The Civil Officer Can Have Sweet Dreams 1115 min read
When she arrived at the Brody estate, the two attendants when they visited during the day smiled at Priscilla, welcoming her.
“Welcome home, Lady Priscilla.”
When they called her that, Priscilla was deeply moved, making her think this home will now be her home as well. When they did that, Priscilla also politely bowed to both of them.
“I hope to be of assistance from today onwards. I am Priscilla Land… No, I mean, I’m Priscilla. I may be inexperienced, but I look forward to working with you both.”
While saying these words, Priscilla noticed that her name wasn’t Land anymore. From here on out, she’s Priscilla Brody. Priscilla Brody Priscilla thought of something trivial, I’ll try sounding it out once more.
“Oh no, please raise your head, Lady Priscilla. We’re also quite overjoyed for you to come here.”
“We shall leave Lord Cleatt in your care, Lady Priscilla.”
The elderly butler and maid also bowed, which made Priscilla feel ashamed. In the Land house, the attendants were also a part of the family. There was no mistaking that these two had been serving the Brody house for a long time. She could especially feel the affection the maid feels for Cleatt from her tone. She might have watched over him like a parent from a young age.
“It may seem that introductions are in order. I am Hans, the Brody house’s head butler. You may call me whichever you please.”
“I am Nera, the head maid. Allow me the privilege of helping you, Lady Priscilla. Please treat me well.”
“L-Likewise, please treat me well.”
The two of them seemed to be in their 50’s. Priscilla politely lowered her head to these people who were older than her own parents, and bowed once more. It was a bow that she was taught in etiquette school. She’d like to think that in etiquette school, her bowing wasn’t rude. At the Royal Palace, she was often told, “Your manners are so good.”
When she raised her head, Hans and Nera were looking at Priscilla with tender smiles and narrowed eyes.
“This here will be your room, Lady Priscilla. To start with, we shall place your luggage in here. And then you can change your clothes before the evening meal.”
“Understood.”
She obediently handed over her luggage to the hand that Hans held out, and followed after Nera. Priscilla already thought that she had to do everything she is told to at the Brody house.
Walking after Nera, she was guided to a single door. When they entered, what welcomed Priscilla was an arranged room with a soft, woman-like color. The room was probably about four times the size of her room at the Land estate. Seeing how all of the furnishings were brand new, Priscilla held back from letting out a bitter smile. She can’t imagine that this room was arranged in just the short amount of time earlier today. This room must have been prepared beforehand to be able to welcome Cleatt’s wife whenever. To Priscilla who worked at the Royal Palace, she can see the other side quite well because she has good tact.
Cleatt is already 33 years old. An age in this country where he should already be married. His family worries about successors because he’s the eldest son of the Brody house.
She could slightly feel the urgency that the Brody house felt with the problem of marriage with Cleatt.
“Thank you very much. For preparing such a wonderful room.”
Priscilla thought deep down if she could calm down with how large it was but instead directed a smile towards Hans and Nera. Nera was also smiling, and explained to Priscilla,
“That over there shall be both your and Lord Cleatt’s bedroom. Across from that is Lord Cleatt’s room. Well, Lord Cleatt doesn’t really come home much so I’m sure that from today onwards, he shall be coming home every day.”
Nera’s voice rose, seemingly happy. Both of Cleatt’s younger sisters are already married so the only people who live in the Brody estate are Duran, Fiem and also the attendants. Cleatt also comes home once a week but only to sleep so for the Brody estate, there aren’t any younger people and might feel lonesome.
Hans and Nera were grinning. Priscilla honestly felt relieved that she was being welcomed so normally.
“We only were able to prepare a few of your clothes, Lady Priscilla, but we’ll be able to prepare them in a few days.”
“…Thank you very much.”
Priscilla thought, the few clothes that have been prepared are already plenty. She wonders if they immediately ran to buy them after glancing at her figure.
Hans left the room and Nera excitedly opened the closet.
“After the young ladies left the estate, we were greatly saddened by the fact that there weren’t any more young ladies left. I couldn’t rely on a wonderful thought such as, I sincerely hope that Lord Cleatt’s wife would come. As expected, the estate feels lonesome if there are no young people around.”
“I do apologize for this incident happening so suddenly.”
“Oh no, everyone in the estate is extremely happy. That such a young but level-headed lady came. Everyone is praising Lord Cleatt, saying, As expected of Lord Cleatt. Come on now, what dress should we have you wear? These were prepared for you by the madam, Lady Priscilla.”
