By the time they left the second exhibition hall, the sun was already high in the sky. The third hall was located by the academy’s rear gate. It was quite small and showcased large machinery, but there was nothing particularly noteworthy there.
Elisa continued thinking about what had just happened. Much like that logic puzzle, once she had figured out the right approach, the entire chain of events surrounding the [Finger Bone] was actually quite simple. The difficult part was finding that approach in the first place.
No wonder her male servant was always so scatterbrained when he spent all day thinking about things like this. Everyone needed some way to unwind. Perhaps admiring beautiful women was simply her male servant’s way of relaxing.
Compared with those nobles she had heard about, her male servant was already remarkably restrained.
As she pondered this, Elisa saw another message flash across the screen.
[Simon has obtained information about an explorable area. Following the information and investigating it will unlock the area.]
An explorable area? Is this for [Simon’s Adventure Log]? Has that feature finally activated?
Is that area connected to Susanna and the [Finger Bone]?
Putting the matter aside for now, Elisa finished touring the final exhibition hall and turned around.
“What do you think is worth investing in?” she asked, looking at Simon and Maria.
Maria shook her head. “I don’t understand machinery. Mr. Simon knows more about it.”
“Miss Susanna’s push-button pencil might be a good choice,” Simon replied.
“You have a good eye. I was thinking the same thing.” Elisa promptly took the credit for herself and waved a hand. “Come on. Let’s go see Susanna.”
Simon and Maria followed behind her.
Susanna’s family was merely middle-class, so when Elisa offered to invest, she accepted without the slightest hesitation, delighted by the proposal.
Following the guidance of [Simon’s Log], Elisa paid 300 pounds in exchange for a 50% stake in the push-button pencil. They signed the contract at a law firm near the academy entrance.
After handing the contract to Maria, Elisa invited Susanna to lunch. It was a necessary courtesy and part of social etiquette.
The two young ladies headed to a restaurant, while Simon and Maria, as servants, were free to do as they pleased. Maria invited Simon to take a stroll through the streets.
[Simon and Miss Maria walked side by side through the bustling streets of the royal capital.]
Simon updated his Log as he followed Maria along.
Elisa had approved money for their lunch, so Maria took Simon into a restaurant and spent four shillings on two hearty set meals.
“What plans do you have for the future, Mr. Simon?” Maria suddenly asked.
Simon had been pondering what to do next, and the sudden question that was somehow both specific and abstract made him hesitate.
As far as his immediate future was concerned, naturally, he wanted to accomplish his goal in the [Finger Bone] affair and obtain greater power. He couldn’t do that without Elisa’s help, and he would also need Eleanor and Mabel’s assistance.
As for the future in a broader sense, he rather liked the atmosphere of his life as it was now. Teasing Elisa whenever he had the chance, chatting with the maids, and making sure the male servants did their work…he hoped things could stay this way.
After taking a sip of lemon tea, Simon didn’t answer. Instead, he asked, “Why do you suddenly ask, Miss Maria?”
“I was just curious. Miss Susanna clearly has a great deal of affection for you. She would be a very good choice,” Maria replied. “If you intend to pursue a relationship with Miss Susanna, Mr. Simon, the manor will have to find a new male servant.”
Generally speaking, servants would leave the manor after getting married.
Working as a household servant was also largely a young person’s occupation. Aside from the butler and servants who had no need to enter the inner residence, masters almost never allowed their servants to marry. Getting married meant losing your job.
Simon now understood why Maria had asked that question. He sighed inwardly. Even a mature and sophisticated housekeeper like her couldn’t escape thinking about such things.
He asked Maria in return, “What plans do you have for the future, Miss Maria?”
Maria straightened in her seat, twirling a strand of hair by her temple between her fingertips as she looked at Simon. “If Miss Elisa permits it, I would like to find a reliable gentleman and marry him. Perhaps Miss Elisa would allow us to remain at the manor together.”
That’s a perfectly good plan. It would be even better if you weren’t staring straight at me when you said “a reliable gentleman”. And isn’t the word “us” a little too obvious?! Simon felt a headache coming on.
Sure, I flirt with the maids all the time, but it’s always been strictly on a friendly level. I’ve never crossed that line! I’ve never even taken advantage of them once! And I’ve never said anything suggestive!
What am I supposed to do now that I’ve accidentally maxed out the housekeeper’s affection meter? Can someone help me? Waiting online… this is urgent!
Come to think of it, if even Miss Maria feels this way, then wouldn’t Eve also…
I’ve been so busy worrying about Eleanor and the others and the [Finger Bone] that my own manor is about to catch fire!
Fortunately, I have the perfect shield.
After thinking for a moment, Simon answered solemnly, “Miss Elisa is the most beautiful, gentle, and charming woman I have ever met.”
Maria’s azure pupils contracted briefly. She sighed. “I see.”
She lifted her tea and took a sip, then asked, “May I tell Eve?”
Simon nodded in agreement.
***
[During lunch, Miss Maria conveyed her desire to marry Simon.]
Elisa’s hand trembled, nearly spilling her black tea all over Susanna, who was sitting across from her.
What are you two doing?! How did this suddenly turn into a marriage proposal?! You’ve only known each other for two or three months!
I won’t allow it! You two are my right and left hands, the wings that let me fly! What do you mean by casting aside your mistress and getting married?!
And why is Maria the one proposing to my male servant? Isn’t it normally supposed to be the other way around?!
Male servant, hurry up and reject her!
[Simon politely declined Miss Maria.]
Well done!
[Simon told Miss Maria that the person he liked was Miss Elisa.]
The black tea spilled onto the table after all. Susanna jumped in surprise and hurriedly wiped it up with her handkerchief.
“Miss Elisa, what’s wrong?” She took the teacup from Elisa’s hand and asked with concern.
“It’s nothing. I suddenly remembered something I forgot to do. Don’t worry, it isn’t urgent.” Elisa forced a smile.
Inside, however, her emotions were in turmoil.
You’re using me as a shield again! I let it slide when you did it with Eleanor, but now you’re doing it again?!
What do you mean, I’m the one you like? When you used the [Finger Bone] to peek at the maids, you weren’t even willing to take a look inside my bedroom!
[Intimacy +1]
…Why did my intimacy suddenly go up?! If you feel guilty about it, then stop using me as an excuse!
The restaurant waiter replaced the tablecloth, and Elisa and Susanna continued their lunch. Elisa heaved a deep sigh inwardly.
What else could she do? As their mistress, she could only cover for her servants.
Heh. That male servant has it all figured out. As the daughter of a wealthy merchant, there’s no way I could marry… no, there’s no way I could marry a male servant, so he can safely use me as an excuse.
Once my revenge plan succeeds and I no longer need the identity of a wealthy merchant’s daughter, I’ll show you what it means to be caught in your own trap! When the time comes, all I have to do is pretend I’m a little interested in my male servant, and he’ll be beside himself with panic.
Then, when he’s at his most anxious and helpless, I’ll leave him far behind and set him free.
Perfect. That’s exactly what I’ll do!
A sinister smile appeared on Elisa’s face, making Susanna lean back uneasily.
After lunch, Elisa attended a musical with Susanna, bringing their total expenditure to one pound.
After leaving the theater, Elisa called a carriage for Susanna, reunited with her two servants, and returned to the manor.
She opened [Simon’s Adventure Log] and began thinking about how to prod her male servant into following the information he had obtained and unlocking the explorable area.
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