Francois had never met a woman who asked about someone's salary when they first met.
“Do Etruscan women ask a passing man for his salary?”
He looked at the woman with light brown hair as if she was incredulous. The woman spoke boldly, her carrot-colored eyes shining under the pouring spring sunlight.
“Yes, he is waiting in the main reception room downstairs now.”
“When did he arrive? Did he have to wait long?”
“No, he just got here.”
Ariadne felt relieved that she had not offended her guest and hurried downstairs. She headed downstairs to the drawing room, hoping that Julia's brother was not a strange or unpleasant person. Considering Julia's nature and temperament, he was a very strange person, but she wondered if Julia had spoken ill of her brother so much.
'Julia said he was anti-social... He didn't go out much at home and just stayed in his room...'
Ariadne thought as she entered the main reception room.
'I hope it's not awkward when we're together.'
Charrrr.
“Do Etruscan women ask a passing man for his salary?”
He looked at the woman with light brown hair as if she was incredulous. The woman spoke boldly, her carrot-colored eyes shining under the pouring spring sunlight.
“How much is your salary? I’ll give you double that.”
Francois's eyes wavered. He barely regained his composure. He needed money now, but his new job paid only a pittance. It was a pittance. Even if the salary were doubled, it would not be enough for what he needed.
“Okay. You can continue on your way.”
He turned around and tried to leave.
"Wait!"
The woman insisted on calling him over.
“Francois. A servant of the House of Leonati. From the Kingdom of Gallico. Working for the House of Leonati, despite being able to work in a much larger house. Do you know that you are very suspicious?”
“How did you know my name? Did you do any background research?”
Francois glared at Julia with a frown. It was more of a display of tension than aggression. He must not be seen by others right now.
“Background investigation. Your employer told me.”
“What do you want?”
Julia rolled her eyes.
Francois's eyes wavered. He barely regained his composure. He needed money now, but his new job paid only a pittance. It was a pittance. Even if the salary were doubled, it would not be enough for what he needed.
“Okay. You can continue on your way.”
He turned around and tried to leave.
"Wait!"
The woman insisted on calling him over.
“Francois. A servant of the House of Leonati. From the Kingdom of Gallico. Working for the House of Leonati, despite being able to work in a much larger house. Do you know that you are very suspicious?”
“How did you know my name? Did you do any background research?”
Francois glared at Julia with a frown. It was more of a display of tension than aggression. He must not be seen by others right now.
“Background investigation. Your employer told me.”
“What do you want?”
Julia rolled her eyes.
What do I want?
"You."
"Yes?"
Francois asked back, genuinely embarrassed. Julia realized belatedly what the words had sounded like only after they had left her mouth. She blushed and babbled.
“That’s not what I want you to have, that’s what I want you to do! I want you to come to my house and work as my servant!”
“Where on earth is your house?”
Julia realized that Francois really had no idea who she was. It felt like something was missing, but it was okay. If she could lure this man into her house today, she would have time for the next match. She could win the next round. Julia was confident.
“Julia de Baldessar, daughter of the Marquis de Baldessar.”
She bowed gracefully and showed her courtesy. Francois was embarrassed by the courtesy the Lady was showing him and bowed in return. Even in the urgency, the angles were perfectly aligned, which was not an ordinary gesture.
“Have you ever thought about working for Marquis Baldessar instead of Viscount Leonati?”
“It was so sudden...”
“Double pay, single room, one week of vacation per year.”
Francois's eyes wavered at the mention of single-room availability. He was really having a hard time adjusting to his new life of sleeping in a room with eight other people. Julia noticed Francois's troubled expression and put a stop to it.
“Triple the salary. No bonus. I can’t give you any more.”
“...I will think about it seriously. Where should I contact you?”
“Ask at the Marquis Baldessar. They’ll tell you.”
Julia shuddered at the thought of her mother's nagging when she made a bold claim to pay a servant three times his salary. But if she persuaded and pleaded, her mother would give in. Honestly, if she saw Francois' face, her mother might not need to persuade or plead. It wasn't easy to find a servant that handsome.
'Why did I do this?'
