Published: August 1, 2025
It was truly a bolt from the blue.
“Well then, I will be taking the day off today.”
“Wha—!?”
I was the only one to raise my voice in surprise.
“What do you mean ‘wha—,’ Thomas?”
Lady Mio glared at me, and sweat formed on my forehead.
Apparently, Master, Lady Marie, and Lady Ryuu-Ryuu had heard about this in advance; they waved farewell cheerfully.
“B-but Lady Mio, since I came to this castle two and a half years ago, I’ve never taken a single day off.”
“That’s what’s so surprising. Normally, people take a day or two off each week. Even you have today off during the day.”
When she said that, it was true...
“I thought Lady Mio was some kind of steam-powered car, able to work endlessly as long as her rear was on fire.”
“Am I a steam car? Indeed, resting my body in between duties suffices. But this time, Master told me to rest, so I thought I’d take care of some substantial errands.”
“Still, Mio works too hard.”
Master said.
“If the chief chamberlain doesn’t take breaks, the subordinates hold back too. It’s part of being a superior to show that you can relax sometimes.”
“...Since Master says so, I cannot refuse.”
Lady Mio said calmly as usual, but her expression seemed somewhat softened, as if looking forward to something...
“That’s that, then. I’ll be going out. Excuse me.”
She bowed politely and left the dining hall.
The group stared blankly at the closed door.
“I wonder where she’s going.”
Lady Marie muttered. Apparently, everyone shared the same curiosity, exchanging silent glances.
Really, where and what could she be doing? Though, it’s none of my business...
Then—
“Suspicious.”
“Pfft!? W-what!?”
A sudden childish voice made me spit out my green peas. Flicking the peas off my face, Cecilie frowned and said,
“I think it’s very suspicious that Lady Mio is taking a day off.”
“Is that so? It’s definitely unusual, but as she said herself, it’s normal to take more days off.”
Ceri wagged her index finger.
“Taking a break is fine, but to say it’s just because Master told her to seems off—she looked pretty excited.”
“Eh? She did seem in a good mood, but if it’s a rare day off, that’s normal.”
“Hmph! Thomas, you really don’t understand women!”
The six-year-old pointed sharply at me.
From behind her, another six-year-old popped in.
“I figured it out too! Lady Mio seemed really happy, didn’t she?”
That was Cedric, Lady Marie’s younger brother.
He lived in the castle during school holidays and seemed to get along well with the same-aged Ceri. They often hung out together.
“I think she’s going to meet someone—maybe a lover or a friend. Definitely a date!”
“See? Cedric says so too.”
Ceri said triumphantly.
...Lady Mio having a lover or friends... does she really?
I tilted my head. Ceri and Cedric exchanged smiles.
“This calls for an investigation.”
Granado Castle sits at the southern edge of the royal capital. Using the canal, it’s convenient for deliveries to the Artisan District and heading down to the port town, but it’s a little far from downtown.
We first left the castle by a small carriage meant for servants. Once in the city, we left the horses and transferred to the horsecar railway. We kept the minimum distance from Lady Mio. We were disguised, but it was still a rather bold tail.
By early afternoon, Lady Mio got off at the entrance to the market.
“This is the women’s shopping district... looks like she’s going shopping.”
Ceri, wearing a trench coat, a fake pipe, and a mustache, commented.
Cedric nodded enthusiastically. Dressed in a ten-gallon hat and leather vest, he half-hid behind a pillar, pretending to aim a toy rifle pointlessly.
“The women’s district sells lots of cute clothes and cosmetics.”
I tilted my head skeptically.
Startled, I hurriedly adjusted my wig of vertical curls sliding off.
“Wouldn’t you meet your lover first and then go shopping together? And what’s with these disguises? They probably stand out more.”