Chapter 14

In contrast, the current Empress Onisia was a wise woman.

Born as a commoner, she had entered the imperial palace and made the Marchioness of Iart her first ally.

That was how it began.

Starting with the Marchioness of Iart, Empress Onisia gradually gathered the wives of many influential noble families to her side.

It took her a long time to seize control of high society, but in the end she survived all the way to the present day when Crown Prince Alesto S. Burns firmly held power.

Ruby wished for Lady Asha to become a strong and unshakable empress like Empress Onisia.

Only then could she, as the maid serving beside her, keep her own place just as firmly.

That was the fate of an Owl.

They were destined to share the same end as the masters they served.

And now her master was Lady Asha.

If Asha were ever to be divorced and driven out of the palace, what would happen to Ruby?

‘I would fall with her, of course.’

That, she thought, was why the mission given to her carried the difficulty mark [Risk].

Which meant she had to do everything possible to ensure that Lady Asha became Empress safely and held her position for a long time.

From Ruby’s perspective, Asha currently had only one thing, the Crown Prince’s attention. Nothing else.

That was why it was important for her to attend the upcoming ball, make connections, and slowly build her influence.

If Lady Asha were to attend the ball now,

‘She could sweep up invitations from every influential lady in the capital.’

Filled with that thought, Ruby tried her best to persuade her.

“Yes, the ball. The grand hall will be filled with flowers, chandeliers, dancing, and music. It will be a stage of pure art. I heard the Corridor of Roses has even been decorated as a gallery. It would be lovely to go for a light visit and enjoy the sight.”

For a moment, Asha’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, but the spark faded quickly.

“…I can’t go.”

Just when Ruby thought she had almost convinced her, the sudden refusal made her blink in surprise.

“What? Why not?”

Asha stared blankly up at the ceiling and muttered,

“His Highness told me not to leave the Almond Chamber.”

A large question mark practically floated above Ruby’s head.

‘That cannot be right.’

Ruby might have been a gray Owl, but an Owl was still an Owl.

Would she have taken the mission labeled [Risk] to Lady Watch, the head maid, just to ask for gossip?

No.

She had gone to request information on how best to help Lady Asha adjust to palace life, what role a maid should play during her rise to Empress, and what qualities were required of an Empress’s closest servant.

She had even written a report and begged,

‘Please, pity this humble gray Owl and tell me everything I need to know to carry out my duty.’

Thankfully, Lady Watch, who had a kind and generous heart, had shared some valuable information.

Of course, only the kind she was allowed to share.

Even so, it was enough.

Lady Watch had said that Lady Asha was the Crown Prince’s ideal type.

Maybe it was not love yet, but he was desperate to have her.

He was so eager that he had already settled the marriage contract with the Count of Herman in person. (That was supposed to be a secret.)

And now he wanted to confine her?

‘That cannot be right. His Highness is not that foolish.’

There had to be a reason.

If the Crown Prince truly intended to confine Lady Asha, then not only would he have informed Ruby as her assigned maid, he would also have stationed guards around the chamber.

So for now she needed to understand the situation carefully.

Ruby began coaxing Asha with gentle sympathy.

“Oh dear, how could he? That must be so upsetting for you.”

“Well, it cannot be helped. That day I just…”

“That day you just what?”

“Well, while I was talking to His Highness, I accidentally looked away for a moment…”

After some time of comforting and drawing out the story, Ruby clapped her hands together.

“It is jealousy.”

Asha blinked.

“…Jealousy?”

“Yes. I am sure His Highness said such a thing out of a sudden rush of jealousy.”

It was surprising to imagine the calm and composed Crown Prince acting out of jealousy, but to Ruby this was good news for Lady Asha.

And what was good for Lady Asha was also good for her.

“Do not worry, Lady Asha. I will find a way to take you to the ball.”

“I really do not need to go to the ball.”

Truly, she did not.

Though she could not bring herself to say it out loud, confinement was not the problem for her at all, Ruby dear.

But Ruby, unaware of her real thoughts, continued in her cheerful confidence.

She gently guided Asha toward the bedroom and asked,

“Would you be able to cry, my lady?”

Asha looked confused.

“Cry? Why?”

“If you cry in your chamber, I will bring His Highness here. Men are always weak to the tears of the women they like. Once he sees you crying, he will not be able to keep you locked away.”

It sounded logical enough, but could tears really work on a man known for his ruthless nature?

No, even before that.

“I really do not need to go to the ball.”

Asha made no move to cooperate, and Ruby pleaded beside her.

“Please, just trust me once. All you have to do is cry until I call out that it worked.”

In the end, Asha found herself being pushed into the bedroom.

She stared at the door that had just closed in front of her and thought,

‘Am I bad at saying no?’

Maybe so.

Then again, she had never really had anyone close enough to speak to her kindly like Ruby did.

And so began their little operation.

Ruby pressed her ear against the door of the Almond Chamber, listening for footsteps, and checked the corridor from time to time.

And finally she saw him.

The Crown Prince himself.

* * *

Before entering his own room, Acalia, Alesto stopped and looked toward the door beside it. The Almond Chamber.

What was the Saintess doing right now?

As he wondered, the door opened and a maid stepped out.

‘That must be the new Owl assigned to her.’

The maid bowed deeply, and without realizing it, he asked,

“How is Lady Asha?”

The maid answered politely without lifting her head.

“She has not left the bedroom.”

“…Why?”

Ruby began her performance with all her might.

“She has not eaten since yesterday and has done nothing but cry.”

She kept her head low, staring at the floor, her eyes fixed on the Crown Prince’s polished shoes.

‘Come on, move toward the door.’

Then she heard a door open nearby.

It was not the Almond Chamber, which was beside her, so it must have been Acalia’s door.

Was His Highness going to ignore Lady Asha?

‘Did it fail?’

Just as she was about to close her eyes in disappointment,

Step, step.

The sound of footsteps that had been moving away suddenly came closer and stopped beside her.

Then the Crown Prince’s voice spoke right next to her.

“Do not enter.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Click.

The sound of the closing door was oddly satisfying.

Ruby straightened her back and exhaled with quiet pride.

Of course.

No man could ignore the tears of the woman he liked.

‘Good. From now on no one will interrupt until His Highness comes out on his own.’

* * *

Asha did as Ruby had asked and began to cry in her bedroom.

Crying was not hard.

She only had to think of her mother, who had passed away when she was young.

Her memories of her mother were faint, just a face in an old photograph. She could barely remember her voice.

But she did remember one thing, a time when she had lain with her head on her mother’s arm, about to fall asleep.

That was the only memory she had left.

She had none at all of her father.

Mom, I miss you.

‘Do you miss me too, Mom?’

That one question was enough to bring tears to her eyes every time.

She had no idea how long she had been crying.

Once she started, the sadness spread to everything else, and the tears kept coming.

When her quiet sobs were about to turn into full wails,

Knock, knock.

“Huh?”

Was it over already?

She waited for Ruby’s cheerful “It worked” to come from the other side of the door, but instead she heard,

“May I come in for a moment?”

It was Alesto’s voice.