In her office in the Royal Castle of Archelsia Empire, Chris was doing paperwork as usual. She looks over reports and other documents, processing and approving where necessary, and pondering about various things as she picks up the next document.
(Tonight’s evening party is going to be a bit troublesome. Miyama-sama’s tea brand will be launching today, but there will be a difference between those who were able to purchase their items and those who weren’t able to. I think we’ll need to be careful of those who speak in an agitating manner, even if they’re only lightly boasting.)
The products of Kaito’s tea brand are highly sought after by the nobility. They were originally ceramics depicting three mountains that were sold only in limited quantities during Archlesia Empire’s previous Founding Festival. Due to the high quality and the fame of Kaito himself, many nobles have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to acquire their products.
That especially goes with the new brand, as there are rumors that Great Tree Princess Jutia, known for her love of tea, is paying considerable attention to this, which guarantees that their products are of high quality…… Consequently making them items of interest for the nobles who seek things superior to others.
(The World Maid Association and other organizations apparently hold a strong interest in this subject as well….. Although the Maid-related field takes up various subjects, they are too peculiar, and as I’m not in the same field, obtaining information from them is quite difficult. However, what I do know is that even the Head Maid is unusually restless, excited even, so it’s a fact that there’s a high level of attention on this.)
The Maid World is quite peculiar, including their information network, and due to the establishment of a distinct information network by the maids themselves, it’s challenging for those outside the Maid World to access their information.
However, Chris also possesses a strong information network as an Emperor. She had caught wind that Ein, the one standing on the top of the Maid World, praised Kaito’s tea brand, and based on the maids in her vicinity, she was confident that it was indeed true.
[Your Majesty, excuse my intrusion. I have brought you some tea, why don’t you take a break?]
[Yes, thank you. Indeed, let’s do that……]
While she was pondering this, the Head Maid, Alexandra, entered the room pushing a cart. Following her recommendation, Chris decided to stop working for a moment and take a break, but as she did so, she suddenly saw the timepiece on top of her table.
(……Half an hour earlier than usual? That’s unusual for someone as punctual as her.)
Alexandra is one of the top maids in the Archlesia Empire, and her abilities are such that she’s recognized even in the Maid World as the Super Maid of Technique.
Her workmanship is elegant, delicate, and precise, and Chris also highly appreciates her workmanship. However, it was a bit strange that she, who usually arrives at a precisely scheduled time, brought tea at an unusually early hour…… but her doubts were resolved when she saw the cup placed in front of her.
[……Oya? Is that a Nifty Cup?]
[As expected of Her Majesty, you have a good idea. Yes, I was lucky enough to win the first draw and bought it first thing this morning. It’s an authentic piece made using traditional methods, yet beautiful in shape and colors, with a subtle but beautifully applied decoration that doesn’t over-emphasize. Even in my eyes, having seen numerous ceramics, it’s truly the epitome of perfection.]
[Speaking of which, only the first winner was sold the same ceramics as those previously sold in the Archlesia Empire, wasn’t it?]
[Yes, I’m ashamed to say that I regretted my naivety in not going to buy the ceramics on the day I saw them, but I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to obtain it on this occasion.]
Apparently, Alexandra had won the initial lottery for the new brand, and had been able to purchase a limited edition cup that had been directly made by Nebula and Illness, rather than those that were intended for mass production. Quite unusually for her, who usually doesn’t express emotions strongly, but she was in a good mood.
[I see, but was it alright to use such a valuable item?]
[They’re valuable exactly when they’re used. No matter how beautiful it is, displaying the cup like an exhibit would undoubtedly diminish its charm. This is just my personal belief, but the true value of ceramics isn’t fully realized when displayed individually. I believe the true beauty of a teacup is manifested when it’s being used as a teacup.]
[Indeed, this certainly may be the right way to look at them.]
[Yes, it’s been a long time since I’ve had the pleasure of brewing tea with ceramics of this quality. Unfortunately, I made it a priority to acquire this, so I wasn’t able to buy any of their tea leaves……]
[Ahh, in that case, I have some tea leaves that I got directly from Miyama-sama…… How about you brew tea using them in the afternoon?]
[That would be wonderful. Yes, please leave it to me. I’ll brew you the best cup of tea I can.]
Seeing Alexandra bowing with a beautiful gesture, Chris smiles. While the authenticity of the rumors she heard remains uncertain in her mind, based on the information gleaned from documents containing the royal history accessible only to the Emperor…… Chris is also considering whether the rumors circulating in the public are indeed true.
It’s just, well, perhaps due to fitting the role of a maid so perfectly, she was still somewhat skeptical, but she didn’t feel the need to confirm it at this point……
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [Come to think of it, she was the First Emperor, wasn’t she……]
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