10. If Only She Could Take Off the Love-Tinted Glasses for That Tyrant…

Knock knock.

Hailey knocked on the door to the sunroom where the Grand Duchess was staying and cleared her throat to announce herself.

“I’ve brought your afternoon tea.”

“Come in.”

With the head maid’s permission, Hailey straightened her back and stepped into the room.

“So this is the milk tea that won the fierce competition,” the Grand Duchess remarked lightly as she looked at the tray Hailey was carrying. Hailey shrugged casually.

“That rumor’s already reached Your Grace’s ears, has it?”

“I am the mistress of the Detached Palace. I know everything that goes on here.”

“Oh my, then you ought to reward me too,”

Hailey replied playfully as she set down the milk tea and tea food she had prepared. The rich aroma of milk gently tickled the nose. She had added a generous amount of honey, achieving both flavor and nutrition.

“How clever of you to think of adding milk to tea. Even Lysa, who dislikes bitter flavors, could drink this.”

“Next time, I’ll prepare milk tea for Her Highness the Princess as well. Ah, with some delicious cookies too.”

At Hailey’s added words, the Grand Duchess smiled.

“I should give a gift to the most capable apprentice maid.”

Oh! Really?

Hailey’s eyes lit up at the unexpected offer. The Grand Duchess handed her a small basket. Inside were plump, luscious apricots.

“Oh my, these are apricots!”

Apricots were fruits that only grew in the far northern regions. Because their flesh was soft and spoiled easily, they were considered a rare delicacy in the capital, only eaten by royalty or a handful of nobles. Hailey’s eyes widened at the sight of such a precious treat.

‘Does this mean Her Grace is recognizing me as one of her trusted aides?’

Hailey’s heart fluttered with anticipation… but—

“The Crown Prince sent over a large box full of them. He always sends such rare fruits—I don’t know how to thank him properly.”

Pssshhh…

That swelling hope instantly deflated like a popped balloon.

‘Apricots from the tyrant… Just thinking about eating them gives me indigestion.’

With that thought, the apricots in front of her started to look like ominous poison-laced fruit.

“Go on, have a taste.”

Unaware of Hailey’s inner turmoil, the Grand Duchess offered the basket to her.

‘Can’t we just sell these at the market instead…?’

Such a rebellious thought started creeping in, but Hailey wisely chose a different question.

“I never would have imagined His Highness the Crown Prince would be so thoughtful.”

“He often sends snacks like these, or items Lysa might need. He’s truly a kind-hearted person.”

Tyrant and kind-hearted… Those two words simply didn’t compute. Hailey’s mind spun in confusion.

‘The same man who buried rebels alive in pits?’

‘Wasn’t he also the one who had a certain count’s head displayed on the city walls after a little embezzlement?’

One after another, facts proving his tyrannical nature surfaced in Hailey’s mind like a slideshow.

“Come to think of it, Hailey,” the Grand Duchess added, “I heard you saw His Highness the Crown Prince again recently?”

Flinch.

How did she even know that?

Though she spent most of her time secluded in the Detached Palace, the Grand Duchess seemed surprisingly well-informed about the rumors circulating through the imperial court.

“Did His Highness the Crown Prince scold you again?”

At the gentle, caring question directed at her, Hailey had no choice but to answer.

“He told me to behave in a way that wouldn’t bring shame to Your Grace.”

“He’s still concerned about what happened before… He really is such a considerate person.”

‘No, more like… it was a declaration that my life is about to become a living hell.’

“When I first arrived at the palace, the Crown Prince was still just a young boy.”

“……”

“To ease my nerves when I arrived in this unfamiliar place, he handed me a bouquet. I can still picture the shy and nervous look on his face.”

Unlike the Grand Duchess’s wistful smile, Hailey was struggling to keep her own expression neutral.

‘A shy, blushing little future tyrant… huh.’

“Of course, His Highness is well aware of his position as heir to the throne. That means there are times he must act following that role.”

‘You mean like… burying rebels alive or hanging severed heads to dry on the castle walls or something along those lines, right?’

“Every royal knows their duty,” the Grand Duchess continued. “But I truly believe the kindness of that boy who gave me flowers still lives in his heart.”

“…Yes, Your Grace.”

Hailey gave up trying to argue—it was clear the Grand Duchess was hopelessly blinded by nostalgia.

‘I guess even tyrants were shy and well-behaved once, when they were kids…’

First impressions really are everything.

“If His Highness scolds you again, promise me you’ll come straight to me. I’ll personally tell him what a diligent and hardworking maid you are.”

Faced with the Grand Duchess’s kind offer, Hailey could only lower her head and quietly leave the room.

“Honestly, if she could just take those love-tinted glasses off when it comes to that tyrant, she’d be the best lady in the palace.”

That shy little boy from back then is going to grow up and lead a massacre someday.

“Ugh, and it’s not like I can tell her the truth either…”

Mumbling to herself, Hailey sighed softly, munching on a mouthful of apricot.

‘Why does this apricot have to taste so damn good, though…’

***

“This milk tea is so sweet! Why didn’t I ever think to add milk to tea before?”

“Right? If I’d known earlier, I wouldn’t have had to suffer through the bitter taste of this cheap tea. Hailey, you’re a genius for coming up with this!”

