Chapter 27
“Hey, lady.”
The man had a long scar across his nose.
“You’re clearly a disguised noble lady. How did you even find your way to the outskirts of the capital?”
His tone was mocking as he scanned her from head to toe with blatant scrutiny.
Even in her shabby robe, he could tell from her eyes that she was nobility.
‘No matter how poorly she dresses, I’ve been in these back alleys for years. I can tell at a glance.’
He stroked his chin leisurely.
‘But a noble lady coming here alone without a single attendant… that’s a first.’
Though noble ladies sometimes came seeking him, none had ever come so boldly and alone.
But truthfully, he wasn’t that curious. Their requests were mostly the same.
‘She’s a bit thin, but beautiful… probably entangled in some romance scandal?’
He thought casually.
“Is this the Moonshadow Guild?”
The woman asked, sitting perfectly straight, her voice surprisingly resolute.
“Yeah. The largest information guild in the Bertania Empire.”
He spoke with pride.
“So how did you find it?”
“Does it matter how I found it?”
Her lips curved faintly.
“You’re selling what I want to buy. That’s all that matters.”
Her expression was like a midnight lake – calm, dark, and unreadable.
The man, stunned for a moment, let out a delayed laugh.
“Haha! You’re saying ‘don’t ask.’”
He straightened from his reclining position.
“So, what information do you want to buy?”
He felt a flicker of interest.
“……”
But she remained silent for a while, her deep-blue eyes scanning the shabby interior disguised as a tavern.
Reading her gaze, he added:
“Don’t worry about security. I’ve been doing this for ten years. Nothing spoken here ever leaks out.”
She looked at him, then finally opened her lips.
“Alright. I’ll speak directly.”
“Good. I like that.”
“I want information about the Imperial Palace. Specifically, regarding the Second Prince, Erdan Bertania.”
“You…”
His clasped hands loosened instantly, eyes widening.
“Huu… This is troublesome.”
“Is it difficult?”
She asked without flinching.
“To be blunt, palace information is hard to get these days. Even newspapers are shutting down, haven’t you noticed?”
Her eyes darkened.
“Besides, our Guild Master isn’t here right now. I can’t decide this alone.”
He shook his head, leaning back.
‘Even with the Guild Master here, digging into the Second Prince now is suicide.’
But he didn’t say that aloud. The shadow over her face was too heavy.
“If you really need it, come back later. Maybe when winter winds start blowing.”
He spoke dismissively, effectively refusing.
She fell silent, thinking deeply.
“I made a mistake.”
“Huh?”
“I should have mentioned payment first.”
She drew out a small item from her robes and placed it on the table.
His eyes narrowed to inspect it.
What is this musty thing?
But then—
“Huh!”
His eyes widened like lanterns.
“P-Platinum tea leaves!”
“Correct.”
“Haa… Where on earth did you get this…?”
Though its packaging was slightly wrinkled, anyone who knew its worth would recognise it.
The scar on his nose twitched violently.
But before he could even estimate its value, she retrieved it back into her robe.
Ah.
He clicked his tongue regretfully.
“Since it’s difficult, I’ll take my leave.”
She stood without hesitation.
“W-Wait!”
He jumped up.
“Yes?”
She turned back slowly, driving him crazy with impatience.
“I accept your request.”
“Didn’t you just say it was difficult?”
“Nothing’s impossible in this world!”
Especially not in front of sudden fortune. He chuckled darkly.
“Is this payment sufficient?”
“More than sufficient! Just say what you want!”
As she sat back down, he eagerly pulled out her chair.
“One more thing.”
“Yeah, what is it?”
“Find out if there’s any palace that urgently needs a maid or is hiring one.”
A maid?
He tilted his head, confused.
‘We have people in the palace, so it’s doable but…’
He answered reluctantly.
“You’re planning to enter as a maid? Forget it. Rather—”
“No, I will be the maid.”
“What?”
She smiled faintly – an expression as unmoving as a rock braving the sea.
“Because I am a maid.”
Palace maids were always curious, gossiping about everything from trivial matters to secrets that could shake the Empire. Information flowed through their eyes, ears, and lips.
Just like the maids at the ducal estate.
“Did you hear? Her Majesty the Empress scolded the First Prince’s wife again.”
One maid whispered while sorting boxes.
“I heard. The whole palace was buzzing.”
“Why does she hate the Princess Consort so much? They’ve only just married.”
“Maybe because the First Prince isn’t her real son, she resents his wife too?”
“Shh! Watch your mouth.”
“You started it.”
“Still…”
“Because of that, our Princess Consort’s palace is like an icehouse. Poor lady, suffering so soon after marriage.”
A maid smacked a box in frustration.
“Feels like we’re walking on thin ice every day here.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Maybe I should transfer to the northern Duke Laperion’s estate. They pay well.”
“Are you serious?”
“…No, just kidding. Who’d go to the north?”
“They say once you enter, you never leave. Like a prison.”
They giggled softly while continuing their work.
On the boxes were logos of famous tailors and jewellery shops across the empire – just arrived, and sorting them was the maids’ task.
“Rosebell, are you done there?”
“Yeah.”
Among them was Eslin Rosebell, a low-ranking palace maid, checking the logos diligently.
“Wow, you’re fast. You just glance at the logos and know where they go?”
“Seriously? You memorised all those brands?”
The maids gathered around in amazement as Eslin calmly placed the box atop the jewellery pile.
She hesitated to explain. Raised as royalty, such knowledge was second nature to her.
Before she could reply, a sharp voice called out.
“You there!”
She looked up to see a woman leaning halfway over the staircase railing.
“You’re the new maid, Rose…bell? Right?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s the dress? Has it arrived?”
“Yes, just now.”
“Hurry up! Bring it quickly!”
The woman, dressed in green with glossy orange hair, was Merisa Light, the palace’s sole senior maid.
“Quickly, quickly! Bring the dress and jewellery box and follow me!”
She gestured sharply. The maids scrambled, Eslin clutching a box to her chest as she followed.
The carpeted stairs absorbed their hurried footsteps. Eslin liked its silent softness.
As she climbed, the imperial crest flickered past her eyes.
‘To think I’d return to the palace as a maid.’
She walked on, averting her gaze from the emblem.
‘Life is unpredictable.’
A quiet smile formed on her lips. It wasn’t bitter, just genuine.
Born as a princess, now returned as a maid.
She was both princess and maid. A maid yet a princess.
‘Princess and maid – even the words differ only slightly.’
Perhaps they weren’t so different after all.
‘Truly, life is full of surprises.’
Realising such truths… life was indeed unknowable.
