The ambassadors who wanted even the slightest connection with the Keith Imperial Family could not refuse Amanda’s invitation. All invitees expressed their intention to attend the party, and as the date loomed the palace became increasingly populated. Because Amanda’s ankle made it difficult to move speedily, it fell to the head-lady-waiting to organize the servants and create as perfect as event as possible.
Plans were going smoothly, when there was a knock on Amanda’s door.
“Come in.”
Asabe entered the room and gave a low bow.
“Your Highness. Lady Amelia from the Windsor family is here, as well as the other maids and servants.”
“Really? I’ll go out myself.”
As Amanda stood up on her bandaged ankle, Asabe quickly went to her side to assist her. Amanda’s injury wasn’t so severe that she was immobile, but Oliver was so insistent on her recovery that she simply complied. Of course, her ankle was healing quickly thanks to him.
‘Amelia will worry if she sees me like this.’
Amanda swiftly headed out of the Crown Prince’s palace, her heart lifting in anticipation in seeing Amelia after a long time. Amanda spotted the familiar figures of the Windsor residents exiting from the carriage. When Mary saw Amanda walking with Asabe’s help, the maid’s eyes widened.
“My Lady!”
Mary hurried to Amanda and looked at her anxiously.
“What happened to you? Did you hurt your ankle?”
“Yes, recently. It’s not serious, so don’t worry too much.”
“It looked serious because of the bandages. Well, you don’t have to worry now that we’re here. I’ll work hard to lessen your inconvenience.”
“That is reassuring.”
Amanda gave a warm smile. She had thought she had been doing fine so far, but seeing Mary’s familiar face made her feel at home. It seemed that nobles did not usually take maids from their parents’ households.
Amanda looked around in search of her sister.
“What about Amelia?”
“Oh, she should be here soon. There is a lot of luggage, so it was sent ahead first.”
“I see. Some people should be here soon to tell you about your accommodations and other things. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Yes, My Lady! Ah no, Your Highness!”
Amanda smiled faintly at Mary’s confusion over her title, then turned to Asabe.
“Go to the head lady-in-waiting and inform her that the maids and servants from Windsor family have arrived. Tell her to give them special attention.”
Asabe, who was quietly watching the scene between Amanda and Mary, bowed her head.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Asabe left. She was a maid of the Imperial Palace, and was much more well-groomed and polite than the average maid of a noble family. Mary murmured in surprise,
“Maids from the Imperial Palace are different.”
Amanda responded with a smile.
“They’re not that different. And you’re far more important to me than the other maids.”
“Oh, My Lady…”
Mary gave Amanda a moved look, then hesitated before continuing to speak.
“Um, My Lady—”
She was interrupted by another voice.
“Sister!”
A bright voice turned their heads. Amelia had disembarked from another carriage, and was smiling brightly and running towards Amanda. Then, in a moment, she fell into the arms of her older sister. Amelia’s physical touch made Amanda’s face split into a smile.
“You’re here, Amelia.”
“Yes, sister. I missed you.”
After a brief reunion, Amanda turned her head back to the maid.
“Mary, what were you trying to say earlier?”
“Oh, nothing, My Lady. I’ll tell you later.”
“Very well. I’ll see you in a little while.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
Amanda and Amelia turned and walked towards the palace hand-in-hand. Another figure was watching them with a close eye.
“Hwii~”
Batori gave a low whistle as he watched the sisters’ disappearing figures. Amanda was closer to the family servants from home than from the Imperial Palace. Batori was never under suspicion in Windsor Mansion, and here in the palace he had even more free rein as a servant of the Crown Princess.
‘I planned it this way from the beginning, but this is an excellent position.’
Batori carried the luggage from the carriage, smiling as usual.
Mary stood there for a moment, staring at the backs of Amanda and Amelia, and then returned to her original position. There was no one there to notice how her expression turned gloomy.
*
*
*
This was the first time Amanda and Amelia had seen each other since the wedding, and they spoke to each other as if they had been apart for years. Amanda gave Amelia a tour inside the palace. Although Amelia had already visited the place before, Amanda was able to show everything in more detail.
They settled in a luxurious parlor room while Amanda told her sister about the going-ons of the palace.
“What? Our nanny has become the head lady-in-waiting?”
“Yes. She’s busy preparing for a party I’m hosting, but before you go back, please see her and say hello.”
“Of course. I’ve missed her so much…I never thought I’d see her again like this.”
The nanny had played an important role in their lives, filling the hole after their mother died.
Amelia made an expression as if she remembered something, then pulled out a stack of documents.
“Ah, sister. Here is a list of all the maids and servants. It also has personal information about them, so keep it safe.”
“Yes, I will.”
