I Became a Tyrant’s Maid - Chapter 62

As he thought, if the 2nd Princess ascended to the Emperor’s throne, it would undoubtedly be an excellent card for Calix.

Having established a deal with one of only two Emperors on the continent, it would undoubtedly put him in a much more advantageous position than the other princes.

“Your Highness!”

As soon as we left the capital, the Crown Prince’s knights who had been waiting for Calix knelt in a group.

“Now that we’ve had this cumbersome welcoming ceremony, let’s head straight to the capital.”

“Understood!”

Calix gave the order charismatically and boarded the carriage.

I asked Ruel, who was beside me.

“Are the knights particularly loyal?”

Ruel glared at me as if I had said something ridiculous.

I then realized my words sounded strange and quickly changed them.

“No, I mean, it’s just different from the atmosphere among the Crown Prince’s other servants…”

“His Highness’s knights, unlike other imperial knight orders, are all skilled commoners.”

Ruel’s expression twisted as if displeased.

“So they have no complaints no matter when they die or how they’re used. There’s no other place that pays as well as here.”

As one of the imperial knight orders, it meant that while not as prestigious as the nobility, they could attain both honor and compensation.

I understood roughly.

The commoners here don’t live well.

Most of them die of starvation, not knowing if they’ll have food to eat tomorrow.

It wasn’t hard to understand, given that this world was historically far behind Earth.

Therefore, for them, there couldn’t be a better job than being a Crown Prince’s knight.

Even I would be loyal to a government job that pays well.

I suspect the knights played a significant role when it came to claiming the throne.

“Of course, dealing with spies who collude with the enemy from time to time is also one method.”

Ruel said these terrifying words with an nonchalant expression.

Indeed, the old saying is true. Birds of a feather really do flock together.

“Ha… haha… You mean summary execution, perhaps?”

“Usually, yes. It’s more effective to show the consequences of betrayal directly.”

I forced a smile and turned my gaze away from him, muttering.

“Wow, he’s one scary bastard…”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing at all. Haha.”

His hearing is sharp too. I directly turned Ruel’s head, which was facing me, to the front as I boarded in front of him.

“By the way, please be careful when we arrive in the capital.”

Ruel whispered as he adjusted the horse’s reins behind me.

“If you go out alone again like last time and run into some thugs, it could really be serious trouble this time.”

For a moment, I felt a pang of guilt and glanced at him.

“I understand, so please keep that story a secret from His Highness, Sir. Please, I’m begging you.”

Ruel responded to my words with a serious expression.

“…I’ll see how the situation unfolds and act accordingly.”

What’s with that ambiguous answer? Ruel looked at me with half-closed eyes, as if worried.

And then he whispered again with a determined expression.

“You must ensure that things don’t progress well with that magician, leading to a situation where you might stay here.”

For a moment, I felt deflated.

‘Is he worried that I might quit my job and settle down here because of what I said earlier?’

I said to Ruel with a sour expression.

“Don’t worry, Sir. I really enjoy working at the Crown Prince’s palace.”

It was then. Suddenly, the window of Calix’s carriage opened with a clatter.

“Your Highness?”

And then he just stared at Ruel intently.

Thinking another problem had arisen, I tensed up and waited for what he would say next.

“Why don’t you move to the carriage instead?”

“Pardon?”

What nonsense is he spouting now?

I looked at Ruel with a dumbfounded expression, and Ruel did the same.

Seemingly irritated by our reaction, Calix frowned deeply.

“I’m saying it looks odd for my lady-in-waiting to be riding on the knight commander’s horse, so you should ride in the carriage instead.”

I quietly looked at Calix.

Clearly, before we departed, it had been decided that it would look very strange if I rode in Calix’s carriage as before while entering the capital, so I would ride a horse with Ruel.

But why is he suddenly acting like this again?

I scratched my head at Calix’s troublesome attitude. Having no choice, I looked around and pointed to the nearest dirty blonde knight, saying.

“How about if I go with that person instead? Either way, it’s still a bit strange…”

In truth, my situation was awkward.

Being the only woman in the group, it looks a bit odd wherever I go.

The dirty blonde knight I pointed to was startled and trembled, turning pale.

What’s wrong with him?

“Do you mean Justin?”

