Civil Servant in a Romance Fantasy

975 – As delicate as snow – 4

Eri, who received the maid’s uniform and the letter, just blinked blankly. As if she couldn’t understand why such things had come into her hands.

It’s a natural reaction. I couldn’t figure out why the Empress would send a maid’s uniform. I also couldn’t figure out why the Empress would ask Eri to contact me quickly.

“Until the sun sets.”

However, as we live, there are times when we have to try to avoid questions rather than trying to solve them.

That’s exactly the situation right now. My head is still wondering, ‘What the heck is going on?’ but my instincts are screaming that there’s nothing good to get involved in.

In that case, it is right to follow your instincts. It is okay to harbor small doubts for the rest of your life. If you become mysteriously entangled with an empress who is not even an emperor, it will not end with just saying it is annoying.

‘It won’t be a big deal.’

And I believe in the Empress.

The Empress is the last conscience of Livnoman and the Emperor’s externally attached conscience circuit. Even seeing that Eri treats her as her senior, she is a heroine who is not only gentle but also has a firm driving force.

There must be a valid reason why such a person would send a maid’s outfit to me that I don’t know about.

Of course it would be so. An emperor would do something pointless, but an empress would never do that.

“Excuse me, Minister. Can you stay with me? I’m a little scared to contact you alone.”

“If you have done nothing wrong, then there is nothing to fear. Is Her Majesty the Empress someone who would persecute you for no reason?”

I firmly shook my head at Eri’s strange request.

If he were the Emperor, he would make up excuses to harass her, but he’s not the Empress. Then there’s no need to hesitate to contact her. There’s no reason for Eri, who quietly gave birth to Veronica at home, to be harassed by the Empress.

“I think that’s the kind of person you would be.”

However, Eri grumbled and picked up the communication port on the table.

It is a regrettable thing. How could anyone possibly think that someone of all people would slander and ignore the character of the Empress? Being the Empress’s close junior and younger sister is a fortune that all nobles would envy, but the person in question is ungrateful and commits such atrocities.

“Then I’m going out. Call me if you need anything.”

After apologizing to the Empress on Eri’s behalf, he quickly left the room.

The conversation that will take place from now on is a secret conversation between Eri and the Empress. Even if I am Eri’s husband, it would be difficult for me to eavesdrop.

Even between a married couple, privacy must be respected, and when it comes to the private life of the Empress, even more so.

Is it because the wife was summoned by the empress? This time, the husband was summoned by the emperor.

– I heard the Empress sent a gift. Did it arrive safely?

“Yes, Your Majesty. My lady has also checked the gift and is contacting Your Majesty the Empress to express her thanks.”

The difference was that, unlike the Empress, who had demanded that I contact Eri, the Emperor contacted me without giving me time to prepare myself mentally.

Even though they reached the same result of contact, there was a clear difference in the process. The empress was considerate of her conversation partner, while the emperor showed no consideration at all. In any case, he is a man of great character. It is normal for a couple to resemble each other.

– Is that so? I was worried that you might be taken aback by the somewhat unexpected gift, but fortunately, it wasn’t that bad.

As the Emperor nodded slightly, questions began to swirl in my head again.

It was a question that I tried to ignore as a fierce warning from my instincts. I thought it was something I didn’t have to worry about. However, seeing the emperor’s attitude as if he already knew everything, my doubts began to grow instead of my instincts.

‘I think it’s okay to know?’

The Emperor’s expression was neither that of a hunter intent on something nor that of a sniper waiting to strike me with a fatal blow.

The expression on the face of the father as he moved on, thinking, “It’s just the Empress’s decision.” It was just about that level.

“Your Majesty. The grace that Your Majesty the Empress has bestowed upon us is truly a moving thing for me and my wife, but my foolish beliefs have not been able to fully accept Your Majesty the Empress’s grace.”

So I asked directly: Why on earth did the Empress send the maid’s uniform?

– Don’t blame yourself, because that may be the case. At first, I didn’t understand the Empress’s intentions either.

To my question, the emperor nodded again,

– The Empress was thinking of making Young Lady Elizabeth a maid of honor in the Crown Princess’ palace. Officially, after about three years.

“yes?”

He said something quite shocking and strong.

The Empress makes Eri a maid in the Crown Princess’s palace. To be honest, it’s something that will have a very negative impact on the emotional development of the Crown Princess, but it’s not really surprising now.

If Eri, who has stepped down from her position as the head of the Information Department, completely retires from her position as an official in the Inspectorate, the Empress will use her as her maid. This is something we have been talking about for quite some time. Why should I be surprised to hear something I already knew?

‘3 years?’

However, I had never set such a specific time frame. I could not have guessed that it would be as close as three years.

