Chapter 151
Chapter 151
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 151
Chapter Title: Saint's Day Plans
-----------------------------------------------------------------
With one week to go until Her Highness the Second Princess's birthday and just under two weeks until Saint's Day...
"Young master."
"Hm?"
"Are you planning to spend this year's Saint's Day season without any plans, just like last year?"
It was Emily's question, delivered cautiously as she finished tidying the room and approached me while I was wrapping a scarf around my neck to get ready for work.
"Saint's Day?"
Saint's Day.
A day commemorating a great saint from the past, much like Christmas in my previous life.
I'd been putting it off for now, focusing on the much closer birthday of Her Highness the Second Princess, but Saint's Day wasn't some casual event I could brush off lightly.
The event itself was short and intense, lasting just one day, but the atmosphere it created stretched on for a long time, like Christmas.
And for good reason—it was the day honoring the founder of the religion believed by the vast majority of the continent's people, and the biggest festival for the faith adopted as the state religion by every nation on the continent.
Even those who couldn't visit church often due to work or personal circumstances made sure to go during this season, and even the less devout rode the wave of the church-led festivities.
That was why, during the lead-up to Saint's Day and the two to three weeks stretching into the new year, everyone's lives revolved around it.
Advent wreaths began appearing on doorways of homes.
Gigantic trees started popping up one by one in the plazas.
Children began humming carols.
And nobles suddenly started giving alms to the poor, and so on. No Santa or Rudolph, but aside from that, the vibe was strikingly similar.
"Of course I'll spend it without plans. You know my schedule better than anyone."
"I figured as much."
Of course, it was all pretty distant from me.
Going out was just too much hassle.
I could understand the crowds since it was year-end, but the problem was all the beggars exploiting Saint's Day.
Dealing with them pleading for just a coin from anyone who looked well-off wasn't easy for someone like me.
I could toss them some money coolly enough, but the moment I did, they'd swarm like bees, and then orphanages or churches would stick to me begging for donations.
That would suck up my energy, waste my time, and kill my motivation, so I just didn't want to go out.
"Why bring it up all of a sudden? Did something come up that I don't know about?"
"No, nothing like that, but I wondered if things might be different this year since you've got more people around you now."
"True, but there aren't many I'd actually want to hang out with."
Prince Herbert and Princess Fanny would have their own fun without me, and the other commoner employees would probably feel too awkward around me.
Princess Elizabeth was an option, but...
Inviting her out felt a bit much.
I would've asked without hesitation before her face became so well-known, but now it was everywhere.
A princess's outings required sacrifices from a lot of people.
Especially in crowded places like the plazas.
"So, yeah, I'll probably spend it like last year. Actually, without Hayes, it might be even quieter."
"I see."
On top of that, this year I didn't even have Mother or Hayes to drag me outside.
Father was busier than me with his connections and wrapping up Magic Tower business, and I didn't want to touch my brother with his wife driving him insane.
Ever since that letter saying, 'Signs of it are starting to show,' he'd been sending daily missives full of worry and affection—it bordered on madness and was downright scary.
"Emily, got any plans for the holidays?"
"None for me either. All the people I know are from the earl's household."
"Aigoo..."
Emily had no plans either, thanks to her own network issues, much like me.
Unlike me who created my own problems, though, this was largely my fault with her.
Other servants had two or three dedicated maids ensuring they had leisure time, but I only had Emily, who ended up working by my side about 360 days a year.
She did seem to have a few close friends among the estate maids, but unfortunately, we were in the Imperial Capital now...
I felt kind of bad.
About her spending her youth bored because of a gloomy guy like me.
"How about we stroll around the Imperial Capital this weekend then?"
"...Pardon?"
Emily stared at me blankly, clearly flustered by my half-impulsive invitation.
A guy who never went out suggesting it out of the blue? Yeah, unbelievable.
"You've got no plans, I've got none—perfect timing. Staying cooped up at home every year is boring, you need a break too, and it's a shame to waste your youth stuck indoors."
"I don't really need a break, and I'm not that bummed about it."
