And my worries came true.

The next day, a note arrived from those crazy pigeon chicks, instructing me to come directly to the Second Prince’s Palace. The pigeons, carrying the note, had expressions of triumphant joy.

I pinned my hopes on Cahilun. However,

“My younger brother is calling; I should go.”

He smiled, approvingly granting permission. Moreover, he seemed unusually happy.

Though he never left my side, the saying “Even dung can be used as medicine” was definitely appropriate at times like this.

“Ugh, damn it.”

Ultimately, I found myself standing in front of Floria’s residence, sighing softly. I was worried about how the already sensitive Floria would react.

After taking a deep breath, I nodded to the royal guard standing beside me.

“Lady Vi, the maid of the First Prince’s Palace, Renéola Violet, has arrived.”

“Escort her inside.”

Hmm? The voice seems fine? No, it’s too early to feel reassured.

I cautiously entered. Floria, seated at the tea table, greeted me with a bright smile as soon as she saw me.

“Welcome, sister.”

Her face was no different from usual. I had expected her to fabricate stories about the pigeons, making the situation worse, so I found it perplexing.

“Please, have a seat.”

I followed Floria’s suggestion and sat across from her. I couldn’t see any other maids in the room except Shanna.

A sudden ominous feeling washed over me. Those damn chicks were perched on Shanna’s shoulders like they owned the place, sitting there just like my right and left arms. It was unmistakable that they were laughing at me.

“Sister?”
“Ah, I apologize, Your Highness. I was worried because the pigeons flew away through the opening in the cage yesterday, so I’m relieved to see them here.”

“I did mention that these little ones have a strong homing instinct.”

Shanna twisted her lips with a peculiar expression. At that moment, Floria grabbed my hand.

“In truth, the reason I wanted to meet you today was because of what I saw a few days ago in the outer palace. It seemed strange to me how close you two appeared. When did you become so intimate?”

As expected, it was the question I anticipated.

“Continuing to be so closely associated as a maid, the distance between you two seemed quite friendly. It looked as if you were lovers.”

“What?”

I almost dropped the teacup I was holding. No matter how closely you look, it’s a tragedy; from a distance, it’s a comedy. But how could anyone misunderstand that I was daydreaming about slapping Floria in the face with a blanket?

Although Cahilun did behave in a way that could be misunderstood, still…

I lowered the teacup and said, “Your Highness, the truth is…”

“The First Prince is a playboy.”

“What?”

“The actions he takes towards me are just meaningless antics; you don’t have to worry. I will never surrender to him. Please believe me, Your Highness. I am only by his side for you. I have no other thoughts or intentions.”

In an instant, Cahilun, who had become a playboy, had my apologies, but part of the blame was also due to his wandering presence in my palace.

Floria, with an innocent look, smiled lightly as she exhaled, “It’s hard to believe that Cahilun is a playboy. Rather, isn’t it more reasonable to think that the lady he has taken to his heart is you?”

“No way. That’s not possible.”

“Why are you so certain?”

Even if we had been arguing like cats and dogs when we had swords, and he knew I came to the First Prince’s Palace as a spy, would he really like me?

“Even when the knife was out, we were on bad terms, and he knows I came to the First Prince’s Palace as a spy. How could he genuinely like me?”

Floria raised the teacup. As she looked at me with an expression that seemed to have no intention of investigating further, she casually asked, “So, is it your first meeting with the First Prince, Your Highness?”

“What?”

“Perhaps you had a previous acquaintance. Cahilun, who is usually cold and avoids people, warmed up to you so quickly; it’s both intriguing and surprising. Maybe there was a pre-existing friendship?”

I contemplated for a moment whether to tell the truth. However, I soon nodded inwardly.

If I claimed there was a pre-existing relationship, Floria, with her suspicious nature, would likely think I had ulterior motives.
“I can’t believe she didn’t know he was the First Prince, and it’s definitely suspicious that she pretended not to know anything in front of her. Moreover, if Cahilun knows my intentions, and even with that knowledge, he provided mining information while keeping me by his side, it would only raise more suspicion. Logically, unless she plans to use me against Floria, it doesn’t make sense.”

Without further hesitation, I raised my head.

“No, I met him for the first time when I became a maid.”

“I see.”

Floria let out a fake laugh. In that absurd laughter, my spine shivered for a moment.

Because she had never shown such a laughter before. Floria, who had suddenly removed her mask, stared coldly at me with only her eyes, making me feel a chill.

“Sister, it seems you keep forgetting that your life is in my hands.”

“…What?”