Patricia, too, was having similar thoughts in her mind.

‘Among the close female attendants, Elizabeth is somewhat useful. Although she is from a concubine, she is a bit outstanding…’

Elizabeth was quick-witted, and above all, her love for Gilbert was remarkable. Even though it ended in failure, it was undoubtedly not something anyone could do for several years as a spy in Portion.

Although Gilbert did not seem to have much affection from her, it was rather better for Patricia.

‘Use it comfortably, and when it becomes useless, it’s good to discard it.’
She was still looking for a maid. Because the child who had worked as a maid before, and had to quit her job due to pregnancy, did the job too well, she had high standards and did not find most applicants appealing.

Those like Lady Carter, who were rash and cheap-mouthed, of course, and innocent young ladies who, as her parents said, grew up with dignity and did not know how to be flexible, were also not to her liking.

On the other hand, Elizabeth in front of her was quick-witted enough to understand what she said and had no qualms about getting her hands dirty in the work of replacing Gerturk.

‘As for the background, well, just modify it appropriately.’

As Elizabeth said, the Emperor’s health had weakened to the point where something had to be shown to demonstrate authority.

If he died, soon her son Claude would become the Emperor, and then she could start the reign she had been longing for. It was virtually her own reign.

If she showed leniency to Elizabeth now, she would inevitably feel indebtedness and loyalty to her when she reached the pinnacle later.

After finishing her thoughts, Patricia put the tea cup down on the table and spoke.

“By the way, Elizabeth. You went through such hardship in Portion, but it seems you have never been properly rewarded.”

“No. It’s something I did by choice.”

Elizabeth was being modest, but she couldn’t help but be interested in the two words ‘reward.’ If she had not been robbed of her inheritance along with the epithet of a murderer, she would have had to accept whatever she received, given the current situation.

“Yeah. Since I knew your intention to be with our family, how about working as my maid?”

“As the Empress’s maid….”

Elizabeth was genuinely surprised and covered her mouth. Of course, Patricia, the Empress, seemed a bit sly, but she was a person who would undoubtedly become a powerful figure in the Empire.

If a rumor spread that she chose and chose applicants and was not satisfied, she would quickly change her opinion. She would become a powerful figure in the Empire.

‘Especially in a situation like now, I don’t want to completely break off with the Empress.’

Moreover, if she became the Empress’s maid, the salary would be quite high, and bribes sent by people who wanted to get close to her would undoubtedly be enormous.

‘If I take on the role of a maid, my reputation and wealth will be restored, and I can bring Elise back as my daughter.’

Elizabeth knew that this was one of the best offers she could receive now. Although both the Empress and Gilbert were in a suspicious state, distrust could be set aside for a while if they gave money. She imagined how much distance there would be between bribery and the coaxing and nodded her head.

“If it’s the position of the Empress’s maid, it would be an honor that no woman in Agnes can refuse.”

“Thank you for saying that. I understand your intentions to be with our family, so I’ll inform the department in charge of greetings as soon as the New Year festival is over. You should start preparing mentally from now on.”
“I will do my best as much as you trust and entrust me, Your Highness.”

Elizabeth was not lying. In fact, last night, she heard an interesting report from a private detective she hired secretly without Gilbert’s knowledge.

“It’s about the man you mentioned before, Benjamin. Although he’s not married and doesn’t have a lover, he can’t take his eyes off women with children these days when he sees something suitable to gift to women with children.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, things like children’s shoes or socks needed for pregnant women. He specifically buys the most expensive ones and asks for them to be gift-wrapped.”

Elizabeth already knew that Benjamin, whom she commissioned to another private detective, was the only opposite-sex friend he was in contact with.

He, who had been hovering around her at Fortrion mansion and continued to communicate even in the capital, suddenly preparing a gift for pregnant women—

‘Edit is very likely to be pregnant.’

Today happened to be the New Year’s festival. If she approached her discreetly, revealed her knowledge of the pregnancy, and mentioned that she had been offered the position of the Empress’s maid, how much could Edit reveal in exchange for protecting the secret from Gertrude?

‘She tried to release Elizabeth from me by leaking information to journalists….’

Elizabeth, with a smile like a painting, anticipated the direction of the conversation with Edit during the New Year’s festival dinner, completely unexpected.