Chapter 3 – Part 9

I successfully defended myself during this tea time as well. Despite the sharp questions, I am confident my answers were flawless.

Back in the tea storage room, I continued to ponder.

How did His Highness grow up to be such an inquisitive adult? Is this trait genetic?

But Her Majesty and Duke Oscar, whom I’ve met before, did not share this tendency to ask unnecessary questions.

So, it might be a case of atavism.

Based on the contents of <The Great Depression>, the late Empress definitely had a penchant for being a question mark assassin.

“The mysterious world of genetics…”

While the genetics of this world were quite similar to those in my previous life, there were a few exceptions. One of them was the hair color of the royal family.

Her Majesty had black hair, and Duke Oscar had silver hair, so their offspring should have black or brown hair, yet His Highness had the same silver hair as Duke Oscar.

I’ve seen portraits of the former Emperor and Empress, who had black and red hair, respectively. The colors suited them well, like a brightly colored poison dart frog.

But neither looked anything like His Highness’s sparkling silver hair.

Why is it that Duke Oscar’s silver hair is exceptionally dominant?

While I was lost in such thoughts, someone knocked on the door of the tea storage room.

It was Archie.

“Hello, Miss Erica!”

Archie, always full of energy, spoke up.

“His Highness is about to receive a visitor!”

“That was unexpected. How many guests?”

“Just one!”

Then I’ll prepare refreshments for two.

Since Archie didn’t mention anything special, it didn’t seem like Her Majesty was coming to visit.

I prepared a simple afternoon tea, not knowing the guest’s preferences.

Luckily, I had a pre-mixed blend of Assam and Ceylon that I had been blending for the Imperial Palace, which seemed perfect for the occasion.

However, Archie had hopped away without telling me which reception room they were in.

I had to wander around the Crown Prince’s palace to find the guest.

‘Found it.’

It was the large reception room opposite the office.

I prepared a larger teapot than usual and headed there.

Two unfamiliar knights and a couple of maids were guarding the reception room. They seemed to be the guest’s entourage.

“I’m here to serve the tea.”

I gave a slight nod and entered the reception room. The seat of honor was still empty, but someone was sitting on a sofa near it.

A young noblewoman with wavy, ash-gray hair cascading over one shoulder.

To my surprise, I recognized her fierce, upturned eyes.

“Erica?”

“Why, it’s Countess Melian!”

She was the eldest daughter of the Roshid Duke’s family, already designated as the heir and holding the title of Countess Melian.

There was a significant status difference between us, akin to Mount Halla and a neighborhood hill.

I had spoken to her a few times when I accompanied my sister to social gatherings.

“So, you’re the maid serving tea to the Crown Prince?”

“Yes, I am doing my best in this privileged position.”

“Privileged? Your sister never stops boasting about you. She says you brew delicious tea.”

I smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed.

What stories had my sister been spreading outside?

‘Though it’s true I make good tea.’

When the Crown Prince was late for an audience, it was also my duty to serve refreshments to the guests.

I set up the teacup and tea snacks for the Countess and poured the perfectly brewed black tea.

Countess Melian praised it.

“The aroma is wonderful. It’s flawless.”

“Thank you, Countess.”

We chatted and strengthened our acquaintance until His Highness arrived.

“Please, call me Pavia.”

“It’s an honor, Lady Pavia!”

To Lady Pavia, it must have been curious that I, a mere tea-serving maid in the Crown Prince’s palace, had not been dismissed yet.

And for someone like me who planned to open a flagship tea shop in the capital, Lady Pavia, the future Duchess of Roshid, was a highly desirable connection.

As we were chatting warmly.

The Crown Prince entered the reception room.

“I’ve kept you waiting.”

“It’s fine. Your maid has been keeping me entertained. Right, Erica?”

“Yes, Lady Pavia.”

The Crown Prince raised his eyebrows, sensing the friendly atmosphere between us.

Lady Pavia observed His Highness with hawk-like eyes before politely averting her gaze as he sat down and faced her.

His Highness spoke first.

“What brings you here today?”

He seemed eager to get straight to the point.

I placed a teacup and saucer before His Highness and poured the tea.

It had steeped a bit strong, but he could deal with it. It was his fault for making Lady Pavia wait.

Lady Pavia responded.

