IWTGHFW CHAPTER 59

Episode 59

I guess I still had that Korean way of thinking. Damn it. I should’ve realized sooner.

Pushing back the wave of self-blame, I pulled a chair over and sat next to Ron.

“Let’s plant someone inside.”

“Who?”

“A maid, a servant, anyone. We can bribe one.”

“Oh! But why didn’t we think of that earlier?”

“Right? Feels a bit stupid, but let’s make a plan before we make ourselves look even dumber.”

With that, I started discussing with Ron who we would send in and how.

Rose rolled her eyes around, her gaze darting everywhere.

I can’t believe I’m actually in the Crown Prince’s palace!

For a moment, an expression of awe flitted across her face, but as a veteran maid, she quickly smoothed it over. She busied herself fussing with her hair, trying to calm her pounding heart.

“What’s with you?”

“What do you mean ‘what’s with me’? We’re meeting His Highness the Crown Prince! Of course I’m nervous.”

“Really?”

Being summoned by the Crown Prince was a huge deal for a maid. As soon as this news had spread among the maids, it had instantly become the number one “hot topic” of the week. The moment Rose saw her own name on the top of that secret bulletin board the maids kept, she’d been so dazed she didn’t know if she was dreaming or awake.

But her roommate—who was casually munching on cookies as if this were no big deal—was…

“You’re not nervous at all?”

“Well, I’ve met him plenty of times.”

“Lucky you…”

For the first time, Rose admitted to herself that her roommate Ayle really was amazing.

When they first became roommates, Rose had wondered how she’d ended up with such a lazy slacker. But one day, Ayle had suddenly gotten her act together, started working hard, and now was impressive enough to be working directly with the Crown Prince.

At least the rumors among the maids—that Ayle had been summoned for those kinds of reasons—turned out to be false. Rose’s dream was to live sweetly with a dashing knight, not to get tangled up with the Crown Prince, a figure far too overwhelming for an ordinary maid like her.

Still, the idea of seeing the handsome Crown Prince up close—someone she’d only admired from a distance—made her pure little maid’s heart flutter.

“Oh, he’s here.”

Just as Ayle was eating her third cookie, the door opened and the Crown Prince walked in. Rose quickly stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt.

“This the one you mentioned?”

“Yes. My roommate, Rose.”

The Crown Prince spoke briefly with Ayle before turning to look at Rose. Feeling his gaze, Rose fidgeted, avoided his eyes, then quickly bowed.

“R-Rose, sir— I mean, Your Highness.”

Stuttering? Ugh, worst first impression ever. First impressions mattered, and now she’d gone and looked like an idiot. But fortunately, the Crown Prince didn’t seem to care much.

He ruffled his golden hair casually as he sat down on the sofa. Every movement of his radiated nobility, and Rose unconsciously swallowed hard.

I’ll have to add this to my report for the other maids: “His Highness looks dashing even when mussing up his hair.”

“I called you here to ask a favor. Is that alright?”

“I-I would be honored!”

“How long have you been working as a maid?”

“Ten years, sir. I started at fifteen!”

Before he could even flip through the papers in his hand, Rose answered quickly. Her now-idle hands hovered in the air before naturally reaching for a teacup.

“Ten years… that’s about time for a promotion.”

“Promotion? Oh! I mean, of course I’d be grateful, but I’m fine as I am. Well… if you just raised my pay a little, that would be even better!”

It must’ve been her nerves. Her unfiltered honesty slipped right out, and Ayle covered her face with her hand in embarrassment.

Rose suddenly realized what she’d just said, and her face flushed bright red.

Did I just ask the Crown Prince for a raise?!

She flailed her hands in denial.

“I-I mean, I do mean it, but, uh…”

“How about working as the Emperor’s maid?”

“So raising my pay would be Your Highness’s gen—wait, the Emperor?!”

She blinked, but there was no reply. People of high status rarely repeated themselves. Realizing that, Rose immediately lowered her head.

Serving the Emperor was the highest position a maid could attain. The treatment was worlds apart from her current role doing odd jobs in the imperial household.

But… His Majesty hasn’t been seen in months.

Maids were quick to pick up gossip, and Rose knew plenty about the Emperor. Everyone knew he was ill and hadn’t stepped out of his inner chambers, but there were also rumors—like him being a lecher or having strange hobbies.

