Chapter 12: Maid Catherine (2)
“What are you doing while sitting? Get up.”
As soon as I said that, the maid quickly stood up.
“You're the new nanny, right?”
She clasped her hands in front of her, her face turned red, and she looked at me shyly.
“If you know, why ask?”
“Sh-thanks for saving me!”
“I didn't save you.”
“What? But...”
“All I did was stop those women from talking bad about me.”
I can't stand gossip, and their words bothered me enough to scold them. I didn't do it out of anger at the butler.
“Anyway, I'll go.”
“Still, you saved me, Nanny!”
“Think as you want.”
“Just a moment!”
She called me before I left.
“Is there anything else you want to say?”
Despite my coldness, her eyes shone brighter.
“My name is Catherine Weil. I work in the annex.”
(Why does she suddenly introduce herself?)
I just stared at her silently. But she continued, her face still flushed:
“Thank you for helping me. If you need anything, just tell me. I will help you anytime.”
Even though I told her that I was not helping her, she insisted on the contrary. I turned around coldly, then turned back and turned suddenly to her.
"You."
“N-yes?”
“Are you good at cooking?”
Her eyes widened in astonishment.
“I-cook?”
***
“It's so delicious!”
Edwin and Emilia.
The little prince and princess stared at the plate in amazement.
"What is this? It's better than banquet food!"
"Yes! It's very, very delicious!"
The hunger had increased due to the delay in the meal, so they ate with greater appetite.
“It's just plain fish soup, Your Highness. You're both exaggerating.”
Edwin, who was usually a fussy eater, ate enthusiastically. I turned to the woman standing next to me and complimented her:
“Turning ordinary food into something with this delicious flavor is a skill in itself.”
“But it's nothing special... Thanks for the compliment, Nanny.”
The tall maid, whose face flushed with embarrassment, was none other than Catherine Vale; The one she accidentally saved from the maids' bullying. Since she offered her help to me, I did not turn down this opportunity when I needed it.
“Are you sure about this?”
"millimeter?" She tilted her head in surprise.
“The butler told you not to help me, right?”
She replied with a slight smile:
“I didn't help you.”
"What?"
“I just made sure that the rightful owners of this palace, Your Highnesses, do not remain hungry.”
(Brilliant answer...I liked it.)
She added, shrugging her shoulders:
“Then the main palace maids eat separately, not caring about what happens here.”
“Do the maids have separate food?”
“Yes. Most of the main palace’s maids are purebred nobles.”
Catherine smiled bitterly:
“As for the annex’s maids, like me, they are either from families who bought their titles or from the common people. The relationship between us is... uncomfortable.”
(So that's why the Count's daughter revolted yesterday.)
“So no one cares what happens to the food left here. And the butler won’t know about it.”
“I understand.”
At that moment, Edwin put down his spoon and got up. He finished his plate quickly.
He grabbed the door handle and called out:
“I want to go out for a walk with Emilia!”
“As you wish, Your Highness.”
I answered indifferently, but soon met his sharp gaze.
“What's wrong?”
His eyes were shining annoyingly.
“I want to get out.”
(It seems that he interpreted my words to the butler yesterday as saying that I could take him out whenever he wanted.)
“Leah wants out too!”
Emilia held his hand, becoming more insistent.
I hesitated a little, my mood was lazy. But Catherine pushed me and said:
“Go quickly. I'll take care of the dishes.”
“No, I'll do it myself.”
“It's the annex's dishes anyway. Let's go.”
She quickly collected the dishes and left us with a smile:
“Pay attention and have a good time.”
"Let's go!"
The prince held his sister's hand tightly, moving forward. In the end, I had no choice but to follow them, letting out a heavy sigh.
***
“Leia, that building is the Imperial Library.”
Edwin was pointing his little sister here and there excitedly.
“And that palace next to it, the Crown Prince resides there. Do you remember what I told you before?”
"Yes! Leia knows everything!"
"Really? Can you go alone then?"
"Yes! Leia is smart and will not go astray!"
“See? Where did all this cleverness come from, little princess?”
"my brother!"
Edwin laughed in delight at her innocent answer.
(He really is an angel with his little sister...strong brotherhood.)
I followed them quietly, like a shadow behind two little chicks.
Suddenly, Edwin stopped.
“He's my father.”
Emilia's words made me look up.
In the central garden, Emperor Cavellius III was walking quietly among the flower beds, surrounded by a group of escorts. Next to him, a man I had never seen before.
(Who is this?)
Black hair, black armor, and golden eyes that radiated a dazzling glow even from afar.
(He walks beside the Emperor in armor? Not an ordinary knight then...)
The discipline of his steps and the calmness of his features suggested a high status.
But in an instant, he suddenly turned towards us. My eyes met his.
(Did he just smile?!)
It only lasted a moment, but he really smiled. As soon as he returned to look at the emperor, the smile disappeared as if it had never existed.
(...Why? Why is someone I don't know smiling at me?)
Does he know the real Rachel? A weak possibility, but it is possible.
While I was drowning in questions, someone pulled the hem of my dress. Edwin was staring, with a fixed face and a frightened expression, towards his father's procession.
As for Emilia, she knelt on the ground cheerfully, watching the ants.
“Where are you going, ants?”
(If we stay here, we will still be waiting until the Emperor disappears from sight.)
“Your Highness, shall we return?”
Edwin looked at me hesitantly, as if in conflict.
“…Shouldn’t I greet my father?”
“Why do you ask me? If you want, do it. If you don’t want to, then no.”
He opened his mouth in surprise, then lowered his head.
“And what do you want?”
After a long hesitation, he whispered:
“…I want to go back.”
“Then let's go back.”
But before I could turn around, he suddenly grabbed my dress.
“Just to clarify!” He raised his voice in justification: “It's not because I don't want to greet him! It's because he's busy! Understood?”
(No one asked you, boy...)
“Okay, I get it.”
He stared at me for a long time before turning away.
“You're really weird.”
“Excuse me?”
“If it had been Emma, she would have insisted that I go to my parents.”
“Would you like to do it now then?”
"No! Forget it!"
(Children...)
I picked up Emilia, who was still watching the ants, and started walking. I didn't notice until later that Edwin was still holding onto my dress tightly, following me closely.