At her fellow maid Lemoni’s praise, Hailey simply smiled, as if it were no big deal.

“You’re lucky you get to enjoy milk tea.”

Annie, sitting quietly at the end of the table, spoke up in a small voice.

“Oh right, Annie—weren’t you the one who can’t eat or drink anything with milk in it?”

Lemoni looked at her with concern.

“Yeah… it always makes my stomach hurt and cramp up, for some reason.”

Susan, another of their group, nodded in agreement.

“Oh, me too! The doctor said it’s because my stomach can’t digest milk properly.”

‘Lactose intolerance, huh.’ 

The thought triggered a memory in Hailey’s mind, and she turned toward Annie.

“In that case, you can boil some soybeans and grind them up to make a milk substitute.”

“Grind soybeans?”

“Yup. Soak them well and boil them thoroughly—it actually tastes pretty good. It’s easier to get than milk, just as nutritious, and cheaper too.”

No sooner had Hailey finished speaking than Susan jumped to her feet.

“Why didn’t I think of that? I’m trying it right now!”

“Me too! Milk always makes me sick.”

More girls had been struggling with milk than she realized. They all rushed off to the kitchen, determined to grab some soybeans.

“You’re not going?”

Hailey asked Annie, who remained seated. Annie shook her head.

“I’ll try making it a little later. First, I want to write a letter to my younger siblings and tell them how to make soy milk.”

“Your siblings can’t drink milk either?”

“It’s not that… Our family is poor, so we can’t afford luxuries like milk.”

Hailey didn’t respond to Annie’s honest confession.

Clumsy sympathy only ends up hurting the other person.

She had learned that all too well in her previous life.

“Thanks to you, though, I think I can give my siblings something good to eat.”

Annie whispered with a gentle smile as she looked at Hailey.

“You’re amazing, Hailey. It’s like you always know the answer to everything.”

‘That’s because I’m a reader who knows the original story.’

But of course, Hailey couldn’t say that. So she played it off casually.

“I mean, I am pretty smart, you know.”

At her nonchalant reply, Annie’s eyes curved into a smile.

“I even like that cheeky side of you, Hailey. Really, thank you for everything.”

Annie whispered again, smiling brightly for the first time in a while.

***

“Hey, you there!”

A senior maid in a navy maid uniform called out to Hailey.

Hailey, who had been walking down the hallway to organize the study, stopped in her tracks and bowed politely.

“Greetings, my Lady.”

The senior maid who had called her was a face Hailey had never seen before.

“I’m a senior maid from the main palace. I’ve come to pick up a few items from the Detached Palace for the upcoming banquet.”

With that, the senior maid handed Hailey a basket. Inside was a rather heavy-looking ceramic vase.

“Take this vase to the main palace kitchen. I’ll head back after collecting the rest of the items.”

‘Ugh, I was on my way to the study…’

But the senior maid disappeared before Hailey could even think about refusing.

“Hailey, what are you doing here?”

Annie approached Hailey, who was standing frozen in the middle of the hallway, unsure of what to do.

“I was supposed to help the other maids organize the study, but I just got ordered to take this to the main palace.”

“Oh, really?”

Annie glanced into the basket at the vase. It was bulky and ugly, and didn’t look like it would break easily.

“If you’re busy, I’ll take care of this errand.”

“You’ll take it for me?”

“If it’s just delivering something, I can do it. I’m always relying on you—let me repay the favor, just this once.”

Annie rarely took initiative like this. If Hailey refused, it would probably hurt her feelings. After a brief moment of hesitation, Hailey finally accepted her offer.

“Okay, then I’ll leave it to you.”

Hailey handed the basket over to Annie without protest.

***

“Ugh, it’s already so dark.”

Annie murmured nervously as she made her way toward the main palace.

“I really hope I’m not going to be late.”

She had volunteered to help Hailey, but now she was worried she wouldn’t make it on time. Maybe it was her anxiety, but the basket in her arms felt heavier and heavier. It was just a vase, but it might as well have been a giant boulder.

“Who goes there!”

A shout rang out as Annie, on edge, continued walking. In the next instant, the dark shapes of the Imperial Guard emerged from the shadows.

“I-I’m a trainee maid from the Detached Palace! I was sent to the main palace to run an errand.”

“The main palace? You’re near the outer walls, the exact opposite direction. What are you doing wandering around here?”

“I’m sorry. I’m not yet familiar with the layout of the palace… I must’ve gotten lost…”

Panicking under the sharp questioning, Annie stammered her excuses. Her gentle face crumpled, as if she might burst into tears any moment.

“What’s in the basket?”

“Ah… It’s a flower vase I was told to bring to the main palace.”

“Let me see it. There’s been a rash of servants smuggling palace property lately. I need to inspect it.”

“No! It’s just a vase, I swear!”

Annie cried out in panic, but the guard roughly snatched the basket from her and pulled out the vase inside.

“Well, well…”

The guard, eyeing the vase suspiciously, suddenly thrust his hand into its opening.

“Just as I thought!”

He pulled something out from inside the vase—an object wrapped tightly in a towel. With a triumphant cry, he shouted as if he had known all along.

“A mere trainee maid, and you dare to steal? You’ve got some nerve!”