Their faces were far younger compared to thirty years later, yet they were just as vile, and even more ravenous. Catching the stench of their true intentions was enough to make her stomach turn.

‘Still, the reason I forced myself to attend the banquet was to get a proper look at Helena’s inner circle.’

Beyond what the historical records stated, she needed to see for herself what factions existed and how they were connected. The conclusion she reached was this:

‘The situation is far worse than I expected.’

The knight commander, the nobles, and even the Chief Justice—all of them were aligned with Helena. In other words, the internal affairs had nearly all been handed over to her side. That was precisely why Grand Duke Evander could not move against her freely, even with the Black Demon Knight Order at his back.

Of course, it’s not completely without openings.

Greedy officials ultimately made their choices based on what they stood to gain. The eyes darting with calculation even in the middle of the banquet were proof enough of that.

‘Right. In the end, they are the kind who stand with whoever is strongest.’

So what she needed right now, more than anything, was to build her own people.

She needed a faction of her own to stand against that fortress.

And at this moment, there was only one viable candidate.

‘Chief Minister Roman Osborn……’

He was the only one among today’s attendees who leaned toward neutrality. But the problem lay elsewhere.

The Chief Minister thinks only of the domain’s safety.

That was why he stood neither with Grand Duke Evander, who spoke only of war, nor with Helena, who harbored schemes in the shadows.

He was a man of such firm conviction that even an open invitation to join hands would never sway him. Though that did not mean there was no way at all.

In times like this, finding a detour is the answer.

Just then,

“Your Highness, here is the list.”

Alicia scanned the list Rina had brought in.

A list of maid candidates drawn from noble families.

She reviewed each candidate’s name and brief particulars.

“Do you have someone in mind?”

Alicia nodded slowly as she read through the list. Her eyes moved quickly. Just as she had said, searching for one particular person.

And a moment later,

“This one.”

Without hesitation, Alicia pointed to a name.

“Viscountess Joyce? She has a history of taking up maid positions and quitting several times.”

“That doesn’t matter. She has something far more important.”

Alicia smiled.

Viscountess Joyce.

Her elder brother was none other than Chief Minister Roman.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Evening, as the sun sank low on the horizon.

In the study of Chief Minister Roman Osborn’s residence, located on the outskirts of the capital. Someone knocked on the door of his study as he worked through a pile of unfinished business.

Knock, knock, knock.

The door opened, and the person who stepped inside was Roman’s younger sister, Viscountess Joyce.

“Brother, please take a break and have some tea.”

Neatly braided brown hair.

Her expression was pale but composed, and it carried the quiet worry she held for her brother.

“Did you bring work home again?”

“Huu, there’s just quite a lot to get through.”

Chief Minister Roman gave a weary smile and let out a sigh into the air.

The relentless incursions of monsters. The struggling livelihoods within the domain. Diplomatic issues and legislative matters piling on top of each other.

The work to be done was a mountain.

Solving the principality’s problems required everyone to work together, but in reality, that was impossible.

The two most important figures are at odds with each other.

The principality’s future, torn between the Grand Duke and Lady Helena, was bleak. Meanwhile, the powerful were busy drawing battle lines between themselves, with no concern for the people crying out from hunger.

As a result, the tangled problems of the domain were growing beyond anyone’s ability to manage.

‘My head aches……’

Endlessly working through problems with no answers, he too was wearing thin. On top of that, his daughter’s illness had worsened recently, and the worry weighed heavier than ever.

“……How is Anna?”

“She’s already asleep. Do you know what time it is?”

His wife had passed, and his younger sister had returned to the family around the same time after losing her own husband. Thanks to her caring for his ailing daughter, he could at least focus on his work.

“Haah, thank you. It’s because of you that Anna and I are both getting by.”

“Please take it easy. At this rate, you’ll collapse too.”

“There’s just too much to be done for that……”

Knowing better than anyone how deeply her brother cared for the principality, Viscountess Joyce could say nothing more.

“Oh, how was the banquet gathering today?”

“Same as always. Though today was a little different. Her Highness the Grand Duchess attended.”

“What was she like? The rumors about her aren’t exactly favorable.”

“Hmm. She was somewhat different from the rumors.”

Chief Minister Roman’s eyes narrowed.

The sight of her facing Helena without yielding a single step had been quite striking.

Whether that would prove a benefit or a harm to the domain, however, he still could not say.

Just then, the door swung open urgently and the butler stepped in.

“My lady, an urgent message has arrived from the castle.”

“From the castle?”

Both of them narrowed their eyes at once.

“What is it?”

“Well…… Her Highness, Grand Duchess Alicia, has selected the lady as her maid.”

“……What did you say?”

Chief Minister Roman’s expression hardened in an instant.

Viscountess Joyce was no less taken aback.

“Brother, what on earth does this mean?”

“I had heard that Her Highness intended to personally choose her new maids, but I never imagined it would be you……”

“……What should I do?”

Chief Minister Roman steadied himself as best he could and looked at his sister.

“Her Highness has made her choice, so for now, you must go.”

“……”

“Go and prepare yourself thoroughly. Mind your words and actions with particular care.”

“……Understood.”

Click.

Joyce left the study, her face drawn tight. The moment the door closed, Chief Minister Roman rubbed his face with dry hands.

Why on earth did Her Highness choose Joyce?

With the Grand Duke and Lady Helena at odds, becoming Grand Duchess Alicia’s maid was no different from walking straight into the middle of a battlefield.

If things go wrong, our entire family could be in danger……

He had been so careful to stay out of the political fray, yet this unexpected summons only deepened Chief Minister Roman’s worry.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

A few days later.

Drawing on her memories of meeting the senior officials, Alicia mapped out her long-term plan once more.

Memories of the past.

The history she carried with her.

On top of that, the information she had recently confirmed. She reviewed the plan again and again, over and over.

Once His Highness returns from the front, I need to begin in earnest.

Facing such a formidable enemy meant that even a single mistake could be fatal, so she had to be perfect, and then more perfect still.

Naturally, her sleeping hours dwindled, and time to rest grew scarce.

“Goodness, Your Highness. Did you not sleep properly again today?”

Early morning.

Rina returned with the washbasin, asking in surprise.

“I had things to take care of.”

“You’ll collapse at this rate.”

“It’s not that bad, so don’t worry. And I’m almost done.”

Alicia reassured the worried Rina, then asked carefully.

“Oh, has there been any word?”

“Pardon? What word?”

“News from His Highness the Grand Duke.”

“Ah, nothing in particular has come.”

“…… I see. Alright. Go on with your work.”

Click.

Rina closed the door and left. Alicia let out a long, heavy sigh.

Her revenge ultimately depended on the Grand Duke’s presence. His safety mattered more than anything.

“Please…… please come back safely……”

She murmured to herself, a sigh woven through her words, and rose from her seat.

At that very moment, a wave of dizziness hit her.

“Oh……”

Had she pushed herself too hard these past few days?

The world spun.

The ground seemed to tilt, and her body swayed.

I can’t……

She tried to steady herself, but her body refused to obey. Her weight pitched forward, and she crumpled.

But just then,

Whoosh — thud.

Someone caught her by the waist and held her firmly.

“Come back safely?”

“……”

“I wonder who is worrying about whom.”

A familiar voice reached her just before she lost consciousness.

It was Grand Duke Evander.