Chapter 70 ….
That was exactly the problem—if she let her mind wander even a little, she kept thinking of His Majesty the Emperor.
Especially in moments like this.
She had clearly been thinking about something else at first, yet somehow the end of every thought always led back to Cedric.
‘I can’t live like this, seriously!’
Unable to overcome her embarrassment, Eugenie was fanning her flushed face with her hand when—
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock sounded.
Putting on a composed expression with effort, Eugenie turned toward the door.
“Come in.”
Creak.
The door opened.
And the person who appeared beyond it was…
‘This is strange. I’ve been thinking about His Majesty all day—am I seeing things now?’
After freezing for a moment, Eugenie shot to her feet in shock.
“Your Majesty?!”
That’s right.
The Emperor himself had suddenly stepped into Eugenie’s office!
“It’s been a while, Lady’s maid Sayres.”
Cedric greeted her somewhat awkwardly.
“My apologies for coming so suddenly.”
“N-Not at all.”
Quickly shaking her head, Eugenie asked carefully,
“So, Your Majesty… what brings you all the way to the Second Prince’s Palace…?”
Had he come to see the Second Prince?
But usually at this hour he was busy with state affairs and rarely visited.
“Actually, I came today because I have a favor to ask of you, Lady’s maid Sayres.”
“Me?”
Her rose-colored eyes widened.
Cedric nodded and continued.
“You’re aware that a new director will be appointed to the Imperial Children’s Foundation this time.”
“Yes, I received the official notice.”
“So I intend to hold a congratulatory party to celebrate the appointment…”
The earlier awkwardness had vanished. Cedric looked at Eugenie with a serious gaze.
“I was hoping you could help.”
“Pardon?!”
Such an important event—me?!
Eugenie jumped from her seat like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
A short while later.
After hearing the full explanation, Eugenie nodded with a serious expression.
“Yes, I understand what you mean.”
In summary, this was what the Emperor had said:
There was an old custom that only members of the imperial family’s relatives could become the foundation’s director.
Cedric believed the custom itself was wrong.
A fixed notion had formed that the Emperor selected directors based purely on deep personal trust—
—and that, unintentionally, allowed the director to enjoy undue privileges.
‘That’s why I selected Countess Dowager Rodriguez.’
Cedric had explained calmly.
‘And since we have appointed a new director, we should also give her proper support.’
Thus, Cedric decided to hold a congratulatory party for the new director of the Imperial Children’s Foundation—
—and he was proposing to entrust the planning of that party to Eugenie.
“Also, at the director’s request, we’re thinking of inviting some children from the orphanage sponsored by the Rodriguez family…”
A gentle smile spread across Cedric’s lips.
“I thought this might also be a good opportunity for Noah to begin participating in official social activities.”
Noah.
As Cedric spoke about his only younger brother, he looked genuinely pleased.
At this moment, Cedric looked every bit the doting older brother, and just watching him made Eugenie feel strangely warm.
But then—
Cedric suddenly fixed his gaze on Eugenie.
“And as far as I know, there’s no one who cares for Noah as much as you do, Lady’s maid Sayres.”
His violet eyes looked at her with unmistakable goodwill.
“Personally, I was hoping you would take charge of preparing this party.”
“…Your Majesty.”
“Of course, you may refuse if it makes you uncomfortable.”
Cedric gave a light shrug.
“But if you’re willing, I hope you’ll proceed comfortably.”
“B-But…”
“Of course, you won’t be handling it alone. The head maid of the Imperial Palace will assist you, so there’s no need to worry too much.”
Though he spoke at length to ease her burden, Cedric’s intention was clear.
He was giving Eugenie an opportunity.
After all, planning a large-scale party…
‘…counts as career experience.’
For a maid to showcase her abilities, there was hardly a better opportunity than managing a major event.
It would be a great help for future promotions—or even if she later transferred to another noble household.
It also meant Cedric highly valued Eugenie’s abilities.
Most of all—
‘His Majesty… trusts me.’
The fundamental reason Cedric had given Eugenie this chance
was because he knew she sincerely cherished and loved Noah.
Of course, she hadn’t cared for Noah in hopes that Cedric would notice.
But even so, it wasn’t as if she wasn’t happy that her sincerity and effort had been recognized…
“Then… may I take a little time to think about it?”
At her cautious question, Cedric readily nodded.
“Take your time.”
“Thank you.”
She thought that was the end of their conversation.
But Cedric still remained where he was—
as if he had something left to say.
“Your Majesty?”
Eugenie blinked.
“However, I…”
At the same time, Cedric met her eyes and gave a faint smile.
“I believe you would do an excellent job, Lady’s maid Sayres.”
His gentle whisper brushed her ears.
“……”
Eugenie pressed her lower lip between her teeth.
Her heart kept fluttering.
The next day.
Eugenie was suddenly summoned by the head maid of the Imperial Palace.
“Ah, you’re here?”
After briefly acknowledging her, the head maid briskly began placing documents into Eugenie’s hands.
“Lady’s maid Sayres, review these first.”
“Y-Yes?”
“This is the budget for the party, this is the list of orphanage children who will be invited, and this is—”
Holding the documents she had received without thinking, Eugenie looked at the head maid in confusion.
“Um… why are you giving me these…?”
“Why?”
The head maid looked puzzled instead.
“Isn’t Lady’s maid Sayres the one planning the director’s inauguration celebration this time?”
“What? No— I told His Majesty I would think about it.”
“Goodness, why on earth?”
The head maid asked back, clearly surprised.
“This is an excellent opportunity. Of course, preparing the party may be physically tiring, but it will greatly help your career.”
She tilted her head.
“You of all people should know that better than anyone.”
“Yes, I do know.”
Eugenie answered politely.
“Then why are you hesitating?”
The head maid genuinely seemed unable to understand.
Eugenie paused, choosing her words carefully.
Her rose-colored eyes sank deeply.
“That’s exactly why I’m worried.”
“About what?”
“I’m honestly not sure… whether it’s really alright for me to plan such an important party.”
She understood it in her head.
That this was a truly good opportunity for her—
and that Cedric had prepared it with good intentions.
But she couldn’t easily shake off the weight pressing on her shoulders.
After all, this party was meant to empower the newly appointed director under the Emperor’s authority.
‘What if I make a mistake?’
Just imagining it made her breath catch.
If the warm gaze Cedric gave her were to lose its warmth—
If it were to turn cold…
“It would be terrible if I prepared the party poorly.”
Eugenie continued in a shrinking voice.
“I don’t want to disappoint His Majesty, who trusted me. So…”
Her trailing voice trembled pitifully.
The head maid of the Imperial Palace narrowed her eyes as she looked at Eugenie.
And then—
“Lady’s maid Sayres.”
The head maid cut her off mid-sentence.