Rose glanced at her roommate. Someone capable of casually talking with the Crown Prince must have known all along she was being sent to serve the Emperor. That’s why Ayle was here now.

Is our relationship bad enough that she’d send me off to some Emperor with weird hobbies?

Hesitantly, she asked, “Is there… something I should be aware of?”

“Sharp one. Must be because you’re Ayle’s friend.”

“So, you’re giving me a secret mission, right?”

Her voice carried extra excitement over the words “secret mission,” but the Crown Prince didn’t comment—just nodded. The moment he did, Rose’s face lit up and her eyes sparkled.

Wow, a secret mission. I thought only dashing knights got those.

Rose clasped her small hands together and waited for his orders. The Crown Prince shot Ayle a look that said, What’s wrong with her? but Ayle just averted her eyes.

Yen walked briskly down the hall. Ever since joining the special team, he had spent all his time poring over noble tax ledgers, hunting for embezzled funds or illicitly gained wealth. His eyes were so strained from staring at tiny letters that they hurt even when he was resting.

Today, for the first time in a while, he was visiting the Crown Prince’s office. He used to come here constantly, but after only a few days working elsewhere, it somehow felt unfamiliar.

“Sir Yen!”

A subordinate, temporarily serving as the Crown Prince’s aide in his absence, ran toward him teary-eyed.

“You’re back for good?!”

“No, just here to report something.”

“Ugh… when will you be back? I can’t work with His Highness. He’s terrifying.”

Yen shook off the subordinate clinging to his arm and gave him a look of understanding. The Crown Prince’s presence could be intimidating to the point of being unbearable for most. Though usually well-contained, when angry, the sharp aura he exuded was something no one forgot.

Still, duty was duty. Yen turned and knocked firmly on the Crown Prince’s door.

“The paternity test results are in?”

“Yes. Someone from the Metaylor estate just brought them.”

At the news, the Crown Prince immediately stood up.

The paternity test for Narein had been conducted in utmost secrecy, with the royal physician of the Aint Kingdom personally coming over to work with the Metaylor family’s physician. And now, finally, the results had arrived.

Rojen accepted the blue magic stone Yen handed him. For security, he had ordered the results recorded on a magic stone instead of paper.

Without waiting another second, he spoke the activation words. The stone glowed blue, projecting an image.

— Long time no see, Your Highness.

What? I thought this was a recording, but it’s live communication?

Rojen tilted his head at the sight of Ron’s face. His expression clearly said, Get to the point. Ron chuckled and pulled the physician into view.

— Ah, Your Highness, an honor to meet you… um…

“Skip it. The result?”

— Uh, well… the thing is…

The physician stammered, and Rojen frowned. So it’s not? I guess it was too much to hope for.

If Narein really had been Aint’s prince, his fate would’ve been much easier to decide.

Execution seemed the only option now. But as Rojen was bracing for the worst, the physician took out a paper and began to read.

— W-with a probability of 99.9%, he is indeed the biological son. The 0.1% is just a statistical margin—we can say with certainty it’s 100%.

“…So he is the prince?”

— Yes, sir. I can stake my honor as a physician on it.

It wasn’t just the Metaylor family’s doctor; the Aint Kingdom’s royal physician had been involved. There was no way they were lying.

The doctor even held up the paper for Rojen to see the signatures—his and the royal physician’s—right above the large “99.9%” figure.

Rojen stared at them for a moment, then abruptly cut the connection.

Yen blinked. Wasn’t he supposed to be happy about this? Why just hang up?

Then Yen’s face shifted to one of understanding. Figures.

“Woohoo! I knew God was on my side!!”

Not wanting to witness the Crown Prince jumping around in joy, Yen carefully turned away.

For Narein, whose daily routine consisted of staring blankly out of his cell, a visitor was an event. Sometimes Ayle would stop by, but the footsteps approaching now were heavier—definitely not hers.

When Narein looked up, the approaching man bowed slightly. Golden hair, golden eyes—his whole presence screamed nobility. He looked at Narein like a lion eyeing prey.

“You’re the Crown Prince?”

“Oh? Blood really doesn’t lie, does it. You know who I am, yet you still act so brazen.”

It was the kind of insolence that could get a man beheaded on the spot, yet the Crown Prince’s expression showed something closer to intrigue.