After the chorus of the maidens, one maiden excitedly responded.

“A gift should be a gemstone! The plan is to buy the largest gemstone possible with His Majesty’s internal budget. Riley’s auction is opening soon!”

“That Riley’s auction?”

“But Your Majesty already possesses many fine gemstones…”

“That’s why we have to pick something special!”

I was in the middle of discussing the competition question with the members of the tea party hosted by Princess Miliora. Specifically, the talk about what I, as a maid, should do.

However, the topic was so foolish that I wondered if I should be the one worrying instead.

Riley’s auction was a secret auction attended only by invited nobles.

Since it was only held irregularly when there were particularly rare items, transactions sometimes exceeded the imagination.

But a gemstone as a birthday gift for His Majesty, who was a middle-aged man, seemed incongruous.

Princess Miliora cautiously expressed her agreement.

“Are you going to propose to His Majesty?”

The atmosphere suddenly grew cold.

Keril looked to Princess Miliora for cues and seemed to seek the maidens’ consent.

“Exactly. His Majesty already has a gem in Her Majesty the Queen. Right?”

“Absolutely. Keril is correct.”

The maidens loudly concurred. I didn’t find their reaction endearing.

Whether these maidens understood the dynamics between Princess Miliora and Queen Miliora, I didn’t know.

Still, Princess Miliora showed admirable patience.

“Think further. It can’t be that His Majesty lacks material wealth, can it?”

“Of course not!”

As Keril replied, another maiden spoke up.

“But what about the ‘Red Tear’ that will appear in Riley’s auction?”

“That famous red diamond? Wasn’t it lost decades ago, taken by pirates?”

“Yes! That one. I thought it was legendary too, but apparently it’s going to be in this auction.”

“I really want to see that.”

“We should request a catalog. My mother is a member of Riley’s auction.”

“Oh, I’m so jealous! But will it be auctioned off? The price will be astronomical. I must pester my mother to participate.”

“Should I do the same?”

“I hope macarons are available there. There will be a tea party before the auction, right?”

“Of course! It’s Riley’s auction.”

I felt embarrassed by the maidens’ excitement and looked to Princess Miliora for cues. Our eyes met.

She also found this conversation embarrassing.

I quickly averted my eyes.

These were always the joyful and cheerful tea party members, and Princess Miliora seemed to enjoy her time with them.

But these people were too frivolous to be entrusted with the discussion of something as serious as a competition, focusing only on their interests.

Princess Miliora didn’t seem unaware of this, but tolerating them was pushing her patience.

“His Majesty isn’t lacking in anything. So it’s a more difficult question. Why don’t we each think about it and continue tomorrow? How’s that?”

“Yes, Your Highness. That’s a good idea!”

“I’ll stay up all night thinking! While drinking wake-up tea.”

Their answers were spirited, giving assurance that no ingenious idea would come the next day.

Then Princess Miliora looked straight at me.

“If you come up with a good idea, I might bring a special guest here. Duke Rocard is staying at the palace during the academy’s vacation, right?”

I felt my hair stand on end for a moment.

‘…Your Highness?’

“Kyaa! You mean you’ll invite Duke Kaidel?”

The maidens screamed, and Princess Miliora smiled broadly.

“I haven’t confirmed his schedule yet, but it’s possible, isn’t it? This is assuming you bring good answers.”

“Then we won’t sleep a wink tonight!”

“Kyaa, Princess Miliora is the best!”
The young ladies happily withdrew. Excited by the mention of Duke Kaidel, they were like a bustling flock of chicks on a spring day.

As they left, Miliora stared intently at me.

“Can you?”

“……”

Unable to grasp Miliora’s intent, I blinked.

“What?”

She spoke with a cold smile.

“You’re quite familiar with Duke Rocard, aren’t you? So bringing him to my tea party should be no problem.”

I was startled, and my voice unintentionally cracked.

“Me?”

“If the Duke gave you a servant’s medal, then saying you’re familiar is an understatement, isn’t it?”

Ah, I see.

I closed my mouth tightly.

She doubted the nature of my relationship with him because of the servant appointment ceremony.

She might even suspect me of being a spy or a traitor to Her Highness Grayon!

I felt like I could explode, yet I couldn’t blame Duke Kaidel.

I quickly wanted to repay his kindness and return to our casual relationship, where I could freely curse him.

‘Duke Kaidel, I have so much to say to you!’

Miliora asked as if confirming a kill.

“Not answering, maid?”

I swallowed hard. Then I replied.

“Your Highness.”

“Speak.”

My voice was stern, almost severe due to the suppressed rage.

“I am not familiar with Duke Kaidel.”

Her delicate eyebrows twitched.

She seemed to have believed her own thoughts, but my stern words shook her confidence.