Chapter 29 The Arrival Of Marquis Grandchester
That day, Robert was unusually present at the breakfast table.
"Sara, Father is coming to this castle, it seems."
"I thought he would eventually come. When is it?"
"It's scheduled for the day after tomorrow, apparently."
"Then, while Marquis Grandchester is staying, let's not go to the office, Ms. Sara and I."
Of course, Sara also understood the common sense of a "normal" noble, so she nodded in agreement with Rebecca.
"I think we should properly explain our work to Father, but it's probably hard to make him understand."
"That's unavoidable. It's better to finish things quietly before Grandfather finds out and forbids it. It's not like we didn't listen to what was said!"
"Sara, you've gotten good at making noble excuses."
"This is thanks to Miss Rebecca's guidance."
"Ms. Sara, your people skills are really bad, so please stop."
Rebecca had a noble-like smile on her face, but if someone looked closely, they could see a blue vein popping out on her temple.
"I-I apologize."
Sara hastily apologized, and added.
"Still, can Uncle explain the situation to Grandfather without us being present?"
"I think it's possible, but if it's without Ms. Sara, Rob will have to memorize everything perfectly."
"Fortunately, we'll soon finish this term's accounting. The preparations for the settlement are also going smoothly."
"That's great. Then, shall we show Grandfather the 'Balance Sheet' and 'Profit and Loss Statement' for this term? Although it's before the settlement, it should give him an idea of the management situation of the Grandchester territory. If we get help from the office maid, I think we can finish it by today or tomorrow. Miss Rebecca, I'm sorry, but may I take a break from lessons until the documents are ready?"
"That can't be helped. But while Marquis Grandchester is here, let's take a break from work and study instead, Ms. Sara"
"I wish magic would work!"
"Ms. Sara, you're like a child."
"Yes, I'm a child."
In reality, Sara is an 8-year-old child, but Rebecca and Robert, including those around her, tend to forget that fact. The main reason is that Sara, while working, gives off an "reliable senior's aura." As a result, Sara's childlike appeal has become a staple in the office.
"The accounting for the past period is almost done, thanks to the office maids. It's a task that's beyond their capabilities, so we can't ask them to do it, but can't Rob handle it?"
"I think I should leave that to another bureaucrat. We need to explain the situation to Father, so we can't have Sara do it. Although I'd like to ask Sara, it's not possible when Father is around."
'Uncle is really treating me like a bureaucrat, isn't he? I'm just a temporary helper, though.'
"Uncle, once this term's settlement is over, I'll be quitting my office work, okay?"
"Huh?"
"This isn't my real job, anyway. If there's something you don't know, I'll answer, and if it's something you can't do, I'll help out. But I'm not a bureaucrat."
"No, but..."
"I'm the same. Right now, I'm just helping out as Ms. Sara's governess."
"Aww, are you going to abandon me too, Revi?!"
"It's just going back to how it should be."
"Uncle, the return of Grandfather will be a good opportunity, don't you think?"
Rebecca and Sara smiled elegantly, ignoring Robert's pleas.
* * *
After breakfast, Sara finished getting ready and headed to the office building with Rebecca and Maria. The office maids were gathered in front of the office door, looking worried.
"What's going on, everyone?"
When Sara asked, Eliza, who was in charge of the office maids, turned around and replied.
"Marquis Grandchester has arrived."
"Huh, wasn't he scheduled to come tomorrow?"
"Yes. We were expecting that, but he suddenly rode in alone and came straight to the office."
Marquis Grandchester arrived in the morning, still mounted on his horse, and rode all the way to the office. In the courtyard of the office building, a large black horse with a saddle was eating grass.
'Is it okay to eat the lawn over there?'
As Sara was carefreely watching the horse, Rebecca, like a noble lady, asked the maids, "So, are you not even serving tea to His Excellency the Marquis Grandchester, and what are you doing here?"
Then, Eliza, with a perplexed expression, replied, "To be honest, we were told to leave by His Excellency the Marquis Grandchester."
"Did Grandfather tell you to leave?"
"Yes, that's right. To be precise, the bureaucrats scolded us, saying, 'Are you kidding me, having women attendants in the office?' and told us, 'We don't need tea or maids like you. You're just like lowly servants. Get out!'"
"What did you just say?!"
Sara was speechless. Marquis Grandchester had insulted and chased away her highly skilled secretaries, who were trying to work seriously, without even looking at their work. They were subjected to verbal abuse and unreasonable words. Sara was furious.
She was about to storm into the office, her breathing rough, but Rebecca held her back.
"Ms. Sara, please take a deep breath first. You're lacking elegance right now."
"Don't lecture me at a time like this!"
"This is exactly when you need to stay calm."
"I can't!"
"No, you must. For the sake of those women who were insulted, Ms. Sara must behave elegantly. Nobles have their own code of conduct, and women have their own way of fighting. If you behave violently here, Marquis Grandchester will treat you like a low-class vulgar woman from the town and won't even listen to your words."
Rebecca knelt down in front of Sara, matched her gaze, and smiled very elegantly.
"I'm also fed up with His Excellency the Marquis's words. We women have accomplished something to be proud of here. It's pathetic to sympathize with someone who can't even understand. They're just carrying around unnecessary baggage, thinking they're superior just because they have a certain ability."
Rebecca smiled sweetly in front of Sara, who was still a young girl, and spat out venomous words. Sara was so shocked that her head quickly cooled down.
"Thanks to Miss Rebecca, I've calmed down. Thank you. I never thought you'd insult me while smiling."
"Is that a bit too harsh?"
"That's exactly right. Or should I review my rhetoric lessons?"
The maids who were hovering around couldn't help but burst out laughing at the exchange between the 2.
"Miss Sara, thank you for getting angry on our behalf. We're used to being looked down upon by high-ranking nobles, so it doesn't bother us that much."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. To be honest, we're more worried about whether Sir Robert or the bureaucrats can properly explain things to His Excellency the Marquis, and whether they can prepare the necessary documents..."
"I see. That's definitely something to worry about."
"It's because Ms. Sara and the maids are spoiling the bureaucrats."
"Miss Rebecca was spoiling her uncle quite a bit, wasn't she?"
"That's because their calculations are slow!"
"It's because you're carrying around unnecessary baggage, that's why!"
Everyone couldn't help but burst out laughing loudly at this.
'No doubt their work efficiency will plummet...'
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