“The Count has secured a position for you as a maid of the Imperial family, Lorisha.”

“…….”

“Aren’t you happy?”

“What’s that?”

Of course, I know what a maid is. I have memorized the entire genealogy of the Imperial family up to the third generation, as well as the entire roster of nobles.

But how would I know what the position of maid she is offering me means?

The Countess’s eyes trembled slightly at my question. She composed her face and said,

“It means living in the Imperial Palace and becoming a supporter of the Imperial family. It’s an honorable position but carries strong influence. You must be a top graduate of the academy to be a candidate.”

“Which Imperial family member?”

I thought I was smiling as much as I could, but my tone was cold. The Countess’s expression immediately turned fierce.

“You will find out once you enter the palace.”

As soon as the Countess showed her true colors, I lost my patience.

I spoke coldly.

“Misha refused, didn’t she?”

“You don’t know the value of a good thing even when it’s given to you. How ungrateful!”

For the past few years, I had lived with the sole goal of entering the academy. My disappointment was not small.

I had just recovered from that shock and set a new course, and now she wants to stop me again? The apothecary’s work has nothing to do with you.

If that position as a maid was really good, would you have given it to me?

I will sell herbs. Pharmacists and doctors of the Empire, even alchemists, will be my clients! What’s wrong with that?

Even if I were acknowledged by Roar, who would take a bastard as a maid of the Imperial family? It must have been Misha’s doing. The Countess was only acting on Misha’s behalf.

I found myself gritting my teeth and glaring at the Countess. She widened her eyes and trembled, looking at the Count.

“You, right now…! Count, look at this child!”

The Count then turned to look at me.

A stiff face and cold eyes. The Count seemed like a stranger to me.

Could it be…

My voice quivered unknowingly.

“Do you agree, Count?”

“Yes. Lorisha.”

The Count was heavy and resolute.

“…….”

I turned around and ran to my room.

(This is a time separator.)

I sat down heavily on the bed, but no tears came. Only the trembling of my hands didn’t stop. Holding one hand with the other was of no use as both were shaking.

‘Why am I shaking…’

It was probably a feeling of betrayal. The feeling that the Count had finally abandoned me.

I knew that there was no one in the world to trust and rely on. But I might have vaguely expected that the Count could be an exception.

He never betrayed me.

Until now.

The political standing of the family depended on the power of the Imperial family, sometimes sharing fate with the Imperial family. So the nobles chose their masters by risking themselves and their family’s fate.

Now that the second prince has returned, the fight over succession will begin between the two princes. It seems the Count had received a request for Misha from an unwanted Imperial family member.

So the Countess intended to offer me as a sacrificial alternative.

Getting rid of the eyesore of a bastard and cleaning the family’s dirt. Two birds with one stone.

The Count would say he had sent Roar’s daughter when needed, and cut ties with the bastard when inconvenient.

He seemed reluctant to agree to this deal, but for me, that was enough.

The Count had never taken sides before, neither mine nor the Countess’s. I thought that alone made him on my side.

But that belief ended today. Now he was merely the Countess’s husband and just one of the common nobles.

‘Mother knew, didn’t she? That the Count was like this.’

I swallowed back tears with difficulty and realized I had come of age.

I packed my bag. I was no longer a child, so there was no need to go or come as told. I could stay at the apothecary for a while…

I would think slowly.

As I packed my belongings, my eyes wandered to my desk.
There lay my imperial law notebook. It was the only notebook I hadn’t managed to memorize before the exam.

Why is that there…….

I couldn’t believe that all this time I had left that notebook on the desk without realizing it.

But now it didn’t matter. This was no longer my room.

As I stuffed clothes into my bag, the Count had somehow entered the room.

“Lorisha.”

I clenched my jaw tightly and gritted my teeth. If I opened my mouth now, I didn’t know what sound I would make.

I may be in this mess now, but the Count had still clothed me, fed me, and taught me, so I had no reason to curse him. I wished the farewell were less unpleasant.

A royal maid? Don’t make me laugh!

As I turned my body to pack my belongings, he raised his voice.

“Lorisha!”

This was the first time he had ever yelled at me. I stopped dead in my tracks. My hands were trembling again.

“Prepare to escort His Highness Milliora to the palace, Lorisha.”

“What……. Why…….”

I was so out of breath that I couldn’t string my words together.

The Count approached and grabbed both of my arms.