I felt a slight admiration for her determination to find a flaw and kick me out.

However, there were no issues with my manners. The Countess had given me intensive manners training so that I wouldn’t be kicked out of the palace.

I should rather study, how to manage glances, how to lower my head, here’s like this, there’s like that…

Is there even a set way to smile? Ahhh!

I could have erupted in a barrage of curses, but I managed to hold back, now that I had reached adulthood. Is this what adulthood is for? It’s a tragedy.

Anyway, I had to pass various tests in front of the provost, from casual greetings to a formal court audience.

Although I had to relearn some etiquette that was exceptional in front of the royal family, those were hard for ordinary people to know, so the provost couldn’t comment much.

My education ended in the early afternoon.

“That’s enough for today.”

It sounded like there was more to come tomorrow, but I was exhausted and quickly left.

I went to the garden to catch my breath, and I saw Her Royal Highness’s escort knight sitting on a bench in the farthest corner.

His bulky body and melancholic atmosphere made him appear like a massive gray rock. A sharp rock that could hurt people if mishandled.

“Are you skipping out?”

“…….”

He was startled by my lack of decorum, and I was startled by my words.

Damn mouth! This is the imperial palace.

While I was blinking my eyes, he sighed.

“The new maid is garrulous.”

I awkwardly smiled and sat at the edge of the bench.

“Thank you for putting it nicely. I am Lorisha.”

“The illegitimate child of the Loar family. I’ve heard.”

“Oh my! You’re so direct.”

I widened my eyes and acted extremely flustered, though it fell flat.

Cursing should be done behind someone’s back. Usually, when someone says something so straightforwardly, they don’t mean harm.

Besides, he was staring at me as if telling me to drop the act.

“I am Lond. Lond Amoé.”

“Nice to meet you, Knight Lond. It’s an honor to meet the Serpent of the South.”

When I pretended to know about the phrase from the House of Amoé, he frowned.

“No point in acting chummy with me, Miss Loar.”
“Lord Rond is responsible for Her Highness the Princess’s safety. As her maid, it’s only natural for us to get acquainted.”

“Think as you will.”

His short brown hair appeared as though it was torn rather than styled with any intention, and his incredibly thick neck and arms made him look like a bear pretending to be human.

His deep gray eyes somehow looked sad, making him appear as if he were a knight from a sorrowful fairy tale, cursed to turn into a bear.

Or perhaps an unfortunate bear transformed into the ill-tempered knight protecting the princess.

Either way, I didn’t dislike his gruffness.

I cheerfully asked,

“Does Her Highness dislike you as well? Being out here in broad daylight…”

“She’s at a tea party. Her Highness hardly ever ventures outside, and when I’m around, she says the atmosphere turns ominous and keeps me away from even the vicinity of the tea party. Every knight is dying to be in my position.”

His words were clearly ironic. It was obvious that he despised his current role.

It seemed like no one in the palace actually enjoyed their work.

I awkwardly responded,

“Ah.”

“Her Highness will not accept you. It would be easier for you to leave sooner.”

It was as if he was saying, ‘I’d go if I could.’

He might be expressing frustration for not being able to serve a more powerful royal due to his ambitious nature, but Lord Rond did not look ambitious by any means.

I retorted bluntly,

“If it were easy, wouldn’t you have gone somewhere else already?”

“….”

I let out a deep sigh and continued,

“That’s why it’s not easy, so I endure scoldings from the housekeeper while I train.”

“Ah, that old woman.”

Seeing the smirk spread across his lips, I immediately knew I had found a friend.

“You know the housekeeper, Lord Rond?”