『Why are all the men in this world such fools? Do you truly believe that if you apologize with all your heart, your feelings will get through? Or that you lie because you don’t want to hurt the other person? You speak such nonsense because you look down on women.
Listen well, Argusta-sama. Your father, King Wilmot, is a fool who saddens Her Majesty the Queen at every turn, only to have his bottom whipped by her under my instructions. Yet strangely, he is renowned around him as a brilliant man… that pest, I mean the King. Do you understand why such a person ends up getting his bottom whipped by the Queen? You do not? The reason is simple. Men try desperately when they lie. They try with all their might not to be caught… and women sense that desperation. Women are creatures of emotion. Their intuition is sharper than men’s.
In other words, your wife, Noie-sama, has already noticed in her heart. She knows you are pretending to apologize while desperately telling a 『lie』. In fact, you are lying. It is probably something so significant that you cannot speak of it to a mere maid like me.
Yes. But perhaps sharing just a little bit of it would bring you relief. Impossible? …What a pity. No, I am not enjoying this at all. It is simply difficult to resolve the situation without knowing everything. I am not driven by curiosity to expose secrets. Absolutely not. Probably.
…Let us return to the point. You cannot speak the truth. That is a fact. But you wrap that truth in lies and tell your wife only, 「I can’t say. I’m sorry.」. No one remains calm after hearing words that are both true and not true. Especially if they love the other person from the bottom of their heart. Therefore, Her Majesty the Queen continues to whip the King’s bottom while crying, and the King, enduring this punishment, cries along with her and accepts his penalty. Watching this brings me great satisfaction.
Eh? You say, 「Wasn’t the King accepting it happily?」
…That is absolutely not the case. If that were true, I would not allow her to whip him with things like a whip in the future. I wouldn’t allow it, but… what should be done? That trash King… the King is troublesome because he distorts and accepts Her Majesty the Queen’s requests.
Yes? What kind of promise, you ask?
It is a promise to send orphaned children to Her Majesty the Queen, who can no longer bear children. That is why the place where Her Majesty resides is called an 『orphanage』.
However, that trash King… His Majesty the Stud, lays hands on maids and brings his own children to that place. Certainly, for Her Majesty the Queen, who cannot bear children herself, the joy of holding the child of her beloved person is immense. But as a human being… as a husband, what do you think? It is scum, is it not? Therefore, I have Her Majesty hold a whip and continue to strike his bottom, telling her, 『You must not spoil him.』.
Ah, the problem was the substitute for the whip, wasn’t it? No? It was just my imagination.
More importantly, if I don’t procure a substitute, my enjoyment will… Eh? Candles? Are you in your right mind, Argusta-sama? That is… truly wonderful. I will try it immediately next time.
Eh? Will Her Majesty the Queen not dislike it?
That person is very kind, tolerant, and naive about the world, so if I say, 「It is something every couple does」, she will execute it with a face ready to cry. The look on Her Majesty’s face at that time… it excites me so much that something inside me feels like it might awaken.
By the way, what were we discussing?
Ah, yes. Since it was such a trivial and foolish worry, our conversation drifted off course.
Yes. It is truly trivial.』
-0-
After finishing the long conversation, the self-proclaimed capable Head Maid bowed respectfully.
「If it is such a simple worry, this Sieck shall grant you the magic words.」
It felt like a sweet temptation akin to a contract with a demon, but I knew what the other party demanded.
「I want to hear it, but… if the condition is meeting Her Majesty the Queen, I refuse.」
「I would not overstep my bounds like that.」
With a faint smile plastered on her face, the Head Maid gave a light bow.
「I am merely a maid serving Her Majesty the Queen. And from Her Majesty, I have received just one order.」
「What is it?」
「Yes. 『Cheer up Camille’s playmate. Playing with that child is tiring.』」
I felt like throwing everything aside and storming into the Queen’s chambers.
「So please do not worry. And hurry up and feed that trivial argument to a dog, so you can attend to that pointlessly foolish and energetic Princess.」
「Aren’t you leaking your true feelings a bit too much?」
「Yes. I am famous for having no hidden side. I am completely open and honest.」
The Head Maid puffed out her well-shaped chest and boasted.
「I see. …Then I’m done. I’m tired, so just tell me. Those magic words.」
「Understood. Then…」
-0-
Inside the Schnitt Residence in the Royal Capital
「Sieck.」
「Yes, Your Majesty.」
「…Candles are too extreme, no matter how you look at it. He will get injured.」
At those words, spoken with tears welling up, the Head Maid answered, her spine shivering with excitement.
「It is fine, Your Majesty. It may look severe, but it is only appearance. In reality, it is said to be gentler than being whipped.」
「Is that so?」
「Yes.」
「…Since it is your word, there must be no mistake.」
In a space enclosed by cloth on all sides. Outside, the Head Maid bowed respectfully.
「So, how was Argusta?」
「Yes. I assisted in ending his quarrel with his wife.」
「Really? Then it should be fine now.」
Through the shadows, one could sense the Queen rejoicing while hiding her presence.
Even though they were not her biological children, the Queen had been distressed knowing about Argusta and Noie’s argument.
Especially since she usually only heard stories of them being affectionate enough to make one envious.
「Hey, Sieck.」
「Yes.」
「I would like to meet them… those two.」
It was the first time her master had spoken those words to her.
The Head Maid gave a smooth bow and slowly opened her mouth.
「Then please command me, Your Majesty. I will surely bring the two of you here.」
「Really? Even though Schnitt and Halfren refuse?」
The Queen, who did not doubt her son’s words, believed the excuse that 『Argusta is busy』.
No matter how sophistical it was… the kind-hearted Queen believed it.
「Yes. My role is to fulfill Your Majesty’s 『requests』.」
「Then, I request it.」
Hearing those words and seeing the Queen clap her hands happily in front of her chest, the Head Maid bowed deeply.
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