Episode 46. The Competition Begins
“All I could do for him was to let him continue his duties as a knight. The reason he accepted the position of Princess Royal Guard Knight was probably because it was the only way to maintain his prestige.”
“But if you bring him medicine, Lord Rond would find it insulting. In short, giving him a bottle and medicine...”
I sighed and said.
“I’ll ask the maid. In fact, if even brushing against a ring box would make you a ring thief, if I give Lord Rond medicine, would it be rumored that I’m pregnant with his child...”
Prince Kydel suddenly jumped up and said.
“Lord Rond’s medicine will be delivered tomorrow. Then.”
“Uh... Thank you.”
I watched Prince Kydel disappear out the window without knowing what was going on, and then fell asleep.
***
The palace doctor was indeed good. In just a few days, the pain and swelling subsided, and I recovered to the point where I could move lightly.
But when I thought about it, even if the doctor had treated me, the medicine came from Director Royman’s hands.
My maid’s life was in danger every day. I thought it would be helpful when I returned to the herbal medicine shop if I became close to the director and learned a lot of things. It was a great fortune to be close to such a person.
However, I didn’t know why such a kind and smart person was close to an idiot like Prince Kydel.
While I was resting with my thoughts like that, Eria called the Princess.
“What’s it today?”
My heart was pounding and pounding, and I couldn’t figure it out.
When I went to the Princess’s reception room in that state, she was sitting in the same posture as before.
She looked at me coldly and said,
“Are you okay?”
“Shall I show you? The bruise hasn’t gone down yet, so it hurts even if I just brush against the collar of my clothes, but...”
When I moved my body to pull down my clothes, the Princess frowned.
“You really don’t know how to give up, do you? Well, that’s why you must have persuaded Count Loire. Asking this illegitimate child to take the place of the legitimate daughter.”
It was such a cliché attack. I could have fought back, but I decided not to.
Strangely, Her Highness’s malice no longer felt as fierce as before. What should I say? It sounded like the screams of a weak girl.
I knew that I was being overly sentimental, and that my sympathy was surprisingly unnecessary considering our differences in status. But I couldn’t help feeling that way.
“Your Highness, considering the situation, I don’t think you’ll be able to leave me alone. I hope you’ll just acknowledge my existence.”
“Where did you learn that kind of speech? You must have learned a thing or two growing up in a prestigious family.”
“Please let me help Your Highness. I’ll do my best.”
“That presumptuous thinking is what’s wrong. You’re here to humiliate me. Do you think I’ll accept you?”
I realized that Her Highness the Princess's fierce tone was just like Her Majesty the Empress's.
'You seem like a child born to humiliate me.'
I felt embarrassed and kept my mouth shut.
However, Her Highness the Princess spoke indignantly.
"But an order is an order. Why would you take the burden of disobeying the orders of the Empress's palace?"
You could think that way.
"Before the competition begins, the Princess's maid appointment ceremony will be held. I will take you there, but don't think that will make any difference."
Her Highness the Princess said she would take me to the appointment ceremony, but that was enough.
I had no intention of being greedy.
I politely observed.
"Thank you, Your Highness, the Princess."
***
The maid's appointment ceremony was a small, private event. However, since all the royal family members were attending, it had the same weight as any official event.
The appointment ceremony was scheduled to be held in the central palace where His Majesty was. I dressed neatly and followed Her Highness the Princess.
Her Highness just walked ahead, so I couldn’t even talk to her.
Lord Rond followed behind in his imposing armor, and because of the difference in our sizes, he looked like a rooster walking with its chicks in front.
He smiled at me, perhaps feeling good after working for the first time in a long time. It was like he was encouraging me to cheer up when I was nervous.
Looking closely, Lord Rond seemed to have a much higher immunity to Her Highness Milliora’s nonsense than I did. I wondered if wearing armor would protect me from that.
When we arrived at the palace, I saw His Highness the First Prince’s group.