But, energy flowed from her fingertips. For the first time, she felt alive.
"You."
"Yes?"
Francois asked back, genuinely embarrassed. Julia realized belatedly what the words had sounded like only after they had left her mouth. She blushed and babbled.
“That’s not what I want you to have, that’s what I want you to do! I want you to come to my house and work as my servant!”
“Where on earth is your house?”
Julia realized that Francois really had no idea who she was. It felt like something was missing, but it was okay. If she could lure this man into her house today, she would have time for the next match. She could win the next round. Julia was confident.
“Julia de Baldessar, daughter of the Marquis de Baldessar.”
She bowed gracefully and showed her courtesy. Francois was embarrassed by the courtesy the Lady was showing him and bowed in return. Even in the urgency, the angles were perfectly aligned, which was not an ordinary gesture.
“Have you ever thought about working for Marquis Baldessar instead of Viscount Leonati?”
“It was so sudden...”
“Double pay, single room, one week of vacation per year.”
Francois's eyes wavered at the mention of single-room availability. He was really having a hard time adjusting to his new life of sleeping in a room with eight other people. Julia noticed Francois's troubled expression and put a stop to it.
“Triple the salary. No bonus. I can’t give you any more.”
“...I will think about it seriously. Where should I contact you?”
“Ask at the Marquis Baldessar. They’ll tell you.”
Julia shuddered at the thought of her mother's nagging when she made a bold claim to pay a servant three times his salary. But if she persuaded and pleaded, her mother would give in. Honestly, if she saw Francois' face, her mother might not need to persuade or plead. It wasn't easy to find a servant that handsome.
'Why did I do this?'
But, energy flowed from her fingertips. For the first time, she felt alive.
***
The day of the royal ball dawned. Ariadne began preparing early in the morning for the ball that would take place in the evening.
“Miss! Let’s go take a fragrant bath!”
Ariadne's appearance, now the true mistress of the household, was on a different level than before. Immediately after moving from a rural farm to the capital's mansion, and after defeating the Apostle of Asereto, gaining fame in the social world, and solidifying her position within the household, Ariadne's standard of living skyrocketed. It rose even higher after gaining the authority to manage the household, and now, anyone could say that she was a great noble of San Carlo, enjoying the best culture and fashion in the Central Continent.
“What kind of perfume should I use on your hair?”
Sancha asked Ariadne, who was placed in a large porcelain bathtub. Ariadne tilted her head.
“I’m just going to meet the successor of the Baldessar family. Do I really need to worry about the scent?”
At the royal ball, each person has a partner. Alfonso and Ariadne will not be able to exchange more than a glance. She will not even think of applying perfume to a man she does not know.
“Wow, my young lady, you don’t even care about the successor of the Baldessar family?”
Ariadne blushed at Sancha's teasing mixed with admiration.
“No, that’s not it...”
“He doesn’t even deserve a minor award?”
"No no..."
It's just that she has a lover, so she doesn't see other men. Her boyfriend was a Prince, but the status issue was just a coincidence. Sancha chuckled as she watched Ariadne bury her blushing face in the water.
“And even if you don’t catch his eye, you’ll meet all sorts of people at the ball. If you leave a lasting impression even if you just pass by for a moment, people will remember you.”
“You look like you’ve been to a hundred balls.”
Ariadne's admiration was great, but Sancha, who had never been to a ball before, blushed.
“That’s just what I imagine! Unless it’s true!”
“No, you’re right.”
Ariadne nodded and obediently chose the white jasmine oil. It was a special product imported from the Moorish Empire. Ariadne closed her eyes, leaving herself to the maids with ebony-black hair who applied the oil with skilled hands.
“Miss. Since your dress is dark blue, would you like the jewel to be ‘Heart of the Blue Deep Sea’?”
“Hmm. No. I don’t want to stand out that much. Bring me something woven with white topaz and decorated with several sapphire medallions. Earrings of the same type.”
Ariadne also had to renew her jewelry collection when she moved to Collezione. Queen Marguerite’s gifts consisted of small jewels for a young girl, and there were few stately stones over three carats, so she needed a new set to match her extravagant attire.
