Chapter 62: Couples' Night
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 62: Couples' Night
Reta couldn't handle the sheer volume of refreshments on her own, so additional maids from the Grand Duke’s Castle had been called in to help.
What’s so funny?
Suddenly curious, I called out to the maids.
"You there."
"What is 'Couples' Night'?"
At my question, not only the maids standing there but even the nearby footmen turned bright red.
"T-that is..."
One maid hung her head low, looking as if she had committed a crime.
"Hmm? I’m not scolding you. I’m just asking because I’m curious."
Even though I gave a harmless shrug, they all kept their mouths shut as if they had been glued shut.
Just then, Cecilia arrived with a notebook and pen. She tilted her head, sensing the strange atmosphere.
"Cecilia. Do you know what 'Couples' Night' is?"
Cecilia let out a small, sharp intake of breath at the question.
"Everyone, back to work."
At Cecilia’s command, the servants, who had been standing around awkwardly, scurried back to their posts.
Seeing the question mark still practically floating over my head, Cecilia approached and whispered in my ear.
"Couples' Night is, well... it’s when they... and then..."
As Cecilia finished her whisper and stepped back, I noticed the servants stealing glances at me, clearly dying to know my reaction.
"It’s not even that big of a deal. Why was everyone acting so embarrassed?"
I spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear, feigning indifference. The servants sheepishly turned away to focus on their tasks.
Only then did I toss back the rest of my tea, trying to shake off my own lingering embarrassment.
“The North gets so cold at night that parents and children often sleep in the same room. Occasionally, to give a husband and wife time alone, they’ll leave the children at another house for the day. That’s what they call ‘Couples' Night.’”
That was what Cecilia had just told me.
Apparently, in smaller villages, it was common for the entire village to observe "Couples' Night" by taking turns watching all the children in one house.
"That’s probably why they said it felt like Couples' Night. When the village children gather in one house, things tend to get quite rowdy."
As I listened, a sense of déjà vu washed over me.
I felt like I’d heard something like this somewhere before...
Ah! I slapped the table without thinking.
Back when I had first arrived at the Grand Duke’s Castle, I had overheard the maids gossiping while I was hiding on the stairs.
— "My sister left my nephew at our grandmother’s for a few days, and she ended up pregnant with her second right away."
I think there was also a story about a husband who injured his ankle because the kids burst into the room while the couple was... busy.
So, Northern couples find it hard to have private time because of the children?
An inn package that could serve as a substitute for Couples' Night... I think that might actually work.
I couldn't just stand by and watch the Merchant Association ruin the inn business.
Marie’s Inn was essentially my first project.
I started racking my brain.
What kind of couple promotions do hotels usually run?
Champagne service and room decorations came to mind, but they didn't feel quite right for the North.
I called over Reta, who was keeping an eye on the children.
"You mentioned there are some maids here who are mothers, right?"
While most maids in the capital were single, quite a few in the Grand Duke’s Castle were married and commuted to work.
"Could you bring a few of them here so I can talk to them?"
"Talk to them, Your Highness?"
Back before I was reincarnated, I used to conduct "group interviews" whenever I was developing a new product. It was a form of market research where you gathered actual consumers to gain insights.
When I briefly explained the concept of a group interview to Reta, her expression turned skeptical.
"What is it? Do you think it will be difficult?"
"May I speak frankly?"
"Of course."
"Most of the married maids are senior staff, and most of them still follow the Head Maid."
"Are you saying they’ll be uncooperative?"
"A maid wouldn't dare disobey Your Highness’s orders, but the Head Maid will likely try to sabotage things from behind the scenes."
Thanks to Reta, who was naturally quick-witted and well-informed, I had a good grasp of the internal politics of the castle lately.
Ever since I had publicly reprimanded Marzella, the maids who hadn't been in the Head Maid's good graces had begun aligning themselves with me. An invisible rift was forming between the "Head Maid Faction" and the "Grand Duchess Faction."
In particular, after I implemented several welfare benefits for the servants, the Head Maid’s faction had been shrinking rapidly.
But the senior maids who have served under her for a long time won't find it easy to give up the influence they've built.
Reta added that the territorial behavior of the senior maids was quite formidable.
Hearing that only made me want to pick their brains even more.
I let a deep smirk spread across my lips.
"As soon as we return to the castle, start a rumor."
Say that the Grand Duchess is looking to hire another personal maid.
