Who Brought the Head Maid Back? - Chapter 25

“Is the food prep finished?”

The chef nodded with a solemn face as Amy stopped by the kitchen to check on progress. In one corner, various meats were piled like mountains alongside crates of meticulously prepared vegetables. The village women who had come to help with the banquet also looked remarkably determined.

After confirming that everything was being carried out exactly as instructed, Amy stepped outside, satisfied. Melbourne, who had been waiting at the door, followed close behind her.

“Are the guest rooms fully prepared?”

“Yes. The linens have been changed, and the curtains and tapestries have been laundered. We have plenty of firewood stacked, so hot water can be provided at any time.”

“What about the blacksmith? The guests’ horses will need their shoes checked.”

“I inspected it personally. There are no issues.”

“And the stables are cleared out, I assume?”

“Of course.”

A look of satisfaction crossed Amy’s face. Despite the long period without a master, the employees of the Grand Ducal Castle were all sharp and efficient. Melbourne, in particular, was an expert at managing the staff.

‘At this rate, they could hold their own against the Imperial Palace staff.’

A sense of anticipation bloomed in Amy’s heart that this banquet would be a grand success. If things continued like this, Noah would be able to perfectly establish himself as the Great Lord of the North.

However, right then, something happened that shattered Amy’s smile. A guard came running with urgent news that was nothing short of a bolt from the blue.

“W-we have received word that His Highness the Crown Prince is on his way to the North!”

The Grand Ducal Castle was instantly thrown into a state of emergency.

Amy quickly dispatched guards to find out the Crown Prince’s exact location. Then, she and Melbourne re-checked the guest rooms he would occupy and the menu to be served. The Crown Prince was notoriously finicky about his sleeping arrangements and food.

“Amy.”

Noah, who had apparently heard the news, came running from his lessons. Amy felt bad that his studies had been interrupted and cursed the Crown Prince inwardly, though she maintained a smile outwardly.

“Your Highness, you don’t need to worry about a thing. Melbourne and I are taking care of it.”

“But…” Noah hesitated before continuing. “If there is even one thing I don’t know about, he will nag me the entire time he’s here.”

“…That is true.”

‘He’s five years older; why does he want to pick on his younger brother like that? The Crown Prince really doesn’t act his age,’ Amy thought, shaking her head.

As they passed the training grounds after settling the immediate tasks, the castle gate suddenly became rowdy. Amy’s heart sank.

‘Is he here already?’

Noah and Melbourne looked equally pale, clearly thinking the same thing. Without a word, the three of them sprinted toward the gate.

“Vernon?”

However, instead of the Crown Prince, it was Vernon standing there, looking flushed and flustered. And before him stood a face Amy hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Mrs. Weaver?”

The mercenaries standing beside the woman called ‘Mrs. Weaver’ offered their greetings and went to find their captain to report that they had brought her safely. Mrs. Weaver lowered the hood of her cloak and slowly approached Noah.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Yes, hello.”

Noah accepted her greeting with dignity. His eyes moved past Mrs. Weaver and Vernon to fix on the man standing behind her.

“A face I haven’t seen before?”

At Noah’s remark, the young man stepped forward slowly and bowed.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I am James Weaver.”

The man who raised his head was strikingly handsome. He had a delicate and sensitive look inherited from his mother, which, combined with his black hair and green eyes, gave him a languid charm. The maids watching from behind let out collective gasps.

“Welcome. The weather here has grown mild, so you should find it comfortable to stay.”

Noah, remembering that Mrs. Weaver’s son was in poor health, offered a gentle welcome. The young man’s face brightened instantly, and Mrs. Weaver looked relieved, placing a hand over her heart. Only Vernon stood restlessly by her side.

Amy looked at him with pity and said softly, “Mrs. Weaver must be very tired. Captain Vernon, why don’t you escort them to their guest rooms?”

“S-shall I?”

Color returned to Vernon’s face. Amy then turned to Mrs. Weaver.

“Things are a bit chaotic right now with the banquet preparations. We shall speak in more detail later.”

“Yes, of course.”

Mrs. Weaver tilted her head as if something felt odd. Melbourne quickly assigned a servant to them, and a jubilant Vernon led the way for the lady and James.

Just then, the thunderous sound of galloping hooves echoed as several mounted guards burst through the gate. One of them spotted the group and shouted.

“Your Highness! Head Maid!”

It was Bradley. He scrambled off his horse and hurried toward them.

