TWFLLYM Ch 81

The Head Maid’s Determination

[Elona] "Oh, you look absolutely stunning today."

Roserikta smiled shyly at her reflection. She knew Elona praised the new clothes Kalart sent, not her own face.

[Roserikta] "I should tell him to stop sending these soon."

[Elona] "What are you talking about? I told you this is nothing. His Highness is only sending clothes to compromise because he worries you might feel overwhelmed."

People called him the wealthiest bachelor in the Empire.

Still, I won't have a reason to wear these later.

She couldn't exactly pick mushrooms while dragging a skirt made of twelve layers of lace.

However, she did need new clothes while staying at the palace. Her current role was Kalart’s partner. Even if her status remained low, looking out of place would only make her more of a target for gossip.

[Elona] "Now, let’s pin your hair up like this……. Since you are walking in the garden, we should skip the heavy hair ornaments. They make wearing a hat difficult."

[Roserikta] "Do whatever you think is best."

The dressing was nearly complete. Soon, the clock would strike four. Kalart had asked her to walk through the garden with him at that time. He had a reason for sending a green dress with a wide-brimmed hat today.

[Elona] "This is the Prince’s first relationship, yet he handles every detail so carefully. I wish Sir Arad would watch and learn from him."

Even though Elona complained, she was always the first to take care of Arad herself.

[Elona] "Shall we try the hat now? Turn this way for a moment, Lady Roserikta."

She lowered herself, bending her knees slightly to help Elona. Suddenly, Clobellina, who sat on the curtain rod watching them, leaped down.

[Clobell] "Hmph."

Thwack!

She jumped onto a chair and swung her front paw. Her claw caught the thick ribbon decoration on the hat.

Rrip! The threads pulled apart.

[Roserikta] "Clobell!"

[Elona] "Oh my! What do we do?"

[Clobell] "Uh, well……"

Her pupils shook as she looked at the thread caught on her claw. She only meant to give it an annoyed tap, not ruin it entirely.

[Clobell] "He has so much money, yet he sent something so cheap. Why is it so weak?"

Elona’s face turned serious.

[Elona] "No, that’s not it! This is the most expensive silk! That’s why it’s so delicate!"

[Clobell] "What good is being delicate if it tears like this?"

[Elona] "That’s why you have to handle it with care!"

Clobellina scratched her ear with her hind leg, acting as if she didn't want to hear anymore.

Roserikta knew it was time to speak up.

[Roserikta] "Clobell."

Clobellina pouted.

[Clobell] "Why are you calling me?'

[Roserikta] "Do you want to come for a walk too?"

[Clobell] "Forget it. Why would a cat go for a walk?"

Roserikta sat on the armrest of the chair where the cat perched. Clobellina clicked her tongue and turned her head away.

[Roserikta] "Tell me what’s bothering you. I can’t know unless you say it."

[Clobell] "I always tell you. I hate seeing how he acts."

[Roserikta] "No. If you hated what the Prince did, you should get angry at him. But you’re angry at me."

[Clobell] "So what if I am?"

[Roserikta] "Fine. You can be. But tell me why. You can’t stay angry forever."

Thump, thump.

Her tail slapped the sofa. She was beyond frustrated.

[Clobell] "Haven't you changed too much? At this rate, you'll end up staying in this palace until you die."

[Elona] "Huh? Isn't that natural? Since she became the Prince’s partner……"

Elona tilted her head, then grew quiet, sensing the heavy mood between Roserikta and the cat.

[Roserikta] "You know that’s not true, Clobell."

[Elona] "……?"

Elona’s eyes widened as she looked at Roserikta. Thanks to her quick wits, she covered her mouth and stayed silent.

[Clobell] "Didn't you say you wouldn't like that Prince at first? But look at you now. Did things go the way you said? You say no with your words, but who knows the truth?"

[Roserikta] "It's not like that, Clobell."

