TWFLLYM Ch 82

The Head Maid’s Change of Heart

[Kalart] "I understand. I didn’t think of that. From now on, please take good care of her if she needs anything."

[Aldwin] "I obey your command, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "I will escort her from here."

Kalart reached out and tucked Roserikta’s arm into his. The Head Maid, who had been holding her other arm, naturally let go.

[Kalart] "Do you like the garden? I heard the first Osters flowers bloomed today."

Kalart and Roserikta began walking side by side. The weather was brilliant, and the air felt crisp and soft against their skin.

The garden of the Crown Prince’s palace was famous for being the most beautiful in Trifolium. Rumor had it that the gardener could grow anything. The fact that he bloomed Osters flowers—notoriously difficult to keep alive—said enough.

[Roserikta] "I see. I didn't know. Did you call me here just to show me the Osters flowers?"

[Kalart] "That was the excuse. To be precise, I asked for a walk so I could see you."

Goodness.

Following a step behind, the Head Maid bit her lip as she eavesdropped.

I can’t believe the Prince said that.

If the Imperial Family ever published a guidebook on dating, that sentence belonged in the first chapter.

However, Roserikta’s response didn't please The Head Maid at all.

[Roserikta] "You saw me this morning, too."

How dare she!

The Head Maid’s lips twitched. Instead of shedding tears of joy or considering it a lifelong honor to hear such tender words from the Prince, the girl gave such a half-hearted reply.

[Kalart] "My time to see you isn't something that should be limited to a schedule."

The Prince sounded hurt.

[Roserikta] "I just know how busy you are."

[Kalart] "I am never too busy to see you. I have no intention of being that way, either."

The Head Maid glared at Roserikta’s back.

What is she doing? Why isn't she thanking him immediately?

Why is there no reaction to the Prince’s generous affection?

But Roserikta only gave a quiet smile. The Prince received none of the gratitude or praise he deserved.

This is unbelievable. How can this be happening?

The Head Maid felt a knot of frustration. If the Prince weren't standing right there, she would have marched up and smacked the girl’s back.

[Kalart] "Which way do you prefer?"

Kalart asked at a fork in the path near the fountain. To the right lay a space filled with flower sculptures; to the left, a path led away from the garden toward the waterway.

[Roserikta] "What about you, Your Highness?"

[Kalart] "Whatever you wish."

[Roserikta] "Then let’s go toward the waterway. We can look at the flowers on the way back."

[Kalart] "A good idea."

They turned left, crossing the neatly trimmed garden until they reached a long set of marble stairs. After descending these stairs and passing through a small woods, they would reach the waterway. From there, they could see the main palace of Trifolium head-on.

[Kalart] "Be careful."

He stepped down one stair first and held out his hand.

[Roserikta] "Yes, Your Highness."

As she naturally took his hand to descend, Kalart moved back another step.

[Roserikta] "Your Highness?"

She realized she was now at eye level with him.

[Kalart] "Standing like this, the height is perfect."

[Roserikta] "Pardon?"

[Kalart] "The perfect height for a kiss."

He leaned in with a smile. The next moment, she remembered the Head Maid behind them and pulled away.

[Kalart] "……Do you dislike it?"

Kalart asked, sounding startled. He clearly hadn't considered the possibility that she might refuse a kiss.

I don’t want to stop either, but the Head Maid is right behind us.

I’m not exactly scared of her, but I don't want to provoke her for no reason.

[Roserikta] "I think it might be a bit difficult here."

[Kalart] "No, not at all."

[Roserikta] "It is. The marble floor is slippery. If we lose our footing, we might fall……"

She didn't mean to provide a demonstration, but her foot actually slipped. To be fair, her new shoes were unfamiliar.

[Roserikta] "……Oh, these are new shoes."

He quickly caught her. It was a dizzying moment where she almost tumbled down the stairs, but he simply beamed.

[Kalart] "Then I shouldn't let you walk."

He swept her up into his arms.

[Roserikta] "Ah! Your Highness! What are you……!"

She was shocked, but the Head Maid behind them looked even more stunned.

His arms will go numb! Put her down this instant!

That silent scream felt like a blow to the back of Roserikta's head. Feeling a prickle of guilt, she pushed against his shoulder.

