Chapter 11 – The Duchess, the Servants, and an Upset Stomach
“The Queen Consort openly ignores the Crown Prince now.”
Watching the royal carriages leave the mansion, Sharon Abner stroked her chin thoughtfully.
“She must have the Emperor completely under her control by now,” Wendel, her assistant, added.
Sharon nodded slowly.
“Indeed. She no longer has to fear anyone’s opinion. And for the prince, that means his place in the palace is shrinking even more.”
Technically, Crown Prince Tian ranked above Queen Karin.
But anyone who saw them together would never believe that.
Karin scolded him in front of others as if he were her servant,
and Tian—frightened and silent—could only bow his head.
It had been the same earlier, when they left the drawing room.
Karin was surrounded by more than ten maids and attendants.
Tian, meanwhile, had walked alone.
“He’ll have a hard road ahead,” Sharon murmured.
“With the Queen herself treating him this way, who else will show him any respect?”
“Are you considering getting involved, my lady?” Wendel asked carefully.
Sharon frowned slightly.
“Personally, I feel pity. I still owe a debt to the late Empress, and the boy is far too young to suffer like this.”
“Then—”
“But pity isn’t a reason,” she cut in sharply.
She pulled the curtain closed and returned to her seat.
“Never move without a clear gain, Wendel. Money, power, or something greater—without one of those, sentiment is worthless.”
“…Understood.”
He hesitated, then sighed. “Still, the prince is unfortunate.”
“Unfortunate, yes,” Sharon said coolly. “But weakness and misfortune are not the same.”
With a flick of her fingers, a servant hurried to clear away the tea set Karin had used.
“The prince is too soft. He doesn’t even understand what’s happening to him, and he lacks both courage and resolve to change it. Even if I wanted to help, what could I do for someone with no will to fight?”
Wendel nodded silently.
Sharon’s gaze drifted toward the window, and her tone softened.
“Though, it is strange, isn’t it?”
“What is, my lady?”
“That child—Annelia.”
“Ah. Yes,” Wendel agreed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “She’s remarkably sharp for her age.”
“Sharp indeed. Strangely so.”
Sharon tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing in thought.
“And… oddly familiar.”
Wendel blinked, uncertain he’d heard right.
“Familiar… how, my lady?”
Sharon didn’t answer.
She simply looked out the window again, her earlier smile fading into a deep, unreadable calm.
***
“Eh?”
After sending the Crown Prince off, I turned to leave my room—only to stop short.
Two people were standing right outside my door.
“Good morning, Lady Annelia!”
“G-good morning, miss…!”
They were both dressed as servants, their arms full of baskets and folded fabrics.
The smaller one, with big round eyes, quickly set her basket down and beamed.
“My name’s Miel, and from today on, I’ll be serving you! It’s the first time we’ve met while you’re awake, right?”
I blinked up at her, confused.
She laughed. “Actually, I already saw you last night—when you were asleep.”
My eyes widened.
So she must’ve been the one who kept my room warm overnight.
The other maid stepped forward and bowed politely.
“I’m Soya. I’ll be assisting Miel in looking after you, my lady.”
Unlike Miel’s bubbly energy, Soya was quiet and calm, freckles dotting the bridge of her nose.
I gave them both a quick bow in return.
“Nice to meet you, big sisters!”
Miel’s mouth fell open.
Soya turned red and whispered, “So cute…”
I tilted my head. “Um… what brings you here?”
Then I remembered something and took a step back.
“Wait—am I… not supposed to go outside my room?”
“Huh?”
“Duke Abner said I shouldn’t wander around alone. He told me to always take Mr. Wendel with me if I go anywhere.”
Now that I said it aloud, it did make sense.
I had only arrived yesterday—
of course, they wouldn’t want a new guest running loose in a noble mansion.
But before I could get too worried, the two maids exchanged quick glances and waved their hands.
“Oh, no! That’s not it at all!”
“We just came to bring you some things you might need, and… to take you to the dining hall.”
“Things I might need?”
Just then, a cool draft slipped through the hallway.
Soya quickly pulled a small indoor coat from her basket and draped it over my shoulders.
Her hands were practiced and gentle.
When I peeked into the basket, I nearly gasped.
It wasn’t just one basket—there were five.
Two full of toys, three filled with brand-new clothes.
They’re seriously giving me all this?
Before I could ask, Miel spoke brightly,
“We should’ve come earlier, but we didn’t know you were awake! Everyone’s been busy since dawn—cleaning up the east wing and decorating your room! We couldn’t leave it gloomy when someone so cute moved in—”
“Miel!” Soya hissed, mortified. “That’s… not what you’re supposed to say right now.”
Miel froze, then laughed awkwardly.
“Ahaha… sorry! I talk too much.”
Before I could respond, she bent down and lifted me easily into her arms.
“You must be hungry! Let’s get you something to eat.
Soya, could you put those things inside?”
“Of course.”
Soya gathered up the five baskets—one in each hand and three balanced neatly—and carried them into my room as if they weighed nothing.
Meanwhile, Miel smiled down at me.
“But, my lady, why did you think you weren’t allowed to leave your room?”
I hesitated.
“Well…”
Because people usually don’t like it when I wander around.
At least, that’s how it had been at the Longton estate.
A stranger like me only got in the way there.
But Miel’s voice broke through my thoughts—soft and warm.
“My lady, you can do whatever you want here. As long as it’s safe, of course.”
I blinked up at her.
“The master only asked that someone accompany you so you don’t get lost or hurt, that’s all.”
She patted my shoulder gently.
The coat Soya had wrapped around me was so soft it felt like a hug.
When Soya returned from the room, Miel brightened again.
“All right, let’s go eat!”
For some reason, my chest felt tight as I blinked up at her.
Still, I let her carry me down the hall, her steps light and cheerful.
***
My first meal in the East Wing…
was overwhelming.
Not because of the food—well, not exactly.
It was my stomach.
Everything looked so rich and fancy that my insides started to twist just from the smell.
And the way everyone was watching didn’t help.
“Chef! The young lady seems to like the meunière—put it closer to her!”
“The what?”
“Or maybe the lamb and mushroom soup!”
The head chef, a plump man in an enormous hat, was peering out from the kitchen door, waving his arms like a conductor.
“Yes, that one! Closer!”
Soya obediently moved the dish nearer.
“A-ah, my lady,” she said nervously, “please try this one. It’s veal—super soft. You only have to chew twice!”
“O… okay.”
I awkwardly picked up my fork and prodded the tender meat—
then set the fork back down again.
From the kitchen, I could almost feel the collective gasp.
“She’s not eating that either?!”
“Are you sure you cooked it right?”
“Of course I did! You smelled it too—it was perfection!”
Their frantic whispering carried all the way to my seat.
I stared at the glittering spread of food before me—dishes more beautiful than any painting—
and felt oddly hollow.
This was supposed to be my welcome meal.
I didn’t want to seem picky or ungrateful.
But my stomach just wouldn’t cooperate.
It’s twisting again… I can’t even swallow anything.
Soya’s worried voice broke the silence.
“My lady, are you… feeling unwell?”
Miel, fidgeting anxiously nearby, whispered,
“Should we call the butler?”
“Yes, we should,” Soya agreed.
“Wait—no! I’m fine!” I blurted out, waving my hands.
But Miel was already gone, darting out of the dining room before I could stop her.
Leaving me alone… surrounded by untouched silver plates that smelled of butter and herbs.
And an entire kitchen full of panicking chefs watching from behind the doorway.
