Chapter 93
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
“His Majesty couldn’t make a move. He was expelled because the Duke protected that woman.”
“Ha! To think he was actually thrown out. He has thrown the dignity of the royalty to the ground. And the Duke had the audacity to expel the king?”
Lady Luther gulped her cold lemonade.
“Did the Duke really took you?”
“Absolutely. I even managed to get close to him. Wait for the photos, a reporter I secretly called must have taken some.”
Leah slightly squinted her eyes and chuckled as she lifted her teacup.
“If you say so, I’ll wait and see.”
“But, Madam, what happened to the maid you sent to the Duke’s estate?”
Countess Ablio, who was also present, asked. Lady Luther’s brow furrowed.
“Given there’s been no contact, I assume her throat was cut and she was dumped in the river.”
“They should know better than to harm a maid sent from the royal household.”
“That’s the official stance. Likely, they’ve hidden her away somewhere out of sight, blocking her eyes and ears. That’s why we haven’t heard anything.”
Lady Luther’s expression was tinged with regret.
“Speaking of which, I heard there’s a maid who was expelled from the Duke’s residence. Should we try to find her?”
“Marchioness Kerren, how could you ignore an expelled maid for so long? Can’t you imagine how scared that child must be?”
“I will offer her a warm place and set up a workspace for her. You should be able to meet her soon.”
“Can I look forward to it?”
Finally, Lady Luther’s face brightened.
* * *
Adrian looked at the young woman sitting in front of him.
“Truly, your mother is remarkable.”
Not only did she send a maid directly to the Duke’s house, but she also thought to receive updates on what transpired.
The Duke must already know. That’s why this girl, who used to serve Emilia, was placed in the lowest part of the mansion, farthest away from her.
“Please, have a seat.”
The cloaked woman carefully sat down opposite him, her head bowed, unable to meet his gaze.
“Take off your cloak.”
As she removed her cloak, her short, dark green hair was revealed. Her violet eyes, similar to his, sparkled.
“Your Majesty, I am Milina, Lady Luther’s most cherished maid.”
“A child cherished by my mother…”
Unfortunately, Milina was mistaken.
If she was truly cherished, she wouldn’t have been sent to the Duke’s estate.
She was likely sweet-talked into going there as part of a scheme.
“So, what have you brought?”
“I was assigned a position away from the Duchess soon after arriving, as they suspected I came from the royal household. But even from there, I hear all that transpires within the Duke’s estate.”
Milina recounted the events she had witnessed and handed Adrian her notebook.
“I hope this can be of help.”
“Why did you come to me instead of my mother? It seems you have a request.”
“…I have a small favor to ask.”
Milina swallowed nervously and then stated her request clearly.
“I wish to serve Your Majesty directly. I understand you will soon be taking a queen. Please allow me to serve her.”
“You know that the queen’s maids are selected through strict criteria.”
“…I am aware.”
“And that there’s a prerequisite that they must be of noble birth.”
“…I know that too. That’s why I’ve come to Your Majesty, not Lady Luther.”
Her eyes were filled with ambition. Adrian could sense why his mother might have sent this particular girl to the Duke’s estate.
It wasn’t just sweet talk; perhaps there was a bit of hope in her decision.
“Very well. I’ll grant you a title. I’ll provide you with a house, and enable you to live as a noble.”
“Really?”
Milina’s face brightened with disbelief, her expression one of someone about to bow deeply in gratitude.
“I will dedicate everything to be a support to Your Majesty!”
Milina rose swiftly and prostrated herself on the floor, tears of joy streaming down her face.
However, Adrian internally scoffed as he watched Milina rejoice.
The moment she returned to the Duke’s estate, her fate was sealed.
Yet Adrian had no intention of divulging what he knew.
To him, Milina was entirely replaceable. While he was grateful for the unexpected information she provided, that was all there was to it.
Moreover, it wasn’t even something he had needed to find; she had come to him on her own, driven by her own desires rather than staying loyal to her original mistress, his mother.
Therefore, she would have to bear the consequences of her actions on her own.
That said, he hadn’t lied to her. If she managed to survive upon returning to the Duke’s estate, it would indeed prove her exceptional skills, and there would be no reason not to keep her by his side.
“Go back and continue to fulfill your duties as you have. When the time comes, I will call for you.”
Milina swore her loyalty to Adrian several times before she left the audience chamber.
“I’m curious to see just how fortunate this girl will be.”
He smirked as he looked at the notebook in his hand.
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