Vol. 4 - Ch. 21 - Feast and crisis

Despite indulging in alcohol until late last night, the adults are once again drinking wine and ale like water tonight.

While the upper nobility usually only drink fermented fruit liquor, today there are more lower nobility present, so both were prepared.

Among them, the only commoner, Rainer, seems to prefer wine over ale.

"Rainer, you can hold your liquor quite well."

"We sometimes have business negotiations over drinks, so I've gotten used to it to some extent."

"Rainer, things might get a bit busier from now on. I'm planning to secure raw materials for cosmetics more seriously. Can you prepare to expand the factory? Also, it seems there will be a clay processing facility in Klayl. So, I have one or two more things I'd like to do, but do you think we have the capacity?"

As I list everything that comes to mind and pile on new challenges, Rainer straightens up.

"Yes! My subordinates are also growing! Momentum is crucial for these things, so let's do what we can!"

"Good. Then we'll schedule another meeting later."

Although Didier told me to advance research on everything I could think of, honestly, I didn't feel like researching anything I didn't see as necessary for myself. If this business succeeds, I can pay off my debts, and if the lives of those close to me become a little easier, that's enough.

However, if there are any unwelcome interferences and I can't obtain the raw materials, even the cosmetics business could collapse. It would be wise to advance research as much as possible until the academy begins.

It seems it will indeed become a speed competition as Didier said.

During the feast, I heard various stories from employees and learned about the lives of the lower nobility.

Even among nobles, those with only a little magical power and no land to manage are said to have a harder life than commoners like Rainer. Serving in the mansion of an upper noble seems to be the best career advancement.

"We truly were fortunate. We couldn't find a mansion to serve, and even at home, we were living like my brother's maids."

"Me too. Being hired here and even provided accommodation in the noble district, my family shed tears of joy."

These are the newly hired lower noble young ladies. They have low magical power, making it difficult for them to find employment as maids. Only noble daughters with intermediate or higher magical power could become lady's maids.

"It's still before work, but do you have any complaints about pay or treatment? If you have any requests, please let me know."

"Oh no! We have everything we need, and such high treatment is unimaginable elsewhere!"

"I really like these matching outfits. Don't they make us look like knights?"

"By the way, only knights wear matching clothes in this world. The academy doesn't have uniforms; everyone attends in regular clothes. Of course, the servants don't have matching maid outfits either; they just wear plain beige or brown modest dresses with an apron.

However, since both guests and servants are present at the mansion, it becomes unclear who works here. So, we had matching clothes made for everyone using the same fabric. We also provided the maids with corsets made of thick fabric, which doesn't feel too restrictive.

"Wasn't it difficult to assist with bathing while wearing a corset? How do you find magical tools?"

"Yes, there's no need to fetch water, and we've received training at the academy to become servants, so it's not a problem at all."

"I think those magical tools are truly amazing! They don't require any reserve magical power for activation or adjustment, so they don't use any magical power at all."

"That's good to hear. Please leave a note if you notice anything, as I'd like to hear your opinions later."

The user's feedback is important. In my past life, both the user and I, as developers, lived somewhat similar lives, but in this world, lifestyle differences due to social status can completely change things.

If the concept of convenience differs, there's a risk that research efforts might not be useful. The maids working at the castle are accustomed to castle life, so the voices of employees working on-site will become even more important in the future.

It's been four years since I first made the bathtub for bathing, and from chance encounters and small ideas, it has developed into a significant business. Reflecting on this, I officially declared the opening at a banquet.

"Sheriel, could you show me your room today?"

The day after the unveiling party, I stood nervously sweating in front of my room's door, facing Dior.

"Mother, it's a bit messy, can we do it another day?"

"It's inconceivable to have it messy with maids around. If that's true, then your staff should be fired."

"No! Mary and Sarah are perfect at cleaning!"

Mary and Sarah, standing next to me, lowered their eyes and shook their heads as if saying give it up already. This far...

Reluctantly, I opened the door and invited Dior into my room.

"My, what's the meaning of this? There are no flower vases, and no paintings are displayed!"

"There are no flower vases, but I have potted plants given to me by my brother. Look, they've grown a bit."

Dior glared at me fiercely as I pointed to the window. Well, it's because Ciel knocks them over...

Ciel, perhaps startled by Dior's sternness, curled up his tail and hid behind the long chair. I understand how he feels, but a dragon being scared like this wouldn't look good.

"Huh! What's this desk?"

"Oh, this is a research desk. I've set up a simple barrier around here so Ciel can't enter, ensuring that even if thieves break in, they won't be able to steal my research."

This was my favorite space. A large desk that could seat about four people along the wall, with shallow shelves for small items. Drawers were arranged in an L-shape for storing magical ores and documents neatly.

The furniture craftsman, Dal, made the hangers and chest for me, focusing on functionality while I conveyed detailed requests. Hence, it became a custom-made luxurious desk.

"It's like a gentleman's study... No, it's not a magician's laboratory. Do you have the awareness of a lady to have something like this in your room?"

"But I often conduct experiments and research for classes, so it's necessary..."

"Make a separate research lab. There's not a shred of beauty here. If you invite Miss Giselle or Miss Shamal into this room, they'll be disappointed."

So far, only Dalia and the teachers have been invited into my room, and no one seemed particularly concerned. Margot often glared at this corner with a stern expression, though...

