Chapter 67

Aristine did not show her thoughts outwardly.

Even if she were to press Brodie, she would surely say that she merely incited Brodie to act recklessly and that it had nothing to do with her.

She would say that she knew Brodie would cause a minor incident, but never dreamed that she would find the knife and attack.

‘If that were true, she should have first apologized, saying she didn’t expect things to turn out this way.’

And if she were truly a loyal maid, she wouldn’t have planned something that could put Aristine in danger.

Aristine lowered her hand and stroked Rosaline’s head, then scratched her chin.

Rosaline’s face turned red with shame, but she silently accepted the touch.

‘Just a little longer, just a little longer.’

Soon, she would repay this humiliation many times over.

Rosaline’s green eyes glanced at Aristine’s smooth face.

‘If only that face were torn to shreds.’

It would be quite a sight if it were covered in wounds so severe that she couldn’t even show her face.

Even if the priest poured holy power to prevent scars, the pain during the healing process would be unbearable.

‘Brodie is so stupid that she couldn’t even stab a harmless opponent properly.’

Aristine, though small for a Sylvanus, was not small in appearance.

However, due to malnutrition and being confined without regular activity, her bones were weak and she lacked stamina.

Brodie could easily overpower her.

‘Who would have thought that His Majesty Tarkan would appear.’

The timing was really unfortunate.

‘It’s a shame, but there’s nothing I can do.’

Rosaline hid her true feelings and spoke obediently.

“I’ve hunted Brodie, and now I plan to hunt the other maids.”

“That’s very reassuring.”

Aristine smiled.

“I always thought you would do well.”

She deliberately praised Rosaline.

“You’re smarter and more capable than the other maids.”

To make her believe that Aristine completely trusted her and let her guard down.

“I was really happy when you willingly chose to follow me, Rosaline.”

Aristine opened the jewelry box on the table.

A dazzling diamond necklace lay on a blue velvet background.

Aristine picked up the diamond necklace without hesitation.

Rosaline, forgetting the situation, stared at the brilliant sparkle.

The pear-shaped diamond was about two finger-widths in size, and the smaller diamonds set along the vine-shaped necklace were all diamonds.

The clarity, color, and brilliance of the diamonds were all top-notch.

It was impossible to estimate the total carat weight.

The pear-shaped diamond alone would be worth several billion er.

‘Let alone the entire necklace and the white gold...!’

Rosaline felt as if she would faint.

“Stand up, Rosaline.”

Rosaline, entranced by Aristine’s command, stood up.

Aristine personally placed the diamond necklace around her neck.

Rosaline shuddered at the cold touch of the necklace.

‘It’s heavy...’

The weight was intoxicating.

“It suits you well.”

Aristine whispered, showing her a mirror.

Rosaline, with a blank expression, stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Such a diamond necklace was something Rosaline could never have dreamed of in her life.

Even among the family heirlooms, there was nothing like this.

“This is a small token of my gratitude for helping me with one of my worries.”

“A small... token?”

“Yes, will you accept it?”

Rosaline swallowed.

‘Will you accept it, will you accept it!’

Is that even a question?

If she were honest, she would kneel and kiss Aristine’s feet.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Rosaline knelt and bowed.

The weight of the diamond necklace, felt with every movement, sent shivers down her spine.

“Indeed, you should also have a dress that matches the necklace.”

Thump.

Rosaline’s heart raced.

What kind of valuable dress would match this necklace?

Her eyes greedily scanned the dress Aristine was wearing.

Aristine’s meaning was clear.

‘Once the other maids are dealt with...’

Her green eyes gleamed with desire.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I will root out the rest of your worries.”

“Indeed, you’re smart and understand my intentions well. I’m pleased.”

Aristine lazily replied, leaning back on the sofa.

“Hunting dogs are naturally more loyal and intelligent than other dogs.”

She deliberately poked at Rosaline’s pride.

From the beginning, Aristine had no intention of recruiting Rosaline.

‘You can’t live with someone who might stab you in the back at any moment.’

Would she continue to be satisfied with such expensive jewelry as today?

Human desires are endless.

Rosaline would eventually want more.

‘Especially since she already covets my position.’

It was amusing to think that Aristine wouldn’t notice her obvious intentions.

The praise and the gift of the necklace were solely to make Rosaline let her guard down.

‘But because of this, she will listen to me for a while, making it troublesome to deal with her later.’

It was better to keep her on edge if she was to be dealt with along with the other maids.

Aristine looked down at Rosaline and curled her lips.

Rosaline flinched and bit the inside of her cheek.

Despite this, she could still feel the weight of the diamond necklace.

Not many could wear such a magnificent necklace.

Aristine, who had given her the necklace as a sign of recognition, still treated her like a dog.

Aristine looked into Rosaline’s eyes and sang.

“It suits you well, dog collar.”

Rosaline’s jaw tightened.

But in the next moment, she smoothed out her face and put on the most obedient expression she could.

‘I’ll endure it for now, but just wait. The one who will sit in that position will be me.’

It was perfect.

‘To believe me so easily over the Brodie incident.’

