2 — Surprising Mr. Fisalis

With my transformation delayed, I headed to the dining room dressed in some of my regular clothes. Stellaria said we would be saving Mr. Fisalis’ surprise for later.

This was to be my first breakfast with Mr. Fisalis in a long time. In typical me fashion, I was nearly moved to tears at the thought of a Not Alone Breakfast!

Breakfast with him used to be pure torture, so I guess it’s progress that I’m actually looking forward to it now! This is what progress looks like, right?

Anyway.

When I walked into the dining room, actually a little excited for once, I saw that Mr. Fisalis was already there reading through some paperwork. He was stylishly dressed in his sleek white uniform slacks and gray shirt, leaning casually back in his chair with his legs crossed. It had been so long since I’d seen him sitting like that.

When he saw me enter the room, he tossed the papers he was holding onto the table and said, “Good morning, Viola,” with a positively invigorating smile.

Ahh, what a sight to see first thing in the morning. It’s been so long since I’ve laid eyes on his radiance that it’s entirely too much to handle this early. I’m, like, actually blinded.

My chest felt tight at the thought of finally eating with company, even as I weakly blinked under the brilliant strength of my husband’s radiance.

I don’t have to eat by myself anymore, yay! Just that has got me even more excited.

“Good morning,” I replied to him. “Did you sleep well last night?” I asked, taking my seat, which Rohtas had kindly pulled out for me.

He had to have gotten up earlier than usual if he was already dressed and waiting for me. Before, he used to sleep in whenever he got back from long business trips.

Mr. Fisalis smiled again at my question.

“I sure did—finally back in my own bed. All my weariness just melted away. What comforts me the most, though, no matter where I go, is knowing that you’re looking after the manor while I’m away. Thank you for that.”

“Huh? ...N-No, it’s no problem at all!” I was so caught off guard by what he said, and with such a clear, fresh smile, too, that I did a double take.

Did... did he just say “thank you?” No. Way. He actually thanked me! ...I’m flabbergasted.

It was really one shock after another that morning.

He’s never done that before, right!?

I was frozen on the spot, never having in a million years foreseen Mr. Fisalis uttering a word of thanks. My eyes must have looked like they were about to fall out of their sockets.

Mr. Fisalis stared curiously at my odd behavior.

“Viola? Aren’t you going to sit down and eat? You’ve still got quite a bit of getting ready to do after breakfast, don’t you? You’ll faint if you don’t eat enough. You eat like a bird as it is.”

Oh, he’s right. In my shock, I stood up halfway out of my chair. ...Whoopsie. I know you only said that because you’re worried about me, but I’m only like this because I’m worried about you! But nothing could make me say that out loud, of course.

Either way, Mr. Fisalis sure has been acting strangely since he came home. He dutifully went to the work function at the royal court, and then listened to what I told him to do without arguing... I mean, those are all normal adult things, but they’re not normal at all for him!

But maybe it’s not so strange after all. It’s good that he’s doing it, but it’s certainly different from how he usually is... so maybe I’m the one being weird now.

“Ah, er, I guess I do.” After a round of rapid blinking, I was finally able to move again.

I still have to get my makeup done right after this, so this is no time to be absentminded! And I’ll just act like I didn’t catch his comment about my eating habits. I’m not actually a light eater, by the way, I just avoid lavish meals. Wish I could scream that back at him, but alas.

At last, Mr. Fisalis called for breakfast to begin and our food was brought in.

Rohtas informed us of the day’s schedule as we scarfed down Cartham’s special deluxe breakfast; it tasted like it was made with even more passion than he’d ever put into it before.

“Today’s repatriation ceremony will be held in a banquet hall at the Royal Palace. There will be a banquet for the recognition of services afterward.”

Seems like he’s doing this to save time. Farewell to the carefree, leisurely days I used to enjoy. What’s more, the royal function later today is still looming in the distance. I’m even more reluctant to go to this than those soirees.

“Got it.”

