chapter 6.2

Shannon, who was heading to Espa Palace, hurried away after hearing from Linen and Orrin that Psili had left Espa Palace last night. The maids scattered to find Psili, whose whereabouts they did not know, and Shannon also moved her steps to find Psilli. In the midst of a busy time, Shannon, who saw the appearance of a maid sitting on a quiet roadside and eating bread, carefully approached her. And when she learned that the maid was Psili, her pace accelerated.

“Psili?”

“Yeah?”

At the voice of someone calling her name, Psili turned her head and looked at the owner of the voice. When she saw Psili’s face, Shannon approached her and looked very puzzled, seeing Psili’s strangely changed hair.

“What happened?”

Psili stood up, recalling Shannon, who was polite to Elisha, but would say everything needed to say.

“Hello.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I was eating bread.”

“Oh, I see. Let’s go first.”

Shannon grabbed Psili’s wrist as she brushed off her sand-stained skirt. Psili stood tall and tilted her head.

“To where?”

“From today on, you will be staying at Eradan Palace, not Espa Palace.”

“Why?”

“His Majesty’s order. He wants you to be educated and become a better maid.”

“Ah yes. What’s about Elisha?”

“Don’t worry. The highest thing in this palace is the emperor’s command, so you only have to follow him. Do you understand?”

Shannon, who had to take her in and educate her, was in a hurry, so she grabbed Psili by the wrist and dragged her. But Psili didn’t easily follow along because there was something left to be curious about.

“Why? Do you have any other questions?”

“Oh, if I go, will you give me food?”

“Huh?”

“Do you give me food every day?”

“Of course. There are three meals a day for all the attendants and maids who work in this palace. But why is that..?”

Shannon, who was speaking, looked at Psili as if something was wrong, and quickly asked a question with a stern face.

“Have you not been able to eat the foods you received for every meal?”

“Oh, that’s because there are times when I go in late.”

It was the moment Shannon solved the question of how Psili would get skinnier over time. Shannon didn’t have many personal encounters with the bedroom owner, Elisha, but she thought it would not be impossible for Elisha to frame Psili. Perhaps, when something that Elisha and her maids had planned together was discovered, Elisha blamed her sister and the maids and abandoned them. Perhaps it was natural to treat Psili, who had been living as if she was hidden, even to those who had not been bad to each other in Ctia.

It was a wonder that Psili was still alive under Elisha and her two maids, who had only been ordered to work without feeding. With a warm smile from her sympathy for Psili, Shannon warmly held her hands and comforted her.

“There will be no hunger in the future. You’ll have hot soup and hot bread, and you’ll have fresh vegetables and fruits. And occasionally you can eat meat.”

“Really?

“Of course.”

“Then, I’ll go.”

What would there be to think more about? It was said that the move was already decided at the order of the emperor, and there was no reason to refuse to eat hot meals every day. Psili took Shannon’s hand and followed her. After following Shannon for a while, Psili paused, recalling Asil, who had gone to get the scissors.

“Well, wait a minute. I’ll just say goodbye for a moment.”

Shannon wondered who she was saying goodbye to, so she looked where Psili ran. Shannon tilted her head as she saw Psili greet a boy as if she were familiar with him. Shannon recalled how Psili didn’t show any emotions whatsoever every time Shannon saw her, even when talking to her just a while ago. But there was a faint smile on Psili’s face when she greeted that male servant.

However, Psili’s face, who returned to Shannon’s side, had an expression that was no different from before as if she never smiled.

“Was it just an illusion?”

******

Shannon, who was looking at Psili, who looked like a painting in the hallway with an expressionless face as they headed to Eradan palace, carefully asked questions.

“lt looks like you are very close to the servant earlier.”

“Yes. Asil is a very good person. He works very hard.”

“Is that so? But he doesn’t seem to be from Ctia.”

“He is actually a Pantheron’s citizen.”

“But how did you two get close? Usually, it’s difficult to get close to them if you’re an outsider.”

It would not be easy to get acquainted with the people of the empire who destroyed her country, because it’s easy for them to think of Psili as an enemy. But enough to overshadow Shannon’s thoughts, Psili stiffened her face, explaining.

“Isilis and Greden are Ctians, but they hid my bread and threw it away. Asil is a Pantheronian, but he brought me bread. It was easier for me to get acquainted with Asil than to get acquainted with Isilis and Greden, who are from the same country.”

Recalling the situation when Psili, who was almost killed by the sisters of the same nationality and even of the same blood, Shannon nodded as if she understood.

“Yes. Kindness does not distinguish nationalities. Now, this is your bedroom in the future.”

After stopping, Shannon opened the bedroom door and showed Psili where to stay. Carefully entering the bedroom, Psili burst into admiration with amazement and wonder.

“Wow.”

It was not a large space. It had a bed to lay down, a desk, a small wardrobe, and a small bathroom. But Psili couldn’t be happier about it. Compared to the room she stayed in Ctia, it had more furniture. A hard wooden bed, books that had to be stacked on the floor without a bookcase, and rough wooden hangers to hang a few clothes on. In comparison, the bedroom that Shannon showed was a cozy and nice place.

“Do I use all of this by myself?”

“Of course.”

“It’s so good. Thank you.”

How on earth did she live in Ctia, so that the child who was a princess thought this small room was so good? Shannon breathed a small sigh of concern in the rush of that sorry heart before it could be taken away. But how long could Psili be able to use this bedroom? The attendants and maids who received a high evaluation and completed their education were no different from the candlelight in front of the wind in front of the capricious emperor.

Shannon looked at the excited Psili, who seemed to have the fate of a maid who might serve the emperor who changed his mind twelve times in five minutes.

“Let’s hope that we can live another day.”

Whatever the future might be, the result was in the hands of the emperor. Then Shannon approached and informed Psili about the grooming and clothing she should have as a maid.

“First, what should I do with that hair?”