The maiden amidst the crumbling miniature garden
Chapter 3
As I'm about to turn five soon, I engage in various mischief, exploring my house, playing hide-and-seek, gradually mixing with the people surrounding me.
Let me introduce the individuals who are part of my everyday life.
''Young lady, shall we play after breakfast?''
''Yes!''
The one who spoke to me was Aki Tokitou, a maid who came from the Keikain-in household. She's generally the one who keeps me company. Both of my parents are absent, and she manages both her student life and maid duties."
"Apologies for the wait. Today, it's the young lady's favorite: sliced salmon."
"Salmon!"
The one who prepared the meal is Keiko Saitou, both my wet nurse and head maid. Despite being supposed to be single, when standing next to Aki-san they inexplicably look like mother and daughter. Ah, let's pretend I didn't see anything. After all, I'm not originaly from a noble family, and the shadows of aristocratic society run deep. As a substitute for these two, there's a person named Naomi Katsura.
Naomi is off today, and when Aki goes to school, she accompanies me.
"Let's eat."
Everyone clasps their hands in response to my voice. Despite my young age, I, as the mistress of this mansion, naturally sit at the center of the table. Besides the feminine touch, there's also a masculine presence, and this mansion is supported by such individuals.
"Young lady, after your study time, there will be time for an afternoon nap..."
In this abode, Mr. Ryuji Tachibana stands as the exclusive male custodian and my dedicated butler . An elderly gentleman, he adeptly resolves various issues on my behalf; however, his occasional appraising gaze instills a slight sense of unease.I still play the innocent child, a curious choice in the realm of a duke's family where attendants are surprisingly few, defining my contemporary daily life.
But... I didn't recognise anyone from the game.
"Young lady....Where are you?"
"I won't tell~♪"
While playing hide and seek with Aki-san, I explore this mansion. The two-story Western-style house with a garden, built fifty years ago, serves as my residence same as in the game.
I am somewhat convinced that this was what would happen if I turned the picture into reality . This mansion is in Denenchofu(Garden Subrubs), Ota Ward, Tokyo, originally served as a villa for the Keika-in family, later passed on to my father. Now, besides me, no-one been here for years.
(T/N-She is speaking about Keikainin family members "no-one")
The main Keika-in family residence is in Shirogane, Minato Ward, Tokyo.
Nestled amidst the lush thicket, I hear voices from beyond the wall. I heard voices beyond the Mansion wall.
Hey, is this where the Keika-in family resides? The gate is always shut .."
"Yes. It's a villa. The main house should be in Shirogane. Now, a young lady lives here alone."
"That's unfortunate. The Keika-in family, once glorious, seems to face difficulties now."
"If you put it that way, it's the same all over the place. Ah! I miss the days of the bubble economy ."
[|Bubble burst|]
The economic event that determined the prolonged stagnation of this country, history knows it as "Lost Decades".
We are currently in the midst of it, and even the voices beyond the wall of the housewives are tinged with anxiety.
The problem is that it is about to get even worse from here, but I'm the only one who is aware of this.
"Wa!?"
"FOUND YOU, Young lady. Didn't I tell you it's not good to hide in the trees?"
"Hehe. I'm sorry."
Lifted from the shade of the tree, I was scolded by Aki-san. Curiosity prompted me to ask.
"Aki-san, you go to school, right? Is it fun?"
"Indeed , I am presently enrolled in secondary education and it's fun; however, should my scholarship petition garner approval, I contemplate advancing to the realm of academia. Naturally, my allegiance to the young lady remains unwavering."
It was enough with just those words. Nobles, or rather aristocracy, is a world of appearances. If a maid working there is going to college, the cost should be covered by the Noble Family; otherwise, they'll be looked down upon both internally and externally.
''Isn't that family in financial trouble?''
I heard people say that. Nevertheless, Aki-san mentioned a scholarship,This implies that the Keikka-in family doesn't have the luxury to spend money on Aki-san. I clearly realized that this lifestyle wouldn't last long.
''Wow, is it this much...''
Seizing the butler Tachibana-san's absence, I discreetly checked the account books. What became apparent was the expenditure of the aristocratic lifestyle. It seemed like they had cut down considering it's only just me, but personnel expenses for four people amount to two million yen. In addition, utility and miscellaneous expenses result in another one million, totaling three million yen in monthly expenditures.
As for income, they primarily rely on transfers from the Keikka-in family, but the amount has significantly decreased. What used to be five million is now down to three million yen, and Tachibana is using surplus funds for financial maneuvers to cover the slightly insufficient amount. Knowing that the final blow of the bubble burst is imminent, these expenses will likely be further cut."
"Yeah...
I don't want to part ways with Tachibana, Kaori-san, Aki-san, and Naomi-san."
Even if I become a villainess, no, precisely because I am a villainess, I must do everything in my power for those who have followed me. That's why I've decided to discard the mask of a good girl that I once been.
________________________________________________
[Address confirmed]
This mansion is in Denenchofu, and the main branch of the Keikka-in family is in Shirogane.
Probably, during the time of the previous generation , Denenchofu was a place where the elderly of the Keikka-in family boasted their influence.
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