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Morning Assembly And An Elegant Master
Now then, let’s take a look around.
There was no personal room, even back in the housing facility where I spent 3,5 half years, only a punishment room. However, each person was given a bed of their own, which helped ensure their personal space.
There was none of that here. But there was a large bed by the window, large enough for several adults to lie down. There was only that bed and a closet on the opposite side. So, where did you put your personal belongings? Under the bed. If you removed the board under the bed, you could store some items underneath.
If so, what should be kept in the closet?
「What, you haven’t changed yet, get changed quickly
「Yes」
I turned around and answered the young man who called out to me. So I moved away from the window and sluggishly walked to the closet.
Inside the closet were clothes. You could think of them as the so-called suits. A slightly more gorgeous suit. In a way, this too might be called everyday wear.
「It’ll be bad if we’re late. I’m going to look around the other room, hurry up. You could go to the courtyard by yourself, right?」
「Yes」
「Yosh, well then」
The young man left with a quick pace after I nodded.
I sighed once, opened the closet, and took out my own clothes. It was a piece of clothing with a glaring design and was always maintained in pristine condition. Scratches, fraying, or visible stains were obviously unacceptable, but even a wrinkle was going to cause a big problem. That was because this was not mine.
Once I finish changing my clothes, I stand in front of the mirror placed between the closet and the bed just to make sure. Something like a slightly crooked bow tie could get me glares. Yosh, no problem now.
There was still some time. That's what I was thinking when I was about to leave the room.
Bang! There was a sound of the door being forced open, and several boys rushed in.
「Not goodー, not goodー! .....oi, Fay! You’re in the way, move!」
I’m glad I finished changing my clothes first. I immediately jumped to the side.
This was also a shared room. Unlike the housing facility, there were always 5, or 6 people crammed in a room. Well, about this, there’s also the fact that I have received preferential treatment in the housing facility from the very start. There was also a large room over there. But, at that time, there was a bully, Wicax. It was an arrangement made out of the consideration that a 3-year-old wouldn’t be able to endure the bullying.
This room was spacious enough. If it were just for sleeping, then even 5 adults should be able to manage somehow. But.....
「Oi, Fay! Where do you think you’re going!」
Of course, to the courtyard.
The servants of the Viscount's House have to go and greet the master almost every morning. Tardiness was prohibited.
「I’m going first」
「Oi....oii! Wait! Don’t just go ahead!」
I could not help but say that this was a very unfortunate situation.
There were not only boy slaves in this large room. The majority were the children of the servants, and they would remain in the position of serving the Viscount's house. Therefore, the seniors sharing a room with me were not slaves.
Probably it was because of that. I can’t help but notice how young their mental age is. No, if anything, their level of behavior was suitable for their age.
The children Myluc carefully selected and purchased were carefully trained. Even so, children like would still Wicax appear, but even that guy was not truly that foolish. He was intelligent enough to feel pessimistic about his own lack of a future.
Still, the children here were in almost the exact opposite situation from him. Their future place of employment had already been decided, and furthermore, it was as servants in a noble mansion. They were well aware of this privileged position. It would be plain to see if they even got the opportunity to play with the children outside the mansion. They were already acting like the boss when in front of children from an ordinary household.
Consequently, they have no tension. No ambition. Just children. No, more like a somewhat ill-natured kid with nothing but arrogance growing inside them.
「What’s the matter?」
「People will speak badly about us if you’re the only one not late!」
Haa.
Where did you wander around while knowing there would be a morning assembly? Most likely, they were acting high and mighty outside the mansion.
「That’s why, I tell you! Wait here! You’re a slave, right? So, listen to what we say!」
That was right, they all know my status. And, they have been firmly warned not to discriminate because of that.
Why? There was a good reason for this. I wonder if this was the butler, Ifroz, who thought about this. I could not really imagine that the young head of the house would be aware of something like this.
「I’m scared」
「What the heck!」
「I’m a slave, so I’m not treated as well as everyone else. Everyone would be fine if you’re late even a little, but I could get kicked out of the mansion. That’s why, please let me go first」
That reason. In the end, this was just my guess.....
First. I was purchased as a slave, so there was the possibility of being released. Of course, this was under the assumption that I continue serving the Viscount house. In that case, what would become of the relationship with the servants who were not slaves to begin with? Since I am a slave, it was obvious there would be the air of people looking down on me, so there might be possibilities of coming into conflict with the others when that former slave eventually stood on equal footing. For seeds of conflict to remain in the family was undesirable.
So it’s fine to never release slaves, but in that case, you could not expect qualities as servants from them. They were constantly being looked down upon and had no chance of breaking free from their slavery. So you could not expect loyalty from them, and even if you find a capable slave, there was the concern that you could not make good use of them. There was also the problem of motivation, but if they remained as slaves, they would be unable to sign a contract and therefore could not be entrusted with responsible work.