Dior meticulously checked the room, which had fewer decorations compared to when I moved in, and opened the door to the bedroom.

Originally, this room seemed to be more of a private space for limited individuals like family or lovers. Since I invite teachers and dressmakers to my room, it's distinguished from such rooms.

However, I used the bedroom as a bedroom. After all, it's a room for sleeping.

"What is this! There's no tea table or long chair! No artwork at all, what were you thinking!?"

"It's a room for sleeping, so I thought they weren't necessary... But I've prepared mats so that Ciel can play when he wakes up before me."

A fluffy mat was spread at the foot of the bed, and a ball slightly smaller than Ciel was rolling around. It was my consideration to protect the floor.

"...It's decent enough. But it's wasteful. What are you thinking, making it a playground for dragons?"

So far, only the mats chosen by Laina have been praised. Everything else has been criticized.

"The bathroom is fine. Next is the costume room."

Here, I wanted to make a comeback all at once, so I enthusiastically guided her. Beside Mary, who opened the door, Dior stood frozen in silence.

"What do you think? I ordered everything from scratch to create a noble-like costume room."

"You... what on earth..."

"The central chest is the same as the small one in the spa salon."

In the white-themed room, a long chest and a chair of the same design were placed back to back in the center. Shelves were built into the side walls up to the ceiling, with poles installed for hanging dresses.

Originally, I planned to put a low chest under the pole, but it was separated because I was told that dresses would grow longer as I grew.

The shelves, divided like bookshelves, neatly displayed hats and accessories, with shoes lined up at the bottom.

Travel bags were stored on the top shelves near the ceiling, and a ladder matching the shelves was also provided.

Though only a third of it was filled, it had the finish of a high-end boutique.

"It's so beautiful... Why can't you use this talent in other rooms? The chest has different sizes by tier."

"Yes, please open it. The top tier contains ribbons and jewelry. The brooch Grandfather gave me is also stored there."

The top tier was made thin, resembling a jewelry case. Even though it's not the age to wear jewelry, the earrings Julius gave me are also displayed in their wooden box.

"Oh my! The drawers are like jewelry boxes! It's very easy to see and beautiful! I'm very pleased."

Alright, with this, I can earn points for the other rooms. I quietly celebrated with a small victory pose and began boasting about the functionality with a smug expression.

"From trying on costumes to changing clothes, everything can be done here, so the chest can be used as a desk to arrange accessories or spread out costumes. The costumes are hung on hangers, so there's no need to spread them out, but Mary can match ribbons or pick out combinations for me."

"Those hangers make the beauty of the costumes immediately apparent. But they can only be used for a few more years, right? They won't be able to hold adult dresses."

That was also a concern for me. Adult dresses have separate top and bottom parts and aren't one-piece like a dress.

Since there are no elastics or zippers, they are tied with strings while assembling the parts like a puzzle during dressing.

"It takes time to dress and it's uncomfortable, so I'm thinking of making one-piece dresses."

"Oh, are you planning to start a retro fashion trend?"

"A retro fashion trend?"

Dior took the opportunity to temporarily end the room check and invited me to her costume room.

The room, connected from the bedroom, had dozens of mannequins lined up, resembling a rental costume shop.

Simple wooden boxes were stacked in the corners, and luxurious treasure chests adorned with elaborate carvings, goldsmithing, and jewels were placed. Unlike my room, everything was placed on the floor, making it look like a treasure trove without mirrors.

"There are no mirrors here."

"Only maids enter here. Dressing is done in the bedroom, so mirrors aren't necessary here."

As Dior gave various instructions to the two maids, they efficiently picked up several costumes, seemingly knowing exactly what was in each box.

"It's amazing that you know all the costumes Madam owns."

"Of course, that's a maid's job. Here, this. It's the kind of dress you mentioned, not cramped like a one-piece."

The maid wore a soft fabric dress on a single mannequin. Folding a piece of cloth in half, the shoulder part was fastened with two gold brooches, and the neckline and waist were tied with strings. The structure resembled the robes worn by temple priests, or perhaps a wrapped dress. It resembled ancient Roman attire.

"This is one of the dresses that used to be popular, but no one wears it anymore because it can't correct the body's lines and gives a plain impression."

"If it's close to the current dress style, is it okay?"

Tighten the waist and puff up the skirt, right? I asked with a simple idea, but it seemed it wasn't so easy.

If you put it on and lace it up later, extra fabric gathers around the stomach and makes you look fat, or it's difficult to sit with a built-in framework called a panier, and there were various historical reasons.

"However, trends evolve and become more refined over time. If you can improve it with your special knowledge, feel free to do so."

"Thank you. I also want to have men's clothes tailored for swordsmanship, is that alright?"

Dior frowned for a moment and sighed softly.

"I'm not particularly thrilled, but it's what Sir Sergio wants, so I can't help it. I'll entrust a skilled tailor to you so that you won't look unsightly."

"Thank you, Madam."

I had initially entrusted the castle's seamstresses with it, but it seems they deemed it too burdensome.

A dressmaker is someone among seamstresses who is particularly skilled and capable of designing costumes. It's akin to a famous designer in the previous life.

With the conversation shifting towards costumes like this, the scolding in my room was temporarily swept aside. I must say, I have remarkable diplomatic skills.

In the following days, I would be lectured extensively on art in a room filled with paintings and decorations. However, on this day, I was able to sleep peacefully, basking in the sense of relief that I had made it through.

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