Ch.273Chapter 273 – Domestica (2)

The morning after we granted Domestica permission to accompany us.

I woke up naturally and was getting ready when suddenly I heard a knock on my door.

“Who is it…?”

Having just finished putting on my helmet, I opened the door.

There stood Domestica in front of the door.

“Oh, you’re already awake.”

“What brings you here so early in the morning…?”

Just as I was about to ask what business she had,

Domestica slightly lifted the hem of her skirt in greeting and said:

“I came to inform you that breakfast is ready. Please join us after washing up.”

“…I see.”

“The others are waiting, so I’ll be going now,” Domestica said as she turned away from my door.

Not long after, I heard her knocking on another door.

‘She must be waking everyone up.’

I thought about going to help, but hearing her rather assertive knocking, I decided to quietly withdraw.

I turned and headed outside the carriage.

When I saw the scene before me, I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.

“How did you manage this?”

A tent had been set up from who knows where, spread out like a picnic blanket, with what appeared to be traditional foods from Florence or the Kingdom laid out on top.

Every dish looked difficult to prepare, and they were all steaming as if freshly cooked.

“This is impressive.”

“Isn’t it?”

Sera, who seemed to have woken up early to help prepare breakfast, nodded and said:

“She cooked all that food almost simultaneously. After everything was done, she even used magic to keep it warm.”

“Magic?”

“Yes. When I asked, she told me she could use simple magic for daily tasks.”

Sera’s eyes sparkled as she added that she had learned a lot from watching.

“Where did she get the ingredients?”

“I provided them. We already had some set aside for today’s breakfast.”

Sera explained that although the quantity was more than usual, it would be fine.

Since Ive manages the overall storage and Sera helps manage the food supplies, it should be alright.

“Though she seemed to have her own cheese. We didn’t take that from our storage.”

“Did she conjure that with magic too?”

“I think so.”

I hadn’t seen Domestica carrying anything that could hold cheese when we brought her along.

Since she mentioned using magic earlier, she must have been storing it magically.

Even so, I hadn’t expected her to be capable of preparing so many dishes simultaneously and setting everything up so neatly.

“They said she was capable, but this is extraordinary.”

“I need to improve my skills too. For the future, you know.”

“The future?”

“Yes. The future.”

For some reason, Sera looked at me happily as she said this.

Soon after, Ive and Chris emerged from inside, looking neat and tidy, followed by Sia and Beatrice who were rubbing their eyes companionably as they came out.

“…Why so early…?”

“This isn’t early at all. Besides, you’ve grown lazier than before, Beatrice.”

Domestica shot back at Beatrice who was about to complain.

“I heard that Shadows practically went without sleep. Have you become lax?”

“…Let’s just say I have.”

Unable to come up with an excuse, Beatrice averted her gaze, which made Domestica look at her somewhat strangely.

Soon after, she turned to us with a light bow and said:

“Well then, everyone. Though humble, please enjoy the meal. I apologize for using your ingredients as what I had was insufficient.”

“It’s fine if Miss Seraphina approved it.”

Ive said this, and soon we all began eating quietly.

Ive was the first to speak up.

“…This is excellent.”

Though no one else said it aloud, everyone agreed with Ive’s assessment.

The cheese was melted to just the right consistency, and the overall seasoning and taste of the dishes made with it were superb.

Chris had already widened her eyes and was moving her spoon busily.

Domestica smiled and said:

“I’ve been honing my skills to serve distinguished guests anywhere, anytime.”

“Well, we’re certainly being treated to something special. Thank you.”

Sia replied with a smile, then began moving her spoon as if competing with Chris.

Seeing this, Domestica’s eyebrow twitched slightly, but she seemed to decide against saying anything.

“…She looks displeased.”

“Think about it, Helmet. Domestica is used to seeing people at court who eat with perfect manners.”

Beatrice quietly warned that she might not appreciate the way Chris and Sia were eating.

“I don’t know much about noble dining etiquette either. Is that okay?”

“Just eat neatly as you usually do. As you can see from her silence, she’s not completely inflexible, and she probably understands that non-nobles might not know proper dining etiquette.”

Beatrice casually explained that Domestica’s reaction was simply due to unfamiliarity.

As she spoke, Beatrice began cutting and eating her food with unexpected elegance that contrasted with her appearance. Noticing this, Domestica smiled and said:

“Beatrice used to be unfamiliar with dining etiquette, which worried me, but now she’s become quite proficient.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The Second Princess who tried so hard to teach Beatrice table manners should have seen this…”

After saying this, Domestica suddenly lowered her head with a dark expression.

Looking at Beatrice, I saw her expression had darkened as well.

“…If only that polite, diligent, and gentle princess were still here…”

Beatrice gave no response to Domestica’s murmur.

The atmosphere grew heavy once again.

“Excuse me, are you alright?”

“…I apologize. I’ve shown an inappropriate side of myself in front of you all.”

Domestica hastily changed her expression.

Then she quickly looked at Beatrice and said:

“I’m sorry. I made you recall unpleasant memories.”

“…It’s fine.”

Beatrice smiled weakly.

Then she quietly said:

“I just suddenly missed the old days. I’m used to it.”

Beatrice said this and then smiled gently.

Afterward, she bowed her head and continued eating.

‘They must have had a special relationship.’

Both Domestica, who served the princesses, and Beatrice reacted strongly when the princess was mentioned.

Their mood changed dramatically at the mention of the princess.

“You must have been close.”

“Yes.”

Though I don’t know the details, the princess must have been someone precious to them.

