CH 3.6

‘Marie, you need to pull yourself together from now on. But first, let’s decide who to support,’ Marie thought, recalling the ’Operation Love Cupid’ she had devised to escape the Lion Palace.

The said plan entailed helping one of the candidates in forming a connection with the Crown Prince. In return, she would free herself from the confines of the palace.

‘Stay focused and do your best, Marie!’

Just as she was mustering her courage to break free from the Crown Prince’s clutches, what the latter had said not too long ago suddenly resurfaced in her mind.

‘There’s no need to be afraid.’

Why did that pop into her mind all of a sudden?

Marie bit her lip.

‘The Crown Prince… He’s not a bad person, but…’

Yes, he wasn’t a bad person. Perhaps, to those within his circle, he’s even considered a good person. Marie now understood that. But still, she had to get away from him.

She had no choice.

She shook her head as she felt an indescribable emotion all of a sudden. Perhaps she felt that way because he treated him relatively well.

‘But even if I have to leave, I will continue to serve him to the best of my abilities.’

Although she knew she would eventually have to part ways with him, as his maid, she was determined to serve him with unwavering dedication. Hoping that by doing so, the confusing restlessness within her would somehow diminish.

The next day, Marie rose from her bed.

‘Today’s schedule involves receiving guests of the Lion Palace…’ As she dressed into her uniform and tidied her appearance, she thought of the tasks she had to accomplish for the day.

‘And I must to think of a way to approach the candidates.’ In order to ingratiate herself during the Crown Princess selection, she needed to establish connection with the candidates.

‘It wouldn’t be easy to approach them, given their high status. After all, I’m nothing but a maid.’

However, she had to do it. Marie made up her mind to seize any opportunity to meet the candidates. But that opportunity presented itself as soon as she stepped out of her chamber.

“Miss Marie? Is that right?”

“Ah… Yes, I am Marie.”

Marie was caught off guard when she saw a middle-aged woman waiting for her outside of her chamber. She had a strict air and was someone Marie had never seen before.

“Do you have a moment? Someone wants to see you.”

“Ah, yes. I have time. But… may I ask who it is?”

The middle-aged woman adjusted her spectacles perched on the bridge of her nose and said, “I am Matilda, Lady Ariel’s handmaiden. Milady wishes to see you.”

“…!”

Marie’s eyes widened.

Matilda, the middle-aged woman, said in a commanding tone, “Milady is waiting, so please follow me.”

‘Why does Lady Ariel want to see me?’ Marie followed Matilda with a puzzled expression on her face. Why would a noblewoman like Lady Ariel want to see an ordinary maid like her?

‘Well, it’s a good thing. I wanted to meet her anyway.’

“We have arrived.”

They soon reached Lady Ariel’s chamber. The dwellings of Delphinas—the Crown Princess candidates—were located right next to the Lion Palace. As they were practically adjacent to the Lion Palace, the maids from the Lion Palace also attended to the candidates’ needs.

“I’ve heard that you’re not of noble birth, so be careful not to be imprudent to Lady Ariel,” Matilda said in a commanding tone once again.

Marie nodded her head. “Understood.”

Matilda knocked on the door and said, “I have brought Miss Marie. May we come in, Milady?”

Another maid from the Schulian Duchy opened the door. The chamber, befitting a Crown Princess candidate, was lavishly decorated. Seated on a chair was the same beautiful woman Marie had seen the other day.

‘Lady Ariel!’ She looked as elegant as ever, resembling a blooming rose in the morning light.

“Greetings, Lady Ariel.” Marie knelt down and respectfully greeted her, while Lady Ariel nodded in acknowledgment. Marie remained on her knees, patiently awaiting Lady Ariel’s next words. Normally, it was customary for the higher-ranking person to rise first before those of lower rank.

However, something felt off. Lady Ariel remained silent, giving no indication for Marie to rise. What’s going on? Marie tilted her head in confusion. But that’s not all. Lady Ariel’s gaze on her felt strange, almost as if she was appraising her. Her eyes didn’t convey any sense of warmth at all.

“Are you Marie?”

“Yes, I am, Milady.”

“What is your social status? A noblewoman? A commoner?”

Marie was stunned. Why was she asking that?

“I am a prisoner of war.”

Lady Ariel’s beautiful face furrowed.

“A prisoner of war? So… you’re a slave?”

Marie was rendered speechless. She wasn’t a slave. Unlike Arab nations*, the Eastern Empire didn’t practice slavery.

Matilda, who was standing nearby, interjected, “Prisoners of war may be the property of the imperial family, but they are not slaves, Milady.”

“That’s what it basically is, isn’t it? Imperial slaves. No, are you more like a serf working for the imperial family?”

“…”

Marie remained speechless.

“Hmm, anyway, stand up and let me have a proper look at you.”

