Chapter 1.7

When her health had sufficiently recovered, an imperial decree was issued, ordering Hildeltrud to enter the palace.  

Leopold looked at Hildeltrud with a worried expression.  

“Hildeltrud, an imperial decree has been issued for you to enter the palace. Are you alright with this?”  

“I’m fine. I should have entered the palace earlier, but they were considerate because of my illness.”  

“Once you enter the palace… training will begin. Can you endure it?”  

The decree was issued for her to enter the palace before the wedding to undergo training to become a member of the Imperial Family.  

This was a necessary step to join the Imperial Family.  

Since breaking off the engagement wasn’t an option yet, Hildeltrud decided to accept it. She planned to use whatever she could to achieve her goals.  

“If that’s your decision, I’ll make the preparations.”  

“Yes, Father.”  

Hildeltrud politely bowed to Leopold and left his office to prepare for her outing.  

Hildeltrud went straight to the Silver Moon. Upon entering the jewelry shop, the staff quickly discerned her purpose and guided her to the master’s room.  

Cain sat there with a bright smile on his face.  

“It seems you have an urgent matter.”  

“I’m here to make my second request.”  

Cain looked at Hildeltrud with an intrigued expression.  

“That is quite interesting. Please, tell me more.”  

“I will be entering the palace.”  

“So, you’re entering the palace.”  

“Yes, and I need you to send me a trustworthy woman to act as my maid. I plan to disguise her as a maid and take her with me. Preferably, she should also possess martial skills to protect me.”  

“Fortunately, I have someone suitable. I’ll assign her to you.”  

“So, we have a deal. What’s the price?”  

“When you encounter His Highness Kiserian in the imperial palace, do not ignore him and greet him instead.”  

At this, Hildeltrud furrowed her brows. The price he demanded was absurdly strange.  

“That’s the price?”  

“Yes, it is.”  

“Isn’t that too easy? Is that really all?”  

“That’s all.”  

Hildeltrud narrowed her eyes, trying to discern his intentions.  

‘What connection does he have with the Crown Prince?’  

Even after recalling past events, she couldn’t think of any link between the two.  

Cain’s playful gaze made it difficult to determine whether he was being sincere or not.  

“Is that really all? You won’t ask for anything else later, will you?”  

“Of course not. Since you prefer certainty, let’s put it in writing.”  

With a snap of his fingers, a document fluttered down from thin air.  

It was a contract.  

“Sign here.”  

He even handed her a pen with a friendly gesture.  

Hildeltrud frowned, carefully reviewed the contract, and signed it.  

“There’s one more thing I need you to procure.”  

“Tell me.”  

“Artifacts imbued with teleportation magic and illusion magic.”  

“What will they be used for?”  

“Partly to meet with you every Friday, but also because once I enter the palace, I won’t have the freedom to go out.”  

“Ah, I see. Understood.”  

“When can you deliver? I’d like the person to be ready by tomorrow, before I enter the palace.”  

“Of course. We specialize in turning the impossible into possible, so leave it to us, Lady Hildeltrud.”  

“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”  

Hildeltrud rose from her seat.  

Having entrusted her request to the Silver Moon, she knew they would handle the rest.  

As she rode back in her carriage, Hildeltrud pondered Cain’s absurd demand.  

‘What a strange man.’  

She had heard that the price demanded by the Silver Moon varied depending on the information. Yet, the price Cain asked of her was utterly nonsensical.  

Meeting him for tea every Friday and greeting Kiserian in the imperial palace—such incomprehensible demands.  

‘Is he being lenient, or does he have ulterior motives?’  

Cain’s gaze might appear playful at first glance, but it wasn’t. Behind his playful demeanor lay countless calculations.  

For someone like him to demand such a trivial price was baffling.  

But the contract had already been signed, and he couldn’t take it back.  

‘It’s better than unreasonable demands.’  

Hildeltrud decided to think positively.  

***

After Hildeltrud left, Cain removed his mask and tossed it aside.  

Something transparent caught the mask mid-air.  

The sight of the mask floating in the air was eerie.  

Even a voice emerged from the emptiness.  

“You’ve made another ridiculous demand.”  

Cain smiled nonchalantly.  

“Did you enjoy eavesdropping?”  

“I wasn’t eavesdropping. You cast transparency magic on me, remember?”  

“Oh, right. I forgot. I didn’t expect her to visit so suddenly.”  

With a snap of his fingers, the magic was dispelled, revealing Roel.  

“Phew.”  

Shedding his oppressive guise, Cain reverted to his true appearance—Kiserian.  

“Summon Leah.”  

“Leah is currently on a mission.”  

“Summon her anyway.”  

“What about the mission?”  

“Send Jin in her place.”  

“Hah, wasn’t it you who personally assigned Leah to this mission because she was the most suitable, Your Highness?”  

Kiserian crossed his arms and retorted.  

“I miscalculated. A more fitting task has come up for Leah.”  

Roel gaped and asked, 

“Don’t tell me the task is to disguise herself as Lady Hildeltrud’s maid?”  

“Correct.”  

“Hah.”  

Roel let out a sigh.  

“There’s no one more suited for this mission than Leah.”  

“Leah is the best among our members, isn’t she?”  

