"Are you sure this will work?

Mia was the first to open her mouth upon returning to the Red Rose Room. The two maids of honor, Yuri and Lurie, were also waiting for Diana's words with somewhat anxious expressions.
Deanna chuckled slightly.

I don't think you can keep her quiet with that.
"But then...
For now, if we can just get through the garden party, that's all that matters.
"What about ......?

All three of their eyes lit up.

"I don't trust the matriarch at all. I don't trust the matriarch at all. You can see from her research documents how cunning, self-interested, and thick-skinned she is.

Even in front of Deanna, she kept up the act of a harmless little person. Even in front of Deanna, she played the part of a harmless little person, a common aristocrat who was scared of the Red Rose and rarely showed herself out of fear.

"You're a good actor, you fooled Rita and me. It's easier to pretend it's all an act than to find out which is which.
So, tonight is .......
"In layman's terms, it's just weakness and intimidation. How can this kind of thing go on forever?　From the beginning, I've only been trying to get through the garden party.
"But, Master Diana, didn't you say so?　You said that you would soon have the head mistress dismissed.

Yuri finally calmed down and interrupted her.
Deanna nodded.

"Yes, I did say that, but... Yes, I did, but I think it would be better to do that after the garden party.
"Why?
What the headmistress has done is not a matter of getting rid of her alone. There must be some kind of punishment for the maids and maidservants who have followed her and committed many crimes.
That's true, but...
But if we take our time, we won't make it to the garden party.

The three of them opened their mouths and froze.
Leaning back on the sofa, Deanna continued.

The three of them leaned back on the sofa and Deanna continued, "In order for the preparations for the party to go smoothly and for the original purpose to be fulfilled, it's better for you to stay here for now. That's what I thought.
Then why didn't you inform me of this in advance?
I owe you an apology.

I had already discussed with Mia some patterns of how I would respond to the chief's comments, and how I would respond if the situation were like this. But even to Mia, Deanna hadn't told her true intentions.

"I don't want you to apologize, sir.
It's not that I don't trust you guys. It's just that we needed to show our 'seriousness' in order to compete with that acting chief.

I'm really angry.
I had to show her that I was really angry and that I was going to make her quit.

In order to make her believe that, the feelings of not only Diana, but also those of the four people watching her were important.

"A performer as good as the High Priestess is quite a people watcher. I'm not sure if you'll be able to find a way to find out the truth about me, but I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to find out the truth about me.
No way. ......!
Lurie, the matriarch has lived more than twice as long as we have. If you underestimate her, she will catch you off guard.

As she said this, Deanna suddenly had a question. There was a definite disconnect between the image that emerged from the investigation and the woman who she had actually confronted today. It was true that he was a worldly man with a good head on his shoulders.

...... I don't know, this is a strange feeling that doesn't quite fit. I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot more information on this in the coming weeks.

--Am I still missing something?　But what the hell?

"...... Dear Diana?

I came to my senses when she called my name.

"Oh, I'm sorry. --Anyway, in order to intimidate such a chief, I needed an air of power that would make her quit right now. In order to do that, your "seriousness" was essential. ...... Are you angry?

I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

No, I'm not. I'm just a little surprised. It's a good thing ...... that you're so polite as to explain things to me when I could have just ignored them.
...... I don't feel like that's a compliment.
I'm not complimenting you. I don't think you should be so modest with your maidservants.
You can't expect dignity from the Cresta family, Yuri.

In the midst of all this back-and-forth, a voice slowly interrupts. It's Lurie.

I'm sorry if I'm bringing this up again, but is it really necessary to have the garden party on schedule?　We haven't sent out the invitations yet, so it's possible to move the date, right?
"It is possible, but I think it would be difficult to hold a garden party in the palace after the problems in the palace are discovered. Even so, the inner palace is a very special place.

Mia was the one who answered. She had been a lady-in-waiting for a long time and probably knew the ins and outs of the palace better than anyone else in the group. As a maidservant, she is limited in the 'public' she can get involved with.

"This is the first time you've held a garden party, isn't it?　If the chief consort is found to be corrupt before the event is held, the garden party will probably be cancelled. I don't care if it's a historical event or not, it's a sudden event that came out of nowhere.


"Will it...
I'm sure that's what the outer court will decide.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.
I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.
"I see.

I'm not sure what to make of this. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.
Deanna tilted her head.

"Yuri, do you have a personal grudge against Mia?
"Who doesn't have a grudge against someone who was the right-hand man of the empress?
That's it?
What do you mean?
It's unusual for you to be so emotional.

Yuri fell silent. Yuri fell silent. Mia opened her mouth fearfully instead.

...... bullied some of Yuri's close friends out of the palace.

That made sense. Judging from the way Yuri was acting, that was probably the reason.

