Chapter 51

"Here is Lady Delphine's schedule for tomorrow. Kate, you will accompany her for everything."

"Understood."

Last night, I was handed a piece of paper by the head maid, Elly. I, calling myself Kate, memorized the schedule and then returned it to Elly. It is now six in the morning, time for Lady Delphine to wake up. My room is a small servant's room next to Lady Delphine's. There are two doors: one leading to Lady Delphine's room and the other to the hallway. The purpose of having to pass through the small room before reaching the hallway is likely to prevent intruders.

I have finished breakfast and changed clothes, ready to appear before Lady Delphine at any moment. I listen carefully for the sound of the glass bell, and while waiting, I look around the room assigned to me. No hidden doors. No peepholes in the walls or ceiling. The window of this third-floor room has no eaves or beams leading to the ground, just a smooth stone wall all the way down.

"The first official duty today is a meeting with the Minister of General Affairs at ten. A luncheon with Duchess Beatrice at twelve, a tea party with the three duchesses at three, and a family dinner at seven, right?"

Lady Delphine has two sons: Oscar, who is ten, and Lucas, who is seven. I have not yet met either of them. The glass bell chimed. I straightened my back, knocked, and entered the room.

"Good morning, Kate. Can you tie my hair?"

"Yes."

"Then please do. Don't pull it too tightly, can you?"

"Understood."

I carefully brushed and tied her shiny blonde hair, twisting it and securing it high up. I used as few pins as possible, making sure not to strain her scalp. Meanwhile, another maid applied light makeup, and another massaged her arms with fragrant oil.

When the three of us finished, Lady Delphine stood up gracefully. We helped her change clothes again, and I followed her to the breakfast room.

"Mother! Good morning."

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Oscar, Lucas. Did you have good dreams?"

"I didn't have any dreams."

"Neither did I."

As if on cue, Crown Prince Conrad entered the room. He still has that well-ordered, beautiful face. Both Oscar and Lucas are as lovely as dolls, just like their parents, who look as if they stepped out of a painting. My daughter, Nonna, is also very cute, though.

"Good morning, Delphine. You are as beautiful as ever this morning."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The conversation continued pleasantly. I observed Lady Delphine's tone, laughter, and gestures. When she answered questions, she had a habit of tilting her head slightly to the right. Her laughter was silent, only a change in expression.

After breakfast, I returned to my room to prepare for the meeting with the Minister of General Affairs. The first item on the agenda was about the royal charity. The next was a discussion about the tea party with the ambassador from the neighboring kingdom of Randall.

Lady Delphine gave instructions to her attendant and then asked me a question.

"Kate, I don't have many distinctive features, so how is it for you as my shadow? Is it easy? Or difficult?"

"You have many distinctive features. I am gradually memorizing them."

"Really? What kind of features?"

"Showing you would be easier than explaining."

"I want to see."

I decided to demonstrate by acting as Lady Delphine. First, I walked with my center of gravity slightly back, as if trailing the hem of a long dress, walking straight and gracefully with my neck and back extended. I stopped and recreated the scene of talking to an attendant.

"Today's tea party, how many people are attending? Right. Then prepare the usual tea leaves. Ah, remember that the Duchess of Hudson can't eat nuts."

"How was that?"

"Did you memorize all my words?"

"Just this morning's conversation."

"That's impressive. I'm surprised. Do I really speak like that?"

"Yes."

"You seem a bit too gentle."

"No, that's not the case."

That's not true at all. She is a woman born to lead, elegant and graceful. Even though I haven't spent much time with her, I think Lady Delphine embodies nobility, elegance, refinement, intelligence, and virtue.

At ten o'clock, during the meeting with the Minister of General Affairs, I had a moment of unease. The minister's name, "Colin Haines," was written on the document, and I thought he might be related to Yolana. However, he looked exactly like Yolana's son. I bowed my head, tried to blend into the wall, and disappeared.

During the meeting with Colin Haines, Lady Delphine's tone became strong once.

"Colin, what do you mean? Why has the budget for the charity been halved?"

"Ah, I apologize. The budget has been redirected to military expansion."

"Even with the discovery of gold mines, there is a budget shortage?"

"The Kingdom of Subaru is moving to claim the gold mines."

"…I see. Then use my budget."

"That… I cannot decide on my own."

"I will authorize it. If there are people without food, it means the government has failed. I want to use my budget to help them survive this winter."

"Then I will discuss it with the Prime Minister."

"If the Prime Minister refuses, bring the matter back to me."

"Understood."

I thought, (This person is really trying hard.)

I don't know much about the royal families of other countries, but during my time in the special forces, I heard about the personalities and preferences of key figures in various countries. Some of them didn't even consider the common people as human.

But Lady Delphine is different. She is determined to be the mother of Ashbury, as she was educated to be. Even after the meeting, her expression was stern.

"Kate, is the power of the royal family just an illusion? I can't even give bread to the hungry. I need the Prime Minister's approval to use my own budget. It's frustrating."

"I understand."

"After having my children, I can't bear to see any child go hungry. I don't know what to do. All I can think of is charity, but I know it won't solve the root problem."

Without permission, I spoke.

"Lady Delphine, please listen to the words of a commoner. I want someone with a pure heart like yours to be at the top of this country. If the country is run by only those who are skilled at navigating the world, I can't trust my daughter or many other children to be safe."

Lady Delphine approached me, gently took my hand, and a gentle floral scent filled the air.

"Kate, thank you. You must have lived in a much broader world than I have. For the next two months, please point out my lack of knowledge and experience without hesitation. And teach me about the people."

"As you wish."

"I rely on you."

Lunch was only between Lady Delphine and Duchess Beatrice. I listened carefully to their conversation, and it was clear that Duke Sedric is deeply in love with Duchess Beatrice. It's good to see a happy marriage.

"Lady Delphine, Lord Bar, a friend of Duke Sedric, is settling in the capital. Duke Sedric will also stay in the capital for a while."

"Then, Beatrice, will you too?"

"Yes, that's the plan."

"That's wonderful."

Hmm. Gunther Bar has a firm hold on Duke Sedric's heart. And he will be staying in the capital. If he comes to the palace, I need to be careful. He definitely remembers my face.

"Kate, Duke Sedric is very skilled in martial arts."

"Is that so?"

Yes, I know. A few years ago, I broke two of Duke Sedric's ribs.