“Episode 10”
“Did you happen to see a letter?” I asked, and the maid, who was tidying the sheets, looked up with an indifferent expression.
“No, miss, all the letters that came for you are placed on the table. Is there something you’re looking for?”
I just shook my head. It wouldn’t be pleasant if the maid heard that I received a letter from Prince Joshua for no reason. Especially now, when this maid was the only one who seemed to loosen up in front of Lucas.
“If there’s nothing else you need, may I leave?”
“Sure.”
She was the one who had used up her precious vacation time this afternoon. There was no need to hold her back before I even gave permission.
Today was the day Lucas had agreed to go to the street festival.
Today, despite being appointed as a prince, Lucas had to mingle with people as ‘Lucas Delic,’ a modest idol of the commoners.
“Because that’s where the newspapers and magazines are.”
They said that when I, Alicia, was born, newspapers weren’t as active as they are now. But as industry developed, the influence of the media became undeniable.
“In other words, even the status of non-nobles is rising.”
The number of nobles staying only on their estates was decreasing. Most nobles lived in townhouses in the capital, whether it was the social season or not.
“As industry develops, everything revolves around the capital. There are more jobs, more money, and more rumors.”
Even…
“Even that gruff uncle is coming to the townhouse…”
I really didn’t like it.
When Uncle decided to go to the capital upon hearing that I was going, he didn’t say much until the day before leaving.
“Alicia, in the summer, or at least by autumn, I’ll come to the capital too.”
Uncle?
Why?
I wanted to ask so badly, but I couldn’t bring myself to. Honestly, Uncle was becoming a bit awkward to deal with as time went by.
Like the Blantay Marquis, he was as expressionless and gruff as anyone could be.
I let out a short sigh and sat down at the table to search through the letters.
Perhaps it had gotten mixed up during the chaos caused by Lucas last night.
But even after checking each letter twice, there was no sign of Prince Joshua’s letter anywhere.
“This is not good…”
It could contain important information.
Rosina had handed it to me with a desperate expression.
I hesitated for a moment, then pulled the bell rope to summon a servant.
If Rosina, the palace maid, had sent a letter, it shouldn’t be a big problem to ask her to pass on a message instead of Prince Joshua.
*
The servant who went to convey the message returned late in the afternoon, while I was getting ready for my appointment with Lucas.
“It wasn’t there?”
“No, miss. There’s no one named Rosina among the palace maids.”
Confusion was evident on the servant’s face.
‘What could have happened?’
Rosina had clearly said she was a palace maid, but could she have already written a resignation letter over yesterday’s incident?
I entertained absurd thoughts for a moment, then decided to prioritize my appointment with Lucas.
The servant, who tended to get more irritated than usual if I was even slightly late, didn’t need to be held back before I gave permission.
“Alicia, when someone as important as me invites you, you should always come out first.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s palace etiquette. Think about it, even if they host a ball, everyone waits for the Empress. The Empress doesn’t wait for the nobles, right?”
It was a convincing explanation, so since then, whenever I had an appointment with Lucas, I would leave 20 minutes early.
Sometimes, he would scold me if I was late, saying he was bored and had come out 10 minutes early, but I always made sure to arrive on time.
I chuckled as I watched the maid combing my hair beyond the mirror.
It felt like Rosina was less diligent than usual, whether it was because of my hair or because I was worried that Lucas wouldn’t dress properly to accompany me.
‘It’s not my job.’
I had spoiled Lucas too much.
Because the Delic family wasn’t well-off, and their servants were lacking, I had sent my maids there occasionally, which had resulted in this situation.
“But it doesn’t seem like meddling here will improve anything.”
“…I guess there’s nothing I can do. It’s not like I’m skilled enough, Miss.”
The maid spoke to me, suppressing subtle irritation and embarrassment.
“Alright, it must be because my hair is too coarse.”
“I-I didn’t mean to say it like that.”
“When did you say it then?”
I chuckled softly, and the maid’s face inexplicably turned red.
‘Well, she must have brought it up deliberately since it’s something she’s said before.’
I lowered my eyes and spoke to the maid.
“You can go, I’ll handle the rest.”
“Yes… Miss.”
I nodded slightly, turned away, and picked up the brush, looking at the maid.
As I slowly untangled the messy hair, I sighed.
‘I need to change people.’
Everyone seemed to have some firm misconceptions. The reason I didn’t get angry was simply because I couldn’t be bothered.
‘I explicitly warned them to be careful since the capital has many eyes watching.’
After begging to be taken to the capital and then acting unreasonably yesterday, Lucas protested as if he were staging a protest against me for not staying with him.
What would they say about the servants of the Marquis’s household?
Even this hairstyling skill, isn’t it a bit of a problem if it’s worse than that of a common maid?
This is their own business.
I sighed as I struggled to untangle the messy hair.
It was clear that Lucas would complain again about having boring hair.
*
When I arrived at the theater 30 minutes earlier than the appointed time set by Lucas, I unexpectedly encountered someone.
And it was…
“Oh, you’re here. Miss Blantay.”
Prince Joshua greeted me as if he had been waiting for me.
At that moment, a conviction pricked my mind sharply.
‘It’s Lucas.’
