“Thanks to the damn birthday celebration, I’m stuck in a mess.”

The male lead scowled with apparent annoyance; his forehead furrowed deeply. I had to organize important matters in front of this overly sensitive individual.

The impending birthday celebration was indeed a significant affair, much more so than religious ceremonies on Earth. Why, you ask? Because here, the gods were visible. The proof lay in the potions and divine powers.

Thus, the royal family was directly influenced by the temple’s power, to the extent that all members had to attend the event hosted by the temple.

The power of the temple was truly formidable.

That’s why the male lead was so troubled.

This was well depicted in the original work.

In the original, the temple appeared as an ally of the female lead.

I remember even the male lead, who had become the emperor by then and boasted terrifying power, couldn’t exert his strength in front of the temple.

“Your Highness, this year’s birthday celebration seems to be particularly delicate compared to last year.”

I said, looking at the male lead.

Regrettably, it seemed the male lead quite liked me for risking my life for him.

Thus, I evolved from a bedchamber maid to a maid handling all sorts of tasks.

After evolving into an all-around handmaiden, I knew more than I wanted to.

The male lead really seemed to plan on making full use of me, revealing various pieces of information he had.

Thanks to that, I learned a few useless pieces of information that weren’t even mentioned in the original work.

And one of the most representative facts was the relationship between this world and the gods.

Whether people worship unknown alien races as gods or there really is a true god is uncertain, but at least the people here believe in the existence of gods.

Among them, the most well-known gods in this country are ‘Kamesis,’ who is currently considered the main god, and the evil god ‘Moricias.’

Kamesis is said to have vanquished the evil Moricias and brought light to the land by imprisoning him deep underground.

I don’t know if the evil god Moricias is truly an evil god as described, or if he became so simply because he was defeated in the territorial war with the neighboring country of Forsnia.

Anyway, before the evil god Moricias was sealed, he cursed this land.

The curse gave birth to monsters.

So, on the day of the birthday celebration, more monsters than usual are said to gather in the Hamel Mountains, the sanctuary of Kamesis, and the tomb of Moricias.

And on that day, the royals had to carry out the customary event of subjugating monsters as warriors chosen by god.

‘But why do I have to follow that damn event!’

The male lead was out of his mind.

I didn’t know anything about it, I just thought that he was taking me to the temple and needed someone to look after him.

The original work didn’t go into detail about the birth festival either.

Why?

‘Obviously, because he took the supporting male character to such battles!’

Why would they take me, a non-combatant, to an event meant for fighting monsters!

“Are you worried about something unnecessary?”

The male lead asked arrogantly to my words.

Of course, he would.

Being the strongest in the universe, he wouldn’t be afraid of anything!

I’m not worried about you! It’s me I’m worried about right now!

I wanted to say that, but once again, I firmly shut my mouth.

“Your Highness, the timing is not right.”

The fact was that the relationship between the third prince, whom the male lead had caught, and the slave trader had not yet been revealed.

Why?

Because of the birthday celebration.

That damned birthday celebration, of all things.

Revealing the third prince’s crimes now would make punishment difficult due to the upcoming birthday celebration.

It’s impossible to behead a member of the royal family right before a sacred religious event.

It was absolutely unthinkable.

“Of course, Your Highness, I believe you have far superior thoughts than a foolish person like me, but I, being insignificant, have no power and fear I may only cause trouble for you…”

As I spoke, watching his reaction, he looked at me incredulously.

Then he opened his mouth to speak.

“Where on earth did you learn your manners?”

TV, of course.

But that was something I couldn’t admit.

Unfortunately, no matter how well Rose speaks the language of Forsnia, the male lead’s country and the main stage of this novel, my software is made up of Korean, so there was nothing I could do.

I had nothing appropriate to say, so I avoided the male lead’s gaze.

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

“Your Highness, that is, I…”

At my answer, he spoke in an annoyed voice.

“Keep it short. I won’t kill you for talking nonsense.”

