Chapter 129
“Me??”
“Yes. It’s an honor, you know.”
Erika blinked at the unexpected news.
It had been nearly two years since she started working as a lady-in-waiting at the Imperial Crown Prince’s palace, but as the daughter of a humble family, she had never once had the opportunity to see the Imperial Crown Prince up close.
And yet, she had now been appointed as the close attendant to Veronica, the one selected to be the Imperial Crown Princess.
Feeling dazed, she pinched her cheek.
The sting confirmed it was real.
As she continued to be too bewildered to give a proper response, the head maid who had delivered the news raised an eyebrow.
“Why, do you not want to?”
“N-No, it’s an honor for my family! I’ll prepare right away!”
The woman had once overseen the Imperial Crown Prince’s etiquette lessons during his childhood.
Her strictness was widely known, so Erika, having come to her senses, quickly gave a crisp answer.
Only then did the head maid give a single small nod, as though she wasn’t exactly pleased but willing to let it go.
She pushed her glasses up and spoke again.
Her tightly coiled updo, with not a single strand of hair out of place, shifted slightly as she moved her head.
“Lady Veronica personally chose you, which is why this opportunity has come your way. If you make even one mistake, this chance will never come back.”
“Y-Yes! I’ll keep that in mind!”
As Erika eagerly nodded, the head maid looked at her with displeasure before sharply turning her head away.
There was a separate training session planned regarding her changed duties.
Erika stared blankly at her retreating figure, still looking a bit dazed, then broke into a smile.
“To think I’ve become Lady Veronica’s close attendant… And that she chose me herself…”
Kyaa! I’m so happy!
Since it wouldn’t make a scene in the Imperial Palace, Erika suppressed the urge to jump around and let out a silent scream instead.
Veronica was someone Erika had admired ever since she was young, and also her benefactor.
Though Veronica herself probably didn’t know it.
Since then, Erika devoted herself to serving Veronica
From basic yet most crucial skincare, to selecting custom-made dresses, compiling lists of nobles to meet and those to avoid during the engagement announcement, and preparing for the upcoming engagement ceremony.
It was originally a position that should have gone to a lady-in-waiting Veronica had brought personally from her own family.
That was all the more reason Erika gave it her all.
Even setting personal feelings aside, this was a significant opportunity for her—a baron’s daughter who would remain a mere quasi-noble if she didn’t secure a good match.
While doing her utmost, she found herself brushing Veronica’s hair—which seemed much gentler than in the past—and, feeling as if she were in a dream, she spoke softly.
“Lady Veronica, you must be so happy. To become the Imperial Crown Princess, just as you’ve dreamed of for so long.”
“Well—yes, I suppose.”
The unexpectedly lukewarm response made Erika smile faintly.
She must be very nervous.
There was no need for her to pretend to be indifferent when it was just the two of them.
That was what Erika thought.
“I’m glad. You haven’t forgotten the promise we made when we were little, right?”
I’ll become noble first, and then I’ll come for you.
‘So, this is why you called me here.’ Erika had truly believed that Veronica had forgotten everything. But to think that she still remembered her so well—it was more touching than she could express.
“A promise? Did we make such a thing?”
Until she heard those words, Erika had been genuinely happy.
At Veronica’s words, Erika unconsciously stopped her hand. The hand that had been brushing Veronica’s hair hovered in mid-air for a moment. Soon, she gathered her trembling hand and resumed brushing her hair.
Could it be that Veronica really didn’t remember? Was it just a coincidence that she had called her here? If so, why had she specifically called for Erika? Her mood plummeted sharply. If she hadn’t had any expectations, it wouldn’t have hurt this much. For some reason, the corner of her heart felt cold.
“Hehe, it was nothing.”
“It’s better to forget any promises. The Veronica from before is no longer here.”
The words “The Veronica from before is no longer here” strangely lodged deep in Erika’s mind.
Since becoming her close attendant, the Veronica Erika knew was no longer the same person.
But even so, it wasn’t like Veronica had truly changed. It was a strange thing to say at this moment.
Why did Veronica say that to her? The question lingered in Erika’s mind for a long time.
Since that day, Lutan had been lingering near Roina, but he never initiated any physical contact. In fact, he was extremely polite and courteous.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.