~Chapter 108~
All six of Patrizia’s maids, including the head lady-in-waiting, went back to their parents’ estates or the family homes in the capital.
Diana, who had been humiliated by Patrizia at the Blumhardt estate, packed her things and left that very day.
Their dreams of serving the princess to build connections in high society and find good husbands had crumbled the moment Patrizia was sent off to the convent.
For Diana and a few others, the very thought of the imperial palace now made their skin crawl.
A good husband? Social prestige? None of it seemed worth putting up with a mistress’s bad temper anymore.
They were worn out and had lost all motivation.
Except for one person.
Veronica Eichel.
The eldest daughter of Viscount Eichel.
Going back home was not an option for her.
“Veronica, if you don’t find a good husband while you’re serving the princess, I’ll have you locked away in a convent!”
If she went home like this, she’d be helpless against her father’s violence again.
And worse—she might end up sent to a convent just like the princess.
…Maybe for the rest of her life.
“Veronica, I can’t go against your father. Who could put up with that filthy temper of his? Just endure it until you get married.”
Her mother couldn’t save her.
If things went badly, even her younger siblings would suffer for it.
So Veronica had to keep her position as a maid in the palace no matter what.
What should I do? How can I stay here?
There were only two options.
The empress.
Or the crown prince.
The crown prince was notorious for his affairs—if she wasn’t careful, she could end up just another fling.
But if she became one of the empress’s maids, she could have both a chance at a good marriage and a place in high society.
The problem was, becoming the empress’s maid was much harder—every single one of them was at least a countess.
…How can I become one of the empress’s maids?
Think, Veronica.
You have to think.
“If I don’t… my life’s over. Completely over.”
She paced the empty quarters, biting her nails.
Her suitcase sat on the bed.
Now that the princess had left for the convent, the maids had to leave the palace by today.
The others had gone long ago.
“…Ah!”
Veronica suddenly stopped mid-step.
Wait… that jewelry box I saw at the Blumhardt estate… it had the Goldscheider family crest on it, didn’t it? Or am I imagining it?
She had seen the crest only for a moment, but it looked familiar.
Back then she’d been too distracted to think about it, but now she remembered.
It was the same crest her mother used to show her as a child.
“Veronica, see this? This is my family crest.”
Of course, it wasn’t on a fancy jewelry box—it was a small, faded brown owl embroidered on the corner of an old handkerchief her mother treasured.
“I’m from a completely different class than your father. My father—your grandfather—was from a cadet branch of the great Goldscheider dukedom!”
Back then, Veronica had hated even looking at that owl.
“Veronica, when the Goldscheider family is restored one day, I’ll make your father eat his words.”
Yeah right. You’re just from a cadet branch.
Listening to her mother brag without any sense of reality while ignoring her father’s abuse was exhausting.
Veronica had hated the very word “Goldscheider” since she was little.
When the Goldscheider family was destroyed, her father only became more violent.
He had married her mother—of the Goldscheider cadet branch—for the connections, but since it brought him nothing but trouble, he took it out on his children, calling them tainted with a traitor’s blood.
Both her parents were awful—her mother for being delusional and dependent, her father for being power-hungry and willing to use his children like bargaining chips.
I’m pretty sure the Blumhardt duke’s fiancée is deeply connected to the Goldscheiders…
Officially, the late empress had died because of the Goldscheider family, but during her time as a maid, Verona had heard a different story.
“Tsk tsk. Poor late empress… and now His Majesty is completely wrapped around the empress’s finger.”
“She used to look down on the empress, and now look at her…”
At one ball, a group of noblewomen gossiped about the emperor and empress being unusually close.
“Have you heard? There’s a rumor it was actually the empress who brought down the Goldscheiders…”
One lady hushed her quickly.
“Don’t say something that dangerous! If anyone hears you, it’ll be trouble.”
Then another noblewoman spotted Veronica nearby, pressed a finger to her lips, and the group quickly moved away.