However, that was still just the official stance, as in reality, behind the scenes, they would still throw the difference in status in your face. My daily stress came at night when it was time to sleep. There should be a lot of spaces, but the other children keep crowding around me. Thanks to that, I could only sleep curled up small in the corner. That’s just the reality.
Aah, there was also another reason. It seems the family head also understands this but......
「But, we will be angry at you!」
「I think you will still be able to make it in time if you hurry」
In reality, it was already at the last moment. And as expected, they seemed to know that, and they looked at each other’s faces after hearing what I said, and hastily dressed themselves without words.
If they could not make it in time at any rate, it was better to increase the accomplices. But, it was better to hurry instead, if there was a chance they could still make it in time.
After making sure they were not looking at me, I quietly stepped out to the passageway.
I stood upon the flagstones of the courtyard. Each block of these flagstones was enough for a single person.
The order in which people line up was also properly decided. If anything, they ought to just put a newcomer like me at the back but I ended up being placed rather close to the front. Oh well, a child’s body was small, so I probably would not be able to be seen even from the terrace if I stood at the back.
I could hear the sounds of footsteps approaching. The surroundings were so quiet that the sound echoed very well. Sensing the atmosphere, the children who were on the verge of being late - held their breath.
It goes without saying that it was prohibited to run while wearing suit-like clothes. They might get dirty or torn if you fall. And getting mud on your shoes was also bad. Moreover, it was hardly desirable to have the suits smell of sweat. The cleaning day was fixed.
The children slowly made their way to the courtyard with docile expressions on their face and beads of sweat on their foreheads. The adults were showing a somewhat stern expression while looking straight ahead. However, they do not say anything. Scolding them was not allowed here. At this point, it was impossible to know when the master would choose to appear.
I also do not make eye contact with them, staring unconcerned diagonally upward at the pure white terrace intently.
And, at that moment, the curtains suddenly opened. Five figures appear from the other side of the window.
One of them was the head of the Viscount house, Safis Enbio Tviety1 . At just 31 years old, he had been entrusted with the management of this port city, Pyris, an important base for the Kingdom. A picture of a handsome guy. Beneath his bright and shiny brown hair was a face with distinct facial features. The stylish black pseudo-tailcoat he wore was very fashionable. Indeed, this creates an atmosphere that could be described as elite nobility.
Standing next to him was his wife, Eleiara Insein Brocade2. At 28 years old, she was quite a beauty. Since she had the mixed blood of a Ruinian, her hair was a rich golden. With a pink dress loosely on her body and looking at her expression, it seems fitting. She truly seemed gentle and kind.
Standing at her feet was the Viscount’s daughter, Liliana, 3.5 years old. She had beautiful blonde perm hair inherited from her mother. She looks a little timid, but she was plenty cute.
Standing straight and led by the hand, Wym, still 2 years old. He had his father’s brown hair.
Standing behind them was this mansion’s butler, Ifroz Sawab. It was some time after I came to this mansion that I found out he had the mixed blood of Ruinian and Saharian. Southwest of Esta Forestia, at the edge of the south inland sea, was a conflict zone where the forces of Saharia, Seripashia, and Foretia clash. Ifroz was born in such a land, and as if it were a matter of course, he threw himself into battles and distinguished himself. Finally, he was discovered by the previous Viscount and began to serve him.
Ifroz quickly glances at the servants’ faces. And with just that, he should be able to grasp everyone’s situation. The children who were just barely in time would probably get a scolding.
Safis steps forward, as if interrupting the expressionless Ifroz. Then, all the servants raised their voices as if we had planned it beforehand.
「Good morning, master!」
After saying that, we bowed deeply. At this point, if the bow was too shallow or the time spent bent at the waist too short, one would be reprimanded later. We have to be on the same page.
「Aah, everyone, morning」
A refreshing voice came from above.
This ritual was repeated almost every morning. This meant that the Viscount watches over his servants and even cares about us. But actually, I do not think that was the case.
Safis gently turned to the right. He muttered something but we could not hear it as we were standing below the terrace. Before we knew it, Ifroz - standing next to him - told him something, and he nodded. And when he turned around, his gaze was momentarily directed at me.
And he followed with a little speech.
「It is thanks to everyone that I am able to concentrate on official business every day. Today I must go to the Governor’s Office to fulfill my duties, yet I could always depart with peace of mind」
It was words of gratitude from the master. Whenever such lines came out, we bowed slightly. And we did it with a hand on our chest. I had to learn this by quietly observing those around me.
「I wish everyone would be able to display their abilities here without worries.....now then」
Until then, his gaze met mine again.
「I think everyone already knows about it, today, I am going to talk about your new colleague, Fay-kun」
It’s attracting attention. Uwaa, this felt uncomfortable. But, this should not be a bad thing. Or rather, Safis never scolds the servants. That was the job of Ifroz and the other staff.
