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Chapter 21
It hadn’t been more than a few minutes since Lelia left for the kitchen to personally fetch dessert, when I received a visitor in my room.
“Lady Edel, my apologies for the late greeting.”
“As much as you have devoted yourself to His Highness, we too shall serve you with our utmost sincerity.”
Standing before me with utmost courtesy were Madam May, the head lady-in-waiting, and the butler Teyden. Since Lihit often left the prince’s palace unattended, it was these two who managed it in his stead—in short, the true powers of the prince’s residence.
In particular, Madam May, who had once been the late empress’s maid and had accompanied her from the Kingdom to the Luden Empire, had raised Lihit from childhood. She was a character who appeared quite frequently in the novel as well.
‘I remember the scene where she was so affectionate when Sepina first came to the prince’s palace.’
These were the very people who had raised Lihit like parents since his birth. So naturally, they were grateful to me for caring for him during the long years he was cursed. Not that it made things any less burdensome for me.
“To think you would be so humble…”
Butler Teyden’s eyes brimmed with tears, looking ready to spill over at any moment. With his refined silver hair, he looked like one of those distinguished English gentlemen one might imagine—but perhaps one with an overly tender heart.
‘I really only did it because I was told to, though…’
Even Madam May’s usually composed face betrayed an unmistakable emotion of deep gratitude.
“To think such a fairy-like, beautiful sorceress would come to the prince’s palace… This Teyden is truly moved beyond words, cough, cough!”
He dabbed his tears with a handkerchief as he spoke, growing so overwhelmed that he even began to cough. Madam May had to pat his back soothingly.
“Ha… ha…”
It was clear that denying their words would have no effect, so all I could do was smile awkwardly and let the moment pass.
“Lady Edel! Oh my, you have guests.”
Just when I was sweating from the awkwardness, Lelia returned, balancing a large tray piled high with desserts. Perfect timing. I had been wondering how on earth I was supposed to console the still-teary Teyden.
Sensing the situation, Madam May quickly called to him.
“There will be other chances for introductions. Let’s rise for now.”
“Oh dear, it seems we’ve interrupted your teatime.”
With remarkable composure, Teyden tucked his damp handkerchief neatly away and, in the blink of an eye, adopted a solemn expression. As if his earlier tears had been nothing but a lie. Truly, not just anyone could serve as butler of the prince’s palace.
Placing one hand across his chest, he bowed with elegant grace.
“I look forward to speaking with you again another time.”
“Yes, of course, anytime!”
‘Just as long as you don’t cry again…’ I swallowed those words down and bowed clumsily in return.
Once that short but intense introduction was over, Lelia—looking a little flustered—set down the desserts and teapot on the table.
“Lady Edel, you must have been surprised by the sudden visit. I think Butler Teyden was simply in too much of a hurry.”
“Oh, it’s fine.”
I mumbled the reply while spearing a plump strawberry and a bite of cake with my fork, bringing it happily to my mouth. A place where I could eat desserts like this freely? I could endure a hundred awkward greetings for that!
‘This is it… this taste!’
A smile spread across my face before I realized it. Watching me, Lelia spoke kindly.
“It seems you particularly like strawberry desserts, Lady Edel.”
“I didn’t know myself, but maybe you’re right.”
Maybe it was just because it had been so long. I really was devouring the sweets like someone who’d never had dessert before. No wonder Lihit had suspected I hadn’t eaten properly at the Magic Tower.
‘Now that I think about it, the Tower really didn’t have anything you could call dessert. Or rather, nothing at all!’
Back in my real-world life, I used to relieve stress with snacks. But when I first transmigrated to the Tower, I’d been too busy adjusting to even think about food.
As she filled my cup with gently fragrant tea, Lelia spoke.
“Please enjoy your tea, and let me tell you today’s schedule.”
“Schedule?”
I had a schedule? I had nothing to do here. His Highness had already woken up! My eyes betrayed my curiosity, and Lelia quickly added an explanation.
