Chapter 33

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 14-2

Chapter Title: Empire's Maid

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The warehouse in West Lake Court's laundry was used to store laundry supplies and worn-out maid uniforms.

It didn't hold anything valuable, and only the laundry maids came and went, so the warehouse door was always left open.

Leona slipped into the laundry at the ninth hour of the night.

The place was deserted at such a late hour.

A small, crude warehouse stood in one corner of the laundry.

Leona glanced around cautiously and crept toward the warehouse.

She opened the door and stepped inside, only to find pitch darkness.

Leona lit the lamp she had prepared.

A soft light spread out around her.

"You came right on time."

A voice suddenly came from behind Leona.

Leona jumped in surprise and turned around, holding up the lamp.

Ember stood at the edge of the light and shadow.

Leona let out a sigh of relief.

"When did you get here? If you arrived first, you could have lit a light... You scared me."

Leona grumbled as she approached Ember.

Ember stared at her silently with an expressionless face.

Leona set the lamp on a storage shelf and spoke to Ember in a friendly tone.

"Did you wait long? Aren't you cold?"

"Why did you summon me?"

Ember asked coldly.

Leona flashed a bright smile.

"That's the first thing you ask? Isn't there something you're more curious about?"

"......"

"Fine. Then I'll get straight to my business. Ember, help me by keeping an eye on His Majesty."

Ember's eyes widened.

"You! How dare you suggest such an outrageous..."

"Haha... Is my request really that outrageous?"

As Leona laughed it off lightly, Ember calmed her excitement and regained her composure.

"...Is this the Crown Prince's order?"

"No. It's my command."

Ember's composure shattered at Leona's reply.

"You've forgotten your place. How dare a mere maid like you command me, the head maid of the Servant Oversight Department?"

"Command? I'm also planning to blackmail you."

"You...!"

Leona tilted her head mockingly.

"What about it? Does being head of the Servant Oversight Department make you untouchable? I don't even care about His Majesty."

"You... Don't you know your duties and obligations as a palace maid? How did someone like you even enter the Imperial Palace?"

"What's wrong with me? Have you, Head Maid, upheld your own duties perfectly?"

Leona stepped closer to Ember and asked in a low voice.

"Have you forgotten what you did seven years ago?"

Ember turned pale with terror.

"H-How... How do you know about that..."

Leona gently stroked Ember's shoulder.

Ember flinched with every touch.

"If commands make you uncomfortable, think of it as a plea. It's not hard. Just stay by His Majesty's side as usual and report his schedule to me."

"What... What are you planning?"

"Does that matter? You should worry about yourself first."

Ember clutched her chest and shook her head.

"I won't do as you say. I can't tarnish Lady Odel's honor."

Leona burst into loud laughter.

"Lady Odel's honor? If you cared about her, you shouldn't have committed that crime seven years ago. You were head of the Servant Oversight Department then too—thanks to Lady Odel's recommendation. And what did you do? You helped a traitor of the empire escape from prison."

Ember's face drained of color.

Seeing her like that, Leona felt a flicker of pity.

Seven years ago, Ember had smuggled the daughter of a condemned traitorous family out of prison and saved her life.

Leona had learned of this in her previous life.

In her past life, Biota had pulled out all the stops to drag Odel from her position as Supreme Maid Chief.

But it wasn't easy.

Despite digging through every action Odel had taken, they couldn't find a single mistake.

That was how impeccably fair and incorruptible Odel had been.

The Emperor's deep trust in her was proof, as was the solid support base within the palace that respected Odel.

Framing Odel directly was risky.

Her reputation, built over long years in the palace, was too thick; a failed frame-up could backfire spectacularly.

Leona acknowledged Odel's flawlessness and began investigating those around her.

She particularly hounded Odel's assistant maid 'Bess' and her foster daughter, Ember, head of the Servant Oversight Department.

If she could find even one blemish on either, she could use it to bring Odel down.

