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“A portrait of the Commander is more effective than any amulet, so please keep it, Miss Edigma!”
“Huh…? Um…”
I was perplexed by the sudden handover, but Eva-sama signaled that the conversation was over and escorted me through the town.
“Ah, it’s been a long time indeed. Actually, I have something I’d like to discuss. If you don’t mind, would you like to have a drink over there? I apologize for talking while standing.”
“That’s fine. Um, well…”
“Of course, I’ll treat you! So, what would you like?”
Upon being told to choose any drink from the stall, I couldn’t keep up with the sudden turn of events, but I decided to ask for apple juice for the time being.
Despite the fact that Eva-sama was around ten years older than Alberto, he was even more approachable and easy to talk to than the Commander himself. Even when I was working as a maid, he would often strike up conversations with me, and I felt that he and Niki were especially comfortable with each other. Perhaps it was because both of them were sociable individuals that their conversations flowed so well.
Eva-sama, who appeared gentle but was strict with the members of the Corps, and Alberto, who seemed strict but was kind. The two of them were mismatched but had surprisingly good compatibility and were both highly respected.
He led me to a seating area in the plaza, guided me to sit down, and then sat a little distance away. He seemed to have ordered only for me, since he had nothing in his hand.
“Um, Eva-sama. About the conversation…”
“Hahaha, getting straight to the point, I see! Well, there’s actually something I really wanted to ask you.”
Eva-sama turned toward me and looked at me with a serious face. I waited for his words nervously, wondering what he was going to say.
“Miss Edigma.”
“Yes?”
Then, Eva-sama bowed his head deeply.
“Please! For our sake, will you please return to being a maid of the Knights’ Corps?!”
“A maid of the Knights’ Corps…?”
“Yes.”
Eva-sama nodded vigorously.
“The recent turmoil has brought the number of attendants at the royal palace back to the traditional number, but as a matter of fact, there is still a shortage of maids in the Corps. Moreover, the Commander is about to receive his title, right? Ah, it’s going to be really busy!”
My heart started to race again at the mention of Alberto.
“It’s already difficult for us to do anything since the change of kings affects the security measures, we don’t even know where the laundry tub is. Not only can’t we take care of ourselves, but we are also bothering the Commander.”
“That’s… a difficult situation.”
I hadn’t heard anything like that from Alberto in particular, but Eva-sama’s expression was earnest.
“At the very least, can’t we leave the Commander’s care to you, like before? I’m worried that if things continue like this, the Commander will go about his work without eating or drinking anything.”
“Really?”
Could it be that the reason he came to have dinner every night was because he couldn’t eat during the day?
It makes me a little worried.
“Yes, that’s right. And then, I heard that Miss Edigma is currently taking a break from the Rose territory, so if it’s okay with you, I would like to ask for your help. Of course, we will adjust your salary! If the country doesn’t provide it, we’d ask for it out of our own salaries!”
That far?
I shook my head in panic.
“Please don’t worry about it. I received some money from the country as severance pay, so I’m not in trouble at all right now. Besides, I have plenty of free time.”
It’s also true that I didn’t know when’s the right time to go home, and that I had nothing to do.
Even though I told Alberto and Reynaldo that I wanted to go back, there was still the missing presence of the Queen, and I was asked to accompany Alberto for his title ceremony, and also the relocation of Rosemary’s grave.
Besides, staying idle at my brother’s house didn’t suit me.
If the request came from Eva-sama like this, rather than Alberto or Reynaldo, I’m sure both of them would agree.
Well, being near Alberto would also remind me of various things.
I looked at Eva-sama with determination.
“I understand. If you don’t mind, I will help you.”
Eva-sama thanked me with a radiant smile, as if a halo was shining behind him.
I smiled back.