Episode 35
—Don’t you have anything you want to know? I’ll tell you anything!
At the offer, I turned my head. Thinking there might be a chance, I chirped,
“Chirp.”
‘Do you know what I am?’
—…I’ve seen something similar somewhere. You don’t have the mark, but the energy you exude feels similar.
I was startled and opened my beak in surprise. A being that recognized me had appeared. This might be an opportunity.
I decided to postpone the monster extermination and extract information first, so I nodded.
“Beep.”
‘Okay, I’ll come back. But you have to tell me anything I want to know.’
—Of course! I’ll tell you anything, anytime.
Hearing its cheerful reply, I grinned mischievously. Even a mouse will have its day.
‘Once I get all the information, I’ll eliminate this monster, complete the Crown Prince’s task, and leave the Imperial Palace.’
I’m a cold-hearted bird. A bird who uses even a monster to survive.
After saying I’d see it again, I returned to my room. With the annoying noise gone, I felt sleepy.
I felt a glimmer of hope.
“Lady Valerie, you’re doing it wrong! You have to hold the teacup like this.”
“Ah, like this?”
“Yes! You’re doing great.”
After practicing walking, I was now learning etiquette. I didn’t understand why I, a non-noble, had to learn etiquette, but I intended to learn everything they taught me.
“You’re a fast learner, Lady Valerie. It would have taken others months.”
“I-is that so?”
I forced a smile and replied. I wondered if this was also because I was special. It felt like information was accumulating in my mind.
The more I learned, the more advantageous it would be for surviving in this place.
“Then please rest for a while. I’ll bring you more tea.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
I smiled and bid farewell to Pona, then looked around the garden. Since many of the Imperial servants were of noble origin, there was a separate garden even in the modest servants’ quarters.
Arenz wasn’t here today because he had to stay with the Crown Prince. I was on high alert, worried that the Second Prince might approach me.
Just then, I heard a rustling sound from the bushes at the edge of the garden.
“Is it a rabbit?”
I tilted my head, wondering if a rabbit had lost its way.
A head popped out of the bushes. A familiar person was looking around.
“I found it! Uh, but where is this…?”
Flowing, beautiful blonde hair, clear blue eyes, and even the refreshing scent.
“Excuse me, could you tell me where this is?”
Sylvia, in the wild, had appeared before me.
‘Calm down. Sylvia doesn’t know me. And she can’t possibly recognize me as a human.’
“Is something the matter?”
“My hat flew away in the wind, and I came this way while looking for it.”
Sylvia, holding her hat, stood up. Then, she tilted her head.
Was it just my imagination that her gaze seemed to be fixed on my face? Feeling a strange sense of unease, I spoke, wanting to leave quickly,
“…I’m not sure. I’m also a bit lost.”
At my words, Sylvia’s gaze shifted to the tea table. I smiled nonchalantly and replied,
“Ah, I was resting here because I was tired from wandering around.”
“Then how about we look for the way together?”
“Pardon?”
As I stared at her with wide eyes, surprised by her suggestion, she smiled and replied,
“You seem to be lost as well, my lady. Let’s ask around and find the way together.”
“Ah, no, I…”
I tried to refuse Sylvia’s offer. But before I could, she spoke in a slightly dejected voice,
“Oh, are you uncomfortable with me being around?”
“W-well…”
“I apologize. I must have made you uncomfortable…”
Seeing her desolate expression, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.
“No, let’s find the way together.”
‘Sigh. I’m doomed.’
I heard the splashing of water. The sound of the fountain in the Imperial Palace.
The Imperial Palace, which I explored after leaving the servants’ quarters, was as splendid and beautiful as it had been during the banquet. But I was anxious. I wanted to return to where I was staying.
‘What if I run into someone close to Cesar here?’
As I anxiously looked around, Sylvia spoke,
“I don’t think I’ve seen you in social circles before. I’m Sylvia Veronica.”
“Ah… I’m…”
I wondered what to say. Even if I made up a noble name, I couldn’t convincingly maintain the charade, having just learned noble etiquette.
After some deliberation, I lowered my head and apologized.
“I’m sorry.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m not a noble like you, Miss. I’m just here at the Imperial Palace on an errand for my master. I apologize.”
Worried about being caught, I pretended to be a maid and didn’t mention that I was staying at the palace.
“Ah, I see. I was wondering why your etiquette seemed a bit clumsy. Then, would you tell me your name?”
“It’s Valerie. Miss Veronica.”
Even as I said my name, I anxiously looked around. I was glad I had changed my hair and eye color.
