He nodded his head after a moment of contemplation and took a key bundle from deep within his desk. He placed it on the desk next to the list of items stored in the vault.

“That works out. While you’re there, make sure everything is in order.”

Amy was taken aback. She had told him earlier that he should do it himself…

“No, you should do it personally… What if something happens when I ask?”

Noah blinked in apparent ignorance.

“You asked for the keys, didn’t you?”

Amy sighed and touched her forehead with her hand.

“At the very least, you should have asked me why I needed them.”

“You’ll handle it, won’t you?”

Noah seemed too lazy to even ask. Amy glanced at him and then shrugged her shoulders.

“I’ll check carefully and return. Thank you for your trust.”

“Sure.”

Amy suddenly felt slightly embarrassed. Noah had always trusted her to an extent that was almost too much. She was grateful, but at the same time, she felt a heavy burden.

Noah, who had been watching her with an amused look, burst into laughter with a playful wink when she jokingly narrowed her eyes.

“Am I aware that this is your choice?”

His smile was so bright that Amy was momentarily surprised. She had never seen him laugh so heartily before.

Finally, when his laughter subsided, Noah gazed at her seriously.

“I’m always grateful for your choice. I wonder how I can repay it.”

Once again, his earnestness overwhelmed her. Rather than feeling grateful, she felt burdened first. Amy smiled after a brief pause.

“You don’t need to expect repayment. It’s only natural for Your Highness to receive my loyalty, considering that you’re my lord.”

For a moment, Noah’s face clouded over. He lowered his eyes and muttered softly.

“…True.”

Suddenly, something came to mind, and Amy widened her eyes.

“By the way, did you hear what General Vernon’s men reported?”

“Ah, the Prince’s knights are showing signs of unrest?”

Noah, who had just appeared to be in a good mood, suddenly grew tense, and a sly smile crossed his face.

“I’ve entrusted the matter to the general. I told him that even if things get rough, I’ll take responsibility. After all, such matters should be dealt with once I become the Duke. Keep that in mind, Amy.”
“Yes. I think that would be good,” Amy chuckled in agreement. She thought about how to use this to her advantage and hinder the Crown Prince.

Emerging from the Duke’s office, Amy hurried her steps toward the Tower of Myeongseong. Cecil, who had been waiting outside, quickly followed behind her.

“Lady Sinyang, there was a disturbance in front of the kitchen.”

“What kind of disturbance?”

Cecil bit her lip tightly and then muttered in a hushed voice.

“Captain Martin’s subordinate knights were harassing the maids.”

“!”

Amy’s steps came to a halt. She fixed her gaze on Cecil with a determined expression.

“Tell me in detail.”

Captain Vernon was vexed. He had come alone upon hearing about the trouble, thinking he was the only one available for such matters, but Martin’s knights, who served under him, had been causing trouble for the maids since early hours.

“Ugh, is this because of the reward?”

He had taken on this extra job with the hope of earning some extra money for his new unit, but encountering Martin, with whom he had a history of animosity dating back to the palace, here of all places, was just his luck. And on top of that, despite everything going according to his plans, Martin still harbored ill feelings towards Vernon. It was an unnecessary complication.

“Well, at least Martin isn’t here. That’s fortunate.”

If they had come face to face, Vernon couldn’t help but imagine the chaos that would have ensued. He walked forward, stepping in front of the knights.

“If the situation escalates, it will be troublesome for all of us. Let’s handle this peacefully.”

He spoke in a conciliatory tone while gently pushing the maids behind him. Fortunately, the taunting from the Crown Palace was more in jest than anything else.

However, the real issue was that the maids, who had been frightened earlier, had quickly regained their composure and were now giving the knights a seasoned, almost mocking look.

“It’s like they’ve completely forgotten how they used to grovel at the palace.”

“They probably want to act tough in front of the ladies.”

The knights, now relaxed and joking, seemed to have forgotten the tension of a moment ago. However, the maids, who had been scared just moments ago, now wore expressions that seemed to say, “You have no idea.”

“Do you understand the situation, boys?”

Vernon approached the maids, who were huddled together, and asked cautiously. It was even more pitiful to see that they all looked at him with the eyes of his daughter.

Vernon found it heartbreaking to see the fear and concern in the eyes of the maids, who looked at him as if he were their father.