episode_0045

“Hmm…”

The interview at the pub was more difficult to decide who to prioritize after the interview itself, rather than the interview itself.

Unlike at the coffee house where there were three exceptionally unique people, there was no one outstanding except for the spider Aein.

If their abilities were all mediocre, I would have liked to have judged them based on their motivation, but they all seemed desperate, probably because they were commoners.

People like the Aein who wanted to preserve their unique racial culture, or children who came to find any job.

It was a little burdensome to cut them off coldly.

But I had no choice but to cut them off.

[Adelheid Araniae, Marie Cactus, Katerina Faerie, Elin Smith, Walter Smith, Reginald Baymont]

After about two days of deliberation, I was barely able to decide on six people.

Three from the Aein race, three people.

It wasn’t intentional to pick half and half, but it turned out that way.

“I hope it goes well.”

I muttered to myself as I looked at the list.

Because it was the best list I could think of, I hoped that no one would reject it.

I had decided on the candidates, but I still felt like something was missing.

I pulled over the contracts that had been pushed to the corner of my desk.

I was planning to send the contract terms along with the acceptance notice and meet them to sign if they had no complaints.

If there are any complaints?

The opportunity goes to the next candidate.

I could give them generous terms once things stabilize, but I can’t guarantee anything right now because I haven’t even started digging.

I put the acceptance letters and contracts into envelopes and sealed them with wax.

I set the meeting for the last Monday of July, so now all that’s left is to wait patiently.

_

After hearing from Edward that William was having glamorous days in the Imperial Capital, I couldn’t sleep properly.

I wish he had resembled me a little more than the other children, but this happened because he took after his steadfast personality.

Even though there were signs of it when he was young, he became quiet after puberty, so I thought he had gotten better, but it turned out he was just quiet because he didn’t have any fields of interest…

“Haa…”

“Madam?”

As I sighed in frustration and pressed my fingers against the bridge of my nose with my eyes closed, his voice lingered in my ear.

“Frederick, are you here?”

“What are you doing up so late? You seem to be having trouble sleeping these days, what if you get sick?”

“Frederick, how can I sleep right now? William is attracting all the attention in the Imperial Capital.”

I knew that Frederick was saying that because he was worried about me, but I was on edge and retorted irritably.

I was a little surprised even after I said it, so I widened my eyes and covered my lips with my right hand.

“Madam, don’t worry too much, the Imperial Family is also watching him, so things won’t get out of hand.”

“That’s why I’m even more anxious, the Emperor is paying attention to him… It would be different if he was by my side, but he’s far away now…”

As I couldn’t hide my anxiety, Frederick, who was watching, smiled bitterly and approached the bed.

Soon, Frederick sat on the edge of the bed and carefully took my hand and opened his mouth.

“But it’s still positive attention, at least William won’t be rude to the Imperial Family, you know that even if the Emperor’s interest fades, he won’t incur the Emperor’s wrath, right?”

“I can’t help but be anxious, I wouldn’t worry about the other children, but it’s William.”

I looked at Frederick with resentful eyes.

I still vividly remember him wanting to awaken his aura when he was young, his hands getting calluses, swinging his sword until his nose bled, and jumping from trees because he had a high chance of awakening mana in a crisis situation.

How can I not worry about a child who I can’t help but worry about…

“Frederick, there’s a new commotion every week, is the Imperial Family still saying the same thing?”

“Yes, they told me to keep the territory and not to be reckless, as they will call us when the time comes.”

“Even His Majesty the King?”

“That friend seems to want us to come, but…”

Frederick trailed off and avoided my gaze.

It was clear that the Emperor was interfering.

We’ve done so much for the Imperial Family, why is he playing around with our son?

“Haa- Really, I just didn’t want him to be noticed by one person, but it had to be…”

I resented William for not being careful in front of the person he should have been most careful of.

“But they said they would give us a positive answer before the summer ends.”

“Summer? It’s already mid-July, do you have confidence that he won’t do anything in a month or two?”

“Of course not.”

“……”

Frederick knew his personality and William’s personality well, so he quickly shook his head and answered.

