“Does His Majesty bathe alone?”

“What’s that got to do with your job?”

“Someday I might need to assist him.”

“That’s a job for the maidservants. Wake up.”

“Don’t you know dreams do come true?”

“After that dreadful black magician incident, His Majesty has been reluctant to have maidservants close by during baths. Would he call for a newbie maid?”

Having tested Hyacinth, Latil became more confident in her hypothesis. As suspected, they avoided bathing in order to keep the shoes on.

So the only people who could naturally remove the Emperor’s shoes were now the harem.

‘Of course, the impostor would try to avoid the harem too, but well. They could kiss without taking off their shoes, and wouldn’t they let their guard down with handsome men around?’

Carlein. Carlein not only recognized the impostor at once, but also sent meaningful glances towards her in the garden. She might have been able to get some help from him.

As Tasir spent a lot of personal time with Latil, if they talked well, they might realize that she was the real Emperor.

‘Let’s get help from Carlein first.’

Having made up her mind, Latil sought an opportunity to meet Carlein, but no such opportunity came, no matter how long she waited.

On her way home from work, Latil decided to make a move. She pretended to be leaving for the day, then sneaked back in when no one was looking and took a detour.

If something went wrong later, they wouldn’t believe her excuse that she got lost on her way home from work, but she couldn’t just watch the impostor while spending three months as a maid.

Now that she knew the impostor was using shoes, she had to do whatever it took to get those shoes off.

‘Damn, why shoes of all things? If it were a mask like mine, or better yet… better yet… shoes are better.’

Sneaking around, Latil eventually managed to enter the harem.

She was worried that the atmosphere might be tense due to rumors about the black magician, but the interior was relatively the same as before.

The court ladies were working as usual and the security was as tight as ever. And that person, strolling and basking in the evening sun from a distance…

‘Carlein.’

Perfect. She was looking for Carlein and there he was, taking a walk.

‘Will Carlein recognize me? Did he look at me because he recognized me earlier, or was it because I was a maid he saw for the first time?’

Either way, she needed to approach him first. Deciding on this, Latil quietly approached where Carlein was taking a walk.

However, as she approached, she started to worry. If she approached him and said, “Do you know who I am?” and someone saw? If they saw that and started to suspect Latil? Would her carefully crafted disguise be in vain?

After much thought, Latil decided to drop something and ask him to pick it up instead of speaking to him directly.

‘Nothing!’

However, when she searched her pockets, there was nothing suitable to drop. If she took off her clothes and threw them, she would just look like a pervert, and it would be weird to take off her shoes and throw them.

‘Ah, shit.’

In a hurry, Latil looked around and finally ripped off a large flower bud in front of her and tossed it towards Carlein’s feet.

Carlein, who had been walking quietly, stopped and turned his head when a large royal flower fell at his feet. He had caught his attention, but Latil cursed internally.

‘Damn!’

Carlein was blocking her view. Klein had been there with him. This useless harem member. Since when did they start taking walks together?

Moreover, Klein seemed to have misunderstood something as he alternated his gaze between the flower, Carlein, and Latil, his eyes changing into a diamond shape. It was as if he had created an entire spicy drama in his head.

As Carlein bent down to pick up the flower, Latil had no choice but to approach with a thick face and politely greet him.

“I’m sorry, Carlein. I accidentally dropped my belongings.”

Klein responded from the side.

“It seems like you didn’t drop it, but rather, you threw it. The speed and angle of it coming at me certainly didn’t seem like it just fell.”

This tactless one… Suppressing the urge to shove the flower into Klein’s mouth, Latil ignored him and looked into Carlein’s eyes.

If she hadn’t been mistaken before, Carlein seemed to recognize her. Hence, she was asking him with her eyes. ‘Do you remember me?’ Because the Carlein she knew wasn’t the type to stare blankly at a maid watering the garden.

“……”

As expected, Carlein didn’t immediately return the flower to Latil. He silently placed the flower on his palm and looked at Latil.

Despite not intending to, Klein also opened his eyes wide and alternately watched Carlein and Latil.

“Carlein, don’t tell me you believe that maid actually dropped the flower? No, that maid definitely ripped it and threw it. It came flying with great force. Look at the dirt dug up down there. Don’t let this pass. If you do, I will tell Her Majesty.”

I am that Majesty, you idiot! Latil let out a sigh without realizing it.

Upon seeing that, Klein furrowed his brows and tilted his head. Did that maid just sigh while looking at me? Did that maid dare to sigh at me? He seemed to be thinking something along these lines.

Ignoring Klein, Latil focused only on Carlein. Carlein, ignore what he said and recognize me. Quickly. Quickly.

“I see.”

Finally, Carlein mumbled.

“So you dropped this.”

Moreover, he was using honorifics. Latil was sure. He remembers me!

Klein also seemed to find Carlein’s honorific strange and frowned.

“Are you a fool? That woman ripped and threw the flower!”

No, no, it seems he doesn’t care about the honorifics.

I’m glad Klein is an idiot. Ignoring Klein, Latil looked at Carlein with excited eyes. Carlein seemed exceptionally reliable today.

A faint smile appeared on the corner of Carlein’s lips. He took a step forward and asked Latil.

“I’ll hold this for you since you might drop it again. Where are you heading?”

“The warehouse.”

There would be fewer people there.

As Latil answered, Klein’s mouth fell open as he exclaimed, “This maid is quite audacious.” Regardless, Carlein told Klein to go back first and walked ahead towards the warehouse.

Klein seemed quite disoriented as for the first time, his inner shouting could be heard.

It was fortunate that Klein could only think of that much. He had no idea that he was dealing with a dark magician. Latil let out a sigh and followed Carlein.

Upon finally reaching the deserted warehouse, Carlein stopped and looked around. He seemed to be checking if anyone else was around.

As Latil approached him, he extended the flower he had brought. As Latil accepted it, Carlein asked her with a strange look.

“Master. What happened?”

“How did you recognize me?”

Carlein buried his nose in Latil’s nape, taking a deep breath. Rubbing his face against hers, he mumbled,

“Because the scent is different.”

“Just in case I’m asking.”

“Yes……”

“You’re not a dog, are you?”

Carlein, with his nose still buried in her nape, shook his shoulders.

“No.”

“I think it’s better to lift your head. If someone sees, they’ll think we’re really having an affair. And I came because I have a favor to ask.”

“If it is your command, Master, I will follow it, whatever it is.”

“Then, can you take off your shoes?”

“Excuse me?”