“What is happening to you! I’m the wife of the king, and I’m the one who wants to set up an esthetic salon!”

“Huh… but…”

“What! Why are you complaining? Explain to me why there’s no enough budget! You’re not a royal butler?!”

In Mrs. Arias’s workroom, located in a corner of the palace, the butler was receiving a strong reprimand.

“Huh…I’ll… we are short on the budget, and I’m sorry to tell you this, but …”

“What?! Say it!”

“The madam has spent the national budget of the Arias Kingdom on her own beauty’s products and food…”

“So what! Is what I heard a complaint?!”

“No, no! No way, madam! But… If we don’t keep a balanced budget, the King will know what we’re doing with it.”

“Oh, that’s not good.”

Despite her words, Mrs. Arias grinned and said to the butler.

“If my husband finds out that I’m privately managing the state budget, then the first head to roll will be yours”

“!”

What was too horrible to say, Mrs. Arias says it with amusement, the servant was accustomed to it, but that didn’t change the fact that he knew she was telling him the truth.

The butler’s face was pale with fear.

There’s no way to solve the problem, and he doesn’t want to lose his life for the personal entertainment of the Queen, who wants to open an esthetic salon just for fun.

“But, ma’am. If you spend any more money, the– the budget…”

“Oh my God, you’re an idiot!! In order to spend it, you just have to increase it, more taxes! More taxes is the solution!”

“Incr– increase the taxes?”

“I’ll just say the right thing to my husband and fool him again. It’ll be fine.”

“But just last year, we raised the national tax rate by 10%. Many are worried about possible riots by the people…”

“Just send the army to stop them! Or… Let’s just take it all from one village.”

“What…!”

“Well, the target will be.. That woman! That one… François of the Gaia Village! Yes, she’s going to pay 50% more in taxes.”

“Fifty…! But ma’am!”

“Oh, you want to pay in her stead?”

“No, no, no! I’ll get the papers for you right away!”

“Whoo-ho-ho! It’s all right! Oh, and you, what’s the next on my schedule for today?”

“Yes, yes! … You are having a tea party with Miss Sophie.”

“Sophie!! ~~ Okay, let’s go.”

Thus, Mrs. Arias and the chief of servants went to the prearranged room for the tea party with Sophie.

(Mrs. Arias is a horrible person! After hurting her so much, is she still trying to hurt that poor girl, François? She is a wild woman, who will never show any mercy even to someone she hates for no reason or who is, just weak, only that!)

François pondered.

Although the work at the factory was physically demanding, it was simple repetitive work, so she could think about this and that while moving her hands only.

What she was thinking about was the promise she made to Lloyd the other day.

(How about there? It’s a good idea to have a good time with your friends and family, but…)

However, she wanted to invite him somewhere meaningful to show her gratitude to Lloyd, and she also had the simple desire to see him happy. 

Such a clash between ideals and reality makes François’ mind more chaotic.

(Well, the next meeting with Lloyd will be the day after tomorrow. Until then, you can think it over and come to a conclusion) 

A serious François decided to change the topic, saying that the first thing to do now is to face her daily work seriously.

In the meantime, Lloyd had been interviewing every single one of the palace’s cleaning staff.

“Excuse me…”

“Young Master Lloyd. What is it?”

“Do you know in which room my mother and Miss Sophie’s tea party will be held?”

“Sir, I’m… sorry. I’m not aware of that.”

“Well, thank you.”

Unlike Mrs. Arias, Lloyd bowed when he thanked the servants, even those who were clearly of lower status. 

And although the cleaners were horrified, they all had a good impression of Lloyd. 

However, this is already the 13th person he interviewed.

(I think it’s an almost impossible task, but the look of anticipation on François’ face the other day, I can’t give up!”

After talking to a hundred or so people, that is, most of the neat and tidy servants of the palace, Lloyd finally succeeded in getting the information.

“Yes. I heard that Miss Sophie and Madam Arias will be having a tea party at the Assembly Hall with the chief head of the servants.”

“Oh, really? Thank you!”

“Not at all. But, why do you need to know this?”

Those words of the maid were directed at Lloyd, but Lloyd already had left. 

He started running, in a hurry because from the place he was to the place of the meeting, there’s a considerable distance.

This time the too large Arias Palace was a disadvantage for him.

He had to get to the Assembly Hall at any cost before those two arrived. 

That was the only thing on Lloyd’s mind.

Lloyd’s plan was already in place!

Translated by Djurasico