Regardless of who promoted the rumor, it is not true.
If the Empress was truly a wicked woman, she would have beheaded Paresa already on the first day.
The fact that Paresa was living the life of a maid without incident was proof that the Empress was not an evil woman.
If you do not engage in external activities, negative rumors will only spread further. The Empress herself had to step forward and show herself.
As her exclusive maid, Paresa felt a sense of duty to lead the Empress to a better place.
Before Paresa brought up the offer to the Empress, she asked Anna first.
She, who had served the empress for a long time, immediately showed an awkward attitude.
“tea party? well. “I don’t think Her Majesty the Empress will like it.”
“why?”
“I don’t know the details, but I heard it happened a long time ago, but I guess something not very good happened. From then on, I stopped doing it. “I only heard from my predecessor that Her Majesty the Empress doesn’t like it.”
‘What happened?’
It was just confusing. None of the low-ranking maids knew about the incident.
But I thought I knew who could tell me about the incident.
* * *
Paresa, who was returning to her lodgings, noticed a familiar person near the entrance. It was Marie Duncan.
I haven’t seen you much lately, so it was just the right time to meet you. Because she happened to have something she wanted to ask.
“Hello, Marie.”
“Hello, Paresa.”
It was a somewhat sobering reaction. Marie narrowed her eyes and let out a sharp sigh.
“I think it’s pretty adaptable.”
His tone was wary. I can guess the reason.
Because the Empress began to crack down on rumors about her spreading around the palace.
“Yes, thanks. “Your story helped me a lot.”
“Oh my, is that so?”
When Paresa spoke as if it was no big deal, Marie looked a little puzzled. She immediately asked outright.
“Her Majesty the Empress has begun hunting down those who are spreading strange rumors. Because of that, several people were scolded and kicked out of the palace. “Did you find out about it because you told me about it?”
“Ah, that. Actually, she said Her Majesty wanted to know what rumors were circulating about her. She already knew she was a rumor, so whatever. She said she was passing by and heard someone gossiping through the wall. Don’t worry, I didn’t even mention your name. ”
“Did you? Well, actually, they did talk a bit carelessly.”
Marie’s face lit up. This one is obvious in a different way than the Empress.
“How have you been?”
Marie Duncan smiled and asked sweetly. Only then did her mind seem to relax.
Paresa realized that he had become quite political.
It seems that people change to suit their environment.
“I had a good time. “It wasn’t much work.”
“Hmm, isn’t it hard?”
“Are you tired… … “Of course not!”
Paresa added strength to her last words as if to emphasize it.
Marie interpreted this to mean that Paresa could not gossip about the Empress even if she wanted to.
“okay? thank god. “I was very worried that you would quit soon.”
While talking about various things, Paresa lowered her voice.
“More than that, the empress’s palace does not hold tea parties or balls. “It’s comfortable for me, though.”
The corners of Marie’s mouth twitched. A sarcastic voice came out of her mouth.
“Well, since you’ve been through something like that, you probably don’t want to do it again.”
“Like that? “What happened?”
“That’s actually… … .”
“number of animals? “What are you doing there?”
“Huh?”
In the end, I didn’t hear the story. When the other maids appeared, Marie, who was soft-spoken, was startled and left.
The maids also seemed to be looking at Paresa for some reason.
Paresa, who was left alone, tilted her head.
‘hmm… … I don’t think he’ll tell me the next time we meet.’
I worked hard to encourage conversation, but it ended up being disappointing. Paresa decided to give up plans for the Empress’s tea party for the time being.
If an incident had occurred in the past, it would have been a difficult proposition to bring up lightly.
What on earth is ‘that kind of thing’? Until I find out.
* * *
And the next day. Paresa went to work and was faced with a lightning-quick situation.
“I brought your teacher today.”
“yes? “You are my teacher.”
What do you want me to learn?
Paresa raised her eyes in confusion at the empress’ words.
The Empress answered bluntly while flapping her fan.
“It seems like things are going okay these days. How can I live if the Empress’s personal maid can’t dance and can’t even debut at her ball? “Let’s learn dancing first.”
Paresa couldn’t believe her ears.
‘What, dancing? ‘Did you remember what I said before?’
The Empress had a surprisingly good memory. Or maybe she kept it because she wanted to get herself into trouble.
