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When one was to inherit the title the Duke of Jurnova, celebrations were to be held in the duchy and the imperial capital.

Like the Imperial House, it is customary for the three great ducal houses to transfer the title while the duke is still alive. In such cases, the banquet is held promptly.
When succession follows the death of the previous duke, the funeral is naturally held first, and after a certain period, a banquet is held to celebrate the new duke.

The banquet celebrating Aleksei’s succession to the dukedom had already been held in the Imperial Capital.
However, the celebratory banquet in the duchy had been postponed for an unusually long period. The reason was that Aleksei was a student and could not return to the duchy very often, but essentially, it was because he did not wish it. The banquet in the Imperial Capital was sufficient.
But suddenly, he wished for a grand banquet to be held. While ostensibly celebrating the succession to the dukedom, its true purpose was to formally introduce his sister Ekaterina—who had never once appeared before the people of the duchy since her birth—as the Mistress of Jurnova.
In other words, this banquet was being held by Aleksei for Ekaterina. It was no exaggeration to say so.

.

“My Lady.”

Regina, who had been lying at Ekaterina’s feet while she worked at her desk, suddenly sat up. Stared at by the giant hound with sword-like fangs and gleaming eyes, Anna—an old maid with crimson hair streaked with white—trembled so violently her plump body shook.

“Regina isn’t scary, Anna.”

Ekaterina smiled and stroked Regina’s head. Regina narrowed her eyes and lay down again.

“M-my lady. It is against the rules for hounds to enter the mansion.”
“My brother gave permission. It was also said that whenever Grandfather returned to the estate, he always kept his beloved hound by his side.”
“Well…”

Having worked long enough to remember Sergei’s era, Anna stammered, unable to argue. She murmured something under her breath, her eyes downcast—something about a foul mix of magic beasts.

“More importantly, your matter is with me, yes?”
“Y-yes.”

She snapped her head up and immediately steadied her breathing—a sign of experience, perhaps.

“My lady, which attire shall you wear for the banquet?”
“The one prepared in the Imperial Capital. Why do you ask?”

Ekaterina asked, her violet-tinged blue eyes widening, leaving Anna looking perplexed.

“Well, we are to assist with your preparations, my lady. We ought to know what attire you will be wearing. Besides, there are fashion trends here in the Northern Capital too. We thought we might offer some advice after seeing the dress.”
“Ah, so that’s what you were thinking. There’s no need to worry. My dress was made according to the latest trend in the Imperial Capital. If it doesn’t suit the Northern Capital’s trends, well, then so be it.”

With a soft chuckle, Ekaterina’s expression changed.

“Above all, even if it’s your advice Anna, I have no intention of changing anything. This dress uses fabric developed by my brother and his aides to become a new specialty product of the Jurnova domain. Moreover, when we entertained the Imperial Family with dresses by the same designer, Her Majesty the Empress praised them and purchased that very fabric. I cannot alter it simply because you say so. Do you understand?”
“Y-yes… I apologize, my Lady. I spoke out of turn.”

Ekaterina’s tone was gentle, yet each word was clear. Anna bowed her head, utterly mortified. There was no other way to react.

“Mina will handle the preparations. On the day, just follow her instructions and assist her.”
“I see.”

Anna glanced at Mina, who stood behind Ekaterina.

“I also wish to discuss something. Having only one maid attending to the Mistress of Jurnova is not befitting our household’s standing. May I reinstate the attendants who previously served you, my lady?”
“Oh my, that’s rather convenient.”

Ekaterina beamed.

“I was just about to bring that up myself. You know there’s only one maid who can accompany me to the dormitory at the Magic Academy. So I’ve grown quite accustomed to Mina alone. I feel unsettled when someone unfamiliar takes care of me. Until I graduate from the academy, Mina alone shall suffice as my personal maid. The other maids are to follow Mina’s instructions whenever she requires assistance.”
“My L=lady…”

Anna frowned, but Ekaterina seemed to take no notice of the former’s displeasure.

“It’s only for two and a half years until graduation. I’ll speak with my brother and the butler, Novaras, so there won’t be any misunderstanding that this is your oversight.”
“…I apologize.”

