TMLAM 21

Chapter 21

The Male Lead’s Devoted Maid Is Too Competent

Kristan nodded toward me as I hesitated, then gently pushed my back once more.

“Try using it.”

“W-Why would I be using something like this…? I’m doing just fine with what I already have, Your Grace.”

When something this expensive is handed over so easily, there’s always a reason.
Was my workload about to increase?
Or was there some difficult task waiting for me?

As I fidgeted nervously, Kristan spoke lightly.

“I told you yesterday. That I was grateful.”

“Pardon?”

“Thanks to you, the North was able to be set right. This is a reward for that effort. And also a request—for you to keep doing the same going forward.”

“M-My goodness…”

So this was basically employee benefits.
A kind of performance bonus?

I swallowed hard and stepped closer to the typewriter, its cherry-colored body gleaming as if it were tempting me. When I reached out, my fingertips trembled slightly.

Tatatatatata.

The smooth keystrokes, the speed at which the letters appeared, and the way my wrist felt inexplicably comfortable—
It was a perfect typewriter.

I barely managed to clamp a hand over my mouth to keep myself from gasping out loud.

“You have a good eye. This item is well worth its price. The workshop only made three of them in total. And one of those—this very one—is here. I hear another was delivered to His Highness the Crown Prince this time.”

As expected, imperial marketing.

In any case, it was undeniably an excellent piece.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, Your Grace! I love it!”

I was genuinely moved.
So much so that I wondered if I’d always been this materialistic.

Normally, I wasn’t easily impressed—but this felt like jumping straight from a 3G phone to a smartphone.

“Then have it wrapped.”

And my boss didn’t even ask for the price.

At the same time.

Unlike the peaceful North, the capital was nothing short of a battlefield.

Prince Chase stared at the man standing before him with tired eyes.

“Do you not have weekends?”

“If I don’t do this, I won’t even get the chance to see Your Highness! Please forgive my rudeness!”

Prince Chase was the Crown Prince’s twin younger brother. Because they looked so alike, it was hard to tell them apart—but their personalities were completely different.

While the Crown Prince was cold and indifferent, Chase was more… human, one might say.
To put it simply, he was someone people felt they could approach.

Because of that—and because the relationship between Chase and the Crown Prince was close—many people chose to go through Prince Chase when they needed something from the imperial family.

Rentro Acrasia, who had come to see Prince Chase today, was one of those people.

He was Kristan’s cousin.

“You must lend me your support, Your Highness. As you know, Kristan may not be able to produce an heir. There are rumors that he found a compatible person, but they are only rumors. No one knows the true state of Kristan’s body. What if he were to die in battle? Please help me have my son adopted as Kristan’s heir! This is for the sake of the North and the Empire!”

“Haaah…”

Prince Chase let out a sigh.

So irritatingly whiny.

Still, some of what Rentro said wasn’t entirely wrong.

It was widely known even within the imperial palace that Grand Duke Kristan suffered from severe mana poisoning. The Emperor was deeply worried about it as well.

He had ordered Kristan to marry quickly and secure an heir—but was met only with fierce resistance.

Kristan had reportedly snapped, asking whether the Emperor thought of him as breeding stock.

After saying something like that directly to the Emperor’s face, there was nothing more to be said.

In any case, Kristan had, as he so boldly claimed, managed to keep himself alive.

But it was also true that if things continued like this, the North would be placed in danger.

Chase pressed his fingers firmly against his forehead.

“Then why don’t you go and talk to Kristan yourself? I don’t see why you’re here pestering me.”

“As you know, Kristan is not someone who listens to reason. He keeps insisting that the North is safe. He’ll only listen if he sees that the imperial family shares my stance. So please, Your Highness.”

“Are you asking me to go to the North with you?”

“Yes. If you would do that, His Majesty the Emperor would be most pleased.”

Chase sighed again.

Regardless of Rentro’s intentions, concern for the North was genuine. And the Emperor was indeed worried about Kristan’s worsening condition. Chase was also curious about how well the so-called compatible person was fulfilling their role.

I suppose I do need to see it for myself.

The Crown Prince, who was in the midst of preparing for abdication, also could not hide his concerns. It would be fitting for Chase to go, assess the situation, and help stabilize the North.

That was, after all, the role of Chase—known as the Crown Prince’s shadow.

Scratching where the Empire itched.

Chase glanced sideways at Rentro.

“Then what will you offer me in return?”

“…Anything you desire, Your Highness! Even if you demand the lands of the North, I will comply!”

Rentro spoke as if he were already the master of the North.

Chase let out a short laugh.

“We’ll discuss compensation later. Go and prepare. We leave within a week.”

“Thank you very much!”

Watching Rentro’s retreating figure, Chase clicked his tongue.

Rentro feared Kristan.

And yet, he’s overflowing with greed.

Chase decided that he would make all judgments after reaching the North.

With good equipment, ideas seemed to flow endlessly, and work efficiency skyrocketed.

The fact that I was actually enjoying my Monday morning commute was probably thanks to my new typewriter.

I exchanged cheerful morning greetings and sat down in front of it. Only Aidan was in the office.

Where did Kristan go?
He wasn’t in the bedroom either.

I was really working here now—with a new desk, a new chair, and a new typewriter.

“That new typewriter really does look excellent, Miss Roella.”

“Yes, it really is! The previous one was good too, but this one is even better. I’m very grateful to His Grace.”

“Hahaha. I never thought His Grace would be this attentive. I haven’t received so much as a pen as a gift all this time.”

“R-Really?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just a joke, Miss Roella. Anyway, how was it when you went out yesterday? Yesterday was the first day the fountain was put into operation. His Grace said he wanted to show it to you.”

I hadn’t heard that part.
So yesterday was the first day.

I recalled the fountain I’d seen. It truly had been beautiful. And I’d also been surprised by the Grand Ducal House’s decision to display ancient artworks openly in the plaza.

“It was spectacular. I felt proud seeing how well the construction was progressing.”

“Right? And that’s all thanks to the stone you threw, Miss Roella. One nasty frog got hit and died, and now we’ve got a useful frog hopping in instead.”

That was probably praise for Jaiman.

As I laughed along, Aidan asked,

“Was everything else satisfactory?”

“Ah… well.”

There was one more thing I’d been thinking about. Aidan noticed my expression and prompted me again.

“Please say whatever is on your mind. Whatever it is, it will help the North.”

“Well… we’ve repaired the roads and installed a fountain, but… I thought the streets themselves looked a bit dirty. Maybe waste disposal isn’t being handled properly…”

“Waste… disposal?”

“Yes.”

“Currently, trash is burned in private incinerators, or… I see. It’s ending up scattered on the streets.”

“Exactly. I was thinking it might be better to collect it all in one place. Things that can be recycled could be separated, and what can’t could be burned or buried. Eventually, it’ll decompose anyway…”

“Oooooh! That would certainly be effective!”

Seeing Aidan’s eyes sparkle, I laughed awkwardly.

I didn’t do anything amazing.
I just mentioned common Earth knowledge.

Please don’t look at me like that.