Chapter 31
“Ugh, it’s the Rosebel maid.”
Arthas Nocturn quickly covered his mouth. From a distance, he saw the light lavender-colored hair pass by.
‘She really carries herself so gracefully.’ He thought absently.
“Ouch!”
Suddenly, a sharp sting on his fingertips made him look down. His hand, while tending to his sword, had been cut by the blade, blood now welling on his fingers.
Smack!
An enormous force struck Arthas at the back of his head.
“Take it easy.”
“You crazy idiot! Why hit me?”
“Your head just looks like I wanted to smack it. You look like an idiot.”
He clicked his tongue, slumping next to Arthas. Arthas, rubbing his sore head, shot a resentful look at his comrade.
“What’s with you lately? Spacing out and cutting your fingers like that?”
“Mind your own business. I’m feeling alive for once… Ah! Right!”
Arthas quickly turned his head forward. The lavender-colored hair was no longer visible.
The Rosebel maid had passed by in the blink of an eye!
He sighed absentmindedly.
“Ugh. A waste of life.”
“What did I do?”
“Forget it! Get lost.”
He stood on tiptoe, scanning the area again, but the maid was nowhere to be seen.
‘Will she not pass by again today?’
A feeling of disappointment washed over his face. His comrade clicked his tongue beside him.
He knew. He knew how ridiculous this looked. The real problem was that he didn’t even understand why he felt so ridiculous.
It was an accident. Arthas never imagined he would fall so hard for someone.
‘I’ll talk to her tomorrow for sure.’
He thought to himself.
Then, his comrade nudged his elbow.
“Hey, enough of this. Let’s go have a drink later to celebrate your break. Why haven’t you been hanging out with me lately?”
“Get lost. I’m busy tonight.”
Arthas immediately rejected the offer. His comrade’s face dropped in frustration.
‘Revenge. You dare interfere with my only happiness.’
He stared at the outside of the training hall for a long time.
Meanwhile, Ashlyn was walking briskly.
She held a bottle of insomnia medication in one hand.
‘I need to hurry if I’m going to see Kardane.’
The First Prince was arriving at the Crown Princess Palace.
The sudden news of his visit surprised her, but it was a welcome development.
Now that she was dead, she had the chance to see with her own eyes how the First Prince was doing.
“I’ll prepare the tea.”
Ashlyn arrived at the Crown Princess Palace quickly, passing the medication to another maid and preparing the tea set.
It wasn’t long before Kardane arrived.
“Madam, how have you been?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Thanks to you.”
Resilia smiled warmly.
A tea table had been set up in the outdoor garden. The First Prince crossed his legs, stirring his teacup.
‘Kardane Bertania.’
He had not changed.
His hair was dark navy blue, just like the late Empress Borha, the Emperor’s concubine and his biological mother.
“I’m relieved to hear you’re getting along well with the Empress.”
“Yes, it’s improving. Just recently, His Majesty called and we had a pleasant conversation.”
“Good, good. Keep it up.”
Their conversation was nothing special.
For a moment, Kardane paused his tea and looked around, his narrow eyes scanning the surroundings with an indifferent expression.
“The maids have increased.”
Ashlyn suddenly felt uncomfortable. His eyes, which usually reflected confusion, injustice, or malice, now seemed calm and ordinary.
It felt like a prickle ran down her spine.
“We’ve been short-handed. Soon, we’ll have new ladies-in-waiting joining.”
“I see. If you need more help, just let me know.”
“Thank you.”
Resilia smiled and gestured. A trolley full of treats arrived. The maids began serving cakes and cookies onto plates.
“Ah, we’ll have a return banquet soon, so it’s good to start preparing.”
Kardane, eyeing the cookies, commented. Resilia looked up in surprise.
“A return banquet?”
“The Duke of Laperion is returning from his campaign.”
Thud.
Ashlyn’s hand faltered as she arranged the cookies.
“Rosebel.”
A maid next to her whispered reproachfully. Ashlyn quickly tidied up the fallen cookie.
“Oh, they said it was an unprecedented victory despite the difficult situation. So there will be a banquet. When is it?”
“Probably when the Duke arrives. He’s already on his way back, so in about one or two weeks, he should be in the capital.”
Ashlyn stared absently at Kardane’s words.
