"Ahaha, little miss, gave you a start, did it?"
"Who are you calling little— ohohoho... Indeed, sir, I was simply astonished by how magnificent it is."
The man had nearly forgotten he was disguised as a woman, but somehow caught himself and smoothed it over.
The passing old man blinked at his reaction, then cleared his throat.
"This building, y'see. Early this morning, the lady of the domain came by with a man who looked to be her husband. I thought they were just waving a hand around, and then the stalls in the square vanished, and this grand thing came sprouting right out of the ground."
The old man moved both hands up and down, as though reenacting the scene itself, showing how it had thrust up from the earth toward the sky.
"My.
You mean it truly rose from the ground?
Could the lady of the domain be an earth mage?"
As if that were even possible.
Even so, the man forced an expression of wonder so he would not arouse suspicion.
"Well, who knows.
Can't say I understand the doings of nobles.
But from what the lady of the domain said, a few more days and folks ought to be able to shop in there."
Leaving behind the remark, "Imagine shopping without worrying about the rain. Live long enough and you really do see things," the old man wandered off with a laugh.
After he had gone, the man stood there for a while, staring up at the bizarre structure before him.
His thoughts were in disarray, but he soon came back to himself and began sorting through his plans.
There's no way earth magic could make a building like this.
No ordinary noble could put up something like this in a single night.
And her husband? What in the world is that supposed to mean?
He had needed to infiltrate the Harem either way, so he ought to be able to look into this baron-consort as well.
Careful not to forget that he was dressed as a woman, he headed for the interview venue.
When he informed them at the lord's manor that he had come for the interview, he was searched first and then shown to the room where it was being held.
He drew a deep breath before the door, felt his hands trembling ever so slightly, and knocked.
A soft voice came from within.
"Please come in."
I did put on makeup, at least...
But what if they see through me right away...?
Unease flickered across his chest, but he told himself that what a woman needed most was nerve.
"Excuse me."
When he opened the door and stepped inside, the one waiting for him was a beautiful blonde young lady.
So this is Lady Lieselotte, the former princess...
He found himself momentarily captivated by her beauty, but Lieselotte wore a gentle smile and spoke first.
"How do you do? I am Lieselotte.
Please, have a seat."
"Y-yes.
How do you do? My name is Amelia Bernard."
Using the feminine manner of speech he had practiced, the man introduced himself as Amelia, performed a curtsy he had only just learned, and then sat down cautiously.
At Lieselotte's side stood a maid in uniform, waiting with a quill pen in hand.
I see. So the maids serve as scribes too. That's why literacy was required.
As Amelia nodded inwardly to himself, Lieselotte began.
"You are Amelia, yes?
To begin with, could you tell me why you wish to work here in the Harem as a maid?"
That's one I prepared for.
Stay calm. Speak as Amelia Bernard.
Amelia took a deep breath within and slowly opened his mouth.
"Yes. I have a little sister...
Our parents are both gone, and I live with my grandfather.
I wished to earn money for our living expenses, and that is how I came upon your notice."
Lieselotte fell silent for a moment at those words and looked straight into Amelia's eyes.
Her gentle smile did not change, yet there was something sharp hidden in that gaze.
This is bad... Did she see through me?
Amelia's palms dampened with sweat, and he swallowed hard.
"Amelia, do you understand what it means to serve in the Harem?"
Without showing a moment's hesitation, Amelia answered, his eyes turning earnest.
"Yes, I do.
To serve in the Harem means to swear my loyalty to the Baroness Regnant of Reberk, to the baron-consort, and to Lady Lieselotte."
Lieselotte gave a small nod, then, contrary to what her expression suggested, spoke words he had not expected.
"There are times, in life in the Harem, when one may be called upon to show the baron-consort rather special attentions.
Are you prepared for that?"
For an instant, time itself seemed to stop.
Amelia's heart pounded violently, and a cold sweat trickled down his back.
Special attention?
...Don't tell me—a man like me is going to be bedded by another man!?
A future he did not even want to imagine flashed through his mind, and his face nearly stiffened.
He dropped his gaze to the false breasts strapped to his chest and took a deep breath.
No, wait...
If it only goes as far as being groped, these fake boobs can fool him.
It'll be fine... probably...
He tried desperately to calm himself, but his palms had already turned clammy.
Seeing the look on Amelia's face, Lieselotte's expression softened.
With a somewhat troubled smile, she spoke in a gentle voice.
"That is only natural. It is not the sort of thing one can decide on when asked so suddenly.
My apologies.
From the look of it, you are rather modestly endowed, so the baron-consort may not take an interest in you. Still, I thought it best to ask just in case."
