Oswald fell silent. It was true that important documents related to the kingdom’s national affairs were not stored in the royal castle’s library. Giving in to her request wouldn’t be a detriment to him.
“Fine,” he agreed, nodding his head after much thought. “I’ll give you access to all of the books and materials in this kingdom. I hope they come in use during your research.” But there was one place he couldn’t allow her access to. “However, I cannot grant you permission to view the materials in the royal castle’s forbidden archives. The books and materials stored there are as good as national secrets. Is that all right?”
“Of course. Thank you for considering my request.” Leticiel understood that his opinion was completely valid. No country was foolish enough to readily disclose the confidential documents at its heart.
“Not at all. This is all for the kingdom of Platina. Now…what is your other request?”
“If you’d allow it, I’d like to have a manor outside of the city prepared for me. I would like to have a place that is not the duke’s manor where I can calmly and quietly devote myself to my research.”
At this, Scarlough, who had been out of the conversational loop, jolted. Leticiel caught his flinch out of the corner of her eye but ignored him. She was well aware that he and the rest of his family hated Leticiel—rather, Drossell. She doubted he would disagree. In fact, he might even welcome the idea.
My engagement’s been dissolved, so it’d be best for me to leave the duke’s manor as quickly as possible…
When she was in the duke’s manor, she could only sleep or read. Since she had recently finished reading all the books in the manor, she had no reason to stay there any longer.
“Hmm, all right.” From Oswald’s point of view, providing her with a new residence was no inconvenience if it meant he could regulate information on her sorcery research as a national project and keep track of her progress from time to time. He nodded magnanimously before turning his gaze to Scarlough. “I have no arguments against her request, but what do you say?”
“I will follow your orders, Your Majesty.” His words were soft with absolutely no vigor in them, but they flew out of his mouth unbelievably fast. He must really want Leticiel to leave. In fact, this must feel like a dream come true for Duke Filiaregis, who wished to be rid of his pesky daughter as soon as possible.
The duke and the rest of his family were terrified of Drossell, who had the power to make even the king himself bow to her. They didn’t know anything—not about sorcery, magic formulas, or the value of their daughter, whom they despised and viewed as an abomination. Not one thing.
They never tried to see it. Not before, and not now. That was why they had left Leticiel’s treatment completely in Oswald’s hands. They never even realized the size of the prize they’d let go of.
After confirming Scarlough’s agreement, Oswald turned to face Leticiel once more and said, “Then I’ll prepare servants for the manor.”
At his offer, Leticiel slowly shook her head. Naturally, she wasn’t upset about the manor’s arrangements. “I’m extremely grateful for the offer, but there is no need for you to prepare servants.” Since she had learned how to do all of the household chores in her previous life so she could survive no matter where she found herself, to be honest, she didn’t need them.
“Then how will you care for yourself?” the king asked.
“If I may make another selfish request, I’d like to take two servants named Ruvik and Nicole who currently serve at the duke’s manor along with me. As long as I have them, I’ll be fine.” She didn’t need servants, but Ruvik and Nicole were different. She didn’t want them by her side as employees, but as people she trusted, like followers or housemates.
“But…,” the king started, perplexed.
Leticiel interjected decisively by adding, “In fact, having too many servants in the manor would interfere with my research.” In her previous war-torn world, even royalty could not afford the luxury of employing a large number of servants. That was why Leticiel didn’t like sharing her home with strangers. Her home was supposed to be a place for her to relax, so why did she have to strain herself by being surrounded by servants she didn’t know well?
Though she felt bad admitting it, from Leticiel’s point of view, she was free-spirited, went at her own pace, and could do all the housework herself, so having a large number of servants would just be a nuisance.
At Leticiel’s refusal, Oswald looked at the duke once more. “Scarlough, you heard Miss Drossell. Are you fine with that?”
“Yes, of course.” Once again, Scarlough was quick to reply. After all, he’d finally be getting Drossell out of the house after sixteen years, so he could easily spare a servant or two.
“Hmm, good. Then I’ll be sure to make arrangements for your manor and research facility immediately.”
“Thank you very much.” Thus, the conversation between Leticiel and Oswald ended amicably, with both sides’ interests aligning.
“Sorry I made you come all the way here today,” the king said. “I hope we have a chance to chat again.”
“It would be a great honor.”
“I’ll see you out.”
“No, here is fine. If you’ll excuse me…” After a deep bow to Oswald, Leticiel strode out of the parlor. She could hear Scarlough walking behind her, but she didn’t pay him any mind.
She wished she could hurry up and teleport back home, but there were plenty of eyes in the royal castle. Plus, Scarlough was with her. She didn’t want him to spot her and complicate things, so she patiently went home in the carriage just the way she had come.
✦ ✦ ✦
“…And so, the two of you will be coming to the new manor with me.”
“What do you mean, ‘and so’? You haven’t explained anything!”
Having returned to her room in the manor, Leticiel made her announcement without sharing any of the details that had led to it. Nicole was confused by her mistress’s sudden declaration and Ruvik had a resigned look on his face. Even so, he agreed, saying, “I’m more your servant than the duke’s, so I’ll follow you wherever you go.”
“I—I…” On the other hand, Nicole seemed to waver. Leticiel suddenly remembered that she had mentioned being unable to lose her job for her family’s sake.
“Don’t worry. His Majesty will be paying your salaries, so you’ll get more than you receive here. Besides, I’m somewhat indebted to the two of you.”
“Huh?! How could you tell…?”
“I’ve heard about your mother, Nicole. I thought you might be worried about her.”
Nicole was fairly easy to read. Leticiel smiled wryly at the maid, who clapped both hands on her cheeks, writhing in agony.
“I don’t care about having high or low wages,” Ruvik stated. “I’m satisfied as long as I can stay by your side, my lady.”
“Oh, that’s no good, Ruvik. I appreciate the sentiment, but I insist that you take a pay raise.” It was true that Ruvik had cared for Leticiel from the very beginning, but that was no reason to allow him to work for practically free. She wanted to reward and thank him appropriately because he took such good care of her.
“U-Um, I’ll go with you, as well! I’m your personal maid after all, my lady!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Ruvik agreed to come with her even while quipping at her, and Nicole genuinely adored her. Leticiel smiled slightly at her trusted servants. “Thank you, both of you.”
“But if you’re going to move out of this manor, does that mean you’ll get rid of the things in your wardrobe room? I’m going to miss being able to dress you up…”
“Erm… Hold on, Nicole. That’s the part you’re sad about?”
Leticiel wasn’t confident that she’d be able to wear all of the dresses and accessories that laid dormant in her wardrobe. The move would certainly be a good chance to get rid of some of the things in there that she didn’t need.
“What do I do? You can still shine even brighter, like a jewel, but I won’t be able to bring out your beauty! It’s not fair!”
Seeing how Nicole was acting like it was the end of the world, Leticiel’s resolve crumbled, and she decided to take her entire wardrobe without removing anything.
When she said as much, Nicole exclaimed, “Really?! You won’t get rid of any of your wardrobe?”
“Y-Yes. Well, it doesn’t matter to me either way…”
“Thank you, my lady! I’ll continue to give my all in conveying your charm to the fullest to everyone around!”
“O-Okay…”
Nicole’s radiant smile made Leticiel think that she might have dug her own grave, but she smiled wryly, thinking that it was fine as long as Nicole was happy.