“I’ve brought a new maid and knight to work here. Please open the gates.”

“A… a new maid and knight? I don’t recall the palace recruiting maids or knights recently. Let me check on this.”

When Selena Scarlet addressed the knight guarding the palace gate, his eyes widened in surprise.

From his perspective, Selena Scarlet, as the Emperor’s niece, would typically just exchange greetings with him whenever she visited the palace.

But suddenly appearing with a maid and knight in tow was unusual and suspicious.

The knight’s insistence on verifying the claim might have offended her, as Selena, who rarely got angry, responded sharply.

“This maid is exceptionally skilled at embroidery. Imagine how pleased the princess would be if her dress were adorned with her work. As the Emperor’s relative, I’m offering this as a goodwill gesture. Is there a problem with that? This knight is also highly trained. I’ve brought him along especially.”

Selena Scarlet glanced at Kristin and Marquis Winston behind her before continuing.

“They’re trustworthy people whom I’ve asked to work here. Your need to verify this is rather absurd.”

At her words, the guard was startled and, noticing Selena Scarlet’s cold gaze fixed on him, quickly opened the palace gates and replied:

“I-I apologize. I usually don’t make such mistakes, but something must have come over me today.”

The knight seemed awed by Selena Scarlet’s imposing demeanor.

He might have removed their helmets or hats to confirm their identity if it had been a regular noble. But given that the Emperor’s niece brought these individuals, he couldn’t risk such an inspection.

Such actions imply suspicion toward Selena Scarlet herself.

Moreover, rumors were rife in the empire about Duke Raphael’s death and Marquis Winston being accused of his assassination. The knight had no desire to add to the chaos.

The possibility of offending the Emperor was enough reason for him to open the gates without further ado.

“Very well. I was almost quite upset, but it’s fine now.”

“Ah, y-yes? Oh, I’m sorry. Please, go on in.”

“Thank you.”

At Selena Scarlet’s words, the knight bowed his head, and Kristin and Marquis Winston entered the palace disguised as a maid and knight.

However, the real trouble arose at this moment.

In the distance, a group that appeared to be knights and maids, led by the head maid, was walking toward the three of them.

Selena Scarlet was flustered but did her best to maintain composure as she addressed them.

“Where are you all headed?”

“We are on our way to resume the search for Marquis Winston. Despite scouring the entire empire, we’ve been unable to find him. We’re increasing the number of knights involved in the search. By the way, who is the knight standing behind you, my lady?”

Marquis Winston Zenon, hiding beneath his helmet, cast a glance at the knight commander, then bowed his head.

But the knight commander seemed to have caught sight of him and began walking toward him, speaking again.

“Is this a new recruit?”

“Oh, this knight? He’s my guard. He was originally assigned to protect me, but I thought it would be better for him to assist in protecting Princess Rebella. Given the current precarious state of the empire, it’s only natural to prioritize the safety of the princess of the Praga Empire.”

“I see. Understood.”
At Selena Scarlet’s explanation, the knight commander gave Winston a sharp once-over before turning and walking away. Shortly after, the head maid approached and greeted Selena.

“Ah, Lady Selena Scarlet, you’ve arrived.”

“Yes, of course. I’m here to pay a visit to His Majesty.”

The head maid glanced at the maid standing behind Selena, tilting her head in curiosity.

New maids were not typically required in the palace, so the unexpected addition piqued her interest.

“Who is the maid accompanying you?”

“It seems the knight commander and you, head maid, are unusually inquisitive today.”

“Oh, no, not at all… I only meant that if she’s to join the ranks of the maids here, she may need proper training. My apologies if I’ve offended you.”

Selena smiled warmly and responded as the head maid repeatedly bowed her head in apology.

“This maid is here to serve Princess Rebella to the fullest. She’s someone I deeply value and brought from the Praga Empire. I’ve instructed her to focus solely on the princess’s needs, including embroidering dresses and handkerchiefs. Her manners are impeccable, and she has received high praise from numerous nobles. Please ensure she has the freedom to carry out her duties near Princess Rebella.”

