25. Why would you want to be friends with a useless princess like me?

Ah-ha! These books are…!

“Baroness, these books shouldn’t be placed here.”

The Grand Duchess exclaimed, her expression rare with surprise.

“Should I take them to the library, then?”

The head maid, who had asked again in response to the Grand Duchess’s reaction, suddenly let out a shocked gasp.

“Ugh.”

It was only now that the head maid recognized Hailey’s presence, and she quickly gathered the books back into her arms.

“I apologize, Your Grace. I’ll take these straight to the bedroom.”

“Thank you, Baroness Darmang.”

The head maid hurriedly took the books and left, and Hailey pretended not to have seen anything, acting nonchalantly.

‘Why is she being so sensitive about this?’

What’s wrong with the graceful and kind Grand Duchess enjoying a little “steamy romance novel”?

‘Everyone needs a breath of fresh air now and then.’

Having lost her husband to a tragic event and being politically isolated in the palace, it’s understandable that the Grand Duchess might have a special hobby or two.

Hailey sincerely thought that it would be perfectly fine for her to have some personal interests.

“The books have been properly placed in the bedroom.”

The head maid, who had hurried out of the sunroom, returned shortly after. As soon as she returned, the Grand Duchess pointed to the basket of pomegranates and gave a new instruction.

“Baroness Darmang, set aside some of the pomegranates for Lysa, and the rest can be distributed to the maids.”

“Are you sure you want to share all of these precious fruits?”

The head maid was taken aback, but the Grand Duchess waved her hand dismissively.

“Isn’t it through eating fine food that a maid can grow into an excellent one? The palace has always been tight on resources, and the meals are often lacking as it is.”

“Hmm, Your Grace… I understand, but…”

“That’s why we should at least let them enjoy a fine fruit like this now and then.”

Touched by the gentle consideration, both Hailey and the head maid were moved.

“If Your Grace insists, then I’ll prepare it as a dessert for dinner tonight.”

“I would appreciate that.”

To think that the master would so willingly share something of hers with the lowly apprentice maids… Truly, this is the kind of person who would be a lifeline for me.

Hailey nodded in agreement to herself, while the Grand Duchess turned to look at her.

“Hailey, there’s something I’d like to ask you. Would that be alright?”

“Anything, Your Grace, just say the word!”

Even without the request, Hailey was already determined to do whatever it took to become the Grand Duchess’s closest confidante. She had already received a valuable gift, after all.

The Grand Duchess cautiously began speaking.

“What I want to ask is…”

***

Knock, knock.

The knock had barely finished when a soft voice responded, “Come in.”

Hailey entered the room, and just like before, the sight of Princess Lysa sitting at the desk greeted her.

“I greet Your Highness, the Princess.”

Hailey greeted her politely and looked up, but the dignified princess seemed displeased with something, as her face was still sulky today.

“Did you enjoy the raspberry pie from last time?”

Hailey had specially asked the cook to make the pie with raspberries picked from the garden…

“Can I tell the truth?”

“Of course.”

“It was less tasty than the chocolate cookies from last time.”

It wasn’t that it was bad, just less tasty—Hailey could only laugh in response.

“Oops! I thought I was going to bring you something even better, but I’m being a braggart.”

“That’s okay, next time you can bring me a real chocolate cookie.”

“What should I do? Chocolate from the Dallanta region is very rare and not easy to get.”

“…Really?”

Hailey noticed the princess’s expression darken for a moment.

“But I’m a competent apprentice maid, so I’ll definitely prepare it for the princess.”

The princess, who had been rolling her eyes at Hailey’s boastful claims, lightly nodded her head. Then she stared straight at Hailey.

“Did mother perhaps send this?”

The violet eyes, resembling those of Grand Duchess Eleonora, demanded the truth from Hailey.

‘What a perceptive princess she is.’

Hailey couldn’t help but admire her internally. Given the situation, had she matured earlier than her age?

“Because of what happened in the garden last time, Lysa has been feeling down lately. Could you go and cheer her up?”

Recalling the Grand Duchess’s request, Hailey spoke up to Lysa.

“Actually, I received a bribe from the Grand Duchess to cheer up Princess Lysa.”

The pretty amethyst eyes trembled. Looking at the beautiful eyes shaken by betrayal, Hailey smiled slightly.

“But the truth is, I didn’t need a bribe. I want to make a good impression on both of you. Especially, I want to become friends with you, Princess.”

“Why would you want to be friends with a half-witted princess like me?”

