In response to the unexpected question, she squeaked, “Eh, ah… yes?”
before that she hastily bowing her head. “M-my apologies.”
“A letter was delivered today from Count Kallenberg, marked urgent.”
Heidmarie explained. “He apparently wants you to attend the next Royal Ball. He was extremely persistent when impressing this upon Lady Frisch.”
At the end of her explanation, Heidmarie cast a glance at the Lady Frisch, who was standing behind her. Lady Frisch merely pursed her lips and gave a small nod.
(My brother is only quick to act when it’s something like this…)
Ilse recalled her brother mentioning something about the next ball. So, the ball was his chosen venue for finding a match, was it?
In the popular romance novels of the day, romance usually started at a ball, Ilse mused.
It was very cliché, but she decided it was better than being unreasonably ordered to seduce the Prime Minister during work.
“I hope I’m mistaken.”
Heidmarie continued, with her eyes narrowed. “But you aren’t planning to look for a husband behind my back, are you?”
“N-never! Absolutely not! Impossible!”
Ilse shook her head vigorously from side to side at Heidmarie, whose gaze had sharpened like a knife.
“Um, I actually requested it.” Ilse quickly explained, using the excuse she had just concocted.
“Since it’s a valuable opportunity, I wanted to experience a ball in my home country at least once. I also thought it might be useful to be able to answer questions about the balls in Deigeln when I accompany you abroad.”
As she spoke the excuse, she saw a look of relief spread across Heidmarie’s face.
“Oh, thank goodness. I became so worried at the thought that you might also be intending to find a husband at the ball that I couldn’t rest. I apologize. I’m not doubting your loyalty, but…”
“It’s quite alright. My feelings haven’t changed.”
Ilse leaned forward slightly and nodded emphatically.
“My father has given permission for me to take two maids when I leave, but the Duchy of Rheitis is far away.”
Heidmarie sighed, her eyelashes fluttering in response to her troubled heart. She currently seventeen years, she was engaged to marry the Second Prince of the Duchy of Rheitis, which was located southwest of Deigeln.
“Even with the train service open, it takes three days to getone way.”
“That’s right. Since the line is only open between the capital and a few cities, the journey takes a surprising amount of time.”
If asked for the biggest reform to the industrial structure brought about by the invention of the steam engine, Ilse would point to the opening of the rail line.
The benefit of gaining a means to transport a dramatically larger volume of goods and people in a short amount of time, compared to carriages, was immeasurable. The railway opened about ten years ago after a period of testing and track construction.
That was in another country, however the line in Deigeln opened four years ago.
“I’d like to ride a train at least once before I marry, but I wonder if I’ll get permission. If my very first ride is when I leave the country, there’s a chance I won’t be able to keep a straight face, you see. If that happens, the newspapers might print a headline like, ‘Princess Heidmarie Overjoyed on Her First Train Ride!’ That would be terrible if it ended up in the illustrated papers. They would definitely draw an exaggerated picture of my surprised face.”
At the sensitive age of seventeen, The Princess considered her portrayal in the public newspapers a matter of paramount importance.
“But that’s not what I’m talking about.” Heidmarie said, pulling the conversation back. “I can’t decide which maid to take with me simply on a whim. Everyone has their own circumstances. I’d prefer them to come with me willingly, with a clear conscience…”
Heidmarie, anxious about marrying off to an unfamiliar land all alone, she had begged her father, the King, to allow her to bring trusted maid.
It had long been common for a royal princess to take her most trusted maid or favorite artists to her new home. Terms varied, sometimes they were permitted to return to their home country after a set period, and other times they lived in the married country with their husband for the rest of their lives. These details were generally reflected in the agreements between the two nations and the wishes of the husband.
In Heidmarie’s case, the current King heeded his daughter’s plea, negotiated with the Duchy of Rheitis, and secured permission for two maid to accompany her.
“As I have conveyed to you before, my will has not changed. I definitely wish to accompany you to the Duchy of Rheitis. I want to escape this life of being exploited by my brother.”
“Yes… you’re right. You told me that before, Ilse.”
As Ilse stated her resolve, Heidmarie’s expression changed, as she likely recalled Ilse’s difficult situation. A complex emotion briefly crossed her well-formed lips.
Remembering that Ilse was a second wife’s daughter, she might have been contemplating her own complex feelings toward her stepmother, who currently held the position of Queen.
The family relationships in the current Deigeln Royal Family were indeed quite complicated.
“In any case, there’s no issue as long as you agree to serve as my maid in the Duchy of Rheitis for two years following the marriage, according to the agreement. I don’t know what will happen after that, but if you dedicate yourself to your work, I promise to put in a good word for you in accordance with your efforts.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Ilse bowed her head.
As Heidmarie mentioned, the employment contract for the two maid brought from Deigeln was stipulated for a term of two years in Rheitis.
This was partly due to Rheitis’s expectation that Heidmarie would form trusting relationships with local ladies in the meantime, and partly out of consideration that maid also have lives and need a defined contract period.
There was also the possibility that Rheitis feared a disadvantage if the employment was indefinite.
Relieved by Ilse’s firm decision, Heidmarie seemed satisfied.
“You may go now,” she said, giving Ilse permission to withdraw, and Ilse returned to her regular duties.
Ilse caught a look from Beate, who understood the situation, a look that said, “Good work” and Ilse merely shrugged.
When Ilse received this offer from Heidmarie, she had jumped at it without hesitation. The reason was exactly as she had stated, she wanted to cut ties with her half-brother, Count Kallenberg, as soon as possible.
That man despised and loathed her mother’s commoner origins, which had no connection to the nobility, and refused to acknowledge Ilse, her daughter.
Yet, he would constantly tell her, in a condescending way, “You are a blood relative of the Kallenberg Count family.” to prevent Ilse from gaining independence.
He saw Ilse as a convenient pawn and was determined to exploit her completely. The fact that he took a large portion of her palace salary, claiming, “I was the one who recommended you to the palace.” as a referral fee, was simply to prevent Ilse from escaping his control.
This latest incident confirmed it: her half-brother intended to utilize Ilse to the bitter end. She wanted no part of that life.
While Ilse was indeed born to the former Count Kallenberg, she owed her half-brother no gratitude whatsoever. The only thing he had done was recommend her as Heidmarie’s maid. Even that was barely enough to offset the poor treatment she had endured. No, it wasn’t enough at all.
However, the difficult fact was that her half-brother was a Count who held the title, and managed the country of Deigeln, where Ilse lived, who was still dominated by a rigid class system.
The nobility still enjoyed privileges in various situations and controlled politics alongside with the Royal Family. Common citizens bowed their heads to visible power.
If Ilse tried to run away from her half-brother, he could easily bring her back just by invoking the Kallenberg Count family name. She also knew that Count Kallenberg constantly boasted, “I am taking care of the daughter my father left behind with his second wife.”
People tend to attach a certain value to the words of those in power.
Consequently, Ilse would often be told by strangers, “You must be so fortunate to have the Count as your guardian.”
In those moments, Ilse would have to desperately suppress her inner irritation and just endure it.
(Fortunate, your foot! They have no idea about the true of wicked nature my brother)
Ilse remembered this and cried out loud in her mind.