Chapter 188: Why Are You Here (1)
After my date with Illin, several days passed.
When I returned, what awaited me was none other than...
"Master. I've brought the documents."
As expected, it was a backlog of work.
I let out a deep sigh as I looked at the mountain of paperwork Olivia handed me.
"Haah.... why is there no end to this?"
Surely the Constellation must have handled things while I was away.
And yet, there still seemed to be no end in sight.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate asks if you know how difficult it was for her while you were gone!]
At that moment, as if she had read my inner thoughts, she sent an angry message.
And then, as if trying to give me a neurosis, the Constellation pressed further.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate says you're being punished for going on a date while she was working. And she's asking why you seduced another woman.]
Come on. I already explained everything. Damn it.
No matter how many times I explain why I brought Olivia, the Constellation keeps interrogating me.
I tried to ignore her messages and focus on my work.
"Young Master. I'm coming in."
A sharp voice rang in my ears from somewhere.
The next moment.
-Creeeeak!
The door slowly opened.
The person who opened it was none other than Rishe.
She brought in a stack of documents as tall as herself, and then...
-Thud!
She deliberately placed them on my desk.
As if telling me to recognize that she was upset.
"Rishe. Are you still angry?"
"....No. Why would I be angry about something like this? I'm absolutely not upset that Young Master went on a date with Illin. I'm not angry that Young Master seduced a beautiful woman. Young Master does this all the time anyway. Yes. Absolutely. Absolutely not angry."
"....."
I've never seen her this sulky before.
She spoke at such length that I thought if you added a beat to those words, they could be rap lyrics.
And that's not all.
*Look at how she's pouting.*
Unlike her usual self, her expression clearly showed she was upset.
As I was wondering how to appease her...
"I detect that Master's mental state appears strained. I recommend taking a short rest."
Olivia suggested a break in a businesslike tone.
However, unlike her voice, her eyes were directed not at me but at Rishe.
As if to say, unlike you, I'm thinking about the Master.
"....How interesting. Until now, no one has ever provoked me like this. I never thought a newcomer would immediately challenge me. Especially against someone like me who's been close to Young Master since childhood, unlike you."
"....I believe the present is more important than the past."
Olivia responded sharply to Rishe's words.
The next moment.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate says she agrees with what that new woman said.]
Hey. Why do you have to butt into everything?
As I was feeling dumbfounded...
-Crackle!
The two women stared at each other with expressionless faces.
At the same time.
"I think that person is right—I haven't been considering Young Master enough. You must be quite tired after the recent war and rescuing Illin. Though the Holy Cross would have helped your body recover, your mind still needs rest. So..."
-Plop!
She sat down on the bed mid-sentence.
Then.
"You can lie down here and rest. I'll... make Young Master happy."
"....What?"
I couldn't help but widen my eyes at this sudden escalation.
Then, as if not wanting to lose to her, Olivia said:
"I've confirmed that Master's gaze is particularly drawn to my chest. If you choose me, I'll let you touch here."
She massaged her chest seductively.
*Wait. Why are they acting like this?*
What's the big deal about my rest that they're going this far?
As I was inwardly bewildered...
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate says she's considering descending right now.]
Even the Constellation wants to join in.
*Please. Let's not do this.*
I'm already dizzy with these two acting this way, and if the Constellation joins in, it'll be absolute chaos in no time.
As I was rubbing my throbbing temple...
"Master! A letter came!"
With perfect timing, Cage opened the door with a bright smile.
She waved the letter enthusiastically.
*Okay. Let's use this as an escape.*
Seizing the opportunity for a distraction, I immediately changed the subject.
"Let's take a rest later. Cage, who's that letter from?"
"Huh? I don't know. I thought I should show it to you before checking... Wait, Rishe, what are you doing lying there?"
Too immersed in the atmosphere, Rishe, who had been trying to seduce me from the bed, cleared her throat with embarrassment and blushed.
"Ahem. It's nothing. Anyway, Young Master, let's check the letter."
"Sure."
I nodded and took the letter Cage handed me.
I tore open the envelope and checked the contents.
"Huh? What the hell?"
Before I knew it, a curse escaped my lips.
***
The person who sent me the letter was none other than royalty.
No, to be precise, one of the people at the pinnacle of authority in the Reyston continent, second only to the Saintess.
*The Emperor himself sent me a letter. This is insane.*
Reyston von Kaite had summoned me.
The content of the letter was straightforward.
He said he would reward me for my achievements in the recent war against the Cult. He also mentioned that he was hosting a banquet and had invited not just me but most of the nobles.
*He even said I could bring two maids.*
I'd like to make an excuse and not go.
