Who Brought the Head Maid Back? - Chapter 40

There was nothing more to say to someone who openly admitted to being heartless. The Crown Prince’s Head Maid, who had been standing with her mouth agape in disbelief, glared at Amy’s retreating figure as she walked away with a light, brisk step.

‘The First Prince needs to become the Crown Prince as soon as possible.’

Thinking of the Crown Prince, who kept clinging persistently, made Amy shudder instinctively. She hurried her steps toward the tower where the Crown Prince’s attendants were staying.

Knock, knock, knock. She knocked on the door of the chamber assigned to Sally and waited; a moment later, the door creaked open just a crack.

“What is it?”

Sally, showing only half her face through the gap, glared at Amy with deep suspicion.

“Can I come in? I have something urgent to ask.”

“I thought we weren’t supposed to act like we know each other anymore.”

Sally stood firmly in front of the door as if to block entry, crossing her arms with a fierce expression. Amy, used to such behavior from her, spoke nonchalantly.

“Are we the kind of friends whose bond breaks just because we’re apart for a while?”

Sally blinked as if struck by a shock. That lasted only a moment before she softened completely, shaking her head with a shy expression.

“No. Come, come in.”

As the door swung wide, Amy walked inside as boldly as if it were her own room. Sally followed close behind, staring at Amy with a face full of anticipation. Amy looked around the interior and began.

“I have something I’m curious about.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“Do you happen to know Baron Pearson?”

Sally nodded.

“He’s the Crown Prince’s closest attendant. Of course I know him.”

“Have you ever heard the Empress mention him?”

The smile vanished from Sally’s face at the mention of the Empress. Ever since Sally had unintentionally informed her that the Crown Prince liked Amy, the Empress had taken quite a liking to her.

‘She didn’t come to see me; she came because she wanted something.’

Sally couldn’t say anything because Amy had suffered greatly due to her slip of the tongue, but she couldn’t hide her disappointment. Sally looked at the floor and replied bluntly.

“I have. But why ask that?”

“He’s the man who attempted to poison the Grand Duke. It’s only natural to be curious.”

“By the way, I heard he was scheduled for a promotion in rank. Is that true?”

Only then did Sally remember the magnitude of the crime that man had committed. Struck by sudden fear, she confessed what she knew honestly.

“That’s right. From what I heard, it was the title of Count Benton. The Empress said she would grant him the Benton estate in the east.”

Amy’s eyes suddenly widened.

“Count Benton? Did she really say Count Benton?”

“Huh? Yes, that’s right.”

Startled by Amy’s sudden intensity, Sally was flustered but nodded firmly to confirm. Amy fell into thought for a moment before looking up. Sally’s heart sank; Amy’s expression was grave.

“I’ve sent a message to the Imperial Capital. As you know, the Crown Prince is currently throwing a fit and delaying his departure, but he will have to return to the palace within next week regardless.”

Her business concluded, Amy turned and walked toward the door. Sally hurriedly followed and asked:

“Then what about that attempted poisoning incident?”

“The Grand Duke will handle the settlement with the Empire.”

Opening the door, Amy looked back. When their eyes met, Amy spoke in a low voice.

“Go safely. I won’t be able to see you off.”

Thinking that this was a final goodbye, tears welled up in Sally’s eyes. As Sally hurriedly covered her mouth and trembled while holding back her sobs, Amy let out a sigh as if she had no choice.

“We will be able to meet again someday. Until then, you must stay healthy.”

Sally felt as though she would burst into loud wailing and couldn’t even say goodbye. As she gripped her skirt tightly and fought back the tears, Amy turned away coldly and left.

Drip, drip. Teardrops fell to the floor, forming round patterns. After standing there silently for a while letting the tears flow, Sally gritted her teeth and straightened her posture.

‘Amy. You told me before that one must carve out their own life.’

Sally wiped the tears away roughly with her hands and stared straight ahead. Her dull eyes began to shine sharply. For once, she muttered clearly without stuttering:

“Just you wait. I’m going to give you a big surprise.”

Knock, knock, knock.

“Your Highness, I’m coming in.”

Amy opened the door and peered inside; the chamber was silent.

‘Is he asleep?’

Amy closed the door softly and walked toward the bed, taking care not to make a sound. The moment she carefully pulled back the canopy, she met a pair of wide-awake golden eyes.

“Amy, you’re here?”

Noah broke into a wide smile. Amy was so startled and flustered that she couldn’t say anything for a moment. Noah sat up and looked her over.

“Have you eaten?”

“Ah, it’s about time I should.”

Only then did she realize her stomach was empty. Looking toward the window, the sun was already setting. If she wasn’t careful, she might be late for the evening banquet. Anxious, Amy decided to finish her business quickly and sat in the chair next to the bed. At that moment, Noah thrust something right under her nose.

“Eat this.”

“Bread with jam?”