But both had spotless records, public and private.

Leona didn't give up. She planted spies under them, surveilled them, and dug into their pasts.

After endless days of painstaking work, even for the tiniest speck, she finally hooked a big fish.

The clue came from Ember's outing records.

Ember was a workaholic who almost never took outings or vacations after entering service.

But one month a few years back showed unusually frequent trips outside the palace. Investigation revealed she'd even advanced her salary then.

Leona thoroughly investigated Ember's background, hometown, family history—everything.

From a colleague, she heard something intriguing: Ember had asked about legal violations, lawsuits, and precedents, claiming an acquaintance had broken the law.

But post-entry, Ember's family had fallen, leaving her without close acquaintances.

Leona checked court records from that period of frequent outings.

And found it.

A treason case in Ember's hometown.

Treason and plots usually shook the heavens, but under the current Emperor, they were commonplace.

Since ascending, he'd used 'treason' to purge countless families to strengthen imperial authority.

Even trivial offenses could lead to clan extermination if pinned as treason, so imperial citizens now shrugged off such cases.

The incident in Ember's hometown wasn't true treason.

A family's asset list leaked, containing items forbidden by the imperial house, dooming the whole clan.

Leona sent agents to probe links between the family and Ember.

They discovered Ember had been close as a child to the family's only direct-line daughter.

Moreover, when Ember's fortunes waned and her future looked bleak, this family had sponsored her palace entry.

Leona scrutinized the case.

The deeper she dug, the clearer Ember's crime became.

All blood kin of the traitorous family had been transported to the capital for execution.

But the sole young lady had 'suicided' in prison just before.

"You bribed the guard to drag your friend out of prison. A convicted traitor."

"She wasn't a traitor! Her family was framed!"

Ember cried out desperately.

"She was innocent! It was all her husband's doing—to smear her family for an easy divorce."

"So? You're claiming innocence for your friend, so you're innocent too? No. You're a criminal. You betrayed Lady Odel, who trusted and cherished you. If your smuggling comes to light, what do you think happens? Can Lady Odel, who recommended you, escape blame?"

Ember collapsed to the floor.

Gazing down at Ember's crown, Leona recalled her past life.

There, Leona had denounced Ember herself.

Ember initially denied everything.

But when Leona brought two witnesses for confrontation, she confessed fully.

She had no choice.

The witnesses were the guard Ember bribed and her friend she'd sprung from prison.

Witness 'Tom Head' had been a capital prison guard years ago.

He'd cooperated for medicine money for his terminally ill wife.

After her death, he'd opened a carpentry shop and lived quietly—until Leona's net snared him.

The other, 'Dian', was the family's sole survivor.

Disguised with a false identity, she'd run an inn called 'Under the Zelkova Tree' in the borderlands until arrested and dragged to the capital.

The Ember scandal rocked the palace.

Odel and her loyal maid and servant chiefs were implicated, imprisoned, and dismissed.

Innocent attendants were hauled to the inspectorate for interrogation or falsely accused under pretext of evidence gathering.

Miranda got caught up too, tortured until her face was ruined.

Ember and Dian were executed; Tom got 20 years; Odel was dismissed and exiled from the palace.

With Odel gone, the inner palace fell into Biota's grasp.

"If your deeds come out, Lady Odel will lose her position as Supreme Maid Chief. She might even be driven from the palace..."

Leona took a deep breath.

Remembering the innocents who'd suffered because of her in her past life made breathing hard.

Leona leaned against the shelf to steady herself.

Suddenly, she sensed something off about Ember.

"Ember?"

Leona approached Ember, huddled trembling on the floor, lamp in hand.

Ember clutched her hands to her chest, body curled tight, shaking.

As Leona reached out, Ember whipped a dagger from her bosom.

She gripped it firmly with both hands, pointing the blade at Leona.

"I won't let it happen. I'll protect Lady Odel's... honor."

"How? By killing me to silence me?"

