Chapter 226: The Messenger from Duchess Vélez
Chapter 226: The Messenger from Duchess Vélez
Even though a messenger has come to the entrance, the troublesome part is that one cannot simply stand and talk at the entrance.I descend the stairs from the private room on the second floor, glance sideways at the face of the messenger at the entrance while pretending not to notice, and enter the reception room. Then I must wait for the messenger to enter — that is the procedure one must follow, it seems. The messenger also appears to understand that; although I think my movement entered his field of vision, he is pretending not to look (I think). Does that mean that even if I appeared completely naked before the messenger he would pretend not to notice?
Incidentally, if the Duchess herself had come, I myself would have to stand before the entrance, open the carriage door, take the Duchess’s hand, and so on — extremely troublesome procedures would be required, and for me who was raised in the depths of the Rear Palace these are all things I have never experienced.
The messenger who entered the reception room made a formal greeting and then respectfully produced a single sealed letter. Rudolf received it, opened the seal, and handed it to me. It is pompous, yet from now on I must grow used to it. Do all the nobles of the world do this sort of thing as a matter of course?
Now then, what is the contents of the letter? Looking, it was an extremely simple and high-handed "Bring the medicine and come tomorrow. Come as early as possible." Of course it was written more politely and euphemistically... Medicine — that, right? There is nothing else, right? Surely.
When I raised my face the messenger did not smile; the messenger who seemed not to know the words "business smile" wore an extremely serious face and said,
"May I receive a reply?"
Because I did not know how to answer I handed the letter to Rudolf; after reading it through Rudolf frowned. He looks a little surprised. Then he looks at me and nods with a kokun. I see, it is all right.
"Then, messenger, would you please convey to the Duchess that I will call tomorrow. I will match the Duchess’s convenience, so although it is extremely rude I ask whether you could send a carriage to fetch me? I will prepare so that I can call at any time."
When I said that the messenger cleared his throat once with a kohon and said,
"Understood. I will come to fetch you tomorrow. Please treat me favorably."
He stood from his seat and left.
"I am surprised. To think there would be an invitation from the Duchess. What change of heart is this?"
Rudolf truly looks surprised.
"That is surely because Her Majesty the Queen’s letter is effective. Tomorrow I will go together with Lily."
"Eh, that? Must I not accompany you?"
"No, to go to the Duchess’s place I must take Lily."
"Is that so?"
Rudolf is making a face of "Why?", yet
"That’s right. Lily is absolutely necessary."
I assert.
"Understood. I leave it to you."
Yet the talk did not end there. If it were only Rudolf and me there would be nothing particular, yet when it becomes a matter of taking Lily the problem of Lily’s clothing arises. What will she wear? Carla-san, Rudolf’s wife, entered the check, and it became a matter of which of the costumes Lily brought from the Marie Kingdom she would wear. As a result all the clothes Lily brought were rejected. They are behind the fashion of the costumes of noble-class women of the Mainz Kingdom. There was no choice, so a costume-rental shop was called and we would select something. From there it had nothing to do with me, so I left it to Carla-san and Lily. From now on when I go out together with Lily I will have to borrow each time, aah... money goes out. Rudolf was saying things like "If it were a man, fashion lag would not matter and one could keep wearing the same clothes forever," in a small voice so that his wife would not hear.