Atelier Tanaka

Book 4: Chapter 4 (9)

Territory Pioneering 4

[Sophia-chans point of view]

More recently Ive been experiencing an unusual sense of fulfilment from my work.

Its not the work of a maid that has caused this either. Tanaka-san has tasked me with managing the finances of the town he recently built. Previous to this I had only managed a single restaurant, but now Im overseeing an entire town.

It would be fair to say that my familys restaurant was doing well and I had to do a fair amount of calculations on a monthly basis to balance the books but that amount doesnt compare to the money brought in and spent by the dozens of revenue streams in the city. Im being forced to count up into higher digits that Ive never used before.

This has naturally motivated me to try my hardest to provide an accurate balance.

Its an amazing feeling spending each day lounging around in the school dormitory, but facing a challenge in life exhilarates me like nothing I had experienced over the past several weeks.

Ah, but it cant be too difficult. I wouldnt even know what to do.

.

Not long after I came to the realization that I enjoy the job Ive been given and it gives me a sense of fulfilment, Tanaka-san said he wants to offer me a reward.

A reward would make me happy.

Id be so happy.

Ive been trying my hardest and a reward would show that my efforts havent been wasted.

It made me feel as if he was truly appreciating me and the work Ive been doing.

And for a commoner like me to be rewarded by a member of the nobility for their work is truly amazing. Of course, proper payment is also important.

But, to be honest, I still have the gold I received for the dragon extermination contract and I have no complaints about how Im treated on a daily basis. If he suddenly asks me for something Id like, I have no answer to give him.

Even now, Im sitting at the edge of my large bed, in a room so large its difficult for me to even call it a bedroom. It wouldnt be inaccurate to compare this bed to sleeping on a cloud while my bed at home is similar to sleeping in the mud.

Still, if hes asking what Id like, I guess I would like to no longer have to serve tea to the nobles. But Ester-sama is a nice person and I believe Im getting used to being around Fahren-sama.

Then, maybe I could at least ask to be allowed to refrain from serving members of the royal family. I was terrified when I met the Princess the other day. My mind went blank when I brought in the tea and I can barely even remember what happened after I entered the room.

that is my decision.

Ill ask to no longer serve tea to members of the royal family.

Its the one thing I can think of that keeps me from being happy at work.

Yes, that is the right choice.

Now that thats settled, lets head to the baths.

I left my room and visited one of the public baths in the North District.

***

[Sophia-chans point of view]

I quickly got out of my maid outfit after arriving at the baths and relaxed in the hot water. The bath additive that Tanaka-san came up with worked in tandem with the hot water to create a soothing feeling, unlike anything Ive experienced before. Im tempted to stay in here overnight.

Its already quite late at night and Im the only one here. Its like Ive reserved the entire place for myself.

This feels amazing~

Apparently, this maid isnt allowed to relax for too long.

The door to the baths opened and my consciousness immediately shifted to find who had entered.

Members of the nobility also use these baths from time-to-time. My commoner mind took over and I instinctively began moving to the corner of the bath in order to hide from whoever had entered. 

Then, as I was making my way to the corner, the other party came into sight.

.

Oh no, this is dangerous.

Dont tell me youre embarrassed? Itll just be the two of us.

Umm, still Angelica-sama, Im not sure the two of us.

Its fine, Annerose. Youve made great advancements in position over the last few weeks, havent you? You shouldnt have any concerns about our difference in status.

T-Thats true.

Then do you just not wish to bathe with me? I guess an untrained body such as mine would never match up to the well-toned body of an imperial knight. I dont even deserve to be in the same water as you.

Thats not it all!

Its the Princess.

And Mercedes-san is with her.

I was hiding myself in the shadows behind a statue of a strange creature that spat water out of its mouth. I assume it was designed by Tanaka-san, but I didnt recognize the creature.

Then it should be fine? Unless theres another reason.

O-Of course not.

Neither of them was aware of me being here.

I felt relieved but also realized that I was stuck here.

Theres only one way in and out of the bath and it would be impossible for me to leave without them seeing me.

Ufufu~, Im happy to hear it, Anne.

Ive always heard Tanaka-san call her Mercedes but I guess she also goes by the name Annerose. I wonder which one is her real name. I have a bad habit of enjoying gossip a little too much, so Im very interested.

However, whats more interesting right now is Mercedes-sans strange behaviour.

Y-Your Majesty, if you get that close, umm, well.

Ara, you arent enjoying this?

Thats because Your Highness i-is Your Highness, I-I need to show s-self-control.

Mercedes-san isnt attacking a beautiful woman.

This is the first time Ive ever seen this happen. Its like Im witnessing a rare creature out in the wild. Its genuinely inspiring. Even against Ester-sama, Mercedes-san doesnt hold back.

Ufufu, youre as cold as ever towards me.

N-No, Id never do anything like that!

Im sorry if Im making you uncomfortable.

No, its

But, it will all be okay. Im the one that brought you here so I should take the lead. You can just relax and allow me to take care of everything. Fufu, I brought you here to act as my attendant, but I guess for the first time in a while, Ill get to experience the pleasures of your body to my hearts content.

P-Please, wait a moment, Your Highness!

What did she mean by that?

And Mercedes-san is the one trying to resist.

It was on a whim that I tossed you aside. If I knew what youd become, ufufu, Id have held onto you much longer. But I think this may be the first time a toy Ive tossed aside has returned to me.

.

Does this mean what I think it means?

Is this the source of Mercedes-sans hypersexuality? I dont really know much about their relationship, but the Princess is clearly the one in control. 

Anne, will you lick it?

.

The Princess stood up out of the water so that her crotch was level with Mercedes-sans face. Her head slowly moved forward before her mouth opened and her tongue extended towards the Princess.

Uwaa.

Uwaa, uwaa.

Is such a thing allowed between women?

I never thought the Princess would be Mercedes-sans master. I cant even imagine what kind of reaction Tanaka-san would have to this revelation. Im in a bad situation. If they discover me my life as a maid will end.

I sank further into the water to hide my breathing.

However, my eyes continued following their actions.

Ah, amazing.

They arent going to do that are they?

Does that even work with two women, ah, eh? But how.?

Ufufu, do you think the lord of this city would be pleased to see this? What kind of reaction do you think hed have? Im looking forward to the fun I can have here. Annerose, Im giving you the privilege of being the first here to see it.

P-Please wait, Your Highness, if youre talking about Tanaka then

Ara? Are you actually trying to protect a man? Thats making me even more curious about him.

Your Highness!

Lets just forget about that for now and enjoy ourselves.

I again felt like I had witnessed something outrageous, but this wasnt anything like what happened with Nannuzzi-san. This is something that I can never speak about no matter what happens. It is a secret I must take to my grave.

Ah, Y-Your Highness, th-thats

Ufu

Aah, what should I do?

No, seriously, what am I supposed to do in this situation?

The Princess pulled Mercedes-sans head towards her groin once more.

***