[Roserikta] "Your Highness. Please put me down."

[Kalart] "Your feet will hurt in those new shoes."

[Roserikta] "No. Since they are expensive leather, I’m fine. I can walk well."

[Kalart] "Hmm……"

He lingered, his grip tightening as if he were disappointed.

[Roserikta] "Your Highness?"

[Kalart] "Can’t we just go like this?"

Roserikta glanced slightly over her shoulder.

If we go like this, the Head Maid will haunt my dreams tonight.

[Roserikta] "A kiss was dangerous, but walking while carrying me is even more risky, don’t you think?"

[Kalart] "I am a good walker."

[Roserikta] "I can also walk perfectly well on my own feet, Your Highness."

[Kalart] "……"

He let out a silent sigh. The Head Maid saw it clearly. Kalart looked at Roserikta with a complicated gaze before asking another question.

[Kalart] "Do you dislike me holding you?"

[Roserikta] "No, it’s not that I dislike it. I just don’t think we need to make things uncomfortable for each other by taking unnecessary risks."

[Kalart] "The reason is enough for me."

[Roserikta] "I prefer safety."

I'm telling you, the Head Maid is watching. And she’s had a terrifying expression for a while now.

[Roserikta] "Um…… instead, please hold my hand. Would that be okay?"

When Roserikta tensed her body, Kalart reluctantly put her down. She smiled and offered him her hand.

[Kalart] "……"

He took her hand without a word. The way he pulled her close and interlaced their fingers was incredibly sweet, but his expression remained dark.

[Kalart] "Is this your answer?"

[Roserikta] "Pardon?"

She asked, confused.

[Kalart] "I said I wanted to share a bed now that we are lovers. I want to know if avoiding my touch is your answer to that."

[Roserikta] "Your Highness!"

A panicked Roserikta covered Kalart’s mouth with her other hand. She was intensely conscious of the Head Maid behind them, who was definitely hearing every word.

[Roserikta] "Can we…… talk about that later?"

He spoke against her palm, making it tickle.

[Kalart] "Why? Is it a topic you want to avoid?"

This man, seriously. It’s a topic I want to avoid in front of others! Especially the Head Maid!

[Roserikta] "Don't you think…… it’s a bit too early for that?"

[Kalart] "I know. Waiting isn't hard. As long as it isn't a rejection."

Ah, so he thinks I'm avoiding him.

It was true she was avoiding him. Why? Again, because the Head Maid was right there with eyes like daggers.

[Roserikta] "But what you just said feels a bit unfair, Your Highness."

Why didn't this man understand?

[Kalart] "Unfair?"

[Roserikta] "Yes. If you decided to wait for an answer, shouldn't you actually wait? Demanding to know the answer ahead of time while saying you’ll wait isn't really waiting."

[Kalart] "……If that is so."

He nodded, his face stiffening slightly. Anyone could see his expression was a mix of disappointment and worry.

She almost hugged him right then and there. She wanted to say, Let’s have a serious and positive talk when the Head Maid isn't around.

[Kalart] "Watch your step. As you said, the marble can be slippery."

Kalart led the way down the stairs, one step at a time. Their interlaced hands felt hot, yet his fingertips were strangely cold.

This is bad. I feel like I’ve committed a massive crime.

Why did the Head Maid have to follow us? If she weren't here, I would have clung to him, and the mood wouldn't have turned so awkward.

[Roserikta] "Yes, Your Highness."

However, Roserikta was mistaken. The Head Maid’s glaring eyes weren't caused by their public affection. It was the exact opposite.

How dare a girl like you reject the Prince!

Of course, the Head Maid wouldn't have been happy if Roserikta had been aggressive, either. But watching the Prince get rejected was a hundred times worse.

The Prince was refused a kiss, then refused a carry. She already wanted to smack the girl for that, but the cat maid’s rejection didn't end there. She rejected sharing a bed! When the Prince wanted it so much!

If Roserikta had spent the night with the Prince, the Head Maid would have gossiped about her loose morals. But she swore that nothing pained her more than seeing the Prince’s heart bruised by constant rejection.

The Head Maid stared at the back she wanted to beat with explosive anger.

