I Became the Maid of the Lout Prince - Chapter 269 [Night Watch]

Washing the dishes after the meal naturally became my responsibility. Actually, it had been like that since yesterday’s lunch.

It wasn’t that everyone unanimously decided to slack off just because I had maid experience, but simply because I was the only mage who could use Clean.

Most of the magic Ethan used was physical enhancement magic, and Agnes was too busy learning combat magic to learn any support magic at all. When it came to royalty, the ability to use Clean was almost considered shameful.

Knight Colt, as a commoner, couldn’t use magic at all. I said she was treated higher than a young lady of a Count family because of her Royal Knight status, but that didn’t mean she inherited the blood of nobles who could use magic.         

So, with a large enough mana capacity that I had mana to spare, even using Clean for dishwashing, I took on the task of washing dishes, and then night came again.     

After pitching two tents divided into men’s and women’s sections and lighting a campfire, the last thing we had to do before going to sleep was to determine the order of the night watch that would continue from tonight until tomorrow morning.     

“If the four of us, excluding Prince Antonio, take one shift each, we can switch about every two hours. Personally, I’m thinking of taking the second shift.”     

“No, protecting the safety of you esteemed guests at the campsite is also my duty, so you can all sleep until tomorrow morning.”     

“What? But Knight Colt, you have to drive the carriage tomorrow too, right? Won’t you be too tired if you do night watch on top of that?”     

“Royal Knights can engage in physical activities without issue even if they don’t sleep for about three days.”     

“…I don’t like that because it makes me uneasy. I’m worried you might fall asleep at the reins and tumble down a cliff along with the carriage.”     

“…..”    

“I’m not thinking as extremely as Lady Blaze, but personally, I would feel more at ease if the carriage driver gets sufficient rest.”     

“…I understand. Then, since Lady Rosewood said she would take the second shift, I will take the third…”   

“I think it would be better for Knight Colt to take the first shift. The first or last shifts allow for securing the longest sleep time. A carriage driver should receive at least that much consideration.”     

“I agree with Lilith’s opinion. You’ve already driven alone for two days, so shouldn’t you get as much rest as possible? Take either the first or last night watch shift.”

“…I will take the first shift.”

“Hmm, by the way, I don’t understand why it’s naturally decided that I won’t be taking a night watch shift. I’ll take one too, so how about we redistribute the shifts to an hour and a half each, including the one I’m taking.”     

“Will that be alright? Do you know the protocol for night watch?”     

“Don’t sleep, keep your ears open, and if any suspicious people or monsters approach, wake you all up. Even if my martial arts are lacking compared to you all, I can do that much.”     

“Got it. Then I think it would be best for Prince Antonio to take the very last shift. Monsters may attack in the morning too, but at least there won’t be any bandits attacking after daybreak.”

“Hmm, shall we do that then? By the way, Lady Agnes, could you tell me which shift you’re taking, just for reference? I only intend to keep it in mind.”

“I think it would be good for Lady Blaze to take the fourth shift. Everyone will avoid the middle, so I’ll take the third. Any objections?”

As Ethan said that and looked around at everyone, the red-haired mage quietly raised her hand.

It was clear from her expression that she was dissatisfied with the current order.

“I want to take the third shift.”     

“Then, I will take the fourth shift where I switch with Lady Agnes. Master Ethan, could you take the last night watch?”

“Understood. Then Lady Blaze will take the third…”

“…Nevermind. If you’re going to change it like that, just keep it as it was originally.”

“Alright, then I’ll switch with Lilith for the third shift…”

Somehow, the order of the night watch shifts was determined by the conversation between Agnes, who was trying to avoid switching with Antonio, and the prince who thoughtlessly followed her.     

As various conversations gathered and it became lively, it really did feel like we were traveling.

About an hour after everyone except Knight Colt had entered the tents and gone to sleep…     

I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, and eventually got up from my sleeping bag a full 30 minutes before the shift change.

‘I can’t sleep….’

It was hard to go back to sleep because I had taken a nap in the carriage during the day when there was nothing to do.     

After being a maid for a long time, my body had gotten used to only getting the minimum amount of sleep. At this point, even if I forcibly tried to sleep more than my daily allotment, my body wouldn’t easily accept it.     

Seriously, why did the Imperial carriage have such good suspension? Even after riding for a long time, it was so comfortable without any shaking that my eyes naturally closed.     

Besides, Ethan kept saying I could lean on him anytime, and if I seemed even a little drowsy, he would forcibly place my head on his shoulder.     

Since I was awake anyway, I tidied up my spot early and stepped out of the tent. I thought it wouldn’t be so bad for Knight Colt if I switched a bit early.     

Rustle.

“…Lady Rosewood? Did you come out for some fresh air?”     

It was a roundabout way of asking if I had woken up because I needed to use the restroom, so I shook my head and answered.     

“No, I couldn’t sleep, so I came out to switch early.”     

“There’s no need for you to go out of your way, Lady Rosewood. I’m used to night watch from my knight duties.”     