Marie awkwardly rose to her feet.

Lady Ariel gazed intently at Marie with her piercing blue eyes.

“You must be wondering why I summoned you, right?”

“…Yes, Milady.”

“I called you out of curiosity. I’ve heard that His Highness has a maid he holds dear, so I wanted to see what kind of person you are.”

Lady Ariel smirked. “But I don’t think I have to worry too much. His Highness would never take someone like you as a mistress.“

Marie’s face stiffened. ‘She summoned me for that? To confirm if I am the Crown Prince’s mistress?’

Marie bit her lip and said, “…His Highness’s favorable view of me is not for that reason.”

“I know. It’s for treating his insomnia. But I called you just to be sure. Anyway, you can leave now.”

Marie became speechless for a moment.

Lady Ariel’s beautiful face furrowed once again. “What are you waiting for? Leave.”

“…In that case, I shall take my leave.”

With that, she left Lady Ariel’s chamber. As she made her way to the Lion Palace, Marie clenched her fist. ‘Me…the Crown Prince’s mistress?’

No matter how high Lady Ariel’s status may be, that was an excessively ill-mannered remark. Her face turned red as a sense of shame rushed to her.

‘Calm down, Marie. Be patient and bear with it. If you allow yourself be affected by such tasteless words, you’re the only one who loses. Let’s just think of it as stepping on a poop.’*

She bit her lip as she tried to calm herself down. After a short moment, Marie regained her composure and let out a long sigh.

“Anyway… it won’t be Lady Ariel.”

She’s as beautiful as rumored, but she’s way too haughty.

Marie made a brief assessment of Lady Ariel. She had the typical personality found among privileged nobles—arrogant and entitled.

‘It won’t be easy for someone with that kind of personality to win the Crown Prince’s affections.’

Of course, Marie knew that forming such conclusion based on a single encounter was unreasonable. However, given the highly rational and rigid nature of the Crown Prince, it seemed unlikely that he would be swayed by the charms of an arrogant noblewoman—no matter how beautiful she may be.

‘In that case, I should meet Lady Rachel next.’

She didn’t know what kind of person Lady Rachel would be, but she might have a better personality than Lady Ariel.

‘Sooner or later, it will be my turn to wait on Lady Rachel.’

During the selection period, the candidates resided in the annex of the Lion Palace. As the maids from the Lion Palace took turns in serving the candidates, Marie would also eventually serve Lady Rachel.

‘Let’s seize that opportunity to have a conversation with her.’

However, the opportunity came sooner than Marie had expected. That day, while she was working at the Lion Palace, a young maid came to see her. “Um… Are you Miss Marie, by any chance?”

For a moment, Marie couldn’t tell if she was the one being called. Until now, she had never been addressed as “Miss Marie.”*

“I am Marie… What can I do for you?”

“Ah, nice to meet you! I’m Gina, Lady Rachel’s handmaiden.”

Marie made a surprise expression. Lady Rachel’s maid was looking for her?

“Pardon me, but… Do you have a moment to spare? Lady Rachel would like to see you.”

Just like that, Marie met Lady Rachel and Lady Ariel within the same day.

“Greetings, Lady Rachel. I’m Marie, the maid.”

The dainty and innocent looking girl Marie had seen the other day was patiently awaiting her arrival. “Ah, welcome! I’ve been waiting for you. Please have a seat,” Rachel greeted in a friendly tone.

Her attitude was completely different from Lady Ariel, causing Marie to blink in surprise.

“Would you like some tea? What kind of tea do you prefer?”

“N-N-No, thank you.”

Marie was taken aback by such hospitality.

“But since you’re a guest, I can’t just offer you nothing. Gina, bring the tea from the family’s collection.”

“Yes, Milady. Please wait a moment.”

Shortly after, the young maid brought a cup of warm tea to Marie. “Be careful, it’s hot.”

“Th-Thank you.”

Marie observed Rachel with a wary expression, feeling awkward by the hospitality shown to an ordinary maid like her.

‘Why did she want to see me? Could it be…?’

Rachel spoke with a gentle voice that matched her delicate appearance. “Thank you for your time, even though you must be busy.”

“Not at all. Please feel free to speak, Your Highness. You wanted to see me?”

Rachel demurely took a sip of her tea without bringing up the business right away. Though it was a simple gesture, it was so graceful that it exuded elegance.

“Well, I actually have a matter to discuss with you, Miss Marie.*”

“Please go ahead and tell me.”

As Rachel took a sip of her tea, she placed the cup gently on the table. Then, with her large blue eyes fixed on Marie’s, she began to speak. “I’ll get straight to the point. Please help me and the Istvan County.”

Marie looked at Rachel in surprise.

t/n: are we really talking technicalities here, marie, when she barely had livable wage before the festival? she’s basically a slave lmao.