“I went to find her, threatening and forcibly bringing her with me.

‘At least I want to be a normal sister to Shasha.’

I couldn’t say such things.

Honestly, it would be better to unload the burden of Eina’s feelings by speaking honestly, but if I do that, I would have to explain how I found Eina, how I brought her here, and there would be too much to say.

Entering this place, I can attribute it to the help of the magician Sehelus, but if the Emperor finds out, he will surely question why I sought help from such a person.

For the movement, I can say that I received his help because of the strict imperial protocol, but if I say that I left the investigation to him as well, Lian will undoubtedly have something to say.

‘It seems weirdly jealous. Even though she has no interest in me.’

Just thinking about it gives me chills.

“Yes. Eina contacted me saying she wants to meet Shasha.”

“Eina…”

Although I became the one who lied to her again, this is still better than saying she came because of threats.

“That’s it, Lady.”

“Thank you. Really. For saying this. For Eina coming on her own. I’m really moved.”

Watching me, Eina finally smiled slightly with a look of resignation.

“Thank you for forgiving me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive! Since Sister said Eina did nothing wrong, she did nothing wrong!”

Laughing cheerfully, Shasha looked at Eina, who followed suit.

“Then Eina needs to speak separately with Cherty to stay here.”

I pulled the bell cord next to the bedroom. In response, Cherty hurriedly entered.

“Did you find her, Your Majesty!”

As there hadn’t been any summons for a few days, she came in looking quite surprised. With a worried expression, as if afraid she might have pulled it incorrectly.

“Yes. I have a favor to ask.”

“Please ask anything. Empress Mama.”

“I’m considering having a new maid.”

“A maid?”

She looked at Eina, who was standing next to Shasha, with a sly expression. The expression on Melodine, who came in with Cherty, stiffened for a moment.

“Yes. She used to be Shasha’s maid. Her name is Eina. I want to make her a maid in the Astral Palace.”

Cherty’s eyes quickly scanned Eina. Her appearance was worn out, and her face looked somehow sickly and gaunt. She was definitely not someone who belonged in the Imperial Palace.

That was the moment.

Melodine, who was next to Cherty, spoke to her ear with a voice that seemed to be heard and not heard for a long time. It seemed clear that Melodine’s existence itself was uncomfortable.

Even Cherty, who listened diligently, nodded as if she understood.

“Your Mama… she doesn’t look healthy.”

“There’s no problem with her health.”

“Is that so?”

Cherty seemed to ponder for a while, then nodded hurriedly.

“It seems necessary to have her examined. There is a high probability that her health or background will be a problem later on.”
Melodine’s face relaxed for a moment. Her dislike for having someone other than herself as a maid was evident. It was so clear that she didn’t hesitate to show her hostility. I didn’t expect her to display animosity so easily.

“Well, then…”

“So, if I may make a suggestion, how about not as the Empress Mama’s maid, but as Miss Shannensia’s maid?”

“Huh?”

“There are various issues to go through to belong to the palace. Health conditions and origins are among them. However, if it’s under Miss Shannensia’s affiliation, it might not be necessary.”

“Madam!”

Melodine, who was right next to her, called her in shock, but Cherty seemed not to hear her voice.

“Fine. Let’s do that. Lady Cherty has a good eye.”

It seemed that Eina’s behavior had been quite annoying to her eyes. So Cherty dealt with it sensibly.

Although she looked quite picky, her strictness was appreciated in times like this.

“No, it’s okay. Then I will go to the main palace and register her affiliation. Is it okay if I take her with me?”

Cherty looked directly at Eina.

“Please go and come back safely.”

“Oh, yes… Is it really okay?”

“I said it’s okay, what are you worrying about? Come back soon.”

“Yes!”

Whether Melodine found that scene unpleasant or not, she continued to wear a disgruntled expression.

“Melodine, take good care of both of them while I’m not here. Also, even if it’s not Miss Eina, new maids are coming to the Astral Palace. So, don’t be unnecessarily rude.”

“They’re fine… No, understood.”

‘Is she okay with others, but dislikes Eina? Does she already know everything about the newcomers?’

If she’s sensitive about new people coming in, it seems like I’ll have to address this matter clearly.

“Then, we’ll be going now.”

“Yes.”

Cherty took Eina and left, and for some reason, Melodine stood there with a stiff expression before eventually going outside. Watching that, I rubbed my face against Shasha’s face.

“Unni got discharged because Shasha wasn’t here.”

“Discharged?”

“Yeah, she says all her energy is gone. Holding Shasha like this recharges her.”

Holding Shasha gives peace of mind. Shasha’s scent, Shasha’s voice. Warmth. Now I can feel relieved.

‘Nothing should go wrong because I brought Eina early.’