Chapter 26

People glanced at Evelyn.

At first, the Duke seemed to be at her beck and call, and now even the King was behaving similarly. It was enough to make people wonder what charm she possessed to garner such treatment.

“Bestowing such a privilege upon someone who has achieved no merit is far too excessive!”

“Indeed, it is unreasonable!”

With someone’s protest as a cue, others began to open their mouths one after another.

The King, looking weary, spoke.

“I am not granting her the rights of a meritorious retainer. It’s merely the qualification to ride a carriage through the gates.”

“Even so, it’s excessive! If you must grant her a privilege, allowing her to use the second gate, the Gate of Honor, should suffice!”

Some believed it was unreasonable to grant such rights without justification, but most were simply envious of someone else’s success.

Faced with fierce opposition, the King sighed.

“What do you think, Duke?”

All eyes turned to the Duke. Unbothered, he was examining the red mark on Evelyn’s cheek.

“Duke?”

At the King’s prompting, the Duke reluctantly raised his head.

“She doesn’t need the privilege. I will personally escort my fiancée to and from the palace each time.”

“Are you saying you’ll do this every time?”

The Duke ignored the King’s grumbling and glanced at the people who had been protesting moments ago. Those who met his gaze flinched unconsciously. His cold blue eyes resembled those of a predator selecting its prey.

“You’ll be seeing me often from now on.”

At the Duke’s words, the color drained from the faces of the crowd. Those who remembered his past even trembled.

The Silver Lion.

That was the term that symbolized the Duke in the past.

The King’s sword, the butcher, the conqueror—he had many nicknames, but none captured him as well as the Silver Lion.

A beast raised solely for the royal family.

The period when the Duke had been active was like a nightmare. Even the most daring nobles couldn’t utter a word in the King’s presence. They were too preoccupied with preserving their own lives, let alone pursuing their family’s interests.

‘How long has it been since we escaped that hell…?’

The thought that those days might return made their vision go dark.

‘Isn’t he just laying the groundwork for a comeback?’

‘But he retired! He retired!’

Swallowing nervously, they forced awkward smiles.

“On second thought, Her Highness’s words seem correct.”

“Indeed. After all, she is to become the Duchess. She deserves at least this much privilege.”

“Think of it as merely borrowing a rightful privilege a bit early, and there’s no issue.”

In an instant, they changed their stance, praising the King’s wisdom. The royal scribe quietly recorded the decree.

Smiles bloomed on the faces of the Duke’s household members. By granting Evelyn such exceptional treatment, the King had restored the Duke’s household’s honor.

“My lady, you must quickly thank Her Majesty.”

“Oh. Th-Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Urged by the fussing maids, Evelyn awkwardly bowed, looking utterly clueless about what was happening.

‘She’s so naïve. I wonder if she’ll adapt well to court life. Perhaps I should prepare something to protect her.’

The King, misunderstanding Evelyn’s innocence as naivety, made a promise she would regret if she knew the future.

“Don’t worry. I will protect you.”

Thus began Evelyn’s tumultuous life in the royal court.

***

Seth hugged Evelyn tightly and gave her instructions.

“Don’t follow strangers, and never go to dangerous places.”

“Yes.”

Though he was treating her like a child, Evelyn nodded obediently. She could feel how worried Seth was about her.

“What should you do if someone bothers you?”

“I’ll tell the nearest knight to take me to the Duke.”

Reciting the words she had memorized to the point of automation, Evelyn was rewarded with Seth patting her back approvingly. Feeling a bit concerned, she asked,

“Will they really help if I just say that?”

“If they want to remain knights, they’ll have no choice.”

…That sounded more like a threat.

“Are you still not ready?”

The King, looking utterly bored, spoke. The people standing behind the King also looked exhausted as they stared at Seth and Evelyn.

Suddenly embarrassed, Evelyn wriggled, trying to free herself from Seth’s arms. With a sigh, Seth reluctantly released her, though his eyes remained fixed on her face.

Even a dog owner dropping their puppy off at kindergarten wouldn’t look as worried as Seth did. To reassure him, Evelyn smiled confidently.

“Don’t worry. I’ll do well.”

“You don’t have to do well. You’re fine just as you are.”

Seth gently stroked her cheek before stepping back.

“Young lady, please take care.”

“If anything happens, call for us. We’ll come immediately.”

The people who had accompanied her to her first day of work each said a word of encouragement. Touched by their genuine concern, Evelyn couldn’t help but feel emotional.

‘Is this what they call the moving effect of a housewarming gift?’

