Chapter 22
“What? What did you just say?”
Jade responded, a beat slower. Pession shook his head.
“Mmm. Nothing.”
“Your Highness, are you ill?”
“No, I’m healthy!”
“Phew, I’m surprised.”
Jade patted his chest. He was going to be a bastard for training the crown prince and not noticing when he was sick.
Pession spoke up at Lord Jade’s outburst.
“It’s just, um. Um… I have a friend who’s a little weak, and I don’t think she’s in good health, so we don’t play for long. But I’d like to play with her for a long time.”
Pession scratched the floor with his foot and looked embarrassed.
“You’ll be able to play more when you’re healthy, won’t you?”
“I see.”
Jade looked at the crown prince’s flushed cheeks.
His face was still chubby from his baby bump. A face that still reminded him of Emperor Edward and Empress Ageni in their prime.
Who would be blessed to be the recipient of such a boy’s attention and affection.
“I’m in good health…”
The Crown Prince is a generous man, and his heart is big enough to think of his friend.
Sir Jade was eager to pass on all the truth he knew.
“The human body works on a surprisingly simple principle.”
“Simple, what?”
“A regular life, enough sleep, healthy meals balanced with nutrients three times a day, and moderate exercise. That’s the key.”
“I see.”
“Do you think that helps?”
“Yes!”
Pession smiled.
It was a smile that could light up a dark world.
“The most important thing is exercise. The human body is designed to be energised by moderate activity.”
“I see!”
“Stronger strength! Healthier body! That’s what you need to train for.”
Jade grinned in agreement and raised his sword again.
“Well, then, let’s get back to training, shall we?”
“Okay!”
Let’s get this over with, and then he’ll go teach Arellin how to be healthy!
Pession finished his training in high spirits.
The next day, the scheduled playdate.
“What? Arellin’s not coming?!”
Ding dong.
Pession’s plans were in jeopardy.
***
She’s glad she’s not coming.
Mehen had kept his promise to her. He had sent a note to the imperial court saying that she would not be able to attend for a while due to illness.
“Mehen best.”
What is she doing?
She buried herself in a light, fluffy duvet and evolved into one with the bed.
There’s a saying in Korea.
It’s dangerous to get out of bed!
“It’s dangerous to get out of bed, so stay in bed all day.”
Everything felt so good.
Except for one thing.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“What? You want me to leave? You’re going to take a break?”
“Can we stay here and watch? I swear I won’t do anything, I won’t even make a sound.”
“Yikes. You’re too much.”
The butler and maid cling to her too tightly.
“Lady, Lady, Lady!”
“Lady Arellin, Lady Arellin!”
She ends up hiding from the butler and the maid.
“Ew.”
She’s already suffered enough from the imperial palace’s newest gumshoe, but this household isn’t letting her off the hook either.
“After Mehen, I’m the second favorite of the young lady.”
“Nonsense. I’m the one in charge of her health, and I’m the one who deserves it.”
“That’s why you didn’t give her her medicine on time, right?”
“You-!”
Why are they fighting?
The mansion quickly turned into a war zone as the butler and maid, who had always wanted to be cool and professional adults, showed their true colors.
“But why aren’t you over there?”
Standing silently and seemingly unperturbed by her side was Ern, the butler who always escorted her when she went outside.
She’d heard he was a great knight somewhere, but she doesn’t know why he’s a butler.
“Alas, the lady has taken an interest in me…”
Ern was thrilled.
Ah. He was a childminder too.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to show you any of that scandalous behavior.”
“…”
“Hoo hoo. Are those suspicious eyes of yours, they break my heart. I’m always content to shadow and protect you.”
She continued to cast suspicious glances, which Ern deftly deflected.
In retrospect, she supposed he wasn’t bothering her all along?
“The others have been reflecting on what has happened and are humbled. They’ve made a blood oath to serve and care for you more fully and never leave you alone again.”
What a blood oath. She’s scared to hear it again.
“I will never let that happen to you again.”
“… Well, whatever.”