“I’m so sad you can’t wear the crimson dress.”
It was a story about a dress she was going to wear to the Great Mass. It was a masterpiece of Collezioni's collection, a bright red silk that glowed red whenever it caught the light, like a single rose.
“I’ll probably wear it someday.”
Ariadne also sighed as she answered. Today was her first outside schedule since the end of her mourning period. Since it was a royal ball as part of the 'Spring Festival', she wanted to wear colors like spring flowers, but she deliberately chose a dark style because she was afraid that people would gossip about how many days had passed since the end of her mourning period.
“In return, I will give you the best hair and makeup.”
Anna said with a smile. Ariadne smiled back.
“Our Anna’s skills are always the best in San Carlo.”
“Miss! Let’s go take a fragrant bath!”
Ariadne's appearance, now the true mistress of the household, was on a different level than before. Immediately after moving from a rural farm to the capital's mansion, and after defeating the Apostle of Asereto, gaining fame in the social world, and solidifying her position within the household, Ariadne's standard of living skyrocketed. It rose even higher after gaining the authority to manage the household, and now, anyone could say that she was a great noble of San Carlo, enjoying the best culture and fashion in the Central Continent.
“What kind of perfume should I use on your hair?”
Sancha asked Ariadne, who was placed in a large porcelain bathtub. Ariadne tilted her head.
“I’m just going to meet the successor of the Baldessar family. Do I really need to worry about the scent?”
At the royal ball, each person has a partner. Alfonso and Ariadne will not be able to exchange more than a glance. She will not even think of applying perfume to a man she does not know.
“Wow, my young lady, you don’t even care about the successor of the Baldessar family?”
Ariadne blushed at Sancha's teasing mixed with admiration.
“No, that’s not it...”
“He doesn’t even deserve a minor award?”
"No no..."
It's just that she has a lover, so she doesn't see other men. Her boyfriend was a Prince, but the status issue was just a coincidence. Sancha chuckled as she watched Ariadne bury her blushing face in the water.
“And even if you don’t catch his eye, you’ll meet all sorts of people at the ball. If you leave a lasting impression even if you just pass by for a moment, people will remember you.”
“You look like you’ve been to a hundred balls.”
Ariadne's admiration was great, but Sancha, who had never been to a ball before, blushed.
“That’s just what I imagine! Unless it’s true!”
“No, you’re right.”
Ariadne nodded and obediently chose the white jasmine oil. It was a special product imported from the Moorish Empire. Ariadne closed her eyes, leaving herself to the maids with ebony-black hair who applied the oil with skilled hands.
“Miss. Since your dress is dark blue, would you like the jewel to be ‘Heart of the Blue Deep Sea’?”
“Hmm. No. I don’t want to stand out that much. Bring me something woven with white topaz and decorated with several sapphire medallions. Earrings of the same type.”
Ariadne also had to renew her jewelry collection when she moved to Collezione. Queen Marguerite’s gifts consisted of small jewels for a young girl, and there were few stately stones over three carats, so she needed a new set to match her extravagant attire.
“I’m so sad you can’t wear the crimson dress.”
It was a story about a dress she was going to wear to the Great Mass. It was a masterpiece of Collezioni's collection, a bright red silk that glowed red whenever it caught the light, like a single rose.
“I’ll probably wear it someday.”
Ariadne also sighed as she answered. Today was her first outside schedule since the end of her mourning period. Since it was a royal ball as part of the 'Spring Festival', she wanted to wear colors like spring flowers, but she deliberately chose a dark style because she was afraid that people would gossip about how many days had passed since the end of her mourning period.
“In return, I will give you the best hair and makeup.”
Anna said with a smile. Ariadne smiled back.
“Our Anna’s skills are always the best in San Carlo.”
***
And it was not an empty promise. The deep blue dress of Collezioni that Sancha had made her wear and the captivating eyes that Anna had drawn on her suited Ariadne like a painting. Her voluminous hair was braided into a half-tied bun like a crown and decorated with a string strewn with diamonds. When her hair and makeup were combined with the blue dress and the set of white topaz and sapphire jewelry, Ariadne looked like Artemis, the goddess of the hunt worshipped by the pagans.
