Chapter 6
The Crown Prince’s palace was called Blossom.
Within Blossom, there were several famous quarters known to all.
First, in the center of the third floor was the Crown Prince Alesto’s residence, the Akalia quarters.
To its right was the Luster quarters, used by his younger brother Jerold Burns, the chief advisor and Alesto’s twin.
Other large and small quarters on the third floor housed Alesto’s retainers and knights, or served as offices.
Asha’s assigned quarters were Almond, located just to the left of the central Akalia room.
It was a room so large it seemed almost excessive for one person, yet there she remained, alone with her maid.
As Asha briefly scanned the room, her eyes fell on the maid, who bowed politely.
Having interacted with a maid back at the Herman estate, Asha didn’t feel awkward, though she felt slightly uneasy.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
“Ruby. Please call me if you need anything,” the maid replied.
“Alright, Ruby. Nice to meet you. But I think it’s better if I explore alone for now, so you can leave for today.”
Ruby was taken aback but maintained her polite posture, hands folded neatly in front of her.
“Yes, understood. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
She quietly left, and the door closed with a soft thud.
Asha’s jaw relaxed, and her lips parted in awe.
“How is it so lavish?”
Her eyes moved slowly, taking in the room, leaving no corner unnoticed.
Frames adorned the walls, and the surrounding panels were meticulously carved and painted with mythological scenes.
Expensive furniture, a carpet so fine she felt careful even stepping on it, layered curtains, intricate carvings, and gilding everywhere.
It wasn’t just the living room—the bedroom, dress room, tea room, and bathroom were equally luxurious, almost sacred in their opulence.
Her first thought:
“A luxurious imperial prison?”
But the excitement quickly faded.
She still hadn’t figured out why he had brought her here.
If it were Cedric, she could understand—but the Crown Prince? Why?
In her limited memory, he had been portrayed only as a tyrant in the original story, not as a romantic lead.
“Who just takes an outsider along like this… wait a second.”
A chilling premonition ran through her.
Perhaps, in the original story, the heroine Asha was fated to be kidnapped.
Cedric’s portrayal as a devoted romantic made it plausible to plan such a confinement.
Now the male lead was the Crown Prince?
Seriously, even if it changes, there should be limits.
Switching from a kind romantic to a potential tyrant heir?
Asha brushed the goosebumps from her arms, recalling Alesto.
Beautiful as he was, he carried a fatal flaw:
“Scary…!”
Not only because he was described as a tyrant in the novel, but also due to the oppressive atmosphere she experienced firsthand.
In the brief moments she encountered him, he wasn’t overtly menacing or aggressive, but rather like a dangerous swamp, subtly permeated with lethal mist.
“…Maybe I should try to escape.”
Better to struggle once than be semi-kidnapped without resistance. From a narrative perspective, it would look better if she put up a fight.
She nodded to herself, considering nonexistent readers.
Returning to the story’s original path seemed like the best choice.
Her eyes shone with determination.
“Ugh… m-mother…!”
Marvin’s legs buckled at the knight’s decisive movements, tears welling in his eyes.
Yet the knight, radiating cold authority, raised his sword.
“Your Highness!”
Fredis crawled urgently to the Crown Prince’s feet, bowing her head.
“Your Highness! I was wrong! I beg you, spare my child! H-Husband, quickly sign the marriage contract!”
Before she even finished, Count Herman signed the papers and prostrated beside his wife.
Alesto folded his arms, observing the couple with unreadable eyes. Meanwhile, Jerold tucked the documents into an envelope with a nod.
“All the paperwork is now complete,” he said.
Alesto took a slow sip of cooled tea.
“Now, what is Asha to you?”
Fredis, drenched in fear, stared at him with wide eyes, unable even to wipe her sweat.
Instinct screamed at her: lie flat on the ground, no matter what.
“A-Asha… is to become a noble Saint.”
With that answer, the contract process was fully concluded.
Alesto let out a sharp smile that vanished in an instant. Quietly placing his teacup on the table, he issued a warning.
“If your beloved daughter is already frail, and you don’t want her left an orphan, always be careful with your words and actions.”
He left the parlor as though there was nothing more to say or hear.
The Hermans had finished talking about heirs and successors—Asha was merely a Saint in his eyes.
“The family’s business is settled. Nothing else can hold me back.”
His curiosity turned to the small, disheveled young woman.
I wonder what the Saint is doing in Blossom Palace?
Blossom Palace.
Determined to escape, Asha quietly opened the living room door and peered into the corridor.
After checking right, left, up, and down, she tiptoed into the hallway.
“No one’s here, right?”
Luckily, plush carpets muted her steps.
“Have they all left?”
Though she had told her assigned maid to leave early today, she wasn’t sure if palace staff followed strict schedules.
It didn’t matter—quiet surroundings made escape easier.
She carried a small thrill as she descended the stairs.
Passing the second floor, she paused at the landing to survey the brightly lit first floor.
Unlike the upper floors, people frequently moved about on the first floor, and Asha tried to blend in naturally.
“Oh, right… my clothes!”
Stepping onto the first floor, she realized she was the only one in civilian attire.
Everyone else was male staff, or, if female, dressed as maids.
Panicking, she hurried to an area likely used as a staff entrance, pretending to be a maid who had just returned from errands.
She felt as if all eyes were on her, but she forced herself to keep composure.
“I can do this. All the possessed protagonists I’ve read about act shamelessly.”
Her efforts paid off. She finally reached a secluded corridor and found the laundry room.
Inside, she discovered a set of maid clothes someone had left behind.
“Of course. The key to escape is disguise.”
Dressing as a maid, she crouched in a corner and carefully removed the pearls from her original outfit, one by one.
Though tiny and ugly, these pearls could at least yield some money—a blessing for the impoverished Herman household.
With escape preparations complete, she slipped out through the servant’s rear exit.
Passing through the garden and leaving the Crown Prince’s palace, she even exchanged greetings with a few maids—none suspected her.
The start was surprisingly smooth.
Who would have thought escaping the notorious Crown Prince’s palace could go so well?
A hopeful feeling swelled in her chest.
“Maybe this is a special benefit for possessed people… or a heroine buff.”
Feeling capable of anything, her steps grew light and brisk.
At the same time, Alesto sat in his carriage returning to the palace, reviewing documents.
He had spent the morning at the temple and handling matters regarding the Saint, leaving little time for his duties.
Yet the workflow was soon interrupted.
Knock, knock.
“Your Highness. Garnet here.”
Alesto slightly opened the window. Garnet reported:
“An hour ago, the Saint changed into a maid’s uniform and left Blossom Palace. She is currently heading toward the south gate.”
