Appointed as the Duke’s Personal Attendant
The hectic flow of everyday life passes by like a rush.
Just a few days ago I was living in the countryside of Edigma, and then I was working as a lady-in-waiting in a gorgeous castle, and then I became a maid for the charming Knights’ Corps.
And now, I will be a lady-in-waiting in the Rose territory, where the north wind is prevalent.
“This is a nice view.”
“I thought Marie would like it.”
Riding in the Duke of Rose’s carriage, inscribed with the Rose seal, I gazed out the window at the land surrounded by vast mountains.
Sitting across from me is Duke Reynaldo Rose, who will become my master.
He offered to travel with me because of the paperwork.
Frankly, I appreciated the courtesy.
The Rose territory, which is quite a distance to travel, was far enough away that it would take a whole day even if I drove directly with a carriage. If I rode a horse, I could reach there in a little more than half a day, but I had neither the ability to drive a horse nor the money to use a carriage.
Alberto offered to send me, but I couldn’t use the Knight Commander for just the matter of one lady-in-waiting, so Reynaldo offered to help.
I obediently agreed with Reynaldo’s proposal, and here we are today.
Reynaldo, sitting in front of me, has recrossed his long legs several times, as the long carriage ride tires him out.
When we met at the cafe near the royal capital, he had his bangs pulled back and was dressed in an all-back style, giving him a mature look, but now that he’s returning to his own territory, he has his bangs swept to the side.
His slightly elongated bangs, like Rosemary’s, are slightly curly and carved in gentle waves.
His hair was a light brown color, although it was hard to tell when it was pulled back.
As a boy, his hair was golden like Rosemary’s, but as he grew up, his hair seemed to have changed.
Perhaps it’s the same color as his mother’s.
“What’s wrong?”
He asks me with a gentle smile.
“I was just thinking how big you’ve grown once again.”
“That’s true.”
Reynaldo’s smile as he laughed while placing his hands on top of each other was so serene that the anxiety that had been lurking in my heart melted away.
My mind, which had been nervous about heading to a new place, began to calm down after talking to Reynaldo.
“I’m sorry Marie, but the truth is that we only have the bare minimum number of staff at the mansion.”
“I see.”
“Yes. I don’t like to be around people too much. Ah, but Marie is different. I will have to ask you to work as my personal maid.”
“I understand.”
Being a lord’s maid is a prestigious job. Although I’m still only a novice maid, I want to be of some help to Reynaldo.
The carriage then stops with the neighing of the horses.
I looked through the window and saw that it had stopped at the newly built castle gate.
“We’ve arrived in town.”
The townscape peeking out of the window is smaller than the royal capital, but there are long rows of small houses.
On the well-paved streets, various people were selling and buying things.
A sense of incongruity is born within me.
“There are many immigrants in the Rose territory. Villagers living along the mountain range come here to buy and sell goods.”
“That’s wonderful!”
That’s why all the goods they sell were of unfamiliar shapes and things with the ones in the royal capital.
The smell of food that I’d never smelled before wafted in from various places. Sweet smells, spicy smells. It was an exciting sight to behold, but after a while, the carriage stopped once again.
Looking out the front, I saw a large mansion standing tall in the woods.
“This is my mansion.”
“It’s located quite far from the city, isn’t it?”
The horses drove through the woods from the entrance door for a long time.
The hustle and bustle of the town gradually faded away, and we continued on our way along the quiet forest road.
Along the way, I kept thinking that the place was built with great caution. The mansion, when seen up close, was old enough to be unusual among the many newer buildings.
“This mansion is still in the same condition as the one used by the previous lords. It’s old, but I like it.”
I see. It was just like Reynaldo, who was indifferent to his own affairs.
When the carriage stopped, Reynaldo got off first and offered me his hand from in front of the door.
Without hesitation, I gave him my hand and got out of the carriage.
In front of the mansion, there was a line of servants waiting for their master’s return. I thought that the number of people was indeed small for the size of the mansion.
“Welcome back, Master.”
“I’m back. This is Marie, the maid who will be my new personal attendant from today. Marie, say your greetings.”
“I-I am very pleased to meet you.”
I lost my composure for a moment and my voice stuttered due to Reynaldo’s sudden change of attitude to one more like a lord.
To think that I would be the one confused when it comes to that situation, even though I was the one who wanted him to behave like a high-ranking person with me when we were in public.
“I’ll leave Marie to you, Lieber. Marie, this is Lieber.”
From among the attendants lined up, an elderly man stepped forward.
His face brings back memories of when I was Rosemary.
‘He looks familiar….’
“My name is Lieber, Reynaldo-sama’s butler.”
“My name is Marie Edigma. Pleased to meet you.”
He held out his hand and I grasped it back.
Lieber was one of the butlers who took care of Rosemary and Reynaldo when they were little.
His family had long served the Hubert family. If I recall correctly, Lieber’s brother even served their father, Marquis Hubert.
I looked up at Reynaldo. He seemed to sense my feelings and nodded.
“I will show you around the mansion.”
Hearing his voice, I bowed slightly.
I parted from Reynaldo and walked through the main entrance of the mansion.
Suddenly, I smelled the pleasant scent of flowers.
Vases of roses and marigolds decorated in various places were everywhere, and I smiled at the fact that Reynaldo had been faithful to his word.
“The servants spend their time in this wing, but the Duke has reserved a room for you in the Lord’s wing, as you are his personal attendant.”
“Is that so?”
I was introduced to the place by Lieber while walking down the hallway of the mansion, and I was surprised by the outrageous statement.
“Don’t worry. Everyone in this mansion is very tight-lipped, so no matter what happens, we won’t speak publicly.”
“….? …. Ah, no. You’re wrong, sir!”
I realized that he was suggesting an intimate relationship with Reynaldo, and hurriedly denied it.
Then Lieber looked at me with a little regret.
“Is that so? Everyone in the mansion was delighted that spring had finally come to the young master.”
“I have various relations with Reynaldo-sama, but we don’t have that kind of relationship….”
Lieber laughed as he looked at me blushing and denying it.
“Well, you never know what will happen.”
Fufufu, he laughs deliberately.
I felt like I understood why the butler, who was in a higher position, spoke to me with honorifics.
He is probably taking this opportunity to welcome the wife of a duke who remains a bachelor.
I had no choice but to reply, “No, you’re wrong,” and I strode quickly on the soft carpet.
But alas.
It turns out that what he said as a joke was well-known within the mansion.
I was left troubled about my position at my new workplace.
