Chapter 2

"Prepare the tea with leaves from the Broken region. Use fresh milk from Jersey and Torman cows. Her Highness doesn't eat much the day after a party, so inform the kitchen accordingly. You, go and check if there are any issues with the dress for the night meal."

Today, the head maid is on leave, so I am giving instructions to the other maids and ladies-in-waiting.

It is our duty as ladies-in-waiting to ensure that the Princess can live without any lack or excess.

Ladies-in-waiting in the royal palace must be daughters of noble families with impeccable backgrounds.

Noble daughters usually enter the palace in their teens to learn etiquette and leave to get married before they turn twenty.

So, at twenty-five, I am one of the senior staff.

Some return after giving birth, but they commute from home and do not seek busy roles.

Thus, such tasks naturally fall to me.

Since I have to negotiate with other departments, I wear glasses at work to avoid being underestimated. My hair is tied up in a chignon cap, and I apply a light dusting of powder to avoid looking too made-up.

Following the family creed of the Grover family, which swears absolute loyalty to the royal family, I have been devoted to this job since I entered the palace ten years ago.

Starting as a maid, I caught the eye of the head maid and eventually became a lady-in-waiting to the Princess.

"Hey, did you hear? Sir Julius of the Blue Star Knights. He apparently returned to the barracks this morning with a woman."

"Really!? Shocking. I thought he was a good catch."

"And the woman is older, they say."

"Sir Julius has a thing for older women. That's kind of cute."

"Enough chatter. Get to work. We can't keep Lady Elise waiting."

Lady Elise is the Princess we serve.

After scolding my chattering colleagues, an awkward silence filled the room.

I regretted my words.

There must be a way to do this without making more enemies, but I tend to be strict when I'm focused on work.

"Really, you're so serious."

With a sigh, they left the anteroom leading to the Princess's chambers.

Alone, I recalled the gossip I overheard earlier.

It's surprising that this morning's events have already become rumors.

Still, the other ladies-in-waiting don't seem to realize that I am Julius's sister.

Well, we don't look alike at all.

While checking the address on the letter delivered to the Princess, I reflected on this morning's events.

As expected, the young ladies who saw me mistook me for Julius's lover.

The plan was a success, but one thing that bothers me is Ian's silent attitude.

His face was hidden by his long hair, making it hard to read his emotions.

I hope he was just drowsy and absent-minded.

—Just as I thought this, the bell rang.

Lady Elise was calling.

When I entered the room, a beautiful blonde was lying on the couch in a disheveled state, wearing only a robe.

Her slender figure belies the fact that she has three children, and her skin remains radiant even in her forties.

"Lady Elise, did you call for me?"

The Princess glanced at me and yawned widely, looking sleepy.

"... What are your plans for the afternoon?"

"Your schedule for today is: lunch at noon, a visit to the orphanage at two, a fitting for your dress at five, and a dinner with the delegation at seven with His Majesty."

As I recited the schedule I had memorized, the Princess furrowed her brow slightly.

"Can the fitting be rescheduled for tomorrow? It seems I'll have to return immediately from the orphanage."

The Princess is passionate about charity and is very popular with the people.

I recalled her schedule for tomorrow and remembered that it included a visit to observe the Blue Star Knights' training.

If we delay it by an hour and observe the training midway, the fitting can be managed.

This dress is intended for the founding anniversary ceremony in two months, so the fitting cannot be postponed further.

"Understood. I will go and make the necessary adjustments."

The maids who were preparing the Princess's breakfast had just returned, so I bowed slightly and left the Princess's chambers.

Trying to suppress my excitement, I walked quickly down the carpeted corridor.

I felt a faint joy and a significant worry.

The joy comes from the prospect of seeing Ian. The worry, too, is about Ian.

I'm excited about this new serial.

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