Who Brought the Head Maid Back? - Chapter 11

“You’re Vernon, the former Captain of the Imperial Guard, right?”

Amy and Vernon stood before a dark stable outside the inn. Vernon, with his shaggy brown hair, thick beard, and sunken grey eyes, warily scrutinized Amy, both of them hiding their true thoughts.

“I am the former Captain, Head Maid,” Vernon replied stiffly.

Amy gave a soft smile. “I’m honored that you recognize me.”

Vernon scratched the back of his head. “Well, the ‘Ghost Head Maid’ of the Crown Prince’s palace is quite famous.”

“Not anymore. I now belong to the Second Prince’s palace, or rather, to Grand Duke Neudelman of the North.”

“So it really was the Second Prince.”

Vernon looked confused, likely struggling to process the flood of new information. Regardless, Amy quickly scanned his shabby clothes, weathered skin, and calloused hands.

He doesn’t look like the type to refuse this offer.

Hiding her confidence, Amy spoke calmly.

“There’s no need to beat around the bush, is there? I want to bring you to the Grand Duchy of Neudelman in the North.”

He looked genuinely startled by the unexpected proposal.

“Me? Why? I was kicked out of the Imperial Palace.”

“Because of the framing by the current Captain, Martin. I know that you are innocent.”

“…”

His grey eyes wavered violently. Amy remained silent, giving him the space to process her offer.

This man is another victim of the Empress.

The trouble started when Martin, a distant relative of the Empress, craved a high position despite having no talent. He betrayed Vernon, the man who had practically raised him, and crushed Vernon’s knee under the guise of a sparring match.

That wasn’t all. Martin, wanting to finish the job, struck Vernon again while he was incapacitated by the injury. Suddenly, allegations of bribery within the Guard surfaced. Pressured from all sides, Vernon eventually had to resign and return to his hometown.

After a moment of silence, Vernon let out a bitter laugh.

“But I’m a has-been now. I won’t be of any use to the Second Prince.”

His gaze lingered on his own knee. Amy hummed, looked him up and down coldly, and snorted.

“For a has-been, you look exactly the same as before.”

“…”

Vernon’s face stiffened slightly. Amy clicked her tongue inwardly. With that rugged, muscular frame and a well-maintained sword—proof that he hadn’t missed a single day of training—it was impossible not to notice.

What kind of has-been stays in peak condition like this?

She couldn’t understand why military men felt ashamed to be caught training consistently.

Amy stared down the embarrassed Vernon.

Vernon the Knight might be broken, but it’s not as if that’s the only path in life. Why do they all think their lives are over?

In any case, she was well aware that his injury was significant.

Amy spoke professionally.

“I want you to take charge of the Guard. You don’t need to act as an elite knight yourself. Just train the guards for the Grand Duke who will rule a vast territory in the North.”

“…”

His expression shifted through a spectrum of emotions.

There was the learned helplessness, the conflicting hope for a new future, a faint excitement, and the fear of whether he could actually do it. Since it wasn’t a negative reaction, Amy felt a sense of relief.

I don’t know the exact situation in the North yet, so I definitely need someone like Vernon.

She added gently:

“I can match the conditions you had as the Captain of the Imperial Guard. Think about it.”

“!”

It was a generous offer, bordering on extravagant. Seeing him swallow hard, Amy turned back toward the inn without lingering.

“Did it go well?” Noah asked the moment Amy sat down.

Amy gave a faint smile and nodded. “I told you on the way here, didn’t I? He’s the one I scouted to be the Captain of the Guard. I’ve delivered the offer to join us in the Grand Duchy.”

Joseph, who had been eavesdropping at the next table, looked disappointed to learn Vernon was a military man. Amy caught his eye.

I need a civil official to assist Joseph too, someone skilled in calculation.

Starting from scratch required many times the effort it took to raise the Crown Prince. Furthermore, having to decide and execute everything alone made her wish she had ten bodies.

At least I have a master who trusts me and lets me lead.

She was also glad there was no one like the Empress or Lady Esmain constantly trying to trip her up or put a leash on her. Amy was determined not to miss this chance to make the Second Prince and the Grand Duchy prosperous.

“Are you finished with your meal?”

“Yes. You didn’t eat much, did you, Amy?”

Just as Amy was about to answer Noah’s concerned question, the door burst open with a loud bang. Every eye in the room turned toward the newcomers.

“Is Galler here?”