「It has been a month since he joined u,s and he seems to have become familiar with his workplace. While it is due to his own hard work, I also think it is because of everyone’s support」
The Viscount himself acted the part of the kind and good-natured master.
「Fay-kun, you also listen, yes? There are people here who were originally slaves and have acquired their freedom and are doing praiseworthy works. I hope that you will continue to work hard for your future of 10 or 20 years from now 」
At that, I deeply bowed. I should not make any sound. Since the master was in the middle of talking.
「There is still much work to do to maintain the peace in the kingdom. Although that will have direct involvement in that, I hope everyone will put in their best efforts, so it will benefit the people of Pyris in the end」
Finally, he concluded the talk with some nice words.
Once the speech was over, the Viscount’s family retreated to the back. Once their figures were completely out of sight and the curtain was closed, the servants finally left the place. Of course, sighing listlessly and hunching your back was an out. Small talk was absolutely forbidden. Well, once we left the courtyard and entered the mansion’s corridor, we might be allowed to talk, but no one did such a thing. First, I just want to quickly take off these neat clothes I’m wearing.
I suddenly look to the side and see the kids from before caught by the head maid. A mild lecture was about to begin. But, that had nothing to do with me. Let’s get changed right away.
But still, man, I feel sick. Every morning. So sickening.
Why do they hold such pointless morning assemblies? Specific instructions, communications, and exchange of information were handled somewhere else. Based on my experience working in a company organization in my previous life, this seems like a waste of time. .....no, there were a lot of companies that did this kind of ritual. Whether shady startups or those bank-affiliate places where money just keeps pouring in from amakudari4.
Of course, I could clearly understand it if that was their aim.
Viscount-sama, what a fine master you are.
That’s what I wanted to say.
Generous and kind to the servants. Even slaves were treated without discrimination. He was acting the role of such a liberal master.
And, if we serve such a master - a noble who was close to their servants - then even we could hope for promotion. Maybe they might cherish us.
However.
From my perspective, it was clear that it was all just an act. Coming from modern Japan, all of it just looks like an empty show to me.
The Viscount always ended his speech with things such as, ‘For the sake of the kingdom, for the citizens of Pyris’. It was like he was saying we should put our own needs second and should be satisfied as long as we could serve society. But then, why would he speak from a terrace that was one level higher than us?
The same goes for our clothes. If the Viscount’s family wants to wear fine clothes, then they were free to do so. But, why would they also dress us servants in nice clothes? Knowing it could never be our everyday clothes. This must be ‘that’. Something with a different meaning from when Myluc invites the young slaves to his guest room on their birthday. Your master was clearly a lord, thus the pressure that they expect you to act properly, and also means to assert their authority. In addition to that, there was also the condescending feeling of, ‘Your master cares for you so much he even gave you fine clothes'.
That, was probably.....a complex towards the leading nobility.
There was one taboo in this Viscount Tviety’s house. That is, the Marquis Fonkeno's House, which was the head house. Being Viscount means that they were a branch family. They were only second-rate nobles.
That’s exactly why Viscount Tviety’s house was now backing the Crown Prince’s faction and getting involved in the power struggle. If he did not do this, he would not be able to keep his rank, let alone dream of rising higher. It was in contrast with Marquis Fonkeno’s House, that maintain certain distance from the royal family and just securely protects its own territory.
That Viscount.....Safis just how many dark, seething emotions was he hiding underneath that sweet mask of his? It had been 2 years since the death of his father, an excellent finance official. And his reputation had not been established. However, he had the advantage of living in this noble society. He was the school friend of the crown prince. And he was now one of the crown prince’s confidants.
Just because of that, it was not unusual for him to attract envious stares. At the same time, there was an angle where people saw him as a lowly person who hung on to the authority of the royal family. He more or less also had some experience in military affairs, graduating from the prestigious noble school in the royal capital with good results, and could be said to be a young elite.
Even though the person himself had an inferiority complex, he was envied by those around him. Naturally, people end up wanting to make themselves look better than they really are. And so, I think that him dressing his servants was part of that as well. A really wealthy noble could afford to provide high-quality everyday clothes for their servants and would not hire foolish people who would dirty their clothes in the first place. This was because a noble title and its reward act as a filter for talent.
Well, acting like an impressive master could be said to be part of their job. But, for some reason, I could not help but shake this feeling that his own preferences - or maybe desire or some sort of emotions - were mixed in there.
Now.
At any rate, that had nothing to do with me.
Let’s quickly return to my room and change into everyday clothes. It’s going to be busy from now on. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
Previous Chapter - TOC - Next Chapter
TL Note :
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サフィス・エンバイオ・トヴィーティ, alternative : Saphis Envaio Toviety
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エレイアラ・インセイン・ブロケード, alternative : Eleiala, Eleyara, Eleira
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リリアーナ
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Amakudari, ex-bureaucrats landing cushy jobs in private/public sectors.
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