My grandfather wanted me to become a professional golfer, but I naturally disliked anything difficult or tiresome, so his dream never came true. However, I was constantly on the golf course and screen, trying to meet people, so I couldn't help but be skilled.
The solid ball, struck squarely in the center of the club head as I swung it powerfully, cutting through the wind, began to fly with a crisp sound. It had been a long time since I'd played golf, but I believe the solid foundational strength of my body, built from nearly a decade of experience and past domestic work, played a part.
“Nice shot, ma’am!”
Barbara, squinting under the pouring sunlight, watched the ball fly by, then shouted excitedly. A murmur erupted from those who had seen the ball land close to the hole after a perfect tee shot. Behind me, I could clearly hear the sighs of those who had bet on Esmeralda's team and the dejected conversations of the gentlemen.
"Which company makes those golf clubs? How can someone so small hit them so far?"
"The equipment is great, but your shot posture is also stable and unique. If you had entered a competition with that skill, you would have definitely won."
"Even hitting the ball with the clubhead is difficult for anyone but an expert. I heard you were a beginner, but you definitely don't seem to be a beginner. Oh dear, who spread false information? You're just going to lose money."
The last to laugh were Noah, Commander Chelsea, and Vincent, who had won a huge upset payout for betting on us, the ones with the lowest odds. Esmeralda, who had lost by a landslide and was the previous golf tournament champion, had her pride bruised, her brow furrowed, and her mouth twisted. After the match, Barbara and I passed by her, our faces beaming with joy.
“I thought it would be difficult, but once I actually tried it, it was so easy.”
Esmeralda pushed up her glasses and clenched her teeth at my provocation. She seemed to be in a state of shock, but she seemed to be barely holding back, conscious of the gaze of those around her. She humbly accepted the consequences of her defeat and asked,
"Who on earth taught you in such a short period of time? Considering your horsemanship skills, it's hard to believe you're simply good at learning."
“It’s all thanks to Barbara Chelsea.”
My concise answer drew everyone's attention to Barbara. Her face flushed red, she frantically grabbed the hem of my dress.
“Madam? I only showed you the method...”
“It was really helpful. Thank you.”
“No, that!”
Barbara was caught in my place by upper-class parents who wanted to invite her to a social studies class, and she disappeared somewhere with her skirt swept away, while Noah, who grabbed my hand, boasted with a very happy face.
"Honey, I believed you. I made twelve times the money I had."
“Yes, congratulations. Please set aside my share.”
“Yeah, we’re perfect partners, so if we just do this, we’ll get rich in no time.”
Noah, his coat slung over his shoulders and his shirt sleeves rolled up, leaned forward to look at me with an ambitious smile. "Maybe I'll become a racehorse and go on gambling golf expeditions. Come to think of it, it's not a bad idea. Even the shadowy money laundering bank president would know. If I were to take on a global challenge in a time of war and chaos..."
“By the way, please continue what we were talking about earlier. What did Esmeralda say in the hallway?”
“Suddenly?”
“Yeah, suddenly.”
That conservative, lofty woman, on her first meeting, was expressing respect to a man who'd even taken her money? As I held back my words in absurdity, I felt a small, soft hand grasp my finger. Daniel, who'd suddenly run over, blushed and stared at me with his crimson eyes gleaming. Boaz, who'd followed behind, licked his cheek furiously, and the adorable boy stumbled slightly. He spoke.
"You must be incredibly strong, like a brave soldier. You could hit the ball really far."
“Uh... yes. I’m sure the Prince will be able to do it when you grow up a little more.”
“Prince of Hessen.”
A gentle, low-pitched voice called out to Daniel. The Queen approached, embraced him, kissed his cheek, and smiled. Daniel laughed in return, falling into her embrace.
“The most beautiful Queen in the world.”
“Our handsome gentleman Daniel, you’ve grown so much. I guess you’ve been drinking a lot of milk.”
"Yes. The Queen told me to drink plenty of milk. I did, every day."