“But, things won’t change if we keep worrying like this, I think my heart will hurt if my beautiful wife’s beauty is ruined.”

“I’m not in the mood for jokes.”

“It’s not a joke.”

“Really…”

It wasn’t Frederick’s fault, but seeing Frederick kept reminding me of William, so I felt like I was going to die.

No, half of it is William’s fault, so would it be okay to blame William?

“Frederick.”

“Speak.”

“Do you have anything planned for tomorrow?”

“I don’t have any special schedule.”

“That’s good.”

I smiled, threw off the blanket I was covering myself with, and got out of bed.

“?”

Frederick, who was looking up at me, frowned slightly and tilted his head slightly to the side.

I glanced at Frederick and grabbed the hem of my knit dress.

“Madam? Why are you suddenly getting dressed…”

“Be quiet.”

“……”

Since the son, who can be called his other half, did something wrong, I was going to hold the father responsible.

_

Fortunately, although there were one or two people who were a little ambiguous, most of the first-place candidates sent positive responses.

At least they were in a stance to meet and talk, so I was relieved and spent the remaining time peacefully.

[William, please don’t cause any trouble for this father, I beg you…]

“…?”

During my peaceful time, I received a letter from my father out of the blue, but there was nothing particularly wrong.

The handwriting, which was more disorganized than usual, felt desperate and miserable for some reason, so I wondered if something was wrong, but even when I asked my older brother, he just blinked and shook his head as if he didn’t know.

“What is it, really…?”

I don’t know why this letter was sent, but it seems like my father has a concern that he can’t tell me, so I sent a reply saying that I would be as careful as possible, and also sent a letter to my mother.

I have too much favorability with my father right now, so if I only send it to my father, my mother might get angry again.

After easily overcoming such minor troubles, when the last Monday of the month arrived,

I headed to the coffee house that I used as an interview location.

After busily finishing preparations, I arrived at the coffee house about 30 minutes early.

I didn’t recognize anyone, so I thought I was the first to arrive.

“Sir William, you’re here early this time?”

Unfortunately, the most uncomfortable person among the successful candidates, Princess Elizabeth, approached me with a parasol and a woman who appeared to be a maid and spoke to me.

I hastily hid the expression that was about to harden and smiled and greeted her.

“Haha… Princess Elizabeth, it’s been a while, you’re the first to arrive.”

“It’s the basics of a lady.”

“You’re amazing.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Princess Elizabeth formally expressed her gratitude for the formal compliment and slightly raised the corners of her lips.

After exchanging smiles for a moment, the princess removed her smile, moved her gaze slightly to the side of me, and opened her mouth.

“By the way, Sir William.”

“Yes.”

The princess’s finger pointed to Emily, who was standing behind my right.

“In the interview, you said you had no relationship with women, what is your relationship with the maid next to you?”

I glanced at Emily, turning my head slightly.

Perhaps because she was suddenly singled out, the blinking of her eyes became faster than usual.

“She is my cherished exclusive user, the person I open up to next to my family.”

“Just a simple user?”

“Yes.”

“I see, that’s interesting, it’s rare for a man to bring a female user with him.”

“I think it’s because we’ve known each other since we were young.”

“Hmm~”

The princess narrowed her eyes, humming softly, and looked back and forth between me and Emily.

I felt like she was subtly evaluating us, so I moved one step to the side and subtly blocked her gaze towards Emily.

Then the princess returned her eyes to normal and opened her mouth.

“It was a bit of a rude question, thank you for answering.”

“No, it’s okay, I get asked that question often.”

“Hehe~ You’re also generous, you must have been popular with women since you were young.”

“No… Not really.”

“Really? That’s unexpected.”

“Yes, I wasn’t a very sociable person.”

“I see.”

The princess nodded slightly, smiled lightly, and turned her body slightly.

“The sunlight is getting a little harsh, how about we go inside first?”

“If that’s what the princess wants.”

“Thank you.”

I passed the princess, opened the door of the coffee house, and gestured inside.

“Please go in first, Princess Elizabeth.”

“Oh my, thank you, Sir William.”