결국 잠을 자지 못했다. Rustica was rubbing her tired eyes as she trudged down the hallway. She hadn’t drunk any alcohol, yet her head was heavy. However, at least there was a conclusion she had reached last night.

Just as she had a reason not to visit her parents, her parents also had a reason not to visit her. Probably, the reason would be the same for both.

“Ah, hello!”

Rustica was surprised and looked at the maid who bowed deeply. With a black dress and a white apron, it seemed Martin had taken good care of her.

“Hello. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes! The room is so warm.”

I blurted out honestly without knowing and then looked around with flushed ears at her innocent face. She must be that fourteenyearold orphan, I thought. She had already gotten up and was holding a dust rag awkwardly, then hid it behind her.

“Have you had breakfast?”

“Yes. I had white bread, butter, and chicken. A lot of meat…….”

Was it very astonishing to eat meat on an ordinary day? Rustica looked at the girl who was too small and thin for a fourteenyearold.

Being fourteen could be a lie to get a job, or perhaps she looked like that because she hadn’t eaten properly.

“You should eat a lot. You are Lucilla, right? Our names are similar. I am Rustica.”

“Yes, I know. Lady, they call you Lu.”

The girl, more accustomed to the name Lu rather than Lucilla, looked down at the tips of her shoes, standing stiffly.

I’ve managed to get clean black shoes for her to wear. Even in this strict environment, Martin was extraordinary, taking care of everyone’s appearance.

“You are brave. Rumors would have it that there are horned monsters in the Calleta Embassy.”

“That’s not true…….”

Perhaps the rumors were similar. That they eat people, or that they are bloodthirsty.

“Being brave is good. Not everyone is brave.”

Lucilla blinked and said nothing. Then, suddenly, she raised her head.

“Sir, the butler said breakfast is ready…….”

“Martin sent you. Thank you. Have a good day.”

Saying this and habitually rummaging through her pocket, Rustica thought she should stop by the candy store in the afternoon, and moved on.

“Lady, have a good day too, Lady!”

She turned and smiled at the belated words from behind. Candy would be good, and so would chocolate.

Thinking that Lucilla was very cute, Rustica descended the round, white staircase where delicious smells wafted up.

Although she didn’t want to eat heavy meat dishes in the morning without having slept well, Martin’s cooking was so good she would always have a bite.

Ah, of course, the problem is that there might be a fatal poison in it someday.

“Good morning.”

“Good mo…. Wow, your face really is something.”

Rustica took the newspaper from Martin and thumped Aldwin’s shoulder.

“You didn’t need to say that.”

“Couldn’t you sleep?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

She looked at Aldwin instead of answering. Martin quickly filled her teacup with coffee instead of tea.

“Ah, right. I asked something unnecessary. Emperor Perseta must be tormenting people; even I wouldn’t be able to sleep.”

“Thanks for the coffee, Martin. I saw Lucilla earlier, and you dressed her very neatly. Despite being busy, there was not a single flaw.”

“It was nothing.”

Martin replied without a change in expression, but seemed pleased with her praise.

“If trained well, she’ll be able to do the work of one person.”

“Yes. I’ll do my best.”

“Don’t overdo it. The Embassy needs you healthy, Martin.”

“Hey, you don’t say that to us, but you care a lot about Martin?”

Aldwin kept butting in, showing no signs of learning from Eliza, who was silently eating her breakfast.

“Eliza Barkova is managing herself well, and you take care of yourself when needed. But Martin doesn’t, so I’m reminding him.”

“That’s too much. I even have an interview with the laundry department today.”
Aldwin, who complained that security at the embassy was an important matter and that he had to handle even trivial things personally, placed a tray containing the letter in front of Lu.

“Now an invitation has arrived for the person who is about to leave.”

Though it was obviously just one, it had at least come.

“The person who is about to leave?”

For the first time, Eliza looked up and asked.

“They bet among the diplomats. How long can I endure the oppression of Emperor Fersepta? They all bet that I’ll be packing this week.”

“I must endure this week.”

She spoke sternly.

“Yeah. I must. Ah, I really wish I hadn’t seen this purple envelope.”

As Lu grumbled, shaking the envelope obviously sent by the Emperor, now even Eliza looked at her pitifully.

Today’s invitation was the only one. A clear refusal would be easy if an excuse of illness was made.

How many times has it been already? Lu, who had given up on answering, mechanically picked up a knife to open the invitation.

Yes. The Emperor gave her a day’s time yesterday, not simply because she had a prior engagement with Embassy Felix Keika, but to give her time to glance at the aristocratic yearbook.

“He insists I enter the palace in the morning.”