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[Siana’s POV]
Soon, water flowed out of the kettle.
The water went into the wooden cup without a single drop split.
Siana, who was watching from the side, applauded.
“Well done, Chuchu. It has improved a lot.”
“Yes…?”
Chuchu’s expression brightened at Siana’s praise.
At least now she won’t mess up or spill tea, she won’t be scolded, saying that she’s mocking guests.
Chuchu said while rubbing her nose.
“It is thanks to you. Because you taught me much better than that maid.”
“What. It’s because you worked hard. Because Chuchu is the most diligent student, more than anyone else.”
Making eye contact, Chuchu and Siana lightly crossed their palms cheerfully.
After finishing the training, we would talk about various things.
Chuchu sipped the tea and said,
“My hometown is a small mining town in the east. And my father is a miner who works every day. There are 13 children to feed, including myself.”
[T/l: 13?! I am also having the same reaction like fl.]
“13 members?”
Looking at Siana’s surprised face, Chuchu nodded.
“Yes, the house is full so it’s harmonious, but it’s hard to make a living. That’s why I came all the way here. I heard that the wages are good when you become an official maid. I want to raise my younger siblings by feeding them as much meat as they want.”
“I see. You are a good sister.”
At Siana’s praise, Chuchu scratched the bridge of her nose as if embarrassed.
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“By the way how did you get here? If you came from a foreign country, you must have complicated circumstances, right? “
The truth is, I was the princess of a small kingdom not too long ago.
If I said something like that, the story will become more complicated.
Siana had no intention of revealing her past identity.
So Siana answered briefly.
“The Crown Prince made me become an apprentice maid, saying that he felt sorry for me who was saddened by the loss of my country.”
Chuchu, whose eyes widened, jumped up.
“Hi,His Highness Rashid?”
“Yes.”
“Have you ever seen him in person?”
“Yes.”
“Wahh!”
Chuchu’s nostrils flared and stamped her feet.
Siana blinked at the sight of Chuchu, who was excited like a colt who found a pile of carrots.
‘I knew it because I heard what the maids said as I passed by, but the crown prince’s popularity is amazing.’
Chuchu asked with a flushed face.
“I heard the crown prince has a more beautiful appearance than a statue. Is that true?”
It only took a few seconds for Siana to see Rashid’s face properly.
But I still remember it vividly.
Fine silver hair and bright purple eyes It was an unrealistically beautiful face.
So Siana nodded without any hesitation.
“That’s right.”
“Wow. The rumors were really true! I really want to see it once.”
Chuchu, twisting her body like a pretzel, continued to ask.
“I heard that he has a cruel personality, unlike his beautiful appearance like the Milky Way. Is that true too?”
Siana nodded again.
“That’s true too. He took all of my family’s lives.”
“……!”
At that moment, silence lingered between the two.
Chuchu looked at Siana with her eyes wide open.
After a while, Chuchu shouted with a red face.
“I’m, I’m sorry! I brought up something useless without noticing. I didn’t know such a terrible thing had happened.”
It doesn’t matter.
Because the people who were called my family, they’ve only tormented me all my life. I didn’t feel anything when I saw them die.
…What kind of face would Chuchu make if I said that?
‘That can’t be true! He killed your family, how could you be okay? I am going to be the one who’s going to kill you for saying such things. Ugh!’
She might burst into tears.
That was a no-no.
So Siana answered as calmly as she could.
“Don’t worry about it because it’s okay now that time has passed.”
Chuchu burst into tears and hugged Siana.
“You’re saying that because you don’t want me to feel sorry, right? You’re nice, so nice.…!”
Whatever the truth, Chuchu’s behavior toward Siana changed completely since that day.
“Si…”
As soon as Jeanne uttered Siana’s “Si” from her mouth, Chuchu intervened between the two.
Chuchu standing as if protecting Siana, opened her eyes and said.
“Say something mean to Siana. I’ll stretch the wicked tongue like cheese and tie it to the pillar.”
“…….”
Jeanne stuttered as she backed away from the unusual force.
“I was going to ask her what time it was. You’re so funny.”
And that wasn’t all.
Chuchu also gave Siana something to eat at times.
“The kitchen maid gave me one. Eat it.”
What Chuchu gave to Siana was a round lollipop.
“You can eat it.”
“I’m already big. You should eat like an acorn. So eat it and grow big.”*
PR/N: I think it means eating like an acorn to grow into an oak tree.
Siana pouted her lips.
“I’m all grown up now? And eating candy won’t make me grow tall.”
While mumbling, Siana stuffed the candy in her mouth.
‘It’s sweet…!’
I ate only hardened bread every day, so the candy I tasted after a long time has never been so delicious.
Chuchu murmured, looking at Siana munching on candy.
“Killing such a good girl’s family. Crown Prince, you XX bastard*.”
PR/N: LMAO the XX are in the raws. My guess is they’re censored curses.
The thing that changed in a few days was not just her behavior towards Siana.
