Chapter 79

It's late.

The story has been continuing from different perspectives, but it's planned to return to the original one from next time.

"Ahh! Enough! Disgusting!"

With a clatter, the teacup she had swept away fell to the floor and shattered.

"What is this tea? It's terrible! Get me a new one!"

She threw the teapot at the maid, who deftly stepped back to avoid it. The maid quickly cleaned up the broken pot and cup, then bowed expressionlessly and retreated.

The maids serving in the palace of the Kingdom of Marita do not show me the frightened expressions that the maids of the Colts family do. It feels as if they are mocking me, and it makes me angry.

"Once I become the princess, I'll fire all those maids."

I plopped down on the sofa in a very unladylike manner, and my favorites immediately came to my side.

"Lana-sama, please don't make such a difficult face. If your beauty is marred by worry, all the men in the world will flock to you."

Samuel, my favorite, took my hand and kissed it gently, looking at me with a troubled expression. He is a beautiful man with soft golden hair and emerald eyes. Though his status is low as the second son of a baron, he is handsome, clever, and does as I wish, so I find him very useful.

"But, Samuel! I'm so angry! What's with that filthy commoner saint and that hateful foreign maid! They burned my fan!"

I shivered as I recalled the maid's bright silver eyes. They were eyes that seemed to genuinely want to harm me.

"That maid is also the saint's bodyguard. Such a mediocre person would be no obstacle once caught by Lana-sama's magic. Lana-sama is truly kind to let such an insolent person off."

Samuel smiled. He is a believer in my magic. Even when I use a simple spell, he praises it as if he has witnessed a miracle. If he saw my real magic, he might faint.

"Well, that's true. They are no match for me. But, I might not let them off next time. I need to show that maid who her master is."

Samuel nodded, but then a smile appeared on his face as if he had an idea.

"That's right, Lana-sama! Let's make that maid cooperate with us!"

"Cooperate?"

I tilted my head at Samuel's radiant smile. Make that insolent maid cooperate?

"That maid seems to be quite trusted by the saint. She could be a useful pawn. We should buy her off and make her cooperate with our plans. It would be easier for us to move if we have an ally inside the Marita Kingdom."

Samuel said this confidently, but I wondered if it would work.

"But, will it work? That maid was so close to that filthy saint. Do you think she will join us?"

Samuel nodded confidently.

"According to the Colts family's investigation, that maid is a former mercenary who participated in the Gras Forest expedition with the saint. They are easy to move. It's all about money. If you pay enough, they'll do anything."

I felt uncomfortable hearing Samuel's words. If what he said was true, mercenaries are such despicable people.

"Can we trust such despicable people? What if they take the money and then betray us to the Marita side?"

"Then we'll just get rid of them. Right?"

Samuel smiled at the guard. Bisk, a tall and wild-looking handsome man, grinned in response.

"Yes. But, no woman would turn down a handsome noble like Samuel. It's impossible for a noble lady like Lana-sama, but a former mercenary maid would do anything for a smile from this guy. He's a real womanizer, you know."

"Hey, Bisk. Stop talking so crudely in front of Lana-sama."

Samuel hurried to stop Bisk, but I knew about Samuel's womanizing and didn't really care. He is a beautiful man with a pretty face and a slender build, and it feels good to have him around. Besides, if he is useful to me, I don't care what he does.

"Hehe. Then, I'll watch you work, Samuel. Try to seduce that maid and make her cooperate with my plans. But, don't interfere with the plan. To me, Prince Zinklett is the perfect marriage partner. To get back at my sister, I need someone like him!"

Thinking about my sister made me irritated. That meek girl who only listens to Father, becoming the heir of the Colts family! And Father, what's with him? Just because that weak-kneed fiancé fell ill, why should my sister take over as the successor?

"I understand, Lana-sama. My strength is all for you..."

Samuel kissed my hand respectfully and smiled brightly.

