For someone who has experienced the bottom of life, soft emotions held no value. Nevertheless, Amy held Sally’s hand and spoke with sincerity.

“People survive somehow in any situation. Knowing that, I believe we’ll be alright.”

“…”

Sally’s tears stopped. She stared blankly at Amy. Amy held Sally’s hand and whispered softly.

“The fact that you’re my friend won’t change.”

“…”

“So, as I said before, leave the Imperial Palace as soon as possible. Let me know where you’re going, okay?”

It was too dangerous to get her out now. For one, the Empress wouldn’t stay quiet, and Sally might be suspected as a spy if they weren’t careful.

‘A maid without backing can be swept away by trivial matters, so she needs to be cautious. Even if I bring Sally, it should be when it’s perfectly safe…’

While thinking this, Amy suddenly stopped. She chewed on her lips. Bringing someone to the Grand Duke’s territory was impossible.

‘Much later, when everything is over, then…’

Amy recalled the place she had earmarked as her future home. Could she share that peaceful retirement with Sally…?

It was then. Suddenly, Sally violently shook off Amy’s hand. Amy turned to her in surprise. Sally rubbed her wet face with her hands and shouted.

“E-enough. I’ll ta-take care of it myself, so d-don’t worry about me!”

Then she turned and ran away. Amy watched her retreating figure and let out a deep sigh.

The next day, from the morning, an unusual number of birds were flying outside the window, and then welcome news arrived. It was from Jack, who had gone on a business trip to a northern territory, saying he had found the item Amy desperately wanted.

Amy immediately ran to Noah to inform him of the news. Noah, whose expression had been unpleasant, quickly became cheerful and chatted with her.

“What will you do when the magic tool arrives?”

Amy felt like she was having a conversation with Noah after a long time. Well, with the preparations for the banquet and countering the Crown Prince’s interference, it had been quite a while since they had such a leisurely time.

“Then we’ll have to go up to the northern mountains. Your Highness must come with me too.”

“Go together?”

Noah blinked a few times and then smiled brightly. Amy just stared blankly at him, his smile so bright it was as if a light had been turned on at the back of his head. At that moment, suddenly the door of the office burst open and the Crown Prince walked in.

Amy quickly collected herself and greeted him.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, have you had breakfast?”

“Yes. I just finished and was on my way.”

Amy wanted to talk more with Noah about the magic tool, but she thought the timing of his visit was unfortunate.

“What brings Your Highness here?”

As Noah opened his mouth, his face hardening as if he had never smiled, the Crown Prince walked in with a strangely swaggering gait.

“… Is this a place I’m not allowed to come?”

He stood between Amy and Noah, blocking their line of sight, first glaring at Noah disapprovingly, then turning his head to give Amy a subtle expression.

“Since it’s been a while, why don’t we share some old stories? The weather is nice, shall we go outside?”

Amy immediately cut off his advances.

“I’m busy with banquet preparations.”

The Crown Prince wrinkled his face and jerked his chin towards Noah.

“But you have time to dally with the Grand Duke?”

“Dally? I was reporting on the progress. Please refrain from such strange remarks.”

Seeing Amy’s serious face, the Crown Prince smiled knowingly.

“If you’re done reporting, why don’t you take a breather and have some tea with me?”

As he said this, he glanced meaningfully at Noah, looking as if he would pick a fight right away if Amy refused.

He was behaving a bit more quietly than before, but that was only because he disliked tarnishing Amy’s reputation. Since teasing Noah when people weren’t watching depended on his mood, Amy had no choice but to accept his proposal.

“Alright. I’ll see you briefly.”

“…”

For a moment, Noah grimaced as if he had been stabbed with a knife. The Crown Prince was too happy to notice. By the time he looked back, Noah had already returned to his usual expression.

Amy bid farewell to Noah and walked with the Crown Prince out of the office towards the corridor. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince chewed over their shared past like a cow, trying to induce her to reminisce. But Amy blew away all his attempts with a snort.

It was when they were about to sit at a table in the middle of the courtyard. In the distance, Amy saw Mary walking towards them.

‘How did she know to come when I didn’t even call…?’

That wasn’t the only surprising thing. Mary was carrying a small plate in her hand, which, when placed on the table, contained snacks and cake slices perfect for a light eat.

Amy looked at Mary in confusion, wondering why she had brought this. Mary winked, suggesting it was sent by the Grand Duke.

“…”

She stared at the food, feeling strange.