No matter how smart Aristine pretended to be.

Brodie smiled and looked up at Aristine.

“Since I am the hunting dog of Your Highness, I will work hard to be worthy of the position.”

“Good, I trust you.”

Aristine nodded and continued.

“Now, go. I have work to do.”

“Are you not overworking yourself? I’m worried about Your Highness’s health.”

Rosaline feigned concern and probed Aristine.

“Indeed. I might only return late tonight.”

Aristine sighed deeply and pressed her neck.

Glancing at Rosaline, her deep green eyes gleamed maliciously.

‘Good, this will make you even more restless.’

Rosaline, unaware that she was moving exactly as Aristine intended, subtly asked about Tarkan.

“If you keep coming home late, won’t your relationship with His Majesty Tarkan become distant?”

“Hmm, it might.”

Rosaline licked her lips.

“That can’t happen. If there’s already friction between the two of you, what will you do?”

“I’m worried about that too, but there’s no solution.”

‘Good!’

Rosaline inwardly rejoiced at Aristine’s gloomy reaction.

‘She gave an ambiguous answer, but she completely agreed with my statement about the friction!’

She fell for the bait completely.

There was definitely a rift between Aristine and Tarkan.

This was a favorable turn of events for her.

Indeed, Aristine, who only looked good on the surface, couldn’t capture Tarkan’s heart.

A noble lady like herself, who was truly refined, would be more suitable for Tarkan.

After all, Aristine, who believed her so easily over the Brodie incident, didn’t understand human relationships.

‘She’s clumsy with people, so she can’t understand the intricacies of a marriage.’

Rosaline smiled redly.

Her victory.

Because 一.

‘I know more about your husband than you do.’

Rosaline recalled her previous meeting with Diona.

〈Diona...〉

Rosaline and the other maids were secretly planning to seduce Tarkan.

They were startled by Diona’s sudden appearance.

〈Yes, please call me Diona, the maids of Sylvanus.〉

But Diona smiled politely, seemingly unaware of their plans.

‘Did she not hear our conversation?’

It seemed so from her greeting.

Relieved, they hoped she would leave quickly, but Diona approached even closer.

〈What were you talking about in such a secluded place?〉

It was too remote for the maids to be having a casual conversation.

〈Nothing much.〉

〈It’s none of your business what we talk about.〉

The maids tried to act confidently, lifting their chins.

But Diona countered smoothly.

〈How can it not be my business?〉

Diona smiled and looked at the maids.

〈It’s about His Majesty Tarkan.〉

The maids shuddered in surprise.

‘Did she hear everything?’

If Diona reported to Aristine...

Her face paled at the thought.

It would give Aristine a reason to expel them.

And if they were expelled, the emperor would not let it go.

Knowing what happened to the knights who returned to Sylvanus, they were tense.

〈To be so seriously considering what His Majesty Tarkan likes.〉

The maids, trying to defuse the situation, looked at Diona nervously.

〈You are indeed the maids of the princess.〉

Diona, smiling widely, clapped her hands and praised them.

‘What is she doing?’

The maids glanced at each other, confused.

Diona continued speaking.

〈The princess is newly married and is worried about her husband’s preferences.〉

The maids nodded, agreeing.

It seemed Diona only heard the last part of their conversation.

〈I will help you.〉

Diona placed her hand on her chest and spoke confidently.

〈I’ve known His Majesty Tarkan since he was young, so I understand his tastes.〉

〈Are you offering to help the princess?〉

〈Yes, it’s a marriage that ended a long-standing enmity.〉

Diona clasped her hands and continued with a moved expression.

〈It’s the wish of all the citizens of this country that the two of them have a happy marriage. I want to contribute in any way I can.〉

Diona taught them in detail about what Tarkan liked and disliked.

As a result, Rosaline learned everything about Tarkan that Aristine didn’t know.

* * *

Recalling that moment, Rosaline smiled bitterly.

‘His Majesty Tarkan definitely said he detests sweets.’

From what she had observed, Tarkan avoided sweet foods, including desserts.

In a marriage, it’s the small things that bring people closer.

In that sense, using a small thing like taste preferences was an effective strategy.

“If you’re worried about the distance in your marriage, why not give a gift?”

“A gift?”

“Yes, since His Majesty Tarkan saved the princess, it could also be a token of gratitude.”

“Oh, that’s true. I should thank him for saving me. It’s a good idea.”

Seeing Aristine nod, Rosaline forced down the corners of her mouth, which kept wanting to rise.

“I’ve heard from the palace staff that His Majesty Tarkan really likes sweets.”

“Sweets?”

“Yes, he can’t get enough of them. That’s why he carefully selects them for parties.”

“Indeed.”

“What about giving him a dessert so sweet it makes your tongue numb?”

Aristine stared at Rosaline.

Rosaline smiled, her mouth dry.

Finally, Aristine nodded.

“That’s a good idea. Thank you, Rosaline.”

‘Done!’

Rosaline’s lips stretched to her ears.

That was when it happened.

Forget about the husband, I’ll just make some money.