Amy’s heart softened. Well, even if he’s prickly, he’s on our side…. However, the other party seemed unaware of this and still sent a gaze full of distrust and hostility.

Regardless, Amy said.

“His Highness is currently in class. Will you request an audience when it’s over?”

“…What are you plotting?”

He seemed uncomfortable that she was unfazed by his hostility. Amy glanced at him and said stiffly.

“Didn’t you come to see His Highness? Or would you like to see him at dinner?”

“…I don’t understand why His Highness tolerates such an impertinent head maid like you.”

That’s for His Highness to decide. As Amy silently snorted, he pointed at her with a glare.

“If his judgment is clouded by your appearance, I will surely make him come to his senses.”

Oh my, even commenting on her looks. Amy pouted.

“What a loyal subject you are, once in a millennium.”

“What did you just say?”

As he was about to have another outburst, Amy stepped back and replied nonchalantly.

“You talk a lot for someone who’ll see for himself soon enough.”

“What?”

“Since you don’t seem to want to mingle with me, I’ll oblige. The best hospitality is making guests comfortable. Well then, I’ll be going.”

Amy turned and left. She heard a confused “Huh? Hey!” from behind but ignored it and quickened her pace. She fiddled with the brooch on her chest and grumbled.

“It’s been a while since I’ve met someone so one-dimensional.”

Then suddenly she remembered.

‘Come to think of it, it was like this on the day I got this brooch,’

Who was it? The person who gave this was as big as Viscount Burton…. After pondering for a while, she shrugged. It was such a chaotic time that she could hardly remember anything.

As she continued walking, Amy pouted.

“Criticizing without knowing properly…. If you’re suspicious, look into it yourself.”

She thought it strange that he had the diligence to go to the Empire for information, but knew nothing about what she was doing here. Then she stopped and tilted her head.

‘Could it be that he couldn’t find out…?’

Just then, she spotted Lady Weaver walking with James in the distance. Amy hurried over to her.

“Lady Weaver!”

“Ah, Head Maid.”

Lady Weaver and James greeted her. Amy waved her hand and got straight to the point.

“Have you ever caught anyone resembling a spy in the Grand Duchy?”

“Ah….”

Lady Weaver seemed to recall something and glanced at James. He quickly said,

“I have some work to do, so I’ll go ahead.”

“Good work.”

Amy watched his retreating figure with satisfaction before turning back to Lady Weaver. Once again, her trust in her bubbled up. What a stickler for principles, keeping quiet even to her son about things that should be kept secret.

Once they were alone, Lady Weaver began with a serious expression.

“Actually, I was thinking of telling you a bit later because you’ve been so busy with festival preparations. It’s just my suspicion, not backed by evidence….”

Amy nodded gently and said,

“You know I trust your judgment. Speak freely.”

“If you say so….”

Pleased by her words, Lady Weaver blushed, took a deep breath, and began her story.

“After the banquet where that unfortunate incident with His Highness occurred, there were many requests to join as employees. So many that it was almost a flood.”

“Didn’t we only hire temporary help from the lower village for the banquet, not any permanent staff?”

Amy tilted her head. Lady Weaver hadn’t submitted any documents to increase the number of maids. Come to think of it, with the Grand Duchy growing in size, they must be quite short-handed….

“The Captain of the Guards and I rejected them all at our level. We felt we should only allow those with clear backgrounds.”

“…”

Looking at her now, Lady Weaver’s complexion wasn’t very good. Vernon’s face wasn’t exactly glowing either. It seemed the two had been struggling a lot behind the scenes.

It was understandable that they became more strict in selecting people after the Duke was poisoned. Amy felt a bit guilty for neglecting internal affairs while focusing on moving forward.

She looked at her with sincere eyes.

“It’s fortunate that His Highness has you.”

“…You flatter me.”

Lady Weaver made a shy expression. Feeling good, Amy wanted to tease this stern head maid a little.

“You and the Captain of the Guards work very well together, I see.”

The lady’s expression immediately turned prim.

“It’s just that we have a lot of work to do together. We’re not that close.”

“Hmm….”

As Amy made a long nasal sound, Lady Weaver’s brow furrowed for a moment before smoothing out. Then she pressed her lips together and looked into the distance as if she knew nothing. Amy bit her lip to suppress a smile.

‘Come to think of it, I heard Vernon is really gearing up for this festival….’

Could this be the birth of the Grand Duchy’s first couple? As she narrowed her eyes and glanced sideways, the lady continued speaking.

“So I think we should maintain this policy for the time being. Many outsiders will flock here for the festival, you see.”

“Don’t worry too much. Letters are pouring in from vassals offering to send staff with clear backgrounds, and above all, we won’t be opening the Grand Duchy to the public.”

Amy said, looking at the nearby training ground.

