Chapter 28 Escort?
Chapter 28 Escort?
I had a hearty lunch in the dining room and got up. Cecilia gave instructions to me.
“Luke. Go back to your room right now.”
I quickly went back to my room as she told me to. Three maids stood at the door of my room.
“Oh, secretary. It was just what I was waiting for.”
The maids looked at me and made happy faces.
“Are you guys sent by His Majesty?”
I asked to confirm just in case, and the maids all nodded in unison. Shortly thereafter I found the cart they had brought.
“What is all that over there?”
As I pointed at the cart with my index finger, one of the maids responded with a smile.
“Your Majesty ordered us to pay special attention, so we have prepared accordingly.”
“Ah. So… ….”
How much care did you ask for, so you brought all sorts of makeup tools?
‘Did I just say I would take care of it… ….’
Belated regret came flooding in, but it was already spilled water.
“We will do our best to decorate! Very nice!”
One of the maids shouted in a spirited voice, and the other two grabbed my arms, one at a time.
“What, what? What are you going to do?”
“What is it, you should start with ablutions!”
I was almost pushed back by the maids and headed for the public bathroom of the imperial family.
And that was the beginning of a difficult road ahead.
* * *
“Secretary. It’s over!”
“Finally… ….”
Only then did the spirit that had been halfway out come back.
You can do anything until the bath.
But after that, there was no untouched part from head to toe. Starting with nail trimming and skin massage, I put makeup on my face…….
Of course, it wasn’t makeup done in earnest like women do, but it was makeup that made her complexion look brighter.
As the maids explained, it was more than I thought.
To the extent that I wonder if this is not makeup, but camouflage.
At this point, I was halfway conscious. If I leave it to you, it will work out somehow, thinking.
“How are you? Do you like it?”
The eyes of the maids looking at me twinkled with anticipation.
Well, this reaction is understandable. Because he did my makeup for two hours without a break.
…… To be honest, I still have thoughts about whether it’s right to put so much effort into a man.
‘But I don’t have to be swayed by the maids anymore.’
Remembering that fact, I looked in the full-length mirror.
“Oh… ….”
Unbeknownst to me, an exclamation leaked out.
The black hair, which was usually brushed roughly, was neatly arranged. All of the protruding hairs were trimmed, and even the sideburns were neatly trimmed.
What surprised me more than anything was the very bright complexion!
‘I’ve always been busy with work… ….’
Can a person look so different just because he painted something on his face?
“How do you like our dressing skills?”
The maid who asked me a question had a triumphant face. No, she wasn’t just that maid.
The other two maids also looked proud.
Well, to be honest, if you don’t give praise after seeing the results like this, your conscience will grow hairy.
“It’s surprising because it exceeds expectations. Does it seem like you’re looking at someone else?”
“Ho-ho-ho. It was decorated to match the tailcoat. Now, shall we try on the tailcoat?”
I got up from the stool at the beckoning of the maids.
The tailcoat I bought the last time I went out is now lying very flat on the bed.
Two maids brought a pair of trousers and a coat. Then he put it on me right away.
A white shirt, gray culottes (knee-length pants), and finally a frock coat, the pinnacle of this tailcoat.
The frock coat was dark blue, and both sides of the lower hem were embroidered with gold thread.
So I chose this for my tailcoat.
A suit that, like a secretary, was not too conspicuous, yet had enough dignity. When you resell it later, you will be able to get a good value.
“Oh my gosh, the secretary is such a tall person!”
“You look so good with black hair!”
“At this level, no matter where I put it out, I won’t be disappointed!”
When the maids poured out compliments, I wondered if it was real.
Why, there is such a thing. If a man is praised by the people around him, the mulberry will naturally go into his shoulder.
And from what I’ve seen, you look pretty cool today.
“Everyone had a hard time.”
“No. It’s been a while since we showed off our skills against a man, so it was fun.”
The maids must have been really fun, and they always had a smile on their face. Then he greeted me and left the room.
When the talkative girls left, the room instantly became quiet.
I checked the grandfather clock. The current time is 4:30 PM.
“There are two and a half hours until the banquet begins… ….”
What should I do with the rest of my time?
I got up from the stool and approached the bookshelf. I moved my steps more carefully than usual so as not to disturb my clothes.
‘Escape funds can be collected from salary. But I still haven’t thought about which country I’m going to.’
This has been something I’ve been thinking about lately.
The problem is that all the empires on the continent of Arsenia speak different languages.
So it was necessary to learn the language before going to another country.
“… ….”
I looked through the bookshelves, but I couldn’t find a book I needed.
“At this rate, I wonder if there is no choice but to look through the imperial library.”
It sucks.
As expected, it’s not easy to do something.
I decided to just rest until we moved to the banquet hall, and sat down in a chair. But someone came to my room.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Sally, the maid sent by the Marquis Simonian.”
When I opened the door, she lightly bowed her back to greet me.
“What sent you away?
“The Marquis Lady asked me to come to the door by 6:00 PM.”
It sounds like the decorations will be finished by then.
And I could understand why she asked me to come an hour earlier than the start of the banquet.
Perhaps a final inspection of the banquet hall before the banquet begins.