She stroked the cat's small head.

[Roserikta] "You know what happens to a witch who doesn't receive the ritual."

[Clobell] "……"

That was the most painful subject for Roserikta.

[Roserikta] "I am only here to break his curse. He indeed likes me, and I like him, but that isn't everything."

Silence fell over them, and the atmosphere turned gloomy. Roserikta forced a smile and tried to joke.

[Roserikta] "Is this actually because he banned your snacks?"

[Clobell] "Gah! Why must you be so accurate? That’s cheating."

Klein adored the witch’s cat, but he wasn't brave enough to disobey the Prince and give her snacks. After hearing him apologize with tears in his eyes a hundred times, Clobellina lost the heart to call him a traitor.

However, her pride wouldn't let her accept snacks from Kalart either. She had declared she wouldn't eat from his hand, so she had to hold out for at least three days to keep her dignity as a cat.

She was hungry, and her mood was foul.

[Roserikta] "He likes you, though. Aren't you being too harsh?"

[Clobell] "Like me? He doesn't like me!'

[Roserikta] "He feels hurt because you won't talk to him. You talk to strangers easily enough."

[Clobell] "Forget it. I’ve already decided to hate him."

[Roserikta] "Don't be like that. You know he isn't a bad person."

[Clobell] "Yes, he is!'

[Roserikta] "Why?"

Clobellina’s pupils shook again.

Because it looks like you’ll live here forever because you love him.

Then what happens to you? Won't you die young like your mother?

I hate that. I hate it so much I could die. That’s why I’m going to hate him.

[Clobell] "Enough. There’s no reason for hatred. I just hate him because I do. Hmph, don't look for me. I want to be alone."

She leaped off the sofa and vanished.

[Elona] "Oh dear……. The Prince would be so upset if he heard that. Why does Clobell hate him so much?"

Elona muttered to herself while holding the ruined ribbon.

[Roserikta] "She’s just acting out. She usually finds everything annoying, but she can be stubborn sometimes."

Roserikta had a vague idea of why Clobellina acted this way. It was something she couldn't tell anyone. And she didn't need to. Everyone knew her time as Kalart’s lover had an end.

No human would truly want a witch to be the Crown Princess. The opposite was also true. She couldn't ask a Prince to stop being a Prince just so she could live as a witch.

[Elona] "The ribbon is completely ruined. What should we do?"

[Elona] "We should look for another hat……. Oh, wait, we have no time. The Prince will arrive soon. Wait here, Lady Roserikta. It’s faster to ask the Head Maid about things like this."

[Roserikta] "Oh no. The Head Maid will be furious if she finds out."

[Elona] "Should we leave out the part where Clobell ruined it?"

[Roserikta] "Probably."

As the Head Maid of the Trifolium Palace, Countess Aldwin was an expert at repairing damaged dresses.

---

[Aldwin] "It is very upsetting and unfortunate. I feel sorry for the Crown Prince who gave this gift, but sadly, this ribbon can't be saved."

Frost seemed to coat Aldwin’s voice. Elona and Roserikta exchanged glances and flinched.

[Elona] "I am sorry. Well……"

[Elona] "I didn't realize it was caught on the decorative pin and pulled it. I am genuinely sorry for failing to handle the gift from His Highness properly, Countess. I have no excuse."

Elona stepped in with a quick lie. The Head Maid stared at Roserikta with cold eyes.

[Aldwin] "The ribbon must be replaced. Choose one you like from the ones I brought."

[Roserikta] "Um…… okay."

The Head Maid held out dozens of colorful ribbons.

Roserikta found it strange. The Countess was clearly angry, but it didn't seem to be about the hat. She expected a long lecture filled with fury, but that didn't happen. The Countess looked ready to fix the hat as quickly as a sewing fairy once a ribbon was chosen.

Then what is she angry about?

[Roserikta] "I think this one goes well with the dress."

