Chapter 2208 – 2208. Dark Moon
Elsa met with Lydia and had a light conversation.
Elsa didn’t feel anything special from Lydia. Lydia was indeed a talent worth keeping, but there were plenty of talents like her around her.
‘Still, she doesn’t seem too difficult to handle.’
She was indeed a talent worth keeping, so she would try to poach her if the opportunity arose.
Next was a meeting with Yuria Grace, a talent the royal family was paying attention to.
Elsa paused as she saw Yuria enter the room. Agnes was right. Yuria’s first impression was perfect. For some reason, the words “perfect maid” wouldn’t leave her mind.
Elsa, who was confident in her ability to judge people, was drawn to Yuria. She had a gut feeling that if Yuria were to assist her, everything would work out.
Elsa exchanged brief greetings with Yuria. Perhaps it was because she liked her first impression, but she liked Yuria’s short greeting as well.
Elsa first praised Yuria. There wasn’t a person who didn’t like praise. When trying to soften a stiff atmosphere, you just had to say what the other person liked to hear.
“Ms. Yuria, your grades at the Maid Academy are excellent. You take more classes than others, yet your grades are top-class. According to the letter of recommendation from Dean Maria Hilton, you are the greatest genius in the history of the Maid Academy.”
“You flatter me. There is still much time left before I graduate from the Maid Academy, so it is too early to call me the greatest ever.”
“Too early, you say? Does that mean you acknowledge that you are the greatest genius ever?”
“Since Your Highness has said so. I aim to be Prime-level. Unless I become the greatest ever, I won’t be able to reach Prime-level upon graduating from the academy.”
The grades for maid certifications were Senior, Double, Triple, Flower, Superior, Royal, and Prime. Prime was the highest grade, and no maid in Neo London’s history had ever reached Prime-level upon graduation.
Of course, there were maids who reached Prime-level after taking the promotion exam after graduating from the academy, but Yuria’s goal was to reach Prime-level at once.
“Ms. Yuria, you are trying to write a new history. It’s not an easy goal. That’s what makes it all the more meaningful. I will cheer you on.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. Your words alone give me great strength.”
“Are you aware that the royal family is coveting you?”
“…Yes. I am aware.”
“I want you too. Could you work for me as soon as you graduate from the academy? I’ll treat you as well as the royal family. Also, on the day I inherit the throne… I promise you will go to Buckingham with me.”
Here, Buckingham refers to Buckingham Palace, the residence of the King of Neo London. Buckingham Palace was the royal family itself.
“I appreciate the offer, but I already have a master to serve.”
“…Are you referring to your patron, Baron Meyer?”
“Yes. He is my master.”
“Even if Baron Meyer has a superconductor… I don’t understand why you follow the Baron. You haven’t known him for very long. Is it because the Baron sponsored you? I can give you several times the sponsorship he gave you.”
“Your Highness, I don’t serve my master because of sponsorship. I would serve him even without sponsorship. Because he is my master.”
“……Why is that? Can’t you tell me clearly?”
Yuria smiled gently. Memories of Eugene flashed through her mind. Precious memories that she couldn’t speak of in this world.
“I cannot tell you.”
“……I’ve only confirmed Ms. Yuria’s firm resolve. Ms. Yuria, this question doesn’t mean much, so don’t take it to heart. You can let it pass, or you don’t have to answer. It’s just a personal curiosity.”
“Yes. Ask away.”
“Would you do anything for Baron Meyer?”
“I would do anything.”
“…Even if the Baron ordered you to die?”
“I would gladly offer my life.”
“……Yes. Okay. It was nice meeting you. You may leave now.”
“It was an honor, Your Highness.”
Yuria left the room. Elsa sighed deeply. Yuria hadn’t wavered even for a moment during their conversation. That loyalty was genuine.
“Agnes.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“What should I do to win over Ms. Yuria?”
“…It seems you’ve taken a liking to her.”
“I’m confident in my ability to judge people. No, even if that weren’t the case, who wouldn’t be drawn to Ms. Yuria? I wish her loyalty was directed towards me. Is there no way?”
“There isn’t. I’ve seen many people of this type. Even if they were to die, or if the object of their loyalty were to disappear, their loyalty would not disappear.”
“……I don’t think the royal family will give up on Yuria. His Majesty is greedy for talent. When he was younger, he even went against the council to steal talent.”
“It’s not something we’re involved in. If His Majesty has made up his mind, no one can stop him.”
“…Still, I don’t want to give up like this. Maybe… would it be better to try to win over the Baron?”
