Chapter 23

‘Duke Spiegel is known for hosting balls more frequently than anyone else! He’s undoubtedly a high-ranking noble.’

Furthermore, the Empress believed Duke Spiegel to be a reliable ally, making it the perfect place to send Princess Flora without any concerns.

‘Of course, if Flora goes, I’ll go with her.’

It was an unexpected gain—a chance to see the real Duke Spiegel, whom I had only seen in the original work.

‘Duke Spiegel used to hold secret meetings with influential people at these events. If I’m lucky, I might see something more.’

“Evelyn, you should eat quickly!”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I raised the corner of my mouth as I accepted the white candy Flora handed to me.

***

“What are you doing?” Meriette, who had been organizing documents with a pleased expression, looked up.

The one addressing her was Evanse, a new maid who had recently joined the staff.

“It’s a secret.”

Meriette squinted her eyes at Evanse.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

She responded coldly and continued organizing the documents.

It seemed that Evanse had been overly curious about me since the last time we spoke.

‘She’s been talking to me a lot lately.’

Evanse undoubtedly had some hidden agenda and was trying to find out more about me and the Empress.

“You must want to connect with Her Majesty somehow, right?”

Meriette believed it was solely driven by Evanse’s ambitions, and she had no intention of helping her.

‘It’s not something I can give up easily, considering how I got this connection!’

Evanse had approached her more amiably than the other new maids, but she occasionally made strange expressions.

If they became close and Evanse managed to take credit for her work, that would be a disaster.

‘Even without Evanse, I can’t tell anyone about this.’

Meriette was currently organizing the ledger she was completing.

The ledger that Evelyn had mentioned, the very same one. It was evidence of Meriette’s embezzlement of snacks, fabrics, and the budget allocated to the Crown Prince’s palace.

‘Except for the Empress, I can’t show it to anyone. Oh, and that servant, Evelyn, too.’

She had taken a liking to Evelyn. Despite her cute appearance, she was quite logical. She seemed to have a special relationship with the Empress.

After parting ways with Evelyn and discreetly investigating, it was easy to see that she was the closest servant to the Crown Princess.

Come to think of it, back then when news of the Emperor’s critical condition arrived, wasn’t it Evelyn who had entered the bedroom with the Crown Princess?

‘I could only wait outside the bedroom, but that girl was inside.’

She must have had a powerful backer, despite being only fifteen years old at most. Seeing how such a young girl had entered the Emperor’s bedroom, there was undoubtedly someone backing her.

Meriette, finished with her calculations, now fully trusted Evelyn.

‘Because she said that the girl speaks well.’

Now it was only a matter of time before Duke Spiegel took notice of her.

‘Oh, goodness.’

Meriette had a subtle smile on her face when Evanse approached.

They were in the dormitory rooms where the maids stayed. They were called dormitories, but they were luxurious rooms with several large beds.

Evanse whispered as she approached the table where Meriette was sitting.

“Don’t do that and let me know. Is this what Her Majesty asked you to do?”

Instead of answering, Meriette clutched the documents strewn across the table, as if protecting them.

“Even if it’s a secret? Go away.”

“Hmm…”

Taking a few steps back, Evanse, however, did not take her gaze off Meriette.

“Or does it have something to do with that handmaid from back then?”

“Handmaid?”

“Why, back then, the servant who appeared in the corridor. She had quite a cute face.”

“Evelyn?”

“That was her name, I believe.”Top of Form

Meriette seemed like she didn’t want to talk any further, so she began scrambling to organize the documents.

Then, using the small key she always carried on her person, she opened a drawer and placed the documents inside.

Watching her from a few steps away, Evanse suddenly spoke up.

“By the way, Meriette, you’re really amazing.”

“Amazing? What for?”

Meriette finally asked with a slightly amused expression.

“Honestly, Meriette, you don’t have any significant backing. Yet, you’ve achieved so much success. I find it truly impressive.”

“I’ve succeeded?”

“The Empress trusts you, and you’re a true veteran.”

Meriette didn’t deny it. Unbeknownst to her, the corners of her mouth were slowly curling upward.

“You’re right. The Empress does trust me, perhaps a bit too much.”

“Yes, exactly. You’re truly amazing. When will I…?”

Evanse let out a sigh.

“Honestly, I don’t have any backing either. Someone like me surviving in this daunting palace… I wonder what I should do…”

With a worried expression on her face, Evanse added,

“The Empress may have already noticed, but, well, someone like me, or rather, someone without any connections…”