I Became a Tyrant’s Maid - Chapter 41

The horse was pitiful.

In this heat, carrying two people across the desert.

Moreover, I know that horses, unlike camels, don’t endure heat well.

But there was no choice, as finding camels in the empire would be far-fetched.

Probably, we’ll be able to get camels only when we reach the edge of the desert.

“Lord Ruel, may I ask how long you expect the journey to be?”

Ruel answered my question with a deeply furrowed brow.

It seemed difficult for him to open his eyes because of the sunlight.

“We’ll have to travel for a full 7 days.”

I let out a deep sigh.

There was only one guide in our party.

Anxiously, I fiddled with my thumbnail.

Originally, it was rare for a member of the imperial family to go all the way to Desart.

This year was special.

‘Something about the celestial bodies aligning for the gods’ harmony day.’

Anyway, for that reason, the Desart Empire is holding a grand festival. To strengthen diplomatic relations, one of the imperial family members had to show their face at this festival.

As a result, the male lead ended up heading to Desart with all this luggage.

It was terrible.

Another religious festival right after the Empire of Posnia’s founding day celebration.

“Still, the road is fairly well-paved, so don’t worry.”

I looked at the ‘road’ Ruel mentioned.

There is a road, alright. The problem is,

“Ha… haha. Yes, the road is very well-made indeed.”

Should I say it’s barely visible, with only footprints left on an uneven dirt path…?

It wasn’t the kind of well-maintained road I had in mind.

To be honest, I was very worried.

There was a lot of luggage, and despite the importance of the mission, there was hardly any support from the imperial forces.

Perhaps the First Empress planned to prove the male lead’s incompetence to the Emperor by assigning him this task.

Moreover, desert crossing is difficult even with modern technology, so how much harder would it be for them?

The locals might manage somehow, but for me, this is the first time traveling so honestly!

‘They say there are monsters too!’

Monsters are different from magical beasts.

To explain it simply, should I say they’re like wild animals that can use special abilities like magic?

“How on earth did you do it?”

Ruel suddenly asked.

When I turned my head slightly to look at him, Ruel was still frowning.

“What do you mean, Lord Ruel?”

“His Highness is not someone who easily allows just anyone by his side.”

What? I frowned, trying to figure out why he would say such a thing.

Is he whining about losing a friend, perhaps? I shrugged my shoulders and answered his words.

“I guess I’m not just anyone then.”

And then, I turned my head abruptly and stared quietly into his blue eyes.

“I roughly understand what you’re worried about, but you don’t need to worry so much.”

I patted Ruel’s arm a couple of times reassuringly as I continued speaking.

“I’ve read the history book His Highness gave me.”

And I explained very slowly to him, making it understandable that I was on the male lead’s side.

“It’s well-described how a maid or servant like me should survive in the palace over a long history.”

Clatter, clatter.

The sound of horse hooves and the carriage rolling echoed.

“Usually, servants close to those in power die if they don’t pick the right side properly. Or they get persuaded to betray and end up being used by schemers before dying.”

“…”

“That’s how the head maid went too, right? By being played by the First Prince’s inner circle.”

At my words, Ruel’s expression became quite peculiar.

“I want to live for a very long time, Lord Ruel.”

I rummaged through my luggage and pulled out an extra scarf I had packed.

Ruel looked surprised when he saw the scarf I took out.

He stared alternately at me and the scarf before finally opening his mouth.

“… Didn’t you say there were only extras for His Highness to use?”

Ruel spoke as if he remembered what I had said earlier. How petty of him to remember such a thing.

I laughed, “Hehe,” and said to him.

“That’s a lie. It just seems like Lord Ruel doesn’t like me very much.”

“… Are you saying you were teasing me, Lady Rose?”

Ruel asked with a frown, but I ignored it and wrapped the scarf around his head.

“If you talk too much, sand will get in your mouth, Lord Ruel.”

***

As the sun set, people were completely exhausted.