She kept hearing similar whispers at other events—that the empress had manipulated the emperor into getting rid of the empress consort.
If that was true… this could be valuable information for the empress.
Sorry, Duke Blumhardt’s fiancée.
No hard feelings, but I have to survive.
Veronica made up her mind and headed to the empress’s palace.
“…What? You know a woman who has a jewelry box with an owl crest?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Just as Veronica expected, the empress reacted sharply.
“Who is she?”
“If Your Majesty accepts me as your maid, I’ll gladly tell you.”
Veronica feared the empress, but the thought of going back to her old life scared her more.
“How bold.”
The empress smirked.
“If I become Your Majesty’s maid, I promise no one will serve you more faithfully.”
Veronica curtsied—gracefully, but not overdoing it.
“If you came here when everyone else left, you must be quite desperate.”
“…”
“Desperation isn’t a bad thing.”
Narcissa gestured for her to come closer.
“I don’t like maids who overstep, but I also can’t stand ones who are so clueless they don’t understand what I’m saying. Do you understand me?”
“Yes. If you let me stay by your side, I’ll serve you without overstepping and with complete discretion.”
Veronica’s eyes gleamed.
She had been the best at handling the princess’s fiery temper—she could handle the empress too.
“Verona, was it?”
The empress smiled faintly.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Veronica Eichel, daughter of Viscount Eichel.”
“Good. From today, you’ll stay in my palace and serve me.”
“…Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Inside, Verona sighed with relief.
“Now, tell me who the woman is.”
“Duke Blumhardt’s fiancée, Leah von Blumhardt.”
Verona didn’t hesitate.
“…What?”
The empress stopped swirling her wine.
“You’re certain the duke’s fiancée had a jewelry box with the owl crest?”
“Yes. Absolutely. She claimed it was hers and reacted very defensively about it.”
“Ha… interesting. This is getting fun.”
The empress leaned on the armrest and signaled to her head lady-in-waiting.
“Marchioness Nesselrode, show Lady Eichel to her quarters.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I want to rest now. Everyone but Carmen may leave.”
Following the head maid, Veronica walked away.
She was now the empress’s maid.
***
On the carriage ride back to the Blumhardt estate, Leah finally fell asleep.
Johann carried her to her bedroom.
She had met her cousin after such a long time that she now slept with a faint smile, as if dreaming of something nice.
She didn’t wake until around lunchtime, then had a meal before going with Johann to visit Dorothea.
“Dorothea, have you cleaned?”
It had been a while since they’d last visited, and Dorothea’s room was spotless—so clean it almost seemed to shine.
“Yes. I clean when I have a lot on my mind.”
Dorothea scratched her head.
“So, have you sorted out your thoughts?”
Johann asked as he stepped into the room.
“Yes, Your Grace. Perfectly.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Leah, I’m sorry for just crying that day.”
Once they all sat down in the parlor, Dorothea spoke up.
“It’s fine, Dorothea.”
“Phew… I’ve sorted my thoughts, but it’s still not easy to talk about.”
She took a deep breath and clasped her hands tightly.
“…When you asked me about the late empress that day, it reminded me of the terrible sin I committed.”
“What do you mean?” Johann asked, his tone tense.
“Your Grace, do you remember how you asked me why I suddenly disappeared when we first met?”
“I do.”
“What I told you back then… it was all just excuses.”
Dorothea gave a self-mocking smile.
“…It was connected to the late empress’s death, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. Shamefully, I couldn’t reveal the truth… but I also couldn’t shamelessly keep working in the imperial mage tower, so I ran away.”
“Dorothea, could you tell us why you had no choice but to run?” Leah asked, taking her hand.
“We desperately need the truth about the late empress’s death—and a witness.”
“Yes… but before I tell you, can I ask you one thing?”
“Of course.” Leah nodded.
“Why do you and His Grace want to know the truth about that time?”
