Dream Life Vol 3 Chapter 33.2: “Behind The Scenes: First Part”

~Eleanor’s Perspective~

　Showing her determination, Ms. Barbara began to speak forcefully.

“…Sir Zacharias generously provided this much for the wedding banquet of Lady Rosalind and his brother Sir Rodrick. We have an obligation to respond to that request! We must make this the best wedding banquet in the empire, if not the world. I hope you will all be prepared to do the same.” (Barbara)

　After that, no one opened their mouths. Not only me, but even the cheerful Dorothy was at a loss for words.

　Sir Zacharias had given so much glass for the marriage of the young lady and Rodrick that it amounted to 200,000 C Crona (= about 200 million yen). We are obligated to make the banquet worthy of that value. I understood what Ms. Barbara was trying to say.

　Everyone’s faces were a little contorted. Perhaps their stomachs were aching at the thought of what would happen two days later. At the very least my stomach was churning.

　And then, at 7:00 p.m.

　The attendants, waiters, and cooks in charge of the feast had gathered in the serving room.

　When I entered the serving room, hundreds of beautiful glasses were laid out on the table. They looked like sparkling jewels in the light of the pale light magic tools, but I didn’t have time to be impressed by them.

　Sir Zacharias entered the serving room. He was followed by a beautiful woman, an elf and a tiger beastfolk, but no one, including the young people serving and cooking, paid any attention to them. We were only looking at Sir Zacharias.

　Perhaps sensing our nervousness, Sir Zacharias gave us a wry smile.

　Then, perhaps regaining his composure, he gave us a carefree smile and slowly walked in front of Ms. Barbara.

　Then, suddenly, he got down on one knee and bowed to the noble lady.

“Thank you for your time today, Lady Harding.” (Zack)

　For a moment, Ms. Barbara froze. Because Sir Zacharias kissed the back of Ms. Barbara’s right hand. [T/N: You damn flirt! You already have four. t(°∆°)t]

“Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you too, Sir Zacharias.” (Barbara)

　She answered with a smile, but her usual cold impression was almost absent. On the contrary, I think she is blushing a little.

　It’s rude to put it this way, but to me it looked like the awkwardness of a girl standing in front of her first love.

　Ms. Barbara is still single and must have turned thirty-five this year, although she looks quite young. She is an excellent person and very reliable head maid, but she seems to give a bit of a cold impression to those who meet her for the first time. Therefore, although she herself is beautiful, all young men are hesitant. Well, Ms. Barbara herself said that young men are unreliable, so maybe she is not too concerned about it.

　It is very surprising to see her cheeks blushing. I am sorry to say this, but Sir Zacharias is old enough to be Ms. Barbara’s son.

　Whether or not Sir Zacharias noticed this or not, he immediately got down to business. I could see that Ms. Barbara looked a little sad when she was left behind. [T/N: (◯Δ◯∥) Puma sighted.]

“I don’t have much time until two days from now, so I’ll just explain the main points. It’s not that difficult. Please take it easy and listen.”

　Mr. Fergus, the head waiter, bowed his head and said, “Thank you very much for your help,” with a thoughtful expression on his face.

　When we looked up, we saw that Master Zacharias was looking back at Ms. Lydiane the elf and Ms. Beatrice the tiger-beastfolk with troubled faces, as if asking for help.

　I was a little offended because the two of them looked as if they were about to start laughing somehow.

　Because we are serious over here, and it’s rude to laugh.

　Sir Zacharias began his explanation with a resigned look on his face.

“Well then, let me ask you first. You all seem to be concerned about the glass, but you don’t have to break this glass. It can be easily remade with magic, so don’t worry about it too much. If you concentrate too much on the glass, your movements will become even more stiff, and most of all, your movements will not be beautiful…” (Zack)

　It is impossible not to be nervous even after being told such a thing. It seems that other people are thinking the same thing.

“…Let’s start with the basics. It is very obvious, but cleanliness is the most important thing. Especially your fingertips, even your fingernails should be neatly trimmed…” (Zack)

　At first I wondered what he was talking about. We serve guests of the lords and aristocrats, so of course we keep our hands clean.

“…The thing that guests always see when their glasses are placed is the hand of the person serving them. It would be quicker if you could see it…” (Zack)

　After saying that, he asked Ms. Barbara to sit on a chair and he held a glass in his hand.

　Holding the glass by the leg, he placed the glass in front of Barbara.

　It looked like a casual gesture, but it was a very beautiful movement. I could understand why His Excellency was so moved.

“Lady Harding. What do you think? Don’t you find your gaze lingering on the fingertips?” (Zack)

　Ms. Barbara looked confused.

　Sir Zacharias smiled and nodded, and one of the waiters called out to him.

“Would you please place a glass in front of Lady Harding as well?” (Zack)

　The waiter looked a little troubled but placed his glass in the same manner as Sir Zacharias.

　Ms. Barbara’s face looked surprised.

“I see what you mean! It’s true that at first my eyes are drawn to the beautiful glass. However, when I notice something in the hand that’s holding it, it bothered me a little, my eyes fall back on that. You want to mention that don’t you, Sir?” (Barbara)

　I was looking behind me, too, and sure enough, it was true.

　The waiter’s fingertips were slightly darker, which bothered me a little.

“I’m a swordsman, so I don’t have goodlooking fingers. However, it’s enough to add a little care… Keep your nails short and don’t have any dirt between them. This may not be very helpful. Well, let me show you my fingers…” (Zack)

　With that said, he showed his fingers to us one by one starting with Ms. Barbara.

　I was shown it too, and they were really beautiful. It looked like they had been cut short and filed or something. Comparing with my own fingers, I think mine are a little longer and a little duller. Even I, a woman, thought so, so I guess the men serving us were even worse.

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say that you are all unsanitary, but you still seem to have a little bit of dirt between your fingernails. I will leave some soap on the table, so please clean yourselves some more.” (Zack)

　He then leaves a wooden box of soap.

　It was the finest soap from the village of Rathmore.

　There is soap in this castle, but the one we use is cheaper. But I was told that it has only become available in the last few years. The soap from Rathmore Village is so expensive that it is used by the lord’s family. We were more stunned than surprised that he would ask us servants to use it so carelessly.

　While we were a little stunned, Sir Zacharias immediately began to talk about the next thing.

“Next, your movements, yes, your posture is important. Please pay attention to each and every movement…” (Zack)

　Again, I thought, just the basics. But because of what had just happened, everyone was listening intently.

“A beautiful, straight posture and refined movements when serving guests will make them feel more satisfied. Even the slightest timid or restless behavior is very unseemly…” (Zack)