A pale, thin man scanned the room. When he spotted Amy and Noah, he blinked a few times before shouting in surprise.

“Are you, by chance, the Grand Duke of Neudelman?”

“!”

The moment Amy’s eyes sharpened, the mercenaries surrounding them stood up and placed their hands on their swords. The man who had come for the Grand Duke flinched at the sudden tension, but Noah raised a hand to calm his men.

“Who are you?” Noah asked.

“Ah, I am the aide to Baron Fallen, the lord of this region. I apologize for the intrusion, but since you must be exhausted from your long journey, I humbly request that you recover from your fatigue at the Lord’s manor.”

Amy let out a low hum. She had expected something like this, so it wasn’t a surprise.

Noah was a rising great lord who now owned the vast territories of the North. It was only natural for people to flock to him to make an impression.

Normally, they should have stopped at every lord’s castle along the way to the North to be entertained, but they had traveled as commoners to avoid the fuss.

Noah and Amy exchanged a silent glance.

What should we do?

Well, what should we do?

Unaware of their hesitation, Baron Fallen’s aide acted as if their stay at the manor was already decided, excitedly barking orders to his subordinates. Judging by his instructions to send men to every major road connecting the North and South, they must have been lying in wait on every possible route.

Why are they so desperate?

Technically, this rural village wasn’t part of the North. It wasn’t land that Noah would rule. Why were they waiting for him so anxiously?

I have a bad feeling that it’s not for a good reason.

Amy caught a glimpse of the aide’s rat-like face and cunning eyes and clicked her tongue.

Unaware that he had just shattered Amy’s first impression of the fief, the aide spoke with an oily smile.

“Please, Your Grace. Allow me to escort you.”

“…”

Noah didn’t even pretend to hear him; he only looked at Amy. She gave a silent nod. Only then did Noah rise and speak.

“Lead the way.”

“Grand Duke Neudelman, it is an honor to meet you.”

When they arrived at the manor, a middle-aged couple greeted them at the entrance. It was Baron Fallen and his wife.

“So this is Head Maid Amelia. I have heard much about you.”

The Baroness gripped Amy’s hand tightly, her eyes darting greedily. Her cold, clammy hands felt unpleasant. Amy gave a stiff smile and pulled away, pretending to attend to Noah.

As she did, she quickly scanned their attire. For a small and modest fief, the Baron and Baroness were wearing gowns and tunics made of expensive fabrics in the latest capital styles.

And those jewels are genuine.

A poor territory, and a pair of overly greedy lords. She could roughly guess the reason for this invitation.

“…”

Beside her, Noah, who was receiving the Baron’s welcome, looked between Amy and the Baroness and frowned silently.

“Now, now, don’t just stand here. Please, come inside.”

The Baron gave a cunning laugh, pretending to be jovial, and led them in. Amy followed quietly behind Noah.

Servants lined both sides of the entrance, bowing as they passed. Amy watched them closely. Every single one of them was dressed in rags and looked haggard with exhaustion.

“We cannot have Your Grace eating poor food in a low-quality inn. We have prepared a banquet, so please enjoy.”

As the Baron spoke boastfully while stroking his beard, Amy thought dryly:

We already ate most of our dinner.

However, when they reached the banquet hall, her expression soured further. The food was cold, and some of it was undercooked. It was obviously rushed.

“…”

The Baron and Baroness caught the looks on Noah and Amy’s faces and began shouting at the maids.

“You must be determined to insult your masters! I am too ashamed to look His Grace in the eye!”

To make matters worse, they dragged a young maid forward and pulled a whip from the wall to strike her.

“!”

Noah and Amy were both stunned.

Don’t overdo it, for goodness’ sake.

She couldn’t just watch the maid being beaten, so she stepped forward to stop them.

“We have already finished our meal at the inn. Please guide us to our quarters. His Grace is exhausted from the journey.”

At Amy’s signal, Noah awkwardly covered his mouth and feigned a yawn. At this, the Baronial couple brightened and made a fuss.

“We have been disrespectful to our noble guest. This way, please.”

They gave Noah the finest chamber and Amy a reasonably good one. Having ridden since dawn except for meal times, sleep was already hanging heavy on Noah’s eyelids. Amy dismissed the servants provided by the Baron and the couple themselves, stating she would attend to him personally.

Thump. Once the door was closed and the sound of footsteps faded, Noah lowered his voice.

“Is the Mercenary Captain here? Have him report.”

Support