I could immediately tell that the silver-haired, handsome man who gave off the impression of a sickly artist was His Highness the First Prince. Next to him stood a middle-aged nobleman.
The Princess glanced at them and spoke sarcastically.
“It’s Viscount René Horte. He’s a big shot in the palace, so don’t even think about opening your mouth in front of him.”
The Princess went straight to First Prince Orl and bowed, and I followed.
Prince Orl stared at me for a moment with a faint smile.
Sensing his gaze, the Princess quickly showed a look of displeasure.
Ugh.
I hoped Second Prince Grayon and his party would arrive quickly.
My whole body felt uncomfortable wearing that tight dress, and I wanted to finish up quickly and go back to rest.
Just then, Grayon and Prince Kydel appeared. Grayon looked completely different than before.
When I first met him in Zebron, he looked very tired and nervous, but today he looked energetic and strong.
As expected of a parasite...
I held back my laughter without realizing it, but then I felt Prince Kydel glaring at me.
I knew that the sharp gaze was because of where they were standing, but why did I feel a sudden ache?
The two of them were wearing their uniforms. They looked cool just standing there, with colorful badges on their chests and swords draped diagonally at their waists. If only Prince Kydel had been there, I would never have thought so, but with Prince Grayon next to them, the two of them looked like a painting.
People weren’t crazy about the two of them for nothing.
“Your Highness, I greet you.”
“Grayon.”
Prince Orl greeted Prince Grayon with a smile, but I didn’t feel comfortable with it.
Maybe it was because I had a preconceived notion that since he was sickly, he wouldn’t be happy seeing his younger brother so manly.
When His Highness Grayon and his party bowed to His Highness Orl and left, Her Highness Miliora bowed to His Highness Grayon.
“Have you finally made up your mind?”
His Highness Grayon asked with a smile about me accompanying her, and the Princess did not answer.
His Highness Grayon also seemed not to expect an answer and moved away from us.
Judging from the mood of the royal family for a moment, I could tell that my future had been a source of commotion in the palace.
To take on such a burden, isn’t the Count really a bold person?
By the way, I felt a little sorry that His Highness Grayon didn’t even glance at me. It was a situation where I had to pretend to be meeting His Highness Grayon for the first time. After all, I raised him by digging the ground and feeding him... Hmm. Isn’t this it?
After a while, His Majesty the Emperor came to the State Affairs Hall, and we were called in order.
His Highness Prince Orl and Viscount René, His Highness Prince Grayon and Prince Kydel, Her Highness Princess Miliora, and I. The knights waited behind.
I gulped as I looked at His Majesty the Emperor standing in the distance.
To see the supreme ruler of the empire in person!
His Majesty the Emperor was a well-built middle-aged man. His slightly protruding belly was noticeable, but his short silver hair and clear green eyes gave him a very strong impression.
In the meantime, Her Majesty the Empress came in and stood next to His Majesty the Emperor.
I turned my head absentmindedly and saw an old lady wearing a jeweled brooch standing in the corner of the hall, watching us.
'Was there such an old maid in the palace?'
At that moment, His Majesty the Emperor's attendant came forward and said,
"His Highness the Prince, please prepare the attendant's medal."
Prince Oh, who had stepped forward in front of His Majesty the Emperor, placed the medal on Viscount René's chest.
I naturally looked at Her Highness the Princess.
But before I could even make eye contact, she turned her head away.
'Huh!'
My face turned ashen. I could tell from her actions.
Her Highness the Princess definitely didn't have a medal.
Did she make a medal or something?
'...I'll take you there, but don't think that will make any difference.'
She must have meant literally that she would only take me to the appointment ceremony.
What should I do in front of His Majesty the Emperor? My head was spinning, and doubts arose.
Could it be that I forgot about the medal after receiving it in advance, and am trying to embarrass myself in front of His Majesty the Emperor?
'Are you really going to just leave like this?'
The Princess quickly avoided my resentful gaze.
At that moment, Lord Rond silently approached me and placed something in my hand.
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