"Oh! So that's why you didn't offer him the full service. Sorry for scolding you, honey. Hmm, maybe only MILFs are the ones who need the full service. Yeah, that makes more sense now."
"..."
"But honey, how did you get her up to 49? You must have done something in the end, right? Any groping? Ahem, I mean, a special massage? Don't tell me you discreetly showed her Ru Yi Bang?huehue~, that would turn anyone on."
"No, I didn't. After talking about a lot of things, I just gave her a relaxing massage until she fell asleep for a few minutes. When she woke up, she left.I don't know how that percentage went up if I didn't do anything to make it happen… Besides, (ㆆ_ㆆ)I already told you to stop calling it that.
"Huehueh~, but it's the best name, I mean. Honey, it's your fault for being on team grower."
"....Fine, whatever. It's your turn to watch her again. If a customer comes in, make sure you don't make them uncomfortable like you did with Bianca, okay?"
"Oh! Right, there was something about her. I don't know what it is, but I feel like it's on the tip of my tongue. Uuuh! It's so frustrating... Well, next time we merge, I'll use your brain to figure it out. Anyway, sleep well, honey. Don't worry; everything will be fine in my hands. Ah! How's it going on Amy's side?"
"...Everything's fine, I guess. I'm still gathering information."
"Hmm, can I come in? I'll behave, I swear."
"No, it's too soon and too difficult. There are a lot of rules we have to be careful about, or we could endanger the doppelganger—and even Ama-Amy."
"Ugh! That can't happen. Alright, today, keep helping Amy. I can hold back."
With everything settled, I went up to finish paying off the debt. Since my doppelganger is ultimately controlled by a parallel stream of consciousness, I'm logically aware of everything he does.
But thanks to the time I had to practice—and maybe because I was fused with the instinctive Iris—I learned to set aside and ignore what he was doing, and he did the same with me.
This allowed each of us to focus on our own part without interruption or confusion, although it makes us feel, at least temporarily, like two different beings—though that corrects itself immediately when either of us pays attention to the other side.
A curious thing happens when I sleep; even though the main mind—which is me—is asleep, he keeps functioning.
I don't fully understand how it happens, but the closest analogy I can think of is how dolphins work.
He was about to explore the surroundings, but I can rest easy—he'll handle everything correctly.
..
.
*****
Alright, now I have to move logically
It's been almost two hours since I arrived at the palace, and it was time to make a move. I had to be careful since I don't know what awaits me.
I'd already experienced this when I arrived at the castle; getting in wasn't as simple as the daughter had said.
She hadn't lied—all I had to do was show the letter, confirm that I was a woman —which was verified by a female servant, of course—, and prove that my profession didn't exceed rank three.
I got through all that easily, but there was an extra, unmentioned test—a sort of interrogation about my intentions.
They seemed like three routine, insignificant questions, but I didn't let my guard down. Knowing that there are all kinds of professions and skills out there, I didn't rule out the possibility that they might have some way of telling if I was lying.
At first I was worried, but I managed to pull through anyway because, first of all, I was undoubtedly a massage therapist who had come to do that job.
Second, I had no personal resentment or grudge against anyone living in this castle.
And third, I wasn't acting on the orders of a third party or any organization with questionable intentions toward the crown or important figures: all of this was simply something I did for Iris, and it wasn't an order or anything like that.
I dodged that last one with a technicality, but I figured what mattered was whether I was lying or not—and I wasn't.
Finally, they let me in, and I went straight to Amarillys, guided by a eunuch. Since then, I've been pretending to give her an initial massage under the pretense of demonstrating my skills to Amarillys, though I've really just been spending my time reading books.
I'd like to stay longer, but that would make things seem suspicious from the start, and I need to settle in here.
I was thinking of finding other maids or the head maid to clarify things and give me information about my quarters and such, since Amarillys said she didn't know about that.
But as soon as I stepped out and turned the first corner, I ran into someone head-on. She was an older woman; her ears were peculiar, so I couldn't tell what kind of animal she was.
She looked to be in her fifties, but she could be much older. I discovered that mana in this world makes people live longer and therefore look younger than I'm used to for a certain age range, so that woman might actually be quite a bit older.
She looked at me while holding a tray with a tea set and many snacks. I thought she was one of the maids doing her work, and I didn't want to interrupt her, but she was the one who stopped me.
"You there, stop right there. You must be the masseuse who started today, right?"
"...Yes, that's correct."
She started speaking to me in a harsh, haughty tone, looking at me with suspicion and distrust.
"Then can you explain to me how you got in? As far as I know, I haven't approved anything like that."
