‘I’ve come a long way for a country bumpkin.’

Then I remembered that Prince Greyen and Duke Kaidel were also within these walls. I felt irritated wondering what face Duke Kaidel would make if he saw me here.

“My head hurts.”

Isn’t that so? Would he burst into laughter, clutching his belly? “What are you doing here? Are you out of your mind?”

While being nobler than anyone, he also showed signs of being immature and carefree. Probably an attitude developed from mingling with soldiers of various statuses.

He, only a few years older than me, had fulfilled his duties as a successor by being a commander on the battlefield, deserving of respect.

But when he looked at me with those sharp eyes, questioning my actions, I wanted to slap him.

Ah, I really have no conscience.

‘Let’s avoid him.’

The conclusion came surprisingly easy. Duke Kaidel probably didn’t want it known that he was acquainted with this bastard.

As someone in the royal service, there would be unavoidable clashes, but that’s what shields are for.

I poked my cheek with my fingertips to see just how thick-skinned I was.

The chamberlain returned. Her face was even more rigid than before, now resembling a plaster statue.

How can someone be so lifeless?

I had just swallowed my dry spit when she spoke.

“It’s time for the test, Lady Roar.”

I took the test paper from her and sat down on the sofa.

The first two questions were simple, basic knowledge about the empire and the palace organization that anyone could answer.

However, the difficulty level skyrocketed from the third question, reminding me of the academy entrance exam.

To be a royal servant, you had to come from a prestigious family and be a top graduate from the academy. That’s what it seemed like.

Under the hawk-like gaze of the chamberlain, I grumbled inwardly as I filled in the answers.

The questions became more malicious, as if to say, ‘I’ll make sure you fail.’ But I, too, was determined to pass, come what may.

‘Sorry, but I have to do my best, test.’

Gritting my teeth, the pen moved faster.

Handing over the completed test, the chamberlain glanced at me with disapproval before disappearing.

Then a palace maid entered.

“Lady Roar, I will escort you to your quarters.”

It seemed like it would take time to grade the test, so my schedule for the day was over.

The room located at the end of the corridor beneath the chambers of Her Highness the Princess was no different from my room in the Count’s mansion.
An entirely average room, neither particularly good nor bad.

I thought being a royal handmaiden would entail exceptional treatment, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Still, I chose to focus on the fact that things could be worse.

“Thank you.”

Upon my content smile and greeting, the maid responded with an awkward smile and disappeared.

I threw myself onto the bed.

“Fairly soft…”

I sighed and was about to change my clothes. I opened the bag of clothes prepared by the Countess and was taken aback.

The Countess had filled it with new clothes, so I wouldn’t embarrass myself when I went out. Among them were clothes I had only tried on and not worn, but most were new.

To maintain the dignity of Roarga, or perhaps she was telling me to die a proper death for Misha.

“I hope you’ll be lenient, Your Grace.”

Rocard lifted his head from Lorisha’s exam paper to inquire.

“You want me to grade unfairly?”

Catching on to the intent, the head examiner met Rocard’s gaze, which seemed somewhat displeased, and then turned toward the window.

With a nonchalant air, Rocard resumed speaking while reading the exam.

“Even if I disregard the honor of the third prince, I will grade fairly. If I, a servant of the second prince, intentionally fail the princess’s maid, who will be responsible? Surely not the head examiner.”

“I simply conveyed the princess’s will.”

“Is Princess Milliora very angry?”

“From the looks of it, there won’t be many good days ahead for the royal palace. All because of one illegitimate child!”

“…”

Rocard, who was about to retort, clenched his lips tightly. The smile that had been twirling around his lips cooled and disappeared.

He glanced at the exam paper and then flipped it to the back. His eyes also began to lose their warmth.