“Miss, I think I’m falling in love with you!”
Instead of frowning as before, Ariadne greeted Sancha with a smile. It was already late afternoon. It was time for her ball partner to come pick her up.
“Has Lord Baldessar arrived?”
“Miss, I think I’m falling in love with you!”
Instead of frowning as before, Ariadne greeted Sancha with a smile. It was already late afternoon. It was time for her ball partner to come pick her up.
“Has Lord Baldessar arrived?”
“Yes, he is waiting in the main reception room downstairs now.”
“When did he arrive? Did he have to wait long?”
“No, he just got here.”
Ariadne felt relieved that she had not offended her guest and hurried downstairs. She headed downstairs to the drawing room, hoping that Julia's brother was not a strange or unpleasant person. Considering Julia's nature and temperament, he was a very strange person, but she wondered if Julia had spoken ill of her brother so much.
'Julia said he was anti-social... He didn't go out much at home and just stayed in his room...'
Ariadne thought as she entered the main reception room.
'I hope it's not awkward when we're together.'
Charrrr.
Ariadne greeted the guest, pulling back the curtain hanging in the arched doorway.
“Greetings to you, Lord Baldessar.”
She bowed her head and spoke politely.
“I am Ariadne de Mare, the second daughter of the de Mare family.”
“This is Raphael de Baldessar. I heard the story from Alfonso, or rather, His Royal Highness the Prince.”
It was a very gentle voice. Ariadne looked up and saw a young nobleman with dazzling silver hair bowing to her.
“Please feel free to call me Raphael.”
Ariadne hastily lowered her gaze from staring at him. It was rude.
The young man before her eyes was as white as if he had been made of pure white. The only color that was different on his body was his eyes, which were too red to be considered brown. His younger sister Julia had brown hair and hazel eyes. In addition, she had thin lines and small features, giving her a somewhat cold first impression. However, Lord Baldessar had the same thin lines and small features, but unlike his younger sister, he had slightly droopy eye corners and a smiling mouth even when expressionless.
“Greetings to you, Lord Baldessar.”
She bowed her head and spoke politely.
“I am Ariadne de Mare, the second daughter of the de Mare family.”
“This is Raphael de Baldessar. I heard the story from Alfonso, or rather, His Royal Highness the Prince.”
It was a very gentle voice. Ariadne looked up and saw a young nobleman with dazzling silver hair bowing to her.
“Please feel free to call me Raphael.”
Ariadne hastily lowered her gaze from staring at him. It was rude.
The young man before her eyes was as white as if he had been made of pure white. The only color that was different on his body was his eyes, which were too red to be considered brown. His younger sister Julia had brown hair and hazel eyes. In addition, she had thin lines and small features, giving her a somewhat cold first impression. However, Lord Baldessar had the same thin lines and small features, but unlike his younger sister, he had slightly droopy eye corners and a smiling mouth even when expressionless.
His impression was 180 degrees different from his younger sister's.
“Oh, are you surprised?”
He pulled his hair back, the thin, fluffy strands falling between his fingers and glistening.
“My hair color and eye color are different from others. People who see me for the first time are often surprised.”
“No, no. I’m sorry.”
He smiled quietly. He seemed to have read Ariadne's guilt. He added, calmly, but slightly apologetically.
“When I look at the sunlight, it feels a bit hot and my eyes hurt, but other than that, there’s nothing particularly unusual.”
She decided to change the subject by complimenting her ball partner. He was wearing a light gray doublet that perfectly matched his silver hair and red eyes, burgundy trousers, and dark brown boots. A red cape draped over his shoulders was a nice touch.
“Bright clothes suit you well.”
“Thank you. I came here at Alfonso’s request, so I was careful.”
Ariadne couldn't stand it anymore and asked him with a big smile.
“How do you know Alfonso?”
He seemed pleased with Ariadne's willingness.
“Haven’t you heard from him?”
Ariadne actually did a lot of other things when she met Alfonso these days rather than talking. When that thought occurred to her, she blushed unconsciously and shook her head.
