~Chapter 14~
The hostages of Ruby Palace became disaster victims overnight. In the end, everyone had to spend the night near the garden lake. Thankfully, it was summer—at least they didn’t have to shiver outdoors until dawn.
Until sunrise, the hostages sat in small groups on blankets spread over the grass. As the exhausted captives nodded off, officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs arrived.
“We will now escort you to temporary accommodations. Please follow us.”
The officials led the hostages out of the palace grounds.
Where they finally arrived was…
A marble building just as grand as the great cathedral inside the Imperial Palace.
The princes and princesses of Ruby Palace gathered in the lobby. Soon, a blond man in a crimson uniform walked in, flanked by attendants.
“Honored guests. I am Marquis Diego Fernandez, owner of this hotel.”
The marquis placed his hand over his chest and bowed respectfully, sweeping his gaze over the assembled royals.
At one point, his eyes met Josephine’s. Maybe it was her imagination, but it felt like he looked at her a little longer than the others.
“These rooms were reserved in advance for the Third Prince’s birthday banquet, but under His Majesty’s orders, they are now yours… Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
As soon as he finished, cheers erupted among the hostages.
It was understandable. Their accommodations had changed overnight—from a burning palace to a luxurious building.
Servants in crisp black uniforms were assigned one-on-one to each prince and princess.
Among them, a particularly tall, short-haired woman approached Josephine.
“I am Callen. I will be attending to Princess Josephine from now on.”
A long scar ran across the edge of Callen’s left cheek. Though she didn’t smile, giving off a slightly intimidating first impression, her tone was gentle.
“Please follow me, Princess.”
She turned and led the way. Josephine noticed that not only was she tall, but her shoulders were broad—like someone who had trained physically for years.
Wait, did I ever say my name?
This seemed like their first meeting, yet Callen already knew her name. Strange.
Maybe she had been told in advance by the officials.
The hotel room Callen led her to was as big as the one Josephine had used in the royal palace of Iote.
Morning sunlight filtered through the velvet curtains. The white marble floors sparkled. In the center stood a massive bed—easily big enough for six people—with a delicate white lace canopy draped over it.
By the wide glass windows along one wall stood a large sofa and a polished mahogany desk.
Josephine walked to the window and pulled the curtains wide open. The plaza at the heart of the capital stretched out in full view.
“…Am I really staying here alone?”
Honestly, it was hard to believe. The fall of Ruby Palace already felt like a dream, and now she had her own luxurious private space?
“Yes, each guest is assigned a private room,” Callen replied in a curt tone that sounded more like a soldier than a servant.
She checked the wall clock and said she’d bring Josephine breakfast.
“Are you bringing it to the room?”
“There is a dining area, but would you prefer to eat here?”
“…Yes. I’ll eat here.”
“Understood.”
Callen suddenly raised her right hand straight up—a posture that looked like a salute.
Josephine tilted her head, confused. Callen flinched, lowered her hand, and awkwardly gathered her skirt to curtsy. She looked like someone who had never worn a dress before.
Josephine couldn’t help but chuckle. She was convinced—Callen hadn’t been working here long.
*
Callen leaned blankly against the hallway wall. The famed magic swordswoman from Saragot had become a hotel maid overnight.
“Seriously, how could the commander plant me here? What’s his angle? What’s so special about that princess?”
The more she thought about it, the more absurd it seemed. She shook the cumbersome skirt to tidy her outfit and knocked on the door.
“Good morning, Princess. I’ve brought your breakfast.”
Callen pushed the trolley inside.
“Thanks again, Callen. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes!”
As she arranged the food on the table, she replied with enthusiasm.
Every meal, Callen brought a mountain of meat and bread piled high enough to bend the legs of the table. The commander had told her repeatedly to feed the princess well—so this was the one task she took seriously.
Josephine picked up a chunk of bread and walked to the window, offering it to a sparrow.
Callen observed her closely.
“Enjoy. This one’s better, right?”
Josephine gently tapped the sparrow’s head with her fingertip. The bird twitched its little tail, seemingly delighted.
“Alright, fly safe.”
As the sparrow flew off with the bread in its beak, Josephine waved goodbye. Callen tilted her head.
‘Same sparrow as yesterday. Maybe she really does have that ability to command birds, like the commander said.’
Josephine returned to the table and sat politely, eating diligently. Though her pace was slow, she chewed thoroughly. Her cheeks had grown slightly rounder over the past few days, though she was still quite slim.
‘What is the commander after? Fattening her up to eat her? That’s going to take a while.’
While Josephine focused on her meal, Callen quickly scanned her desk. It was stacked with plant encyclopedias, all starting with the letter ‘B’.
“Princess, may I ask what those books are?”
“Botanical encyclopedias. I got permission from the royal library to take them out for translation.”
“Why are you translating them?”
A leading question—Callen had snooped through those books while the princess was out, hoping to find whatever intelligence the commander was after. But they seemed to be nothing more than literal plant catalogs.
“It’s for the Second Prince. I heard he’s collecting materials to promote agriculture.”
Josephine answered softly, the corners of her eyes curved like crescent moons.
…She’s lovely. Even her voice sounds like pearls rolling on glass.
Callen stared in a daze for a moment before shaking herself.
‘Promote agriculture? But there were more rare poisonous herbs than edible crops…’
Knock knock knock.
The sudden knock startled Callen. Josephine didn’t get along with any of the other hostages—who could this be?
“I’ll check.”
Her senses alert, Callen stepped into the hallway.
Standing there was a large man—the very one who’d shoved her into this undercover mission.
“Uh, Commander. What are you doing here?”
She lowered her voice.
“Doesn’t matter. Just tell her a guest is here.”
“…What should I say? You told me not to reveal your identity.”
“Just say a guest.”
With reluctance, Callen nodded and called inside.
“Princess, you have a visitor!”
Moments later, Josephine stepped softly to the doorway.
“Huh? I wasn’t expecting anyone… Oh, Anton?”
Her eyes widened when she saw his face.
Callen blinked in confusion. Did she just call the commander Anton? His real name was Antonio, but this sounded like a nickname. Had they known each other since childhood? Questions swirled in her mind.
“You look well.”
The commander studied Josephine’s complexion with indifferent eyes.
“Thanks, Anton. I think it’s because I’ve been eating well lately.”
“May I come in?”
“Of course. Come on in.”
Josephine led him inside.
With large strides, the commander walked in and collapsed onto the sofa. He leaned back like he owned the room—more at home than the princess herself.
He looked like a lounging beast in the middle of the day.
Callen stood quietly beside Josephine, hands politely folded, biting back irritation.
‘If he’s close with the princess, why have me spy on her? She doesn’t seem like someone carrying some grand secret.’