Did the head mistress tell you to do that?
"Not explicitly, no. If the headmistress identifies someone as an 'eyesore' or a 'hindrance', she will drive them away with insidious harassment. From then on, the maidservants and maids-at-arms who acted 'knowingly' without the chief's words were more favored.
"Oh, that was very popular at one time. I don't know how many times I've gotten in trouble for having this hair and eyes.

Rulie gave a quick response. It's so easy that I'm surprised.

"You don't mind, do you?
I'm used to having black hair and black eyes. Besides, I had a friend who protected me.

I'm not so nice that I'd be nervous about such an unimportant race.

The smile on his face was very strong. Yuri's eyes blinked and Mia paled slightly.

I don't consider people who participate in those silly harassment battles to be human beings. I think of them as completely incompatible with me, as completely different creatures. Therefore, I don't care about them.
"...... is extreme.
"It's this appearance. You can't do your job if you have to react to every malice directed at you. My parents raised me to think of anyone who makes fun of me as a featherworm.
Very wise parents.

I see. That's why Lurie is like a split bamboo. I'm sure you'll understand.

"For now, both Yuri and Rurie. Mia is going to be working with us from now on, so please don't let her grudges and featherbugs get in the way of your work.
Of course.
...... accepted.

Looking out the window, Deanna breathed. The night had not yet dawned.

"Come on, we'll be busy tomorrow. Yuri, Luly, go to bed.
What are you going to do, Deanna?
I'm going to wait for Rita. They have an early morning.
I'll take your word for it at .......

With a bow, they stepped back.
In the quiet of the room, Deanna made eye contact with Mia.

This is the result of what you've done.
"...... Yes.
Yuri and Lurie know why you've been sinning. But even so, it is emotionally difficult for them to forgive you.
Yes, I know. I'm sure you'll find it difficult to forgive me. ...... Just because you have a reason doesn't mean you can be forgiven.

Mia is well aware of her own sinfulness. That's why she didn't say anything else. --She knows that.

It's going to be hard. I'm not saying don't give up. There's more than one way to redeem yourself.
"...... Please don't be too nice. I'm too soft on myself.
You're right. That's why it was so easy for me to get carried away.
That's mean, Diana.
But I don't think you're weak, either. You've been called the right-hand man of the Chief, you've been hated by those who care about you, and yet you've managed to keep yourself together.

I'm sure you have the strength.

I believe in you.

A silence passed.
And then Mia bowed deeply.

"Master Diana. I will be here tomorrow.


Yes, please. You can go now. Get some rest.
Excuse me.

Following the formalities of a courtesan, Mia left the room without a sound. It was a perfect gesture, with the grace and modesty befitting a royal court lady. She must have been consciously pretending to be less serious than she usually was.

...... Are you okay, Mia?
Welcome back, Rita.

Rita came in through the other door and was apparently looking around the room the whole time. I knew it was too late.

Why are you eavesdropping again?
I didn't think it was a good idea to get involved in the royal court's discussions. Anyway...
Mia, isn't it?　All I can do is trust that everything will be okay.
...... It's so frustrating.
It's something that Mia has to get over on her own.

Deanna and her friends from the summer are outsiders in this matter. There's not much we can do.

After a long exhale, Deanna changed her mind.

"Well, shall we hear the report?
"The headmistress will be under Darkness' supervision until the garden party.
I think that's a safe bet.
"The headmistress will be watched, and Shayla and Diana will guard her. That's three people.

That sounds a bit too strict. I don't care about the High Priestess and Shayla.

I'd rather you protect Mia and Yuri than me.
"...... Why?
These two are the only ones who can actually reach the outer court immediately. If anyone is going to be targeted, it's Mia and Yuri, not me.
But isn't that practically impossible?　It would be difficult to hire an assassin and even more difficult to poison the meals of certain ladies and maids.
There's also the word "just in case. You never know what a cornered person might do.
...... I can't deny that.

Rita nodded and said she would take care of it. Finally relieved, Deanna sat back down on the couch.

I've been worried about the palace ladies and maidservants, even though it's good to hunt down the empress. Especially the ones with the Red Rose. I said I'd cut the cards if they tried anything, but that wouldn't work if they got desperate.
He did seem to be complying, though.
I don't trust them.
I know.

Rita was also aware of the cunning and boldness of the commander-in-chief. She easily agreed and walked around in front of Diana.

I'm just confirming that you'll be taking care of the headmistress until the garden party and then you'll leave, correct?
"Yes. I've given it a lot of thought, but I think that's probably the best way to handle things.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but I think it's a good idea. She was very quick.

The question is whether or not the outside world will be able to get a hold of the headmistress by the time of the garden party, and whether or not they can find a replacement for her.
That's the only thing that's unpredictable. ...... There's still three weeks to go, though, so I think we can make it work.
I hope so, I really do.

Sighs deeply, deeply.
It seems that the hardships of the Red Rose will never cease.