I’d need Beatrice or Domestica to explain more to understand fully.

“By the way, Miss Domestica?”

“Please, feel free to address me casually. What is it, Head of Lavencha Trading Company?”

“May I ask why you’re going to Port Fiume?”

Ive asked with a gentle smile.

However, her eyes revealed a hint of wariness.

It seemed Ive wanted to know exactly what kind of person Domestica was.

After thinking for a moment, Domestica replied with a slightly tense expression:

“…It’s a personal matter.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s an extremely personal matter.”

“Can’t you tell us?”

“I’m afraid…”

Domestica trailed off, seemingly finding it difficult to explain.

Then she bowed her head and said:

“If you’re concerned that I might be associated with the bandits you mentioned meeting before, you can just drop me off near the port. I can even get off now if you prefer. I don’t wish to make any of you uncomfortable.”

“No, that’s not it. I’ve made you worry unnecessarily. Please forgive my rudeness.”

Though Ive apologized, Domestica still refused to reveal her purpose.

Ive seemed to realize it would be futile to press further and quietly backed off with a smile.

Meanwhile, I was carefully noting Domestica’s words and actions.

‘She wants our help, but doesn’t want to get involved with us.’

She seems to want assistance with transportation.

But she also appears to think it’s better to keep her distance from us.

‘At least she doesn’t seem to be a bad person.’

Her polite demeanor and the way she treats Beatrice shows she can be formal, but also friendly and welcoming in certain aspects.

It feels less like she’s keeping her distance out of suspicion and more like she’s being considerate.

‘Could it be…’

A possibility briefly crossed my mind.

“Ahem, ahem.”

By the time I had organized my thoughts, Domestica cleared her throat, seemingly wanting to change the subject.

She looked at Chris and asked:

“By the way, Sister, which religious order do you belong to?”

“Oh, have you heard of the Evgenia Order?”

“Evgenia?”

Domestica’s expression stiffened slightly.

Soon she mumbled and quietly said:

“…I apologize. That’s an order I haven’t heard of. My knowledge is limited…”

“Domestica not knowing something? Now that’s rare.”

Beatrice said with a slight smile.

Domestica glared at her slightly and replied:

“…Not knowing something isn’t shameful, Beatrice.”

“True. What matters is learning.”

Beatrice grinned and said:

“What’s important is acknowledging what you don’t know and learning from it. Right?”

“…Correct. I don’t recall ever telling you that. The princesses must have taught you.”

Domestica said with a slightly flushed face.

Then she turned back to Chris and apologized again:

“Once more, I apologize. Due to my limited knowledge, I haven’t heard of your order.”

“No need to apologize. Our order is quite small…”

“I see.”

Domestica closed her eyes thoughtfully.

“Um, is there a problem?”

“No. I just heard some strange rumors recently and wondered if that might be why the Sister came.”

“Strange rumors?”

My question seemed to darken Domestica’s expression.

“…There are rumors of beings who enter the palace who seem human but not quite human.”

I looked at Domestica, wondering if this was some kind of riddle.

“From what I’ve heard, they are extremely beautiful but have very pale skin. Rumors that such people have been coming and going from the palace have spread to the streets.”

“Why all the way to the streets?”

In response to Beatrice’s question, Domestica smiled and said:

“Well, maids have loose tongues. Unless someone takes responsibility for keeping them shut.”

Domestica’s expression was somewhat forceful.

It seemed she once had some role in preventing palace gossip from spreading.

Domestica sighed and continued:

“…Anyway, among the rumors I heard was this: They were definitely beautiful men and women. Their skin was just a bit pale. But for some reason, people were reluctant to approach them. Somehow, they felt frightening, as if getting close might be fatal. They always came in the evening or at night…”

“Frightening?”

“Yes. It’s strange, isn’t it? And there might actually be something to it.”

“Why do you say that?”

To Sera’s question, Domestica bowed her head slightly and replied:

“The palace maids deal with many nobles regularly. They hardly bat an eye at ordinary guests.”

Domestica explained that the palace maids were professionals at receiving guests.

For them to describe visitors this way…

“There’s a chance that something about these visitors genuinely made them uncomfortable.”

Domestica said with a worried expression.

“It’s an ominous rumor overall… That’s why I wondered if the Sister might have come in relation to this matter.”

“I’m afraid I just came along with these people…”

Chris apologetically put her hands together.

Domestica smiled and said:

“That’s alright. Perhaps it was simply a noble who happened to be pale and irritable that day, and the maids were too tired and felt that way.”

Domestica smiled as if trying to reassure us.

And that’s when it happened.

“A noble, huh.”

Sia repeated the word thoughtfully, then seemed to realize something.

Chris immediately looked at Sia.

“Did you think of something?”

“…Pale skin, beautiful features, nobles—these words remind me of something.”

Sia’s expression had darkened as she spoke.

“I doubt it, though. They would have no reason to move.”

“They?”

At my question, Sia seemed to continue organizing her thoughts.

Finally, unable to contain myself, I quietly called to her again.

“Sia.”

“Alright, I’ll tell you. But it’s just something that suddenly came to mind, understand?”

Sia hastily replied, seemingly uncomfortable with all the attention.

Soon she rested her chin on her hand and said:

“Late hours of activity, pale skin, nobles. Listing these words together suddenly reminds me of a certain race. That’s all.”

“What is it?”

Domestica moved closer to Sia, perhaps hoping to learn the truth behind the rumors.

Sia raised a finger and asked:

“Do you all know about vampires?”