“I met a messenger while returning from patrol. As soon as I heard the Crown Prince was coming, I sent a carrier pigeon first. Did you receive it?”

“Yes. How close is he?”

“He should be near the village by now. He wasn’t far behind us.”

“Oh dear…”

Amy pressed her hand to her forehead. He should have given at least a few days’ notice; the Crown Prince was undoubtedly being spiteful. She issued orders rapidly.

“Tell the stable master to prepare fodder and get hot water ready. Rita, check the guest rooms for the Crown Prince’s entourage, and Steward, tell the chef to start the special menu immediately.”

The staff scattered quickly. Only after everyone was gone did Amy let out a sigh. The banquet would last three days; she had to ensure he found no fault during that time. Sensing her worry, Noah comforted her.

“Don’t worry too much. If Brother is angry, he’ll take it out on me.”

However, those words only served to ignite Amy’s fighting spirit.

“I will not allow my master to be insulted.”

In her past life, the Crown Prince had abandoned her, and Noah had saved her. It was perfectly clear whom she should serve. Her clouded mind cleared in an instant. Amy found her energy again and began to move.

“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince.”

The people lined up outside the gate bowed in unison. Sitting atop a heavily decorated white horse, the Crown Prince looked down with a blunt face at Noah and Amy, who stood at the very front.

“Rise.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The moment she straightened her back and raised her head, Amy’s eyes met the Crown Prince’s.

“…”

She was inwardly taken aback. He looked slightly haggard compared to before, and he was looking at her with a gaze mixed with resentment and longing.

While she was momentarily speechless, the Crown Prince called her name in a low voice.

“Amy.”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

She had no choice but to answer. Upon hearing her response, the Crown Prince let out a small sigh and offered a faint, wistful smile.

“Have you been well? I have missed you dearly.”

“…”

The eyes of the surrounding people, filled with shock, swiveled toward Amy. Amy squeezed her eyes shut for a second before opening them and muttering to herself, ‘Dammit.’

However, she hid her internal state and answered formally.

“I am overwhelmed that you would remember a mere servant who once served you, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince’s lips twisted at her attempt to draw a line.

“To call ten years of time ‘once’…”

Just as the atmosphere was turning strange again, Noah quickly stepped between them.

“Welcome, Your Highness. We welcome you to the North.”

“…”

The Crown Prince’s gaze shifted from Amy to Noah. The moment his eyes fixed on his brother, a sneer appeared on his face.

“Right. You were here, too.”

“…”

His words were phrased in a way that made it sound as if Amy was the master and Noah the servant. It was incredibly rude to say to the ruler of a Grand Duchy and the head of a diplomatic partner, causing the faces of the people of the castle to harden. Just as Amy was about to speak up through her simmering anger, Noah spoke again.

“You remember me. I am surprised. Since you never sought me out at the Palace, I assumed you had forgotten I existed.”

“!”

The smile vanished from the Crown Prince’s face. The expressions of the onlookers turned subtle. One could sense a faint trace of sorrow in the Grand Duke’s tone. Fearing he would be branded as an elder brother who mistreated his young half-brother, the Crown Prince attempted a quick recovery.

“I was very busy back then, was I not?”

He forced a smile. But that smile shattered at Noah’s next words.

“Since you were busy for seventeen years, I suppose I had no choice but to misunderstand. After all, you are a man who treasures even ten years of time, are you not?”

“!”

The Grand Duke’s words were a direct shot at the Crown Prince’s earlier advances toward Amy.

Rita and Mari looked at each other in shock.

‘Our Grand Duke can actually talk like that…?’

“…You.”

The Crown Prince, failing to mask his expression, gnashed his teeth and pointed a finger at Noah. But then, a cough sounded from behind him.

“Your Highness, shall we proceed into the castle?”

It was Martin, the Captain of the Imperial Guard. Thanks to Martin’s timely intervention, the Crown Prince was able to save face. Bradley and Vernon, recognizing the intention, grimaced.

“The journey must have been long and wearying. Please, come inside and rest.”

“Hmph… Very well.”

The Crown Prince rode into the castle as if yielding. Amy and Noah stepped aside and bowed as he passed.

The Crown Prince’s entourage followed behind him. And then, someone in the crowd caught Amy’s eye.

“!”

Amy flinched and jerked her head down. Noah noticed the strange reaction and looked at her, but in that short span, Amy had already returned to her usual composure. Noah narrowed his eyes in silence.

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