“Ha ha.”
Still, it will be better than paperwork, so let’s think positively.
* * *
I arrived at Flora’s door just in time for 6 o’clock. When I knocked, a bright voice came from inside.
From noble mtl dot com
“Get out now!”
Then the door burst open, and I was able to face Flora.
“You came just in time, Mr. Luke. However… ….”
Flora couldn’t take her eyes off me with her mouth wide open.
Did something stick to her face?
Or did her nose hair stick out?
“This isn’t the Mr. Luke you usually see.”
“Are you saying that in a good way?”
“Of course! Dressing up makes the character come alive. Can’t you keep going to work like this in the future?”
“Oh. That’s kinda…… It’s troublesome.”
Getting dressed for two hours every morning.
Just imagining it was terrifying. It’s better to sleep more during that time.
“Whoops. Just joke. Is it normal to get dressed up? But you look really cool today.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Marquis Simonian.”
“Now, it is Mr. Luke’s turn.”
Flora stood in front of me with her hands clasped neatly on my belly.
Her pink hair, which she usually wore in her twin tails, was let loose today. Seeing her different appearance, she got a different impression.
How should I say, she looks more mature.
Her fair skin was even brighter and whiter, perhaps because it had been covered with makeup. In addition to that, the light sky blue crinoline dress she wore today seemed to add to her maturity.
“You look mature today, Marquis Lady. And you’re beautiful I don’t think it would be inferior to being the main character of the banquet.”
“Whoops. Thank you for the compliment. But I’m not going to be the main character of the banquet. I hope you somehow know.”
Flora winked in one of her eyes.
Ah, it must be because Cecilia hosted this banquet.
“Anyway, the time has come for Mulia to come out soon… ….”
She said that her tiger would also come when I said it, and right after Flora said that, Mullia also appeared in her hallway.
“Mulia. Come quickly.”
Flora gestured busily,
“Keep your hair up, Flora.”
Mullia approached with her dignified gait even at her urging. Then he greeted me with silence.
Mulia was wearing a purple bustle dress that looked exactly like her own eyes today. Her hair was neatly styled as usual, and her makeup was light compared to Flora’s.
Unlike her Flora, she exuded her elegance.
“You are elegant and dignified, the young lady of Count Fordward.”
I didn’t say anything about her dress the other day. But this time too, fearing that it would be disrespectful, she jumped ahead.
Mulia looked at me blankly and moved her lips.
“Thank you. Secretary-nim, you look handsome today too.”
“Why are we complimenting each other today? It’s a very nice look.”
Flora nodded her head in satisfaction.
“Now, let’s move to the banquet hall. We have to do a final check before the banquet.”
As expected, that’s why I told you to be here by 6 o’clock…….
My hunch was so accurate that I felt a little sad.
* * *
The three of us rode a carriage to the banquet hall. It was because the palace grounds were so large that it would take at least 20 minutes on foot.
The knights guarding the entrance saluted as soon as they saw us.
“You have a hard time.”
Flora responded to their greetings with her refreshing voice.
There was still some time before the banquet started, so there were no guests in sight. Instead, the waiters, butlers, and maids were busy preparing food and drink.
‘Anyway, it’s very spacious here… ….’
As for how much it was, it seemed to be about two soccer fields.
There were luxurious red carpets on the floor and four large chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
Cecilia, who became a tyrant, enjoyed banquets here every day afterward?
While she was lost in her thoughts, she heard Flora’s voice in her ears.
“Mr. Luke. We just need to check the arrangement of the table, the final inspection of the facilities, and the rehearsal of the band. Nothing special, right?”
“Surely so.”
It’s definitely chewing gum rather than looking at documents.
Mulia, who was standing next to me, also nodded her head.
“Let’s look back together, us.”
Me and Mulia accepted Flora’s offer.
The three of us went together to check the condition of tables, tablecloths, food and drinks. And I asked the orchestra to play it once for practice.
“How is it?”
After listening to the performance, Flora asked me about my impressions.
Fortunately, I had heard the song before, so I was able to evaluate it in my own way.
“I think it’s fine.”
“This is enough.”
Mulia also expressed the same opinion as me.
The last place we checked was the waiting room where Cecilia would enter before entering the banquet hall.
There was only one throne in this place, and there was no special furniture to be seen.
“This is the end of all inspections! Now, you just need to rest properly until the banquet begins.”
“Nothing really happened.”
Flora smiled lightly, raising the corners of her mouth.
“By the way, I just had an idea, would you like to hear it? Mr. Luke, and Mulia.”
Me and Mulia cast our eyes at Flora at the same time.
“Later, when all the people gather in the banquet hall, Our Majesty will enter, but if you enter alone, the picture looks a little different, right?”
I don’t think there’s any particular problem.
“So, how about having Mr. Luke escort you? Even the podium I saw when I came here earlier.”
“Me, me? Suddenly such a big deal?”
She was taken aback and asked back, but Flora was unconcerned.
“If you ask His Majesty and agree, you will be escorted.”
No, that’s too sudden…….
Flora approached me with her mouth open. Then she muttered in a low voice.
“Please be His Majesty’s support, Mr. Luke.”
-Continued