Chapter 9
An old carriage stopped in front of the Imperial Palace’s main building. The waiting palace attendants began to stir. Seeing the Emperor, who had left on horseback, return in a carriage made them think he had brought back the runaway Crown Princess.
When the attendant opened the door, Karl got out first. Aura followed him, holding his hand. She was wearing the same fur cloak as Karl.
Karl asked his aide, Theo,
“Was everything quiet at the palace?”
“Yes, nothing happened.”
“Your Majesty.”
Aura called Karl. Everyone turned their attention to her. Karl also looked at her quietly. It was the first time she had called him “Your Majesty.”
“I have something to say.”
She spoke in formal language, aware of the eyes on them.
“…Go ahead.”
“I’d like to change the people in my room. Is that okay?”
At her words, Karl glanced at Tasha standing in the corner. She couldn’t hide her disappointment at Aura’s return.
To Karl, Tasha held special meaning—or seemed to. Everyone believed Tasha was Karl’s mother.
Aura had given him a choice. Let her kick Tasha out and assert her authority, or stop her and protect Tasha’s dignity.
Karl gave a slight laugh and turned away, as if to say, Is that all?
“Do as you wish.”
“I will.”
“I’m tired.”
Karl entered the main palace with Theo and Josh. Now, everyone looked back and forth between Aura and Tasha.
Aura slowly approached Tasha. Tasha stared closely at the collar of Aura’s outfit, visible between the folds of her cloak. The collar was embroidered with a traditional pattern from Xenia.
Aura smiled gently and said to Tasha,
“You should leave my room now.”
To be kicked out of the room of the future Empress meant losing the position of head maid as well.
The Next Day
Tasha quietly stepped down from her role as head maid. She was then reassigned to the Emperor’s quarters. She had no duties there, but it was the only way to protect her pride.
Meanwhile, unexpected items arrived in the Crown Princess’s room—books, dresses, and jewels Aura had brought from Xenia.
Theo, who arrived with the attendants, greeted her politely.
“Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Theo Silan, aide to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Nice to meet you, Theo.”
Aura didn’t show it, but she had already heard rumors about Theo. The Silan family had long produced excellent knights. Though Theo had once served Karl as a knight, he was smart and quick-witted, which led to his appointment as chief aide.
He certainly looked more proper than Josh. Still, there was caution in his polite manner. It seemed he hadn’t yet decided whether Aura would benefit or harm his master.
But Aura didn’t care to win over Karl’s subordinates. One day, they would see it for themselves—she and Karl were not meant to be helpful to each other.
While checking the items the attendants brought in, Aura asked,
“Where were all these stored?”
“His Majesty kept them in storage. Please check to confirm everything is correct.”
Theo skillfully avoided giving a full answer, as if he couldn’t reveal the exact storage location.
Aura didn’t press further and opened the jewelry box. She gently touched the pieces she hadn’t seen in a long time.
I thought I’d lost them forever.
Most of the jewels were from Xenia. Since she was frugal, they were mostly gifts or carefully chosen purchases.
Each piece held memories. Now, they were just funds to be used, regardless of sentiment.
Aura closed the jewelry box with a snap.
“Please tell His Majesty I’m very grateful, Theo.”
That Afternoon
Aura made inquiries and found a certain maid. She had managed the northern tower for the past three years.
The confinement had been awful, but what she hated remembering most was the food. Meals were delivered once a day through a slot at the bottom of the iron door. They were often half-rotten, and Aura frequently suffered stomachaches.
What saved her were the painkillers hidden under the plates. The maid had secretly placed them there.
The summoned maid entered Aura’s room.
“D-Did you call for me?”
“I’d like to see your hands.”
“Pardon?”
“Your hands.”
“O-Okay…”
The maid awkwardly held out her hands—rough and with short nails. They matched the hands Aura had seen through the food slot.
Only then did Aura look at the maid’s face. It was round and freckled. Her bright orange hair was hidden under a dirty headscarf.
So that’s what she looked like.
Not knowing what to do under Aura’s gaze, the maid bowed deeply.
“What’s your name?”
“Mina Sonnet.”
“Sonnet? I’ve never heard that surname before.”
“That’s… understandable. My hometown is very rural.”
“I see.”
Aura opened the jewelry box on the table and took out a green ring.
“Take it. You worked hard taking care of me.”
