The Empress had a fiery personality, saving where she could and spending when she needed to.
It’s not a problem to point out because it’s wasteful use of the budget given to you.
“It’s one of my few pleasures.”
The Empress’s eyes looked somewhat lonely as she said those words. But before Pare Sa could open her mouth, the Empress’s eyes changed.
“By the way, how do you know that this is what living in the countryside means? “It looks familiar.”
Paresa was hot.
“… … Even in the countryside, I was responsible for taking care of the family finances. “It’s nothing compared to the empress’ palace, but I know how to keep a close eye on the budget.”
Although it is not a specialized field. Paresa received comprehensive training in various fields.
The Empress Palace’s budget was simple compared to what she had been dealing with.
The Empress frowned slightly.
“I said Menzel, your last name.”
“Yes, but it was a long time ago. Because the family is ruined… … .”
Paresa hurriedly looked around, fearing that the Empress might investigate.
In reality, the Menzel family left no property in the empire. So, it is not entirely wrong to say that it failed.
The Empress’s eyes became relaxed. Pity is in the dried rosy eyes.
It’s like watching a girl head of the household who earnestly earns money in the imperial palace and takes full responsibility for the family’s livelihood.
“Yes, anyway, as you said, you have talent.”
Actually, I have other talents as well.
Although her mouth was itchy, Paresa succeeded in swallowing it.
Nope.
Now she is just a fallen noblewoman and an ordinary maid.
The Empress changed the topic.
“You remember that I have to attend the ball that evening, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
The Marquis de Condor’s ball. Because of that, I had a hard time preparing the Empress’s prom outfit.
It’s only been a day since then, but there’s no way I’ve forgotten.
“Are you planning on attending?”
Does this mean that she will attend while wearing a maid’s uniform? No, the nuance was different.
After a moment of contemplation, Paresa opened her mouth.
“I know that whether I will attend depends on Her Majesty’s wishes… … .”
The Empress asks what kind of outfit you will wear to the ball.
However, Paresa’s attendance at the ball was up to the Empress.
Even if she stayed at the palace or went there, she could wear her maid’s uniform and wait without entering the ballroom.
If it were a marquis’ ball, it would be extravagant.
There will be a lot of delicious food. Although it was interesting, it was still better to wait in the back.
There is nothing good about having your face known for no reason.
“Isn’t that why you are asking because we will invite you to attend as well?”
I didn’t get angry this time. After helping, the Empress seemed to have found Paresa useful and became generous.
Paresa read the signal.
‘Even if I didn’t make a good first impression, there are plenty of opportunities to make up for it in the future.’
The first step toward turning things around has been taken.
The Empress once again suggested in a soft tone.
“This is an opportunity to debut in the institutional social world. Of course, there’s no way that that would necessarily be a good thing.”
Paresa, who came from the countryside, would never have debuted in the island’s social scene.
It wasn’t necessarily good intention. It was also an opportunity for the Empress to identify Paresa.
However, Paresa exceeded expectations and took advantage of this golden opportunity.
“I’m fine with not debuting. There’s no dress. “If you want, I can wait outside the ballroom.”
The ballroom usually had a place for the attendants.
Paresa’s strategy is to pretend that she has no choice, since any normal young lady would want to attend the ball.
But the Empress was surprised by something else.
“Why don’t you have a dress? “Are you saying you’re that poor?”
He was proud without being shy and had a certain cuteness to him, so I thought he would still be at a good level for a country noble.
Paresa was slightly embarrassed.
Isn’t this too obvious a question?
If I were really poor, it would hurt me.
“… … Well, I guess I don’t have anything worth wearing to the marquis’ ball. I’m really fine. “The dress is expensive, so I don’t even want to go to the extent of buying it to wear it.”
However, the Empress seemed to truly feel sorry for Paresa.
“Let me borrow my dress. “If you pick something good and stick with it, it will be provided.”
A noble lady who couldn’t even make her debut at the ball because she didn’t have a dress.
I could feel the wall crumbling in the eyes filled with pity.
However, instead of being impressed, the person involved was embarrassed.
I have to hide myself, but suddenly I’m in danger of attending the prom. She also attracted attention as the Empress’s new exclusive maid.