From that alone, I understood who this woman was and why she was acting that way. She must be the head maid, and as such, she's the one who manages Amarillys's maids and, therefore, controls who comes and goes from this residence.
I entered in a non-traditional way, which is unusual here since Amarillys had never used that privilege before.
So all the maids and staff in this residence up until now were controlled by her.
She must know the other method, but even so, she must be wondering how I even received that privilege and why she hadn't found out anything until I was already inside.
I knew it was something someone in her position would ask me, and I already had my alibi ready.
"Yes, I was a massage therapist and had my own massage parlor. But a few days ago, a young woman came in—I now know she was one of the young ladies—and she was impressed by my skill, and I had the honor of receiving a letter bearing Your Highness seal."
It was complicated because no one was supposed to know that Amarillys had left the palace, so with her permission, I used her daughters as an excuse, and she agreed. Later, I'll have to get her to back up this alibi.
"Hmm, I see. Well, it's the only way someone of no class like you could be here, and I suppose Lady Amarillys recognized your skills and made you her masseuse."
"That's correct."
"Tsk, anything would do for her. Well, whatever. Since you're here, go take this to Lady Amarillys."
"...This isn't part of my duties."
I am still a maid, yes. But I'm not part of the general staff.
I report directly to Amaryllys.
That means I answer to her, not to the head maid. She can give orders to the others, but she can't treat me like just another maid.
If she wants to do something like that, she has to discuss it with Amarillys. I have no reason to obey orders that don't fall under my job description.
"Haah~ you really seem like an uneducated commoner who doesn't understand how things work around here. Why did the young ladies recommend a filthy girl like you?"
"..."
"Whatever. Listen! If I say something in this residence, it must be obeyed. I'm the Chief. If I tell you to go clean the stables, you go and do it. Do you understand? Be grateful I'm being considerate."
If I see what's going on here, it's a stupid, pointless display of power. She wants to make my place and her place crystal clear.
When something like this happens, it's best to just go along with it and then file a complaint with Amarillys—or, if I want to take it further, with the matron who runs the harem—but I'd better see where this leads.
"I see. Thank you for your guidance, Lady Overseer."
"Hmph, at least you're capable of acknowledging that. Well, just go and do as I say. After all, I'm being so considerate that I've given you a task that, as a novice, will earn you points with Lady Amarillys. Not many have that privilege, so you can take all the credit."
"I understand. I'm grateful and appreciate this opportunity."
"Good, don't waste any time then. Go on, before it gets cold and you ruin it."
"Alright."
I took the tray, and even though I'd just left there, I went back. I could feel that woman's gaze on me until I turned the corner again. I walked calmly through the wooden-floored hallways, which were very Japanese in style.
This entire realm and culture has Asian nuances; it incorporates elements from a few other cultures as well, but Japanese culture was the most dominant.
I don't know if this is a culture that would naturally develop in another world or if there was some kind of intervention, but finding out those facts isn't my current priority.
I stood in front of the door and spoke
"Your Highness, I've brought you your afternoon tea"
"Huh?... You may come in."
With Amarillys' permission, I entered the room by opening the sliding door. Her room was very large, and there sat Amarillys on her bed reading a book.
Her room was somewhat curious, as this place closely resembled our own, with a blend of Eastern and Western styles.
Apparently, this isn't the norm, and it happened because one of her daughters liked the culture of another kingdom, which is why Amarillys had so much furniture and decor of that style.
She stood up, looked around, and mainly behind me when she seemed to confirm that I had come alone.
Her nervous ears seemed to perk up immediately with happiness, and she approached me like a happy little girl.
In that sense, she's peculiar—I'd even say fascinating. I don't understand how, despite her age and stature, she can express that feeling so naturally.
"Big sis, you're back already? You said you'd be gone for a few hours!"
"Yeah, some things came up. Also, try not to talk so loud—no one's here with me, but the walls are thin."
She was still acting very familiar, but after I came in here, I made it clear to her that she could only act that way when it was just the two of us alone.
I also warned her that I'd behave a little more formally in the castle, even when we're alone, though that was so I wouldn't have to pretend to be Iris all the time—it's exhausting.
I calmly went ahead, set the tea and accompanying sweets on the table, and began to prepare it, while she restlessly followed me around.
"Ah! So you brought the snacks, huhu~ today they're chocolate cookies."
"Wait, don't touch anything yet."
"Huh? What's going on, big sister?"
"First of all, answer me this: what's your relationship like with your head maid?—Hey! Stop that! I told you not to touch it. You're not being subtle at all 눈_눈"
"B-but big sister, the cookies look delicious and freshly baked ＞﹏＜"