CH 5

There was someone staring at those two from afar.

She was the beautiful woman that everyone expected to be Baroness Appleton.

After a while, the woman murmured when she regained her senses.

“……Wow.”

[ T/l: Okay why does this sound like love at first sight huh-]

PR/N: I think so tooooo!!!

* * *

[Siana’s POV]

The work was not over just because the guests had left. The banquet hall had to be cleaned up.

By the time they finished cleaning the banquet hall, the apprentice maids were exhausted.

‘I want to rest.’

‘I want to take a break.’

PR/N: Green text means it’s not Siana’s thoughts.

After preparing for the banquet early in the morning, serving guests in the scorching sun for a few hours, and cleaning until sunset, it was exhausting.

Supervisor maid Lip said while looking at the tidy garden.

“Everyone did a great job. Take a rest for today.”

Finally, it’s time to rest!

The apprentice maids cheered and sat down on the lawn.

Siana also settled down with Chuchu.

“Ah-“

At Chuchu’s words, Siana opened her mouth wide.

“Ah-“

What Chuchu stuffed into Siana’s mouth was the chocolate crumbs left over from the banquet.

Even the apprentice maids were able to take this much.

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Siana smiled at the sweetness in her mouth.

‘As expected, it’s the imperial palace’s chocolate. The bittersweet cocoa and soft butter are exquisitely combined.’

Siana asked, mumbling.

“Chuchu, are you sure you don’t mind not eating it?”

“I don’t eat this lump of sugar. I’ll lose my muscles for no reason if I had it. Siana, eat it and cheer up. You had a hard time dealing with the difficult guest.”

“You looked like you were having a hard time.”

The guests who Chuchu served were exceptionally large women.

Throughout the banquet, they touched Chuchu’s large forearms and shouted.

[I want it, I really want it. She is the woman we need on our farm. Do you intend to quit being a royal maid and become a farmer, lady-in-waiting?]

Chuchu scratched the back of her head thinking of the women who were busy scouting her.

“When I started serving I was so nervous that I couldn’t think of any etiquette. But I lived because the guests weren’t interested in my service at all. “

At that remark, Siana laughed ‘Puahaha’

Then several apprentice maids approached Siana.

“Siana, you were really amazing earlier. The way you poured the tea was really cool.”

“……Thank you.”

Siana replied with an awkward look to the candid compliment.

“It’s a little different from what we learned. Where did you learn it separately?”

“I learned a little before I came to the palace.”

The maids clasped their hands together and their eyes twinkled.

“I knew it!”

Then they spoke in a voice mixed with cuteness.

“By any chance, can you teach me how to serve tea?”

“Me too!”

“I said it first. Why are you interrupting me?”

It was the first time the apprentice maids showed such interest in Siana.

What’s the interest? She was often ignored because she came from a defeated country.

Siana’s eyes widened at the sudden change of attitude.

‘It’s amazing how these guys can change their attitude in an instant. Well, I guess you need this kind of shamelessness to be a maid.’

However, there were people who did not change their attitudes even if the situation changed.

“Are you guys out of your mind?”

The main character of the nervous voice was Jeanne.

Jeanne stood quietly at the corner throughout the tea party.

It was because she was embarrassed to be humiliated by the baroness during the tea party.

‘But I can’t possibly support her like that.’

Jeanne shouted, glaring at Siana and the maids beside her.

“How can you all grovel to a slave from a defeated country just because she poured some tea a little well? Do you guys have any pride?”

When Jeanne spoke like this, the apprentice maids would slowly look at each other.

But not this time.

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One of the apprentice maids next to Siana said, raising her eyebrows.

“Jeanne, don’t you know how to be ashamed?”

“What?”

“You almost ruined the party because you didn’t serve the guests properly. Siana was the one who took care of it, otherwise, we would all have been punished. In the worst-case scenario, they might have fired us apprentice maids. Rather than saying sorry for creating such a situation, to shout so loudly…”

She said, rolling her eyes.

“Even the queen bee acts while looking at the situation.”

“Wh, what?!”

Jeanne looked at the maid with a cold face.

She looked at her with an expression that said, ‘What are you doing, you dare to confront me like that?’

But unlike usual, no one was on her side.

The apprentice maids, who were always stuck together like goldfish poop, lowered their eyes and avoided Jeanne’s gaze.

“Th, Th, This… …”

Jeanne stuttered with her eyes wide open, then turned around and disappeared.

Chuchu, who watched the scene, narrowed her eyes.

“It’s perfect.”

“I know.”

Chuchu, who giggled at Siana’s words, said.

“But Baroness Appleton was definitely different from other guests. Even the way she sat down was incredibly elegant.”

Siana recalled Baroness Appleton.

It wasn’t just the sitting figure.

There was a strict grace in the way she walked, the way she drank her tea, and all her gestures.

It was not like a baroness with a small orchard, but a princess of the imperial family who has learned etiquette as if it was carved into her body.….

