After-Story Chapter 1: Proposal (Part 1)

My name is Carla Vargas. I am the Chief Steward working at Parnam Castle.

I am in the position of overseeing the steward-maids who work here at Parnam Castle. Since the retirement of the former Chief Steward, Lady Serina, I took over this duty, and several years have passed while I perform my job and instruct my juniors. The period I’ve worked as a steward is now about to catch up to the time I belonged to the Air Force.

Incidentally, when I gave my greetings upon assuming the new Chief Steward position, several stewards looked up at the ceiling and pumped their fists. …Yeah. They must be part of the “Serina’s S-Victims’ Society.” That said, even after retirement, Lady Serina frequently appears under the pretext of having tea with Liscia and still enjoys watching me and the stewards squirm in shame after making us wear embarrassing outfits. She’s no longer young, unlike me, a half-dragon, so I wish she would settle down a bit.

As I was pondering such things and collecting the sheets that had been drying on the clothesline,

“Carla-sama!” “Carla-sama!“

I heard two energetic voices and the quick pitter-patter of two pairs of footsteps. Turning to look where the voices came from, two stewards with similar faces came running toward me.

“The East Tower staircase cleaning team is finished!” “The West Tower staircase cleaning team is finished!”

The two identical-looking stewards, who appeared to be in their early teens, snapped a sharp salute toward me. Not only their faces, but their voices, intonations, and even the salute gesture were exactly alike. It was hard to believe they weren’t twins. I smiled at the two of them and gently placed a hand on their heads.

“Thank you for your hard work, Marin, Marron.”

These two maids are Marin Panacotta and Marron Panacotta. They are the daughters of Agriculture and Forestry Minister Poncho, and are currently serving as stewards at the Royal Castle as part of their etiquette training. Marin is Lady Serina’s child, and Marron is Lady Komain’s child. Both are cute girls with similar round faces, but Marron has her mother’s brown skin, so distinguishing them is easy.

When we were informed that Lady Serina’s child would be coming to serve, the stewards throughout the Royal Castle naturally braced themselves for what kind of “S-Girl” would arrive. However, both Marin and Marron have genuinely obedient personalities and are adored by the stewards. They all figured this must be the result of the education provided by the other Mrs. Panacotta, Lady Komain, and her reputation (even among those who may have never met her) shot through the roof.

Recalling that moment, I spoke to the two in front of me.

“In that case, both of you, please tell the cleaning teams to move on to their next tasks.”

“Yes!” “Yes!“

At my words, the two saluted once more and scurried off. It’s unladylike for a steward, but they are still apprentices, and their quick, darting movements are a source of comfort for those working in the Royal Castle, so it is overlooked.

I folded the collected sheets and headed back into the Royal Castle.

(They dried quickly thanks to the sunny weather…)

As I walked down the long corridor, which was illuminated by the afternoon sun, pondering this, it happened.

“Carla.”

Suddenly called, I turned around, and my liege lord was standing there.

“Your Majesty? Is something the matter?”

He should still be handling state affairs at this hour. Why was he here? As I wondered this, His Majesty awkwardly scratched the back of his head, seeming to struggle with what to say. He couldn’t quite meet my gaze and kept looking away.

“Um… well… you see…”

“Is there something you require?” I asked.

His Majesty raised his face as if resolving himself. And then:

“Um… Carla!”

“Y-Yes.”

His Majesty then knelt on one knee in front of me. A king of a nation kneeling before a steward holding laundry. It was a sight that would cause a stir if anyone were around. I was momentarily taken aback, but just as I was about to ask him to stand, he took out a small box from his pocket, held it out to me, and opened it with a pop.

Inside was a ring. A man kneeling before a woman and offering a ring. Even I, who am clueless in that area, understood what this implied. His Majesty then opened his mouth, as if having made up his mind.

“Please… marry me!”

“…”

I was left speechless by the sheer suddenness of the event. Even so, His Majesty desperately continued.

“My fiancée, Sharan, even cheered me on, saying, ‘If it’s Carla-sama, I approve!’ Kazuha even (sort of) gave her permission, saying, ‘I know you’ve been head over heels for Carla-nee since we were kids, but if you love only her and make Sharan cry, I’ll beat you up!’ I promise on my name that I will absolutely… absolutely make you happy, Carla! So, please, be my queen!”

“C-Cian, Your Majesty”

In a most honorable turn of events, on this day, I was proposed to by my best friend’s son, His Majesty the King.