Chapter 145
Sighs emerged from various corners of my words. It felt like hearing something they had prepared for. But before anyone could speak further, I quickly added.
“However, I don’t think it’s entirely right for everyone to bear collective responsibility for something committed by a specific person. I also don’t like the idea of people permanently losing their lifelong work over a single mistake.”
Some degree of solidarity is essential when forming and working in a community. But imposing excessive responsibility like this doesn’t make the community closer—it only breeds resentment and creates grudges against each other.
“So I asked Her Majesty Evgenia to give one more chance, and fortunately, she granted it.”
“Then, does that mean we can work as Your Highness’s maids again?”
“Most of you will be able to.”
“When you say most…….”
“I can’t keep someone who means to harm me in the palace, so we must identify them.”
“You’re absolutely right!”
“Yes! Of course we need to identify them! We can’t have such a person in Your Highness’s palace!”
Several maids vehemently agreed with me. Since the others also seemed to silently concur, I confidently continued.
“So, from now on, we’ll be identifying them. Starting from the front, you’ll move in groups of three to separate rooms.”
“Separate rooms?”
“Yes. Then you’ll receive paper and a quill, and write down the name of anyone suspicious and the reason why. Place it in here when done. It’s anonymous, so don’t write your own name.”
I showed them the wooden box in my hand. It was a box with just a bottom and four walls, without a top cover.
I hadn’t specially prepared it—actually, I’d just taken out a small drawer from the desk in my quarters. It seemed wasteful to make something new just for this one-time use.
“You’ll have 5 minutes each, and a bell will ring when time’s up. You must wait for the bell before coming out. Don’t forget to fold your paper to hide what you’ve written before leaving.”
This was a precaution to prevent the real culprit from using time differences to frame an innocent person.
“I’ll be the only one reading these, so don’t worry. Any questions?”
“…….”
I guess the silence when asking for questions is the same everywhere.
Since I hadn’t particularly expected any, I simply nodded lightly.
“Then let’s begin.”
* * *
The box had accumulated quite a stack of papers. After receiving the last maid’s paper, I returned to my quarters with a word of thanks for their hard work. Noticing Reno’s curious but silent gaze, I found myself asking him:
“Could you help me sort these? There are quite a few papers.”
“Of course, if you need me to.”
Though there seemed to be many papers, it wasn’t really too much for one person. Still, I found myself nodding.
“I do need help.”
It would be faster with two people than alone. Plus, Reno was trustworthy.
As I was about to enter my bedroom unconsciously, I hesitated as something occurred to me. Come to think of it, hadn’t Reno considered it improper to enter my bedroom?
“Um, Reno?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Should we do this in your room?”
“Pardon……?”
Reno looked at me with evident surprise. His somewhat excessive reaction made me feel embarrassed too.
“You said before you couldn’t come into my bedroom. So–”
I tried to explain, but somehow it felt strange. Something…… seemed off, but I couldn’t quite pinpoint what.
Fortunately, Reno was more composed and rational than I was. Unlike me who had become slightly rigid, he offered a new solution.
“Ah, that’s what you meant. Still, it would be better to do this outside rather than in my room. Shall I bring a table and chairs out here?”
“No. We should use a room since conversations might leak out.”
“That’s true too. Um, just a moment. Let me check my room first, just in case.”
Reno quickly disappeared into his room. My reason belatedly returned somewhat, allowing for more normal thinking.
Wait, since the palace is large, couldn’t we just use another reception room?
“Please come in, Your Highness.”
“Ah, okay.”
But when Reno spoke, I found myself nodding before I could think. Though I immediately regretted it.
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