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Chapter 67
It was a bold question, but Loren looked desperate.
I didn’t have a proper answer for her either.
What could I do?
TakeVivian out of bed and treat her?
Punishthe maid who hurt her?
‘No, that’s not it.’
I might be staying in the Crown Prince’s Palace, but I’m still a guest.
Amelia in the past didn’t care about that and used to hit or scold maids, but all that did was make them secretly laugh at her.
It would be the same for me.
If I stepped in, they’d act polite to my face but torment Vivian more behind my back.
‘Should I talk to the Crown Prince directly?’
At least Vivian was the maid the Crown Prince personally assigned to me.
But then I shook my head.
Even if the Crown Prince punished or dismissed the maids, he wasn’t the one who truly managed them all.
“Who assigns your maids?”
“That would be Her Highness the Crown Princess Consort.”
“The Crown Princess Consort… not the Empress?”
“Yes, Your Grace. The Empress oversees all ladies-in-waiting and maids, but she doesn’t handle individual placements. Her health isn’t good…”
That sounded like the perfect setup for spies to be planted. Anyway, so it was the Crown Princess Consort.
“Normally, if there’s a Crown Princess, she would select her own maids. But since there isn’t one right now…”
“I see. I get what you mean.”
I calmed myself and sat back down, then quietly looked at Loren.
“Loren.”
“Yes, Lady.”
“You care about Vivian, right?”
“Yes, she’s my closest sister. That’s why I came in her place to attend to you.”
“…Alright. You said it’s better to stay quiet for now, so I’ll do that. But if this goes too far, I’ll step in.”
“……”
Loren didn’t answer. So maybe she truly thought it was dangerous if I got involved.
I sighed silently and pointed to the breakfast tray.
“You brought that for me, right?”
“Oh, yes!”
It was an abrupt topic change, but Loren looked relieved.
“I’ll serve it for you.”
She spoke softly and brought the tray to the tea table.
Fresh fruit and cheese, steaming soup, and bread were neatly arranged.
I sat in front of the food and picked up a piece of bread, taking a bite.
As I chewed, I muttered loud enough for Loren to hear.
“I wonder if Vivian’s been eating properly… She had such a good appetite.”
“……”
I glanced at Loren, but she avoided my eyes. Then she quickly spread butter on some bread and handed it to me. The rich aroma filled my mouth.
“Vivian talks about you a lot, my lady.”
“…Does she?”
“So please, if you truly care about her, leave this alone.”
“……”
I, too, chose silence.
After that, only the soft clinking of dishes filled the quiet room.
***
Scratch, scratch.
At the Crown Prince’s office, I sat at my assigned desk and worked through documents.
I thought I’d only be given simple tasks, but they turned out to be serious and complex.
Compiling reports from each territory, drafting new summaries, sorting through letters addressed to the Crown Prince, and even preparing arguments against Duke Wentworth’s upcoming tax reform proposal.
‘Why am I the one doing this?’
He had said I didn’t need to do everything, only what I could. But once I started, I couldn’t help but do it properly.
Still, I couldn’t fully focus. Thoughts about Vivian kept drifting in.
‘Is there really no way to help her?’
I glanced at Vincent’s seat.
He was focused on his work, calm and steady.
‘Maybe I should tell him. He’s the Crown Prince, after all.’
But I shook my head. If that were a good idea, Loren would’ve said so. She would’ve asked me to tell him.
Sensing my gaze, Vincent looked up. I quickly lowered my eyes, but it was too late. His emerald eyes were already fixed on me.
“Amelia. You seem like you have something to say.”
His voice was calm but firm.
I lifted my head with an awkward smile to hide my unease.
“No, Your Highness. I was just lost in thought.”
Vincent didn’t react to my answer. Instead, he stood up slowly and walked toward me.
One of the windows was open, and his golden hair fluttered slightly with each step.
“I feel like there’s something you’re not telling me.”
He rested his hand on my desk and met my eyes.
I hesitated. Was it right to bring up Vivian’s issue? Loren had pleaded with me not to.
“No, really. It’s nothing.”
I decided to hold back. If he got involved, it might complicate things more. Loren must have known that too.
“Then why are you avoiding my eyes?”
His gaze came closer. Apparently, I wasn’t as subtle as I thought.
“Amelia, I’m the Crown Prince.”
He stated it suddenly, and I blinked in confusion. He smiled faintly.
“I might be able to do more than you think. I’m quite capable, you know.”
Pfft.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
Vincent raised an eyebrow slightly, his lips curving again.
“Now tell me, Amelia. What’s going on?”
His tone was gentle but carried authority. It was clear he wouldn’t let this go, so I finally exhaled and began.
“Vivian hasn’t been around lately.”
Vincent’s smile faded. He listened closely.
“Since when?”
“It’s been about four days. You remember the day I wore a maid’s uniform?
Shehasn’t shown up since then.
Themaid who replaced her first said she was on leave, but later said she was sick.”
“I see. And then?”
“I had a run-in with a maid named Jessie that day. She thought I was a real maid and spoke rudely, so there was a bit of conflict.
I’m worried that might’ve caused trouble for Vivian.”
Vincent tilted his head slightly, his face calm.
“Why are you worried?”
“I’m afraid things might get worse if I intervene. I’m technically an outsider, and if I step in, Vivian could suffer more.”
“That’s possible. They have their own rules.”
“Exactly. Right?”
Hearing that from him made me sigh. Maybe there really was nothing to be done.
Vincent still looked at me intently.
“Amelia, Vivian is the maid I personally assigned to you.”
And secretly ordered to keep an eye on me, though I knew that too well.
“Yes, I know.”
“You seem to care a lot for your servant. That’s rare for someone you’ve known for such a short time.”
“Well… we spend all day together, she takes care of everything for me, and she’s young. Of course I care. Isn’t that natural?”
“Not really.”
“What?”
Vincent straightened and took his hand off my desk.
“Most people don’t bother to care that much about those who serve them.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
Come to think of it, I didn’t pay this much attention to all my servants either.
Maybe I only felt this way because she was my personal maid.
“Then, Amelia. Do you want me to intervene?”
“How could you help?
Iheard the maids fall under the Crown Princess Consort’s authority.”
“That doesn’t mean the Crown Prince can’t protect a single maid.”
His words were reassuring, but still made me hesitate. Was it right to use his power for this?
As if reading my hesitation, Vincent smiled faintly.
“If you want me to, just say the word. If you truly want it.”
The way he smiled made it clear it wouldn’t come without a price. I realized I needed to think carefully.
“…Alright.”