Paresa quickly made up an excuse.
“That’s one thing, but I’m also afraid that I’ll be embarrassed because I can’t dance.”
The hazel eyes were filled with surprise, bordering on shock.
“You can’t dance? “For a noble lady, ballroom dancing is basic.”
“Well, it just so happened…” … .”
The Empress shook her head excitedly.
“Then it won’t work today. However, since you will have to get used to the atmosphere of the ballroom in advance, it would be a good idea to go to Marquis together.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
It was fortunate. Paresa was internally relieved that the crisis had been overcome.
At that moment, the Empress looked at her intently and shouted loudly.
“Anyway, leaving work early, which you like, might not be possible today.”
What else can I say?
“it’s okay. You will receive overtime pay. “The Empress Palace also provides ample overtime pay.”
So it’s not really okay, it’s actually good.
The Empress, who raised her eyebrows in astonishment, suddenly took on a suspicious stance.
“I understand your situation, but this is the first time you’ve talked about money like that in front of me. “If someone gives me money, will I sell it too?”
Paresa said as if to reassure her.
“I only make money in safe and legal ways, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
Selling the Empress is never safe or legal.
There is definitely a confidentiality clause in the contract.
“… … “It is done.”
My bones were sore. This may not be because they looked at the budget.
The Empress decided to finish her work first.
After a while, she closed the document with her seal.
While we were talking, time passed quickly like a stream. We will have to start preparing soon. Previously.
“I think I should have a cup of tea.”
“Let’s get ready.”
This was before Paresa left the room.
“for a moment.”
The Empress asked, lifting her chin.
“But have you really heard nothing but ridiculous rumors about me? “I guess it’s strange.”
The Empress was still dwelling on the rumors. It seems that Paresa heard about her notoriety and was rattled by her, or at least hoped to find it difficult for her.
‘What if it’s a rumor?’
I wonder if this will change the topic.
“Ah, I don’t know anything else, but I heard rumors about His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“… … “Prince?”
The Empress frowned and glared at Paresa. As if she had heard something very unpleasant.
But Paresa’s mouth moved without notice.
“Yes, they said she was a very beautiful person. “It is the wish of the imperial maids to work in the crown prince’s palace.”
bang! The Empress roughly placed her papers down on her desk.
“He is a man. “Beautiful, what do you mean?”
“… … “Can’t men be beautiful too?”
“It’s disrespectful to criticize the royal family’s appearance, but how dare you mention the crown prince of a country in that way!”
Ah, in that sense. Is your relationship with the Crown Prince so good that you raise such objections? I don’t think so.
It felt strange. Paresa slowly calmed down.
“No, both your abilities and personality are great. Anyway, there were only good stories.”
But at those words, the Empress’s face lit up. She had a flushed face and gritted her teeth as if she were swallowing something.
It seems that the crown prince is too displeased to say that he is upset because bad rumors are spreading and only good rumors are spreading.
Paresa realized. It was the opposite.
‘You hate it so much.’
For some reason, it didn’t seem like they would get along well.
The Empress raised her eyes as if the wick had caught fire. A voice simmering with anger caught my attention.
“Do you also wish to work at the Crown Prince’s Palace?”
“no.”
Paresa was cut off immediately. And before the Empress could say anything, he added in a cool tone:
“I think the Crown Prince’s palace will be busy. And the salary is higher here.”
Even the same imperial maid receives different salaries depending on where she works.
The attendants in the emperor’s palace and the empress’ palace were especially highly paid. I heard that confidentiality fees were included.
The Empress wasn’t even surprised anymore. She muttered in despair.
“… … “You truly live by simple standards in life.”
“Well then, I’ll go prepare the tea.”
Behind Paretha, she spoke softly.
“I guess there’s nothing we can do about it since it looks like we’re having a hard time making a living right now. “You should know that happiness does not follow even if you have a lot of money in your hands.”
Paresa pursed her lips as if to say something, but then left behind only one word.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
It might be a good idea to think about it once you earn enough money.
But Paresa also knew what the Empress meant.
If I had wanted wealth and fame, I would not have left.