Amanda smiled and placed the papers on the table. When Amelia spoke, it was with a more cautious voice than before.
“It’s a slightly different list than the one I received from the butler. I switched out one of the servants with another.”
“A servant? Why?”
Amelia answered Amanda’s question with an awkward smile.
“I just wanted to keep him a little longer because I’m so attached to him. So I want to ask for your understanding.”
As Amelia spoke, there was only one person that came to Amanda’s mind—Quinlen Marsh, Oliver’s subordinate. Amanda looked on questioningly.
“What is the name of the servant?”
“Quinlen Marsh. Do you remember him from last time?”
At Amelia’s sheepish reaction, Amanda had a tight feeling in her stomach. When she had been busy preparing for her wedding, she had a suspicion that Amelia was nurturing feelings for Quinlen. More importantly, Quinlen had said something to Amanda that had bothered her.
—The Young Lady has been working me hard.
Amelia was not the type to always keep a servant close to her. Amanda tried to speak as gently as possible.
“You must have become close to the servant Quinlen without me realizing.”
“Uh-huh. Somehow…”
Amelia scratched her nose and smiled shyly. She had changed in a short amount of time. Amanda had accepted that Amelia would mature as she grew older, but now it felt a little different from that.
Presently, Amanda did not know the details of Quinlen’s situation, as he had lied about promising to protect Amelia. From Amanda’s point of view, she considering asking Quinlen to ensure Amelia’s safety until she returned to the south.
‘It’s convenient to have Sir Marsh stay in Windsor mansion, but…’
When she heard Quinlen applied to work as a palace servant, she knew that he would leave Windsor mansion. What Amanda didn’t expect, however, was Amelia complicating matters by blocking him.
‘What is going on?’
She needed to verify Quinlen’s story with him later. Amanda gave an understanding nod to Amelia.
“Very well. If you want to keep the servant Quinlen, you may.”
“Ah! Thank goodness!”
Amelia whooped with glee, but was interrupted by the sound of a knock. The parlor room door opened and the nanny walked in.
“Young Lady!”
Amelia leapt up at the sight of the nanny, then ran to hug the aged woman.
“Nanny~”
Amanda watched the joyful reunion. Amelia’s smile always magically made her happy, and she wanted to protect that smile the most in the world.
Time passed by and the day of Amanda’s party finally arrived. She didn’t want undue attention, so she removed the bandage from her ankle for the day and wore a strikingly lavish dress. The party would be attended by many people, from Empress Madelyn to the ambassadors from various countries. Amanda took meticulous care, as this was her first event hosted as crown princess.
Ttogag ttogageu—
Amanda spoke in a low voice to her nanny as she walked towards the hall.
“Is there nothing suspicious about Asabe?”
“Nothing yet.”
“Very well, then we’ll watch a little longer. She was the maid to bring me the Manera plant after all.”
“Of course. You can rely on me.”
Amanda gave a faint smile. The nanny acted as if she were Amanda’s hands and feet, and exceeded the expectations of her position. It was hard to imagine how Amanda would have gotten through palace life without her nanny by her side.
“You’ve been working hard organizing the party, nanny.”
“Yes, the preparations went smoothly, so you can be at ease. And you should call me ‘lady-in-waiting’, Your Highness.”
“I’ll only call you nanny when we’re alone. I’m still more familiar with that term.”
The nanny wore a tender smile, knowing that there weren’t many people Amanda could act as a child around.
Amanda didn’t know what would happen once it was revealed to everyone that the Empress had given Amanda the Manera plant. It would be a large stain on the Empress’ reputation, unless there were any unaccounted variables. Of course, that did not mean Amanda would loosen her grip on a dangerous opponent, like Oliver warned her so many times.
‘But it won’t be easy to get out.’
Even the Empress could not slip away from this net. How would Madelyn react in this situation? While Amanda knew the Empress by word of her reputation, this was Amanda’s first direct confrontation with her.
‘I’ll see soon.’
With her jewel-like red eyes shining brightly, Amanda approached the hall with her nanny following her footsteps. The people milling by the entrance recognized her and bowed all at once.
“Hail to the Crown Princess. Eternal glory to the Keith Empire!”
Everyone’s voices came together in a loud chorus. With as much composure as possible, Amanda walked into the party.
Kkiiigeu—
The door opened before Amanda’s footsteps. The brilliantly decorated interior gradually came into view, followed by the ambassadors from various countries, as well as Empress Madelyn seated at the head table.
The servant standing by the door heralded Amanda’s arrival.
“The Crown Princess of the Keith Empire has arrived!”
Everyone at the party turned towards the entrance. Despite the numerous eyes turned on Amanda, she entered the party with an undaunted and dignified look.
The secret battle would begin.