"Be good, and I'll give you a box of cookies as a reward. How about chocolate or vanilla?"
“I like everything the Queen gives me.”
The Queen, my mother, stood cheek to cheek with Daniel, still elegant and beautiful. She wore a fitted S-shaped dress, and her ebony hair was tied up in a voluminous, wavy ponytail, a trendy hairstyle these days. The alluring Queen turned her gaze and smiled gently. My face hardened slightly, and I immediately bowed.
“Hello, Your Majesty, the Queen.”
“You did very well, Countess Rotsilt.”
"Thank you."
The Queen's eyes widened as she saw Boaz sitting quietly and wagging his tail.
"How old are you? You came to play golf, too. If I'd known you were coming, I would've brought dog treats."
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should answer in Boaz's stead. The way she stroked his hair with her snow-white hand, wearing a ruby ring, as she chatted with him, seemed humane and like an ordinary woman who loved animals. The Queen withdrew her hand from Boaz's caress and straightened her back, which had been bowed.
"What a handsome military dog. I also have a dog named Max and a tabby cat named Maryfin. I'm a big animal lover."
“Yes, I saw you walking your dog last time. I like animals too.”
"It seems we have quite a bit in common. We have a lot in common. Don't you agree, Diana?"
“I think so.”
“I guess it’s because you're the same age as the Princess, so you feel like a daughter to me.”
Her pale, beautiful face tilted, her words flowing absently. I flinched, realizing the meaning behind them. The Queen's face, approaching with a lithe stride, drew closer. My gaze was riveted by the tenacious grip of her jade-colored eyes beneath her thick, jet-black eyelashes. Her rosy lips parted in an arc.
“That makes me want to take better care of you.”
She knew I was her biological daughter, but whether it was because of my heirship or a kind fabrication for my own good, she kept Erita as Princess and covered up the truth. That was Noah's deal with her. A completely different kind of affection and kindness made my whole body stiffen, and even the slightest movement, even a smile, felt awkward. The Queen, who maintained a faint smile, studied me sharply and added.
"Have you ever considered becoming a senior maid? You seem so talented and intelligent. I'd love to have you by my side. I could even give you an inheritable title for your children."
“Are you talking about the chief maid?”
At my question, Baroness Mason and the maids standing behind the Queen widened their eyes. Being offered the position, considered the most elegant and noble in Medea, was truly a remarkable achievement. In modern terms, it would be like being personally scouted by the chairman of a major corporation with a free pass.
The Queen's Chief Lady, like other high-ranking civil servants, receives a lifetime national pension and the title of Countess upon completion of a certain period of service. The Marchioness of Wales is also a former Chief Lady. She serves as a companion during leisure time, a secretary to the monarch, and an intelligent and capable lady-in-waiting, who may even serve as a strategist. Because this position is extremely difficult to obtain, selection is made only through recommendations or contacts made by the Queen. Other noble ladies-in-waiting must pass an exam and interview. Their ultimate goal is to catch the Queen's eye and become a Chief Lady. Knights-in-waiting, who serve as both bodyguards and personal secretaries, like Baroness Mason, are mostly conscripted from the Royal Guard, a unit under the Capital Defense Command, with distinctions awarded to soldiers who have distinguished themselves. The same structure applies to chamberlains.
Of course, not just anyone could become a common noble maid, so I couldn't help but be taken aback by this outrageous offer. As I struggled to find the words to say, the Queen, who had been waiting for my response, smiled sweetly.
"I won't force you. It's your choice. Please think it over carefully and pass it on to Baroness Mason."
“Yes, it is an honor.”
I bent down, as if being dragged down. A gust of wind brushed against the cold sweat that had formed on my spine and neck, sending chills down my spine. Noah, standing next to me, covered his mouth with one hand and looked at the Queen with a pensive expression.
“Your Majesty, please do not take my wife away.”
“You really worry a lot, Sir. You and I are just like family.”
The Queen turned around, her voice trailing faintly. Baroness Mason, who was following her, smiled at me in congratulations.
