Chris sat in her office within the Arclesia Empire’s royal castle, working through her usual pile of documents. She scanned reports and other records, approving or processing the necessary sections and turning her thoughts to various matters as she reached for the next paper.
(Tonight’s evening party is going to be a bit of a headache. Miyama-sama’s black tea brand officially launches today, and there is bound to be a divide between those who managed to buy some and those who didn’t. I’ll have to keep a sharp eye out—not so much for those engaging in a little harmless boasting, but for anyone who might use it as an excuse to start an argument.)
The interest in Kaito’s black tea brand was exceptionally high among the nobility. It all stemmed from the pottery decorated with a three-mountain design that had been sold in small quantities during the previous Arclesia Empire Founding Anniversary Festival. Between the sheer quality of those items and Kaito’s personal fame, many nobles had been eagerly waiting for a chance to get their hands on his products.
Rumor had it that even the Great Tree Princess Jutia, a well-known connoisseur of black tea, was paying close attention to this launch. This only fueled the obsession of the nobles, who were always hungry for high-quality goods—especially those that would give them status over their peers.
(I’ve also heard the World Maid Association is deeply interested... The world of maids is vast, but it’s also far too peculiar for its own good. Since it’s outside my area of expertise, it’s usually hard for me to get reliable intel, but even my own Head Maid has been acting unusually flighty. That alone proves the hype is real.)
The maid world was a realm unto itself, particularly when it came to information. They had established an independent network that made it almost impossible for outsiders to know what was going on.
However, as an Empress, Chris maintained a formidable intelligence network of her own. She had already intercepted rumors that Ein, the figure who reigned at the absolute pinnacle of the maid world, had given Kaito’s brand her glowing endorsement. Judging by the behavior of the maids in the palace, Chris was certain the rumors were true.
"Forgive the interruption, Your Majesty. I have brought your tea. Perhaps it is time for a short rest?"
"Ah, thank you. Yes, I think I shall take you up on that..."
As she spoke, the Head Maid, Alexandra, entered the room pushing a cart. Chris followed her suggestion and paused her work, but as she went to take her break, she happened to glance at the clock on her desk.
(Thirty minutes early? That’s unlike her; she’s usually so precise with her schedule.)
Alexandra was arguably the most skilled maid in the Arclesia Empire, revered throughout the maid world as the Super Maid of Technique. Her work was always elegant, delicate, and perfectly timed, a level of professionalism that Chris held in the highest regard. It was quite strange for her to arrive early, but the mystery was solved the moment Chris saw the cup placed before her.
"...Oh? Is this a Nifty cup?"
"As expected of Your Majesty, you have a discerning eye. Yes, I was fortunate enough to win the initial lottery and purchased it first thing this morning. While it follows traditional manufacturing methods, the beauty of its color and form is remarkable—and the decorations are applied with a subtle grace that is never overbearing. Even to my eyes, having seen countless ceramics, the level of craftsmanship is truly supreme."
"If I recall correctly, only those who won the initial lottery were able to buy the same type of pottery that was sold previously here in the Empire, right?"
"Indeed. To my shame, I remember regretting my own lack of foresight when that pottery first appeared and I failed to purchase it. To have it come around again and finally hold it in my hands... it is a joy beyond my expectations."
It seemed Alexandra had not only won the lottery but had secured one of the limited-edition cups personally crafted by Nebula and Illness, rather than the mass-produced versions. Her usual stoicism was gone, replaced by a palpable sense of delight.
"I see. But are you sure you should be using such a precious item?"
"An item is only truly itself when it is put to use. No matter how beautiful a cup may be, its charm is halved if it is merely displayed like an exhibit. It is my personal philosophy that the true value of pottery cannot be found in isolation. A teacup is at its most beautiful when it is performing its function."
"I suppose you’re right. That is its proper form."
"Precisely. My heart was quite literally dancing as I brewed this tea for such a magnificent vessel. Unfortunately, because I prioritized getting the cup above all else, I was unable to buy any tea leaves..."
"Ah, don't worry about that. I have some tea leaves that I received directly from Miyama-sama. Why don't you use those this afternoon?"
"That would be wonderful. Yes, please leave it to me. I promise to brew you the finest cup you have ever tasted."
Chris watched with a wry smile as Alexandra gave a graceful, sweeping bow. Whether the rumors were true was anyone’s guess, but judging from the secret imperial records available only to the Empress... Chris suspected that what people whispered might actually be fact.
Then again, Alexandra suited the role of a maid so perfectly that it was still hard to believe. Chris remained half-skeptical, and she had no intention of digging for the truth now.
Serious-senpai: "Come to think of it, she was the First Emperor, wasn't she...?"