“Bring Sylvia here. The palace messenger is waiting, so make sure she comes quickly.”
“Yes, Master.”
An emergency has arisen.
I anticipated a significant reaction this time, considering the gravity of the situation.
However, I didn’t expect the nobles to remain silent and for the palace to be the first to reach out with a love call.
But is this really a love call?
They’re threatening, saying, ‘If you don’t come, I’ll socially obliterate you’.
Adding the idea of Empress Sister being so obsessed with me that she can only express her love through this kind of yandere behavior in my mind finally quelled the fear.
Ugh, this is a mess.
“Should we take Charlotte and Julia with us?”
[The Evil God ‘Kali’ nods, agreeing that it’s a good idea.]
Empress Vanessa and I are from the same faction.
Though she tries to hide it, she is very fond of and cares deeply for the children. I had considered taking Charlotte and Julia along, but…
“No. That would be too obvious. It might provoke a backlash.”
[The Evil God ‘Kali’ agrees with that statement.]
If I try to win the Empress’s favor again using the children, it might make me look insincere.
She might even become very angry, thinking I’m exploiting the children.
I need to handle this on my own.
“Master! Huff. Is it not too late?”
“Perfect timing. Cool off and get in the carriage. You smell.”
“I-I don’t smell! Would you like to check?”
“I’ll pass.”
“Aaah…!”
Soon, Sylvia appeared riding a horse, having galloped like lightning from the Ariente territory.
I would have been anxious going alone without Sylvia, so it’s a relief.
“What do you mean the Empress has given us a task?”
“Exactly as it sounds. They have something for Vermont Security to do.”
“But we haven’t finished training the Vermont Security staff yet.”
“You’ll need to finish it soon. This isn’t a suggestion; it’s an order.”
“…”
Understanding the situation, Sylvia’s expression hardened.
It was an urgent matter, enough for the Empress to send a personal messenger, and it included a bit of a threat, making it an order that couldn’t be refused. It was clearly not a minor issue.
“I understand. I will make sure to be especially careful not to cause any offense during our visit to the palace.”
Rustle, Rustle.
Sylvia quickly adjusted her appearance and got into the royal carriage.
The carriage soon set off and entered the Vermont Highway.
I was worried about feeling awkward riding in a carriage like the messenger’s, but fortunately, we were guided to a different one. I sat facing Sylvia and slightly leaned back.
Sniff, sniff.
There was a slight scent.
What a liar.
“First, describe the current status of Vermont Security. If there’s anything I don’t know, I need to be informed.”
“We are evaluating staff on a point system privately. Training is conducted once a week, with mandatory participation once every two weeks. Scores are based on performance during training and peer evaluations. As of now, there is only one staff member with excellent enough performance to be immediately deployed on a mission. There are five others who, while not meeting that level, are expected to become proficient quickly with more field experience.”
“…”
We hired nearly a hundred staff, but only six are ready for real deployment?
My head ached for a moment. However, considering Sylvia’s very strict standards, this might be a blessing.
Plus, it’s been less than two months since the launch.
“Six. In that case, any mission requiring more than six personnel should be declined, even if it means offending someone.”
“Yes. That seems to be the correct judgment.”
A mission requiring a large number of personnel cannot be accepted, no matter how much the Empress insists.
Deploying staff who haven’t completed their training could lead to mistakes, causing a huge embarrassment for both the palace and Vermont.
If that happens, we could lose everything we’ve built and Vermont might be ruined.
I’ve faced risks before, but this is severe.
It’s not the time to attempt a risky move aiming for a big win.
The carriage started to slow down.
As I drew back the curtains, the magnificent palace came into view.
I handed Sylvia a handkerchief.
“We’ve arrived. Wipe off your sweat with this. Let’s go.”
“We’ve arrived. Use this to wipe off your sweat. Let’s get out now.”
“But, do I really smell…?”
“Not much.”
“So, you’re saying I do smell…!”
“It’s tolerable. I’m going out first.”
“Ahhhhh…!”
It’s not that she doesn’t smell, but it’s not to the extent of being overwhelming.
Just a faint scent if you stick your nose close? In reality, it’s not unpleasant.