Rumors that the Queen herself had offered me the position of chief maid quickly spread through the social circles of Medea's upper class, and the veiled, dismissive glances at me diminished significantly. No, they vanished. In fact, more and more people approached me with affection or even sent invitations to their mansions. Many even contacted me, seemingly as if they'd forgotten me despite their contempt. I'd already made note of all of them, so I wouldn't forget.
I've been seriously considering the position of head maid for days. Since I can resign freely, I don't think they'll kill me to silence me like they did with Renier. The Marchioness of Wales resigned after her marriage and is doing well. She said she'd give me plenty of time to think, so I don't need to respond quickly. Given my tendency to stay home, I'm reluctant to constantly follow the ever-active and socially engaged Queen. However, to remain safely in Medea until the war ends, I need to establish a solid footing. This is why I occasionally engage in social activities.
Still, since we're blood relatives, she'll take care of me with a motherly heart, perhaps. I'm not sure what the Queen's intentions are. I thought back to my own life. They provided everything, but I don't remember receiving much love. Material abundance, financial support. I suppose that was part of love, too. I tried to remember more about my parents, who died in a car accident on my birthday. More specifically, about that accident. Somehow, it felt like my memories had been cut off at the waist and unnaturally patched together.
As we walked along the reservoir trail, Boaz spotted a mallard and barked. The duck's fluttering wings sent a splash of water droplets flying. I reminisced, thinking it resembled the sparkling shards of broken glass. Then, my gaze drifted beyond the lush greenery and summer reeds to the placid waters of the reservoir. The surface, reflecting the cloudy blue sky, occasionally rippled with fish.
“I don’t remember.”
A fresh breeze, passing through the reservoir, the forest, and the nearby barley fields, gently rustled the hem of my skirt, bringing me back to my senses. I don't even know what I'd forgotten. What was I trying to recall? The surrounding scenery felt strange and unfamiliar. My thoughts and consciousness were spinning out of control. I stood there for a long time, overcome by a profoundly confused and strange feeling. But I quickly dismissed it as my imagination and forgot about it.
The solid ball, struck squarely in the center of the club head as I swung it powerfully, cutting through the wind, began to fly with a crisp sound. It had been a long time since I'd played golf, but I believe the solid foundational strength of my body, built from nearly a decade of experience and past domestic work, played a part.
“Nice shot, ma’am!”
Barbara, squinting under the pouring sunlight, watched the ball fly by, then shouted excitedly. A murmur erupted from those who had seen the ball land close to the hole after a perfect tee shot. Behind me, I could clearly hear the sighs of those who had bet on Esmeralda's team and the dejected conversations of the gentlemen.
"Which company makes those golf clubs? How can someone so small hit them so far?"
"The equipment is great, but your shot posture is also stable and unique. If you had entered a competition with that skill, you would have definitely won."
"Even hitting the ball with the clubhead is difficult for anyone but an expert. I heard you were a beginner, but you definitely don't seem to be a beginner. Oh dear, who spread false information? You're just going to lose money."
The last to laugh were Noah, Commander Chelsea, and Vincent, who had won a huge upset payout for betting on us, the ones with the lowest odds. Esmeralda, who had lost by a landslide and was the previous golf tournament champion, had her pride bruised, her brow furrowed, and her mouth twisted. After the match, Barbara and I passed by her, our faces beaming with joy.
“I thought it would be difficult, but once I actually tried it, it was so easy.”
Esmeralda pushed up her glasses and clenched her teeth at my provocation. She seemed to be in a state of shock, but she seemed to be barely holding back, conscious of the gaze of those around her. She humbly accepted the consequences of her defeat and asked,
"Who on earth taught you in such a short period of time? Considering your horsemanship skills, it's hard to believe you're simply good at learning."
“It’s all thanks to Barbara Chelsea.”
My concise answer drew everyone's attention to Barbara. Her face flushed red, she frantically grabbed the hem of my dress.
“Madam? I only showed you the method...”
“It was really helpful. Thank you.”
