episode_0055

In the medieval fantasy world, what is the most crucial virtue that an ‘ordinary person’ must possess to save their life?

Let’s assume there are no overwhelming powers, magic, or social status involved.

Skills like eloquence or culinary expertise, along with various technical abilities, would undoubtedly aid in one’s survival.

However, besides what is required for living a ‘better life’ in such a manner, what is the essential element just for ‘survival’?

While different individuals may have varied answers, at least from my personal perspective, it is this:

The most crucial attribute for survival is the ability to ‘understand one’s place.’

Even if someone is articulate, failing to grasp their position and bantering in front of a tyrant will lead to dire consequences.

No matter how skilled one is at cooking, opening a restaurant in the heart of the capital without financial backing will inevitably result in bankruptcy.

Moreover, the mere presence of a commoner maid at the Third Princess’s birthday celebration was not just a failure to understand one’s place but an outrageous act beyond comprehension.

To prevent this situation, it was only natural for me to head towards Edan’s room, who was by my side.

“Just a moment, Lillis! Where are you going all of a sudden because you need to change your clothes?!”

“Lady Lillis…! That’s the master’s bedroom….”

Upon hearing Isabelle’s explanation, despite the voices of Isabelle and Katarina following me as I rushed out of the room, my mind was too excited to make sound judgments.

Knocking on Edan’s door became another expected event, given his prominent role in all these events.

-Knock, knock, knock.

Even while standing in front of Edan’s door, knocking, my mind was tumultuous with various thoughts.

Soon, the voice of the man, the culprit of all these events, came from behind the door.

“You’re a maid? Come in.”

As I entered upon opening the door, a black-haired nobleman stood before me.

It seemed he was also preparing for the evening event, dressed much more neatly than usual.

Nevertheless, now that the main piece was in place, the black suit suited him quite well. At the Luminor Academy, they only wear suits that seem about to burst at the buttons… No, that’s not it.

As I momentarily diverted my thoughts elsewhere, Edan, dressed in a black suit, looked at me.

He gestured for Isabelle and Katarina, who had accompanied me, to step aside.

“….”

“….”

-Squeak.

Suddenly, after entering Edan’s private quarters, my two companions quietly closed the door behind them and disappeared.

As they vanished from the room, Edan, with a brazen expression, posed a question to me.

“What’s the matter, maid? It’s best to start preparing now if you plan to attend the evening event.”

“Are you in your right mind?”

“Huh?”

“I asked if you were in your right mind, Lord Edan.”

“….”

What on earth was he thinking?

Is it reasonable to bring one’s maid as a partner to the princess’s birthday celebration?

Even though he belongs to the Blackwood Duke family, such behavior was unprecedented rudeness.

At the very least, it might be acceptable at a count or viscount’s birthday celebration. In those cases, Edan’s attendance alone would be an honor.

Whether he brought a maid or a local bakery girl as a partner, there wouldn’t be any issues.

However, the host of this event is the royal family, specifically the Third Princess’s birthday celebration.

Although the Third Princess is not a leading figure in line for the throne, this act of bringing a common maid from a lower noble family like the Blackwood Dukes was beyond impolite.

Those who witnessed that scene, including the Third Princess and other nobles, would likely have various thoughts.

To compare the distant Third Princess with commoners, or to symbolize that loyalty to the Blackwood family is no different from that of a commoner.

Even if such behavior invited strange rumors and gossip from the royal family and other nobles observing the situation, it wouldn’t be considered unusual.

Upon seeing Ethan’s foolish expression, I couldn’t help but think spontaneously:

“I heard he’s been receiving management education lately, so I thought he’d improved a bit. But is the content still that of a child?”

Observing Ethan failing to uphold even the most basic principles expected of a noble from the Blackwood Duke family left me in a state of continued perplexity.

Moreover, the recent positive evaluation of Ethan was rapidly declining.

“If you’re going to be rude, you should do it on your own. Why involve me in it?”

However, Ethan seemed nonchalant in response to my reaction, as if it were nothing significant.

Soon enough, he opened his mouth, and his answer to my question naturally followed:

“So, as I asked, Maid. Do you understand the true meaning behind agreeing to attend the banquet together?”

“Of course, it means to take your place as the Lord’s exclusive maid and…”

“I specifically asked the maid again. Yet, despite claiming to know, it was the maid who answered.”

“…”

“It’s too late to feign ignorance now, Maid. It’s already a done deal.”

…Yes, looking at it this way, it’s undoubtedly my fault as well.

Misinterpreting the meaning behind Ethan’s invitation to “attend the banquet together” was also my mistake.

But really, how could any maid imagine such a thing?

Being requested by their master to attend a banquet as their partner, especially at the Third Princess’s birthday celebration, was a situation bound to be misunderstood.

If Ethan had truly understood the intent behind his words, he would have declined without needing to consider it.

“But, it doesn’t make sense.”

