Chapter 7
“…Not at all. I should be the one saying that—please take care of me.”
The conversation between them continued on.
At first, the maids had found Eugenie a bit intimidating.
But delicious drinks and light-hearted conversation—those always helped ease the mood.
Then, in the midst of their chatting…
Eugenie casually brought something up.
“The weather’s been so lovely lately. It feels like the perfect time for a picnic, doesn’t it?”
At that, one of the maids suddenly straightened up and shook her head firmly.
“That’s not allowed.”
Huh?
Eugenie blinked in confusion and looked at the maid.
“Why not?”
“Well… Lady Maclaine really dislikes outdoor events.”
The maid’s face, despite her best efforts, couldn’t completely hide her fear.
It seemed Janet was running the palace like a tyrant.
“If you even mention an outside event, she gets angry and says, ‘How dare you try to take His Highness outside?’”
Another maid cautiously added her own explanation.
At that moment, Eugenie’s ears perked up.
She refuses all outdoor events?
No matter how she thought about it, it didn’t make sense.
The Second Prince was still young, sure—but completely forbidding him from going outside was strange.
If that’s the case…
Eugenie’s eyes sharpened.
Could there be a reason he absolutely can’t be taken outside?
In the original story, Janet accepted bribes and connected Noah with corrupt nobles.
Noah, spurred on by them, eventually led a rebellion.
That meant Janet had a strong greed for money.
And the head lady-in-waiting… has authority over how the palace budget is executed.
Of course, it might all be speculation.
But the Second Prince’s palace was generously funded thanks to the Emperor’s favor—one of the most well-funded places in the palace.
Not just the standard operating budget, but even a reserve fund was allocated in advance for unexpected expenses.
And Janet was the head lady-in-waiting managing it all.
What if, just maybe, Janet had dipped into the budget or the reserve fund?
The problem is… it’s hard to dig into this openly.
Eugenie’s brow furrowed tightly.
If she raised the issue by saying the budget looked suspicious, but couldn’t find anything concrete…
She might end up facing backlash instead.
That’s because, even if only formally, budget execution required the approval of the palace’s master.
Of course, a seven-year-old prince wouldn’t know what he was signing—but still.
Trying to inspect the ledgers could be interpreted as an act of defiance against His Highness.
And if Janet really had been embezzling, she probably prepared a second set of books to cover it up.
According to the original story, Noah’s downfall due to rebellion happens in 7 years.
And Janet remained the head lady-in-waiting until Noah was 15.
Vicious as she was, she clearly had the brains to cover her tracks.
Isn’t there any way around this?
Just as Eugenie narrowed her eyes in thought—
Clack.
The half-open kitchen door made a sound as it quietly closed.
As if someone had been leaning against it and accidentally let it shut.
Huh?
Startled, Eugenie flung the door open.
And on the other side…
“Your Highness, the Second Prince?”
There stood Noah, frozen in place.
Busted for eavesdropping, Noah looked flustered and mumbled incoherently.
“Ah, no, I mean, I just…”
At that moment—seeing the bewildered face of the young prince—
Wait.
An idea struck Eugenie like lightning.
Could this be a chance to verify the reserve funds?!
The method she thought of was simple: create a reason to use the reserve fund, like a picnic or a party.
Plus, there was no real risk in doing so.
If the money had been stolen, there’d be no funds to cover the event, and that would be proof.
If nothing was wrong, then she could still create a happy memory for Noah—either way, it was a win.
But first, I’ll need the Second Prince’s permission…
Eugenie stole a glance at Noah.
And—
Ah.
Noah was staring intensely at the glass in her hand.
Behind the wary look in his eyes, a faint emotion peeked through.
Is he… curious about the lime mojito?
It was curiosity.
Eugenie carefully held the mojito glass out to him.
“Your Highness, would you like me to make you a lime mojito?”
Normally, Noah would’ve run away in a heartbeat, but now he swallowed hard and stared at the glass.
“Lime… mojito?”
He quietly repeated the words, lips moving slightly.
Oh my gosh.
Eugenie clutched her heart internally.
He’s so cute!
Still, now was not the time to melt at the prince’s cuteness—she had to gently coax him, now that he’d come to her first.
Eugenie quickly nodded.
“Yes! It’s a kind of juice made with lime, apple mint, and sparkling water. It’s really refreshing and tasty.”
“…Really?”
He pretended to be indifferent, but it was obvious he was dying to try it.
The way he kept sneaking glances at the glass gave it away.
Wait.
Eugenie paused for a moment.
Janet’s unshakable power in the Second Prince’s palace stemmed from the fact that Noah followed her obediently.
Maybe…
Could this lime mojito be a way to gain a bit of His Highness’s favor?
Her eyes sharpened like a hawk as she looked at Noah.
Then she quickly softened her expression, smiling sweetly.
“Would it be alright if I made you a glass, Your Highness?”
“Yeah!”
Noah’s eyes sparkled as he answered.
Though he quickly composed himself and added,
“…I-I mean, go ahead and try.”
He forced on a dignified expression to cover it up.
But no matter how hard a seven-year-old tried to act dignified, it was only ever adorable.
Eugenie chuckled to herself and picked up a lime.
After washing it thoroughly, she began slicing it into big wedges—but she could feel someone staring at her.
Hmm?
She peeked sideways at Noah.
He was watching her every move intensely.
Could he want to try making it himself?
That could be it.
Kids his age were always curious.
There was a reason hands-on play and experiential learning were so common!
If that’s the case…
“Your Highness,” Eugenie casually suggested.
“Would you like to try making the lime mojito with me?”
“I want to!”
Noah answered reflexively—then, realizing what he said, huffed and crossed his arms.
“W-why would I do that?”
But despite his words, his purple eyes were brimming with desire.
Oh my, you really can’t be honest, can you?
Eugenie clicked her tongue inwardly but kept her smile outwardly.
“If Your Highness helps me, it would be a tremendous help. But if you’d rather not…”
“No! I don’t mind!”
Startled, Noah rushed over to her side.
Then, remembering himself, he quickly added,
“I-I’m only helping because you asked! Not because I want to make it!”
“Of course. I’m just so helpless that I had to ask Your Highness for help.”
Eugenie quickly played along.
“First, we shouldn’t get your clothes dirty—how about wearing an apron?”
“Alright.”
As soon as he agreed, a maid behind them quickly brought a fresh apron.
Eugenie helped Noah put it on.
She even tied the waist ribbon into a pretty bow and had to cover her mouth.
Our prince might just conquer the world with cuteness alone…!
Noah was unbearably adorable, the kind you wanted to squish.
Eugenie’s voice naturally softened.
“Now then, shall we start by washing the apple mint leaves, Your Highness?”
“Okay!”
Noah, looking very serious, began washing the leaves.
Only the sound of water splashing could be heard.
After that—
Once he’d dried the leaves with a napkin, he proudly looked up.
“All done!”
“Wow, Your Highness is so meticulous!”
Eugenie offered exaggerated praise and smiled brightly.
