I twisted my red lips.

“Visiting. Guiding Your Highness is my job.”

After the poisoning incident, all the servants in the Crown Prince’s palace had been replaced.

The butler was no exception.

It was uncomfortable how he excessively tried to cater to my tastes.

Blocking my way now?

Does he think he’s noble too?

“Please understand. It’s all for Your Highness.”

“You’re saying I could harm His Highness?”

“It’s just to prevent accidents. Don’t mishaps often occur around Miss Elizabeth?”

As if I were the root cause of all problems.

I was the one who had been threatened and whose safety had been compromised.

Anger boiled up within me.

‘Would I have been treated like this even if I were noble? If I had a family and lineage…’

Elizabeth’s parents were on a continental trip.

Even if they were around, it would have been difficult to deal with nobles bound by a sense of entitlement.

Money is money.

Background is background.

I was sick of those who change their attitudes as needed.

Swallowing the bitterness, I asked,

“Has Your Highness been informed of your decision?”

“Sigh… I thought you’d stumble over His Majesty.”

“It’s natural to inquire about His Majesty’s intentions, who is the decisionmaker.”

“Miss Elizabeth. How long do you think His Majesty’s favor will last?”

The butler could not hide a disdainful expression.

His gaze at me was filled with unabashed contempt.

“His Majesty may listen to you now, Miss Elizabeth, but there are many beautiful women in the world.”

“I know. So what?”

“Eternal beauty does not exist, nor does a woman’s beauty.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“In a few years, no, in a few months, His Majesty’s interest will shift to another woman. It’s always been that way.”

The butler’s final words stabbed at my heart like a blade.

A piercing pain rolled over me like a wave.

It was times like this when my mind became calm.

I wasn’t a greenhouse maiden who would burst into tears over a few harsh words.

Neither was I a personality that would falter or back off over trivial provocations.

I had no patience to deal with scoundrels who changed their attitudes depending on the situation.

“It would be best for you to hold back such loyalty. You’re not in a position to advise me.”

The butler’s face turned red.

People who speak out tend to not tolerate humiliation when it’s their turn.

“You’re getting arrogant. Has the affection of His Majesty gone to your head?”

Why are villains always the same?

Why do they digress to say whatever they want?

“Don’t be mistaken. I’m speaking as the Education Commissioner responsible for His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“I am noble. You are commoner!”

“In the palace, I’m the superior. Did you not realize that, or are you just dumb?”

“Thathat is…”

“Bill Sarif, 40. Third son of Lord Sarif. Separated from wife Roanna. Cited as irreconcilable differences, but confirmed as her infidelity.”

Upon hearing his personal information recited, the butler turned pale.

“What will you do if you lose your job, being nothing more than a quasinoble who couldn’t inherit the title?”

“Are you saying you’ll fire me?”

“Did you expect to be unscathed after interfering with a higherranking official’s duties and speaking insolently?”

“I, I was just… Count Brendon told me to…”

The butler faltered, belatedly coming to his senses.

I shook my head firmly.

“That name should have come up sooner. In the palace, conspiring with an outsider is severely punished.”

“Conspiring?”

“Tell me honestly. They promised you a position if you ruin me?”

“Miss Elizabeth will soon be stripped of her assets and expelled from the palace…”

“On what grounds?”

“Because you rigged the duel through dishonest means…”

The butler muttered, his shoulders drooping.

‘Nikolai killed Simon and that’s rigging the duel? Does he want to snatch even my money because his son died? Humans consumed by greed are unimaginable.’

In one sense, it was fortunate.

I had a clue as to how Count Brendon might act.

“Thank you, Mr. Butler. You’ve been of great help.”

“So, I won’t be fired?”
“It’s irrelevant.”

“Huh?”

“Leave immediately. You’ve seriously violated the service regulations, so you won’t receive any severance pay. Understood?”

The underground corridor of the royal palace was shrouded in damp darkness.

The slabs were slippery due to the green moss.

Drops of melted wax fell from the copper candlesticks hanging on the walls.

Listening to the echoing footsteps, Nikolai quickened his pace.

Neither attendants nor knights followed him.

Very few knew of the existence of the hidden black room in the royal palace’s underground.

“Your Majesty, you’ve arrived.”

Caeron was one of them.

Nikolai laid his hand on Caeron’s shoulder, who had covered his nose and mouth with a white triangular handkerchief.

In the unadorned room that emanated only cold air,

A marble bed appeared in the center.

As did Simon’s corpse, covered in white cloth.

“You’ve worked late.”

“I’ve only done what needed to be done.”

Caeron answered mechanically and indifferently.