May 2nd, the day after the exhausting banquet.
A little past noon, Jin set out for the Royal Palace, accompanied by Elsa, Reiko, and his newest automaton.
They headed first to the usual office.
As they walked through the corridors, Jin noticed that a good portion of the tapestries and paintings on the walls had been replaced. It was likely a hallmark of the new administration.
That said, most of the lady's maids and ladies-in-waiting they passed were familiar faces.
"Doing a complete turnover all at once would be impossible," Elsa murmured.
Jin nodded in agreement. "You’re right."
The majority of the lady's maids at the Royal Palace were the daughters of lower-class nobility, such as those from houses with knightships, baronets, or barons.
The positions served as an apprenticeship for etiquette and domestic duties, and having worked at the Royal Palace carried significant social status. It also provided opportunities to become acquainted with influential nobles—and, if they were lucky, to be noticed and eventually marry into a higher house as a madam.
In contrast, the ladies-in-waiting were mostly daughters of mid-level noble families.
"...But it seems Flora-san won't be the chief lady-in-waiting anymore," Elsa added.
Flora had originally been a female royal ritter, but her serious personality had been highly valued, leading to her appointment as a lady-in-waiting to the Empress and her eventual promotion to chief lady-in-waiting.
Flora Hecherat von Melante's family home was a viscount house located directly across from Jin's mansion in Loizart. Because of that proximity, Elsa was often privy to various rumors regarding her.
"She’s marrying a royal ritter. A marriage retirement, in other words."
"Oh? Well, that is a cause for celebration."
Elsa had heard the news at a tea party hosted by local madams during her stay at the Loizart mansion.
"I see."
Jin found himself impressed; apparently, the wives of the nobility were just as fond of gossip as anyone else.
Eventually, they arrived at the office. Jin spoke to the royal ritter standing before the heavy, ornate doors.
"I have been informed of your arrival. Jin-sama, Elsa-sama, Reiko-sama, and...?"
"Ah, I brought this girl to present her to the Empress Emerita."
"Pardon?...Th-then, she is an automaton?! My, how wonderful....Please, pass through."
The ritter opened the doors for them.
"Jin Nidou, entering."
"Come in."
The voice that answered Jin belonged to the familiar Empress—no, the Empress Emerita.
"Excuse us."
"I’ve been waiting, Jin-kun, Elsa, Reiko-chan."
Inside were the Empress Emerita, the New Emperor, the Chancellor, and a lady-in-waiting Jin had never seen before. To Jin's surprise, the Empress Emerita was currently seated at the center of the office desk. However—
"Your Majesty, forgive me. This will be the last time. I just wanted to welcome Jin-kun and the others myself, one final time."
With those words, she stood up and yielded the seat.
"No, Aunt, please don't worry about it."
The New Emperor gave a small smile and sat down in his proper place.
"I’m glad you could come so soon. Come, please sit."
"Thank you, excuse us."
Jin and Elsa took the chairs provided by the lady-in-waiting.
"...Well then, where shall we begin?"
The Empress Emerita's gaze drifted toward Reiko, who stood behind Jin, and then to the automaton standing further back.
Noticing the look, Jin gestured for the new automaton to come forward.
"First, let me introduce this girl. She is my latest creation, made specifically to be presented to the Empress Emerita."
"My!!"
The Empress Emerita stared intently at the girl.
"How lovely...! What is this child's name?"
"I haven't given her one yet. Please name her yourself."
After a moment of thought, the Empress Emerita spoke.
"You shall be 'Aruru'."
"Yes, I am Aruru."
The automaton accepted the name immediately. With that, the master-servant bond was forged.
"Your Majesty, please cherish her for many years to come."
"Yes, of course. Jin-kun, Elsa, thank you."
Seeing the Empress Emerita with such a beaming smile, Jin and Elsa felt glad they had given her the gift.
And then—
"I will explain the future of the Empire now....But before that, I must introduce this girl."
The Empress Emerita beckoned the lady-in-waiting forward.
"This is Lisette Auenmueller. She is one of the children I have been raising."
She was a petite woman with light brown hair and eyes. Though small in stature, she possessed a fine figure.
"I am Lisette Auenmueller. It is an honor to meet you, Jin-sama, Elsa-sama, Reiko-sama. I look forward to working with you."
Lisette appeared to have a very serious personality, as she even gave Reiko a polite bow.
"The pleasure is ours....Your Majesty, what did you mean by 'raising' her?"
Jin, curious about her choice of words, asked for clarification.
"Yes, perhaps I should explain that. In fact, that is the main topic for today."
"Aunt, would you mind if I took over from here?"
The New Emperor, who had seemed somewhat sidelined until then, spoke up.
"Ah, yes....Your Majesty, if you please."
"Then..."
With a deliberate clearing of his throat, the New Emperor, Weissberg Ernst von Shouro, began to speak.
"As my aunt mentioned, the results of several years of education are beginning to manifest in our country. The teachers responsible are, of course, the 'Fuhrer' units donated by Lord Nido... Jin-dono."
Behind him, the Chancellor nodded silently.
"Those who were educated by the Fuhrer units are now becoming teachers themselves and have begun instructing students. Furthermore, some are taking on important positions within the state, not just in education."
The New Emperor noted that Lisette Auenmueller was one such individual.
"So that’s how it is."
"Indeed. The importance of education is now permeating almost all of our country's nobility, as well as the common people. And so—"
The New Emperor paused for a beat and looked Jin straight in the eye.
"I intend to establish a new educational institution. I would like you to serve as its consultant."
"I see," Jin said, finally understanding.
Taking the opportunity of the new administration, they intended to enhance the national educational system. He realized Ernst likely wanted to make this achievement a hallmark of his reign.
"What do you say? Of course, I won't tie up your time for long. I know Lord Nido does not care for such things."
"What do you think, Jin-kun?"
After a short moment of silent contemplation, Jin gave his answer.
"Understood. I will be happy to cooperate."
At those words, the Empress Emerita, the New Emperor, the Chancellor, and the lady-in-waiting all broke into smiles.
"Oh, I am grateful for your swift agreement."
The Chancellor spoke up then, expressing his gratitude to Jin. It was decided that the first meeting regarding the project would be held at a later date, according to Jin's convenience.
"And one more thing—about my place of retirement."
The former Empress... the Empress Emerita, brought the subject up with a soft smile.