“Ah…”

Who in their right mind is running around the palace like this?

I was grateful that I hadn’t fallen back hard enough to tilt my head back.

A slip-up like this could have severely hurt my frail body; in the worst-case scenario, hitting my head would mean saying goodbye to this world. Someone, whoever it was, committed a grave sin.

“Your Highness, I apologize!”

I looked up, wanting to see the reckless youngster’s face, and was surprised.

“Are you unharmed? Please forgive my insolence.”

Blond hair isn’t uncommon, but the appearance of the maid who collided with me was identical to the spy Sasha had described in the reception room.

“Here, let me give you my hand. Hurry and get up.”

‘Is she from Conrad Castle?’

Upon thinking that I had come face to face with someone trying to ruin the nation I’d spent a lifetime building, my mind quickly chilled. Still, I couldn’t outright ask if she was a spy, so for now, I took the hand she offered.

Zap[Dash].

‘What was that?’

It was then.

‘The moment I touched her, an unpleasant energy flowed in.’

Though it was merely a touch, something was flowing back through my veins, giving me an uncomfortable feeling that traveled up my spine. I immediately released the blonde maid’s hand and stepped back.

“!”

Then, Poppy, who had witnessed this, bared her teeth in a menacing look and lunged at the blonde maid.

Thump!

“Poppy, don’t!”

Why is she acting up all of a sudden? I was relieved when she grabbed the hem of her dress and leapt away, but still puzzled.

“Thank you for your assistance, Your Highness.”

Barely managing to pull Poppy away, the blonde maid reappeared in my sight, seeming to have aged in just a few minutes.

“And I apologize once more. I’ll be more cautious in the future.”

The maid, who had been following Poppy’s movement, repeatedly bowed her head and apologized again.

‘How is someone this clueless working in the royal palace?’

Watching her scurry away with a flushed face, I thought.

‘You better be grateful I let this slide, considering how noisy Jeff would get.’

I didn’t say I forgave her, but she just left? Odd, but let’s overlook it for now.

‘I should investigate who that maid is, using this incident as a pretext.’

I clicked my tongue and shook my head side to side. Poppy followed my gaze to the maid’s retreating figure with a look of irritation, and I set her down after holding her tightly.

“Your Highness, shall we call a doctor to examine you for possible bruises?”

“Forget it. I don’t want to see you make a fuss too.”

Are Jeff and Hecate going to raise hell again? I declined, terrified at the thought. I’d been exposed to Yongyong’s energy and fainted, and they had made such a commotion!

“Besides, if I were really injured, they would have already made a fuss.”

I imagined my old apprentices wailing, using the dragon’s breath, and calling for a doctor. It was awful.

“Anyway, my mood’s soured. Let’s call off this infiltration game and walk quietly.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Please let me know if you’re feeling uncomfortable at any time.”

“Sure.”

Relieved that the maids weren’t being too troublesome, I strolled leisurely to Conrad Castle with Sasha.

“The view from here isn’t too bad, is it?”

“Yes, it isn’t.”

Finally, we reached the window where Sasha had spotted the maid. As there was a separate balcony, we stepped outside to enjoy the extensive view. The entire southern garden was visible from above.

“It warms my heart to know that you’re pleased, Your Highness.”

“Did you eat something weird?”

Ew, disgusting. I made a face that clearly showed my disapproval. Although I couldn’t bring myself to say it, I was creeped out.

“Haha, don’t be so cold because of the prank in the reception room.”
Having displayed too frank a reaction, Sasha seemed momentarily taken aback but quickly recovered and said he had a question.

“What is it?”

“That maid you bumped into earlier is the one I was referring to. Now that you’ve seen her yourself, will you report it to His Majesty the Emperor or Her Majesty the Empress?”

What am I being questioned about again? “No. How can I report without clear evidence? They won’t believe me anyway.”

Do they think I carelessly speak about people? I grumbled inwardly and waited for Sasha’s response.

“That’s true. However, it’s fine to confide in either of them.”

Why, why is it fine? Arms crossed, I slightly raised my head, skeptical of Sasha’s seemingly trustworthy behavior.

“Because it’s obvious my father would have already informed Their Majesties.”

Just as Sasha finished speaking, a light wind blew as if it had been waiting, making his hair flutter.

“Although the nobles are always fighting over gains in the middle of a storm, Vladimir is different.”

Could it be that Duke Vladimir came to the palace today and specially treated Jeff to discuss matters related to spies? If so, it makes sense why Sasha was waiting alone in the reception room reading a book.

“Our family will take the lead in exposing families who aided the spies.”