“Mmhmm,” Mr. Fisalis and I each confirmed as we chewed.

Rohtas continued on once he saw that we understood.

“Master will be seated at a table with the rest of the chivalric order, at a different table than Madam. Madam, please sit with the former Duke and Duchess Fisalis at the tables reserved for nobles.”

“Yes, please sit with Mother and Father during the ceremony, since I won’t be able to,” Mr. Fisalis added.

“Okay, I’ll be sure to sit there. Mother Fisalis will be there, and she’s very reassuring.”

Only Father Fisalis attended the previous ceremony, but I’m looking forward to Mother Fisalis going, too, this time! She’s a great source of information—everything from wifely intuition to socializing advice.

I felt a bit better knowing she’d be there.

“The banquet afterward will also serve as a luncheon meeting. It will be similar to the rally the other month. However, attendance at the banquet is rather more limited, so it is unlikely that what happened last time will happen there,” Rohtas said matter-of-factly as he looked at me, then at Mr. Fisalis, who had gone back to perusing his documents.

He must mean the unwanted flirting. I don’t know how Rohtas found out about that, but regardless of how, it looks like he knows exactly what happened now. He has an incredible information network. It might even be broader than Mr. Fisalis’.

“Yeah. I’ll show those bastards the door myself,” Mr. Fisalis said with frightening indifference.

Hold up—you were on the frontlines when I went to the rally. You’re not supposed to know about the flirting scandal. I hope the dark look in his eyes and ominous laughter is only my imagination!

“Naturally, my lord. Pests must be exterminated,” Rohtas nodded with a grin.

Eeep, the creepy smiling has spread to Rohtas!

“Of course!” replied Mr. Fisalis.

A bad feeling came over me and I suddenly turned around to see Dahlia and Stellaria wearing the same dark smiles.

W-What’s gotten into everyone? What’s going on!? I mean, yes, being surrounded by a group of strange men wasn’t fun, but still!

“I—Is there maybe a more peaceful solution...?” I asked, finally mustering the courage to speak up.

When breakfast was done, I headed back to my room to get ready.

“Wow! I never would have thought of those!” praised Mimosa when she saw Stellaria’s choice of gown and matching accessories for me.

“Mmhmm, it’s important to leave your comfort zone sometimes,” I explained as Stellaria dressed me like a china doll.

Mimosa had come to observe Stellaria’s skills, and she seemed quite impressed. Studious Mimosa and teacher-like Stellaria made for a particularly heartwarming image together.

“So you two know each other?” I asked Mimosa, looking over to where she was sitting on the sofa as Stellaria dressed me in my gown.

“Yes! Stellaria was one year above me in vocational school. There wasn’t a single person there who didn’t know who she was—not just because she was the daughter of the legendary Dahlia, but also because Stellaria herself was perfect in every way,” she told me, as she absentmindedly recalled her school days. Mimosa’s opinion of Stellaria had clearly developed into one of deep admiration.

Looking away from Mimosa, Stellaria said, “Mimosa was famous at school for being an outstanding junior. And now that we’re on the topic, you used to say back then that you wanted to work at the Fisalis manor, didn’t you?” She smiled gently as she laced my corset up tightly.

No one would suspect someone with such a calming laugh would have such strong arm and grip strength!

The cute golden ribbon on the corset was surprisingly robust, and in mere seconds my flat chest was pushed up and together. I couldn’t have been happier with the results.

The other flat-chested girls are bound to be lonely now that I’ve got some volume for today! Urgh, but I feel like my guts are being squeezed out...!

The dress itself was navy blue with gold accents, and it was styled with an overdress made from lace of the same hue that elegantly and lightly fanned out around me. The fluffy white petticoat peeking out from under the whole ensemble gave it all a touch of romanticism.

Naturally, my outfit perfectly matched Mr. Fisalis’ uniform. While it didn’t exactly live up to my motto of “simple is best,” it also didn’t stray far from my preferred neat and tidy look. Since Mimosa’s selections were, if anything, extremely reserved, this outfit certainly felt different.

