Third person view
"Huh? Take us home?" (Sabine)
"Yes. I've invited other people as well. If you don't mind… We'll be going in two cars, my own and Shinobu-chan's, so there'll be plenty of room." (Haruka)
It was an invitation from their classmate Haruka-chan.
…and what's more, it was an event to visit a friend's home!
With the exception of Mitsuha, it was the first time for both to "Visiting a friend's house event."
…and, as for Mitsuha's place, neither the general store Mitsuha nor the territorial residence felt like a "Visiting a friend's house."
So it was actually the first event.
Their responses were, of course…
"With pleasure!!" (Sabi-Colé duo)
Haruka Ayanokoji was picked up and dropped off from home by her hired driver.
So, they were able to ride with her to her house and she was also able to give them a ride home, so there was no problem in terms of safety. They just had to contact Lorena and Mitsuha at the monthly apartment on their smartphone.
Sabine and Colette were fully aware that Mitsuha, who wanted the two of them to make friends, was unlikely to object.
And….
"Approved!" (Mitsuha)
It was approved instantly.
It seemed like she was currently in a monthly apartment, so she didn't have to bother contacting Lorena.
Since the two of them were behaving in a different way than usual, it was possible that Mitsuha would stay at the monthly apartment until they got home.
Today was Friday, so once both returned, they planned to return to the other world. They'd have dinner over there.
They didn't go back there every weekend. If they didn't enjoy their holidays in Japan, they would lose some of the real pleasure of studying abroad.
Both of them had enjoyed holiday in Japan before, but the holiday here was, of course, the holiday they spent with their classmates.
And the occasional return was, of course, because otherwise the King would be annoyed if they didn't.
“On second thoughts, it’s small and narrow…” (Sabine)
Shortly after visiting Haruka-chan's house, _SABINE_ inadvertently made a rude comment.
…compared to the royal palace, most private residences would be small and narrow….
Sabi-Colé duo only knew the inside of a Japanese private house, Mitsuha's home.
However, Sabine didn't worry about it because she thought it was one of the safe houses Mitsuha had around the world. She thought that there was no point if her hideout was big and standing out.
However, this was supposed to be the "main residence" of Haruka Ayanokoji, who was from the upper class.
So, Sabine expected at least the size of a viscount's mansion in the royal capital.
It was a completely innocent remark that was spoken without thinking, as the building and gardens were not even comparable to the homes of barons or large merchants.
But….
"……" (Everyone x4)
The Ayanokoji family's home was a luxurious mansion.
...According to Japanese common sense...
(You see, mansions abroad are on a completely different level than those in Japan!)
(Besides, you two are nobles! Perhaps your parents' house is a castle or something!）
(It's Neuschwanstein Castle or something like that, probably!)
(……)
Haruka wasn't particularly upset, but… she was just a little put off.
"This is my room desuwa. I thought it would be easier to relax here than in the reception room without worrying about everyone…" (Haruka)
Haruka said as she invited everyone into her room.
Although it was a children's room, there was a table and chairs so that friends could come over and play.
The space was also sufficient.
…also, Haruka's way of speaking for the Sabi-Colé duo was the same as the one she used at the girls' school.
Perhaps the family had already been informed of the situation.
Otherwise, they might end up being taken to the hospital.
"Now then, I will prepare a drink for you, so please wait a little while…" (Haruka)
"Eh?" (Sabi-Colé duo)
Sabi-Colé duo raised doubts at Haruka's words.
"What about servants and maids?" (Sabine)
Sabine asked that question.
"……" (Everyone x4)
"Hey, please wait a moment!" (Haruka)
After saying that, Haruka hurriedly left the room.
After a while, Haruka returned. She brought along a man and a woman with a tray of drinks and sweets….
"Welcome. I'm the apprentice butler of this family." (Haruka's brother)
"I'm a parlor maid…" (Haruka's sister)
(Th-these two…)
(Yes, Haruka-chan's older brother and older sister…)
(((Haruka-chan, you're so unreasonable…)))
It was their classmates who gently wiped away the tears in their heart…
Even in modern Japan, there were things like butlers and maids, but they were more like secretaries and housekeepers. It was a little different than what you saw in manga.
…and wearing plain clothes.
In the first place, the driver was the only servant of the Ayanokoji family, and there were no butlers or maids, so it didn't matter…
In today's modern era with the development of electrical appliances, it's not necessary to hire a large number of servants to maintain a comfortable life. Therefore, there's no need to hire a butler to oversee the servants.
At most, one driver and one housekeeper are enough, and if the wife is a full-time housewife, they may not even need a housekeeper. Even though they might have to make a specific request once a week to clean the large house.
In other countries, there are countries that still employ multiple servants….
However, in the Kingdom of Zegreius of another world, they used a large number of servants, just like in the old West.
Cooking, washing, cleaning, making sweets, taking care of horses, and more were all done by human labor, so a lot of money and a lot of servants were necessary for a comfortable life.
So, if Sabi-Colé duo were a family like the Ayanokoji family, it was only natural that they had several servants, and they were puzzled when Haruka said she would prepare the drinks herself.
It would be shameful for the young lady to prepare her own food and drink when there were servants around, and it would also put the maids at a disadvantage if they made the young lady do the work that they should be doing.
It would be fine if it was just a reprimand from their master, but in the worst case, they could be dismissed.
So, Sabine's words were spoken as a warning, with both Haruka and the servant in mind.
And Sabine, who did not know the true identity of the apprentice butler and the parlor maid in the guest room, smiled brightly, thought that they were able to avoid the blunder of both Haruka and the maid, and she had helped her friend….
Author's Note
This is a notice. (^^)/
My work, "I shall survive using potions!" manga (Konoe Sensei version) will be published on Yanmaga WEB from February 6th.
If you haven't read it yet, please read it! (^^)/
Edit History
10 Oct 2023: improved readability.
19 Aug 2024: translation overhaul, added dynamic naming.