Ch.21 The Whimsy Continues

The Duke’s abrupt return, or should I say dinner, at the main house  has everyone, including me, in the mansion greatly confused! It is the hot topic at the servant’s dining room the next morning.

“Yesterday it was probably difficult for everyone? Are there not those who did not get a break?”,

I asked while looking around at the maids sitting at breakfast. Because even for me it is time to eat the food provided.

“That is okay but companion-sama was in a bad mood so it was difficult”,

answered an accompanying maid to the Duke who was on duty at the detached building. She shrugged her shoulders with a stunned expression.

“Calendula did not know?”

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“While he was returning here, the escort knight who always accompanies the master, went to the detached building to give a verbal message.”

“Ah~, I see, I see”

Because there was not the situation where a messenger went out from here to the detached building. I did not have such a scope or sense of duty but did it quickly occur to the Duke and he took action?

“Companion-sama did not do things like accost us, so there was not something like real harm, but she did look dissatisfied with eating dinner alone”

“I see. If you eat delicious things alone in solitary you cannot experience the deliciousness”

So I also for that reason eat here……aha☆

“Well, we pretend not to see so it does not matter,”

the maid declared nonchalantly.

“Tha, that’s right-”

The person who gave the clear explanation is a handsome man [T/N: the escort knight]. She unintentionally ended up being overwhelmed.

However, it was not only that day that was unusual.

“Huh? Have you come here to eat today as well?”

It ended up involuntarily coming out of my mouth. Awawa.

“Can I not?”

The Duke once again quickly raised his eyebrows.

“Never never. It is not absurd at all”

My head is shaking. Risky, risky, my real motive ended up coming out.

It is a week from that day [T/N: the last Duke dinner]. After returning home, the Duke once again told us he will eat here. As expected, it is the second time so no one was as disturbed as last time.

‘Please tell Carthame to prepare the meal!’

I exchange looks with Lotus, and he gives a small nod.

‘Please arrange the waitress maids!’

I exchange looks with Dahlia. Dahlia also gives a small nod.

‘Please arrange tea and confectioneries!’

I exchange looks with Mimosa.

Already there is no emergency meeting like last time. We quickly confirm what we should do, and disperse to our places.

And the high speed dinner without the utmost conversation finishes and the the Duke returns to the detached building like last time. All the servants present including me, smile from the bottom of our hearts and see him off. But he gives the same complicated expression. Well, I don’t worry about it deeply.

At first it was one day in a week. 2 days, 3 days; that increased little by little.

As expected, because of returning here in succession, and because I have become used to being able to be prepared,

The moment the Duke uttered,

“Today I will eat here”

Lotus and the rest, including me, quickly adapted. That is the Duke’s dinner preparation, my dinner preparation, the waitress maids[1] arrangement and so on are lumped together and has been named ‘Master’s shift’ and,

“Master’s shift has come~in”

The servants soundless voices can be heard.

With this frequent returning here, that lady has also not been silent. That is right, the detached-building companion, Calendula.

Someone turned up when I was cleaning the entrance again by chance.

“I want to meet the Mistress. I wonder if you could convey the message.”

Phuuu~ high-handed! Who is it?! Calendula. Yes.

Today also Calendula did not recognise me, connecting me as just a servant. That is right, by no means that the young ordinary hair-in-braids-and-face-with-no-makeup (close to natural makeup)  woman in front of her eyes is a thing like the mistress.

Today Calendula is wearing a crimson red dress the same colour as her eyes. She has an hourglass figure so the firm open design neckline is lively, a variety of romance is……[sigh of relief], through this association the charm of her body is much more promoted. Coupled together with hair grown to her waist, she is a bewitching beautiful woman.

However, this Calendula’s ruby eyes conveys a strong and serious impression, her mouth is a in a tight arch and yet it is scary! I think of a demon glaring at the obviously lower-position-me is not good~!

“Oh, the Mistress. Please wait just a minute”

The Mistress, however that is me. The Mistress, ended up unintentionally faltering and fumbling at that strong impression conveyed from the eyes.

Let’s talk to Lotus for now. Let’s do that. For sure today it will probably be the Viva☆fighting scene?!

“Lotus~! Calendula burst into the entrance way again~”

I came to talk these things in Lotus’s office.

“She came?”

However Lotus is the very image of indifference. He quickly pushed up his silver rimmed glasses with his middle finger.

“‘She came?’, you said?”

I ask not understanding Lotus’s indifference, then a laugh slipped out,

“By no means! No, nowadays Master completing his dinner here is increasing. The maids have been inquiring as to the state of affairs over there”

Lotus nonchalantly answers.

The maids, can do as far as spy activities! The housekeeping maids are watching!

“Ooh~! It was like that”

“Yes. Lately it seems she has been continuously in a displeased state, so I was anticipating that she would come here soon”

“I see~!”

Calm analysis. Still superior persistence……is already great.

“I think you not yet appearing would be good. Today also I will deal with this”

“Understood! Well then I will sightsee quietly from hiding!”

“……”

No, look! From now on it is as research material. If there is a time when Lotus is not there when she intrudes how should I deal with it. Ah, at that time Dahlia will.

Lotus is smiling bitterly but I do not mind.

I quietly keep close behind Lotus going towards the entrance way in a quick pace. I decided to watch the state of the two people and secured a position from the opposite direction in a place I can see but not be seen (no, if I am seen that would unskillful).

“I have kept you waiting”

Lotus greeted Calendula, expressionless unlike usual.

“Oh. I said I want to meet the Mistress and yet, I wonder why did the butler come”

Calendula, her face is smiling and yet again her eyes are not smiling.

“The Mistress is feels unwell today, and is resting”

Ooh, Lotus, nonchalantly lied! Although, I have been lively till now.

“Oh, that is dreadful. By all means I should visit her”

Calendula will also not lose. Her mouth deepens into a smile.

“Her temperature is a little high, so unfortunately only her attendants can enter her room”

“Hmm. Well then, it cannot be helped. I will visit when she is healthy again”

Calendula unexpectedly withdrew quickly.

As usual, irritated at Lotus’ expressionlessness, she declared this with a slightly stiff face, it seems anytime Calendula will tut-tut. A ‘chi’ sound can be heard in my heart’s ear.

“Yes, I would like you to do so”

Facing each other Lotus is persistently composed.

Calendula, to the end severely glaring at the expressionless Lotus, then with a wave of her crimson red dress left the entrance way.

“I wonder if she will come again?”

I leave my cover, and stand next to Lotus. I stare fixedly at the door Calendula left out of.

Lotus has already returned to the usual Lotus but,

“I fear it is likely”

“Well then, next time for sure it will be a fighting scene?!”

I cannot confront as a uniform wearing servant, so tell Mimosa to do special make up……no, it would probably be better to receive full make and perfectly dress up?!

Lotus bitterly smiled at my slight cheerful tremble,

“……please restrain……”

He said briefly.

Oh, really? What a shame.

T/N:

[1] in the past I have used this as “errand boy” or “maids in charge of the errand boys” but it really means ‘waitress maids’. Sorry for any confusion.