<CHAPTER 05>
My attempt to make friends vanished like a mole in a whack-a-mole game.
“It’s not trash. Princess Evangeline personally gave these to the new managers.
She said they were stationery and snacks.”
“I know.”
“How do you know?”
“She gives them every year. She always gives this to the newcomers. It’s not a bribe.”
I jumped like a scared bird and clamped my hand over his mouth.
“How dare you call her trash, Princess!”
He tapped my hand lightly, which was blocking his mouth, as if to get me to notice.
I lowered my hand cautiously, watching his reaction.
‘I warned him, so now he’ll watch his words.’
But that was an overestimation of Lucas.
“Who’s going to hear the princess being insulted in the palace?”
“I am! Lucas. That could be a big problem! Even if it’s behind closed doors, you need to watch your words!”
“Watch my words, huh.”
“Lucas!”
The scream from behind wasn’t voluntary.
“Alright, alright, I’ll be careful.”
He jumped like a startled cat, then lazily replied as if it were a bother.
“Ah, really. If you keep saying that, just take this.”
I handed the box to him.
The three lightly browned, shell-shaped madeleines revealed themselves.
I pushed the madeleines into Lucas’s hand.
His eyes lit up as he counted them one by one.
Like a corrupt official counting treasures in the granary.
“Only three madeleines? So stingy.”
I felt indignant.
How shameless, when they’re not even his.
“These are my gifts! I’ll eat the rest myself!”
“What a tight hand.”
Lucas tapped my basket mischievously.
His open palm seemed to demand more.
‘Why is he such a terrible person! His face is a national-level handsome, but inside… what a mystery.’
I secretly worried about Lucas’s social life. Does he even have friends?
‘Maybe? Even if he’s a bit tricky, he’s handsome—so he might have friends.’
He probably wasn’t doing it because he genuinely wanted the sweets.
‘He doesn’t seem like someone who enjoys sweet food. His body doesn’t match a sweet-tooth person.’
Still, I put a few individually wrapped candies and caramels into Lucas’s hand.
“Here, take these.”
With difficult people, it’s easier to just give more.
“I can’t give more. I bet your salary is several grades higher than mine, Lucas.”
“Right?”
“Is it fun to pick on newcomers?”
“You sure have a talent for asking obvious things.”
I grimaced and stared at him with squinty eyes.
He laughed carelessly with a shallow, loud chuckle, draining my energy.
Instead, I gathered the gift boxes into my basket and made a suggestion.
“By the way, if you have time, do you want to have a meal together?”
“Hmm?”
“The palace annex cafeteria is hosting a welcome party for the new employees. You can bring someone you know.”
Normally it would be packed with people leaving work, but the palace was empty.
‘All the new hires and seniors went to the welcome party. I planned to eat there with Rowen Green and Sylvia anyway. Bringing Lucas would be fine.’
‘I can also connect Rowen Green with senior colleagues, and get closer to Lucas.’
The sun was setting.
The sky glowed orange, like a semi-cooked egg yolk spreading red tones.
“No, I have work.”
A polite refusal. I nodded.
“Oh, really? That’s a shame. It would’ve been nice to have a meal together.”
It was a shame, but I couldn’t help it. I’d eat with Sylvia and Rowen Green instead.
“Since it’s almost quitting time and you’re still working, the Emperor’s direct department must be busy. Don’t overdo it, take it easy.”
After the customary farewell, I parted ways with Lucas.
“Then, you go in as well, Lucas.”
“Okay.”
His figure gradually faded into the distance.
That was the last day I saw Lucas.
A month passed without incident.
It was as if the encounters with Lucas were just a dream; I didn’t see him again.
‘I hardly ever see him. Even though the Emperor’s department and Duffy Palace both serve the royal family, there’s some work connection. But even after several visits, I haven’t seen a single strand of his hair. Strange.’
‘Did he feel burdened by the dinner invitation?’
Maybe he mistook me as having interest in him.
‘Thinking about it, if someone of a similar age of the opposite sex invites you to dinner, it might cause a misunderstanding.’
In reality, I had no ulterior motives, I just wanted a palace friend.
‘Ah, I thought I’d make a palace friend, but maybe it wasn’t meant to be. Cherish the relationships I have.’
It was after work, a late evening closer than before.
I returned to Duffy Palace after dinner, because the secretary asked me to walk the palace dog, Jay.
Since I liked Jay, I couldn’t refuse.
Jay was waiting in the garden, eyes shining.
“Jay!”
“Woof, woof! Woof!”
The proud golden retriever had a cute lace pin on its head, probably put by the secretary in advance.
Its round head looked like a freshly dug potato—charming!
“So cute.”
“Woof! Woof!!”
“Alright, let’s go for a walk.”
I attached the harness to its chubby, sausage-like body, checking that my fingers fit comfortably.
‘…A bit tight?’
Jay had gotten plump from all the snacks from the secretary, but it was snug, not too tight.
“Let’s go~!!”
“Woof!”
The garden smelled sweet from the spring season, and my tangled thoughts seemed to wash away.
Every step, Jay sniffed the bushes, healing me with its excitement.
We reached the central garden of the palace.
Suddenly, Jay stopped.
According to our usual route, we should go right, but Jay kept trying to go left.
“Jay, we need to go right.”
“Woof! Wooo, woof!”
“I said right.”
“Woof!”
Communicating with this stubborn, cute animal was hard. I gestured with hands and feet, sweating.
“Woof woof!”
Jay remained obstinate.
“Jay, is there something over there? Why do you keep going left?”
Giving in, I went left.
To the left, I saw the East Wing where the Emperor’s department was located.
A small walking path outside the wing, with a neglected green pond beyond the trees.
“Nothing here. Let’s go back, okay?”
Jay sniffed seriously, nose twitching.
‘Hmm, must be eerie because it’s secluded.’
The cold season had passed, it was spring, yet the path felt damp and chilly.
The shadowed garden looked bleak, unsuitable for spring.
It felt ominous, as if something lurked.
At that moment, a chilling, horrifying sound echoed.