Amy brightened up instinctively. Noah gestured for her to eat quickly.

“Rita brought it when I mentioned I was hungry earlier. There’s goat milk and cheese here too.”

Amy’s face turned skeptical. Noah didn’t particularly enjoy eating, so it was extremely rare for him to have snacks outside of meals. Furthermore, he was currently suffering from poisoning. There was no way he should be eating just anything.

She lifted her gaze from the food and stared at Noah.

‘I think he prepared this specifically to give to me.’

The fact that there was no sign of it being touched at all fueled her suspicion. Moreover, it was food that didn’t need to be heated. But then, she shook her head internally.

‘I’m overthinking it.’

She seemed to still be affected by how badly she was burned by the Crown Prince before her regression.

“Amy?”

Perhaps the silence had been too long; Noah tilted his head and blinked. When someone who was beyond handsome and even beautiful acted cute, Amy’s suspicion and distrust melted away.

“I’ll eat well, Your Highness. But let’s finish the work first. It’s an important matter.”

“Do it after eating.”

As Noah stared at the food with a look of regret, Amy was overcome by the feeling that she had done something terribly wrong.

“I will definitely eat it. So…”

Suddenly, Amy fell silent. Noah waited quietly for her next words, but when it seemed they weren’t coming, he tilted his head the other way.

“So, what?”

Amy closed her eyes tightly before opening them and speaking calmly.

“For now, please focus on work.”

“Yes, okay.”

Noah straightened up as if he had no choice and muttered while finding a more comfortable position.

“Oh, this is a bit uncomfortable. Amy, can you help me?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Amy quickly set the plate down, stood up, and supported him. Noah leaned back against the pillows she placed and grabbed her hand firmly, smiling brightly.

“Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.”

Amy replied a beat late, staring blankly at Noah’s face. She then cleared her throat and sat back in the chair to begin.

“I believe the Empress is the mastermind behind this poisoning attempt.”

“I thought as much. And my brother?”

With a cold smile, Noah glanced at Amy. For a moment, his gaze was sharp, as if trying to dig out her inner thoughts. Amy shook her head indifferently.

“I believe he didn’t know the full story. If he had, he wouldn’t have left the wine cup as evidence.”

“I agree. Still, that doesn’t mean he’s without responsibility, so we should emphasize that to the Empire.”

“Of course. Joseph is already drafting a formal protest focusing on that point.”

After taking a breath, Amy moved on to the core details. Noah knit his brows upon hearing that Baron Pearson had joined hands with the Empress’s family in exchange for a promotion to the rank of Count.

“What would the Empress gain from that? Financial profit through Baron Pearson?”

“Something like that. She intended to embezzle taxes for her personal use.”

There was a reason she was so confident in her assessment of the Empress’s intentions. The man who would have become Count Benton had Baron Pearson not died was a famous figure in Amy’s world before her regression.

‘He was the witness to the Empress’s crime—tax embezzlement—that the First Prince uncovered.’

This was clear evidence that the Empress was behind the matter. She moved her family’s house to handpick small estates and extend her dark reach, thoroughly destroying those who refused to join hands with her. The sale of titles was part of that, serving as both a hollow reward and a shackle to bind the other party.

‘The Benton estate is mostly desert, making it a barren place similar to the old North. Before the regression, the Count of Benton realized he was being used and sided with the First Prince to blow the whistle. It’s a bit of a shame Baron Pearson died this time without knowing the full story. The presence or absence of a witness has a huge impact on proving a crime.’

As Amy smacked her lips bitterly, Noah asked:

“Do you intend to include those details in the formal protest?”

Snapping back to attention, Amy shook her head.

“Oh, no. We must absolutely not do that.”

“I suppose so. It’s only a suspicion after all.”

“That’s part of it, but there’s a more important reason.”

Amy smiled contentedly. As Noah watched her with an uneasy gaze, Amy’s eyes sparkled as she asked briskly:

“Your Highness, you know about the person claiming to be of imperial blood who is currently moving north across the Ren River, don’t you?”

“Yes. Their influence is no joke, and they’re said to be a real headache for the Empire.”

Noah wore a puzzled expression, as if wondering why she was bringing that up all of a sudden. Amy spoke softly.

“I intend to let that person know about the Empress’s atrocities.”

Noah blinked blankly at the unexpected remark. Then, as if something had occurred to him, he knit his brows and fell into thought. Amy waited calmly. After a short while, Noah’s face cleared, and he nodded.

“Now I see. You’re saying we should escape from this mess.”

“Exactly. We’re going to divert the Empress’s attention from the North to somewhere else.”

Our Grand Duke is so smart. Amy smiled as she looked proudly at how much he had grown.

“She will be so busy she won’t even be able to think about this place.”

The rivalry would change. It would no longer be between the Empress and the Grand Duke, but between the Empress and the First Prince, the new future Crown Prince.

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