It seemed to be due to the constant scorching sunlight and dry climate.

The fortunate thing was that we had a guide. By the time the sun set, we were able to reach the tents set up by the nomads living in the desert.

It seemed like we would exchange horses for camels here.

“Your Highness, I’ll prepare your meal.”

Thanks to the ample supplies we brought, the male lead’s life could be luxurious.

Of course, it was mostly thanks to me.

The only workforce the male lead could trust and employ currently was the knights under the Crown Prince.

Besides the knights who could use force, there was no other personnel, so my existence shone brightly.

Behold this cooking skill built up over years of living alone.

“It’s not herbal porridge again, is it?”

“It’s clearly a meat stew, Your Highness.”

The male lead frowned and glanced at the bowl I brought.

“Of course, I added some herbs to increase the nutritional value. Just a little.”

The male lead said as he took the bowl from me.

“Sit down.”

“Uh, Your Highness. It doesn’t seem right for a maid to dine with you while your knights are watching…”

“Do I have to tell you twice?”

“No, sir.”

I was forcibly seated in front of the male lead.

Of course, Ruel’s gaze fell on us due to this improper behavior, but I decided to just comply since I had no choice.

“From tomorrow, you’ll ride in the carriage with me.”

However, at his following bombshell statement, I couldn’t help but gape, forgetting about image management.

No, why is this person really doing this?

“If you’re going to say ‘but’… it’s better to keep your mouth shut.”

I was so shocked that I covered my mouth with both hands and the male lead, seemingly dissatisfied with my reaction, personally took my hands and placed them on my lap, saying,

“I’m saying this because it’s stuffy sitting alone in the carriage all the time, so don’t read too much into it.”

“I didn’t read anything into it, Your Highness.”

At my words, the male lead raised his left eyebrow as if embarrassed, then turned his gaze away from me and stuffed food into his mouth.

It was quite an undignified attitude for a member of the imperial family, but looking around, it didn’t seem like anyone was paying attention to the male lead’s dignity.

Certainly, the Crown Prince’s knights seemed comfortable since the male lead had a firm grip on them.

Is it because at least these people are on his side?

“Is it to your taste, Your Highness?”

At my question, the male lead stuck his spoon in the bowl, lifted his head abruptly, and looked at me.

“Why do you keep asking such things?”

It was a puzzling question.

Isn’t it natural for a maid to check on her VIP’s taste?

“If it’s uncomfortable, I’ll correct it, Your Highness.”

However, I decided to accept the customer service, commonly known as CS (Customer Service).

If the VIP doesn’t like it, a mere employee should stop, what else can I do?

“When did I say it was uncomfortable? It’s fine, so sit in front of me from tomorrow.”

“I’ll obey your command.”

“It’s not a command, it’s a suggestion.”

“Haha. Yes, Your Highness.”

“Not ‘Haha. Yes, Your Highness,’ but ‘Thank you, Your Highness.’”

As the male lead insisted on correcting my words, I clasped my hands together and nodded fervently.

“I’m deeply grateful for your grace, Your Highness. Thank you, thank you for bestowing such boundless kindness upon me.”

“… Sometimes I think you have a talent for deliberately annoying people. Don’t you?”

“Your words are utterly unwarranted, Your Highness.”

After saying it, I thought I might have gone too far.

But fortunately, the male lead just let it pass with an annoyed face.

As expected, he’s not crazy yet, so this level of sucking up is still acceptable.

“Your Highness.”

It was then.

Ruel, who had been talking with other knights across from us, approached with a serious face.

Well, that man always had a serious face, but it was a bit unsettling to see him approach with such a stern expression.

Why is he coming like that?

“It seems we have a small problem.”

“What?”

Ruel’s gaze turned in a certain direction, and I turned my head to follow his line of sight.

“Your Highness! Please! Just listen to me for a moment, Your Highness! Ugh!”

And there, an old man who appeared to be a native was wailing, trying to approach the male lead.