At that moment, we heard the voice of a soldier from beyond the sliding door.
“Prince Raycis has arrived.”
The instant the soldier’s words echoed into the room, we all froze. But soon snapping out of it, I hurriedly hid behind Diana while still in the maid outfit. Not long after, the sound of footsteps approached, and Raycis’ voice came from the other side of the door.
“Farah, I heard Lord Reed has arrived. I would like to greet him as well, may I enter?”
Hiding behind Diana, I turned pale, desperately trying to think of how to get through this situation. Farah then hurriedly responded to Raycis.
“Ah, brother!? Please wait a moment.”
“Hm? Understood. I’ll wait here, so let me know when I can come in.”
I was now facing the greatest crisis since arriving in Renalute. I never imagined that at this very moment, when I had disguised myself in a maid outfit to escort Farah to the town outside, Raycis would come to the room. Then, Diana softly muttered to me.
“…Lord Reed, please hide behind me.”
“O-Okay.”
She stood to conceal me. Farah and Asna exchanged glances and nodded, then cleared their throats before answering Raycis who was on the other side of the sliding door.
“Dear brother, please come in.”
“Sorry for the sudden visit. Excuse me.”
Raycis answered Farah and quietly slid open the door. Looking around the room, he wore a puzzled expression.
“Oh… Lord Reed doesn’t seem to be here?”
“Ah, um, Lord Reed left a little while ago…”
Though Farah answered somewhat nervously, Raycis maintained his suspicious expression. He slowly turned his gaze to Diana and politely inquired.
“…Isn’t Lady Diana Lord Reed’s guard?”
“Brother, I asked her to stay. I wanted to learn about the Empire’s culture, and Lord Reed said he had some business to attend to, so he left first. I asked only Diana to remain.”
Farah answered Raycis’s question, but looking dubious, he further questioned Diana.
“Hmm… if Lady Diana stayed behind, did Lord Reed return to the guest house alone?”
“No, another knight, Reubens, came and accompanied Lord Reed back to the guest house.”
“Is… that so.”
Hearing Diana’s words, Raycis lowered his head in thought for a moment before looking up again.
“…I understand. Please let Lord Reed know I’ll greet him properly another day.”
“Certainly. I will convey your message to Lord Reed.”
Thank goodness, we’re saved. I felt relieved hiding behind Diana. However, at that moment, Raycis said something unexpected.
“…By the way, who is that maid standing behind Lady Diana?”
“Eh…? Brother, there’s no such maid anywhere in this room?”
“…What do you mean there isn’t one? I can see her reflected in that mirror.”
At those words, I internally screamed “Oh no!!” Prompted by Raycis’s observation, I looked to the side and indeed saw my maid disguise reflected in the mirror. Yes, from his position, I was completely visible. I hung my head in despair. However, Diana quickly came to the rescue.
“…Lord Raycis, I apologize. This is Tia, an apprentice lady-in-waiting. She shouldn’t normally be present at such occasions, but since she’s close in age to Princess Farah, Lord Reed brought her along.”
“…Hmm. An apprentice lady-in-waiting from Magnolia? Interesting. Tia, was it? Come before me.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
What a predicament! Somehow I’ve become an apprentice lady-in-waiting and am being called before Raycis. I nervously looked at Diana, and I thought I saw her silently cheering “Do your best!!” Deciding to just go for it, I timidly stepped forward, acting shy.
My heart was pounding as I worried about being found out while looking up at Raycis. From others’ perspective, it might have looked like I was gazing up at him coyly. As I fearfully looked at his face, I noticed it seemed to be turning red. At that moment, Diana gently called out to me from behind.
“Tia, greet Prince Raycis. I taught you how.”
“Huh…?”
I’ve never been taught such a thing. As I thought this, Diana came to my side, performed a curtsy greeting, and whispered.
“Tia, do as I do.”
“Y-Yes.”
Thinking whatever happens happens, I tried to copy Diana’s greeting. However, being unfamiliar with the movement, I stumbled and nearly fell toward Raycis.
“Ah!!”
“…!? A-Are you alright?”
“I’m sorry, I’m… fine.”
He quickly caught me before I could fall. I was trying to speak in a higher pitch than usual, but my heart was racing, worried about being discovered. Meanwhile, Raycis seemed to be showing a somewhat embarrassed expression – I wonder why? At that moment, Diana called out to me.
“Tia!! What are you doing!? Prince Raycis, I sincerely apologize.”
While scolding me, Diana bowed to him. I hurriedly stepped away from Raycis and bowed as well. Seeing our behavior, Raycis showed a slightly confused expression.
“N-No, I, um, I’m sorry too.”
He stammered somewhat, apologizing for some unclear reason. Then, we heard Farah’s voice from behind us.
“Brother, isn’t it about time? We have some matters to discuss that can only be done among ourselves…”
“Ah, yes, of course. I apologize. Then, Lady Diana, Tia, excuse me.”
Raycis addressed us and left the room. Once his footsteps faded away, I collapsed on the spot and let out a big sigh of relief.
“Haah… that was scary… I never expected Prince Raycis to suddenly visit.”
“…Brother was probably worried about Lord Reed, so he came to check.”
I see. Come to think of it, Raycis was there when I fainted. Maybe I should properly greet him another time. But what was with his strange reactions partway through? As I tilted my head thinking about it, Asna, who had been silently observing until now, sighed and gave an exasperated look.
“Lord Reed, you really do keep Prince Raycis wrapped around your finger…”
“Huh…?”
Not understanding her words, I was dumbfounded. What did she mean by keeping him wrapped around my finger? As I pondered this, Farah cleared her throat to change the atmosphere.
“…Though my brother’s visit was surprising, I’d like to go to the castle town. Would that be alright, Lord Reed?”
I turned to her, nodded, and answered.
“Yes. I was the one who first suggested going, so please, let’s do so.”
“Understood. Then, Asna and I will prepare right away, so please wait a moment.”
After speaking, Farah gave a graceful bow and went to the back of the room. Shortly after, Farah and Asna returned wearing hakama that combined Japanese and Western styles. She looked at me and blushed shyly.
“…How is it? It’s my first time wearing this, does it suit me?”
“Y-Yes. Um… you look very beautiful.”
True to my words, Farah looked very cute and beautiful. Hearing my answer, she bashfully lowered her head, but her ears were moving up and down, so she was probably happy. Asna looked beautiful too, but as always, she carried a sword at her waist, giving off the impression of a female swordsman. Soon after, Farah cleared her throat with a sudden realization.
“Ah, um… well then, shall we go?”
With those words, we finished our preparations and left the main castle, finally heading toward the castle town.
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