Hemion had been having busy days lately without a moment to spare.
Ever since she took on the role of a maid, her mornings were filled with absorbing the intricacies of the job, while the afternoons were dedicated to hands-on training and following Rohiriel around.
Yet, even amidst that, the list of things to memorize and tasks to complete was so extensive that there was hardly any room to fully enjoy even the rest periods.
“Sigh…”
Today was no exception. After finishing a tiring day, she returned to her room but couldn’t rest right away.
<Garnet Palace Room Layout>
Hemion laid out the bundle of papers in front of her. White was the paper, and black was the writing.
The Hemion, who had struggled studying the etiquette of a noble lady in the past, was no different now. Her dislike for studying did not improve over time.
“It seems like the workload is increasing day by day.”
This time, her workload was doubled when the palace infirmary was temporarily moved to Garnet Palace.
As someone who shared the same palace, she had to at least memorize the lists and locations of the rooms, as stated on the paper she received during dinner.
Fortunately or unfortunately, Hemion, being assigned as a maid to the Crown Princess, didn’t have significant tasks related to the palace infirmary’s affairs.
The issue was that other maids took over the work at the palace infirmary, so their original duties fell onto Hemion.
“With such a busy schedule, when would I have time to think?”
With a fluttering, dissatisfied gesture from Hemion, the paper that had not been read properly flipped over, revealing a clean blank page.
It reminded her of the woman as white as a blank sheet, Rohiriel Cassian. The daughter of her enemy and her benefactor
Despite probably having numerous questions, Rohiriel hadn’t uttered a single one to Hemion.
Do you have evidence of the Viscount Martin incident? If so, what is it, and where are you keeping it?
Any such question wouldn’t have been strange.
However, for several days after the fire incident, Rohiriel hadn’t said a word. Except for one thing.
[Starting today, you will work as my maid. Until your safety is ensured.]
It was a sudden declaration, appointing herself as her maid. So, in the end, Hemion had to ask first.
Why don’t you ask anything? Don’t you have any questions?
To that, Rohiriel responded with a small, ironic laugh.
[If I ask, will you tell me the whole truth?]
It was a piercing question, leaving Hemion unable to answer. Even if Rohiriel had pressed persistently, Hemion wouldn’t have spilled everything recklessly.
No matter how much Rohiriel had saved her life, as long as she bore the name Cassian, Hemion’s suspicion couldn’t be completely erased. She still needed time.
[Look, you don’t have to say anything. I’ll wait until you feel like talking. Take your time and think until then.]
Rohiriel reassured Hemion with a smile. And since then, Rohiriel has truly treated her only as a maid. It felt comfortable and strange at the same time.
‘No, scratch that. It’s not comfortable. This is exhausting!’ Hemion shook her head vigorously and flopped down on the bed. Her tired body and exhausted mind were on the verge of fading into darkness. Just before completely submerging into darkness.
“Hemion, her highness is calling for you.”
With a soft knock, Zenid’s voice woke her up. Hemion, startled, opened her eyes wide and let out a sigh.
“Yes, coming!” She is sure she has no more schedule for today, so she didn’t know what was going on.
Dragging her body, which felt like a soaked cotton ball, Hemion barely made it out of the room. Outside, not only Zenid but also Rohiriel were present.
“Ooh… Your Highness!” As she hastily bowed her head, Rohiriel chuckled.
“It’s strange to see you being so polite. You’re not sleeping yet, are you?”
“Not yet,” though she was close to falling asleep.
Hemion swallowed the rest of her words, offering a hesitant smile. However, Hemion was the type whose inner thoughts were easily reflected on her face. Rohiriel walks away, still smiling.
“I apologize. But I have something to tell you in advance about the restoration of the Golden Garden, which starts tomorrow.”
Hemion hurriedly followed Rohiriel, who was moving away. As they stepped outside the palace, the atmosphere was serene, unlike the bustle of the day. Under the faint moonlight that illuminated the garden, her emotions seemed to stir for no reason.
They soon arrived at the deep part of the central garden, the Golden Garden. Out of habit, Hemion waited by the entrance to the garden. Rohiriel looked back and gestured for her to come inside.
“What are you doing? Come in.”
“What? Me, too?”
“Sure. I told you I had something to tell you about the Golden Garden. I need to tell you that in person.”
“But aren’t only members of the imperial family allowed in there?”
“I’ve gotten permission. Now, a few individuals I’ve designated can enter.”
