The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 94

“I’m just grateful to hear you say that.”

 

Felixius’s heart began to pound violently. Soon, he would have a body like a divine beast. In other words, he would obtain the power to rule the world.

 

“Just imagining it is so thrilling.”

 

How long he had longed for this.

 

Now it was possible to gain power equal to that of a divine beast without actually hunting one and stealing its strength.

 

“I’ll refine it and send it to you soon. I’m curious to see what happens once you’ve absorbed it all.”

 

“I am as well. And I believe all of this is thanks to Your Highness.”

 

“I merely helped where I could.”

 

Vladimir gave a respectful bow.

 

“I’m deeply grateful that you provided me with such an excellent elite force. I saw them during training… and I was once again reminded of their incredible strength.”

 

“In the end, we’re all just trying to live well together.”

 

A deep smile formed on Felixius’s lips.

 

“The time for action is drawing near.”

 

“Yes. Most of the other preparations are already complete.”

 

“So I just need to show up, is that it?”

 

“Essentially, yes. Once His Majesty arrives, everything will fall into place.”

 

If Felixius absorbed the quantum and gained abilities like a divine beast, it would not be difficult to drive out Rubens and claim the throne.

 

“I hope that’s how it goes.”

 

Felixius smiled.

 

“What about that woman? The Duchess of Winstaine?”

 

“She’s being watched, but there’s nothing unusual. She hasn’t taken any active part in supporting the Crown Prince.”

 

“Wasn’t it said that she was close to the Crown Princess? So there’s been no news since then?”

 

“I understand they’ve maintained a friendly relationship, but there’s been no significant political activity.”

 

Vladimir was also keeping a close eye on Grace.

 

If Grace, who had inherited the divine beast’s power, was aiding the Crown Prince, it would be a problem.

 

“Is she powerful?”

 

“The only report I received is that her abilities are developing very quickly.”

 

“I’ve heard she has healing powers… I’m very curious. After the operation, I’d like to use her as a research subject.”

 

“I’ll make that possible.”

 

Vladimir promised Felixius on the spot.

 

As long as the coup succeeded, handing over the Duchess of Winstaine to Felixius would be no issue at all.

 

“I’m always grateful.”

 

“The feeling is mutual.”

 

The two men exchanged smiles and shook hands.

 

 

The Reinhardt family estate was about two hours by carriage from the capital.

 

Grace stood in front of the estate gates, her hands neatly folded.

 

“…”

 

After waiting for a while in front of the vine-covered gates, a middle-aged man in a tidy uniform came out.

 

“Who are you?”

 

“Hello. I heard you were hiring. My name is Nikki Pauline.”

 

She had looked into recent job postings on the estate through an information guild. After some digging, she found a recent notice about hiring a maid.

 

“Ah, right. They did say they were hiring a new maid.”

 

The man muttered to himself.

 

“Who referred you?”

 

“Umm… Becky Reinert?”

 

She mentioned the name that was listed in the job posting.

 

“Come on in. I’d better let Becky know.”

 

The man opened the gate. Grace stepped in timidly, pretending to be shy and awkward.

 

“Have you worked elsewhere before?”

 

“This is my second time. I used to work at Count Paulo’s estate.”

 

“That’s quite a distance from here.”

 

“I move around a lot for work. Location doesn’t matter much to me…”

 

Grace gave a bashful smile.

 

“You do know what kind of work it is, right?”

 

“Yes. The posting said it involved general cleaning and management of the estate.”

 

“Well, it’s more or less like that.”

 

“More or less?”

 

That’s what the job posting said exactly—so what did “more or less” mean?

 

As they passed the garden and headed inside, a group of knights came into view, walking out of the entrance.

 

“What’s this?”

 

Grace’s eyes widened.

 

They weren’t from the Empire. Their skin was dark, and they were tall and heavily built. Their uniforms were entirely different from the Empire’s.

 

“Foreign soldiers? But why are they here at the Reinhardt estate?”

 

She knew the Reinhardt family had private soldiers, but not in such large numbers, and certainly not foreigners.

 

“Something’s not right.”

 

As the butler and Grace got closer to the lobby, so did the group of soldiers. Grace tilted her ear toward them.

 

“What exactly did Prince Vladimir promise us?”

 

“Dunno. The lord never tells us much.”

 

“Probably land or something like that.”

 

“It’s hard for people like us to know what goes on at the top.”

 

“Prince Vladimir?”

 

Grace’s ears perked up.

 

“Stop talking. Someone might hear us.”

 

“Who’d hear us?”

 

“That maid over there is listening.”

 

One of the soldiers pointed a finger toward Grace. She pretended not to notice, looking elsewhere.

 

“She probably can’t understand us anyway.”

 

“Still, you should always watch your mouth.”

 

“Alright, alright. It’s not that big of a deal.”

 

The scolded soldier grumbled. After some bickering, the group disappeared from view.

 

“Vladimir is hiding troops. That’s why he’s meeting with Duke Reinhardt.”

 

The two were in an alliance.

 

“I need to investigate this estate more. Figure out exactly what’s going on.”

 

“This way, please.”

 

Grace followed the butler into the mansion.

 

Inside, a middle-aged woman with greying hair sat on a sofa. She looked up from some documents and alternated her gaze between Grace and the butler.

 

“She’s the maid applicant?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Please, have a seat.”

 

She gestured to the seat across from her. Grace sat down and introduced herself.

 

“Hello, my name is Nikki Pauline.”

 

“I’m Becky Reinert. You’re a young lady. How old are you?”

 

“Twenty-two.”

 

“May I see your résumé?”

 

Grace handed over a forged résumé.

 

Becky scanned it carefully, slowly nodding.

 

“Seven years at Count Paulo’s estate… Good experience.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“When can you start? Are you available today?”

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

Grace answered without hesitation.

 

“Let’s put your things down first. Follow me.”

 

Grace followed Becky out. After walking down a long hallway, they arrived at a small room in the corner.

 

“This is the maid’s room. You’ll be staying here from now on.”

 

The room was small, with just a bed and a bathroom. Grace awkwardly set her bag down next to the bed.

 

“Now I’ll explain your duties. Ah, your pay will be calculated starting from today.”

 

“Yes, I understand.”

 

“Follow me.”

 

Grace followed Becky Reinert down the hall.

 

“What kind of work is this really?”

 

Judging from the butler’s earlier tone, it didn’t sound like ordinary cleaning and maintenance.

 

“Don’t do anything dangerous. And use the communicator in case of emergency.”

 

Grace touched the communicator stone in her pocket. Several royal knights were stationed near the estate, ready to move on Frederic’s orders. If Grace sent a message, they would respond immediately.

 

“Come inside.”

 

After a long walk, Becky stopped in front of a large room.

 

With a creak, the door opened. Grace followed her slowly inside.

 

It was a massive study. The shelves were packed with all sorts of books and documents.

 

“This way.”

 

Grace followed Becky further in and arrived at a desk in the center. Becky pulled a key from her pocket, unlocked the top drawer, and retrieved a thick file. When she opened it, documents pinned inside became visible.

 

“Every three or four days, mail will arrive at the estate.”

 

“…”

 

“Your job is to organize the mail and store it in this file. That’s the most important task.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“What language is this?”

 

The file was filled with characters she had never seen before.