Never again would she underestimate the wisdom of her ancestors and their customs.

“Thank you all so much.”

After giving a bright smile to the worried faces, Evelyn approached the King. The King looked as if she was too tired to say anything more.

“Follow me.”

Turning on her heel, the King climbed the stairs first. Evelyn hurried to follow.

Looking back from the top of the stairs, she saw Seth still standing there. His forlorn figure made her want to rush back to his side.

Suppressing the impulse, Evelyn waved at him. Seeing Seth smile faintly, she turned and followed the King again.

“Why are you so slow?”

The King, who had been waiting for her, scolded briefly. The men standing behind the King also gave her disapproving looks.

“I’m sorry.”

So this was what they meant by “trouble begins when you leave home.” 

I was already being scolded!

“Come here.”

At the King’s gesture, Evelyn ran over. But the King still looked dissatisfied.

“Is it because you’re so small that you’re this slow?”

“…!”

The cold truth pierced her heart. Evelyn looked at the King with a pitiful expression. Clicking her tongue softly, the King called for the woman standing behind her.

“Fiona, teach this girl. I’m going to the office.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Leaving Evelyn in Fiona’s care, the King strode off. The men with protruding bellies followed her in a cluster, leaving Fiona and Evelyn alone.

Fiona had a round face and plump cheeks, giving her a very kind appearance. But Evelyn’s experience told her that such people were often the most demanding when it came to work.

‘I remember she seemed quite strict when I saw her before.’

She was the very person who had once scolded Seth, saying that men were not allowed in the Lily Palace.

Evelyn watched her warily as Fiona observed her carefully before speaking.

“I am Fiona, the head maid and wardrobe manager of the Lily Palace. From now on, you will call me Head Maid. You will be assigned to the wardrobe department under my supervision. Do you have any questions?”

The old Evelyn might have been flustered, not knowing what the wardrobe manager or wardrobe department entailed. But thanks to Seth’s thorough explanations, she was prepared.

“The wardrobe manager is the King’s head maid.”

“The wardrobe manager?”

“She oversees the King’s clothes, jewelry, and the budget of the inner palace. The current manager is Fiona, and you’ll be assisting her.”

“I don’t know much about clothes or jewelry, but I’m confident in accounting.”

“Unfortunately, accounting is handled by accountants who graduated from the academy. You’ll likely be tasked with managing the King’s clothes.”

Good. Everything was going exactly as Seth had predicted.

“No, I don’t have any questions. I look forward to working with you.”

When Evelyn spoke with confidence, a flicker of surprise crossed Fiona’s eyes.

“One more thing: thanks to the King’s favor, you’ve been appointed as a mid-level maid. Be diligent so as not to bring dishonor to Her Majesty.”

“Y-Yes.”

This was unexpected, and Evelyn stammered in response.

In the royal court, maids were strictly ranked according to their status.

Lower maids were daughters of ordinary nobles.

Mid-level maids were daughters of high-ranking nobles.

Upper maids were limited to the wives of high-ranking nobles.

‘I thought I’d be a lower maid. Did Seth intervene?’ 

Or perhaps it was indeed the King’s favor, meant to protect her from being bullied by other maids.

“I’ll do my best, Head Maid.”

With determination in her eyes, Evelyn spoke, and Fiona looked satisfied.

“Good. Now let’s take a look at where you’ll be working.”

Great. Thanks to Seth, Evelyn seemed to have earned a reputation for being capable.

Smiling triumphantly, she followed Fiona.

***

The tasks of the Wardrobe Department were very simple.

A catalog, checked with the clothes and jewelry desired by the King, would arrive at the Wardrobe Department. The staff would then take out the selected clothes and jewelry and deliver them to the King’s bedroom. The items would be handed over to the bedroom maids.

When the King removed her clothes, the bedroom maids would return them to the Wardrobe Department. The Wardrobe Department maids would confirm that all items had been returned before storing them.

‘Wow, this is incredibly inefficient!’

If the King requested a specific outfit, wouldn’t it be simpler for the person who heard the request to bring it and help her wear it? Why were there separate people for listening, fetching, and dressing?

As Evelyn stood in shock, Fiona spoke.

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll learn how to fetch clothes and jewelry from the catalog. I’ll supervise you until you get used to it. Do you have any questions?”

Evelyn instinctively shook her head but paused.

“Um, after delivering the clothes and jewelry to the bedroom maids, what do we do next?”

Surely, they didn’t just wait idly until the clothes were returned.

“I was just about to explain that. Follow me.”