Was the incident of the maids swearing at her really that shocking?
She doesn’t know, being called names is so routine for her. She thought they were just overreacting.
“Don’t worry, young lady. We’ll take care of you for the rest of your life!”
Ern was such a passionate character.
She nodded her head up and down, surprised by the fire in his eyes, then paused.
“But aren’t all childcare workers contractors?”
“… Yes?”
“Then how do you keep them for life?”
It was her understanding that the contract would be released upon her death, or upon reaching adulthood.
Ern’s eyes widened at her simple question.
How do you know that?” …
“So you’re going to abandon us?!”
No, the conclusion.
“You’re going to abandon us, those of us who are determined to serve you with all our hearts and minds?!”
“…?”
When did I give my body and soul to you? I don’t remember receiving it.
“You’re too kind!”
“No, that…”
She froze, not sure if she was hurt or not, as she watched Ern storm off. What was that?
“Oh, there she is!”
“I spotted a lady!”
“A lady!”
Ern’s shouting was too loud, and he’d been spotted.
She slapped her forehead as she looked at the rushing nursery maids.
She’s screwed.
***
A peaceful evening.
If only it were as peaceful as this after the day she’d had.
“Lady, let me feed you!”
“No, I’ll feed you!”
“What? It’s my turn this time, Yuni!”
Where has her peace gone, filled with unwanted chatter.
Alas. Her river-like peace.
“No? Lady’s number one handmaiden position is mine.”
“Very well, follow me. Let’s decide who’s number one today.”
“Yes, a duel!”
“Let’s fight to the death. The loser will be Lady Arellin slave.”
“Okay!”
Strange things had been happening at Halbern Manor lately. The nursery children have suddenly been fighting amongst themselves for hierarchy.
The children were suddenly trying to be nice, and they didn’t understand the pecking order.
“Ugh, they’re so old and jealous. It’s pathetic, isn’t it, young lady?”
“Huh? Yes…”
“Here, leave those pathetic bastards alone. I’ll feed you. Ah~”
“…I can eat by myself.”
“Huhu. It’s been my lifelong wish to feed you myself, but I secretly rehearsed it yesterday…”
How did you do that?
“… ah.”
“Now, ah~!”
As she was eating the pudding that Rana gave her, Yuni, the victor of the duel, exclaimed.
“Ouch! I wanted to feed you, but that’s cheating!”
“What do you mean? I only gave it to you because you were neglected.”
“What do you mean neglected? She wasn’t neglected! How could we neglect her!”
“I don’t know about that, but I was just looking after you anyway, wasn’t I, Lady?”
“…”
She doesn’t know, and she hopes they can figure it out.
“Lady, as far as you’re concerned, Lana was in the wrong, wasn’t she?”
“Lady. Don’t you think Yuni is being a bit too pushy?”
She grew tired of the arrows that suddenly came back at her.
Help, Solomon!
“Break it in half.”
“…!”
The maids’ eyes change as they are impressed by Solomon’s decision.
“It’s a tie! I’ll feed her from here to here, and you feed her from that half over there.”
“Whoever feeds her better wins!”
What the hell.
What’s a tastier feed, and how is it judged?
“Okay, here we go!”
“Ouch.”
She was the one who suffered again.
Save me.
***
She can’t go on like this.
She lay down to sleep and woke up quickly.
“I’ll die of stress, not illness, at this rate,” She thought, “and not at home, let alone in peace.”
She had narrowly escaped suffering at the imperial palace, but she couldn’t afford to suffer at home, and it wasn’t like she had any other options.
Does she have to take this?
No!
There was no way she was going to persuade the butler and maid, who were already half blind, with words. If she had, she would have stopped long ago.
And Mehen?
‘But Mehen is busy.’
She knew better than anyone else that Mehen was too busy and too much of a builder to be used as a totem.
Then…
She had one last option.
“I wasn’t going to use this one because I’m a cheat.”
She’s going with my uncle’s method of giving my nephew pocket money on Chuseok.