Every time Roserikta felt that piercing gaze, she instinctively tried to distance herself from Kalart, which only deepened his misunderstanding.

By the end of the walk, his brow was set. Seeing the dark shadows over his handsome eyes made the Head Maid’s heart ache.

After that walk, a painful time began for everyone.

---

[Aldwin] "It is time to wake up, Lady Roserikta."

It was early morning. Roserikta struggled to open her eyelids, which were heavy from the previous night’s exhaustion.

Her study of dark magic delayed her sleep every day. Just yesterday, she had only realized it was time to sleep after seeing the morning star rise.

[Roserikta] "Not…… yet……"

[Aldwin] "Wake up!"

Whoosh!

The Head Maid, showing no mercy, whipped the blanket away. The terrifyingly cold morning air hit her pajamas, forcing her to open her eyes.

Clobellina, who had been sleeping happily curled under the warm blanket, also faced a sudden disaster.

[Clobell] "Ugh, why is she doing this again? Is she doing this on purpose? She has so many ways to be annoying."

Roserikta struggled to stop Clobellina from hissing at the Head Maid.

[Roserikta] "Countess…… I mean, Madam. It’s still early."

[Aldwin] "His Highness always wakes at this hour. Shouldn't you match his schedule?"

[Roserikta] "But even if I wake up early, it’s not like I see him at this hour……"

[Aldwin] "Then wake up early and see him more often!"

After shouting, the Head Maid watched Roserikta sit up before speaking coldly.

[Aldwin] "I have prepared the water. Get dressed as quickly as possible and go see His Highness."

[Roserikta] "But he hasn't called for me?"

[Aldwin] "Don't worry about every little detail! It’s because you act like this that the Prince feels more……"

More discouraged. Who do you think you are to make our Prince feel so self-conscious?

The Head Maid swallowed her words, huffing with anger.

Roserikta was merely puzzled.

Isn't it wrong for me to visit the Crown Prince without a word? Why is she acting like this?

[Aldwin] "Anyway, get ready!"

The Head Maid turned sharply and walked toward the vanity.

[Clobell] "Can't we kick her out? Tell the Prince and give her a lesson."

Clobellina bared her teeth and meowed loudly.

[Roserikta] "Don't be like that, Clobell. She must have a reason."

[Clobell] "Does having a reason give her the right to bully people?"

[Roserikta] "Of course not."

But it doesn't make sense for me to kick her out. She has lived in the palace for a very long time, and I’ll leave someday anyway.

[Roserikta] "Well, let’s just listen for now. I don’t want to fight with her."

[Clobell] "Hmph. You are way too soft. How are you going to fight the Black Witch like this?"

[Roserikta] "That’s different. I can fight the Black Witch just fine."

[Clobell] "Stop bragging. Anyway, I’m going back to sleep."

Clobellina dived back under the covers. Roserikta looked at the bulging blanket with envy.

[Roserikta] "So much for loyalty."

[Clobell] "Don't disturb my sleep."

[Roserikta] "……Hmph."

Roserikta forced her stiff body up and approached the vanity. The Head Maid poured water into a large porcelain basin.

[Aldwin] "I assume you know how to wash your face?"

[Roserikta] "Of course."

[Aldwin] "Then what are you waiting for? Do it quickly."

[Roserikta] "I will……"

Seriously. She seems incredibly angry.

Is she hoping to make me so uncomfortable that I’ll leave on my own?

I can’t do that. I have to deal with the Black Witch.

After she finished washing with a heavy heart, the Head Maid helped her into a new dress, braided her hair, and added jewelry.

[Aldwin] "As I said, His Highness always wakes at five in the morning. He has done so since long before he took over state affairs for the Emperor."

[Roserikta] "……I see."

Why is she telling me this?

[Aldwin] "It’s not just 'I see.' It means he is a person of great sincerity and responsibility, a wonderful man."

[Roserikta] "I know that."

Roserikta already knew what kind of Crown Prince Kalart was. What she didn't know was why the Head Maid was suddenly praising him to her face.

This is very strange. Usually, when someone acts like this, it’s to build attraction. But the Head Maid shouldn't like the fact that I’m with the Prince.

Why is she doing this?