“Oh…….”
Uttering foolish words, Hemion cautiously stepped into the Golden Garden. Just passing through the arch-shaped entrance gave the illusion that even the air had changed.
Pushing through the dense bushes and going deeper, Hemion’s mouth fell open at the sight of the garden, which was even more desolate than she had imagined.
Perhaps it was because of the surrounding dryness or the mysterious glow it emitted. One flower in particular caught her eye. She couldn’t tell whether it was blue or yellow.
As she was entranced by the flower, Rohiriel spoke. “Beautiful, isn’t it? It’s a rare flower called Apherium. It glows like that when it catches moonlight.”
“It’s truly… beautiful.”
Watching Hemion, unable to take her eyes off the apherium, Rohiriel grinned.
“Starting tomorrow, some gardeners will be tending to the Golden Garden. I’ll oversee the general management, but I can’t see every corner of this wide area with my own eyes.”
Rohiriel’s blue eyes scanned the Golden Garden. Hemion also tore her gaze away from the apherium and looked around.
“As you know, there are many important and rare species cherished by the Emperor here. There’s a possibility that a gardener might have ill intentions and try to steal something.”
“Are there really people so desperate?”
“Of course. Desperate people can do anything. Anyway, I’m going to need to memorize not only the geography of this place but also where each plant is located.”
For a moment, silence descended within the Golden Garden. Hemion blinked her eyes and smiled playfully.
“So, you’re telling me to memorize the names and locations of all these plants overnight?”
Whatever was going on in her head, all politeness and formality disappeared as she spoke. Zenid frowned, ready to scold her, but Rohiriel responded nonchalantly.
“That’s right. I’ll explain them one by one from now on, so try to remember them right away. Now, shall we start with this one?”
Smiling brightly and pointing to the withered red flower beside her, Rohiriel almost sincerely earned a string of curses from Hemion.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━
Clangg!
The fluttering wings of distant birds resonated through the sky as a carriage came to a stop below. Soon, a gorgeously adorned lady descended through the now-open doors.
“Lady Liliana, you have arrived.”
In perfect order, maids lined up, offering greetings. Liliana, momentarily enjoying their greetings, removed her cloak, and a maid waiting beside her took it.
“Report.”
“The production has decreased by 0.7 times. There was an attack from the Antrow Mountains, suspected to be from Lord Roxis. Also…”
The maid’s report continued. Liliana’s cold expression remained unchanged throughout the report, but at the last words, it twisted abruptly.
“…The Duke is here for a visit.”
Liliana stopped walking and looked back at the maid. In the next moment, Liliana raised her hand and struck the maid’s cheek.
Smack!
The sound echoed, but no one paid any attention, and the maid, having received the blow, didn’t even let out a whimper.
Instead, she immediately fell to her knees. Liliana’s cold voice settled on the top of the maid’s head.
“Why would you mention the most important thing last?”
“I apologize, my lady.”
“How incompetent.”
Liliana didn’t even spare a glance at the maid, stepping on her hand with the heel of her shoe as she moved forward.
“Escort me to Father immediately.”
This place belonged to the Cassian family, ruled by Liliana. Unless it was something special, the Duke of Cassian never came to visit directly. Hence, the Duke’s visit was highly unusual.
“How long has it been?”
“Exactly one hour and fifteen minutes.”
“Why is he here so early when I’m not even here…”
There was no way her father didn’t know that she went to the spring banquet. It was him who had told her to secretly deliver a message to Rohiriel there.
If he had come to meet her, he wouldn’t have come early and waited. He would have come at a more appropriate time. Unless he had another purpose,
‘Surprise inspection of the territory?’ Liliana shook her head as she continued her thoughts.
The Duke of Cassian had never done such a thing before. There was no need for him to go through such trouble and inconvenience because everything that happened within Cassian’s territory was already under the Duke’s control.
‘I can’t figure out his exact motive.’
Liliana felt both pleased and uneasy about her father specifically seeking her out. He was not one to act without purpose. Amidst contemplating countless possibilities, Liliana entered the central garden, where Duke Cassian was waiting.
It was one of the most beautiful gardens in her territory, filled with roses that reflected Liliana’s taste.
“Father, you’ve been waiting a long time.”
The polite yet casual tone of her voice caused the servants around her to tremble. After a moment of silence, Duke Cassian, who had been standing with his back to Liliana, slowly turned around.