Lysa spoke with a tone far too mature for her age. As expected, the exiled princess, the daughter of the former crown prince who was overthrown in madness, was well aware of her own situation.

Hailey lowered her body and met Lysa’s gaze.

“Because I was once a bad child who was hated by the adults, too.”

”That’s her, right? The one whose mother died giving birth to her.”

”Yes, that’s right. They say she was born after her mother was killed.”

”Oh… still, if you think about it, it’s not entirely wrong.”

“They say her father hates children so much that her grandmother is raising her.”

“Why did the adults hate you? Did you do something wrong?”

When Lysa asked in a drooping voice, Hailey shook her head vigorously.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, but they still hated me. That’s when I decided.”

“?”

“To ignore what people say.”

Lysa blinked her eyes in surprise.

“No matter what people think of me, it doesn’t matter. It’s up to me to decide what kind of person I am, not others.”

“…”

“When you get older, Princess, you’ll understand too.”

“Are you treating me like a child?”

When the sulky voice flowed from the princess’s adorable lips, Hailey deliberately smiled.

“Not at all. It’s just advice from someone a little older than you, Princess.”

Of course, there are better ways than giving this kind of advice, but that’s exactly what!

‘If someone hates me, I should give them a real reason to hate me. That would be fair, right?’

But it seemed too early to share that method with this princess.

“You’re still just an apprentice maid, yet you’re acting so smart.”

Princess Lysa pouted and muttered.

“But… if someone bothers me later, I want you to say the same thing then.”

“Of course, Princess.”

“Then, when you become an official maid, I’ll make you my personal maid.”

“Ah!”

“Why, you don’t want to?”

At the timid princess’s suggestion, Hailey smiled slyly again.

“Well… It seems like a lot of people are trying to scout me these days.”

“!”

“Still, I’ll prioritize your offer above all else. It’s truly an honor to be needed by you, Princess Lysa.”

Hailey bowed respectfully, and Princess Lysa grinned mischievously. The gloom that had once filled her pretty face disappeared, replaced by a childlike, innocent expression, and Hailey felt satisfied.

“Princess Lysa, the Crown Prince’s palace has sent a gift for you.”

The nanny, beaming with a big smile, entered the room.

‘Gift? That man is giving gifts to a child?’

Recalling the coldness she had witnessed in Kincaid, Hailey was puzzled. But both Princess Lysa and the nanny seemed accustomed to such things, skillfully opening the gift box.

“The Crown Prince has sent quite a few things again this time.”

The nanny fussed, pulling out the contents one by one. But Hailey’s expression grew tight as she examined the gifts.

A Guide to Entering High Society 

A Beginner’s Guide to Classical Literature 

A Commentary on the Empire’s Creation Myths

‘What are these? These boring and difficult-looking books?’

Along with the books, there were a couple of black ink bottles, study notebooks, tea leaves with a bitter scent that seemed to be good for health, and a frame with a portrait of the first emperor.

‘At least put in a candy or something!’

Books for studying are fine, but is it too much to send something pretty and cute for a twelve-year-old girl along with them?

‘Tsk tsk, no sense at all…’

Hailey clicked her tongue, but the recipient, Princess Lysa, simply stared at the gifts without much reaction.

“By the way, Princess Lysa, we need to send a thank-you card to the Crown Prince. He has been so thoughtful in sending all these things, so you should definitely express your gratitude.”

“You’re asking me to write a card?”

Lysa’s expression immediately darkened. Hailey tilted her head, puzzled, and the nanny whispered softly to her.

‘She’s still not very good at writing. After being reprimanded by the teacher last time, she’s been sensitive about it.’

Ah, in that case, there’s no need to worry.

“Don’t worry, Princess Lysa. If it’s about the writing, you don’t have to worry at all.”

No matter how bad her handwriting was, it surely wouldn’t be as bad as that person’s atrocious penmanship.

“I can guarantee it.”

“….”

Achoo!

While reviewing documents in his office, Kincaid suddenly sneezed, causing Burnett to tilt his head in curiosity.

“Could it be that someone is speaking ill of the Crown Prince?”

“Who would dare to do such a thing within the palace?”

Kincaid coldly responded to his assistant’s playful question, but Burnett immediately countered.

“Who knows? Maybe someone bold like Miss Brooke might do it.”

At this comment, Kincaid snorted. He then put down the pen he had been holding and frowned in thought.

“Now that I think about it, why haven’t I seen that obnoxious frog around lately?”