When he saw my surprised expression, I quickly looked away, clearly uncomfortable.

What’s this?

I thought, fiddling with my fingers.

It seemed that my salary had gone up and my treatment had changed due to taking an arrow for someone.

But wait a minute.

“…….”

Oh my.

What kind of windfall is this?

He says I won’t die even if I talk nonsense?

The male lead seemed displeased with my reaction and confirmed it by attempting to shoot me again.

“Why are you not answering? Do you wish to be killed?”

“Your, Your Highness’s grace is immense! Your Highness!”

* * *

Clearly, everyone was celebrating, but I was the only one feeling miserable.

Just in case, I packed all the useful things I had in my bag.

Of course, I also brought my diary. Just in case I get caught again.

I didn’t completely trust it, but isn’t it the right thing to do to grab onto even a rotten lifeline in a life-threatening situation?

As I groaned, carrying the baggage, the male lead looked at me disapprovingly.

His gaze fixed on my bag of luggage.

“…..Are you moving?”

The male lead frowned, sighed briefly, and then turned his head towards the window.

‘That damn rude guy. Picking a fight again, seriously.’

I sat quietly in the corner of the carriage, throwing a glance behind my back.

“Your Highness, I will serve you with utmost sincerity and dedication.”

“It would be best not to engage in any foolish acts.”

The male lead spoke with a slightly tense expression.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Certainly, the male lead had taken a risky step.

In essence, the birthday celebration was a national event that demonstrated the unity between the subjects and the monarch to the people.

Therefore, a member of the royal family had to accompany a noble to slay monsters.

Ruel, being a supporting character, had to protect the prince’s palace. There was a high likelihood that the forces of the third prince, who had already infiltrated the palace, would steal the evidence they had secured.

Thus, bringing Ruel was not an option.

‘The conclusion is that I’m the only trustworthy noble around the male lead.’

Even though I was of the lowest rank, a noble was still a noble, and it was possible.

“Do not stray from behind me once we enter the temple.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Especially now that we had secured evidence of the third prince’s illegal slave market if the male lead were to leave the prince’s palace, it was obvious that spies would rush in to destroy the evidence.

Therefore, leaving Ruel to guard the prince’s palace was currently the best choice.

“All you need to do is as I say.”

The male lead warned me.

“Do not respond to any royals or nobles who speak to you.”

I almost frowned at that moment.

What, so I should ignore the royals when they speak to me?

Is he planning to get me killed for insulting the royalty?

“The moment you answer, I shall regard you as having divulged my information to them.”

“But your Highness, given our distinct statuses, how could this humble servant dare to ignore the words of a superior.”

“Superior? Who do you think your employer is right now?”

The male lead growled as if he was clearly annoyed, and I swallowed my saliva.

“Your master is me. Don’t be mistaken.”

I pondered over the male lead’s words.

So, does that mean,

‘You can trust and challenge me!’

Is that what it means?

You’re more responsible than I thought, huh? I admired his useful magnanimity and responded.

“I shall follow your command, your Highness.”

“That damned etiquette… Ah, forget it.”

While the prince frowned and seemed irritated, the carriage came to a stop.

The door of the carriage opened, revealing a stretch of white marble floor in front of it.

The temple in broad daylight boasted of grandeur, with an air of mystery and warmth.

It felt as imposing as when I first saw the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Spain.

No, it even felt more so.

I quickly grabbed my luggage and got off the carriage first.

And then I immediately bowed to the male lead and reached out my hand.

It’s a national rule for servants to escort, isn’t it?

“What are you doing…”

However, the male lead passed by me with a face that was extremely embarrassed by my actions.

Excuse me?

When I hurriedly followed him, he gritted his teeth and whispered in a low voice.

“Where on earth did you receive your etiquette training!”

Aha.

This isn’t Earth, so the etiquette seems a bit different here.

“I am deeply sorry, your Highness.”

“…Damn it.”