Chapter 12: 12

Chapter 12: Two Girls, One Destination

“And now it is complete!”

“…Is that …really me?”

Luciana stared dumbfoundedly at what was supposed to be her reflection in the mirror; it was not herself that she saw, but a fairy.

Careful nurturing had restored a lively glow to her hair and skin, and her off-the-shoulder dress, another article Melody had resewn, looked wonderful as well with its vibrant blue-to-green color gradation.

Luciana turned in different ways, examining her appearance in the mirror, and she beamed with radiant happiness.

“You look absolutely beautiful, my lady.”

“…Thank you, Melody.”

Luciana could barely hold back her tears as feelings of gratitude for Melody welled up within her.

Had it not been for Melody, Luciana would never have been able to attend the Spring Ball as she was now.

Finding Melody had been a truly life-changing stroke of luck, and all Luciana could do now is express the gratitude threatening to overwhelm her..

And deep within, Luciana swears to herself to one day repay to Melody everything she has done for her.

…On the other hand, Melody simply basked in the pleasure of successfully completing this special “Luciana’s First Time Ever ☆ Spring Ball Dress-Up!” event.

Melody was not merely a girl that loved maids… she was a bonafide maid duty junkie.

With her preparations finished, Luciana found parents to show off her appearance, and they had plenty of compliments to give.

“Dear, our daughter has become so beautiful!”

“Please mother, you’re embarrassing me.”

“Your mother is right, you do look wonderful, Luciana! Is that dress something Melody also fixed up? I don’t recognize that design… is it new?”

“Fufufu, would you like to know how much it cost, father?”

Hughes froze still from Luciana’s teasing. Although Hughes recently accepted a promotion, House Luthorburg was still by no means affluent, and while it was immensely regrettable they could not spend extravagantly for the sake of their daughter’s social debut, Luciana’s dress could not have been cheap to buy.

“Please rest assured, master. This dress is one that already belonged to the family.”

“Actually, father, it only cost us the materials of two other dresses!”

Although Melody had repaired and restored Luciana’s wardrobe, many of the dresses were ill-suited for an event like the Spring Ball. Thus, Melody had taken it upon herself to put together a more appropriate, brand-new dress for this occasion.

The result was this gradient-patterened dress, made of the light blue and emerald threads of two different dresses.

In fact, Melody had actually altered and repaired the entire family’s wardrobe: Hughes currently wore a tailcoat in a modern style while Marianna was wearing a vibrant red dress.

“…Melody never ceases to amaze, does she?”

At Hughes’s low muttering, Melody tilts her head in curiosity.

“Is there something troubling you, master?”

“I know exactly how you are feeling, Hughes.”

“We all feel the same way, father.”

The Luthorburg family gave one another knowing smiles; it seemed only Melody was unaware of how extraordinary her powers were. Even Luciana, completely unfamiliar with magic, recognized the unusual potency of Melody’s magic.

And Luciana has yet to tell Melody of their observations; it may have been merely intuition, but Luciana simply felt it would be better not to explain things to Melody.

Luciana and her family passed the time waiting for the carriage to arrive by drinking tea in the dining room.

“Come to think of it, Melody, didn’t you say you wanted to go to a friend’s party after we leave for the event?”

“That is correct. But is it fine for me to go? There will be no one to mind the mansion while I am also gone.”

“That won’t be a problem. In fact, it would be good for you to have some fun for yourself, since it seems you have been working hard every day since Luciana took you in. As long as you don’t return at too late an hour, you may do as you like.”

Hearing Hughes’s response, Melody blushed with embarrassment but thanked him nonetheless.

A friend had casually invited Melody to a smaller party; it seemed whenever a formal event happened, other non-attending residents of the city would host their own similar events. Melody had not heard any specifics, but the party she should be attending would be something like that.

As the family discussed their evening plans, there came a knock from the door; Luciana’s escort had arrived.

“It seems he has finally arrived. What kind of person do you think Luciana’s escort will be, this Max person?”

“Even if he’s got Melody’s approval, I cannot help but worry about leaving our daughter to a stranger…”

“Please try saying that again after you have tried searching for an escort yourself, father.”

But even after Luciana’s scathing remark, Hughes still felt worried.

(I will apologize to Melody if it happens, but if that guy’s a boorish hoodlum… I’ll be teaching him a lesson!)

And so Hughes stepped to the door with steadfast determination.

However, his determination all but evaporated after opening the door.

“A-a-aren’t you… P-p-prime Minister Lycrents’s…!!”

“Good evening, Count Luthorburg. Allow me to introduce myself: I am Maxwell Lycrents, and tonight I shall be escorting your daughter Luciana to the Spring Ball. Please allow me the honor of doing so.”

