Chapter 76

"Rosetta… Did you even have that much contact with Mr. Pence?"

"Rosetta works as a maid at Noein-sama's mansion, right? It does seem unlikely that she would have many opportunities to talk to Deputy Knight Pence…"

Upon hearing that Rosetta was in love with Pence, not only Mai but also Anna and Michelle looked surprised.

"That's an interesting story, let me join in!"

Saying this, Gina, the wife of Radley, joined the conversation. With her, all the main knights' wives of the Arquvist territory were now gathered.

"Gina, is this the first time you're hearing this story?"

"Yes, my husband has been lamenting and worrying that Pence doesn't have much of a connection with women. As someone who has been hearing this, it's a very intriguing story."

"Right… then let's hear the truth."

Mai said this while looking at Rosetta. Anna, Michelle, Gina, and the maids all looked at Rosetta. Their eyes were filled with anticipation, as if they were expecting a romantic story, creating an atmosphere more fitting for a girls' gathering than a women's club.

"W-Well, if you all look at me like that, I'll get embarrassed~"

Blushing and laughing, Rosetta began to tell the story of how she fell in love with Pence.

"W-Well, you see, I accompanied Noein-sama on a diplomatic mission at the end of the year, right? There was a day when we all had a holiday, and Pence offered to accompany me around the unfamiliar city, saying it would be dangerous for me to walk alone."

"Wait, you mean you went shopping and had meals together, just the two of you?"

"That's practically a date!"

Anna and Mai immediately got excited. Michelle and Gina, though not teasing, had a dreamy look on their faces, imagining Rosetta and Pence walking around the city together.

"It wasn't that romantic, you know. Pence was more like a chaperone… but he subtly made sure I could enjoy the city tour, and he followed me to stores that he probably had no interest in, without complaining…"

As she spoke, Rosetta couldn't help but smile.

"I see… Pence's skillfulness worked well in making sure Rosetta-chan could enjoy her tour without any hindrance."

"Pence is quite good at reading the room, after all."

"He always seems like a middle manager, doesn't he…"

Gina nodded in agreement, and Anna and Mai also agreed.

"Since then, Rosetta has been completely smitten with Pence's mature charm."

"Whenever she opens her mouth, it's all about Pence. Honestly, it's a bit tiring."

Mary and Kimberly's revelation made Rosetta's already blushing face crumble.

"Still, to make a girl over 10 years younger fall for him, Pence must be quite the sinner…"

As long as both parties are over the legal age of 15, any age difference in marriage is not against the kingdom's customary law.

However, it is generally common for people to marry someone within a 10-year age gap. It is rare for a nearly 30-year-old man to have a relationship with a girl who has just come of age.

"B-But, I… I fell in love with him~!"

With a sweet, bittersweet cry, Rosetta's declaration of her unwavering affection touched everyone present.

"…In that case, we should fully support Rosetta!"

"Yes, there's probably no one better for Pence than Rosetta-chan!"

"I'll talk to my husband to help bring them closer!"

"Then I'll ask Burt for help too!"

"We'll also make sure Rosetta is always the one to attend to Pence when he comes to the mansion for work!"

"…I'll help as long as it doesn't interfere with work."

What started as a casual conversation about love turned into a strong bond centered around supporting Rosetta's romance.

...

At any banquet, from noble dinner parties to village feasts, there are always people who can't join any conversation, the loners.

Even in the bustling square of the capital Noeina, where the dinner party was lively, there were some who couldn't quite fit in.

"…I can't get used to this."

"Hehe, we hardly have any opportunities to interact with the women in the territory."

Matilda and Christina, Noein's slaves, were having a regretful conversation. Matilda, who is usually always with Noein, and Christina, who rarely leaves the mansion grounds and is always working, are in a somewhat unique position within the territory. As a result, they didn't know what to talk about with the other women.

"Actually, I didn't want to participate in this gathering. Yet, Mai dragged me here almost by force."

"I was sent out by Noein-sama to take a break from work…"

Matilda, who is both Noein's partner in public and private, tends to lose her identity when not by Noein's side.

Christina, who finds her purpose in her work, becomes disoriented when away from it.

Because of their extreme lifestyles, they couldn't adapt to such irregular events.

"Ah, there you two are. What's wrong? You're not enjoying the dinner party."

Mai came to their rescue. When Matilda and Christina turned to see who was calling them, they found Mai, the wives of the knights, and the three maids. For some reason, Rosetta's face was bright red.

"Mai… I'm not used to such gatherings. Without Noein-sama by my side, I don't know how to behave."

"You're still so devoted to Noein-sama… That's your greatest strength. How about sharing some love stories about Noein-sama? Christina, you must be curious too, right?"

"Um… well, I am a bit curious."

Caught off guard by Mai's sudden question, Christina showed a hint of curiosity.

"I only know Noein-sama as the lord of the territory…"

"His true expressions with Matilda-san…"

"I'm very curious…"

The wives of the knights were also very interested.

"Well, I can't just go around sharing such stories."

"Just share what you're comfortable with. You always seem so composed, but how are you when you're alone with Noein-sama? Do you act cute?"

"That… rather, Noein-sama is the one who acts cute, and I comfort him… No, I shouldn't be talking about this…"

Caught up in the atmosphere, Matilda let it slip. She shook her head after speaking, but it was too late.

"Hmm…"

"Noein-sama acts cute…?"

"Men are all sweethearts, after all…"

The wives of the knights were excited, while the maids remained calm.

"We see such scenes quite often."

"Noein-sama often relaxes in the living room and dining room."

"During the recent diplomatic mission, Matilda-san gave Noein-sama a lap pillow in the carriage~"

"Ah, so you see such scenes as a maid…"

Mai nodded in understanding.

"Also, when we do the nightly rounds to check the locks, we sometimes hear muffled sounds coming from Noein-sama's bedroom…"

"Mary, don't get carried away."

"That's a bit too graphic~"

Kimberly and Rosetta covered Mary's mouth, but it was almost too late. Everyone else had already guessed what she was about to say.

When they cautiously looked at Matilda,

"…"

Matilda looked away and silently took a sip from her cup. Her cheeks were slightly red, whether from the alcohol, the cold, or embarrassment.

In this way, the first event of the Arquvist territory women's club brought the women of the territory closer together through candid conversations, deepening their friendships.