“Yes, first of all, the capital’s most renowned dressmaker will be visiting this afternoon. Since you’ll need clothes to move about comfortably while staying at the prince’s palace, we arranged for you to have several made. It’s the designer from Yantel Atelier, the most popular fashion house in the capital, so you’ll be able to try on various styles to your liking.”
Her face lit up as she pronounced “Yantel.” It must have been the place most beloved by noble young ladies.
“Dresses? But isn’t this one I’m wearing already a gift?”
I pinched a bit of the navy-blue dress I currently wore. It was made of soft fabric, easy to move in, and I had already grown fond of it.
“Oh my, of course it is.”
“I feel like having a few more of these would be plenty.”
Honestly, that was true. Compared to the spare clothes I’d brought, even this dress was of outrageously high quality. And since I didn’t plan to stay here long, I couldn’t see the point of ordering more. Maybe I’d just take a couple when I left.
‘Though clearly, they have money to burn here.’
Perhaps disappointed in my lukewarm response, Lelia began to explain in earnest.
“No, Lady Edel. You wouldn’t believe how many occasions the palace has. What if His Majesty holds a breakfast gathering? Or the Empress hosts a tea party! You’d need far more than a few dresses to be prepared for such invitations!”
“…And do I absolutely have to attend those?”
Wouldn’t it be easier just not to go? But Lelia’s aghast expression made me realize once more that in this empire, refusing such summons was simply not an option. Even in this romantic fantasy world, “if they say jump, you jump” was still the law of the land.
That only strengthened my resolve: In this world, I will protect my work-life balance at all costs! A life with just the right amount of stress and just the right amount of ease.
“In any case, if you rest in your room for now, I’ll come fetch you this afternoon, Lady Edel.”
“Alright.”
Since learning that Lelia was the daughter of the powerful Enderke family, I had felt a certain distance between us. But now, I was starting to feel a sense of kinship—perhaps the bond of fellow survivors of the workplace grind.
Ah, and these strawberry macarons were amazing. Such a satisfying texture. My mouth was constantly being replenished with new desserts, yet the supply never seemed to diminish. No wonder—I couldn’t imagine how Lelia’s slender arms had carried such a huge tray.
I thought that was the end of today’s plans, but after a moment’s hesitation, Lelia spoke again.
“After dinner, His Highness Prince Lihit has said he would personally give you a tour of the palace.”
“…Huh?”
The prince himself was going to act as tour guide? Wasn’t he supposed to be busy? This unexpected plan left me flustered. Lelia, however, seemed rather thrilled.
“And since you’ll also be dining together, I’ll help you prepare beforehand so you’ll be perfectly dressed, Lady Edel!”
She even wanted to help me “prepare” before dinner? Suspicious.
‘Aha?’
So that was the strange feeling I’d had. Everyone in the prince’s palace seemed to have gotten the wrong idea.
‘Do they… think His Highness and I are some kind of romantic pair?’
Yes, that must be it. Their reactions toward me went beyond gratitude for saving him—more like they saw me as someone who would be staying here permanently.
‘But when did that misunderstanding even start? I’ve always treated him respectfully, kept my distance. And really, could anyone imagine a low-ranking commoner mage being paired with the First Prince of the Empire?!’
Maybe they were just open-minded in their own way.
‘Well, life does take some strange turns. Who’d have thought I’d ever be linked to such a handsome man?’
Embarrassed, yet not entirely displeased, I decided not to bother correcting them. Once Sepina arrived, everything would clear itself up naturally anyway.
“I think I’m fine just as I am, really. Haha.”
“Oh, of course, Lady Edel. You already look so beautiful!”
Ah, no, that’s not what I meant. I just didn’t want to go through the hassle of changing clothes.
“What I meant was—”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything! Naturally. You know the vibe, right?”
Somehow, no matter what I said, the conversation seemed to veer off in the strangest direction…
