Who Brought the Head Maid Back? - Chapter 29

That night, as soon as the banquet ended and the hall was cleared, the employees collapsed like marionettes with their strings cut, letting out exhausted groans.

“I guess this is punishment for all the time we spent loafing around.”

“Why does the punishment have to come all at once?” someone muttered, facedown on a table.

“This is the first time I’ve worked all day without a second to breathe.”

“Me too,” the maids groaned in agreement.

“I honestly thought the Head Maid had a twin sister.”

“Tell me about it. I saw her in the kitchen, and the next second, she was in the hall.”

“Did you see Lady Josephine of Viscounty Erndel? She’s so picky, but she turned into a gentle lamb the moment she stood before the Head Maid.”

“Sophie and Tessa got scolded by that lady until they were in tears, though.”

“Why?”

“Apparently, a bedsheet was slightly crooked. She also complained that her wash water was a bit hotter than she liked.”

Snorts of derision broke out from various corners of the room at the absurdity of the complaints. Then, one of them sat up straight and spoke quickly.

“I don’t know what the Head Maid said to her, but later, that lady called them back, said she had been too harsh, and gave them a brooch.”

“The Crown Prince has calmed down too. At this point, isn’t the Head Maid basically a wild animal trainer?”

The employees continued to chatter while sprawled across the tables. They were so tired they felt they might collapse after running back and forth to serve the influx of guests, yet their hearts were full of pride.

“So, this is where you all were.”

The hall door opened, and Amy walked in. Startled, the employees jumped to their feet simultaneously. Amy waved her hand.

“It’s alright. Stay and rest.”

The staff sat back down, glancing at each other. Among them, Cecil and Marie stared at Amy with sparkling eyes. Amy looked around at everyone and gave a small, playful smirk.

“I stopped by because I wanted to tell you all that you did an incredible job today.”

“…”

“I know this was a first for many of you, and I’m simply grateful you followed my lead so well.”

The staff listened to her, their expressions filled with encouragement.

“Once the banquet is successfully concluded, His Grace will express his gratitude specially. Don’t let your guard down until then, understood?”

“Yes!” they answered thunderingly, their exhaustion—which only moments ago seemed heavy enough to pull them through the floor—evaporating instantly.

Satisfied with their response, Amy moved among them, patting them on the shoulders one by one. She praised their successes and pointed out areas for improvement with meticulous detail. Everyone was deeply impressed; they knew she was remarkable for memorizing every face and name on her first day, but to know she had observed each of them so closely despite the chaos was truly moving.

“Now, get some rest.”

As soon as Amy left after her farewell, a servant raised his hand high. Rita gave a nod of permission, and he shouted, “Is there still room in the grave?!”

“Me too! I want in!” people clamored.

Rita crossed her arms and puffed out her chest with a huff of pride. “You know it’s not a real grave, right?”

“Of course. It’s a gathering for those who respect and love the Head Maid.”

“Glad you know.”

Today, the number of new members in the “Grave” continued to grow steadily.

“Your Grace, there’s something you need to see immediately—!”

Amy stopped short as she pushed the door open after a quick knock. The Crown Prince was inside the office. Upon seeing her, his scowl transformed into a bright smile.

“Amy!”

“What brings Your Highness here…?”

Amy glanced toward Noah. He gave her a faint, weary smile. She immediately caught the vibe: the Crown Prince was trying to coax the Grand Duke again.

‘I heard rumors are spreading about the leader of the southern rebellion. He must be feeling a sense of crisis.’

She had wondered why he bothered coming to the North, a place he usually despised, but the guests arriving at the castle were already buzzing with those rumors.

‘He’s trying to emphasize his ties with the North.’

It was clearly the Empress’s scheme. The Crown Prince standing before her wasn’t capable of thinking that far ahead.

‘He doesn’t even realize who should be bowing to whom. Instead, he’s the one acting all high and mighty.’

Amy narrowed her eyes and glared at him. Under her gaze, the Crown Prince cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Don’t just stand there. Come, sit. Let’s have some tea together.”

“Shall we?” Amy replied.

Noah nodded his consent as well. Amy promptly took a seat. Noah rang the bell, and a maid waiting outside entered. Amy looked at the Crown Prince and asked with deliberate mischief, “Shall I bring in that wine you enjoy so much?”

“…I’ll just have tea.”

The Crown Prince smacked his lips regretfully. As the maid was sent out, Amy pursed her lips.

“Your tastes change quite frequently. I worry people might gossip that you lack gravity and steadiness.”