“Just what I would expect of you, Miss Stellaria! This has been quite the learning experience for me,” Mimosa said, gazing at Stellaria so intently that it was a wonder she hadn’t been taking notes.

“Mimosa, please don’t call me Miss in Madam’s presence,” Stellaria gently warned her.

She really knows her stuff, but I can’t tell if it’s because Dahlia is her mother or because she used to be a lady-in-waiting to the queen. Mimosa’s never made a mistake like that before under normal circumstances, but now that her idol is here and showing her own skills, she must be a little scatterbrained. I for one have probably committed every social faux pas in the book, so I should stick up for her.

“Oh, I don’t mind if she does that when I’m around. Mimosa’s just nervous being around someone she looks up to.”

“You read me like a book, Madam; that’s exactly how I feel. I apologize for the blunder.”

“In that case, you don’t need to worry about it either, Stellaria. We don’t have the time to be perfectly proper—we’ve got to hurry.”

“That’s right. Pick up the pace, Stellaria,” Dahlia agreed, breaking her silence as she polished my jewelry.

“My apologies. As you wish, Madam.” And like that, Stellaria was back in maid mode.

And with that, she briskly finished getting me ready for the ceremony.

I’d finished preparing myself—now perfectly coordinated with Mr. Fisalis and quite pleased about it—and had just left my room to go to the entryway, when I unexpectedly ran into the man in question. Dressed in his uniform jacket, the two of us were a matched set.

“You’ve done it again...! You look so different than usual—and so lovely!” Mr. Fisalis gazed at me in wonder, even though I was only dolled up a bit more than normal.

“I look a little different than how I usually do, since Stellaria here helped me get ready instead of Mimosa,” I said, motioning to Stellaria, who was standing behind me.

“Stellaria? Is that a new maid?”

Seeing that he replied with a question, I can assume Rohtas never filled him in. Rohtas has sole control over hiring new servants, partly because Mr. Fisalis has always shirked his duties as duke. So, that’s partially to blame, but Mr. Fisalis couldn’t have known about her at all, since Stellaria was hired under special circumstances by Rohtas and Dahlia while he was at the front. That explains why he doesn’t know about her. This is the guy who didn’t know Cartham and Dahlia were married, either, so it’s understandable that he wouldn’t know they have a daughter.

But on the other hand, maybe Dahlia kept Stellaria completely out of sight and so, despite living in the same house, he never once met her. Another sign of her professionalism.

“Yes. She’s Cartham and Dahlia’s daughter! She was a lady-in-waiting for the queen at the Royal Palace, but she’ll be helping me for a little while since Mimosa is pregnant,” I took the opportunity to explain, since Rohtas had not.

Mr. Fisalis stared at both Dahlia and Stellaria behind me with a look of confusion so obvious, I could very nearly see question marks swirling around his head.

“Dahlia and Cartham’s daughter? A lady-in-waiting? Mimosa’s pregnant?” The questions just spilled out of him, true to character. His usually-smiling mouth gaped in confusion.

“That’s right, Mimosa is pregnant. We all found out while you were deployed. She can’t overexert herself, so we brought Stellaria in. Because I wouldn’t be able to leave the house without Mimosa, of course! Not that I’d mind not leaving the house! But we still needed someone, just in case, you know?”

“...”

“I told Mimosa that she could stay at the manor, but is that alright with you? She can’t rest at her parents’ house because they’re so busy.”

“...”

“Plus, if she stays here, Bellis is here too, and she wouldn’t have to worry about anything happening with the other maids around to help.”

“...”

“Are you listening, Mr. Fisalis?”

Even though I had just given him a thorough explanation, he only replied with a mumble while staring off into space. I strained my ears to hear him, wondering why he looked so serious.

“Mimosa is pregnant... with Bellis’ child... Damn it! They’ve beaten us to the punch...!”

That’s what you’re thinking about right now!?

...Forget “beating us to the punch”! It was never a competition to start with!