With Ekaterina pushing this far, Anna had no choice but to bow her head.

“My Lady, you seem different.”
“Do I?”

At the muttered remark that seemed to slip out, Ekaterina tilted her swan-like, slender white neck in a gentle, graceful gesture.

“I don’t really know myself.”

.

Yeah, right!

Of course I’ve changed! I’ve got a whole other personality mixed in! I changed so much I collapsed over and over at first, and you just casually say that, you!
The Ekaterina who was here before would just silently wear whatever clothes she was dressed in like a doll, then stay locked in her room all day. Anna must have been completely taken aback by the difference.

“You looked splendid, my lady.”

Mina, standing by her side, stated matter-of-factly, causing Ekaterina’s large eyes to widen.

“I looked splendid?”
“You didn’t let the maid-in-charge intimidate you. You looked sharp.”
“Well, that’s nice to hear.”

Ekaterina chuckled softly.
Mina, the Combat Maid, called me cool. How embarrassing.

“I should make sure that either I myself or Regina must be in this room at all times.”
“…You’re suspecting that someone might ruin the dress.”

It’s the classic villainess’ brand of harassment, after all.
Huh? But I’m the villainess?

“That woman’s a bit too clever for her own good. She probably won’t do anything big enough to get fired over. But she might stir someone else up to do it. Better safe than sorry.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”

Ekaterina sighed softly. What’s the fun in petty harassment anyway?
…Well, I’m no saint myself. I do remember that one time my superior made me negotiate with clients on the front while stepping over my promotion in the back, so I cursed him with all my might so that his wife found out about his open affair, demanded a huge amount of alimony, and divorced him. I don’t know if curses count as harassment, but it seemed to work. I wasn’t privy to the details, but I did notice his cheeks got sunken for some time.
Honestly, it kinda felt satisfying. I can’t say I don’t understand that psychology where you feel happy if your harassment makes the other person feel even a little bad.
That said, I’d never thought of snitching to the wife myself. Spending time and effort on something like that would just be pointless. And if it ended up hurting the other person, it’d probably make me feel worse than good.
So, I sort of get it, but I still don’t!
Gah I’m so contradictive!

“I absolutely won’t let anyone lay a finger on your things, my lady.”

S-somehow, Mina’s calm tone seemed to carry a hidden strength.
Come to think of it, when I heard about the banquet in the Imperial Capital, they asked if I wanted a new dress made. I said the one from the imperial visit would be fine. Then I casually mentioned that I’d had lots of dresses made in the duchy, but none really suited me… and not just Mina, but Graham and the head maid over there—the eyes of the main staff at the Imperial Capital ducal residence all changed, and I was totally freaked out.
They then immediately summoned Kamila the designer, and it was decided a new dress would be made in the capital and brought along. My opinion that the previous dress was fine was politely dismissed.
Everyone knew that was a danger signal, didn’t they?

“Is Anna bothering you, my lady?”

Ah… I Reincarnated and My Beautiful Maid is Going Psycho Again (trademarked).
Well, I wouldn’t blame her. Mina is a combat maid. That’s precisely why she immediately saw through Anna’s subtle hostility and warned me.
I was kept out of various details, but apparently Anna had some kind of incident with that b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲ father. Because of that, she seems to have complicated feelings towards my brother, who looks exactly like him but is completely different inside. I heard this part from Yvan, the valet. And apparently, she’s annoyed that I look just like Father’s legal wife, Mother, and that my brother treats me so well. That’s Mina’s take on it.
Sigh. Why must I be the one she’s annoyed with? How does she even come up with such petty little acts of spite?
The only reason I can afford to be so laid-back is because I have Mina, who I can trust one hundred percent and rely on completely. Yeah.

“As long as she doesn’t harm my brother, she’s doing her job properly as head maid. I’ll leave her be for now. We’ll just find a replacement before I graduate from the academy. Anna isn’t even a bother with you here, Mina. Thank you, as always.”

When Ekaterina said this, the murderous aura vanished from Mina, and a faint smile touched her expressionless lips.