It just seems like it could be worse.
Leaving behind the incomprehensible cries of Sylvia, I opened the door.
Sylvia, trying to hold back a sound, was glaring at me with hostility.
“What are you doing? Come out.”
“…”
But Sylvia doesn’t seem to be planning to get out of the carriage.
Instead of standing at the entrance or sitting, she’s awkwardly frozen in place.
Is something wrong?
“…Did you… soil yourself?”
“W-What are you talking about!?”
“If not that, then tell me what’s wrong.”
“Hand. Extend your hand to help me out. Otherwise, I won’t get out.”
“…”
With her cheeks slightly flushed, Sylvia continues to glare at me.
Her stubbornness is evident in her eyes.
Is she seriously…?
“Treat me like a lady and extend your hand to help me out.”
“…Are you serious?”
“I’m serious. If you want to drag me out forcefully, you can use the brand. Then I’ll follow your orders while groaning in immense pain. Even in front of the Empress.”
“Is this childish behavior? This is exactly what Julia did—throwing a tantrum while asking to be treated like a lady. Aren’t you ashamed?”
“Kh, kh! Anyway, I won’t get out until you extend your hand!”
[The Evil God ‘Kali’ is horrified by such childish behavior at this age.]
Sylvia’s face turned red from being called childish, and she crossed her arms and turned her head sharply.
What is this?
She’s a bodyguard, yet she wants to be treated like a lady?
I considered lifting her by the waist as I did with Julia, but…
‘Yeah, this isn’t going to work.’
After sizing up Sylvia, I decided to give up quickly.
While it might be possible to carry her, lifting her is absolutely impossible.
I sighed deeply.
“Sylvia, you stay here. I’m going to meet Her Majesty the Empress.”
“A-Aaah! What about the mark? Aren’t you going to use the mark?”
“Why forcefully drag you out if you’re reluctant? Just stay here.”
“…!?”
I turned my back.
If I attempted to meet the Empress alone, rumors might spread that the Count of Vermont couldn’t even bring a bodyguard, but that’s only a concern for those who care about external reputations.
I already have a connection with the Empress, and I have no intention of engaging in political scheming, so I’m completely immune to it.
Soon, I heard Sylvia behind me, making muffled noises of frustration.
Thud, thud, thud!
With assertive footsteps, Sylvia followed closely by my side.
“This is really too much!”
“Considering you’re following as a bodyguard yet demanding to be treated like a lady, you’re the one being unreasonable. Do you want rumors to spread that the Count of Vermont is in a relationship with his bodyguard?”
“Th-that’s not… Ugh!”
“You hadn’t thought about that, had you?”
“…”
What a short-sighted person.
Still, it’s not entirely unpleasant.
Sylvia, who used to frown and be stiff around me, now frequently shows a variety of emotions.
I’m not sure if I’ve earned Sylvia’s trust yet, but at least the relationship seems to have improved significantly.
That’s enough for now.
I’m somewhat satisfied.
“Then… on holidays, will you hold my hand?”
“What?”
Just as I was wrapping things up pleasantly, she suddenly brought this up.
“I was asking if, on holidays, you’d be willing to treat me as a lady.”
“Why are you so obsessed with being treated as a lady? Was the comment about your smell that shocking?”
“…Please just answer me.”
“It doesn’t smell much. It does smell a bit, but it depends on the person; I found it fragrant.”
“What, really!?”
“And if it’s a holiday, I will extend my hand. Is that answer satisfactory? Now focus. We’re at the palace. This is no place for making a scene.”
“Yes, yes… I understand…”
Embarrassed and fumbling, Sylvia began to compose herself, tapping her own cheeks to regain her composure.
Finally, she returned to her usual stern, resolute bodyguard persona.
‘Why is it harder to comfort and reassure her than the kids…?’
Oh, I should retract my statement about being satisfied.
If I had known she’d be this bothersome, I would have preferred her to stay as a stony-faced bodyguard.
I never imagined Sylvia would have such a childish side.
Of course, I will never treat Sylvia as a lady.
That wasn’t a lie.
It’s just that there won’t be any outings in a carriage with Sylvia on holidays.
