第１２１０堀：挨拶周り イフ大陸 (Part1)
**Chapter 1210: The Greeting Tour – If Continent**
**Side: Orelia**
I am currently in the very eye of the storm of nervousness.
After all…
"Master. The Kings of Roday, Zilba, and August are waiting for you in the conference room," Kirue-sama said to Yuki-sama, and I felt my body stiffen even further.
Yes, we are about to be ushered into a place where the monarchs of great powers are waiting for us.
Even for commoners, the opportunity to have an audience with their own country’s king is a rare privilege. For those of us in the position of slaves, it is fundamentally unthinkable—not just to gaze upon the royal countenances, but to exchange words directly.
That is doubly true when it comes to the kings of foreign nations.
Furthermore, it is not uncommon for a commoner to lose their head over a minor faux pas.
On top of that, we are the personal slaves assisting Yuki-sama with his work. Any failure on our part could potentially tarnish the names of Yuki-sama and Weed.
To be told not to be nervous in such a situation is an impossible request.
It seems everyone feels the same; even Hovis, who is usually composed, has a stiff, awkward smile on her face.
However, seemingly indifferent to our state, Yuki-sama spoke with a tone of half-hearted exasperation.
"That’s quick. It’s only been a day."
"According to Seraria-sama, they intended to come for an audience yesterday, but she managed to hold them off," Kirue-sama replied.
"No, I was asleep yesterday, too."
"Yes. That is also why it was moved to today. The celebratory gifts have already been brought in. Here is the inventory."
As she said this, Kirue-sama handed a document to Yuki-sama.
Yuki-sama took it, flipped through it, and passed it directly to me.
A quick glance at the inventory revealed a list of items that were clearly of immense value.
That was only natural, as Kirue-sama had stated these were gifts from great powers.
As for what they were celebrating: it was the safe delivery of Yuki-sama’s children by his wives.
This fact only highlighted the peculiar nature of Yuki-sama’s and Weed’s standing.
If it were a matter of rewards or reciprocal gifts, it would be one thing, but for great powers to send celebratory gifts to a small nation—and for the kings themselves to visit in person—is unheard of.
By all rights, it should be Weed that travels to pay its respects.
However, such common sense does not apply to Weed.
That single fact alone demonstrates just how highly the great powers regard this nation.
But that, in turn, only serves to heighten our anxiety.
Nevertheless, I cannot allow myself to be so pathetic that I cannot perform my duties due to nerves.
"U-um, what should I do with these?"
I managed to move my head and mouth, asking Yuki-sama how to handle the gifts.
Under normal circumstances, I should be able to handle such matters without needing to consult Yuki-sama for every little thing. But we are still inexperienced, and there is little we can judge on our own—especially when dealing with something that, by all conventional logic, shouldn't exist: birth celebration gifts from the kings of great powers.
I hope that one day, I will be able to act in accordance with Yuki-sama’s wishes without having to ask, and without feeling this level of tension.
"Just store them for now. I’ll consult with my wives later. Things like return gifts for birth celebrations depend on the country. Oh, and if there are any perishables like fruits, pick those out and let me know."
"Y-yes! I will begin the work immediately and—"
I started to respond, seizing the opportunity to escape, but…
"Wait until after the introductions are over."
Ah, it seems there is truly no escaping a face-to-face meeting with the kings of the If Continent’s great powers.
Perhaps that melancholy showed on my face, as Kirue-sama spoke to us.
"Do not worry, Orelia, Yayui, Hovis. Yuki-sama and I have judged that there will be no issues with you meeting the kings directly. It is natural to be nervous, but that is precisely why this is the time to do your best. Well, a 'first time' will always be nerve-wracking. And for someone like me, who has served Shera-sama for a long time and now serves as a maid to Yuki-sama, mistakes are not permitted—so, in a way, you are better off now."
I see. Because we are still in this position, mistakes are forgiven.
Kirue-sama is likely right.
A mistake made after one has become a full-fledged professional would be a significant problem.
I see—she is telling us to make our mistakes while we still can.
"Even so, as 'slaves chosen by Yuki-sama,' you have attracted the interest of many, but that is your destiny. You must get used to standing under such gazes. You came to Yuki-sama with that resolve, did you not?"
"Yes!"
As Kirue-sama said, we came this far with the sole desire to be of use to Yuki-sama.
Because the status of the people we were meeting was so overwhelming, I had carelessly forgotten my original intention.
I only wanted to be of use to Yuki-sama.
That was all that mattered.
"I know it’s useless to tell you not to be nervous or that you shouldn't make mistakes. Well, it’s fine that you’re motivated. Besides, the only one who’s really a pain is Zilba, anyway."
"Yuki-sama. The others are kings of great powers. It goes without saying that it is better to have no mistakes. Also, I question your phrasing regarding King Zilba. They are all, equally, kings of great powers."
"But their conversations are mostly just talk about ramen."
"..."
Kirue-sama was rendered speechless by Yuki-sama’s retort.
Ramen talk? That ramen, right? What on earth could that mean?
"...Regardless of individual hobbies, they remain kings of great powers."
"I guess so. But Kirue, you’re also thinking it’s a bit strange for a king to just go silent, aren't you?"
"Oh, Yuki-sama. Please do not tease me. And so, while there are such instances of nitpicking, Yuki-sama will properly follow up for you, so please greet them with peace of mind."
"Yes!"
So that is how it is.
Kirue-sama intentionally played the role of the one making a blunder to teach us that there is nothing to fear.
"Well, now that the tension is gone, let’s go and get the greetings over with."
With that, we finally headed toward the conference room where the kings of the If Continent were waiting.
In front of the room, the guards of each nation were lined up in perfect formation, a display meant to emphasize that the kings were just beyond the doors.
And then…
"Yo, everyone. Long time no see."
"It has been a long time, sir!"
For some reason, Yuki-sama began exchanging greetings with the guards as if they were old acquaintances.
Um, what exactly is going on?
"Has any good place opened up lately?"
"Thanks to you, Yuki-sama, the food in my Zilba, as well as in Roday and August, has improved significantly."
"Indeed. It is truly a great help."
"It really is. Even at the same restaurant, it’s a different kind of fun when the flavor improves out of nowhere, isn't it?"