Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“Then, you’re saying there’s no problem at the moment?”

August Dulles asked back in a low voice.

“Yes. Right after we received the report from Team Aria, we dispatched three teams, including one of Grade A, to patrol yesterday. So far, there have been no reports of abnormal outbreaks of Demonic Beasts. I believe the Overflow is in a lull for now.”

Hearing the report from the staff member holding a stack of documents, August, seated at his desk, furrowed his brow even deeper.

“I feel sorry for the Boss, but this time we were fortunate it happened during her trial…”
“No, it’s not just this time. That child has helped us countless times before.”

Silense Croque interjected at August’s weary words.

Silense, Beatrice’s father, was the current head of the Croque family at forty-eight years of age. His amber eyes, so much like his daughter’s, along with his broad forehead and slightly wavy chestnut hair, kept in a short style, gave him a sharp, dignified look. The piercing gaze beneath his deep brow suggested he was an insightful person.

Now, Silense sat comfortably on the sofa in the village chief’s office of Amukham, listening to the report with August.

August turned his eyes from the staff member standing before his desk to Silense, who was sitting on the sofa at an angle in front of him.

“Yes, you’re right. We owe her a debt we could never repay…”
“A debt, you say… Though I doubt she herself thinks of it that way.”

Silense muttered almost to himself while sipping from the cup on the table.

“Even so, we must still repay her. We will not repeat the mistakes of the village of old.”

August clasped his hands together on the desk, speaking to Silense in a quiet yet firm tone. With the cup at his lips, Silense murmured softly, “Of course.”

“And what of our *princess’* trial?”
“Yes, we’ve just received word that it concluded without incident.”

In response to August’s question, the staff member confirmed by glancing down at the papers.

“I see… The council begins at ten, but it seems the Boss and Alphonse will arrive sooner.”
“What? Isn’t it still early? It’s just past eight.”
“You really think the Boss could keep his daughter-boasting confined to Alphonse alone? He’ll come straight here too, itching to corner us and make us listen to him. I can already see his face now!”

August and Silense both looked toward the large longcase clock set against the wall behind the desk as they talked. The tall clock, adorned with fine carvings, gleamed gold across its beautifully crafted dial. Below it, the pendulum swung, ticking out a rhythm like that of a calm heartbeat.

“Honestly… The Boss really ought to learn how to moderate that doting of his.”
“…Silense, are you really one to say that? He should moderate his doting? Really?”
“…What? Did I say something strange?”
“…No, nothing. Forget it.”

As Silense quietly sipped his tea, August and the staff member exchanged a look and then sighed in resignation.

In the quiet office, the only sound was the heavy, steady beat of the clock’s pendulum echoing through the air.

◆◆◆◆◆

“Um… Miss Anne-Marie… was it?”

(Huh? I feel like I have heard that name somewhere before…)

I repeated the name back as if to confirm—

“It’s Anne-Marie. Please just call me Anne-Marie, my lady.”
“Ah… eh? Eh?”

The reply came instantly! I couldn’t help but flinch a step back!

“It’s Anne-Marie, my lady!”

She leaned in close again and repeated it!

(I-is it that important? It must be important since she repeated it! Miss Anne-Marie!!
Well, of course—it’s her name! A name is important!!)

“This girl has been working as a housemaid at the Amukham house until now. She was the one who helped you dress during the Harvest Festival. Don’t you remember?”

At Mama Sonia’s words, I let out an, “Ah.”

(That’s right, I remember—those glasses on her nose. I knew I’d seen them before!)

She was one of the maids who had helped me carefully put on the corset and dress back then!

(Now that I think about it, she did introduce herself at the time, didn’t she?)

My expression must have shown that I finally remembered because Miss Anne-Marie smiled softly at me and nodded again.

“Ah, th-thank you for your help back then…”

As I started to bow, Miss Anne-Marie held up her palm as if to stop me.

“My lady, there’s no need for such courtesy. It’s my duty. And more importantly, from now on, I’ll be at your side every day, serving you!”

She said with conviction.

(Eh? Every day? Huh? What is she talking about?!)

I turned my eyes toward Mama Sonia in confusion.

“Anne-Marie has been called here to serve as your lady’s maid. You’ll be together every day from now on, so do get along well.”

She said with a dazzling smile.

(Wha—?! A lady’s maid?? Mama Sonia, what in the world are you saying?! A lady’s maid is something nobles or daughters of great houses have, right?! Sure, if it were Bibi’s family, I’d get it… But me? Having a maid? No way… absolutely not…)

If it were the Cloud family from before, I’d understand, since they used to be nobles and all, but they weren’t nobles anymore! We were just an ordinary household! This didn’t fit at all! It was way out of my league!

(Listen—I’m a commoner. Me, with a maid? To outsiders, I’d look like some shamelessly presumptuous, foolish daughter! Why—why on earth would I have a maid?! This makes no sense!!!)

“You don’t need to think so hard about it, Susie.”

While my brain twisted itself into knots and my eyes practically spun in circles, Mama Sonia spoke in a gentle, calming tone.

“You know that Elrose once held an important position at the Amukham house, right?”
“Ah… yes. I heard she was a housekeeper…”
“Exactly. That was more than ten years ago, but because of that, the Amukham house sometimes sends young maids to Elrose under the guise of training. Our family often takes them in and helps them learn their duties. This time, that maid was Anne-Marie.”
“What… so, Miss Anne-Marie is just… here for training… for a while?”
“…Well, yes. Training… Yes, training! Anne-Marie came here to train as a lady’s maid! So while she’s here, you’ll also learn etiquette and proper comportment from her. Yes! Think of it as a bonus, a bonus!”

Saying so, Mama Sonia clapped her hands against her chest with satisfaction.

“So, Susie, you must let Anne-Marie properly serve you as a maid! Otherwise, it won’t count as training, will it? Understood?!”

Even as Mama Sonia spoke so firmly, I was still too bewildered.

“…And besides, this is something Howard and I have been discussing for a while now…”

She said, stepped closer to me, and continued speaking.