‘Eyyy, what a ridiculous thought.’

At her thoughts, Siana shook her head in disbelief.

* * *

[Rashid’s POV]

At the Crown Prince’s Palace.

Sol, the prince’s escort knight, was dozing off.

Then with a click, the door opened.

At the sound of the door opening, Sol opened his eyes wide.

As if he never fell asleep, Sol pulled the sword at a tremendous speed.

“Who dares to enter the room of the Crown Prince?”

Standing in front of Sol’s sword was Baroness Appleton, who had just come back after being served by Siana.

“Oh my God, I’m scared.”

Sol’s eyes widened when he saw the woman.

Sol soon shook his head with a complicated face.

“Madam, if you keep coming into the room like this, I will be in trouble.”

“But I couldn’t forget her Highness.”

“Forget it. You are a pervert who looks fine on the outside but only thinks of the soft squirrel’s feet in your head.”

“…….”

The atmosphere got cold.

Only then did Sol withdraw his sword as if he had come to his senses, and then stood up straight.

The woman lowered her gaze and raised the corners of her mouth and said.

“Why? Why don’t you say more. I thought this play was pretty interesting.”

“No. It’s not interesting at all. I assure you.”

“That’s too bad. If you had done it a little longer, I could have seen Solnite, the best knight in the Empire crying, saying that he was wrong.”

“Haha, how scary.”

Sol smiled awkwardly and stood aside quietly.

The woman who passed by Sol came into the room with a cool gait.

Then a white ferret and a plump-cheeked squirrel came running and climbed on the woman’s body.

The fluffy bird also circled around the woman, flapping its wings.

She said with a gentle smile at the little animals that welcomed her.

“Have you been waiting for a long time?”

The small animals responded vigorously with their round eyes sparkling.

“Kkyu!”

“Squeak!”

“Beep!”

The woman smiled brightly.

“…….”

Sol looked at the scene with a rotten expression and said with a small sigh.

“Shall I prepare a bath, Your Highness?”

“Yes.”

Baroness Appleton, no, Prince Rashid nodded.

* * *

Rashid sat on the couch wearing a comfortable nightgown.

The face, with tiny drops of water on its thin silvery hair, was so beautiful that nobody could imagine that he was only an 18-year-old man.

However, his clear jawline and strong physique clearly belonged to a man.

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It was thanks to the Mana Stone that Rashid was able to turn into a perfect woman.

The magic stones made by the wizard with mysterious powers possessed various abilities.

Among them, Rashid saved a mana stone that had the power to change the body.

Seeing all of this, the escort knight Sol couldn’t help but feel shocked.

‘I can’t believe you bought a mana stone that’s more expensive than a mansion to cross-dress for only half a day.’

It was a way of thinking that could not be understood by a knight.

[T/l: ” a way of thinking” is actually referring to how Rashid thinks.]

However, what can a subordinate do when the lord spends his own money this way?

Instead of nagging, Sol asked.

“So, how was the result of your visit today? Did Siana meet Your Highness’s expectations?”

Rashid recalled the image of Siana he saw today.

At first, a small laugh came out.

This is because the appearance of Siana at the entrance of the banquet hall was so natural.

The appearance of Siana wearing a white apron over a gray uniform and holding her hands together looked like just an ordinary apprentice maid.

It wasn’t just the appearance.

Her behavior was also cautious.

Siana bowed to the farmers and spoke politely.

Rashid, who watched it from a distance, raised the corners of his mouth.

“It’s not easy for a person who was a princess just a few months ago to act like that.”

But the moment she stood in front of Rashid, Siana changed.

[Please give me one chance. I’ll make you some tea that will suit your taste.]

As a princess, she would have learned etiquette, so I thought she would do well to some extent.

But Siana’s skills exceeded expectations.

The position of the arm, the shape of the hand holding the teapot, and even the face with the eyes lowered.

The way she poured the tea was unbelievably perfect.

It was as if the type written in a book of etiquette was reproduced as it is.

“I can’t believe that even though she was wearing a shabby maid’s uniform with an ordinary appearance, her past status as a princess was evident,.……it’s interesting.’

Recalling that moment, Rashid replied with a satisfied face.

“She has great skills enough to serve the royal family by their sides.”

At those words, Sol narrowed his eyes.

Unlike his ideal appearance as the Crown Prince, Rashid was a deep-rooted pervert.

He acted as if he were someone else by changing his appearance with magic, and refused to go to an important banquet, saying that he had to cut his squirrel’s toenails.

But at least when it comes to evaluating people, there’s never been a case of nonsense.

If he said so, it was clear that Siana showed her ability properly.

But Sol couldn’t say things like, “Wow, I’m glad the princess found her aptitude!”

Because the anxiety was overwhelming.

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‘You’re not going to bring her to the Crown Prince’s Palace, are you?’

The crown prince is one of the most powerful men in the palace, but he had many enemies.

That’s why Rashid could not have a maid from a defeated country next to him.

