Chapter 08
I wasn’t the only one who glanced at the Crown Prince, and I’m sure I didn’t stare long enough for him to notice.
My mana was also perfectly concealed.
“Your Highness, what’s the matter?”
The knight, puzzled, followed the Crown Prince’s gaze and looked at me.
“Hmm… No, I must have been mistaken.”
Fortunately, the Crown Prince resumed walking and passed by me.
‘What on earth is going on?’
I subtly turned my gaze to watch the Crown Prince’s back.
‘…’
I took in his bright golden hair covering the nape of his neck, his broad shoulders wrapped in a white uniform, and his straight, steady gait.
Had my longing for Mikhail conjured up an illusion?
‘No, perhaps it’s just a specter.’
So what if they look alike?
Was there ever even a single day when Mikhail’s appearance, his looks, meant anything to me?
‘What matters isn’t the shell.’
I turned away and started walking.
The kitchen was bustling with lunch preparations.
“You mean the meal to take to the detached palace? We’ve prepared it separately over there.”
Fortunately, the head chamberlain must have given proper instructions—the food all looked appetizing.
‘It’s about time.’
I carefully packed Elhart’s portion into a large basket, then quickly scanned the kitchen.
‘…!’
Then I spotted something that made my eyes widen.
“Can I take some of those desserts too?”
Were they for the Central Palace officials?
One side of the kitchen table was piled high with sweet-smelling cookies, cakes, chocolates, and other treats.
“Ah… If you wish, go ahead.”
In the midst of the chaos, no one was watching how much a detached palace maid took.
‘Then I’ll take just one of each.’
How long had it been since I’d smelled such luxurious fragrances?
Only when the large basket was full did I snap out of it and step away from the dessert table.
‘I hope no one starts a rumor that Elhart loves sweets.’
I glanced around for a moment, then popped a cookie into my mouth and quickly slipped out of the kitchen.
‘If I’d returned properly, I could’ve stuffed myself with banquet food.’
What a shame.
I was just crossing the hall-sized dining room attached to the kitchen and reaching the entrance.
‘Why is the Crown Prince here…?’
He stood alone in front of the door, as if guarding it.
‘What about his escort knights?’
Even when I scanned the area, the only presence I felt was his.
‘His mana signature really is different from Mikhail’s.’
Still, something about it felt oddly familiar. What could it be…?
“Is that cookie good?”
The Crown Prince spoke to me as I tried to offer a brief bow and pass by.
“…Pardon?”
He’s asking a maid he’s never seen before something this trivial?
Hiding my suspicion, I answered politely.
“Yes, it’s very good.”
“No need to look at me like that. I’m not trying to steal your cookie.”
No.
I absolutely wasn’t guarding it for fear he’d snatch it.
“May I ask your name?”
Let’s hold back the disrespectful urge to say, “I’d rather you didn’t.”
There’s no reason to act suspiciously toward the Empire’s Crown Prince, who could easily find out who I is if he wanted.
“Ser Brin.”
“Ser… I see.”
The Crown Prince nodded and smiled faintly.
“It seems you already know who I am.”
“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Do you have a moment right now?”
“No.”
I answered flatly, then added a belated excuse.
“I need to deliver a meal to the person I serve.”
Don’t you dare bother me with that face that looks like Mikhail’s, you Crown Prince bastard.
Just as my fist was about to clench, the Crown Prince gave a wry smile and said,
“Then I suppose it can’t be helped. I slipped out because the meeting ran long, and I was going to grab some refreshments.”
…So he just needed an extra pair of hands.
“In that case, shall I call someone from the kitchen? I’m sure many would be happy to assist Your Highness.”
“Thank you, but that’s all right. I have to get back soon.”
Fortunately, the Crown Prince stepped aside, apparently not intending to bother me further.
“See you next time, Ser.”
But if you’re going to step aside, move a bit more.
I had to squeeze through the narrow gap between him and the door, nearly elbowing him in the solar plexus.
After one last scan of the soldiers and knights stationed outside the Central Palace, I returned to the detached palace.
“Ser…!”
As soon as I entered the room, Elhart shot up from the bed.
“Are you all right? Did anyone bother you?”
Seeing his face full of concern made me laugh for some reason.
“Of course not.”
I proudly hoisted the large basket.
“I brought lots of good things.”
Elhart’s eyes went wide as he took it from me.
“Why so much…?”
Watching him, the face of the Crown Prince—so like my old friend—came to mind.
Neither of us really knew the other, and it was clearly the Crown Prince who resembled Mikhail.
Yet I felt more at ease when I was with Elhart.
Was it because their mana signatures were the same?
“Just wait a moment.”
I began pulling out the spoils I’d collected while wandering the palace all morning from my spatial bag.
A plush carpet spread across the floor, and a luxurious table with two chairs appeared.
“How’s that? I brought them because they looked nice.”
“Did you get permission?”
“Well… maybe?”
I’d told the head chamberlain I’d take whatever I needed, so I figured it counted as permission.
Elhart looked at me as if to confirm the meaning of my vague answer, but I just stared right back.
‘…’
In the end, Elhart looked away first.
“…It looks good.”
The tips of his ears were slightly flushed, whether from embarrassment or something else.
“Right?”
Feeling proud, I moved the food from the basket onto the table.
Elhart helped me.
“If you haven’t eaten, join me.”
I pretended to hesitate and sat down beside him.
I’d only meant to have a few cookies and some cake, but Elhart kept pushing plates toward me, so I ended up trying a bit of everything.
The Central Palace chef was quite skilled—the food was all delicious.
Then again, compared to the combat rations I’d been choking down for years, anything would taste good.
Once we’d eaten our fill, I asked him something I’d been curious about.
“Elhart, do you know anything about the Crown Prince of Cradion?”
“You mean Auriel? What do you want to know?”
“Is he a womanizer?”
Elhart’s gaze sharpened instantly.
“Has he approached you?”
Oh… his expression changed completely. I didn’t know he could make a face like that.
“No, I was just asking. He was being friendly with the maids.”
Elhart furrowed his brow, lost in thought, then spoke carefully.
“The Crown Prince is a deep and calculating man. I doubt he’d openly act like a womanizer. However…”
“However…?”
“The Crown Princess died last year, and he hasn’t remarried. He might be looking for a new bride.”
Ah, so he’s a widower?
“It’d be best to avoid him as much as possible.”
If he’s looking for a bride, it’s none of my concern.
I’m just a maid from Bardia, not even from Cradion.
“…Ser?”
“Yeah?”
Elhart reached out and clasped my hand—the one holding a cookie.
“Don’t take my words lightly. Try not to leave the detached palace for a while.”
“That’s a bit difficult.”
No matter what, I had to bring food from the Central Palace.
This detached palace didn’t have its own kitchen.
“Is there a reason you absolutely have to?”
“The Crown Prince currently holds real power in Cradion. As a maid, you’d find it hard to refuse any order he gives.”
Well, that’s possible.
“He might fall for you at first sight and try to make you his bride, so…”
I laughed, incredulous.
“Come on, that’s not going to happen.”
“When a man falls in love, he sees nothing else.”
“Is that from experience?”
‘…!’
Why are you so shocked that you’re just gaping like that…
An awkward silence fell. Then came a knock at the door.
Startled, Elhart pulled his hand away just as the door swung open.
Annoyed by the utter lack of courtesy, I glared at the entrance. The attendant cleared his throat lightly and said,
“His Imperial Majesty commands your attendance at tomorrow night’s banquet.”
A palace banquet? For Elhart? Did he even have formal wear to wear?
“And also, Miss Brin.”
…What?
