"

"It's completely false."

"I see. Understood."

I immediately denied it!

Yes, well. The head maid must have known, and this was just a formal question. From her reaction, it seems so.

"Can you explain the situation to us?"

"Yes. While I was patrolling the venue, I saw her being led away by a guard. I informed a nearby maid to relay the information to the head maid of the outer palace and followed her to make sure I didn't lose her. I asked Knight Edi MacKay to accompany me when I met him on the way, as I didn't want to go alone and something might happen."

"Did you deliberately call Knight MacKay?"

"No, it was a coincidence."

It really was a coincidence.

Well, I can't prove it, but if someone says we colluded, that's it... Still, it would be unfair to think I was thinking about a love affair in the middle of that situation. I was focused on the job, which had a bonus attached, and there was no affair. If I say I'm loyal, I might get unnecessary comments, so I won't!

Besides, it's obvious that Edi is head over heels for Eiren. The idea of him cheating... Edi is a bit pitiful.

"I understand. Is it the outer palace, without a doubt?"

"It is definitely the outer palace."

The head maid nodded solemnly, as if to say the matter was settled, and declared the meeting over. She also said not to speculate too much, as the knights were involved in this incident.

Well, I don't have anyone to speculate to, so it's not a problem for me. I know better than to be in a position to gossip!

But still, I'm a bit... unsatisfied.

"Head maid of the outer palace, may I have a moment?"

"Head maid of the Princess's Palace... You caused a lot of trouble this time. I'm really sorry about Eiren..."

"Um, if it's possible, could I meet Eiren?"

"Eh?"

No, if I had to choose between wanting to meet her or not, I wouldn't want to.

I don't want to meet her, but... I do want to say a thing or two.

After all, she called me a 'thief cat!!' and said I was cheating on her fiancé even after the commotion. Who's saying that?!!

Of course, I also want to ask her about 'Murietta.'

But it might be impossible, given that she's being detained by the knights. Still, I don't think she was involved in the monster incident... After all, she didn't want to return to the border and had cut off contact.

There must be a reason for her detention. What kind of defiant attitude did she show?

"You can meet her... but you might find it unpleasant."

"I'm fine. I want to correct my own dishonor directly..."

"I see... But, she is quite mentally unstable and has shown violent behavior, so can you promise to have a knight present? I will inform the knights, but they might refuse depending on the situation."

"That's fine. Thank you for the trouble."

"No, it's no trouble... Head maid of the Princess's Palace, I'm really... sorry. Eiren, ... she was very concerned about her origin as a border-born. She worked as a servant at the border lord's place and was very talented... Have I mentioned that before?"

Yes, I've heard it.

Nodding, I encouraged her to continue. The head maid of the outer palace sighed deeply and started walking, so I followed her. Well, this isn't something to discuss standing up.

"When she came to the royal castle, I thought she was at the minimum level... But she was hardworking, quickly learned etiquette, and adapted to the ways of the outer palace. I remember being enthusiastic about teaching her because of her proactive learning."

"...I see."

"She didn't want to return to the border and wanted to be happy here... She was so happy when she was chosen by a guard knight. It's hard to believe that she would... go back to her hometown... and even with a royal guard... "

The head maid of the outer palace seems quite shocked.

Well, of course, it must be hard to accept that a beloved and hardworking junior would not want to return to the border, keep a lover in her hometown, and even flirt with other men.

If it were someone like Maina, I wouldn