Chapter 6
“Dylan?”
Oops. I said it without thinking. Dylan narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously.
“You know me?”
Dylan was Prince Rian’s aide. In the game, he was wrongly accused of being an assassin and executed by Rian early on.
(Though in truth, Dylan was just being used.)
I froze, staring blankly, and Dylan pressed me again, his tone sharp.
“I asked if you know me.”
I shook myself and quickly spoke.
“I came here to deliver a message to His Highness.”
He looked me up and down with his dark blue eyes. I was a mess—covered in dirt from crawling through the dog hole.
But instead of that, he scolded me for something else.
“You really think a mere maid can just waltz in and see the prince without an appointment?”
“……”
He was right. Even without the strict class system, no one would grant an audience so suddenly.
And me, a lowly maid, daring to approach someone nearly at the top? Ridiculous.
“I apologize, Sir Dylan. I was in too much of a hurry and acted rudely.”
His severe expression softened slightly. Dylan was strict, but at heart, he wasn’t a bad person.
(I hope that kindness will help forgive what I’m about to do.)
I bowed deeply once more. Dylan looked flustered at the formal apology.
“No, no need to go that far—”
“This isn’t an apology for before.”
“Hm?”
I knew sweet-talking Dylan into letting me see Rian was impossible. He was too upright. Which left me only one way to get Rian’s attention.
I suddenly raised my voice, loud enough to echo through the halls.
“Your Highness! I’ve found the spy leaking your secrets!”
“What? A spy?” Dylan’s face went pale. He demanded to know who I meant, but I stayed silent.
The noise drew attention, and finally Rian himself appeared.
He must’ve just woken up—he wore only a silk robe, bare skin showing beneath.
(Okay, wow. That body looks sculpted by gods… No! Focus! Life or death here!)
Rian’s golden eyes widened briefly when he saw me. But his tone was cool, as if speaking to a stranger.
“…A spy? What do you mean?”
I pointed at Dylan. His mouth dropped open.
“Me?!”
When I nodded, Dylan sputtered.
“This maid is spouting nonsense—!”
“I have proof.”
Rian’s golden gaze cut into me like a blade. I wanted to look away, but forced myself to hold steady.
“……”
After a long pause, he jerked his chin toward his room.
“Let’s hear it inside.”
***
I checked my system.
<Time left: 20 minutes>
Not much time. I had to make this work.
Dylan looked betrayed, but Rian didn’t even glance his way. His golden eyes stayed locked on me, strangely amused.
“What’s your name?”
“Floria.”
He repeated it slowly, lips curling into a dangerous smile.
“Floria… Do you really know about this spy?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And you’re certain?”
“Of course. How could I report to you otherwise?”
His eyes glittered with interest. He turned to Dylan.
“What do you think?”
“Your Highness, this is absurd! Surely you don’t believe a maid you just met—”
“What do I know?” Rian replied smoothly.
Dylan grew red with frustration. “You can’t mean you trust her words!”
But Rian ignored him. Instead, he leaned close to me.
Very close!
His breath brushed against my skin, and the cool scent of wood filled my nose. His golden eyes studied every flicker of my reaction.
“Dylan says he’s innocent. Are you truly sure?”
“…Yes.”
My face burned. He was too close—I could barely breathe.
“Then let me ask another thing.”
Rian leaned back against the sofa, moving slowly, deliberately.
He pulled a dagger from the table drawer, its blade gleaming under the light.
Not good. My heart pounded so loudly it drowned out all else.
“If my aide isn’t the spy, are you prepared to die for that claim?”
“…What?”
He smiled beautifully, chillingly.
“I asked if you’re willing to stake your life on your words.”
My accusation of Dylan had only been a trick to meet Rian. If I’d named the real spy, I’d never have made it this far.
The matter would’ve ended before I even reached him.
So I swallowed hard and met his eyes.
“Your aide is not the spy.”
“Oh? Earlier you said he was. Now he isn’t?”
His golden gaze sharpened like a blade.
“Are you toying with me?”
Cold sweat ran down my back.
<Time left: 15 minutes>
Fifteen minutes to become his maid—or die anyway. I rushed to add:
“The aide himself isn’t the spy. But someone very close to him is.”
“……”
“I can show proof right now.”
Rian’s eyes narrowed. Proof—or I was dead.
I pointed at Dylan’s handkerchief.
“That belongs to the spy.”
Dylan flinched and clutched it protectively.
“What? This is precious to me—”
Rian simply held out his hand. Wordless command.
Reluctantly, Dylan passed it over. At first glance, it looked ordinary. I quickly said,
“There’s magic woven into the embroidery.”
Rian gestured for Dylan to bring a magic tool.
Sure enough, when pressed against the cloth, the embroidery vanished.
But Rian’s expression didn’t change. He just studied me, unreadable. Then, faintly, he smirked.
“My aide is competent at work, but his taste in goods is garbage.”
He tossed the handkerchief at me.
“The embroidery’s enchanted, yes—but that’s it. Nothing special.”
“……”
“It’s just a counterfeit from Dubria Boutique. Cheap fakes like this are everywhere.”
Dylan’s face darkened. That “precious gift” from his lover was… fake.
Rian chuckled, eyes glittering.
“So all you’ve proven is that my aide is an idiot. Hardly evidence of a spy.”
He leaned forward slightly, still smiling.
“Unless, of course… you have something more?”
MORE? What more could you ask for?!~