She pointed to a nearby ribbon. The Head Maid let out a cold, mocking laugh.

[Aldwin] "Isn't that almost black?"

[Roserikta] "Oh, is it? Still, I think it matches the dress."

[Aldwin] "They say witches have liked the color black since ancient times."

[Roserikta] "……?"

Roserikta and Elona glanced at each other again.

Does she know something? No way. If she did, she would have run to the Prince immediately.

Elona was right. It was the opposite. The Head Maid was returning from a meeting with the Chamberlain, who had declared he no longer believed the cat maid was a witch and was backing out of their plot.

She couldn't control her sense of betrayal. She felt like the only loyal servant trying to stop the Prince from dating a commoner. It made her skin crawl.

Her determination only grew firmer. No matter how lonely the fight became, she would protect the Prince and the dignity of the Imperial Family. She would find evidence that the cat maid was a witch—and if she couldn't find it, she would create it. She would watch every single move Roserikta made.

[Roserikta] "Ah, I see. Then please pick another color. Any color is fine with me."

[Aldwin] "I will use this coral one."

[Roserikta] "Yes. That looks lovely too."

The Head Maid replaced the ribbon. Her needle moved like lightning, but her sharp gaze never left Roserikta.

Elona and Roserikta watched in awe, thinking that not just anyone could become the Head Maid.

[Aldwin] "Put it on now."

Just as Roserikta finished putting on the hat, Arad arrived right on time.

[Arad] "His Highness instructed me to bring you to the garden when you are ready."

He tried to act polite, but he looked incredibly excited. Escorting Kalart and Roserikta meant he could walk through the garden with Elona.

[Roserikta] "Sir Arad is here."

Roserikta gave a knowing glance. If things continued like this, the two couples would have spent a happy, private time together.

[Aldwin] "I see. Lead the way."

However, an unwanted guest was about to join them.

[Elona] "Countess……? Are you coming too?"

Elona asked, failing to hide her unease. Sadly, her suspicion was correct.

[Aldwin] "Since she is the Prince’s partner, Lady Roserikta naturally needs a chaperone. Since it is difficult for a commoner to find a noble chaperone so suddenly, I have no choice but to do it myself."

[Elona] "Why so suddenly……"

[Aldwin] "Suddenly?"

The Head Maid glared at Elona with fierce eyes.

[Aldwin] "Lady Elona of the Legion family. As a maid of the palace, how can you treat imperial etiquette so lightly? There has never been a case where a lady staying in the palace went without a chaperone!"

Judging by her tone, the Head Maid had made up her mind.

[Elona] "I don't treat it lightly, it’s just that I’m always by Lady Roserikta’s side……"

[Aldwin] "You know you are not qualified to be a chaperone."

Elona was too young for the role.

[Elona] "Then at least give me time to find someone else……"

[Aldwin] "I said I will do it. Why look for anyone else?"

[Elona] "Well……"

Because if you become the chaperone, you’ll clearly use it as an excuse to be mean.

As Elona struggled to find a polite way to say this, the Head Maid gestured for Arad to move.

[Aldwin] "What are you doing, Sir Arad? Lead the way."

[Arad] "Oh, yes. Well……"

Arad hesitated while looking at Elona, then reluctantly began to walk.

[Aldwin] "Let’s go, Lady Roserikta."

The Head Maid grabbed Roserikta’s arm and followed Arad.

Left alone, Elona bit her sleeve in frustration as she watched her lover walk away.

---

[Aldwin] "For that reason, I will be joining you today, Your Highness."

Even as she bowed respectfully, the Head Maid’s mind raced.

I will keep my eyes wide open.

If Roserikta tried any tricks on the Prince, the Countess planned to shut them down immediately.

She firmly believed the innocent Prince, who had never been in love, was being fooled by a cunning commoner.

Now that she had the perfect excuse of being a chaperone, she vowed to stick to Roserikta day and night and watch her every move.