Priscilla thought, Isn’t she exaggerating too much? but Nera looked so happy holding whichever dress, which put a smile on Priscilla’s face. As expected of the Brody estate. Such fine quality clothes that Priscilla has never worn were instantly prepared. She wondered if these were according to Fiem’s preferences. Even Fiem, who she had met today, was wearing showy but fine clothes. When she visited the Brody estate, Cleatt did say that, “It’s okay as long as it’s not too showy,” but it seems like Fiem is someone who likes showy clothes.
After today’s meeting, Fiem seemed to have immediately prepared many things for Priscilla. She even prepared reasonable clothes for Priscilla whose appearance wasn’t showy. Her consideration made Priscilla happy.
Priscilla thought to thank her after this while she chose one of the appreciated dresses, saying, “Then that blue dress would be greatly appreciated.”
Nera helped her with her clothes as well as arranging her hair.
“You have such soft hair, Lady Priscilla.”
“That’s true. If I don’t put it up all together, it immediately comes apart.”
“It’s been carefully put up. It’s so admirable, how great your skills are.”
“I studied it at etiquette school.”
“Ah, I see, etiquette school, huh. That’s so nostalgic. I went to one as well.”
Nera touched Priscilla’s hair, standing behind her as she sat in front of the dresser. Nera’s hands were skilled, just like her teacher from etiquette school. Priscilla was sure that she had arranged the hair of the women of the Brody house. She remembered the people from her home and etiquette school who helped put up her hair. Her mother put up her hair when she was younger, and to study it better at etiquette school, she would often touch her fellow classmates’ hair.
In the year that she worked at the Royal Palace, she would carefully wear her hair up by herself every day so that it would last the whole day even if work was busy.
Nera looked happy reflected in the mirror.
“The hair of the madam and young ladies are also silky so hair like yours is refreshing.”
“It seems that Lord Cleatt resembles Lady Fiem. Is it the same for his sisters?”
“Yes. The people in the estate think deep down how it’s really good that the three of them resembles the madam. Though it might be better for the Brody house for young master Cleatt to resemble the master. Though the master nor the madam say it, they’re proud of young master Cleatt. That is, becoming a vice minister at that age, all the more practically securing the seat for prime minister. The both of them have long been boastful of him, thinking it doesn’t matter who he resembles, but no matter how much they do, even now, it seems that they can’t get close to the young master…”
“Is that so…”
I see, at the very least, Priscilla knew about the family relations within the Brody house. She did remember that the two of them were strict with Cleatt so Cleatt himself also put some distance between him and his parents.
“That’s why those within the estate thought it would be great if everyone could get along even more with your coming, Lady Priscilla. We think that if you are able to bear children, both the master and madam would make a complete change with their behavior.”
“…I shall try my best.”
Priscilla answered in the meantime, smiling, but her shoulders felt a little heavy with this mood of expecting children. Even Priscilla herself understood how necessary successors are since she married into the Brody house but the topic of children still feels like a far away thought for now.
Probably because Nera also felt complicated about it, she smiled, looking troubled.
“I apologize for talking about such a story on the first day. First off, please do slowly adapt yourself to the estate. You’re quite young, Lady Priscilla, so there’s still plenty of time for that.”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
She wondered what this person would think if she knew that Cleatt only married Priscilla to help him “relax.” If she knew that they haven’t kissed yet, not to mention held hands, what would she think? Seeing that Fiem knew about Priscilla’s circumstances in the Royal Palace, did both of them also know that the rumors about their rendezvous in the Royal Palace were just that? It was normal in this country to assume they were lovers spending strenuous, sweet time together because of the fact they were spending time with just the two of them in a room with no one else.
And yet, their circumstances wasn’t so sweet in reality.
Wouldn’t they be found out with such an air between them when they live together?
Priscilla was worried, What does Lord Cleatt plan on doing?
As she was doing that, Nera finished her handiwork on Priscilla. When she looked into the mirror, what Priscilla saw was the fine dress she was wearing, and her hair carefully and wonderfully done up. Priscilla herself thinks whether she looked that bad even though she looks ordinary even with makeup on. Though the Brody house doesn’t mind whether it was appropriate or not. As expected, because Priscilla is a girl, she would feel somewhat showy when adorned and wearing beautiful clothes.
“You look so beautiful.”
“Thank you very much.”
She stopped the smile from showing on her face with just that small flattery. Priscilla thanked her, and left for the evening meal.
“I apologize for being late. I shall be in your care from today onwards.”
When she arrived at the dining room, Duran and Fiem were already sitting so Priscilla felt ashamed, and sat down on the chair Nera showed her to. Cleatt wasn’t here. The only people with Priscilla were just the two of them.
“Thank you for preparing for me a room although it was all so very sudden. Thank you as well for this dress that I’m wearing, Madam Feim. I’m overjoyed at how beautiful it is.”
When Priscilla first gave her thanks, Fiem smiled, seemingly satisfied.