After Selena’s explanation, the head maid gave Kristin a thorough glance from head to toe before nodding.

“Understood, my lady.”

“Then, I’m counting on you.”

Selena gave Kristin a brief sidelong glance, signaling her to follow the head maid.

Kristin bowed and raised her voice slightly in response to the head maid’s instructions.

Kristin understood Selena’s intention.

Assigning her to tasks near Princess Rebella would eliminate any need for her to justify her presence in the palace. This strategy allowed Kristin to remain close to the princess.

Kristin herself shared the same goal as Selena.
She planned to deliver meals to the princess and freely move in and out of her chambers, waiting for an unguarded moment to hide inside.

If she succeeded, she could eavesdrop on Princess Rebella’s private conversations or discussions with her attendants.

“Now, Sir Knight, follow me.”

Selena spoke to the disguised Winston in her usual tone, and he bowed his head before following her.

Kristin trailed after the head maid, and Marquis Winston assumed his role as Princess Rebella’s knight.

—

Thus, their infiltration of the palace began.

“Your Majesty, it is Selena Scarlet.”

Selena Scarlet approached the Emperor directly rather than inform Princess Rebella herself about Marquis Winston serving as her knight. She believed the Emperor’s command would carry more weight with the princess than her words.

“Selena, what brings you here, my lady?”

A deep worry was etched onto Emperor Lucas Aedon’s face.

The death of Duke Raphael Rodney, coupled with Marquis Winston Zenon’s disappearance, left him feeling helpless and anxious.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”

“Haha, does it show that much?”

Lucas Aedon forced a smile as he looked at Selena, then continued speaking.

“Are you aware of the situation with Marquis Winston Zenon, Lady Selena?”

Behind Selena, Marquis Winston, who had bowed his head, looked up at the Emperor.

Seated on his throne, the Emperor sighed heavily as he gazed at the knight.

“Things have turned into an utter mess. We wouldn’t have reached this point if it weren’t for Lady Kristin Edith. If only she weren’t involved…”

Marquis Winston could hardly bear to hear the Emperor’s words.

He couldn’t understand what Kristin had done wrong.

In truth, their greed had ruined the lives of others, and yet the Emperor showed no remorse or guilt.
“Your Majesty, not everything in life goes as planned. Please don’t worry too much.”

“Hearing that from you, Selena is somewhat comforting. But who is this knight behind you? Until now, you’ve only traveled with one attendant, right?”

At the Emperor’s question, Marquis Winston hastily bowed to him. Selena Scarlet gently patted his shoulder before responding to the Emperor.

“Both the Empire and the palace are rife with unsettling rumors. I thought having an additional escort knight for Princess Rebella’s protection would be prudent, so I brought one.”

“I see. However, Princess Rebella is unlikely to think she needs a knight. Her maids are sufficient, and the palace already has plenty of guards. Moreover, having someone whose face is fully covered might cause unease. Isn’t it customary to remove one’s helmet and show their face when introducing a knight?”

At these words, Marquis Winston longed to remove his helmet, confront the Emperor, and demand answers for all that had transpired.

However, he steadied his emotions and decided to wait for the right moment.

If showing his face became necessary, he was ready to reveal himself and speak his mind.

Before he could act impulsively, Selena Scarlet intervened with her explanation.

“There’s one significant flaw with my knight, Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“He is a brave warrior who fought bravely on countless battlefields, but as a result, his face is marred with severe burns and scars. I even fainted the first time I saw his face. If Your Majesty were to see it, you might also be startled.”

Emperor Lucas Aedon raised his eyebrows in surprise at her words, then slowly relaxed.
“Well, in that case, there’s no need to confirm it. If it’s a knight you’ve chosen, Selena, I trust your judgment. I’ll pass on the order for him to serve as Princess Rebella’s personal escort knight.”

Selena Scarlet nodded slightly in acknowledgment of his decision.