“That’s a very pretty name. And for some reason, you seem so cute…”
“Huh?”
Sylvia’s hand stroked my head. It felt as gentle and kind as the touch I had received when I was a bird. I felt strangely at ease.
Then, Sylvia seemed surprised that she was stroking my head and withdrew her hand.
“I apologize! I don’t usually do this to strangers.”
“N-no! There’s no need to apologize!”
Sylvia’s apologetic expression made my heart sink. As I waved my hands frantically, Sylvia chuckled, her laughter like tinkling jade beads.
“Valerie, you’re so cute and lovely. Where do you work?”
At Sylvia’s sudden question, I avoided answering.
“Why do you ask?”
She took my hand and spoke in a warm voice, like a gentle spring rain,
“I like you, Valerie. Would you consider working at our mansion? I’ll talk to my father and offer you favorable terms!”
I took a step back at her words. I wondered why she liked me so much.
“…I don’t think I can. My master would be sad.”
At my refusal, Sylvia looked dejected and drooped her eyes.
“That’s a shame. I thought it would be wonderful to have you with me.”
I forced a smile, thinking I should quickly find the way and send Sylvia on her way.
“Ah, Miss Veronica, I see an attendant over there.”
“Sylvia is fine, Valerie.”
“Yes, Miss Sylvia.”
“Then let’s go.”
I tried to slip away while Sylvia was talking to the attendant, but I failed and was dragged along by her.
‘She’s not going to take me all the way to where the Crown Prince is, is she?’
I chuckled, dismissing the thought, but my ominous premonitions were always right. It seemed to be a private meeting, as only the Crown Prince, Arenz standing behind him, and a few maids were present in the garden.
The Crown Prince, who had been smiling at Sylvia, wiped the smile off his face as soon as he saw me standing behind her. I shivered at his rapid change in expression.
The Crown Prince was glaring at me.
‘Why did she come here?’
‘I don’t know. I didn’t want to come here either.’
“I was a little lost, and she helped me find my way.”
Sylvia took my hand affectionately and leaned her head on my shoulder.
For some reason, she seemed to be treating me like she did the bird, Lily. She had stroked my head before, and even now, she kept calling me cute and giving me nuts.
I felt a burning sensation on one side of my face. It must be the Crown Prince glaring at me…
Lamenting the Crown Prince’s lack of charm, even losing the heroine’s affection to a bird, I tried to maintain my act as a maid.
I whispered to Sylvia as if clueless,
“…Excuse me, Miss Sylvia, who is that?”
The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow at my words, as if questioning my memory. He smiled so brightly at Sylvia, yet he was merciless towards me.
“Ah, that’s His Highness the Crown Prince, Valerie.”
“H-His Highness the Crown Prince?! I apologize! I didn’t recognize you!”
I knelt down and bowed my head as if I had committed a grave sin. I cautiously looked up at the Crown Prince.
He glared at me again.
‘What? Did she drink something wrong?’
‘Please just play along. Please.’
Perhaps moved by my desperate gaze, the Crown Prince spoke.
“It’s fine. Rise.”
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
I hurriedly stood up and brushed back my messy hair. Blades of grass were stuck in my hair from bowing my head on the ground.
‘The Imperial maids will scold me when I go back. I might have to endure that torturous dressing-up time again.’
The horrifying thought made me shudder.
As I was quietly trying to remove the grass from my hair, Sylvia reached out to me.
“There are leaves in your hair, Valerie.”
“Thank you, Miss Sylvia.”
As I smiled, Sylvia stroked my hair again and covered her mouth. Her cheeks were flushed.
“I’m sorry. You’re just so cute, Valerie.”
Her eyes, gazing at me as if unable to resist, sparkled like stars in the night sky.
I was happy that a beautiful woman found me cute, but the gaze from the other side was getting increasingly sharp. He seemed to be holding back his harsh words because Sylvia was present.
The Crown Prince, looking at Sylvia close to me, spoke,
“Sylvia, why don’t you send your maid away? She must have come to the Imperial Palace for a reason.”
Sylvia looked at me in surprise. Even her surprised expression was beautiful. She was truly the heroine.
“Oh, I’m sorry! Were you busy?”
“No. I was just delayed for a bit.”
“I apologize. I hope we can meet again!”
“…Ah. Yes, me too.”
I couldn’t dislike Sylvia, who was still kind and gentle in person. I was just worried about how this encounter would reach Cesar’s ears.
I didn’t think I was the one he was looking for, but… I was also scared. And I had seen some attendants while coming here from my quarters.
I had a feeling that my owner might recognize me, even though I had changed my hair and eye color.