“No, I didn’t hear it.”
“This is too much.”
He smiled faintly.
“We have been friends since we were young. When His Highness was six years old, the palace looked for a playmate of the same age, and I joined because we were the right age. After that, when His Highness was gathering young knights to train with, I naturally joined them.”
“Oh, you are exactly like his childhood friends.”
“I guess you could say that. However, since I left for Padua to study, my relationship with His Highness has become a little strained.”
Raphael didn't tell the whole story. It could have been a social gesture to omit too much detail when meeting someone for the first time, or it could have been an unconscious act of wanting to look good. She didn't even know which one.
“Miss Ariadne, oh, can I call you that?”
"Yes."
“It seems that you are someone Alfonso cherishes very much. It has been a long time since I received a letter from Alfonso, so I wondered, ‘What is this?’ Well, the whole letter was about Miss Ariadne and asked me to take good care of you.”
Contrary to Julia's description of Raphael as an antisocial and reclusive loner, he was very sociable, knew what to say and what not to say, knew how to treat others well, and was very sociable. He didn't seem shy at all, and the topics of conversation flowed as if he were meeting a female friend. Ariadne really liked this man.
“Lord Baldessar, please take care of me today.”
Raphael smiled coolly and raised his left arm to his friend's woman to ask her to escort him, and Ariadne followed Raphael's escort and got into the carriage of the Baldessar family. Raphael, who got into the carriage, smiled and said.
“Lady, shall we go to the palace where the Prince is waiting?”
It was the start of a pleasant schedule.
“Oh, are you surprised?”
He pulled his hair back, the thin, fluffy strands falling between his fingers and glistening.
“My hair color and eye color are different from others. People who see me for the first time are often surprised.”
“No, no. I’m sorry.”
He smiled quietly. He seemed to have read Ariadne's guilt. He added, calmly, but slightly apologetically.
“When I look at the sunlight, it feels a bit hot and my eyes hurt, but other than that, there’s nothing particularly unusual.”
She decided to change the subject by complimenting her ball partner. He was wearing a light gray doublet that perfectly matched his silver hair and red eyes, burgundy trousers, and dark brown boots. A red cape draped over his shoulders was a nice touch.
“Bright clothes suit you well.”
“Thank you. I came here at Alfonso’s request, so I was careful.”
Ariadne couldn't stand it anymore and asked him with a big smile.
“How do you know Alfonso?”
He seemed pleased with Ariadne's willingness.
“Haven’t you heard from him?”
Ariadne actually did a lot of other things when she met Alfonso these days rather than talking. When that thought occurred to her, she blushed unconsciously and shook her head.
“No, I didn’t hear it.”
“This is too much.”
He smiled faintly.
“We have been friends since we were young. When His Highness was six years old, the palace looked for a playmate of the same age, and I joined because we were the right age. After that, when His Highness was gathering young knights to train with, I naturally joined them.”
“Oh, you are exactly like his childhood friends.”
“I guess you could say that. However, since I left for Padua to study, my relationship with His Highness has become a little strained.”
Raphael didn't tell the whole story. It could have been a social gesture to omit too much detail when meeting someone for the first time, or it could have been an unconscious act of wanting to look good. She didn't even know which one.
“Miss Ariadne, oh, can I call you that?”
"Yes."
“It seems that you are someone Alfonso cherishes very much. It has been a long time since I received a letter from Alfonso, so I wondered, ‘What is this?’ Well, the whole letter was about Miss Ariadne and asked me to take good care of you.”
Contrary to Julia's description of Raphael as an antisocial and reclusive loner, he was very sociable, knew what to say and what not to say, knew how to treat others well, and was very sociable. He didn't seem shy at all, and the topics of conversation flowed as if he were meeting a female friend. Ariadne really liked this man.
“Lord Baldessar, please take care of me today.”
Raphael smiled coolly and raised his left arm to his friend's woman to ask her to escort him, and Ariadne followed Raphael's escort and got into the carriage of the Baldessar family. Raphael, who got into the carriage, smiled and said.
“Lady, shall we go to the palace where the Prince is waiting?”
It was the start of a pleasant schedule.
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