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Chapter 23
Flash!
A gleaming silver light reflected under the sunlight.
As I pulled out a square silver plaque, Rakiel narrowed his eyes.
“That is….”
What I took out from my chest was none other than the ducal family’s insignia.
It was an item personally carried by nobles, something that must never be lent to others. If someone else possessed it, they were to be treated with the same authority as its owner.
That was how important it was—something that couldn’t be handed over easily, no matter how trusted the person was.
‘Well, it’s mine anyway, so of course I have it.’
Originally, I had brought it in case I couldn’t meet Rakiel and needed to enter the Second Prince’s palace directly. If I presented the insignia of a duke’s daughter, they would have no choice but to let me pass.
But showing it to just anyone could let word reach the duke, so I’d been trying to avoid using it as much as possible. Still, briefly showing it to Rakiel should be fine.
“This is proof that the young lady sent me.”
“….”
“She gave it to me in case it was needed. It proves both that I am trusted and that this is a serious matter.”
He took the plaque from me and examined it closely. Then he nodded and returned it.
“It’s genuine.”
“And one more thing. Did the young lady say she still loves the Crown Prince?”
He responded as if it were an obvious question.
“Are you saying she doesn’t?”
“She doesn’t.”
I shook my head.
“The young lady is acting.”
“Acting…?”
He muttered, looking dumbfounded.
“I’m telling you this so you don’t misunderstand. Everything she does is a lie—pretending she still loves the Crown Prince, pretending to cling to him. All for the sake of… revenge.”
And that was the truth!
‘Ahh, that feels so refreshing.’
It felt like shouting a secret into a bamboo forest.
“So, the young lady is proposing a kind of secret alliance to His Highness the Second Prince.”
“A secret alliance… Are you suggesting a contract marriage?”
“Exactly. More precisely, a contract engagement.”
I corrected him confidently and nodded.
“She’ll keep acting until her revenge is complete. So even if she says unpleasant things, please overlook them. You’re allies now, after all.”
Rakiel let out a hollow laugh, as if incredulous.
Judging by the way he held his forehead while laughing, he seemed half convinced.
‘Phew.’
I secretly let out a breath.
“…Alright.”
He ran a rough hand through his hair.
It seemed he had already shaken off his thoughts—his smooth forehead showed no wrinkles.
‘But why is his forehead so nice?’
The neat shape, his sharp nose standing tall between it.
Strands of black hair fluttered down, soon covering his forehead again, but glimpses of his slightly tanned skin showed through.
Still, for someone who had been through war, his skin was fairly pale.
Maybe he was naturally fair-skinned—not quite dark enough to call him tan.
While I was briefly distracted by his gestures, he lifted his gaze to meet mine. There was amusement in his eyes.
Then he grinned and held out his hand.
“…?”
Tilting my head, I extended my hand as well, and Rakiel suddenly grabbed it. Then he shook it up and down like a handshake.
‘Ow, what strength…!’
I almost staggered from the force but barely held myself steady. He smirked.
“That seals the deal.”
“I-Is that so?”
“And in that spirit… how about buying me a meal?”
“…What?”
* * *
Buying one meal? I could do that a hundred times over.
‘If it helps me breathe easier, sure.’
I had no idea why a prince would ask a mere maid to treat him to a meal.
He said dining with the young lady might disrupt the plan, so this was a substitute, but… really??
‘Does he think he can get information out of me?’
Filled with curiosity, I hurried to the meeting place. The appointment was set for that very evening. Best to get things done quickly.
Of course, Rakiel had hesitated.
—…Today?
—Why? Do you have prior plans?
—No, not really…
I still remembered the uneasy look on his face as he muttered to himself.
But I was busy. It was hard to set aside time, so it was better to deal with things quickly.
‘Just eat and leave.’
Getting close to him as a maid had its advantages—but also risks. The closer I got, the higher the chance of being exposed.
I needed to keep a proper distance.
But when I arrived at the address he gave me, I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks.
“W-What is this…?”
To my shock, it was an ultra-luxury restaurant frequented only by high-ranking nobles.
And I had come wearing a shabby dress and an old robe!
“This is insane.”
No wonder the address looked familiar… Is this for real?
He’s making a maid pay for a meal at a place like this?! You have to reserve this place days in advance, and worst of all, people here might recognize me!
“…Should I run?”
“Run where?”
A voice from behind made chills run down my spine.
“Y-Your Highness?”
“Looks like you made it on time. I thought you might run away.”
Then why invite me here knowing that?!
He grinned and gestured toward the restaurant.
“I’ll treat you to a full course meal you’ll never experience in your lifetime. Consider it an honor to be connected to a prince.”
…Excuse me, I’ve already been here several times. And I’m the one paying!
Maybe he thought I was intimidated since I hesitated at the entrance. He casually motioned again.
“What, uncomfortable going in? Don’t worry. I’ve reserved the entire place.”
“…You must have a lot of money.”
I thought you didn’t.
Then why did you take my silver coins earlier?
“More importantly, that’s a hat I haven’t seen before.”
“Oh, this….”
At his words, I fiddled with the hat I was wearing.
It was an outdated bonnet I had found in the maid’s storage.
A hat that covered the back of the head, tied under the chin with a ribbon—once popular among common women. The one I wore had a frayed ribbon and a worn veil on the brim that looked like it might tear at any moment.
It looked so shabby it might fly off in the wind.
‘Still, better than being exposed while eating.’
I had planned to wear my robe’s hood like usual, but keeping myself completely covered inside a restaurant would look suspicious, so this was my solution.
The thin veil draped beneath the deeply pressed bonnet blurred my view.
With no decorations, the bonnet made me look like a country maid. Even though I tried to match my outfit modestly, it only made me look more outdated.
Still feeling awkward, I glanced at the restaurant entrance and lowered my head.
It didn’t suit such a luxurious place at all.
“Does it… not suit me? Should I—”
“It’s a fine hat.”
“…Pardon?”
He smirked and lightly tapped the brim.
“Classic. It suits you.”
…Was he being considerate?
He didn’t ask why, but it was clear he knew I didn’t want to reveal my face.
He passed by me casually and opened the restaurant door.
* * *
‘Wow… This is amazing. As expected, this place has the best food.’
I kept exclaiming as I ate.
This restaurant was famous, and I used to visit often as Evelyn—but recently, I hadn’t come much.
As Evelyn, I had been avoiding going out as much as possible. Besides, there were too many things to worry about to enjoy food properly.
But now, aside from the person sitting in front of me, I could eat quite comfortably.
I had been worried the staff might recognize me, but thanks to the worn yet effective veil, no one seemed to notice.
“…Is it that good?”
Rakiel looked at me in disbelief while eating his portion.
I replied without stopping my chewing.
“Of course it’s good. How could it not be?”
“……”
What kind of question is that? Do you know how expensive this place is?
As I continued eating, I suddenly noticed that Rakiel had set down his fork entirely and was just watching me.
‘…What’s with him?’
After swallowing, I glared at him.
“What? Do you have something to say?”
“…No, just curious. You seemed awkward earlier, but you look surprisingly used to a place like this.”
Ah, mistake.
I stiffened and glanced at him.
I must have acted like Evelyn without thinking because the food was so good.
‘You idiot, act before you think again, huh!’
Trying to remain calm, I cut my food and replied,
“Really? I’ve seen it a lot while serving Lady Evelyn… I was always by her side.”
“I see… What about your home? Don’t you have parents to return to?”
At his question, I shrugged.
“I don’t have parents.”