◇◇◇

"What do you mean, 'all for you'?"

Bisk came closer and poked my stomach.

"You're just interested in that maid, right? She's right up your alley. She's not too bad-looking, confident in her skills, and seems strong-willed."

Bisk's face twisted in disgust.

"Shut up, it's none of your business."

"You have a bad taste. You pamper and sweet-talk those women, make them dependent, and then throw them away after you're done with them. What happened to the one before the last one?"

Bisk asked maliciously, and I relaxed my cheeks.

"Shut up, I don't remember. Why would I remember a dead woman?"

"Ha ha ha, you scoundrel!"

"You're probably picking up the women I've thrown away, aren't you?"

"Desperate women are easy to sway. As the third son of a poor baron, I wouldn't get any women if it weren't for this. You're lucky. Even as a poor baron, you get women because you're handsome."

Bisk pouted and looked at me darkly. He has a decent face, enough to serve as Lana-sama's guard, but his gambling habit keeps him perpetually short of money, so he can't afford to spend on women. His temper is also quick to flare, and he hits women without hesitation, so they run away quickly.

"Still, Lana-sama thinks of some pretty ruthless things."

Bisk peered into the pale pink liquid in my hand.

"Well, Lana-sama has no other options. This stay is short, but she intends to secure a decisive victory and become the princess of Prince Zinklett."

"Even so, that orphan girl is only 11 or 12, right? It's a bit too much, even for you."

"Idiot. She may be small, but she's said to be an adult. Don't worry about it."

"Lana-sama is cruel. You could have just kidnapped and disposed of that orphan girl somewhere, but you deliberately chose this..."

Bisk's face was twisted. He talks a lot, but he must be enjoying it.

"Lana-sama is serious about becoming the princess of Prince Zinklett. She can't forgive that the prince favored that orphan girl over her, even if it was a momentary lapse."

Since her engagement to her previous fiancé was broken, Lana-sama's situation has been the worst. She was removed from the line of succession in the Colts family and has become a laughingstock in society. The attitude towards those of us who follow her has also become cold.

Where else can we, who have served Lana-sama for so long, go now? Even if we abandon her and try to contact other influential people, we will be politely but firmly avoided. We are now inextricably linked with Lana-sama. We must somehow help her regain her former position. If she becomes the princess of Prince Zinklett, it will be the greatest comeback. We can show those who have snubbed us.

Despite being called the 'Ice Prince' and 'Monster Enthusiast,' Prince Zinklett's reputation is not that bad. He has strong support from military families in the Marita and Naris Kingdoms. Many are enchanted by his overwhelming strength and leadership. His stern but strikingly handsome appearance is a match for the seductive beauty of Lana-sama.

Her previous fiancé was a serious and capable man, but his plain face did not complement Lana-sama, which was a source of frustration for her.

"No matter what, we must make Lana-sama the princess of Prince Zinklett. That's the only way for us to rise again."

If Lana-sama is ostracized from the noble society and social circles, we, as low-ranking nobles' attendants, will fall into a life no different from commoners, living hand to mouth. At best, I might become a lover to some widow, and Bisk would end up as a soldier on the front lines. To protect our rich and enjoyable lives, I will do anything for Lana-sama.

That's why I intend to create an ally in my area of expertise. Women are easily deceived by my face. A commoner maid would mistake a little kindness from a noble like me for love and devote herself body and soul. A obedient and foolish ally is thus created.

The pale pink liquid in the small bottle.

This is our trump card and weapon for this time.

We have eliminated various obstacles and unnecessary people using various methods.

"If it means bringing Lana-sama back to a glorious position, some sacrifices are inevitable."

If sacrificing the commoner saint and the former mercenary maid can achieve this, why hesitate? It's like stepping on a bug on the street.

"Prince Zinklett. The saint betrayed you, but Lana-sama will surely save you."

My face in the small bottle was twisted with pleasure.