“What do you mean it doesn’t make sense, Maid?”

“You are a noble from the Blackwood family. Furthermore, since your parents have no other children, you are also the heir to the Blackwood family.”

“Yes, I am aware of that.”

“And I am just a common maid. Sold into servitude as a lowly maid. Though I may have taken the position of your exclusive maid against my will, I have never considered it as elevating my status.”

“…”

“Moreover, this upcoming banquet is the Third Princess’s birthday celebration, making it politically significant. Did you not consider the repercussions of bringing a common maid as your partner to such an event?”

If you understand, please cancel it now.

Don’t risk your life for your political performance; just take any ordinary noblewoman as your companion.

“Indeed, the Maid is thoughtful.”

“Pardon?”

“…No, it was just a mutter.”

Having heard my words, Ethan muttered something quietly to himself.

Eventually, he continued his response with a look that suggested he had been considering the aspects I raised:

“I understand the Maid’s concerns, but there’s no need to worry about that. I’ve already sent a letter to the palace. You, my exclusive maid, will take my place.”

“Me…?”

“As the Maid said, taking a common maid to the banquet could lead to misunderstandings. If we clarify beforehand that there’s no such intention, it won’t matter.”

“…The fact that this came up just three days ago, and yet you sent a letter in advance?”

While I could acknowledge the preparedness displayed, it inevitably raised other questions in my mind.

Why would they want to bring me as their partner to an official gathering to such an extent? The unresolved question lingered in my mind.

“….”

“….”

As a result, my suspicious gaze did not fade even after Ethan’s response.

Perhaps he understood the meaning behind my gaze, as he nodded and elaborated on the reason for bringing me as his partner.

“The reason for bringing a maid as a partner is to prevent annoying approaches from other nobles.”

“Annoying approaches?”

“As you know, since I still don’t have a fiancée. When I was young, I was bedridden due to a curse, and lately, I’ve been too busy to have time to interact with other noble families.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Given that when someone like me makes a formal appearance after a long time, how many nobles do you think would try to ally themselves with the Blackwood family?”

“At least a considerable amount of commotion would arise.”

After hearing Ethan’s words, it did seem likely that such a situation would unfold.

The fact that a prominent noble’s fiancée position, such as that of the Blackwood family, was vacant meant that the most powerful position to establish ties with the Blackwood family was also vacant.

There were nobles making moves shortly after waking up from illness, and letters consistently arrived regarding Ethan’s engagement. Perhaps when Ethan participated in such an official event, there was a possibility that several nobles would gather around him regarding the matter of his fiancée.

“Moreover, even if there is no Blackwood family prestige at the moment, his appearance alone is attention-worthy to the ladies.”

Although I trembled inwardly every time I met Harold, objectively speaking, Harold was indeed handsome.

His wife, Tanashia, emitted a pure and beautiful elegance typical of a noble lady. Of course, I had never actually seen her.

With such parents, Ethan’s appearance needed no further explanation.

In the game, layers of fat concealed his potential, but now, Ethan had eliminated all those fat deposits through rigorous training.

If such a person with that appearance became the heir of the Blackwood family…there was a possibility that he might attract more attention than the protagonist of the event in some sense.

“I don’t want to cause a disturbance, Maid.”

“….”

“As this is the Third Princess’s birthday celebration, I naturally believe that she should be the center of attention at this event.”

“I agree with that opinion as well.”

“So, I asked the Maid for a favor. If the Maid attends as my partner wearing a similar ring, we can pretend to be unknown fiancés and divert attention away.”

“Pretend fiancés…”

“And my personal Maid is the most trustworthy among the maids I know. Not only is she the prettiest, but I personally wish she could be my partner.”

“What?”

“…No, that was just a thought.”

Upon hearing the whole story, there was one aspect that I couldn’t fully comprehend.

The strategy of acting as if we were engaged while blocking unwanted guests seemed plausible enough.

However, there was a fatal flaw in this plan: the fact that I, a commoner disguised as a noble, was not an actual noble.

Just seeing Ethan and me wearing the same ring and assuming we are engaged and stepping back was fine with my status.

However, if the other party were to directly inquire about my identity, I would naturally have to reveal my class and identity.

Anyway, I am a commoner, and the person questioning me was most likely a noble.

And as a commoner rejecting a noble’s question, problems would surely arise later.

Therefore, naturally emphasizing this point, I asked Ethan again.

But Ethan, as if he had prepared for this part as well, only gave a prepared answer.

“What do you plan to do about my identity? If the other party asks for my name and position, I will have no choice but to reveal that I am a common maid.”

“That’s fine. There probably won’t be anyone at this event who will ask you such questions. And if they do, you can just ignore them.”

“….What?”

“The concept of this year’s Third Princess’s birthday celebration is a masquerade ball.”

…Ah.

Right, I momentarily forgot about that old matter.

The heroine of “Luminor Academy.” How was the Empire’s Third Princess in the original work?