I was not the only one who had stolen glances at the Crown Prince, and I was certain I had not stared at him long enough for him to notice.
Besides, I had completely concealed my mana.
“Your Highness, is something the matter?”
The knight followed the Crown Prince’s gaze and looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Hmm… Nothing. I must have been mistaken.”
Fortunately, the Crown Prince resumed walking and passed me by.
‘What on earth was that about?’
I subtly turned my gaze toward the Crown Prince’s retreating figure.
“…….”
I took in his brilliant blond hair covering the nape of his neck, his broad shoulders wrapped in a white uniform, and his straight, steady gait.
Could my longing for Mikhail have conjured up an illusion?
‘No. Perhaps it was simply a ghost of the past.’
So what if they looked alike?
Has Mikhail’s appearance or features ever held any meaning for me, even for a single day?
‘What matters isn’t the shell.’
I turned around and continued walking.
The kitchen was bustling with preparations for lunch.
“You mean the meal to be taken to the detached palace, right? We prepared it separately over there.”
Fortunately, it seemed the head chamberlain had given them proper instructions, because every dish looked appetizing.
‘They should have done this from the beginning.’
I carefully packed Elhardt’s portion into a large basket, then casually looked around the kitchen.
‘……!’
Then my eyes suddenly widened at the sight before me.
“Could I take some of those desserts, too?”
Perhaps they were meant for the officials of the Central Palace.
Cookies, cakes, chocolates, and other sweets giving off an intensely sugary aroma were piled high on a table in one corner of the kitchen.
“Ah… If you wish, please do.”
With everyone so busy, no one was paying attention to how much a maid from the detached palace was taking.
‘Then just one of each.’
How long had it been since I had smelled such a luxurious aroma?
Only after the large basket was completely filled did I come to my senses and step away from the dessert table.
‘They won’t start spreading rumors that Elhardt has a sweet tooth, will they?’
I glanced around cautiously, then popped a cookie into my mouth and hurriedly left the kitchen.
‘If I had returned properly, I could have stuffed myself with banquet food.’
That was a little disappointing.
I was crossing the hall-sized dining room connected to the kitchen when I reached the entrance.
‘Why is the Crown Prince here…?’
There was no one beside the Crown Prince, who stood as though guarding the door.
‘What about his escort knights?’
Even after looking around, the only presence I could sense was the Crown Prince’s.
‘As expected, his mana scent is different from Mikhail’s.’
And yet, despite that, there was something about him that felt strangely familiar.
What was it…?
“Is that cookie good?”
The Crown Prince spoke to me just as I was about to pass him after giving him a polite greeting.
“…Pardon?”
Was he really talking to a maid he had never met before because he was curious about something so trivial?
Hiding my suspicion, I answered him politely.
“Yes, it’s very delicious.”
“You don’t have to look at me like that. I’m not trying to steal your cookie.”
No.
I absolutely was not being wary because I was afraid he would take my cookie.
“May I ask your name?”
‘No, you may not.’
I managed to swallow the disrespectful answer.
There was no reason to act suspiciously toward the Crown Prince of the Empire, who could easily find out who I was if he wanted to.
“Ser Brynn.”
“Ser… I see.”
The Crown Prince nodded, then smiled faintly.
“Judging by your reaction, I suppose you already know who I am.”
“Yes. You’re the Crown Prince, Your Highness.”
“Do you happen to have some time right now?”
“No.”
I answered bluntly, then belatedly added an excuse.
“I have to take a meal to the person I serve.”
Crown Prince, don’t you dare flirt with me using Mikhail’s face.
Just as my fist was about to clench on its own, the Crown Prince gave a wry smile and spoke.
“Then I suppose it can’t be helped. I slipped out for a moment because the meeting was dragging on, and I was thinking of taking some refreshments back with me.”
…So he simply needed an extra pair of hands.
“Then shall I call someone from the kitchen for you? There are plenty of people who would be happy to assist Your Highness.”
“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. I have to return right away.”
Fortunately, the Crown Prince did not seem intent on bothering me any further and stepped aside.
“See you again, Ser.”
If he was going to move aside anyway, couldn’t he have stepped back a little farther?