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As if it was a lie that she asked about the crown prince like an excited girl, Chuchu had now become a passionate anti-fan of the crown prince.
“No matter how rich our country is, why are you still trampling on other countries like that? What a bad guy. I thought it was a fart, but it’s diarrhea.”
Siana had no feelings for the crown prince. On the contrary, I was grateful that he had kept me alive.
However, Siana did not bother to stop Chuchu’s cursing.
‘Maybe it’s because it feels like she is on my side, but it’s nice to hear.’
Siana grinned and thought.
‘Anyways, a man of this level like the crown prince will hear these kinds of curses hundreds of thousands of times a day. Chuchu’s cursing won’t be noticed anyway.’
* * *
[Rashid’s POV]
“Ah.”
At the strange groan(?), the prince’s escort Sol asked with a worried face.
“What’s wrong, Your Highness? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
“No. My ears are itchy all of a sudden.”
Rashid said, touching one ear.
“Someone must be cursing at me hard.”
It refers to the superstition of the empire that when someone curses at you, your ears itch.
Sol smiled brightly.
‘Eyyy, If it’s because of that superstition, it wouldn’t end here. You would have been rolling on the floor all year round, saying your ears are itchy.’
Rashid had many enemies.
In and out of the country.
But now, Rashid’s face was so peaceful that it was hard to believe such a horrifying fact.
There were three small animals next to Rashid, who was lying on the sofa.
The white ferret and the chubby squirrel were constantly munching with their cheeks with apples in their tiny hands, and the little bird was also raising and lowering its head, eagerly pecking at the apples.
“It must be delicious.”
Rashid looked at the little critters with satisfaction and grabbed an apple from the basket.
The sight of a beautiful man holding a bright red apple was as wonderful as a painting.
Rashid took a bite of the apple.
Crunch.
The taste of fresh and sweet apples spread through my mouth.
“As expected, Appleton’s apples are the best.”
Sol, who was sitting across from Rashid and munching on an apple, nodded.
“I think so too.”
“…….”
“However, no matter how good the apples taste, farmers are not invited to the imperial palace to be praised. Furthermore, directly from His Highness the Crown Prince himself.”
Sol continued with narrowed eyes.
“You’re trying to test Siana on the pretext of Appleton’s apples, right?”
Rashid replied with a big smile.
“Correct.”
“Oh yay. Then what’s my prize?”
“I will give you the honor of playing with my little lovely children for half a day.”
“I’m sorry, but I refuse. It’s a prize that’s worse than not receiving one…….”
“That’s too bad. I feel sorry for you who don’t know the cuteness of these children.”
Yes, yes.
Sol narrowed his eyes with an awkward face.
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Rashid asked instead of finding fault with it.
“Did you hear back from Baroness Appleton?”
“Yes. She’s going to attend the tea party tomorrow.”
“I see. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Rashid took another bite of the apple with his eyes twinkling.
* * *
[Siana’s POV]
From early in the morning, apprentice maids moved busily.
It’s because of today’s tea party.
The guests of the tea party are farmers who supply fruits to the place.
Although it was not fancy enough to entertain the ladies, it was necessary to prepare enough not to degrade the royal family.
The apprentice maids mowed on the lawn neatly and placed a round, white table on it.
The decoration on the table was blue hydrangeas.
Siana looked ecstatic, putting the coveted hydrangea in the pot.
‘As expected, the flowers are pretty.’
Chuchu, who lifted the table while I was smiling, approached.
Others were moving a table, with 3 people, but Chuchu was fine alone.
Thud.
Chuchu, who set the table down on the floor, approached Ciana.
“Have you heard about the story?”
“What story?”
Chuchu whispered in Siana’s ear in a small voice.
“It’s not just farmers coming today. Baroness Appleton, the owner of the orchard, is also coming.”
Only then did Siana’s eyes widen with an ‘ah!’.
‘That’s why the atmosphere is like this.’
Apart from the joy of welcoming the guests for the first time, the apprentice maids had no expectations from the guests themselves.
Because the guests were farmers.
But today was different.
Their eyes were bright and motivated.
In particular, Jeanne even wore fancy hairpins on her hair and makeup on her face.
‘It was to look good to the noble baroness.’
Of course, in Siana’s eyes, she looked like an idiot.
‘There is no need to say that too much is worse than too little. Even if I say it, she won’t listen to it anyway.’
Siana turned her gaze from Jeanne and looked at Chuchu.
Unlike usual, Chuchu had a colorful flower-shaped pin on her head.
Siana asked with a smile.
“Is that why you dressed up like this? Because you want to look good to the Baroness?”
“Eyyy, it’s not like that.”
Chuchu said, scratching her cheeks with a slightly heated face.
“Whether it’s a baroness or a farmer, it’s my first guest as a maid. So I put it in on because I wanted to look pretty, even a little bit.”
Siana giggled.
“That’s a great mindset.”
“The one serving should also listen well.””