It's obvious that only troublesome things will happen if I attend.
But.
*He's offering a reward. And... it's awkward to refuse the Emperor.*
It wasn't just any royal—the Emperor himself had sent a letter.
If I refuse, my image would surely be shattered again.
In the first place, I need to meet the Emperor at some point to take responsibility for the women around me, given my achievements.
*Right. I have to meet him anyway, so this is good timing.*
There's no harm in meeting him when my image is positive due to my achievements.
*Now the question is who to bring....*
As I was stroking my chin, pondering...
"Young Master. What does the letter say that has you so deep in thought?"
Rishe asked with a voice full of curiosity.
I relayed the contents of the letter to everyone present.
Then.
"Hmm. I see. Then it would be appropriate to take me. Young Master, unlike the others here, I know the proper etiquette for nobility."
"Hmm. That's true...."
As the daughter of a Duke, Rishe would certainly not make mistakes in front of the Emperor.
As I nodded in agreement, Olivia, as if not wanting to lose to her, said:
"Master. I also have knowledge of noble etiquette. I believe there would be no problem if you took me."
"Hmm...."
Olivia expressed her opinion with a deadpan face.
Considering her efficient handling of matters so far, there would be no problem taking her.
"Master! Take me too! I want to try royal food!"
At that moment, Cage spoke with a bright, innocent smile.
I definitely shouldn't take her.
The aftermath would be predictable.
"You stay here and help with Eveleen's handover. It's not completely finished yet, right?"
"Mmm. Rishe was going to train Eveleen... mmph!"
Before she could finish, Rishe covered her mouth with both hands.
I could guess what she was about to say, but I kept it to myself.
"Right. Anyway, you stay here and help with Eveleen's handover. You're the closest to her among us."
"Mmph!"
Cage nodded with her mouth still covered.
Just then.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate asks why you haven't mentioned her.]
Wait. You're not my maid, you're a Constellation.
I was bewildered by the Constellation suddenly volunteering to be a maid, but there was no need to play along.
As I tried to ignore the message in front of me and push it aside...
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate says she'll really descend if you ignore her again.]
The Constellation was threatening me.
As if her patience had finally reached its limit.
*Damn it. Just curse at me directly, woman.*
Actually, it's surprising she hasn't exploded until now.
Recently, I haven't been able to meet her because of work, and I've only been asking her for favors.
*She really looks like she's about to explode. If I leave her like this....*
Visions of disastrous endings flashed through my mind.
The next moment.
-Shiver!
A chill ran down my spine.
At the thought that one of those disastrous endings could happen to me.
*Damn. I need to prevent the worst-case scenario.*
Having made up my mind, I slowly opened my mouth.
***
The next day.
As I was about to get up early to go to the Capital City...
"Young Master. It's time to wake up."
Rishe, who had already prepared, shook me awake.
I nodded and sat up.
Just then.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate tells you to hurry and get ready!]
The Constellation urged me through a message.
*I know. I'll get ready right away.*
Judging by their reactions, both of them were quite excited.
I rubbed my sleepy eyes and looked at Rishe.
"Rishe. Didn't you prepare too early?"
"....Since you chose me yesterday, I couldn't help it."
She smiled and gazed into the distance in response to my question.
It seems I've been neglecting her too much lately.
Seeing how happy she was over something so small.
*I feel a bit sorry now.*
With that thought, I quickly finished preparing and left the mansion.
At the same time.
"Cain. Don't cause any trouble."
Thomas, who had been waiting at the entrance of the mansion, said with a serious face.
His words were so absurd that I couldn't help but laugh.
"Come on, Father. When do I ever cause trouble? That was in the past."
"....Yes. That's true, but aren't most of your lovers gathering there this time?"
"....What?"
What did you say?
As I tilted my head, not understanding Thomas's words, he sighed deeply as if he had expected this.
"Haah.... Didn't you say they invited nobles?"
"Yes. That's what the letter said."
"Right. Then of course Illin and Lady Skaya will be there too?"
"Well, I suppose so?"
So what?
Those two shouldn't be a problem.
As I was failing to understand...
"Why do you think the Saintesses wouldn't be invited? If nobles are invited."
"....Ah."
That's right. Damn.
"Isn't it spreading around that it was the Saintesses, not the Constellation, who helped this time?"
"That's right."
"Then of course the Saintesses would be invited too."
At that moment, I realized.
Why Thomas was telling me not to cause trouble.
And for good reason.
"From what I can see, at least Lady Lisana, Lady Mira, and Lady Anje will definitely attend."
With the Constellation included, at least seven women related to me would be gathering.
No. Damn it, what is this, some kind of Avengers assembly?