Yasashī Shinjitsu to Seiryaku Kekkon Vol II Chapter 26

Nyotalia Characters as maids Pintrest.com

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here was a collective gasp around the room. 

The ladies were in a fl.u.s.tered uproar.

‘I want her to be the epitome of a woman the world admires,who is at the leading edge. Mattie, the Empress, the woman at the highest peak.Right now, she mostly wears her clothes from Ice-Coretta. Although they arewell made, they are not the height of Imperial Barenshiaga fashion. Neitherdoes she use much make-up, do you?’ (Zuben: Leann don’t talk too much, shemight revert again!)

‘No…’ she gave a wry smile at the accurate a.s.sessment.(Zuben: He does see you everyday)

‘Right now, we do not have a social salon where the n.o.bleladies can meet artists and poets and other people of distinction. In a settinglike this, what the ladies wear would be one of the topics of conversation, sothe Princess can’t be seen as frugal.’

‘That’s right the other n.o.bles would look down upon asimplistic and frugal Princess,’ Julia said. (Zuben: I really don’t understandwhy this woman does not have a name, despite being in the story quite a bit.)‘However, it can be known that the Crown Prince adores his practical and simplePrincess.’

‘That being said, I would like to have a discussion with youall on how we want to portray Mattie, the future Empress. There is no limit towhat can be spent on outfitting her with the best and stylish clothing,underthings, jewellery and anything else she would need. This would be acollaborative effort.’ Leandroth said to the astonished women in the room.

‘For today, we will begin with introductions and listen toyour preliminary opinions on the matter. Can someone take minutes of themeeting as well so they can be reviewed and those who are off won’t missanything?’

Leandroth took a sip of the honey drink to wet his throatthen turned to Matilda,

‘Well, would you choose who starts first as the chairpersonof this salon, Matilda?’

Matilda blinked. Their expectant gaze was on her.

‘Well…I’ll ask Paola to start.’

Paola was the youngest, ‘A few days ago you hurt your foot,are you better now’ Matilda asked the younger girl.

Paola looked panic-stricken, she blushed from her hairlineto her neck, but she nodded,

‘I am Paola. I am the second daughter of a minor baron,Baron Sevilla of the Alfertel Province,’

‘Sprains are p.r.o.ne to recurring, so make sure you see thedoctor if it happens again. Alfertel is near the sea with a military port?’

‘Yes, my father works for the Port Authority.’

‘May I ask a question?’ Leandroth said interrupting them,

‘Yes, your Majesty.’

‘Why did you chose Paola to go first?’ Leandroth asked.(Zuben: What does itmatter?)

‘I asked Paola to go first because, it can be very nervewracking waiting for  your turn andthinking of what you would say, now she can calm down and listen well toeveryone else.’

She tilted her head as she answered, Leandroth stroked herhead and smiled. (Zuben: ¬.¬)

‘Next.’

‘Ioan.’ Matilda replied

The maid rose, ‘h.e.l.lo all I am Ioan, I am nineteen, myfamily are in trade. We deal in heavy woven textiles; our shop is in thewestern side of Obiolus the capital. The fabrics are woven in other provincesof Barenshiaga, they can be used for carpets or wall hangings.’ She bowed.1

‘I’m curious about how they are made, but I did not want tobother Ioan. Are there wall tapestries in the palace?’ Matilda asked Julia

‘Yes, there are.’

‘I would love to see them if I may.’

‘Of course,’ the older lady replied, bowing.

‘Nuria, you’re next. You’re from Acedo right, hope your homewasn’t affected in the war there?’

‘h.e.l.lo all, I am Nuria. I am nineteen, I am from Acedo State.My father was honoured with a medal of the Salznas Inst.i.tute of Dignity forsaving the Emperor in the war. I am his eldest daughter.’

‘Is your father well?’

‘Yes, he’s happily waving his spear around.’

The introductions continued in this way (Zuben: I don’t knowwhy, they should all have known this before) until it came to Matilda,

‘h.e.l.lo all, I am Matilda Martina IceCoretta (Zuben: @[email protected]). Iam twenty six. I know I am the future empress but please call me by name, treatme as a friend who you can come to in times of trouble.’

When she was finished she bowed to Leandroth,

‘I am Leandroth Levan Barenshiaga. I am twenty seven. Niceto properly get to know you all,’

Did he have to introduce himself as well? Matilda wondered

‘Isn’t that obvious?’ she asked.

‘My lady is very serious so everyone’s a.s.sistance isnecessary. Don’t let her hide or cry, if she does you can call me, don’t worryme being busy. She would be good for Barenshiaga, don’t you think?’

‘Your Majesty, when you first decided on your Lady we were surprised,’Julia said, ‘But now that we’ve gotten to know her, we feel that your choice isright.’

At the kind compliments of the Chief of Staff, Matildablushed.

‘Now, with your majesty"s permission, we need to discuss a fewimportant things.’

‘Continue…’

‘We would need to appoint a secretary for the Salon, whowill perform the preparations needed for the meeting, take the minutes and makesure plans are organised and carried out. I would like to nominate Agata forthis role. As for the clerk, she and you can choose.’

Agata sat up straighter and bowed, ‘I am humbled,’ she saidto Julia.

‘Next thing, as for calling you by name; although I approve,others may not understand why we, the servants, are calling the imperialprincess by her name. To them it would be the height of rudeness.’ 

