With nothing to do while waiting for the Duke, Nelia walked around the corridor. Although the guards seemed to look at her a bit strangely, it didn’t matter.

Nelia pondered while walking back and forth in the hallway.

The relationship between the Emperor and Duke Hart became more mysterious the more she looked.

One was planning to stab the other in the back, while the other was completely trusting.

Just by calling Duke Hart as soon as he arrived at the palace showed this. It seemed the Duke also received many other special favors.

The Emperor was evidently head over heels for Duke Hart.

It made sense why Carlos disliked Duke Hart.

He trusted and relied on Duke Hart more than his own son, Carlos.

Then, a chilling voice came from behind.

“Who dares loiter in front of the Emperor’s office?”

Startled, Nelia turned around.

“……!”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

There stood Crown Prince Carlos.

‘This man is also incorrigible.’

Considering how he appeared so unexpectedly.

Upon confirming that it was Nelia standing there, Carlos wiped his cold expression and opened his mouth.

“You are…”

Nelia was equally surprised but managed to bow her head and responded in a composed voice.

“Have you been well, Your Highness?”

“Why are you there?”

Carlos, as always, had no manners.

Courtesy dictated that one should return a greeting before asking questions, but he just blurted out his curiosity.

However, she couldn’t argue back. After all, he was the irritable Crown Prince who killed her in the original work.

“Starting today, I’m assisting Duke Hart and have come to the palace with him. I’m currently waiting for him.”

Carlos tilted his head and looked down at Nelia, his face grim.

“Although there are nobles in the palace who bring their employees, this is the first time someone has come all the way to the Emperor’s office.”

Would he believe her if she said that she had to stick close to Duke Hart to prevent him from transforming into a snake?

Nelia simply shut her mouth.

“Is the Duke conferring with His Majesty right now?”

“Yes, he’s been in there for about ten minutes.”

Carlos stared at Nelia with a ‘Hmm…’. Nelia found his gaze quite intimidating.

“It will take at least another twenty minutes for the Duke to come out.”

“The Duke said it won’t take long…”

“Let me personally serve you a cup of tea.”

Nelia tried to protest, but Carlos cut her off.

Wait, what did he just say? Serve her tea?

‘So… he’s asking to have tea together?’

Realizing Carlos’s meaning, Nelia blinked her eyes belatedly.

“Pardon?”
“I said I would pour the tea.”

Nelia had barely held back from asking ‘Why?’

The interest he had shown in her since the last time felt like a bad omen.

It felt even worse because she suspected it was due to Duke Hart.

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m waiting for the Duke… I can’t really leave my spot.”

If the Duke came out and couldn’t find her, it would be obvious where she had gone. More than that, she couldn’t be too far away from him.

But Carlos’s eyebrows narrowed once again, apparently not satisfied with her answer.

“My office is right next to His Highness’s. If I tell the guards, the Duke will find you quickly.”

It wouldn’t turn the Duke into a snake or anything, but she didn’t like this proposal.

“So you still don’t like it?”

Carlos’s expression subtly became more menacing.

It was hard to say no when he was insisting like this. In the end, Nelia nodded.

“…Understood.”

Carlos finally relaxed his brows and looked at the guard.

“If the Duke comes out, tell him the maid is in my office.”

“Yes! Understood!”

When the energetic response came back, Carlos looked at Nelia as if beckoning her to follow.

Nelia moved her steps to follow Carlos.

(This is a time marker.)

The door opened, and a spacious area unfolded. It seemed even larger compared to the Duke’s office.

Well, he is the Crown Prince after all.

Nelia looked around with a stunned expression.

The Duke’s house was full of rare and luxurious items, but the Crown Prince’s office, although spacious, didn’t look particularly extraordinary. Just the fact that she was touring the Crown Prince’s office felt strange.

“Sit here.”

Nelia regained her composure and sat where Carlos had pointed. It was a sunny spot by the window.

Being on the top floor, the view was great. It was a view from a very high point at the center of the palace.

Nelia thought the tiny people moving energetically amidst the green scenery looked like ants.

“Did the Duke start working at the palace from today?”

At Carlos’s voice, Nelia turned her gaze.

“Yes. His foot is fully healed now.”

“It took a long time.”

With a sarcastic comment, a maid came in to serve the tea.

Although he could have had the maid do it, Carlos personally poured the tea and handed it to her.

So it was even more awkward.

“…Thank you.”

Nelia cautiously took the teacup and took a sip. She felt Carlos’s eyes following her.

Did he call her here to say something specific?

“Will you keep coming to the palace with Duke Hart from now on?”

“Yes, for the foreseeable future.”

“Why?”

The question was sharp, as if he was probing for some secret agenda involving the Duke.

“His health has been deteriorating recently, so he needs someone to assist him.”

Nelia gave a vague answer.

Whether Carlos believed her or not, at least he didn’t press her immediately.

However, she felt his gaze deepen.

“Are you still satisfied working as the Duke’s maid?”

Fortunately, the question changed.

“…Yes, I am satisfied.”

Nelia answered first, then pondered upon Carlos’s question.

It was hard to say she was actually satisfied.

Aside from her affection for the Duke, being around him meant that too many dynamic things happened.

Whether watching if he turned into a snake or personally facing the Crown Prince, whom she would never have met otherwise.

If she hadn’t been involved with the Duke, if she hadn’t become a maid, she would not have had to experience any of this.

“It’s a pity. If you had changed your mind even a little, I would have wanted you as my maid.”

Nelia felt like she might know why Carlos was saying this.

In the context of their relationship, it seemed less like he was interested in her and more like he wanted to provoke the Duke.

Considering the actions of the Duke in the original work, it’s hard to say he was kind, but looking at Carlos, his heart didn’t seem to be in a good place either.
Unaware of Nelia’s inner thoughts, Carlos spoke, gripping the teapot.

“One more cup of tea, the teacup….”

Clang—!

It was then.

The teapot Carlos was holding fell onto the table, making a loud noise.

As the tea from the teapot spilled, the table quickly became a puddle.

‘I need to clean this up.’

Nelia, looking at the spilled tea, lifted her head to gaze at Carlos.

Upon seeing Carlos’s stiff expression, Nelia sensed that something was off.

He took no action even after seeing the disordered table. He seemed a bit surprised, and somewhat dazed.

He just looked down at his right arm.

Nelia thought,

‘Could it be… his arm is paralyzed now?’

Carlos had a congenital disability in his right arm, making it difficult to move.

Although he had almost completely overcome it through effort, if events proceeded as originally set, Carlos’s arm would stiffen again.

Nelia, with a worried heart, asked Carlos,

“Your Highness…? Are you alright?”

“…….”

Carlos still had no answer. His hand remained motionless, suspended in the air.