Saito grabbed Louise's shoulders and turned her to face him.
“What?!”
“Guess what, Ojou-sama? Everyone's working. They're trying their best at this job you call stupid and eating this meal. Only you nobles play around and have people feed you.”
Saito said in a serious voice. Louise, fearing the cold anger in his eyes, looked downwards without thinking.
“I can't say too many cocky things because I was raised similar to you, but after coming here, I've suffered in many ways and understand. That it is pretty troublesome just to live.”
Somehow not being able to say anything back, Louise remained silent. Saito continued his words.
“I don't understand too well, but perhaps people that concern themselves about their stupid pride so much can't do big jobs? I think so anyways. Well, if you tell me to quit, I'll quit. I don't really care either way. Because it's not my job after all.” Louise closed her mouth quietly.
“You don't want it anymore?”
Saito asked, sticking out the spoon. Louise jumped out of bed, took the spoon from Saito, and started devouring the stew.
Saito spread out his hands, turned his head, and took out something. It was a small ceramics case.
“....What is that?”
“Cream that works on water-chapped skin. Jessica gave it to me.”
Then Saito told Louise to extend her hand. Louise did so obediently.
Louise looked guiltily at Saito's face while he smeared the cream, but... soon muttered in a small voice.
“Hey...”
“What?”
“I'll serve. I'll wash the dishes. Is this fine?”
“Yeah, that's fine.” Saito said in a relieved voice.
“But, are you okay?”
“What is?”
“Is this okay?”
Louise blushed and said in a displeased voice.
“Serving is fine. I'll even say a word of courtesy. But...”
“But what?”
“I-is it fine if customers touch your master all over?”
Saito firmly fell silent.
“Hey. What about it? Don't say such selfish things and properly answer if it is okay or bad.”
Saito began to eat the stew quietly.
“I said hey. Which one is it? Say it.”
Louise asked while pulling on Saito's ear. Looking heavily at the stew, Saito murmured
“...I-if you allowed that kind of touching, I'd slap 'em.”
“Who would you slap?”
“...You.”
Louise looked sharply into Saito's eyes.
“Why? The master is going to be slapped by the familiar, so explain the reason.”
Silence fell.
Looking to the side, Saito said dully
“I-I'll forgive holding hands though.”
“What's with that?”
Louise sent Saito flying.
“What's with 'I'll forgive hands'?! I'm asking you for the reason for slapping me! Idiot!”
“Be-because......”
“Besides, what do you mean by 'forgive'? Acting so proudly. Whether I hold hands or do whatever isn't decided by you. It's me, me! Hmph!”
Louise combed up her pink-blond hair and put on a composed expression. She grouped her arms together.
“Fine. Was it that 'Charming Faeries' Bustier'? I'll wear that and charm all of the customers. Yeah, for the sake of tips. I'll forgive. Not just my hand...”
Saito jumped up and shouted at Louise.
“Don't joke around!”
Louise turned her head around and crawled back into the bed. Right then, Saito managed to get himself back under control and shook his head.
“Well, the 'Charming Faeries' Bustier' is impossible. It's the victory prize. Right now, you're probably the last place on tips.”
Louise did not reply.
Becoming worried, Saito asked.
“...Would you really forgive them? Putting the tip race victory aside, are you that determined? Isn't that a bit extreme? Come on.”
Louise did not answer back.
“Hey, are you really going to?”
In an almost crying voice, Saito persistently asked Louise. But, “Shut up! I'm going to sleep!” Louise shouted... and Saito down-heartedly crawled into bed.
Chapter 4
The final day of the tip race had come. On the evening of that day, Scarron announced the progress so far.
“Now I will now announce the current top three! First is third place! Marlene-chan! Eighty-four écus, fifty-two sous, and six deniers!”
Applause resounded. The blond girl called Marlene gave an elegant bow.
“Second place! Jeanne-chan! Ninety-eight écus, sixty-five sous, and three deniers!”
Applause once again. The chestnut-haired girl called Jeanne smiled and nodded.
“And then... First place!”
Scarron slowly scanned over the girls and nodded repeatedly.
“Without match, my daughter! Jessica! One-hundred-sixty écus, seventy sous, and eight deniers!”
“Wahhhhhh!” As cheers of joy rang out. Jessica, wearing a suggestive dress with a profound slit that was prepared for this day, bowed.
“Now! Whether you cry or laugh, today is the last day! But today is the day of daeg in the week of teuz! Because it is the end of the month, lots of customers will come! If you try hard, you might get lots of tips. The top places are still in range!”
“Yes! Mi mademoiselleー”
Saito poked the serious-looking Louise. Louise had the type of face that said she had resolved to something.
“How much do you have?”
Without answering, Louise opened her tightly gripped fist. What was there... were several glittering copper coins.
Saito stroked his chest down. With that, victory was impossible even if Louise tried her very best.
Louise's words “If I obtain the Charming Faeries' Bustier, I'd charm the customers and forgive everything” were still bothering him even now.
What is “forgive everything”?! What do you mean?! Even though, I... I haven't even done anything! Though it's not like I have the right to do so. Not at all though.
After all, I'm just a familiar......
'I want her to try her best, but not to that level' was the type of convenient emotion that ran through Saito.
Scarron shouted in a loud voice.
“Then let's do this with enthusiasm!”
Cheering filled with all kinds of feelings resounded through the store.
Now then... Louise was a bit different this day. She took out the wire that fixed her smile and revealed a natural smile.
She would smile brightly and then fidget embarrassedly. Doing so, the customer would ask.
“Is there something wrong?”
Louise would nibble her thumb and continue fidgeting. And then as if saying something really difficult to say,
“Well, Mr. customer, because you're so wonderful...” She would try hard and mutter.
But the customer himself seemed to be used to that level of flattery. Without moving, he held out his wine cup. Here, Louise would unleash her finishing move.
Pinching the hem of her camisole, she bowed gracefully. As expected of a duke family as she did it. The bow, which was done as if in front of a king, was filled with the spirit of a noble. None of the girls there could imitate such a manner.
Doing so, the customer would become interested in Louise's background. I see. When I get a better look, her features are quite similar to a noble's.
“You were born in the upper class, right?”
Even then, Louise would not cease showing embarrassment. Then sorrowfully and with melancholy, she looked outside. The man becomes more and more enchanted at Louise's refined behavior. Bending himself forward, he spoke his expectations.
“Did you serve at some noble's house? They taught you good etiquette there, right?” Louise continued to smile brightly. The delusions inside the customer started to become as overexaggerated as he pleased.