“Why is everyone so focused on that Lazy-Sword? What does he have? Instead of him, won’t it be better to discuss about Young Master Lloyd who became the successor…”
“Young Master Riley, the Lazy-Sword… has a triumph card that could overturn this situation, don’t you know?”
“A triumph card?”
“Yes.”
One of the nobilities who didn’t like Riley put up a curious look on his face after hearing the conversation. He started to listen carefully.
“By any chance, have you seen Young Master’s maid?”
“Who are you talking about?”
Lately, there were two maids from the Iphalleta house that could be seen occasionally at the Philisneon Mansion. The nobility was not certain which of the two was being discussed and tilted the head to the side. The other nobility who asked the question fiddled with the middle finger and said,
“This part…”
“Ah! That hideous looking one?”
The nobility figured out who based on the gesture about the finger and then put on curious look on his face, asking what was so important about her.
“Her face is not becoming of a maid. When I first saw her face… I almost had to run to the restroom because of her scars.”
“To save the master’s face, they should either make her quit being a maid or it would be good to have her wear a mask.”
The nobilities thought about her appearance. They all clicked their tongues.
“Anyway… The important thing about the maid with the scars is who she really is.”
The nobility who brought up the maid locked the fingers between two hands and placed them just below the nose.
“Do you remember the Astroa incident during the spring?”
“Ah, of course I remember. It was one of the major incidents this year. Some are thinking the horrible incident during the fall may had been caused by the fact that he was imprisoned.”
“Are you aware that the maid who Young Master has right now is… the grand mage who stopped Astroa?”
“Pardon?”
Other nobilities who were not aware of the maid’s true identity opened their eyes big.
“Huh… That horrid looking thing is? How?”
“Did she use some kind of underhanded method?”
“Was she just lucky? No… If she was just lucky, you wouldn’t have said she is a triumph card.”
The nobility who brought up the maid nodded and explained,
“I heard that she is a Six Circles mage… who survived the experiments at the Magic Tower.”
“S… Six Circles?”
“Oh my god, is that true?”
“That maid… she looked younger than my own daughter… This is so unexpected…”
They were talking about Nainiae who was Riley’s maid and also famous as the grand mage. Sera happened to be passing by. She hid herself behind a pillar and tightened her fist in fury.
“We need to use her as a weapon. She is only 18 or 19, yet she is at Six Circles. Just having her at the top position of the Magic Tower would be effective in deterring other cities from targeting our Solia! Don’t you think?”
“However…”
“What’s there to second guess about? She is a great weapon!”
“However, her appearance is a little… Don’t you think Solia would lose face if we placed her as the one who represents the Magic Tower? How about lightly spreading the rumor about her and finding another way?”
“First, we should talk to the Solia Castle and then…”
The nobilities were bringing up all sorts of things about Nainiae. Sera was unable to stand it anymore. She left the scene.
‘They are branding a person as a weapon. They are saying her appearance makes her unworthy of a certain position… Seriously…’
Sera’s face was red. She took grumpy steps back to the room. Reutrina watched Sera from the back and put on mysterious smile.
“Hm…”
* * *
“Nainiae. How about you take a break and leave the room for a bit?”
“Pardon?”
“You had been in here for the past three days. Aren’t you feeling uncomfortable being cooped up?”
Regardless of Riley being awake or not, Nainiae never left his side. Nainiae tilted her head to the side after hearing Sera suggesting Nainiae to go get some fresh air.
“No, I don’t feel cooped up…”
Sera leaned all the way. With her face right in front of Nainiae’s, Sera looked at Nainiae’s eyes. Sera shook her head and said again,
“You are definitely looking fine, but how should I say this? You need to refresh your mind occasionally to make your head run properly, you know? Go take a walk and come back.”
Sera snatched the water towel from Nainiae and shrugged, telling Nainiae she should really go take a walk. Unable to say no, Nainiae got up.
“I am really fine…”
“Nainiae.”