“It’s strange that the Duke would agree to attend the banquet so willingly.”
Kardane muttered to himself.
“How could he refuse when the Emperor orders it?”
“No, the Duke…”
He didn’t continue. Looking at Resilia, Kardane gave a brief, cynical smile.
“Never mind. It’s not something to discuss with the lady.”
“Why not?”
“Forget it. You wouldn’t understand anyway.”
At that moment, Resilia’s expression, which had been as light as spring flowers, hardened slightly.
“…”
“Just get the cookies.”
Kardane commanded.
Thud, thud. Someone elbowed Ashlyn. She had been holding Kardane’s plate, and she placed the cookies in front of him without faltering.
Kardane barely glanced at her. He was focused on the vase on the table.
“The flowers…”
He remarked. Resilia tilted her head in confusion.
“Do you not like the lilacs?”
“I hate them. I can’t stand that purple color.”
His tone was filled with disgust. Resilia subtly glanced at the maid, who quickly removed the vase.
Ashlyn silently stepped back. Kardane, losing interest in the flowers, focused on the treats.
‘What’s the big deal with flowers?’
It was ridiculous.
In a past life, he had been desperate to poison the food entering his mouth, but now… who would have guessed she’d be serving him tea and treats?
‘Poisoning isn’t the only form of revenge.’
But still, the knot in her stomach tightened.
After Kardane left, merchants flooded in.
Merisa had summoned all the clothing merchants in the capital for the next party.
“…!”
Among the many carriages, Ashlyn spotted a familiar face.
A man with a long scar on his nose—dressed like a coachman.
“Hmph!”
A meaningful exchange of glances occurred.
Ashlyn didn’t hesitate to turn and head for a secluded corner of the Crown Princess Palace. She heard footsteps following closely behind.
“Long time no see.”
Ashlyn stopped and turned to face the familiar information broker.
“Seems like you’re doing well?”
He snorted lightly.
“Got new information?”
“Yes.”
The man got straight to the point. He had come himself, which was unusual, but Ashlyn didn’t press him for details.
“The Second Prince is recovering his health at an alarming rate.”
Ashlyn’s lips parted in surprise.
“Is that true?”
“Yes.”
She let out a deep sigh. It felt as though a weight had been lifted from her chest.
‘Thank goodness…’
Ashlyn closed her eyes, then opened them again.
“When will the Second Prince’s palace open?”
“I’m not sure, but I think soon.”
The information broker stroked his chin.
“It was a tough task to neutralize the poison, but once that was done, his recovery was rapid.”
“I see.”
“Do you still want to become a maid in the Second Prince’s palace?”
…”
It was a question Ashlyn could not easily answer.
Becoming a maid in the Second Prince’s palace had been her original goal. She had been unable to confirm his condition at the time, but now that she knew he was safe…
Her only remaining goal was revenge on Kardane.
‘Maybe it’s better to stay at the Crown Princess Palace.’
Ashlyn thought vaguely.
At that moment, the information broker gestured her closer.
“Come here for a second.”
She leaned in, and despite the deserted place, he nervously looked around and handed her a folded piece of paper.
“It’s a reply to the note I sent earlier.”
Ashlyn’s eyes widened as she unfolded the note.
“I didn’t expect to get the information so quickly.”
She had asked a servant for the information, and now she held it in her hands.
‘Kardane’s list of mistresses.’
The sordid details of his private life were exactly what Ashlyn had been waiting for. Although she hadn’t had a chance to use them yet, she now had ammunition.
‘How can he keep bringing new scandals even after his marriage?’
Ashlyn thought cynically.
The list detailed names, titles, and approximate dates and locations. She memorized the information quickly.
“Tch…”
The information broker let out a sigh as he watched her chew and swallow the paper.
“What a maid.”
“Is that all the information you have for me?”
“No, there’s more.”
“More?”
Ashlyn tilted her head. The man lowered his voice even more.
“I found out who tried to poison the Second Prince.”
“…”
Ashlyn’s brows furrowed.
“What do you mean?”
The information broker scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
“He tried to poison himself. The Second Prince did.”
Ashlyn’s sharp eyes filled with confusion.
“What…?”
Her usual clever gaze was clouded with disbelief. The broker looked uneasy as he explained.
“He tried to commit suicide. The Second Prince, that is.”