“Th-Thank you…”
Mina didn’t even look closely at the ring before holding out both hands. Aura dropped the ring into her trembling palms.
“Now that I’m no longer in the tower, there’s nothing left for you to do there. What are you doing now?”
“I feed the horses in the stables.”
Horse care was the lowest job a maid could have. It seemed she had no connections or backing.
“That’s perfect. Mina, I’d like you to become the head maid.”
“…Excuse me?”
Only then did Mina look up. Her round, wide eyes were surprisingly big and cute.
“H-Head maid? I-I can’t. I really can’t do it.”
“Why not? It’s better than feeding horses.”
“P-Please, take back the order. I did something wrong. Please forgive me.”
Mina suddenly knelt and began begging.
Sigh…
Aura sighed, but she understood why. The palace was full of rumors about her.
Everyone said Aura had gone mad after being confined for so long. That she tried to drown the former head maid, and even pluck out another maid’s eyes.
“Raise your head, Mina.”
Mina, trembling, slowly looked up. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.
“When I was locked in the tower, why did you help me?”
“Well… actually, my grandmother is from Xenia. So I just couldn’t leave you there…”
Maybe that’s why Aura sensed a hint of Xenia in her demeanor.
“I-I have three younger siblings. Our parents died early, so they only have me. If something happens to me, they’re in big trouble. Please, please… let me go…”
So that’s it. We can’t even have a proper conversation.
Aura shook her head and opened the jewelry box again. She placed three rings in front of Mina.
“These are for your siblings. I’m sure it’s more than what you earn feeding horses.”
It was far more—she could never afford them even if she worked her whole life.
Mina stared at Aura. To her, Aura looked like both a demon and an angel.
“Your siblings… what do they do?”
“T-The youngest twins are still too little, so our aunt takes care of them. The oldest boy is studying magic at a village school.”
“Magic studies?”
Aura’s eyes lit up.
“…Yes, that’s right.”
“How old is he?”
“Nineteen. He’s still immature, but very talented. That’s why I’m doing everything I can to support his studies.”
A talented student studying magic…
“How about this? There’s a magic department at the Royal Academy. Commoners can enter too. I’ll write a recommendation letter so he can come to the capital and study.”
Mina swallowed hard. The Royal Academy? It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her brother.
Aura held out her hand.
“Mina. I’m someone you saved. If you show me your loyalty… I’ll make sure your siblings live well.”
Her promise to protect them made Mina stop crying.
The owner of that white hand didn’t seem as crazy as the rumors said. She didn’t seem like a normal person either.
Mina bit her lip, gathered the rings, then held Aura’s hand and bowed deeply.
“I will give you my loyalty, Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
Aura smiled as she helped Mina up. She liked how Mina’s eyes now shone firmly with determination.
“The coronation is in a week. There’s a lot to do. I’ll say it only once, so listen carefully.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“From now on, you’ll take a bath every morning and evening. Fill the tub not with water, but with flour, honey, and plant oils. Also, prepare freshly cut raw veal for each bath.”
That was the Xenia royal family’s beauty method. Since it was an unfamiliar combination in Casa, Mina repeated it to herself several times.
“For meals, focus on olives and meat, and always have thick grape juice with it. That’s the fastest way to gain weight.”
“Yes, I will prepare it.”
“You may go.”
“And Mina.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Bring your younger brother to me as soon as he enters the academy.”
Mina flinched at the mention of her brother. But soon, she politely bowed and left the room.
It was more than Aura had hoped for. A loyal head maid and a student learning magic. If she could make good use of Mina’s younger brother, she might be able to find a way to break Finn’s seal. If the wizards regained their power, Xenia could be restored, and then Aura might finally be able to leave the imperial palace of Casa.
‘Of course, I have to complete the coronation quietly first.’
Aura looked in the mirror. Her face was still pale, and her bones stuck out. If she went through the coronation looking like this, she would surely be laughed at.
‘One more week…’
She spoke as if to encourage herself.
“Alright. Let’s give it a try.”
Three days later.
Theo entered the emperor’s office. He casually placed something on Karl’s desk, who was busy with his work.
“What is it?”
“A receipt for the money Her Highness the Crown Princess has spent over the past three days.”
Karl glanced at the receipt without much interest. One of his eyebrows lifted slightly. The receipt listed a truly enormous amount.