“I was concerned that the tea leaves sent from Roshid might not have been satisfactory for Your Highness, so I took the liberty of visiting.”

Oh, Lady Pavia had sent tea leaves to the Crown Prince’s palace? Nothing had arrived at the tea storage yet.

His Highness replied.

“I declined because I already have enough tea leaves.”

What on earth is His Highness saying? You can never have too much tea!

Tea leaves from the Roshid Duke’s family would be rare and top-notch. What a waste.

Lady Pavia said something mysterious.

“So it seemed. It appeared to me that Roshid’s tea leaves were unnecessary for Your Highness.”

She glanced at me before continuing.

“Then how about something else? I’ve acquired some fascinating writing instruments from beyond the Western Kingdom.”

“…Show me what you have.”

“Thank you.”

Lady Pavia smiled.

After taking a few sips of tea, His Highness added a needless comment.

“Send it through the main gate.”

“Of course.”

The brief conversation ended, and the tea time wrapped up. Both His Highness and Lady Pavia were busy, so they parted without much formality.

I collected the teacups and dishes in the empty reception room.

Pushing the tea trolley through the hallway back to the tea storage room, I encountered one of Lady Pavia’s maids whom I had seen earlier.

I was about to exchange a polite nod when the maid spoke to me.

“Please, follow me for a moment.”

Wow, can a maid from the Duke’s household act like this in the Crown Prince’s palace?

But since this maid belonged to Lady Pavia, I followed her without hesitation.

She led me to one of the guest rooms in the Crown Prince’s palace. Lady Pavia was sitting on a sofa in the attached reception room as if she owned the place.

‘She probably didn’t get permission from His Highness for this…’

I hesitated at the entrance, but Lady Pavia noticed me and spoke first.

“As long as we don’t get caught, it’s fine.”

“True, haha.”

Lady Pavia was indeed someone I could talk to. She was like a breath of fresh air in the stifling atmosphere of the Crown Prince’s palace.

Lady Pavia gestured for me to sit.

“Have a seat.”

Sitting across from the future Duchess of Roshid made my heart race.

“Erica, I apologize if my maid startled you.”

“Oh no, it’s fine. I wasn’t startled at all.”

“That’s good to hear. I was just happy to see you again and wanted to chat for a bit.”

Wow, what an honor.

Lady Pavia asked me a question.

“How’s work?”

“At first, I was quite nervous, but since I make such good tea, haha.”

For some reason, I felt anxious in front of Lady Pavia and kept laughing awkwardly.

Though she was very kind, I felt like a herbivore in front of a predator.

If I were to compare her to an animal, Lady Pavia would be a black panther.

‘Or perhaps a wolf pack leader, given she will lead the Roshid Ducal family.’

Lady Pavia’s bright yellow eyes gleamed as she spoke.

“Your tea is truly delicious. So, how about joining the Roshid family?”

“Oh, thank you for the offer…”

It was a scout offer!

However, being a tea-serving maid in the ducal house would likely mean a salary of over 115 gold and 76 silver would be hard to come by.

Lady Pavia tapped the table with her fingers.

“Erica, did you know we’re distant relatives? My granduncle’s godson is your aunt’s cousin.”

“What?”

What was she talking about? And there’s a trap in the middle of that.

‘So, my aunt’s cousin is close to Lady Pavia’s granduncle’s children.’

That’s not really being relatives, though.

“It means I hope you don’t find me too intimidating.”

“I’ll try not to.”

Lady Pavia came closer and gently stroked my hair.

“Why don’t I have a younger sibling? It would be so nice to have a cute little sister who also makes great tea.”

Lady Pavia’s face was so close. Her subtle gaze and smile were enchanting.

Her hand, which had been stroking my hair, slowly moved down.

“Your hair color is unique. Was it red when you were younger?”

I looked down to see her playing with the ends of my hair.

It was common for hair color to change as one grew up. My hair still retained a bit of red.

I was about to explain this to her when the maid who had brought me here reentered the room and whispered something in Lady Pavia’s ear.

Lady Pavia quickly stood up and said her goodbyes.

“Erica, I really must be going now. Let’s meet again soon.”

“Yes, Lady Pavia. Take care.”

Lady Pavia left swiftly, and I returned to the tea storage room.