*
Benet entered the Grand Duchess’s room, feeling tense.
She was accompanied by three other maids carefully selected by the Head Maid.
When she looked up after bowing, she saw the Grand Duchess sitting elegantly in her chair with her fingers interlaced.
She looked like a completely different person compared to the bedraggled woman who had entered the castle just a few months ago.
"You look familiar."
The Grand Duchess gave Benet a faint smile.
"M-my name is Benet, Your Highness."
Benet lowered her head slightly to hide her troubled expression.
She was one of the maids who had stepped forward to drag Reta away when Marzella had barged into the Grand Duchess’s room two months ago.
I can't believe she remembers my face.
She stole a glance to her left and right. The other maids standing beside her wore similar expressions.
Become the Grand Duchess’s personal maid at all costs.
That was the order Marzella had given them.
Lately, the Head Maid’s position in the castle had become precarious. The loyalty of the maids wasn't what it used to be.
It was already a problem that the Grand Duchess had chosen Reta—someone the Head Maid found difficult to control—as her personal maid while Marzella was trying to plant her own people.
Furthermore, a Grand Duchess should normally require at least four or five maids, yet she hadn't looked for anyone besides Reta...
While Marzella was fretting over this, she received a secret tip.
The Grand Duchess is looking for a new maid.
And a married one at that.
Marzella immediately gathered Benet and her other confidants to give them strict instructions.
— "One of you must become her personal maid. Do you understand? You must win her favor by any means necessary."
Yes, this is an opportunity.
If she could get into the Grand Duchess’s good graces and become her personal maid, she could keep a foot in both camps. She could decide which side to fully commit to later.
Regardless, I have to stand out more than these other three.
The maids, all harboring similar thoughts, took their seats after receiving the Grand Duchess’s permission.
"I heard you are all married. To be honest, I called you here because there are a few things I’d like to ask you," the Grand Duchess began softly.
"I might ask some sensitive questions about your husbands or families, but I need honest answers. If you’re uncomfortable, you are perfectly free to decline."
Benet, sensing an opening, was the first to speak up.
"Any question is fine, Your Highness. I have nothing to hide, so please ask whatever you wish."
To appear proactive, she sat on the very edge of her chair. The other maids followed suit, raising their voices to insist they would be completely honest.
"I appreciate your willingness. Then, let’s begin."
The Grand Duchess looked pleased as she picked up a piece of paper from the table.
"First question. Are you familiar with 'Couples' Night'?"
At those words, the maids sitting in the row all widened their eyes. Their looks suggested they were doubting their own ears.
"Second, if you are, have you ever left your children at another house for 'Couples' Night'?"
The Grand Duchess’s eyes curved into a smile as she looked at Benet.
"Well then, shall we start with you?"
*
After a long series of inexplicable questions, the Grand Duchess nodded as if she were satisfied.
"That will be all. Thank you for your time."
Is she going to pick a maid now?
The maids looked up expectantly, their nerves on edge.
"This was very helpful. I will be sure to repay you all later."
With a silent smile, the Grand Duchess dismissed them.
The maids had no choice but to leave the room, looking utterly bewildered.
Upon hearing that the Grand Duchess hadn't actually hired anyone, the Head Maid flew into a rage. Furthermore, no one could give a straight answer as to what the Grand Duchess was planning. They themselves couldn't understand why she had called them in the first place.
Then, less than a week later, Benet received an envelope from the Grand Duchess’s aide.
"Open it now."
Could it be? Was I chosen as the maid?
But when she opened the envelope as instructed, she found an unexpected invitation inside.
[ Marie’s Inn: 'Couples' Night Package' Launch
Spend a special Couples' Night at Marie’s Inn! ]
"W-what is this?"
"It’s the reward Her Highness mentioned previously."
Confused, Benet pulled out the accompanying brochure.
[ Marie’s Inn: 'Couples' Night Full Package' ]
- One-night stay in a romantic room for couples.
- Full-course dinner and breakfast featuring the famous 'Cecil’s Recipes'.
- Room service including a 'Today’s Menu' dessert set and premium wine.
- Separate group dormitory and play services provided for children.
- Door-to-door carriage pickup service.
"Be sure to thank Her Highness."
The aide gave a small, knowing smirk as she looked at the blinking Benet.
"I guarantee that soon, getting a reservation at that inn will be harder than plucking a star from the sky."