The pages of the squires were one of the few ways in which those who did not receive titles among the nobles could serve.

The nobles of the empire were proud when a page or a maid came from their family.

Being a page or a maid was virtually equivalent to being in a high position in the empire, and they could have tremendous power not only in the palace but also anywhere in the empire. It was quite common for individuals in those positions to establish their families.

“Are you here to have your clothes fitted again today?”

“No, today I came to pick out some accessories that would go well with the clothes I fitted last time.”

For a week now, Ines had been visiting the most prosperous dressmaking shop in the capital, which boasted the best wardrobe. The dressmaking room, equipped with several halls, had its floor entirely covered with red silk. Even at a glance, the luxurious furniture and accessories in the room were enough to stimulate the vanity of those who visited. This place, leading the trends in the capital, was a venue where palace maids took pride in receiving guests.

“Well, you have fitted very well again today.”

Becoming a maid was impossible for those who had committed crimes. Moreover, Ines had served as a servant for three years due to her own sins. Although there was almost no one in the capital who knew about what Ines had done or about her family, the incident in Landhill was something that could easily be known with a little investigation.

Therefore, Ines began to look for ways to become a palace maid.

Although the term “page” was originally a name given to children, many women remained in the position of a page even after becoming adults.

Moreover, there were no strict qualifications for pages that applied to maids. Royal pages could stay in the palace, and if they built a suitable reputation in the palace and gained trust, even a person who had committed a crime could become a maid.

“Are there any good items?”

For the past few days, the owner of the dressmaking room had welcomed Ines, who spent a large amount of money. Moreover, she introduced her to people who came to the store.

The daughter of a wealthy aristocratic family from Landhill, Ines was a suitable title to mingle with the noblewomen of the capital.

“Of course. If you come this way, there are many beautiful jewels that match Lady Ines’s eye color.”

When it was time to move her feet to go alone to another hall, thinking about buying jewelry, the sound of the dressmaking room door opening made people’s attention turn in that direction.

Naturally, Ines also momentarily left her gaze with the people and, at that moment, realized that the atmosphere inside the dressmaking room had strangely changed. People who were chatting naturally and looking at things shut their mouths. And discreetly, they exchanged glances among themselves.

So, Ines turned her eyes back to the door. It was for the natural reason of wanting to see the person who changed the atmosphere.

“Casey?”

Casey was a prisoner who shared a cell with Ines, along with Lena and Charlotte, in Landhill.

“Oh, do you know that person?”

“No, just the name…”

Still keeping her gaze on Casey, she answered, and the owner of the dressmaking room approached her as if he was telling a secret. However, it was not a very cautious attitude.

“She used to be the closest maid to the former Crown Prince.”

The former Crown Prince she mentioned referred to the first son of the Empress. Ines’s eyes widened with surprise. Why on earth would she, who was once the closest maid to the former Crown Prince, come to Landhill?

If she had committed any crime, she should have gone to the prison in the capital, not the one in Landhill. Then, the owner of the dressmaking room added a word.

“Well, it hasn’t been long since she came from Landhill, so it’s natural that you don’t know exactly who she is. And now there’s no need to know more. She’s just in a dire situation, like someone who has lost their footing.”

“In a dire situation…”

“Well, since the Crown Prince passed away and the Empress was also expelled from the palace, she has been in a situation like someone who has lost their footing.”
Ines carefully observed Casey standing in front of the door. Despite surely knowing that others were gossiping about her, Casey’s posture remained upright and unyielding.

The Casey Ines saw in Landhill was always a woman who sat in the corner without revealing much of herself. She came to the prison when Ines was 24 years old. So, it meant she would be going to Landhill next year.

“You’ve been holding your head high all this time. You seemed more dignified than the former Crown Princess who is only in the palace.”

At that moment, a woman from a distance called the owner of the dressmaking room.

“Oh, I’m with this person right now…”

“Don’t mind me and continue with your work. I’ll be browsing fabrics here.”

The owner of the dressmaking room thanked her for understanding and quickly moved to another place. Ines immediately approached Casey.

“Hello.”