No. It’s the end of the year now, so it’s three years, but in reality, it’s only two years later. In just two years, Eri will become a close associate of the future power.

Even that confidant is your mother’s close junior and your godfather’s wife? Are you already close enough to call her aunt in private?

‘This is crazy.’

A real powerhouse who can be promoted to head maid as soon as she has enough experience as a maid. A future powerhouse that is guaranteed to rise as long as she steps forward.

All of this will unfold for Eri in just two years. Instead of being called the daughter of Marquis Marshal Marshal Marshal Marshal Marshal, or the wife of Count Teilglen, she will be called ‘Crown Princess Maid Marshal …

…

‘Is that okay?’

I got goosebumps without realizing it.

The Crown Princess’s favorite maid, the head maid of the Crown Princess’ palace. If the Crown Princess ascends to the throne as Emperor in the future, she will automatically level up to the head maid of the imperial palace.

Is this really an appropriate title for Eri? Even though she is my wife, and I really love Eri, it’s a bit much.

‘Let’s calm down.’

Still, I tried my best to stay calm and maintain my senses.

It’s not that I didn’t expect this situation. It’s something that our family and the royal family already knew that Eri would one day become the Crown Princess’ maid. There’s no need to be shaken by the fact that it’s right around the corner.

Yeah, that’s definitely true if you think about it rationally.

“your majesty.”

– But why?

“Isn’t three years too soon? My wife is certainly a wise and conscientious person, but I can’t guarantee that she will be able to perform her duties as a maid perfectly. After receiving more systematic training… shouldn’t it take about six or seven years?”

I protested cautiously because my emotions just couldn’t accept it.

Emperor, you little brat. Think carefully. You’ve used the Inspection Department as a tool since your days as the crown prince, so you know that. How much Eri has done as the first chief of the Inspection Department, and yet you’re going to put Eri, who hasn’t even fully retired from the Inspection Department, in the Crown Princess’ Palace in three years? Can you really handle it?

It’s not that I’m against her becoming a maid at all. I’m not ignoring Erini’s potential, as she’s already raised Ferenc with great love.

But a biological mother caring for her children is different from a subject caring for and educating a future emperor.

– Wouldn’t three years be enough? Young Lady Elizabeth has already given birth to and raised her own children, and has also raised many children who are not her own with love. The Count would know this better than I.

“That is true, but I cannot equate a child of a noble family with one who inherited the Purple Crown. Even though my wife is a wonderful wife and a loving mother, her role as a maid is a separate matter.”

Despite my passionate arguments, the Emperor’s expression remained unchanged.

Why? Wasn’t that a systematic and reasonable argument? Just as there is no guarantee that a good mother at home will be a good teacher at school, there is no guarantee that Eri will be able to function properly as the Crown Princess’ maid.

So, let’s just postpone it for three years. Why?

– Count.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

– Is there no one around?

I felt my blood run cold at the words that came in so quickly.

There would be no other person in the place where the Emperor was talking. But the fact that he insisted on confirming it meant that what followed must not be leaked to anyone.

At the same time, if it leaks out, I will be held responsible for not managing the surroundings.

“…Yes, Your Majesty. I only have faith.”

– Okay. Then I’ll be honest with you too.

With those words, the emperor’s expression fell sadly, like a dog whose chewing gum had been snatched away right before his eyes.

– I want to live too.

“yes?”

– The Empress seems to have been stimulated by the birth of Her Majesty Elizabeth. She is already pregnant with her fourth child, and she is already making plans for more.

“yes?”

– At this rate, it’s possible to have more than five. If Young-ae Elizabeth gives birth to a third and fourth child, the number will increase.

The emperor who said that let out a small laugh.

– So, in order to get Young Lady Elizabeth away from you… and find someone to take care of our children… I want Young Lady Elizabeth to become a maid. In fact, three years is the maximum concession.

It was such a strange and unexpected reason that I couldn’t open my mouth.

‘You ugly b*stard.’

I just felt sorry for the loser father.

***

I just blinked blankly at my senior’s words.

“Senior. I’m still a little sick, so can you say that again?”

– When Veronica starts crawling, come to the Empress’s Palace. I’ll tell you in detail what the maids do.

About half a year after Veronica started crawling. After half a year, she made a firm declaration that she would train me as a maid.

Instead of sending an educator to our mansion, I have to go to the Empress’s Palace and learn. I will probably receive all kinds of education under the watchful eyes of my senior.

“Senior. I think I’m actually suited to being an inspector. Being a maid is too much for me.”

– Do you want to come on your own two feet? Should I go on my own two feet?

“But people get bored if they just do the same thing. Thank you for giving me a new opportunity.”

I suddenly feel like crying.