“Welcome back,” I said, bowing deeply with the housefolk.
Today is Ati and Eric’s official engagement.
Accompanied by the Marquis, Ati got into the carriage, looking back at us repeatedly.
Stop it. Don’t make such a sad face. I’ll want to kidnap you and run away. I have the energy to do it, you know? Should we run? No, we shouldn’t. We can’t. I must endure for Ati’s sake.
I was glad that the Head Nanny (Maggie) noticed Ati’s mood and held her hand.
–Ideally, I’d want the Marquis to hold her hand, but that might be difficult.
The carriage carrying the Marquis, Ati, and the Head Nanny (Maggie), and the carriage carrying the tutor (Samuel) left the Andreu Estate grounds.
We saw them off in front of the mansion until they were out of sight—
Alright then.
Time to start our preparations.
Of course, I’m not allowed to attend the official engagement.
That’s why.
I’m going anyway. Cross-dressing and becoming Sergios.
There’s no way I can stay home and wait quietly while sending Ati to a place where the Obsessive Boy (Ilias) is eagerly waiting.
Today, I’ll protect Ati from behind!
I returned to my room and busily prepared.
Then, I escaped through the window, (without permission) borrowed a horse from the stables, and immediately headed to the Andreu Estate.
Now then. The real show starts here.
I can’t let my guard down.
This time, I managed to reach the Andreu Estate without getting lost.
I hid the horse in a concealed location again and infiltrated the Andreu Estate grounds.
Making sure not to be seen, I quietly moved through the grounds toward the mansion.
While moving, I thought about what was to come.
My goal is to protect Ati from the clutches of the Obsessive Boy (Ilias).
If possible, I’d like this to eliminate the threat from the Obsessive Boy (Ilias). However, that would be difficult.
Beating the Obsessive Boy (Ilias) until he loses his memories isn’t allowed either.
Well, let’s put the future aside for now. I’ll just focus on avoiding the danger this time.
I’ve made preparations for that.
All that’s left is to pray for success.
The timing when the Obsessive Boy (Ilias) is likely to act is after the official engagement, when everyone is relieved that it’s over and their guard is down. It was like that last time. He targeted when the introductions were over, and the adults were off guard, and the children were playing in the Back Garden.
So, I think there’s still some time, but—I can’t let my guard down.
I’ve asked the tutor (Samuel) and the Head Nanny (Maggie) to stay as close to Ati as possible, but it’s impossible to never let their guard down for even a moment.
I reached the vicinity of the mansion and looked around.
Confirming that no one was around, I took out a jacket for male servants of the Andreu Estate from my luggage, put it on, and slipped into the mansion through an unlocked window.
I asked the tutor (Samuel) to get this for me; it was old and scheduled to be discarded. When he asked what I was going to use it for, I made the excuse that “I’m giving it to Sergios just in case.” Well, I’m not wrong, am I?
It’s old and oversized, but oh well.
With this, I shouldn’t look suspicious at first glance. I’m also wearing fake glasses. This should prevent me from being immediately recognized as ‘that suspicious man from last time.’ Well, it might only buy me some time.
I walked through the mansion with a confident stride.
I passed several maids along the way, but they only paused for a moment and didn’t question me.
Infiltration, suc-cess☆
Now then. The problem is the location.
This mansion is too damn big. There’s no end to searching the whole place.
Unless it has a special structure, Ati and the others should be on the first floor.
For now, I’ll start by checking the sounds inside the nearby rooms one by one.
“Um… what are you doing?”
Doki!
I was spoken to from behind, and I thought my heart would jump out of my mouth.
Surprised, I turned around to see a cute, young maid holding several packages that looked like presents, looking at me with a puzzled expression.
I hurriedly straightened my posture, put on a refined (※compared to myself) smile, and adopted a sincere demeanor.
“Actually, I’m new. I don’t know the layout of the mansion yet, and I don’t know where the venue is, so I was investigating.
I couldn’t just open the doors and look inside… I thought it would be rude, but I was trying to identify the room by listening to the sounds from outside.”
Saying that with a slightly bashful and embarrassed tone, the maid giggled.
“I see. I’m new too. I understand. There are so many rooms, it’s confusing at first, isn’t it?”
Ah, so cute. Different from Ati, but still with the innocence and girlishness.
And even the humility to empathize with others.
Not just old men, but even old women would fall for this.
“Oh, if you like, shall I help you?”
I looked at the packages held in the maid’s arms and smoothly offered my hand.
However, the maid made a troubled face.
“But, wouldn’t that be a bother…”
“Oh, then how about this? I’ll carry half of the packages. And in return, you’ll guide me to the room.”
I winked at her.
Then, the maid’s face turned red, and she was surprised, and then she started giggling again. Her dimples are cute.
“Yes. Then, please.”
I took almost all the packages from the slightly apologetic maid, urged the flustered her, and had her guide me to the room.
Alright.
Now I can sneak into the party venue.
All that’s left is… to wait for something to happen.
I walked slowly down the hallway, hiding my resolve beneath a smile.
The party seemed to be held in the Great Hall (Saloon).
When I entered the Great Hall (Saloon), servants were working busily.
The already luxurious room was decorated with child-friendly decorations.
Balloons and streamers, and I don’t know how they did it, but many crystals resembling stars were hung from the ceiling.
Amazing. Seriously, amazing. It far exceeds my expectations.
Wow, Duke Andreu really went all out.
To do this much even though it’s not his own son’s birthday.
Or did Eric himself ask for it? I emphasized to Eric to do it ‘in my place.’ It wouldn’t be surprising if he was excited about ‘danchou’s order!’ What a cute guy.
Well, even so. Duke Andreu has a chance to curry favor with Marquis Karamanlis. The more luxurious it is, the bigger the favor Marquis Karamanlis owes.
Well, I kind of knew that and had information leaked to the Andreu Estate.
The rivalry and favor-selling between men are comical to watch from the sidelines.
It’s helpful this time, though.
I thought the Surprise Party would be held briefly after the dinner party following the official engagement.
But this is holding the dinner party and the Surprise Party at the same time.
Of course, it’ll be grand.
Ah, I wanted to participate in this as a mother…
I should have been able to see Ati’s surprised and happy face up close.
…Seriously, that Marquis (bastard), I’ll get him someday.
I thanked the maid who guided me to the room and joined the many servants to help prepare for the party.
There are probably many servants at the Andreu Estate. Because they were busy, no one suspected me as long as I listened to the instructions obediently.
It’s a combination of a banquet and a buffet.
The room is divided in half, with round tables and chairs on one side. Dishes and such were already set up there.
The other half was left open, where people could stand and enjoy conversations. There might even be a dance.
I predicted who would sit at which table based on the table positions.
Then, I looked around and grasped the positions of the doors and objects.
The Obsessive Boy (Ilias) doesn’t have much of a role this time, but as Eric’s attendant, he’ll be nearby. If there’s a seat, it’ll be right next to Eric.
Ati is probably at the same table… close to the Obsessive Boy (Ilias).
If.
If the Obsessive Boy (Ilias) were to do something to Ati without being suspected, it would probably be—
I predicted the Obsessive Boy (Ilias)’s actions during the party and memorized various scenarios.
Come at me anytime.
I’ll definitely protect Ati.