“To become the master of her master… That’s a relatively wise decision. But the Baron is not an easy person either.”
“Aside from the superconductor, he’s a 6th-level high-ranking mage affiliated with the Magic Association. And he’s said to be ruthless?”
“Yes. He personally tracked down the mercenaries and businessmen who were after the secret of the superconductor and killed their entire families. It happened in the shadows.”
“That’s no joke. There are a lot of crazy people among the high-ranking mages… but isn’t he top-tier among them?”
“Well, I think he’s average.”
“Killing the enemy’s family is average?”
“At least he didn’t use them as test subjects. Killing the family of a potential enemy is not that surprising.”
“I don’t understand the world of mages. …Does Ms. Yuria know the Baron’s true nature? If she knew, wouldn’t she lose her affection for him?”
“……”
Agnes looked at Elsa with a pathetic gaze. But the disrespectful look disappeared immediately.
“Your Highness.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. I’m not a clean person either. And that Ms. Yuria’s loyalty wouldn’t be shaken by mere morality. I’m just saying it out of frustration. Out of frustration.”
Elsa gulped down the cold tea and asked another question.
“What is Linda’s assessment of Ms. Yuria?”
“Perfect. She says there’s nothing to criticize about her work.”
“Really? I want her even more.”
• • •
The next evening.
Countless guests flocked to the Ben Nevis Ducal family’s banquet hall.
Yuria stood behind Princess Elsa with the head of management, Linda. Behind Princess Elsa, maids stood in line. Moving around the banquet hall and serving the guests was the job of the lower-ranking maids.
Elsa had come to the banquet hall early to greet the guests. There were quite a few influential figures among the guests who she, as a princess, couldn’t ignore.
The guests first greeted Elsa, the host, and then scattered throughout the banquet hall, gathering in small groups to enjoy the banquet.
However, they were also watching each other, as if looking for someone. There was no guest who had come to this place simply to enjoy the banquet. Many had come with the purpose of making eye contact with influential figures they couldn’t easily meet in normal circumstances. And those people were also quite successful.
“What is this? Tanghulu?”
“The maid said it’s a dish from an ancient country called True China.”
“An ancient country? Is it related to Great Korea, which developed the superconductor? That’s interesting.”
“The fruits are sparkling like jewels. They’re on small skewers, making them easy to eat. Shall we try one?”
Crunch.
“Oh.”
“Oh?”
“Oh my. It’s a really delicious dessert. The fun texture and the burst of fruit juice… I like it.”
“It seems to be coated in sugar… isn’t it too sweet?”
“No. It’s just the right amount of sweetness.”
Tanghulu was popular with women. Especially the young ladies of noble families who had come with their parents. The young ladies even settled near the tanghulu and chatted.
Yuria was certain that tanghulu would become a new trend in Neo London.
“Baron Eugene Meyer is entering!”
The noisy banquet hall became quiet in an instant.
The appearance of the owner of the superconductor LK-99, which had surprised the world. People’s gazes were directed towards a man who was walking confidently through the entrance.
The Baron.
Looking only at his rank, he was the lowest among the people gathered here. But no one thought that the Baron’s rank would remain the same forever. He would soon receive a formal title. And that would probably be at least a Count.
‘The production volume of the superconductor is said to be 5 tons per day?’
‘If we could obtain the superconductor in large quantities… we could realize magnetic levitation trains.’
‘A contract. We have to secure a superconductor contract.’
Everyone’s eyes were shining. But they couldn’t move recklessly yet. Eugene slowly walked towards Princess Elsa.
Yuria had been staring blankly at Eugene since he appeared. Was it because it had been so long? Her gaze was fixed only on Eugene.
She wanted to run and hug him. If she opened her arms, he would smile and hug her. But she couldn’t do that because of the place.
Eugene’s eyes met hers. Yuria felt a thrill as if an electric current was running through her body.
The two did not avoid each other’s gaze. But they couldn’t continue to be conscious of each other. When Eugene arrived in front of Princess Elsa, he knelt on one knee.
“Thank you for inviting me to the banquet today, Princess Elsa.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet the mage who has enhanced the reputation of Neo London, Baron Meyer. Or should I call you Count Meyer now?”
“……Count, you say?”
“Ah! I made a mistake… It’s not something that has been announced yet. The royal family has decided to grant Baron Meyer the title of Count. You will receive an official letter soon. Don’t be surprised.”
Eugene gave a wry smile.
“Your Highness has given me good information. I can’t just let it pass. I will present a gift to Your Highness. It has been verified by the head maid, so please don’t be surprised.”