A handsome young man with honey-blonde hair and emerald eyes was standing at the door.

The eldest son of Prime Minister Georac Lycrents, Maxwell Lycrents was also the Crown Prince’s closest aide as well as the future Prime Minister.

(Uh… huh? Whaaat?! Melody, what have you done?! Why did you bring back the son of a Marquis?! How am I supposed to teach him a lesson now?!)

Hughes had assumed the escort would be some low-ranked noble’s son! Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined the escort would be the heir of one of the kingdom’s most esteeemd families! Just how far does the influence of House Luthorburg’s maid reach?!

With the revelation completely blindsiding him, Hughes struggled to keep his mouth from opening in shock; Luciana and Mariana felt similar bewilderment when they discovered the identity of the escort. Even Melody also felt abit of confusion, but it seemed no one had noticed.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Luciana. I hope to enjoy our evening together tonight.”

“–Eh? Ah, uh, of course! I also look forward to choonight –ah!”

She misspoke in her nervousness… and Maxwell’s smile, as he struggled to hold back his laughter, cramped with exertion.

While the Luthorburg family had panicked upon discovering Luciana’s escort was the son of a Marquis, Maxwell himself was reeling in his own surprise: how did a fallen household such as House Luthorbroke maintain such a mansion?

The mansion was admittedly on the smaller side, but the entire estate appeared in perfect condition and well-kept. The family themselves also showed no signs of financial hardship or struggle.

And above all else, the girl who was blushing in shyness in front of him…

“…I never knew there was a girl this beautiful in the world.”

“– Excuse me?”

“Pardon me; nothing to worry about. Shall we get going then, to our Spring Ball?”

Maxwell suddenly spoke with a more formal, polite tone than before. Was he trying to keep himself detached and distant? Or perhaps…

“Indeed. It would be my pleasure.”

Luciana took his proffered hand, and Maxwell gave a gentle smile.

“Then, Count Luthorburg, if you would excuse us. Let us meet again later, at the venue.”

“…Let us meet again later then. For now, I entrust my daughter to you.”

“I shall be going first then, father, mother.”

“This is your debut, so show them what it means to be a flower of high society. You two are sure to steal the show, so remember enjoy yourselves tonight!”

“Of course, mother. I’ll be heading out, Melody.”

“Please take care, my lady.”

As Maxwell led Luciana to the carriage, he gave a backward glance to smile at Melody, who responded with a bow and a subdued business smile.

Max shrugged in disappointment and turned back to help Luciana aboard the carriage, and the two set off for the royal castle. A short while after, the carriage for Count Luthorburg and his wife arrived, and Melody saw them off as they departed.

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“Well then, I should also be getting ready.”

After seeing the rest of the household off, Melody quickly finished her own preparations and began waiting at the estate’s back gate.

It was not long after that a carriage arrived, stopping in front of Melody. The carriage door opened, and a lone man stepped out.

“Sorry for the wait. I must have kept you.”

“Not at all, I only just finished preparing myself. Shall we be going then, Sir Lect?”

The person picking up Melody was Lectias Frodo, the young, red-haired, and golden eyed man.

Lect brought Melody on board, and the horses pulled the carriage on, their hoofs echoing through the evening.

The carriage soon arrived at entrance of Lect’s mansion, where Paula stood confidently ready to receive them.

“I have been waiting for you, Melody! Now, let us quickly get you prepared!”

“What? Paula? Ah, wait, what? Hold on! W-waiiittt!”

“Master, I shall be busy with Melody for the time being, so please take care of your own preparations.”

And just like that, Paula forcibly pulled Melody away, leading her into the mansion.

In a separate room, Paula quickly stripped Melody naked, demonstrating a technique that was on par with… no, that was even better than Melody. From the dexterity of her hands and her sense of make-up to her sense of design… it seemed not only could Paula rival Melody, in some aspects, Paula was even better.

Melody had heard Paula came from a family who, prior to falling into bankruptcy, specialized in women’s cosmetics, but while she had expected some skill, Paula’s expertise astounded her.

(To think there was such an amazing maid living so close by..!)

“And it’s done!”

Paula’s declaration jolted Melody from her absentminded delight; the dress-up was now complete.

The reflection Melody saw in the mirror shocked her.

“This is… Paula, you’re amazing! It’s like I’ve become a whole other person! …But is this much necessary? Lect only said he needed to escort someone to attend the party, but will he not be leaving after greeting his superior and acquaintances?”

“…That good-for-nothing master. Has he not explained anything?”

Paula disparaged her employer in displeasure, too low for Melody to hear.