“No, that!”
Barbara was caught in my place by upper-class parents who wanted to invite her to a social studies class, and she disappeared somewhere with her skirt swept away, while Noah, who grabbed my hand, boasted with a very happy face.
"Honey, I believed you. I made twelve times the money I had."
“Yes, congratulations. Please set aside my share.”
“Yeah, we’re perfect partners, so if we just do this, we’ll get rich in no time.”
Noah, his coat slung over his shoulders and his shirt sleeves rolled up, leaned forward to look at me with an ambitious smile. "Maybe I'll become a racehorse and go on gambling golf expeditions. Come to think of it, it's not a bad idea. Even the shadowy money laundering bank president would know. If I were to take on a global challenge in a time of war and chaos..."
“By the way, please continue what we were talking about earlier. What did Esmeralda say in the hallway?”
“It was nothing. She just told me she respected me and asked me to hire her as my secretary.”
“Yeah, suddenly.”
That conservative, lofty woman, on her first meeting, was expressing respect to a man who'd even taken her money? As I held back my words in absurdity, I felt a small, soft hand grasp my finger. Daniel, who'd suddenly run over, blushed and stared at me with his crimson eyes gleaming. Boaz, who'd followed behind, licked his cheek furiously, and the adorable boy stumbled slightly. He spoke.
"You must be incredibly strong, like a brave soldier. You could hit the ball really far."
“Uh... yes. I’m sure the Prince will be able to do it when you grow up a little more.”
“Prince of Hessen.”
A gentle, low-pitched voice called out to Daniel. The Queen approached, embraced him, kissed his cheek, and smiled. Daniel laughed in return, falling into her embrace.
“The most beautiful Queen in the world.”
“Our handsome gentleman Daniel, you’ve grown so much. I guess you’ve been drinking a lot of milk.”
"Yes. The Queen told me to drink plenty of milk. I did, every day."
"Be good, and I'll give you a box of cookies as a reward. How about chocolate or vanilla?"
“I like everything the Queen gives me.”
The Queen, my mother, stood cheek to cheek with Daniel, still elegant and beautiful. She wore a fitted S-shaped dress, and her ebony hair was tied up in a voluminous, wavy ponytail, a trendy hairstyle these days. The alluring Queen turned her gaze and smiled gently. My face hardened slightly, and I immediately bowed.
“Hello, Your Majesty, the Queen.”
“You did very well, Countess Rotsilt.”
"Thank you."
The Queen's eyes widened as she saw Boaz sitting quietly and wagging his tail.
"How old are you? You came to play golf, too. If I'd known you were coming, I would've brought dog treats."
I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should answer in Boaz's stead. The way she stroked his hair with her snow-white hand, wearing a ruby ring, as she chatted with him, seemed humane and like an ordinary woman who loved animals. The Queen withdrew her hand from Boaz's caress and straightened her back, which had been bowed.
"What a handsome military dog. I also have a dog named Max and a tabby cat named Maryfin. I'm a big animal lover."
“Yes, I saw you walking your dog last time. I like animals too.”
"It seems we have quite a bit in common. We have a lot in common. Don't you agree, Diana?"
“I think so.”
“I guess it’s because you're the same age as the Princess, so you feel like a daughter to me.”
Her pale, beautiful face tilted, her words flowing absently. I flinched, realizing the meaning behind them. The Queen's face, approaching with a lithe stride, drew closer. My gaze was riveted by the tenacious grip of her jade-colored eyes beneath her thick, jet-black eyelashes. Her rosy lips parted in an arc.
“That makes me want to take better care of you.”
She knew I was her biological daughter, but whether it was because of my heirship or a kind fabrication for my own good, she kept Erita as Princess and covered up the truth. That was Noah's deal with her. A completely different kind of affection and kindness made my whole body stiffen, and even the slightest movement, even a smile, felt awkward. The Queen, who maintained a faint smile, studied me sharply and added.