‘It seems he’s been especially attentive about food lately… Is it just my imagination?’

But that was only for a moment. As she had missed breakfast time due to the Crown Prince, she gladly picked up a snack and ate. As she focused solely on eating, paying no attention to the conversation, the Crown Prince’s forehead wrinkled, frowning as if his feelings were hurt.

“Are you just going to eat?”

“Ah.”

Amy opened her eyes wide as if she had just realized he was there, then feigned ignorance.

“Why did you come here again…?”

The Crown Prince opened his mouth in disbelief, then gritted his teeth.

“To have a brief conversation… No, we have old affection between us, are you going to be like this?”

“Ah, old affection, right. Shall we have that conversation then?”

Amy put down the food and put on a serious face. Seeing her like this, the Crown Prince’s heart fluttered as if he had never been upset.

‘She must have been pretending not to know out of shyness. Amy must have missed me too.’

And he gleefully thought as he pleased. At that moment, Amy glanced at him and said with a smirk.

“Shall I bring some Camoa Mountain wine?”

“Ah, no. That’s a bit…”

The Crown Prince waved his hand, turning pale. He had tried to show off, hearing it was a wine that exuded the charm of an adult man, but it was too high a wall for him with his childish palate. Amy, knowing he would refuse, nodded to Mary to bring out some tea.

As if it had been prepared, two teacups quickly appeared.

“What’s this?”

The Crown Prince frowned at the dark brown liquid with steam rising from it.

‘It looks unappetizing at a glance…’

Amy said calmly.

“It’s my favorite tea.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes widened.

‘She’s giving that to me?’

Moved, he quickly picked up the cup and took a big gulp of the tea. And promptly spat it out.

“Cough, cough, wh-what is this. It’s bitter!”

She replied without even touching her cup.

“That’s right.”

“What… Didn’t you say it was your favorite?”

Only then did Amy smile.

“I find it quite amusing to watch people spit it out after drinking this.”

“…”

The Crown Prince stared blankly at her, not even thinking to wipe the tea dripping down his chin. Amy gestured behind her as she watched him. Mary promptly stepped forward and vigorously wiped the Crown Prince’s face with a linen cloth.

“Excuse me, Your Highness.”

“Ah, no. Oof!”

“My, why did you spill so much tea? You’re not a child…”

Mary muttered nonchalantly as she rubbed even harder. He was about to explode with anger at Mary’s insolence. At that moment, Amy intervened perfectly.

“The Crown Prince has sensitive skin, so ease up on the pressure.”

“…Amy.”

To think she still remembered that….. In an instant, all his anger dissipated and was replaced by fondness and affection bubbling up. Mary clicked her tongue, thinking the Crown Prince was truly an easy man.

“Your clothes are quite wet…”

As Mary spoke with difficulty, the Crown Prince glanced at Amy and stood up abruptly.

“I’ll change my clothes and come back.”

“Take care, Your Highness. Then I’ll see you later.”

Amy seized the opportunity and stood up, bowing without the slightest hint of regret on her face. The Crown Prince stammered in confusion.

“No, I’m coming back…”

At that timely moment, Rita came rushing to find Amy, clutching something in her hand.

“Head Maid! An urgent message has arrived.”

“Oh my. It seems I have an unavoidable matter to attend to. Then, Your Highness, please rest comfortably.”

Amy exclaimed as if she had been waiting for this and turned around. The Crown Prince, left like a dog chasing chickens, was dumbfounded.

“No, Amy…?”

She pretended not to hear and moved her feet even faster, reaching out to Rita. Rita quickly handed over the letter to her. As Amy stepped into the inner courtyard, leaving the corridor, she quickly scanned the contents.

“It seems Count Coleman will not attend this banquet.”

Rita raised one eyebrow. She seemed to think it was disrespectful to the young Grand Duke. Amy shook her head.

“Count Coleman is critically ill. He has one son, who seems to be wandering about. There will probably be another message when he returns.”

And as she handed the letter back to Rita, she added.

“Show this to Assistant Joseph as well.”

“Understood.”

Amy looked up at the sky. It wasn’t even midday yet, but she felt drained as if she had spent a grueling day. However, there was no time to dwell on this.

‘Guests will start flooding in from today.’

She had to maintain perfect hospitality without the slightest hitch. After all, the first impression of the Grand Duke’s castle would be the first impression of the Grand Duke himself.

‘This is what I worked for in the Imperial Palace.’

Amy burned with enthusiasm.