Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

After touring around the Count's Castle, I realized that this place was quite a multinational space. First of all, many of the servants were immigrants or half-bloods. Although they all spoke the royal capital language fluently, their appearances had obvious distinctive features.

Perhaps because of that, there was a foreign atmosphere throughout the mansion.

There were bizarre statues of gods from somewhere, tapestries inscribed with foreign languages, and paintings of landscapes that could never be found in the kingdom. Many seemed to be from the Eastern Republic, but there were also some that didn’t quite fit that description.

...The room where I sleep is probably only from the Dirts Kingdom... Feeling a bit disappointed, I asked Mio.

“Does Lord Cyrus trade with anyone other than Ipsandros?”

Mio shook her head as she brewed a tea with a mysterious fragrance.

“Basically, only with Ipsandros. They use the sea route for procurement. Granado Trading Company handles distributing those goods within the royal capital and to other countries.”

“Then, the tapestry in front of the dining hall is also from the East?”

“Ah, that’s a souvenir from Toppo, the head chef. It’s from Flaria, a peninsula country in the northwest.”

“...And what about the doll-like ornament by the entrance?”

“That’s from Johan, the gardener. It’s a traditional charm from the Banderry Archipelago countries, and he made it himself.”

“There are quite a lot of foreigners among the servants, aren’t there?”

“Master is a bit eccentric.”

Mio said that casually. Eccentric about the master!? It sounded harsh, but there was no malice in her tone. If anything, it sounded somewhat proud.

“Master resembles his mother in appearance but is definitely from the kingdom. ...It seems he dislikes the kingdom’s chosen people ideology, so he actively hires people from foreign origins. Of course, they are skilled, but many servants who would have been turned away elsewhere serve him loyally.”

“Is Mio from the royal capital?”

“I’m an abandoned child.”

She answered simply without nodding or shaking her head.

“I was left at an inn on a traveling highway, so my origins are completely unknown. Judging from my hair and eye color, I’m probably from the kingdom’s race.”

“...I-I see. I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize.”

Her voice was completely flat as usual. She really didn’t seem bothered. Continuing her work at an even pace, she went on.

“I was taken in by a traveling troupe and came to the royal capital with them. During a performance, Lady Ryuu-Ryuu, who was favored by the duke, took me along as a child and became the duke’s secondary wife.”

“Oh my! So Mio is their adopted child...!?”

“No, it’s only guardianship. Since the duke couldn’t marry a foreigner with children, I was not Lady Ryuu-Ryuu’s child but was adopted as a future lady-in-waiting.”

I see... Previously, Mio said she had been serving the ducal family since she was little, but truly from infancy... She had been a maid before she even had consciousness.

A chuckle escaped from Mio.

“I lived quite happily. When the master was a child, I even took care of him.”

—Hmm? How old is Mio? Older than Lord Cyrus?

“—Many of the attendants are unknown and unrefined in background. But they are loyal servants of the master. I promise they would never harm Lady Marie.”

“Eh? ...Of course not.”

“Hanna and Ilza were born into noble knights’ families. Unlike me, they have noble pride and are suitable ladies-in-waiting for you, Lady Marie.”

...? I didn’t understand for a while. Looking at Mio’s expressionless face as she set the tea and sweets, I finally realized.

I see. Normally, kingdom nobles dislike foreigners. Not only because they're unknown but also due to the kingdom's chosen people ideology.

This country, having triumphed in war and economics, believes they are the strongest and best race in the world. Especially nobles think so.

It was the same with the Shadelan Family. Father said no way would he hire a housekeeper, no matter how cheap—he’d rather do it himself! ...Well, it was actually all done by me...