“‘I shall be in your care,’ these should be my words, right? Such a serene dress suits you quite well.”
“Thank you very much.”
She’s older than Priscilla’s mother but the beautiful and resolute Fiem looked younger. Being praised by such a refined noble lady, Priscilla thanked her, troubled.
“It’s impossible for Cleatt to come home at this time. This is inexcusable but would you be fine with eating together with us, Ms. Priscilla?”
“Of course. In fact, I would like to ask you if you’re fine with eating with me instead.”
“I’m really sorry, Ms. Priscilla. Even though he’s my own son, I myself don’t think he could become a good husband.”
“…That’s because he’s a busy man. I do quite understand his position. It’s perfectly fine.”
When Priscilla smiled, Fiem slightly stared at her and after doing so, let out a small sigh and let out a beautiful smile.
“You’ve become our daughter, right? I would like you to stop calling me so reserved with Madam Fiem.”
“…”
Priscilla was confused for a moment. What should she call her then? She felt that it was wrong of her to call them mom and dad like with her own parents. Cleatt calls them mother and father but it feels wrong as well.
“How did the young ladies address both of you?”
“Those children call us dearest mother and dearest father.”
“Then would it be alright for me to address you with that?”
“You may… Duran, what are you grinning at?”
After Fiem nodded at Priscilla’s words, satisfied, she faced Duran to her side, surprise in his eyes. The grim Duran, who hadn’t spoken at all since then, cleared his throat. Priscilla thought, Was he grinning? but it seems that having been long married to Fiem, she knew every change in her husband’s expression.
At the beginning of the evening meal, Fiem asked her about how she met Cleatt. When asked that question, Priscilla first realized, “How should I explain this?” It was okay when they went for introductions to the Land estate. The Land family knows about Priscilla’s “hands” so they honestly told them about the start of their romance but she wondered how she should explain it to the Brody family. She hasn’t discussed with Cleatt about this at all. They did see each other today but the subject never got brought up.
Priscilla was worried whether she should talk about her hands to them but, it should be after she discusses it with Cleatt, she decided. She felt it would be better not to say anything unnecessary. If needed, Cleatt might just talk to both his parents.
Priscilla didn’t allude to her hands and yet, she talked honestly about other things. Cleatt slept in the room she went to clean– it was there that they got to know each other, and that sometimes after that, they would spend their lunch together.
Fiem was surprised, “So that child was sleeping in that kind of place?” but she seemed to understand otherwise.
After that, Fiem moved the topic on to complain about Cleatt, making Priscilla smile bitterly.
“That child is a really self-centered one, with no sense of awareness of being the eldest son. He doesn’t consider no matter how much we worry about him, only focusing on work. That child has long since decided from a young age that he has no talent in martial arts but that’s not true, right, dear?”
“Right.”
“When he considered becoming a prime minister, we didn’t think he would suit becoming a civil officer but even if he had become a military officer, its status is the same, right, dear?”
“Right.”
“Although he was a young man that people expected things from, it was as a civil official, not as a military officer– No, considering the current circumstances, that child’s choice was correct. Which still irritates me. That child has always been like that. He would decide everything on his own ever since he was small without listening to what we had to say, and moreover, all of his decisions would end up correct. Such an irritating child!”
Priscilla looked troubled at Fiem’s might, a wry smile on her face. She now fully understands what Cleatt said about how Fiem was “naggy.” She wondered if Fiem always got angry at Cleatt like this. It felt slightly charming when she imagined it. Nagging is a result of love.
“Oh my, I apologize, Ms. Priscilla. I’ve shown you something so unruly.”
“Oh no, I don’t mind.”
Duran opened his mouth who hadn’t talked at all unless he was humming in agreement when Priscilla smiled.
“This time around, I want to raise your child to become a military officer if it’s a boy.”
When Priscilla was troubled deep down, thinking, Just when you think it was unusual of him to suddenly talk, it was about children, moreover a boy…, sighed in shock.
“You’re being too hasty, dear. Don’t you see that you’re troubling Ms. Priscilla? Children are a delicate subject for women. It was painful for me as well, no matter how much everyone expected things of me. Even so, Cleatt was born and in the end, became a civil officer… Ms. Priscilla, please don’t mind what he said– Remember the Brody house first.”
“Yes, I shall do my best.”
Duran made an unsatisfied expression at Fiem’s words while Priscilla was thankful for her consideration. She thought this when they first met but Fiem really was a wonderful woman. Priscilla thought, I can truly and genuinely get along well with these two.
Aight, second release for 12 days! Even though we’re supposed to be on the 3rd day… We’ll try making it up whenever we can, we do apologize for that but for now, here’s an update! If there are any mistakes (I was watching a creepy conspiracy video while translating), feel free to point it out.