I nearly struck his solar plexus with my shoulder as I squeezed through the narrow gap between him and the door.
After taking one last look at the soldiers and knights stationed around the outskirts of the Central Palace, I returned to the detached palace.
“Ser…!”
The moment I entered the room, Elhardt shot up from the bed.
“Did anything happen? Did anyone bother you?”
For some reason, seeing the concern written all over his face made me laugh.
“Of course not.”
I proudly lifted the large basket for him to see.
“I brought lots of delicious food.”
Elhardt’s eyes widened when he took the basket from me.
“Why did you bring so much…?”
Looking at him reminded me of the Crown Prince, whose face resembled that of my old friend.
In terms of being practically strangers, both of them were the same. But there was no denying that the Crown Prince was the one who resembled him in appearance.
Yet I felt more at ease when I was with Elhardt.
Was it because their mana scents were the same?
“Wait a moment.”
I began taking out the spoils I had collected while wandering around the palace all morning from my spatial bag.
A soft, fluffy carpet was spread across the floor, followed by an elegant table and two chairs.
“How is it? It looked nice, so I brought it.”
“Did you get permission?”
“Hmm… Probably?”
I had told the head chamberlain that I would take whatever things I needed myself, so it should be fine to consider that permission.
Elhardt looked at me as though trying to determine what exactly I meant by that ambiguous answer.
But all I had to do was stare right back at him.
“…….”
In the end, Elhardt looked away first.
“…It looks nice.”
The tips of his ears had turned slightly red, perhaps from embarrassment.
“Right?”
Feeling quite pleased with myself, I transferred the food from the basket onto the table.
Elhardt helped me from beside me.
“If you haven’t eaten, have some with me.”
I sat down beside him as though I had no choice.
I had only intended to eat some cookies and cake, but Elhardt kept pushing plates toward me, so I ended up trying a little of everything.
The Central Palace’s head chef must have been quite skilled, because every dish was delicious.
Though, compared to the combat rations I had forced myself to eat for years, what could possibly have tasted bad?
After we had eaten our fill, I asked him something I had been curious about.
“Elhardt, do you know anything about Cradion’s Crown Prince?”
“You mean Auriel? What do you want to know?”
“Is he a womanizer?”
Elhardt’s eyes instantly turned sharp.
“Did he approach you?”
Oh… His expression changed completely.
I never knew he could make a face like that. Unexpectedly.
“No, I’m just asking. He was being rather sweet to the maids.”
Elhardt frowned and fell into thought before carefully answering.
“The Crown Prince is a deeply calculating man. I doubt he would openly behave like a womanizer. However…”
“However…?”
“Since the Crown Princess died last year and he has yet to remarry, he may be looking for a bride.”
Oh. He was a widower?
“It would be best to be careful and avoid crossing paths with him whenever possible.”
If he was looking for a bride, that had nothing to do with me.
I was nothing more than a maid from Bardia, not even a native of Cradion.
“…Ser.”
“Yes?”
Elhardt wrapped his hand around the one holding my cookie.
“Don’t take my words lightly. Try not to leave the detached palace for the time being.”
“That might be a little difficult.”
Whatever else happened, I had to bring food from the Central Palace.
This detached palace didn’t have a separate kitchen.
“Is there a particular reason I have to?”
“The Crown Prince currently holds the real power in Cradion. As a maid, it would be difficult for you to refuse whatever orders he gives.”
Well, that made sense.
“If he discovers you, he might fall in love with you at first sight and try to make you his bride….”
I was so dumbfounded that I ended up laughing.
“No way. That can’t happen.”
“When a man falls in love, he sees nothing else.”
“Is that based on personal experience?”
“……!”
Why was he so startled that he could only open and close his mouth?
An awkward silence descended between us when a knock came from outside the door.
At the same time Elhardt flinched and withdrew his hand from mine, the door swung open without warning.
I glared toward the entrance at such a complete lack of manners, and the servant cleared his throat softly before speaking.
“His Majesty the Emperor sends word that you are to attend the banquet tomorrow evening.”
A banquet in the Imperial Palace with Elhardt?
Did he even have formal clothes to wear?
“And Miss Brynn as well.”
…What?
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