“I happened to be here waiting for Miss Xiliya to come of age and assume the role of City Lord. That way, I can report back to the royals.”
“Miss Xiliya is exceptional. The Empire is fortunate to have such talent.”
Selina concluded in a flat tone. Though she didn’t show much emotion, the look in her eyes as she gazed at Xiliya was clearly one of satisfaction.
Masha’s face darkened at this. No, this wasn’t how it was supposed to go. She was the one most suited to inherit the Camberlan Family. What gave Xiliya the right to such high praise?
Masha had considered that dragging her feet on letting Xiliya take office might draw attention from the higher-ups in the Empire. But if her plan had gone smoothly, Xiliya should have been notorious in the city by now, reviled like a street rat.
She hadn’t expected that placing Xiliya in the position of City Guard Captain would backfire so spectacularly.
As Masha had foreseen, Xiliya still remembered what happened after Selina’s visit in her previous life.
Back then, her reputation in the city was in tatters, and with Masha fanning the flames, Selina had formed a poor impression of her. Selina had said she needed a few more days of observation to decide what to do. During her stay at the mansion, Xiliya had tried desperately to perform well in front of Selina and salvage her reputation, but none of it had any effect.
Strangely enough, during that same period, Masha, as acting City Lord, had made quite a name for herself. Camberlan City, which had been peaceful before, suddenly faced a slew of people’s livelihood issues, and Masha had personally stepped in to resolve them one by one. This changed Selina’s mind about recommending someone else from the Empire to replace Xiliya.
And then there was that thing Masha did to her afterward… In the end, Xiliya had left Camberlan City in disgrace, spat upon by all, while Masha rose to become the official City Lord in a blaze of glory.
Xiliya glanced at Masha and felt a surge of pleasure at the sight of her darkened face.
Masha, however, forced a smile and warmly greeted Selina.
“Then please allow the Camberlan Family to host you during your stay…”
“No need to make such a fuss. Just give me a room to stay in.” Selina cut her off.
This was perfect. Xiliya realized she wouldn’t have to go to extremes to curry favor with Selina like she had in her previous life. Looking back, those desperate attempts to improve her image might have come off as repulsive instead.
…
Not long after, Ximo was cleaning Xiliya’s room when the System’s voice suddenly rang in her mind.
“New task incoming, Darling~”
【As the eldest daughter of the Camberlan Family, you should have been the unquestioned heir. But under Masha’s schemes, your image in the mind of the imperial envoy Selina plummeted.】
【So during Selina’s stay at the Camberlan Mansion, you tried to win her over and salvage your reputation.】
【Please complete the plot task: “Curry Favor with the Imperial Envoy Selina (Incomplete).” Friendly reminder: Failure will result in System punishment.】
A task?
Ximo paused in her work. This one from the damn System was refreshingly simple.
Just curry favor with Selina. Far easier than those previous ones that required her to pretend to be Xiliya.
She was already a maid anyway—bringing tea and water to Selina ought to count as currying favor, right?
Besides, ever since she learned the System’s rewards were no longer those useless buffs, Ximo had found herself more motivated to complete tasks.
No time like the present. Ximo checked the time—it was afternoon tea hour. She could use that as an excuse to bring some to Selina.
Ximo bustled about in the kitchen for a bit, preparing black tea and pastries. Under Annaer’s guidance lately, her tea-brewing skills had improved considerably. At least she qualified as a proper maid now.
By coincidence, Selina had just been shown to a guest room by another maid when Ximo ran into her and learned her location.
After setting down her simple luggage, Selina let out a long breath.
The Empire’s territory was vast, and the royals couldn’t reach everywhere—which was why they’d sent her all the way to remote Camberlan City to investigate.
And things were easier to resolve than she’d imagined. That young lady Xiliya seemed reliable. But this covert visit had uncovered another issue that particularly concerned her.
The Northern Border Beastmen Clan… She hadn’t realized their harassment of the border cities was so frequent. Yet the Empire couldn’t spare the resources to deal with them right now…
Selina was well aware of the Empire’s current situation. Breaking off relations with the Northern Border Beastmen at a time like this would be unwise. Her quick decision to let Xiliya assume the City Lord position was also due to the young lady’s reputation for iron-fisted methods in the City Guard.
A knock sounded at the door. Selina, lost in thought, said absently, “Come in.”
“Miss Selina, this is your afternoon tea.”
“Oh— just set it there. Thank you.”
Selina paid no attention to the minor matter and didn’t even notice that the maid who entered was Ximo, whom she’d glimpsed once on East Street.
Ximo set the tray on the table, but after waiting three seconds, no task completion notification came.
“Huh? Where’s the person? Why no reward settlement?”
“But Darling, the task isn’t complete yet.”
“Hah?”
“Darling, I told you before: the other party has to subjectively acknowledge it for the task to count. The envoy from the capital doesn’t think you’re currying favor with her, so it doesn’t count.”
Just like that time at the Black Currant Chamber. Ximo’s plea to have the captured beastman hit her had failed.
It made sense. If it were Xiliya serving tea right now, Selina would absolutely see it as the young lady currying favor. But Ximo was just a little maid—serving tea to a guest was only natural. Selina wouldn’t dream it was an attempt to flatter her.
This…
Ximo was at a loss. What should she do? She couldn’t just drop to her knees and hug Selina’s leg right now—that would definitely make the envoy think she was currying favor, but Ximo didn’t want to cause trouble for Xiliya.
“Anything else?—Oh, it’s you. What a coincidence.”
Selina finally noticed the maid who’d brought the tea was still standing there and recognized Ximo as someone she’d met once before.
“Uh, I…”
Ximo froze. Under Selina’s questioning gaze, a sudden idea flashed in her mind.
“I was thinking, Lady Selina looks quite tired. Might I offer you a massage to help you relax?”