“You’ll do well. Because a great teacher taught you.”
“Yes. Because I’m also a great student.”
Siana and Chuchu laughed and bumped their fists together.
“Let’s do well.”
* * *
Siana and the apprentice maids were standing in a row at the entrance of the banquet hall.
After a while, today’s guests, farmers, began to appear one by one.
It was certainly different from the noble ladies Siana had seen at the tea party.
Although they worked hard in their own way, their skins exposed to the hot sun every day were rough and their dresses were unfashionable.
Above all, the wide-open eyes and shrunken shoulders clearly showed a nervous look.
‘It’s a tea party invited by the imperial family, so it’s understandable.’
On the other hand, the apprentice maids were so majestic that it was unimaginable that they were welcoming guests for the first time.
“Welcome.”
It was possible because the guests were farmers, not nobles.
Because it’s easy.
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Farmers who could not have known that were whispering.
“Wow. As expected, the court ladies are different. Elegant and confident.”
“Yeah, Just like a noble.”
“Ladies, thank you so much for your warm welcome.”
There were even some who bowed down to greet.
After the greeting, the apprentice maids gathered several wives and escorted them to the table.
Siana turned her head slightly.
Jeanne, who would normally have been the first to step forward, was standing at the far end, scanning the guests who entered as if she was looking for someone.
Her intentions were obvious.
‘You want to serve Baroness Appleton?’
She was always an ambitious person, so I wasn’t surprised.
At that time, a woman entered the banquet hall.
Siana’s eyes widened.
It was the same with Jeanne and the other apprentice maids.
The woman who was much taller than average was a tremendous beauty.
Her dress was luxurious, and her gait was elegant.
Everyone thought about the appearance of the woman who could not be considered as an ordinary farmer.
It’s this person.
Today’s VIP.
‘Baroness Appleton!’
Jeanne sprang out faster than the speed of light.
Jeanne greeted the woman with a smile that was uncomfortably bright.
“Welcome. Welcome to the Imperial Tea Party!”
Then she glared at the other apprentice maids with terrifying eyes.
‘I’ll take care of this person. Whoever comes near will go to hell.’
PR/N: Pink text means it’s not Siana’s thoughts.
Some apprentice maids bit their lips with resentment.
But no one thought of confronting Jeanne.
Jeanne, who easily overpowered her competitors, smiled again.
“Follow me, ma’am. Let me guide you to your seat.”
The woman nodded her head and followed Jeanne.
The moment she passed, Siana wrinkled the tip of her nose.
‘A strong rose scent. Is it rose wine perfume from Ezlan?’
Rose wine was a popular perfume for ladies. As such, the price was exorbitant.
‘I heard that Baron Appleton was a humble aristocrat. Seeing her spray this, I guess she is richer than I thought…….’
At that moment, Siana and the woman’s eyes met.
The woman’s eyes bent gently.
‘Oh my gosh.’
Siana opened her eyes wide and her mouth opened.
That smile was so enchanting.
The woman smiled as if she thought Siana was cute, and soon moved away.
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The apprentice maids who were staring blankly at the woman’s back exclaimed with excited faces.
“My god, why is she so pretty?”
“I know right, I know right. I was wondering how great she was since she is the wife of the Baron who owns an orchard on the outskirts of the capital. Certainly, nobles are different!”
“To serve such a beautiful lady. I envy Jeanne!”
Siana lowered her eyebrows at the reaction of the apprentice maids.
‘They’re envious of Jeanne being in charge of the most difficult guest.’
It was cute in some ways, but immature in some ways.
In the midst of the commotion, the next guest entered the banquet hall.
The chattering maids gasped the moment they saw the guest.
This was because the woman had a hunched back.
The apprentice maids furrowed their eyebrows and began to avert their gaze.
‘Even if it’s not a baroness, I want to serve an ordinary person, I don’t want to serve such a hideous person.’
The woman’s face quickly darkened as if she had read the atmosphere.
A soft voice was directed to the woman, who bowed her head with a somber face.
“Welcome, ma’am. Welcome to the Imperial Palace.”
It was Siana.
Standing in front of the woman, Siana bowed politely with her hands together.
It was a court lady’s way of greeting that she had learned over the past few days.
No, it was more polite than I learned.
‘Because I’m the one who will serve you today.’
Siana said with a smile on her face.
“I’ll guide you to the table. Follow me.”
The woman widened her eyes and nodded with a slightly red face.
* * *
The tea party has begun.
Three or four women sat together at the white table, and a maid was attached at each table to serve.
There was a woman with a hunched back and three other women at the table that Siana was responsible for.
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The women whispered nervously.
“I didn’t know I could attend a banquet like this in my life. It’s not just a tea party, but a tea party at the palace.”
“Me, too. I thought I’d die of old age after picking apples all my life, but I’m enjoying this luxury.”
“As soon as I get home, I’m going to brag about it to my next-door neighbor. She is going to die of envy.”