Is the baron-consort obsessed with breasts?
What kind of pervert is he...?
And could it be Lady Lieselotte has already...
At that, Amelia clasped both hands over his chest and made a pained face.
Seeing that, Lieselotte looked startled for a brief instant, then hastily raised her voice.
"M-my apologies!
I was terribly thoughtless."
Lieselotte's face clouded with remorse.
Watching her like that only made the confusion and impatience inside Amelia worsen.
No, no, you don't need to apologize...
Now you're just making me feel guilty instead!
"I-I see. Then let me ask you a few more questions."
After clearing her throat and taking a breath to collect herself, Lieselotte began anew.
"Y-yes, of course."
"To start with, do you have any experience with farm work?"
"...Farm work?"
The words slipped from Amelia before he could stop them.
Farm work? This is the Harem, isn't it?
Why would they ask that?
Shouldn't this be the sort of place where hairdressing and court manners matter...?
As questions swirled through his mind, Amelia kept his expression composed and considered his reply.
Lieselotte, however, merely nodded gently.
"Yes.
Here in the Harem, farm work is one of our important duties as well, since we grow our own vegetables and medicinal herbs."
I see.
Well, with those fields in that condition, I suppose it makes sense that they'd be expected to feed themselves.
"Yes... of course I do.
I often helped my grandfather, so..."
As Amelia answered, old memories resurfaced—days from his childhood when he had worked the fields beside his little sister.
Those days, laughing together while covered in mud, brought a fleeting warmth to his heart.
Lieselotte nodded in satisfaction and moved on to the next question.
"And how about forestry?"
At Lieselotte's words, Amelia's mind went blank for a moment.
Forestry!?
Wait, this is the Harem, right?
I can still understand the fields, but don't tell me they gather their own firewood too?
Though Amelia felt like clutching his head, he kept it from showing on his face and did his best to remain composed.
As expected, he had no experience with forestry.
"M-my apologies.
I think I could manage gathering kindling, but I've never done anything like forest management, so I truly wouldn't know."
When Amelia answered with visible regret, Lieselotte gave him a soft smile.
"I understand.
I am only asking so that we may consider where to assign you, so please answer at ease."
Amelia relaxed a little at that, only to freeze again when the next question came.
"Then... do you like insects?"
Insects...?
What?
Insects? Here, in the Harem?
At that question, a chill of sweat ran down Amelia's spine.
His hands tensed on his lap, his fingers gripping the fabric of his dress tight.
Why would she ask that...?
Has she realized I'm a man?
As tension filled the room, he fought to keep a smile on his face.
I like rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles, sure...
But how am I supposed to answer this?
Are there even women who like bugs?
My little sister didn't seem to mind them, I guess...
If I want this job, I'll just have to gamble.
"Um, well...
Insects are cute, aren't they?
If anything, I would say I rather like them.
So I don't think taking care of them would be a problem."
When Amelia answered, Lieselotte looked relieved for the briefest moment, only to lower her eyes again with an apologetic look.
"I see...
Thank you, Amelia.
But to be honest, it pains me a little to hear it."
Amelia raised his brows in surprise.
"The truth is... I myself am not good with insects.
There is a certain task in the Harem that I would like you to assist with, but it absolutely requires tending them.
And yet, forcing something I cannot bear onto other women like yourself...
Are you truly not pushing yourself?"
At those words, Amelia felt a small ache tighten in his chest at the sight of such pure-hearted goodness in Lieselotte.
A woman this noble and kind is being made to live in a Harem with a pervert...
I want to save her, but I still have to hand her over to that other perverted old man...
Amelia remembered the orders Gideon had given him, and frustration at his own helplessness rose hot in his chest. He bit his lower lip.
"My lady, it's all right.
I will take care of them properly."
Saying that, Amelia drew a deep breath, let his shoulders sink a little, and smiled with quiet resolve.
At least while I'm in the Harem, I'll be her support.
"Truly...
Thank you, Amelia.
You are most reassuring."
A light of relief entered Lieselotte's eyes, and the tension left her shoulders at last.
After bowing her head once more in gratitude, she continued.
"One last thing...
It is not particularly important, but can you clean, do laundry, and cook?"
No, that's the most important part.
The farming, forestry, and insect care are the strange ones!
Suppressing a wry smile, Amelia nodded.
"Of course."
"In that case, I would like to hire you as a harem maid.
I look forward to working with you from here on, Amelia."
Lieselotte pronounced it with a gentle smile.
Feeling relief at last, yet still carrying an anxious sense of what sort of duties might await him, Amelia quietly bowed his head.