Chapter 1 – Part 2

I immediately accepted.

“Yes, thank you! I will do my best!”

The head maid left quickly after giving a brief set of instructions, and I felt the pressure to get started right away.

‘I need to prepare the tea right now!’

The new schedule was simple. I was to serve tea to the Crown Prince after breakfast and dinner and bring refreshments during unscheduled audiences.

At that moment, the Crown Prince was in the dining room having his dinner.

‘If I don’t hurry, I’ll be late!’

I hurriedly stomped my feet.

The tea leaves in the storage room were all of excellent quality, befitting the Crown Prince’s palace, but there was no time to admire them.

What kind of tea should I prepare? Since it was late, a caffeine-free herbal tea would be best.

“Chamomile is perfect for the evening.”

I rummaged through the cupboard, took out the chamomile, and picked a few herbs to blend with it.

I heard the Crown Prince was incredibly picky about his taste.

So, if I served plain chamomile, he might just break the teacup and say,

‘The tea tastes bland. Fire that maid immediately.’

“Ugh…”

Just imagining it gave me chills.

With quick hands, I blended a bit of lavender and a few other herbs. It wasn’t the first time I made this recipe, so it was an easy task.

Handling familiar herbs, confidence started to fill my heart.

‘Everyone loves my special chamomile blend.’

This should work!

After confirming the Crown Prince’s meal was almost over, I rolled the tea trolley into the dining room at just the right moment.

The Crown Prince stopped eating his dessert and looked at me, eyes wide open.

His silver eyelashes fluttered, sparkling in the chandelier’s light.

‘Why is he so surprised?’

It wasn’t surprising that a new person was serving tea. After all, the previous tea server had been dismissed by the Crown Prince himself earlier.

‘Did I do something wrong? Why does he have to make me nervous like this?’

Hiding my confusion, I calmly poured the tea.

The warm, soothing herbal aroma wafted up.

The Crown Prince lifted the teacup, inhaled the scent, took a sip, and then put it down. He kept staring at me.

‘Your Highness, what is it?’

‘Did I make a mistake?’

I lowered my gaze respectfully, stealing a glance at the Crown Prince’s expression.

His sculpted face showed no discernible emotion. It looked somewhat cold, and he seemed displeased.

‘Something’s not right.’

I was on edge.

Then, the Crown Prince lifted the teacup again. His eyebrow twitched slightly.

‘It seems he doesn’t like my chamomile tea. I’m doomed!’

The conversation I overheard in the palace corridors came to mind again.

‘They said he complained about the tea and threw the cup earlier…’

It felt like the teacup in his hand could fly towards me any moment.

I shut my eyes tight.

‘Mother, Father, your unfilial daughter is leaving!’

One second, two seconds, three seconds…

‘Huh?’

Nothing hit me.

Peeking through one eye, I saw the Crown Prince still holding the teacup, unmoving.

‘Oh no, we made eye contact!’

The Crown Prince’s expression seemed darker. I quickly looked down to avoid offending him.

The Crown Prince asked me,

“Are you the new maid who joined recently?”

“Yes, I will be serving Your Highness’s tea starting today.”

I bowed my head lower and answered politely.

The Crown Prince took another sip of tea and spoke softly,

“…The tea tastes good.”

‘What?’

My eyes widened. Did I just get complimented?

‘My special chamomile blend pleased the Crown Prince! I knew it!’

But the Crown Prince didn’t look pleased.

Watching him furrow his handsome brows as he drank made me doubt if I really heard a compliment.

‘If you compliment me one more time, I’ll be sure.’

I knew better than anyone how good that chamomile tea was. Wouldn’t he say it tastes good again?

The Crown Prince spoke,

“Did you add rosehip to this tea?”

“Yes, a small amount.”

The Crown Prince could discern the taste of the single pinch of rosehip I added—quite impressive.

As rumored, his sensitivity in taste matched his finicky nature. If that were the case, I was confident I could meet his standards perfectly.

I awaited the Crown Prince’s evaluation, but he merely took another sip of the tea in silence.

‘So, what’s the verdict?’

I grew anxious.

Did he like the rosehip in the chamomile tea or not?

From his expression, I couldn’t tell.

‘His brows are slightly furrowed, which might mean he doesn’t like the rosehip…?’

I started to worry again.

While I was trying to guess his thoughts from his expression, the Crown Prince finished his tea and spoke.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had such an excellent tea.”

That was undoubtedly a compliment!

The Crown Prince, known for his picky tastes, complimented me twice in a row, causing a stir among the servants in the dining room.

“I am deeply honored! I will strive to maintain this standard.”

So please, don’t fire me.

I waited until the Crown Prince finished his chamomile tea, then gathered the teapot and teacups and left the dining room.

“Phew…”

I let out a sigh of relief.

“At least I satisfied the Crown Prince’s picky taste!”

Indeed, my skills didn’t disappoint.

But I couldn’t let my guard down yet. I had heard that the Crown Prince was not only particular but also quite capricious.

“I should come in early tomorrow to check the tea leaves.”

I was so dedicated to this job that I decided on voluntary early arrival.

* * *

After dinner, in the Crown Prince Adrian’s office.

Adrian was writing something in a leather-bound book, his expression very serious.

After a while, he closed the book. There was a sound from the door, not from his guards.

The person who knocked and entered was the head maid of the Crown Prince’s palace.

Adrian asked as if he had been waiting.

“How did it go?”

He was asking about the servant who had been removed earlier. The head maid quickly understood and answered.

“He’s been locked up in the basement.”

One of the guards by the door interrupted.

“How did you and the head maid know that man was suspicious?”

The head maid answered.

“Baron Herren’s spending suddenly increased. The timing of when he introduced that man to me as his adopted son was also suspicious.”

“My, you even knew the details of a provincial baron’s affairs.”

The guard marveled at the head maid’s meticulous work before turning to Adrian with a question.

“Why did you ask about his brother earlier?”

“Baron Herren’s second son died long ago.”

“So, that man didn’t even know his own brother was dead? That’s extremely suspicious. No wonder he tried to run away midway.”

The guard nodded, finally understanding the situation.

“But isn’t it a loss for you, Your Highness, to keep doing this? Do you know what the servants are saying about you…?”

At that point, the head maid glared at the guard. He quickly shrank back.

“No, I didn’t mean to criticize Your Highness’s actions…”

Adrian responded.

“I know. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m the one who can’t stop worrying!”

The head maid raised her eyebrows.

“Sir Milo.”

Sir Milo, the prince’s knight, sighed and scratched his head at the firm rebuke.

“I’m a simple man, so I don’t understand these things well.”

“…”

“I’m better suited for direct questioning. So, I’ll go and ask that man where he came from right now.”

Adrian nodded in approval. Sir Milo was reliable in such matters.

As Milo headed to the basement, the head maid was about to leave the office when Adrian called her back.

“Oh, head maid, increase my tea times starting tomorrow. As for the detailed schedule…”

The head maid was puzzled by the sudden instruction.

However, she assumed the Crown Prince had his reasons and simply noted the change schedule.