第１４２１堀：もう一つの情報源はどこ (Part2)
Seeing everyone seated, I realized there was no tea prepared.
Instead of taking my seat on the sofa, I walked over to the coffee maker in my office. "Is coffee alright for everyone? I have tea as well, though it’s just the bagged variety."
"Oh, that’s fine."
"Yeah, coffee is good."
"Yes, coffee would be lovely, thank you."
"Oh! Um, please, let me..."
Unlike the three who remained relaxed, Riel naturally stood up to come over and assist, but I stopped her with a wave of my hand.
"It’s fine. I’m the one who asked you all to sit, after all. Consider this part of a little break."
"Ah, Yuki-sama said the exact same thing."
"Oh, really?"
"It just goes to show what a compatible couple you are."
"I suppose so."
It’s nice to find these little commonalities. It makes me feel truly connected to him. As I prepared the coffee with that thought in mind, my husband suddenly spoke up.
"Hey, I get that you’d want coffee for a break or as a hobby, but what do you do when things get busy? I haven’t seen any maids or anything like that around."
He glanced around the room, scanning the area. It was true; there were no maids present.
"Do you remember what my position was originally, dear?"
"A tomboy princess?"
"That’s not wrong, but it’s not quite right either. I was a general leading an entire army. In other words, I held a position of status, and I certainly have maids at my disposal."
I rang the small bell on my desk. The door to the conference room opened instantly, and Una, the head maid, stepped inside.
"Ah, Una-san."
"Greetings, Master. As I always say, please, just call me Una."
"Haha, I can’t just drop the honorifics when you’re always taking care of Seraria and Qual. Wait, if Seraria called you here by saying 'maid'..."
"Yes. I serve as Her Majesty’s head maid. I also handle the logistics and administrative management for the Royal Guard."
Indeed, Una wasn't dressed as a maid; she was wearing her Royal Guard armor. She is a generation older than me and served as the role model for both Qual and me when we were becoming knights. Una herself had been inspired to pursue knighthood after watching my mother and her peers, so in that sense, she is someone I am deeply grateful for.
As for my husband, who was only just realizing this fact...
"Whoa... well, I suppose that makes sense. So, the knight squad Seraria brought along also doubles as her maids?"
"We are divided into those who can and those who cannot. The reason being that, at the time, we could only follow as a knight squad. Especially since our destination was a dungeon."
"Ah, right. I suppose you wouldn't be able to gather maids in that situation."
When I brought people back to my husband’s side, it meant living inside a dungeon. I had mentioned that Elju had taken control of it, but to anyone who didn't know the truth, there was no guarantee of safety. Unfortunately, while I served as a general back then, I lived in the royal castle as a princess and didn't have the authority to hire maids, nor was it necessary. The maids in the royal castle were hired by my father’s subordinates to maintain the castle. I could be a bit picky about the maids who attended to me, but my father’s wishes were paramount. In other words, they weren't exactly my confidantes.
"Well, Her Majesty was always a bit too much of a tomboy; maids with lower physical capabilities simply couldn't keep up. Now, for what purpose was I summoned? Surely not just to provide an explanation?"
"That’s right. I was asked why it was strange that there were no maids here."
"A bit late for that. Though, if you insist on brewing the coffee yourself, it is only natural that people would find it curious."
"...I only explained that I *do* have maids, so why am I being lectured like this?"
"I believe the answer to that lies within your own heart, Your Majesty. Also, Your Majesty, I suggest you prepare one more cup of coffee."
"Eh? Why..."
The moment I asked that, the door swung open with a flourish...
"Yo, I'm here!"
Lowell, who had said she would come after handing out snacks to the children, had already arrived.
Why, though?
*Sigh.* I guess I need more coffee.
Seraria’s friend has arrived. And as always, she’s just as Lowell as ever.