Chapter 28
Urgent footsteps stopped in front of the second-floor dress room. The maid, who seemed ready to burst through the door, paused abruptly.
“Haa… What if she doesn’t like it again?”
Her whisper was filled with anxiety.
But she couldn’t delay further. Maid Merisa took a deep breath and glanced around.
“You.”
She pointed at Eslin.
“Bring it and follow me.”
The heavy door opened, releasing the rich fragrance unique to noble ladies.
Eslin stepped in holding the box.
‘First Prince Consort, Resilia Bertania.’
Seated at the center table was a woman adorned in lavish attire. The room overflowed with luxury – jewellery and ornaments everywhere.
‘Come to think of it, the duke’s house was quite frugal.’
Eslin thought absentmindedly.
“Your Highness, the dress for the upcoming party has just arrived.”
Merisa spoke in a sweet, flowery voice.
The stirring sound of tea abruptly stopped. The woman slowly turned her body.
“…You’re late.”
Her tone held slight reproach.
Eslin glanced at her as she placed down the box.
The First Prince’s wife – the empire’s only Princess Consort.
‘Of all places, I ended up in the First Prince Consort’s palace…’
She sighed inwardly.
She had successfully entered the palace, but the only place urgently needing maids was Resilia’s palace, which had recently increased staff after her marriage.
‘If only I could’ve entered Erdan’s palace…’
But opportunities never came twice. For now, getting into the palace at all was most important.
‘At least thanks to the recommendation letter, I avoided being an apprentice maid.’
As an apprentice, she wouldn’t even be assigned to a royal palace.
The informant promised to find a way to transfer her to Erdan’s palace, but Eslin told him not to rush. In the palace, the impatient were always the first to fall.
And for now—
‘It’s enough to know Erdan is alive.’
Her hand holding the box lid trembled slightly.
She hadn’t received precise news, but she knew he was still alive. That was enough.
“The maids were dragging their feet. Please forgive them.”
Merisa said sweetly as Eslin opened the box and stepped back.
“Well, as long as the dress is decent.”
Resilia nodded reluctantly, her wavy light-brown hair swaying.
“These are specially ordered from the best boutiques across the empire. Please choose one.”
“Let me see.”
Resilia rose gracefully, eyes sharp as she surveyed the seven dresses.
Recently, choosing a dress for the upcoming party had been her greatest headache.
Eslin glanced at them without much thought.
“Your Highness, how about this one?”
“…It’s not bad, but…”
Resilia rested her chin on her slender fingers, looking torn.
Merisa seized the moment.
“I think this one is best. Look at that sheen – it’s made by the East’s top silk artisan. Only two dresses a year are woven from this cloth.”
“Oh, really?”
The pink dress at the center was certainly the most dazzling.
“Of course. And this colour will highlight your beautiful skin even more. And the ribbon with the pink diamond…”
“Yes… It’s perfect, but…”
Resilia’s voice fell.
“I don’t know what Her Majesty the Empress will think.”
Worry clouded her face.
Resilia was not favoured by the Empress – even Eslin, newly arrived, knew from the maids’ gossip.
“Don’t worry. Her Majesty loves diamonds too, doesn’t she?”
Merisa reassured her. Resilia’s anxious gaze eased slightly.
“…You’re right.”
She touched the pink dress, and a soft smile formed.
“It really is beautiful. Shall I wear this for the garden party then?”
She had liked it from the start but hesitated fearing the Empress’s reaction.
Merisa clapped her hands lightly.
“An excellent choice, Your Highness.”
“You’ve worked hard, Merisa.”
“It’s all for you, Your Highness.”
Resilia lifted the dress from the box.
The pink silk glowed with grandeur. Flowing lace, puffed sleeves, layered skirts, and at its centre – a brilliant pink diamond ribbon sparkled.
“What do you all think?”
She held the dress to her body, her face alight with excitement.
“Y-Yes, Your Highness. It’s beautiful.”
The maids lined beside Eslin quickly agreed.
“Haha. They’re just new maids; what would they know?”
Merisa winked, making Resilia laugh behind her hand.
“With this, Her Majesty will surely favour you.”
Merisa said, adjusting the sleeve to her arm. Resilia nodded in satisfaction.
‘Hmm…’
Eslin stared at the floor pattern, thinking.
‘Mother will definitely hate it.’
But… it was none of her concern.
“Someone go fetch Her Highness’s insomnia medicine.”
Merisa instructed.
Eslin, cleaning the parlour, set down her rag.
“I’ll go.”
The sun was dipping behind the western mountains.
The path to the palace clinic was familiar to her – she even knew the quickest shortcuts.
She passed ornate fountains and manicured trees. Soon, the maze garden came into view.
“……”
She stopped before its grand arched entrance.
Drawn forward, she crouched down and searched near its wooden base.
‘It should be here…’
There it was – a small carving.
〔E. & E. Year NNNN, Month N, Day N〕
It was at the height of a child of six or seven.
She traced the engraving with her fingers, feeling its worn grooves.
‘This maze was easy! Wasn’t it, Eslin?’
‘Erdan, hurry up.’
‘Don’t rush me. My hands are slipping. If we get caught carving on the door, we’ll be scolded.’
‘So carve it quickly!’
‘Mmm…’
‘Are you done yet?’
‘Ow, Eslin.’
‘What’s wrong?’
‘I got a splinter…’
They used to explore the entire palace together. Around seven years old, they discovered secret gardens, carving their marks everywhere.
Everything was unchanged – except her.
She stood, brushing her hand over the imperial crest engraved on the pillars.
As she turned to leave—
“Ahem, ahem.”
A quiet cough sounded nearby.
She saw a small shadow behind a large tree.
Scanning quickly to ensure no one saw, she asked:
“You brought the information?”
The frail man nodded.
He was a low-ranking servant in the southern offices, a Moonshadow Guild informant delivering her requested news.
“Poison.”
He said bluntly.
She understood immediately. Erdan had been poisoned.
Her knees almost buckled despite having expected it.
Confirmation felt like a bullet to the heart.
“They’re still investigating who did it. With the Second Prince’s palace sealed under the Empress’s orders, information is hard to get.”
He spoke quickly as she pretended to adjust her shoes.
‘It’s obvious.’
It was the First Prince’s doing.
Her hand clenching the shoelace turned white.
‘Kardan broke his promise.’
A dangerous glint flashed in her eyes.
He would pay for breaking their deal. She would not let this go.
Eslin handed the servant a small note.
The spring day reached its peak warmth, but the First Prince Consort’s palace was filled with cold anger.
“Everyone out! Get out!”
“Y-Your Highness…”
“Didn’t you hear me?”
Resilia’s furious voice made the maids shrink away.
Merisa wrung her hands, unsure what to do.
“Are you ignoring me too?”
“N-No, we’re going.”
Merisa rushed to obey.
Tack. As the door closed, something shattered inside.
“Haa…”
She let out a long sigh.
Eslin followed silently behind her, blending in with the other maids.
“What are you all staring at? Get back to work!”
Merisa snapped irritably at the gathering maids.
“Merisa, why is Her Highness so angry today?”
One asked cautiously. Merisa sighed deeply.
“The Empress criticised her dress at the garden party.”
“Oh no…”
“Again. It’s always the same.”
Merisa massaged her aching temples.
“I just don’t understand. It’s like the Empress is picking on her for no reason…”
Her face crumpled in helpless frustration.
“Haa…”
Eslin gazed silently at her profile.