So Sol said long sentences with an urgent face.

“Your Highness, I don’t know if you forgot, but I’m telling you that you trampled on Siana’s country and her family. It means that even if she looks calm now, she might commit a vicious act someday, to get revenge on your Highness. Even if the princess doesn’t feel that way, someone can seduce her and order her to do it. So I’m against bringing Siana into this palace…….”

Rashid uttered his words before Sol could finish what he was saying.

“Promote Siana to the rank of an official maid and send her to Princess Aris’s palace.”

Sol’s eyes grew at the unexpected words.

Aris was the youngest princess of the royal family, Rashid’s half-sister. However, unlike its grandeur, the princess’s place always lacked maids.

The reason was…….

‘No, it’s not the time to think about this.’

Rashid is fickle.

After this, he might change his words a little later, saying, ‘As expected, it’s better for her to come to my palace.’

Before that, he had to go ahead with his work in a flash.

“I’ll deliver the order to the chief maid. Then, please rest!”

Sol left the room at lightning speed.

Only Rashid was left in the spacious room.

Rashid looked at the little animals on his lap.

As if Rashid’s arms were comfortable, and the small animals (ferrets, squirrels, birds) were nodding their heads with half-closed eyes.

Looking at the lovely children reminded me of her face.

At the end of the tea party, Siana was talking to a woman with a hunched back.

The distance was far, so I couldn’t hear what they were saying properly. But Siana’s face was clearly visible.

Siana’s face changed as soon as the woman with a hunched back finished talking.

Like a flower bud blooming.

She smiled with her cheeks flushed red as if she didn’t know what to do.

Rashid couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Rashid muttered, bending his eyes gently.

“Your smiling face was so cute. Very.”

* * *

[Siana’s POV]

The apprentice maids were busy today as well.

It was because it was the day when the curtains in the palace were being extensively repaired.

The apprentice maids huddled against dozens of curtains.

Siana also picked up a small needle and carefully examined the curtains.

‘At first glance, it looks so clean that I wonder if there’s a spot to repair…….’

But it couldn’t escape from Siana’s sharp eyes.

‘It’s here!’

Siana found the flower-patterned seams sticking out at the end of the curtain.

Swish, swish, swish, swish.

Siana tidied the threads neatly with her lightning-like sewing skills.

Looking at the neatly arranged curtains, Siana smiled proudly.

‘This is how I use the embroidery I learned since I was five years old. As expected, these skills are something to learn and are useful.’

While humming and trying to sew somewhere else, Lip, the maid of honor, appeared.

Lip’s gaze turned to Siana.

“Siana, you have a visitor.”

Siana’s eyes widened.

Very few people knew that Siana, a princess of a small kingdom, had become a maid in the imperial place.

Few people in the empire knew about the past of Siana.

In short, there is no one who would visit.

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‘There’s a guest for me?’

Lip added to Siana, who was wondering.

“She’s Baroness Appleton, who was at the tea party a few days ago. She came to see you because she had to tell you something.”

Siana’s eyes grew at the unexpected name. It was the same with the apprentice maids around her.

They murmured with surprised faces.

“Why did Baroness Appleton come to see Siana?”

“It’s probably because Siana served her  well that day.”

“Is that why she came to the Imperial palace. Are nobles that bored.”

“Of course they’re bored. All the hard work is done by us maids.”

In the midst of the small commotion, Siana got up and followed Lip.

Siana’s face, walking behind Lip, was a little stiff.

‘Why is Baroness Appleton here to visit me?’

Like the other maids said, is that because I served well at the tea party?

It’s a ridiculous story.

A noblewoman in the world coming to a maid for that reason.

‘Then why in the world?’

No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t find an answer.

My heart was heavy because I couldn’t find a definite answer.

Above all, because the person I had to face is none other than Baroness Appleton.

She was beautiful, but she had a suffocating sense of intimidation.

The reality of having to face her one-on-one was not very pleasant.

Siana arrived in front of the parlor where Baroness Appleton was waiting.

Lip said to Siana.

“Be careful not to offend her.”

“Yes.”

Siana gulped and opened the door.

Upon entering the room, Siana’s eyes widened.

The person sitting on the sofa was not a woman who held Jeanne like a mouse and looked at Siana with stern eyes.

It was the woman with a hunched back, who said she was grateful to Siana.

Siana asked with a disbelieving look.

“… Baroness Appleton?”

She smiled shyly and nodded.

“That’s right.”

“……!”

Siana couldn’t hide her embarrassment.

This is Baroness Appleton?

Then what about the beautiful lady I saw then?

“Ah……”

Now that I think about it, she never said she was Baroness Appleton.

It’s just that the maids and herself misunderstood.

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Siana’s face became red. Siana lowered her head in a hurry.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I did not recognize the precious person and committed great disrespect..”

Baroness Appleton waved her hand in surprise.

“No, lady-in-waiting. I was hiding my identity on purpose. ……As a matter of fact.”