Agata raised her hand, she was given nod to speak, ‘Howabout giving Matilda-sama a flower name,’

‘A flower name?’

‘In a western country. Valseon, it is said that the Valseon haremname their women after flowers. It is a bit too much but we can adopt that as anickname for the Empress, no one would complain then.’

‘Like every one calls Christina, Chris, and Celestina,Ceres, because their names are similar,’ (Zuben: ¬.¬ seriously author, is thiswoman really smart or do you think your readers are stupid? Matilda just likeyou call Leann and he calls you Mattie, nincomp.o.o.p)

‘Yes,’

‘Then the name would be decided by the Emperor and thenwe’ll adopt it. Then we’ll consult with Matilda-sama about the officers for theSalon by the next meeting.’

The rest of the room nodded.

‘Next is to decide the first n.o.bles to visit the ImperialPrincess, I would like to organise a series of tea parties with the n.o.bleladies and daughters before the wedding.’

‘Who have you decided?’ Leandroth asked.

‘Sofia, Baroness Varano. What do you think?’

‘Who is she?’ Matilda asked.

‘She is a very enthusiastic patron of the church and theadjoining orphanage. She helps keep the children of the orphanage from unscrupulouspeople who want to exploit the children,’

(Zuben: What is with j.a.panese writers and their romanticview of the church and their orphanages? Every ‘western  historical’ seems to have to have them.)

‘She also helps with educating the children in trades.’

‘Oh…how amazing.’ Matilda said in surprise. It seems thatthere were many amazing people in the world. (Zuben: I ask again what didMatilda do in Ice-Coretta and what kind of people were there?)

‘Julia-sama, that would give society the impression thatMatilda-sama is interested in service and welfare.’ Cardina said

‘Post war redevelopment, education of the children who arethe custodians of the future. Considering Matilda-sama’s achievement at home,this would be the best side to portray.’

‘I think it’s too hard and too serious and people would beintimidated.’ Another of the Ladies in Waiting said.

‘Why do you think so?’

‘A too serious queen would be dismissed by those in societynot interested in politics. The younger members of society would think herconservative,’ Benaza replied.

‘I think that she should also have a playful side to her.’Nuria spoke up energetically.

The rest of the room seemed to agree with her.

It seemed like it was a compliment.

With laughter in his eyes, Leandroth turned to her andwhispered in her ear,

‘How nice, everyone likes you. I am relieved; I can relaxand get back to work. Please come to my office when you are finished.’

He gave a her a lingering kiss on her cheek, and turned tothe rest of the room,

‘Everyone, I must return to work. Please continue and let meknow the results of your discussion.’

‘His Majesty really adores you, Matilda-sama,’ Paola saidafter Leandroth left the room.

‘Those stuffed toys; the rabbit, bear, cat and dog are giftsfrom his Majesty, aren’t they?’

Matilda shyly replied, ‘Yes.’

They were birthday presents from Leandroth. (Zuben: What?When? Where?)

They had cute clothes in matching colours, on. They wereclothes Matilda made. She really liked cute things, even though she felt theydid not suit her.

She liked sewing and embroidering, flowers and appliqués,lace and ribbons. She liked to knit with different types of yarn. She nevertold people about her pa.s.sion for sewing and knitting.

‘Love is being nurtured with plush toys, how cute.’ Gemmamurmured.

No, that isn’t the case, Matilda wanted to say, but she keptsilent. Then Christina said, ‘Matilda-sama likes cute and pretty things, don’tyou?’ (Zuben: Who doesn’t?)

‘What?’ Matilda squeaked.

‘I’ve seen you admiring various lace and smiling as youstudy embroidery,’ (Zuben: So she likes embroidery…?), ‘Smiling happily whilechanging the clothes on the stuffed dolls.’

Zuben: I had to take out the list of the maids and ladies inwaiting for this chapter. No one’s name made any sense. At this point I am gladI took the time to write out the maids and ladies in waiting. 

That list ishelped. I have left it below for you all to consult if you can sit through hisboring yet mildly interesting chapter.

Also, it seems I was wrong Matilda likes knitting andsewing. I have changed Chapter 2 to reflect that.

Her maids; the blonde haired – blue eyed Agatha who was theeldest, Berta with red hair and black eyes, Clara who had light brown hair andeyes, Elba who had black and eyes, Gemma with dark grey hair, silver haired andpurple eyed Lara, silver blonde Ioan, Nuria with wavy auburn hair, Chia who hadchestnut brown hair, honey blonde Emma, flaxen-haired Gala and the youngestPaola with orange hair like a lion’s mane.

As for her ladies in waiting: Augustina wife of Earl Burgos,Countess Bertrand with orangey blonde hair; Benaza, Lady Camino, with richbrown hair; Calderina with hair red as fire, the daughter of the Earl ofCrotette; Celestia with silver hair like morning dew, the daughter of the Earlof Randall; Miranda with sky blue eyes and blonde hair, the Dame Saiseido; paleblonde Christina, the daughter of the Lord Vischetique; Regina who had straightblack hair, daughter of the Earl of Urbano; Rosa Maria with hair like cream.Christina and Regina were heirs to their t.i.tles. 

I wanted to put up two chapters but I"m stuck on two lines and I can"t seem to reword them. I"m going to switch to "Please be more serious" for now. The next chapter isn"t anymore interesting than this one. No hanky panky, yo.

Thanks for reading. Be well all :)

⚔ Chapter 27