… … Rather, I don’t want to debut in a social world or anything.
“Isn’t that a good thing? Please let me know that I am grateful. This class is provided by me and is free. “Because you’ve worked hard so far.”
The Empress’s eyes softened as she spoke patronizingly. Paresa, on the other hand, stiffened as if she had been struck back.
They say you’ll do well, but they tell you to learn how to dance even though they can’t give you a prize. This is not a punishment, but a reward.
‘If you’re going to give a prize, give it something the recipient likes.’
Things like extra allowances, money, bills, etc.
Paresa tried to resist.
“I’m really fine. And the dance… … Because I don’t have enough stamina these days. “Let’s learn it slowly later.”
However, Paresa’s opinion was unfairly not respected.
“I’m not okay! I’m embarrassed! Why do you lack stamina? “It just looked good.”
“But you still have to work during working hours. “It is my job to assist Her Majesty the Empress.”
“It is a basic skill for a noble lady. And only noble ladies can be my exclusive maids!”
Aside from loudly complaining to the chamberlain that there was no need for an exclusive maid, the empress was very proactive.
Of course, Paresa did not know that fact.
“Actually, that’s true. Even if a dedicated maid goes to the ball, she has to serve His Majesty and dance with excitement. “I want to be faithful to Your Majesty.”
“Are you afraid of being embarrassed?”
“No, that’s… … .”
Paresa shook her head. What should I say?
A variety of repertoires came to mind, but they were refuted in their own right.
Rather than being afraid of being in the spotlight or in crowded places, being a dedicated maid is a position where you get a lot of attention and interact with a lot of people.
If you had a trauma, she was the empress who would tell you to overcome it with willpower.
The problem was that there was no reason to avoid it. The Empress soon gave an order to Paresa, who kept withdrawing, as if she had decided to do so.
“I brought you a special teacher, so study hard for three days and show me your results.”
I really think I should do it. I could feel the Empress’ will.
It’s as if Paresa’s social debut has become her life’s goal.
Paresa obeyed her will and answered.
“… … yes.”
What can you do if your employer claims that it is so necessary?
Her employer, the Empress, looked at her with particularly sparkling eyes today.
“There is nothing to worry about. “If you just learn how to dance properly, you can make your prom debut.”
Paresa slowly opened her mouth.
“Thank you for Her Majesty’s consideration… … give.”
The Empress, who accepted the greeting politely, smiled and turned her back. She looked happy.
“With something like that.”
‘Are you doing this on purpose?’
Paresa could not shake off his doubts to the end.
Some time later, a middle-aged woman with an elegant appearance greeted Paresa in a large room in the empress’ palace.
It was a small hall, with furniture placed almost exclusively in the corners.
She greeted Paresa in a friendly but businesslike manner.
“My name is Chief Maid Ingel. She is in charge of teaching etiquette to the palace maids. Looking at her posture, she seems to have a pretty good posture, but she can’t dance? “She is surprising.”
“… … Because I don’t have much to dance to. “I come from the countryside.”
I have learned. The problem was that she was forgetting about it because she didn’t attend the prom.
“But if you’re a noble lady, dancing is a must. You can’t just stand around and leave the dance. If you are an exclusive maid, you must have the basics of a noble lady. “It is a matter that depends on Her Majesty the Empress.”
Ingel looked quite serious.
“yes.”
Paresa answered harshly.
In fact, his other abilities were so outstanding that he lived a life in which those were not a flaw. I just think this is imperial style.
And then the class began in earnest.
It was easy to imitate Ingel’s graceful movements while standing in the middle of the hall.
After just a few repetitions, Paresa memorized all the basic movements.
“Oh my, it’s your first time and you’re following along well. “You seem to have good observation skills.”
‘I’m confident that I can use my body even after this.’
“yes.”
Ingel chuckled after hearing Paresa’s confident answer.
“Then it might end quickly. Let’s get started, shall we? “I’ll use the most basic song.”
Ingel accelerated the class. One of the musicians she brought with her played the piano. And the result… … .
It was cruel.
“Hmm, it looks like you understand the basics. “Really.”
Ingel, the passionate head maid, raised her finger.
“That sucks! It’s embarrassing to see. If this continues, there will be no way to avoid embarrassment at the prom!”
Is that it? I thought I did a good job as I learned.