“Well, it should be fine. For now, let’s get you going, or else you’ll be late to the party!”

Paula quickly rushed Melody back to the front entrance, and there Lect was waiting, now sporting a tailcoat.

“I apologize for the wait.”

“Oh, you’re ready. Let’s go the–“

When their eyes met, Lect suddenly stiffened up; Melody tilted her head in curiosity.

“Um, Sir Lect?”

“… Oh, right. Anyway, let’s get going.”

“Yes. Paula, we’ll be leaving now.”

“Be sure to have fun, Melody!”

“We’ll just be greeting a few people before quietly coming straight home. I’ll be entrusting you with watching over the house until then, Paula.”

“Understood, master. Please take care.”

Paula gave a polite bow as the two boarded the carriage. It was not until after the carriage sounds faded that she returns to standing upright.

Her face, as she gazed off in the direction the carriage had departed, slowly changed to a exasperated expression.

“…Don’t just ‘quietly come straight home’; how haven’t you realized your own feelings when you’re so clearly entranced by her?!”

But Paula gave up thinking about it, knowing that was an impossible outcome. Instead, she ruminated on the masterpiece she had the opportunity to create earlier.

Only a short time had passed since they had departed on the carriage, but Melody has found herself having trouble processing Lect’s explanation.

“Um, Sir Lect? Could you say again, where exactly are we going?”

“…We’re going to the royal castle.”

From how he uncomfortably answered and refused to meet her eyes, Melody understood he was telling the truth.

“Wh-why the royal castle? Did you not say we would be going to a small party?”

“Yeah… it’s a small party at the royal castle… just the Spring Ball.”

“I see, the Spring Ball at the royal castle… wait, you mean that Spring Ball? The same one where my lady will be making her social debut?!”

“Uh, well… it’s just that… my boss has been encouraging me to bring a partner along… I’m really sorry for this.”

(I-I’ve been set uuuppp!)

Melody was the only woman Lect knew that also satisfied the requirements necessary to be his partner: she was trustworthy, she has the nerve and level of etiquette to interact with nobles, and she held no romantic feelings for Lect. Her commoner status was also not a problem as there would be no complaints of mismatch since her partner was from a knight family.

“A maid should not be a guest of the party her master is attending! I must refrain from participating…”

“You know, Paula worked quite hard to make that dress just for you. She even sacrificed sleep to finish it…”

“Ah..!”

“She stayed up all night over the past three days just to finish the dress, but at this rate, it looks like we won’t even be able to show off her hard work…”

Melody’s shoulders trembled with uncertainty as she watched Lect lean his elbow against the carriage window and sigh.

(Th-that’s so unfair for him to say! I thought he was more of an honest person, but he’s still a sly noble after all! Unbelievable!)

Preparing clothing like this was no simple task; although Melody’s dress was originally an off-the-shelf product, Paula’s efforts had transformed it into a tailor-made outfit.

As a fellow maid, Melody understood how much work Paula had put in for a result like this, which is why she found herself unable to decisively turn Lect down.

“…Okay, fine, I will play along. But if I stay like this, my lady will suss me out!”

“Really? I think you look completely different from usual… Like, um, you look, uh, more beautiful than usual?”

Lect bashfully turned away as he complimented Melody, but although he did his best to praise her, it seemed Lect’s words went through one ear and out the other.

“Hm, I do look different than usual… Paula’s make-up skills are quite something, but even if it can fool men, women are much more perceptive. I think there is a high chance my lady will see right through me.”

“Is that how it is?”

“It is! Gosh, I wouldn’t be worrying so much if only you had explained everything from the start!”

“…I thought for sure you would refuse.”

Well, he was not wrong: Melody would have refused. But now was not the time for her to be sympathizing with Lect because there is a bigger issue: Melody needed to find a way to keep Luciana and the Luthorburgs from uncovering her identity!

“Hmm, what should I do?”

“Again, sorry for this. I do want to point out that your black hair and eyes together are extremely conspicuous, much more than a bit of make-up can hide, so it would be careless of you to only rely on that.”

But it seemed Lect’s words sparked the inspiration Melody needed.

“…Oh, I see, it’s because my hair and eyes identify me better than the make-up can hide! Then all I have to do is… yeah, that’s it!”

Melody raised her face to stare straight at Lect.

“I will be borrowing your hair and eye colors, Sir Lect! — Let all of creation be colored by my will, Rainbow DyeArcobaleno!”

“— Huh? Wha-, woah?!”

Without him noticing, Melody had suddenly put her face right in front of Lect.

Melody had gotten so close that Lect could feel her breath on his face, and his heart rate skyrocketed.

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