As soon as the [Mirror of Mist] stirred, Elisa knew there was no need for her to urge him on anymore.
[Simon gave a detailed account of what he had discovered at the Inventors’ Gathering and asked the magic mirror to relay a question to his teacher, asking whether she intended to get involved in this matter.]
Of course I’m getting involved! I was ignorant before and thought the [Finger Bone] was nothing more than a tool you used to peep on people. Only now do I realize how important it is. Even the princess is searching for it! Elisa reflected deeply on her mistake.
She put on [Thousand Faces] and recorded a message with the [Mirror of Mist].
In the recording, the strikingly beautiful Lady Moon Sage faced the mirror and said, “If he obtains any leads on other [Finger Bones], tell him to follow his own judgment and act as he sees fit.”
Using a recording instead of appearing live served two purposes. For one, it would support the pretense that I, his teacher, really wasn’t home. For another, it would make me seem even more unfathomable….as though I’d predicted long ago that my male servant would ask this question and had left behind a recording in advance!
As expected of the wise Miss Elisa!
[Simon received the response and marveled at his teacher’s generosity. He felt he wasn’t qualified to involve himself in something like this and wondered whether he should give up.]
What? How can you give up now?!
Elisa frantically racked her brains, trying to figure out how to give her male servant some motivation.
[Miss Susanna’s figure flashed through Simon’s mind. Determined not to let that beauty be destroyed, he decided to intervene.]
What kind of lecherous reason is that?!
You could at least say you couldn’t bear to see the beautiful Miss Susanna come to harm! What do you mean by “not letting that beauty be destroyed”? Is Susanna nothing more than an accessory to her chest?!
[There might be some major secret hidden within the [Finger Bones], and perhaps even some profit to be made from it. Besides, Simon figured he could outsource the risk to Eleanor.]
Eleanor had wanted to drag her male servant along to continue the investigation before. Now that he was bringing a lead straight to her doorstep, she had no reason to refuse.
This male servant of mine is pretty clever.
[Simon decided to contact Eleanor that evening.]
[He once again asked the magic mirror a question, this time about combat techniques.]
You almost made me forget!
In last night’s [Young Lady’s Late Night Lessons], I slipped in a trick for applying force that I was planning to sell for 9 pounds, 19 shillings, and 11 pence.
Since you’ve worked so hard today, I’ll give you a discount.
Elisa wrote on the surface of the mirror.
9 pounds, 19 shillings, and 10 pence.
[Simon paid the money and received her guidance, greatly improving his combat ability.]
[Combat Lv. 4] → [Combat Lv. 5]
He actually jumped straight to Lv. 5!
My own combat skill is only Lv. 5. Sure, there are differences even among people at Lv. 5, but my male servant is already catching up to me. It’s only been two months. How terrifying.
Fortunately, I know all sorts of things. Even at my male servant’s pace, he’ll still need a long time to learn everything.
Besides, the magic mirror charges money for every question. My male servant is about to run out of money entirely!
When that happens, the benevolent Miss Elisa will graciously allow you to borrow money from me.
Spend your entire life paying off your debt to me! And don’t even think about getting married!
After ending the [Mirror of Mist] and removing [Thousand Faces], Elisa waited in her room for the artifact’s side effects to wear off. This time, [Thousand Faces] had taken away her… eyebrows.
Elisa pretended to take an afternoon nap, hiding away until her eyebrows returned.
When she “woke up”, Maria came to her bedroom to discuss the arrangements for transferring funds to Miss Susanna.
The 300 pounds in cash would not be handed over to Susanna all at once but distributed in installments. There were also restrictions on how the money could be spent. These were research and development funds; at most, they could be used for Susanna’s personal living expenses, but not for purchasing luxury goods.
Just listening to it gave Elisa a headache, so she told Maria to discuss the details with Simon and handle it with him.
“I understand. Mr. Simon and I will prepare a report for you every week,” Maria said.
“No, once a month is enough,” Elisa hurriedly stopped her.
This housekeeper is far too enthusiastic about her work. But the lazy Miss Elisa has no intention of working that hard alongside her.
With business out of the way, Elisa recalled [Simon’s Log] from noon and remembered Maria proposing to her male servant.
She thought that although her male servant had already turned Maria down and found himself an excuse, it would still be best to make sure Lady Maria gave up on him completely.
She said to Maria, “Everyone has seen how hard you’ve been working lately. If you have any difficulties or requests, you can tell me.”
Go on, tell me you want to get married, and I’ll arrange it for you! I’m no longer just some wealthy merchant’s daughter with no connections. It’s time to put my network to use.
The sooner I get you married off, the sooner my male servant will be safe!
Under her expectant gaze, Maria shook her head. “Thank you for your concern, Miss. Life at the manor is wonderful. There’s nothing more I could ask for.”
No, no, this isn’t how it’s supposed to go!
Is she too embarrassed to say it?
Elisa could only put it more plainly. “I watched a musical this afternoon, and there was a love story involving a housekeeper. If you ever have thoughts along those lines, I can have a small house built on the outskirts of the manor for you and your future family.”
Maria shook her head again. “I have no intention of getting married. My ideal is to spend my entire life serving by your side, Miss.”
That’s not what you told my male servant!
Elisa understood now. Maria didn’t want to get married… she wanted her male servant!
Then again, with Lady Maria’s looks and figure, if she truly wanted to get married, how could she possibly have remained single into her twenties?
Her goal had always been to stay single. Her male servant was just an unexpected complication!
Elisa wholeheartedly approved of Maria’s goal of staying single. She felt the same way herself. It was just a shame that Maria had been tempted by her male servant and led astray from her life’s goal.
Elisa sighed inwardly, though a smile appeared on her face. “That’s fine too. If you ever change your mind, just let me know.”
Maria bowed her head in thanks and left the bedroom.
Eve pushed open the door and came in to pour Elisa some tea. Picking up her teacup, Elisa thought, With what Maria just said, I suppose that means she’s given up on my male servant. No need to worry anymore.
She relaxed and happily sipped her tea, only to suddenly notice that the maid was looking at her with a hint of resentment.
What is it this time?!
Oh, right. Maria and Eve are pretty close. After finding out that my male servant likes me, Maria must have told Eve about it.
But why are you looking at me so resentfully?! You should be glaring at that bastard male servant!
Why am I, his master, the one who has to deal with the mess he caused?!
Elisa felt her own gaze becoming resentful as well.
***
[Late at night, Simon returned to his room and took out the special colored paper Eleanor had given him.]
Elisa munched on some cookies, thinking back on what had happened during the day as she glared unhappily at the screen of light.
The colored paper was a communication device Eleanor had given her male servant. Infused with the aura of the [Spirit Realm], the paper could be used for medium-range communication through a special ritual.
[Simon wrote down what he had discovered that day, along with his own speculations, then folded the colored paper into a paper crane and performed the ritual.]
[The paper crane rose from the table, gradually turning transparent as it flew out the window.]
[Simon climbed into bed and drifted off to sleep.]
Stuffing the last of the cookies into her mouth, Elisa wiped her lips and lay down on the bed.
[Young Lady’s Late-Night Lessons], activate!
Loading course: [Artillery Studies]!
You damned male servant! Tonight, I’ll let you have a taste of my artillery techniques!
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