"Then maybe I need one."
"Couldn't you just go by yourself then?"
"Is that something my personal maid should say?"
"Ugh... The streets get so chaotic this time of year. You sure you're okay with the crowds and noise?"
"Not every day—just one day should be fine."
"Hmm... Wellll..."
"?"
I frowned at Emily's desperate attempts to avoid going out.
What was with her suddenly?
Usually she'd push me to go even if I resisted, but now she was acting the complete opposite.
"You against it or something?"
"Not against it..."
"Then you're good with it?"
"Wellll... Going is a bit tricky, but I'm not against it."
"What...?"
Was she for it? Against it? Could she go or not? Could but didn't want to? No clue.
"Stop beating around the bush and just say 'I'll go' or 'I won't.'"
"Uh... Um... That is..."
When I pressed her a bit irritably, Emily started stammering and rolling her eyes wildly.
"Haa..."
Her deliberation didn't last long.
With a half-resigned sigh and slumped shoulders, Emily nodded.
"I'll go. I can just tag along, right?"
She seemed to have some reservations, but ultimately accepted going out with me.
"Great. The day before Saint's Day work for you?"
"Yes..."
To make sure she wouldn't back out later, I nailed down the date and got her confirmation before grinning and slipping on my coat.
Time to look up some sights in the Imperial Capital for once.
"William, got any plans for the holidays?" After making plans with Emily and heading to the atelier, Princess Elizabeth—who'd arrived earlier than everyone else and was waiting—immediately hit me with the exact same question Emily had. "Whoa... What day is it today?" I couldn't help but marvel. Asking about holiday plans was common enough, but this eerie timing like they'd coordinated? Not so much. Of course, it was probably pure coincidence. What would they gain from syncing up on something this trivial? Princess Elizabeth was likely asking because she needed a partner for the Second Princess's birthday or New Year's events. "Is this about a partner? If so, I'm free anytime." "No, you're obviously by my side for those. I mean other days." "Nothing set, but the day before Saint's Day is off-limits." "The day before Saint's Day?" Princess Elizabeth's eyes sharpened. She strode right up, looked up at me, placed her hands on my shoulders, and started shaking me lightly. "Why? Why not that day? Who are you meeting? Who with?" "Emily! Promised to wander the Imperial Capital with Emily." Sensing she'd tear me apart if I hesitated even a second, I quickly threw Emily under the bus—she was standing right there. "Emily?" Muttering Emily's name in a low voice, Princess Elizabeth froze like a puppet with cut strings. Then she fixed us with a gaze full of grievance and betrayal. Emily, uncharacteristically flustered by the reaction, completely avoided the princess's eyes and pretended not to notice. "Traitor..." After a tense standoff lasting dozens of seconds, Princess Elizabeth muttered weakly, baffled that Emily wouldn't even glance her way. I barely caught it, but it sounded like "traitor." Something must've gone down between them. Yet Emily kept dodging the princess's gaze even after that. It was impressive how she could stand so calmly in the face of that prickly, irritated aura. "It's a prior commitment, so unless something major comes up, I'll be out with Emily the day before Saint's Day, yeah?" "Yeah." "Then take me too that day." "What?" I frowned and scratched the back of my head at the brazen, absurd demand. Wouldn't most people pick another day? The day before Saint's Day was great for fun, sure, but not so perfect someone had to wedge themselves in... "You serious?" "Yeah. I'll behave, so let me tag along." "We're wandering the Imperial Capital. That okay?" "Totally fine." "How do you plan to hide your princess status?" "Plenty of ways. Don't worry." "Ah, okay..." A massive, unyielding determination to join no matter what radiated from her. Refusing would've made my life hell from here on out. "Imperial Palace Square the day before Saint's Day then?" "Yeah, thanks for humoring me." "No biggie... I can make it up to Emily other times anyway." In the end, I had no choice but to let Princess Elizabeth crash our plans, sorry as I felt for Emily. I worried if the princess could really go out properly, but she seemed confident. She wouldn't let problems happen, probably...