“It’s not my consideration, I really can’t sleep. When you work as an exclusive maid for a long time, it becomes the norm to wake up before your master and go to bed late, so my sleep time has decreased in that state.”     

“…Is that so.”

“You can go in and sleep first, Knight Colt. I’ll stand watch for about two hours and then switch with Ed… Master Ethan.”     

“I appreciate your words, but I will still fulfill my duty.”

“…Alright, then.”     

I didn’t insist a second time. There were various types of people in the world.     

Among them, there were bound to be people who would get thorns in their mouths if they didn’t stick to their principles, so there was no need for me to struggle and push her into the tent earlier than the time to change shifts.     

Anyway, if I had to stand night watch like this, I would probably just blankly open Lilith’s information window and stare at it for a while. Having at least one person to talk to was slightly better.     

“How many years have you served as a knight in the Imperial Palace?”     

“Ah, you can speak casually when it’s just the two of us, Lady Rosewood.”     

“I’m more comfortable with formal speech since I’m used to it.”  

“…Is that so… This is my third year working in the Imperial Palace. I was able to join the Royal Knights right after graduating from the Academy.”     

“Then if you were a fourth-year at the Academy three years ago…you’re about five years my senior?”     

“That may be the case in terms of academic level, but you don’t need to be particularly mindful of the senior aspect.”     

“I wasn’t particularly mindful of it. It’s just that your age seems similar to an acquaintance’s older sister I know, and your last name is the same, so it caught my attention a bit.”     

“…..”     

Knight Colt’s attention shifted slightly at the vague hint I dropped.     

Actually, I had somewhat anticipated it from the moment I first saw her face, but it seemed my guess was right that she was indeed Natalie’s family.

“Knight Colt, you’re Natalie’s older sister, right?”     

“…Were you friends with that child, Lady Rosewood?”     

“Not quite friends…we’re just acquaintances who know each other in passing. We’ve met a few times at social gatherings, but we’ve never talked one-on-one.”     

“Ah, I see.”     

“Lady Agnes or Master Ethan…no, anyway, Lady Agnes probably has a bit more overlap with her than I do. They’re in the same party as the Hero at the Academy.”

Of course, having more overlap and being close were separate issues, so Agnes and I were probably on a similar level.     

Bringing up Natalie and seeing Knight Colt strangely fidgeting was a bit cute.

“I don’t know too much in detail, but would you like me to tell you a little about how Natalie is doing at the Academy?”     

“…Yes. Please do, Lady Rosewood.”

“Actually, I’ve mostly only seen her in joint Swordsmanship Department classes, so I don’t know that much either. Last semester, Natalie had a swordsmanship match with Master Ethan…”

We talked for about 30 minutes with Natalie as our shared topic. It was quite fun to see Knight Colt’s expression change with various emotions as she listened to her younger sister’s life at the Academy.     

When I mentioned that Natalie won against the Hero quite a few times during class, she made a somewhat proud expression, and when I told her that the Hero’s party, including Natalie, won last year’s Hunting Festival, she nodded her head in satisfaction. 

When I talked about how Natalie had a bit too much to drink at a social gathering with just one cocktail and committed a faux pas *1, she held her head and made a despairing expression.     

“Sigh… So, she ended up doing it outside, too… I warned her so many times never to drink alcohol outside…”     

The way each emotion was clearly displayed on her face was almost identical to how Natalie did. 

If I had to express it, Knight Colt was like Natalie if she grew a bit taller and became slightly more mature.     

To put it in a good way, she was assertive, and to put it in a bad way, my impression of Knight Colt so far was that she was like Natalie’s personality restrained.     

“But in the end, it worked out well. Since the situation at the time was all recorded in a magic crystal, I heard she’s been avoiding alcohol to the point of fearing it these days.”

“…That’s a relief, at least. When I saw her last time, she didn’t say a word about drinking and making mistakes, sigh.”     

“She must not have spread it around because she was embarrassed about it. Ah, and please keep it a secret that I told you.”

Even though I didn’t have feelings for her now, I didn’t want to be hated by the character who was once my favorite.

Knight Colt, who nodded with a troubled expression, slowly got up from the campfire about 30 minutes after I came out.

“I will go in now. Thank you for telling me various things about my younger sister, even if briefly, Lady Rosewood.”     

“You’re welcome, Knight Colt. Go rest first.”     

“If any strange signs appear during the night watch, please wake me up at any time. As a Royal Knight, I’m always ready to wield my sword…”

Clang.

“…..”     

“…..”

Clang, clang, clang. Clang.     

The loud sound of an alarm bell ringing in the middle of the night.     

Judging by the fact that they weren’t particularly trying to hide their presence, the intruder was probably closer to a monster than a bandit.     

“That sword you just mentioned, I think you’ll have to use it right now.”     

“…Yes, I think so too.”     

Knight Colt stopped her steps toward the tent and drew her sword from her waist, and I also quietly got up from the campfire and took out the dagger attached to the side of my thigh.     

I didn’t mind an unexpected XP event like this in the middle of the night.

T/N

1. A faux pas (lit. French TL: false step) is an embarrassing remark or action done in a social situation.

Thanks for reading, see you in the next one!