“…”

The Crown Prince gritted his teeth. Meanwhile, Noah silently watched Amy and the Crown Prince before lowering his gaze.

The door opened again, and the tea and refreshments were served. For a moment, they drank in silence. Amy sipped her tea, deep in thought.

‘The Crown Prince still doesn’t know the money in the safe is gone.’

If he had known, he would have interrogated her first. Amy found him pathetic.

‘How much longer does he intend to see me as someone on his side…?’

A bitter taste lingered in her mouth, a remnant of the time she had considered him like family. Now that they were little more than enemies, seeing him remain so foolishly naive was stifling. But he was no longer her concern.

Amy brushed aside the useless worry and focused on other matters.

‘I wonder if the First Prince has collected the money I left in the guild safe.’

She was thinking of the First Prince, the man destined to become the new Crown Prince. Along with a generous amount of funds, she had left a few notes detailing the weaknesses of the Empress and the current Crown Prince. If the First Prince had seen them, he would certainly be able to steer the situation in his favor. However, given how quiet things were, he might not have found them yet.

‘Then again, things might not go the same way because of the variable known as “me.”’

Much had changed since her regression. She had tried not to interfere with matters concerning the Empire and the capital as much as possible, but Noah leaving the palace for the North was enough to throw many things out of alignment.

Regardless, she decided she should look for other ways to assist the First Prince, keeping those variables in mind. She wasn’t overly worried about him, though; in her past life, the First Prince had successfully seized the title of Crown Prince even without an ally like her. Amy’s primary concern was how Noah could benefit from the power struggle between the two princes.

“Since Amy is here, I’ll say this,” the Crown Prince said gravely as he set his cup down. “Are you aware of the disturbing rumors circulating lately?”

“…”

Noah and Amy stared at the Crown Prince with identical, silent expressions. They had already discussed this matter, having received the latest information ahead of time through the mercenary captain.

However, thinking their silence was due to ignorance, the Crown Prince continued excitedly.

“They say a rebel in the South is spouting the outrageous claim that he is of Imperial blood. As true members of the Imperial family, you and I cannot simply stand by, can we?”

He sounded utterly confident, assuming Noah would naturally follow his lead. Amy wondered for a moment if this was also the Empress’s plan, but quickly decided otherwise.

‘In my past life, the First Prince pushed all the way to the capital with unstoppable momentum.’

Even if the capital and palace defenses were manned by useless husks like Sir Martin—men who had bought their positions with bribes—it was still an incredible feat.

‘They said he achieved victory after victory with commoner forces and no knights, using genius strategies.’

That momentum wouldn’t just vanish. Even if the Crown Prince was too ignorant to be worried, the Empress wouldn’t be. In fact, her feet were likely already catching fire from the heat of the situation. Yet here the Crown Prince was, acting arrogant without a clue.

Then, Noah spoke calmly. “I already find it difficult enough just governing my own territory… Since you are the next Emperor, brother, I trust you will handle it well.”

“!”

Both the Crown Prince and Amy looked surprised. The Crown Prince was shocked that Noah dared to talk back, and Amy was impressed by how cleanly Noah had drawn the line.

“…The Grand Duchy and the Empire are one. How can you say such a thing?”

The Crown Prince spoke while suppressing his anger. Amy and Noah exchanged a meaningful look.

‘Isn’t this exactly why we became an independent Principality?’

Amy nodded, silently cheering Noah on. Noah spoke again, his voice steady.

“The Principality is an ally and a trading partner of the Empire. What Your Highness just said could be interpreted as inviting our Principality to interfere in the Empire’s internal affairs.”

“!”

The Crown Prince’s face turned pale instantly. Amy watched his panicked blinking with a sense of triumph.

‘The Empire isn’t the only one who can cut ties.’

If Noah had remained an Imperial citizen and the Second Prince, he might have been forced to oppose the First Prince. Amy had made him the head of an independent Principality specifically to avoid this situation.

Noah delivered the final blow. “I would appreciate it if such important matters were communicated through official documents. Affairs between nations must be documented to serve as evidence.”

“…You haven’t been away from the palace for long, and yet your neck has already grown stiff.”

Realizing that Noah would not move according to his will, the Crown Prince revealed his hostility. The two of them glared at each other. Just as the atmosphere turned sinister, there was a knock at the door, and a man with a finely groomed mustache entered.

“Your Highness. I have an urgent matter to discuss. Do you have a moment?”

It was Baron Pearson of the Empire. He was one of the Crown Prince’s attendants, someone Amy had never seen during her time at the Imperial Palace.

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