Ruel asked, looking in that direction.

“Oh, so his name is Sir Justin?”

Suddenly, there was a cracking sound.

I quickly turned my head towards the noise.

“…Y-Your Highness?”

There, the carriage window was dangling, mercilessly broken by Calix’s hand.

***

In the end, I had to travel sadly seated in the luggage carriage.

It was truly a pointless argument.

No matter if I’m a bedchamber maid, no, a personal maid…

At this point, I wonder what exactly my identity is.

Anyway, it’s strange for a mere maid to ride in a carriage with the Crown Prince, and it’s also strange to ride a horse with Ruel, a nobleman.

And riding a horse with a low-ranking knight doesn’t befit the Crown Prince’s closest aide, he says.

Eventually, I had no choice but to opt for riding in the luggage carriage.

“We’re almost there, Lady Rose.”

At Ruel’s words, I raised my head to look at the imperial palace.

Beautiful dancers dressed in silk clothes lined up to welcome us.

‘It feels just like experiencing a theme park parade.’

I adjusted my appearance while admiring the scenery.

I tied my hair up neatly and retied the ribbon.

After all, I came as Calix’s only servant, so I had to fulfill my duty without falling short.

“Entering, Crown Prince of Posnia Empire, Calix Posman!”

Puu-wuu! With the sound of horns, flower petals fell from the sky.

It felt strange, as they didn’t welcome him like this even in Posnia.

I quickly got off the carriage and stood behind Ruel, and Ruel naturally opened the carriage door and escorted Calix.

A red carpet was laid on the marble floor, and at the magnificent main gate of the palace, a white-haired old man who looked to be in his seventies welcomed us.

“I greet the Crown Prince of Posnia.”

The old man briefly paid his respects to Calix who approached and introduced himself.

“I am Amor Bashar, the Prime Minister of the Desart Empire.”

“It is an honor to be invited on such a joyous day.”

“The honor is ours, Your Highness.”

They exchanged brief greetings while shaking hands, and I silently marveled from behind Ruel.

Although it was a respectful conversation, it was by no means excessive.

Is it because they’re both from empires, so they absolutely won’t use deferential language? Seeing this, it seemed nobles live quite a tiring life.

I could never live like that even if they asked me to.

What’s so great about power? Living peacefully for a long time is the best.

Seeing this, even Calix’s fate is…

“Please come inside. First, rest from your journey, and we’ll see you at the dinner banquet later.”

“Then, I’ll see you then.”

As the palace gates opened, dozens of women who looked like maids poured out. They quickly lined up in a row and bowed their heads in respect.

“Welcome to Ilios, the capital of the Desart Empire, Crown Prince of Posnia!”

“Welcome!”

I opened my eyes wide at the enthusiastic welcome and looked around.

I had felt it since we first arrived, but it seems the living conditions are better than in Posnia.

Of course, if I said this in front of Calix, it would almost be a crime of insulting the imperial family.

It wasn’t for nothing that they embraced magic.

Living this well, do you even need magic?

“This is Daniella, the maid who will be serving Your Highness from now on.”

Among the many maids, a beautiful blonde woman stood before Calix, paying her respects.

For a moment, I was excited. Could it be that the personal maids here would serve Calix?

“I appreciate your kindness, but unfortunately, I’ve brought my own maid from my country to attend to me.”

Excitement my foot. Calix, whether managing his image or not, smiled gently with full courtesy and looked at me.

“Just relay the important points to her. Then my maid will take care of everything.”

“Ah.”

The blonde maid glanced at me and sighed.

That sigh, I want to do it too.

Her expression as she looked me up and down already seemed to indicate that I was on her bad side.

Just imagining it made me feel tired.

From the moment Calix handed over all his care to me, managing his schedule became my responsibility.

If I were to miss even a minute of the official event times, it would be a big problem.

Moreover, people from other kingdoms will be coming too, what if they look down on us because I can’t serve properly.

We both know he’s just a Crown Prince in name only.

But Calix had already said out loud that he didn’t need their personal service, so it couldn’t be taken back.

I wanted to cry, honestly.

I had come with high expectations, thinking I’d have a personal room and personal time at the Desart Imperial Palace.

‘This is even more hellish than being at the Crown Prince’s palace!’