"Have you ever considered becoming a senior maid? You seem so talented and intelligent. I'd love to have you by my side. I could even give you an inheritable title for your children."
“Are you talking about the chief maid?”
At my question, Baroness Mason and the maids standing behind the Queen widened their eyes. Being offered the position, considered the most elegant and noble in Medea, was truly a remarkable achievement. In modern terms, it would be like being personally scouted by the chairman of a major corporation with a free pass.
The Queen's Chief Lady, like other high-ranking civil servants, receives a lifetime national pension and the title of Countess upon completion of a certain period of service. The Marchioness of Wales is also a former Chief Lady. She serves as a companion during leisure time, a secretary to the monarch, and an intelligent and capable lady-in-waiting, who may even serve as a strategist. Because this position is extremely difficult to obtain, selection is made only through recommendations or contacts made by the Queen. Other noble ladies-in-waiting must pass an exam and interview. Their ultimate goal is to catch the Queen's eye and become a Chief Lady. Knights-in-waiting, who serve as both bodyguards and personal secretaries, like Baroness Mason, are mostly conscripted from the Royal Guard, a unit under the Capital Defense Command, with distinctions awarded to soldiers who have distinguished themselves. The same structure applies to chamberlains.
Of course, not just anyone could become a common noble maid, so I couldn't help but be taken aback by this outrageous offer. As I struggled to find the words to say, the Queen, who had been waiting for my response, smiled sweetly.
"I won't force you. It's your choice. Please think it over carefully and pass it on to Baroness Mason."
“Yes, it is an honor.”
I bent down, as if being dragged down. A gust of wind brushed against the cold sweat that had formed on my spine and neck, sending chills down my spine. Noah, standing next to me, covered his mouth with one hand and looked at the Queen with a pensive expression.
“Your Majesty, please do not take my wife away.”
“You really worry a lot, Sir. You and I are just like family.”
The Queen turned around, her voice trailing faintly. Baroness Mason, who was following her, smiled at me in congratulations.
Rumors that the Queen herself had offered me the position of chief maid quickly spread through the social circles of Medea's upper class, and the veiled, dismissive glances at me diminished significantly. No, they vanished. In fact, more and more people approached me with affection or even sent invitations to their mansions. Many even contacted me, seemingly as if they'd forgotten me despite their contempt. I'd already made note of all of them, so I wouldn't forget.
***
I've been seriously considering the position of head maid for days. Since I can resign freely, I don't think they'll kill me to silence me like they did with Renier. The Marchioness of Wales resigned after her marriage and is doing well. She said she'd give me plenty of time to think, so I don't need to respond quickly. Given my tendency to stay home, I'm reluctant to constantly follow the ever-active and socially engaged Queen. However, to remain safely in Medea until the war ends, I need to establish a solid footing. This is why I occasionally engage in social activities.
Still, since we're blood relatives, she'll take care of me with a motherly heart, perhaps. I'm not sure what the Queen's intentions are. I thought back to my own life. They provided everything, but I don't remember receiving much love. Material abundance, financial support. I suppose that was part of love, too. I tried to remember more about my parents, who died in a car accident on my birthday. More specifically, about that accident. Somehow, it felt like my memories had been cut off at the waist and unnaturally patched together.
As we walked along the reservoir trail, Boaz spotted a mallard and barked. The duck's fluttering wings sent a splash of water droplets flying. I reminisced, thinking it resembled the sparkling shards of broken glass. Then, my gaze drifted beyond the lush greenery and summer reeds to the placid waters of the reservoir. The surface, reflecting the cloudy blue sky, occasionally rippled with fish.
“I don’t remember.”
A fresh breeze, passing through the reservoir, the forest, and the nearby barley fields, gently rustled the hem of my skirt, bringing me back to my senses. I don't even know what I'd forgotten. What was I trying to recall? The surrounding scenery felt strange and unfamiliar. My thoughts and consciousness were spinning out of control. I stood there for a long time, overcome by a profoundly confused and strange feeling. But I quickly dismissed it as my imagination and forgot about it.
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