“And His Highness will always have an escort from now on.”

“That’s the best news I’ve heard in a while.”

“His Highness’s safety is the top priority, after all.”

“Indeed.”

The two nodded and walked past the training ground. Just then, Vernon came out of the training ground shaking his head. At that moment, Lady Weaver’s feet got tangled, and he witnessed the scene.

“Joanna!”

Vernon rushed over and supported her. Lady Weaver was so flustered she didn’t know what to do. Vernon seemed so focused on her that he didn’t even notice Amy standing nearby.

“Are you hurt? Let me see.”

He knelt down on one knee and lifted Lady Weaver’s ankle. She was startled and hurriedly pushed down her skirt that had risen up.

“No, this, let go of….”

Amy bit her lip and quietly stepped back.

‘Wow, this looks good~’

She wanted to act like a rascal but held back. Lady Weaver’s face was turning so red it looked like it might burst at any moment. As Amy turned to leave, she made eye contact with the knights huddled at the entrance of the training ground, only their heads peeking out.

‘Shh.’

Jack put his index finger to his lips and beckoned her to come over. Amy tiptoed over quietly. Bradley seated her among them and whispered.

“You’ll see something very interesting at the festival. Captain Vernon is preparing something quite thoroughly.”

“Ah… More than this?”

When Amy pointed at Vernon, Jack, Bradley, and Dwayne’s faces contorted as they tried to hold back their laughter. With one leg draped over Vernon’s shoulder, who was stubbornly examining her ankle, Lady Weaver was furiously hitting his back. Vernon was casually trying to soothe her as if it didn’t even tickle.

“Come on, Joanna, you’ll only hurt your hands that way. Hey, that tickles….”

“Won’t you stop? Oh, really, this crazy guy… Doesn’t it hurt?”

“I’m fine, Joanna.”

“Is it okay if only you’re fine?”

Their conversation seemed to make sense yet was strangely disconnected. The three knights covered their mouths and giggled.

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen something like this, kind of a shame.”

“Ethan would love to see this too.”

“James asked us to call him as well….”

Listening to their exchange, Amy could tell that this was already publicly acknowledged by both sides. She smacked her lips and stood up, dusting off her skirt.

“As much as I’d like to watch more, I’ll stop here for Lady Weaver’s social face.”

“Yes. Take care.”

The three waved. As Amy turned to leave, she said “Ah” and looked back at them.

“Dwayne, why were you so excited last time? When the martial arts competition plan was rejected.”

“!”

Suddenly, Dwayne’s face contorted fiercely. At the same time, Jack and Bradley exchanged glances and began to slink away. Dwayne protested in an extremely aggrieved voice.

“I was told it would definitely pass, so I bet half a year’s salary!”

Huh, Amy let out a gasp. Glancing aside, she saw Jack and Bradley fleeing with their tails between their legs. Amy sighed and patted Dwayne’s shoulder.

“Has the money already changed hands?”

“No, fortunately I bet my future salary….”

“Is there anyone else besides Dwayne who lost the bet?”

At those words, Dwayne clenched his fists like morning stars.

“No, no one else. I really don’t understand how this could happen.”

Amy looked at him pitifully.

‘Because everyone else was in on it except you.’

Dwayne mumbled while chewing his thumb.

“Where did they learn that? They should teach me too….”

“…”

Amy closed her eyes tightly and opened them again. There’s no hope for this one. Dwayne’s shoulders slumped with a dazed expression.

“I have a lot of promises for the festival…. I don’t know what to do. Do you think His Highness would give me an advance?”

“Would that work? And before His Highness, Assistant Joseph would absolutely refuse.”

“I guess so….”

The man as big as a mountain crumpled up as if he could fit into a mouse hole, his face looking like the sky had fallen. Unable to bear it any longer, Amy consoled him.

“You won’t really lose anything. Illegal betting within the Grand Duchy is going to be abolished. We’ll make a special retroactive application just this once.”

Amy glared at Jack and Bradley, who had fled to a distance and were secretly peeking this way. They flinched and quietly disappeared. So you’ve been sleeping soundly after swindling this poor soul, huh?

“Really? Wow, thank you, Head Maid!”

Dwayne jumped up and down in joy, then quickly sat down flat with an “Eek.” Fortunately, Vernon and Lady Weaver hadn’t noticed, as they were bickering while walking away. As Dwayne let out a sigh of relief, Amy said sternly.

“Listen well. Dwayne, you’re going to face these unfair situations again in the future.”

“How… are you so sure?”

Dwayne just blinked his eyes as she spoke with her hands on her hips, looking exceptionally confident. Amy put both hands on his shoulders and looked straight into his eyes.

“Don’t I know you, Dwayne?”

“…”

“Everyone in the Grand Duchy knows, right?”