“She is indeed the best, which is why Leah is the right choice. In the perilous imperial palace, Leah is the most capable person to ensure Lady Hildeltrud’s safety.”  

Faced with Kiserian’s stubbornness, Roel raised both hands in surrender.  

“Understood. But be prepared for Leah’s reaction.”  

“Of course. I’ll handle it. Since Lady Hildeltrud must enter the palace tomorrow, contact her immediately.”  

Roel sighed again and left the office.  

Having anticipated this outcome, Kiserian remained unbothered.  

***

Back at the Ducal residence, Hildeltrud met Elisabeth in the parlor.  

She needed to discuss the matter of entering the palace.  

“Elisabeth, I’ll be entering the palace tomorrow.”  

“So soon?”  

“Yes, though it’s actually a bit late. They were considerate because I was ill.”  

“Well, that makes sense.”  

Hildeltrud took a sip of tea and continued.  

“Prepare yourself. I promised to take you along as my maid.”  

“Really?”  

“Yes, I promised. His Highness has also given his approval.”  

Elisabeth grabbed Hildeltrud’s hand with a radiant smile.  

“Hilde, you truly are my best friend.”  

When Elisabeth tried to hug her, Hildeltrud carefully pushed her away.  

“There’s not much time, so hurry and pack only what’s necessary. I need to prepare as well.”  

“Oh, right. I need to hurry. I’ll let my mother know!”  

“Go on, then.”  

Hildeltrud quickly detached herself from Elisabeth. Her clinginess was unbearably creepy.  

Elisabeth left the parlor with a joyful expression and sought out Margaret. Margaret was organizing invitations addressed to Hildeltrud.  

“Mother!”  

Margaret looked up at her daughter’s excited face with a puzzled expression.  

“What’s the matter, Elisabeth?”  

Elisabeth clasped her hands in front of her chest and said with delight, 

“Mother, I’ll be entering the palace with Hildeltrud tomorrow!”  

“What?”  

Margaret set aside the invitations and approached Elisabeth.  

“What are you talking about?”  

“Hildeltrud is entering the palace tomorrow for her Princess training, and she promised to take me along as her maid.”  

Margaret’s face lit up with a smile.  

“Is that true?”  

“Yes, it’s true!”  

“Well done, my daughter!”  

Margaret embraced Elisabeth with a joyful expression.  

Elisabeth laughed and said, 

“Mother, there’s no time for this. I need to pack my things quickly. Please help me.”  

“Of course, this mother will help you.”  

Margaret took Elisabeth’s hand, left the study, and headed to her room. She personally packed Elisabeth’s belongings while offering advice.  

“Elisabeth, once you enter the palace, always be mindful of your words. You mustn’t address Lady Hildeltrud casually like you do now.”  

“Of course. I’ll treat Hildeltrud with the utmost respect. Do you think I’m foolish enough not to know that, Mother?”  

“Good. I’m relieved. Whatever happens, you mustn’t make any mistakes. Always remember that the imperial palace is a dangerous place.”  

“Don’t worry, Mother. Hehe.”  

Margaret couldn’t help but worry about Elisabeth’s carefree attitude. Still, this was an excellent opportunity.  

Once she entered the palace as a maid, marriage prospects would be guaranteed.  

Hildeltrud wouldn’t settle for an ordinary match for Elisabeth. Considering her position as future Crown Princess, she might even arrange for Elisabeth to marry an Earl.  

This was a golden opportunity to elevate their status.  

***

The Silver Moon headquarters was in an uproar.  

The source of the commotion was a woman in a black robe.  

She had been on a mission to gather classified information but returned upon receiving Roel’s summons.  

Interrupting her mission midway annoyed her, as it was due to Kiserian’s whims.  

“Master, this is outrageous!”  

She glared at Kiserian, who sat calmly.  

“A critical mission has come up, so I called you back.”  

“What kind of mission is so important?”  

“Infiltration and VIP protection. It’s perfect for you.”  

Both tasks were areas she excelled in.  

“Who’s the client?”  

“Lady Hildeltrud. You’ll disguise yourself as her maid and protect her when she enters the palace tomorrow.”  

“A maid?”  

“Yes, a maid.”  

“Are you asking me to serve someone?”  

“That should be easy for you. Just think about the missions you’ve handled so far.”  

Leah had carried out various disguises for Kiserian in the past. Though she could certainly handle this task, she was curious about Kiserian’s intention in sending her to the imperial palace.  

“Why are you sending me to the imperial palace?”  

“Because you’re the most suitable.”  

His gaze was sincere, and Leah liked the fact that he acknowledged her abilities.  

“Alright, I’ll do it. But you’ll need to compensate me properly.”  

“Of course. I promise generous rewards.”  

Kiserian was known for being generous when it came to compensation. He provided rewards commensurate with the difficulty of the mission, which earned him the unwavering trust of his subordinates.  

“And before you leave tomorrow, deliver this to Lady Hildeltrud. These are the items she requested.”  

“Understood.”  

Leah gathered the two items and stood up. As she turned to leave, Kiserian spoke softly.  

“Be careful, Leah.”  

Leah smirked and replied, 

“Of course. I’m Leah, the best operative of the Silver Moon.”  

“Absolutely. You’re the best I’ve trained. I trust you.”  

The words “I trust you” filled Leah with joy. To her, earning someone’s trust was the highest form of praise.