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[CHAPTER 125]
For the usually expressionless Derek, a rare frown appeared. I spoke to him.
“Please go.”
“But….”
Derek hesitated as if uneasy about leaving his post.
“They’re facing each other with swords drawn. Someone’s bound to get seriously hurt!”
“…That can’t be.”
It sounded strange that highly trained royal guard knights would actually fight each other.
“Well, I added a bit of alcohol when serving the food….”
James muttered as if it were his fault, and Derek frowned.
“Drinking on duty?”
“Sir Derek, my room is over there. From here, go to the opposite side, second room on the right. Come find me when you’re done.”
Derek nodded after confirming the room’s location nearby.
“Understood. I’ll go immediately.”
Derek left with James. As I was about to walk to my room with Vivian,
“Princess.”
Two maids approached and bowed.
“What is it?”
“Your pajamas for tonight have been prepared. The maid accompanying you will bring them down.”
She then glanced at Vivian, and I stared at the maid.
“I’m sorry, I came from elsewhere too….”
The maid looked polite at first but then gave me a sideways glance. Was this territorial behavior?
Vivian, unable to stand the tension, jumped in with a laugh.
“I’ll bring them, Princess. If it’s your clothes, it’s right that I bring them!”
“Vivian, you’re not even a maid here….”
“I’ll be quick! Was it that room?”
“Yes, will it be alright?”
“Of course. Where do I go?”
When Vivian stepped forward, the remaining maid said flatly,
“Follow me this way.”
Though young, Vivian spoke casually to a palace maid. I felt slightly annoyed but before I could react, Vivian followed promptly.
Then the remaining maid spoke more kindly,
“I will guide you to the room assigned to you, Princess.”
“A room assigned to me? Not my usual room?”
“Yes. The Duke specially arranged the best room for you.”
“…That much?”
I muttered to myself. The maid didn’t respond, only continued to look ahead as if telling me to follow.
I glanced back once. Vivian, following the other maid, had already disappeared from view.
“I should tell my maid that my room has been moved to the third floor.”
“I will inform your maid after escorting you, Princess. Let’s head this way.”
I followed her slowly. Upon reaching the third-floor corridor, a strange feeling came over me.
‘The Duke is giving me a new room instead of my usual one?’
There had been no mention of this when we first met. He usually only speaks when necessary. Moreover, the third floor was rarely used.
Some rooms were open occasionally, but most were closed. The faint smell in the air indicated this floor was mostly empty. Why bring me here when Derek and Vivian weren’t nearby?
Midway down the corridor, I stopped.
“Wait.”
The maid turned back.
“Princess?”
“I want to use my original room. Or better, I’ll return tonight.”
“The Duke—”
“My home now is the Crown Prince’s palace.”
As I turned around, suddenly the maid grabbed my waist from behind.
“No! You girls! Help!”
“Let go! What are you doing?”
I tried to free myself, but two more maids appeared from the side rooms. One covered my mouth, the others dragged me to the end room.
“Ugh, let go, mmm!”
They were so strong I couldn’t resist. They shoved me inside the room and slammed the door.
Bang!
“Open the door!”
As I pushed to open it, I sensed movement behind me. Turning, I saw Aiden and the Duchess smirking at me.
I slowly faced them.
“You two, this is cruel.”
“Cruel? You think this is a joke?”
The Duchess approached and suddenly raised her hand.
Slash—
The sudden impact on my cheek stunned me, and I heard the Duchess’s mocking voice.
“Impudent girl. Dare you covet Aiden’s place?”
“It was a seat granted by Father. I didn’t even want to sit there.”
I held my cheek and tried to argue. Aiden growled beside me.
“You foolish girl, you think I only mean what happened in the dining hall?”
I lowered my hand, trying to understand the situation. Was this a simple warning? Harassment? The Duke invited me here, yet they act this way?
Even foolishness aside, consequences would be considered.
“Mother, leave. I’ll handle this from now on.”
The words made me more anxious. The Duchess was hostile, but with her gone, what would Aiden do?
“Aiden, remember what I told you earlier.”
“Don’t worry.”
As the Duchess left, I tried to move. Before the door closed, Aiden grabbed my hair roughly.
“Ah!”
A sharp pain ran through my scalp. The door slammed, and I heard it lock.
“Brother, why are you doing this?”
“Shut up!”
I instinctively grabbed his arm but couldn’t resist. He dragged me toward the wall.
“Ugh.”
When I opened my eyes, Aiden held a reflective metal object—a dagger.
He pressed it to my neck and sneered lowly.
“Scream once more and I’ll slit your throat.”
I stared at him, full of hostile fear, and quickly realized in my mind’s eye what would happen.
‘He really meant to kill me.’
It wasn’t just a threat. Even with foresight, I could do little.
I tried to calm him by speaking.
“…Brother, calm down. I have no intention of taking your place.”
“Shut up. Someone like you dares to ignore me in the palace?”
Aiden raised the dagger higher. I grabbed his wrist with my left hand. Naturally, I couldn’t withstand his strength but managed to create an angle to slip past. I escaped through the gap.
My foresight had shown this a beat early, and Aiden’s movements were slower and clumsy, which helped.
“Iik, you!”
I reached for the doorknob, but it was locked. He swung the dagger again, and I dodged to the side.
Thunk! The blade hit the wooden door.
“Iik, why won’t it come out! Amelia, how dare you!”
While he struggled with the blade, I looked around. ‘Window? No, this is the third floor.’
Suddenly, loud noises came from outside.
Bang, bang, crash!
The door shook violently, then ripped open, striking Aiden down.
“Ugh!”
I stood before the figure and jumped up.
“Sir Derek.”
“Princess, are you alright?”
Derek’s usually neat hair was disheveled, and he panted as he asked me. I responded that I was fine and said,
“Let’s leave the mansion immediately.”p>
We could not stay here any longer.