Ember's eyes reddened, tears flowing silently.

Then she turned the blade to her own throat.

"If I'm gone, it'll end. Just me..."

As Ember tensed to strike, Leona let out a sudden "pfft" of laughter.

Ember froze, looking puzzled.

"Haha... Why are you so naive? Don't you know palace intrigue? Think that scandal ends with your life?"

Leona smirked at the dazed Ember.

"Whether you live or die doesn't matter. With proof of your crime, tying down Lady Odel is easy."

"Proof..."

"Your friend, Dian. Alive and well despite supposedly dead. What then?"

"Th-That...!"

Ember ground her teeth and shook her head.

"No one knows where she is."

"Forgot what I said this morning? 'Under the Zelkova Tree'—her border inn. Business is booming, I hear."

Ember dropped the dagger in shock.

"Oh, and Tom Head? Quit guarding after smuggling, wracked by guilt. Now runs a carpentry shop, living righteously."

"How... How did you..."

"Even if you die, they remain. Peaceful now, but exposure drags them to hell."

Ember crawled to Leona on her knees and prostrated herself.

"Please. Leave them alone. Please... I'll beg."

Ember began sobbing quietly.

Leona helped her up gently.

She pulled out a handkerchief and wiped Ember's tear-streaked cheeks.

"Calm down. If you help me, I have no reason to expose it."

"I'll do it... Anything you say..."

Ember grimaced in pain.

Leona held and stroked Ember's hand soothingly.

"Don't worry. No dangerous or bad tasks. Just watch His Majesty closely."

"...Understood."

"Especially watch Biota, the Revival Palace mistress, and Giarbo, the chief servant. Don't miss a word or action toward His Majesty. No more leaving his side like today, tricked by Chief Servant Giarbo. Got it?"

Ember nodded silently.

"Good. Meet here every night at this hour. If you spot odd moves related to the Crown Prince, signal me. Use a trusted maid not from Servant Oversight—have her toss an apple into the Crown Prince Palace rear garden."

"An apple in the rear garden?"

"Yes. I'll come right away. Meet at Anu Palace's back gate."

"...Got it."

Leona picked up the dagger and handed it back with final advice.

"Oh, burn the letter hidden under your wardrobe."

Ember dropped the dagger in surprise, then snatched it and hid it.

"Don't forget."

"Y-Yes."

Leona gave a wry smile as the flustered Ember hurried away.

She could have used persuasion instead of coercion.

Reassure Ember that Tom and Dian were safe, explain protecting Odel from Biota, pull her to their side.

But Leona chose threats.

To wield Ember's position and power easily, binding her was better.

Besides, Ember was diligent and cool-headed but blind to intrigue.

In her past life, that letter carelessly kept led to Dian.

Unlike Tom, Dian's changed identity made tracking hard.

On a hunch, Leona secretly searched Ember's room and found the clue to Dian.

Incredibly, Ember had kept a precious letter from the fugitive Dian.

A single anonymous letter, but it held the sender's identity and hiding spot clues.

'Under the Zelkova Tree'

The girls had pledged eternal friendship under a zelkova tree—and kept it to the end.

Without that letter, Leona never would've found Dian.

Ember would've died before betraying her friend verbally.

Every dawn before the Crown Prince rose, attendants rotated at his bedroom door.

Night-shift close maids, close servants, and guards left; the next shift took over.

Ellie and Barts, aides to the chief supervisors, arrived then too.

They checked personnel and attire, then waited at the door.

On mornings with schedules, Barts entered alone at wake-up time to rouse him.

But today, Barts yielded to Leona.

Leona entered without refusing.

The quiet bedroom echoed only with the Crown Prince's soft breathing.

Leona approached the bed silently.

The covers sprawled on the floor; he lay spread-eagled in thin undergarments.

Leona stood bedside and called softly.

"Your Highness. Time for your medicine."

But he didn't stir despite several calls.

Leona shook his hand dangling off the bed.

"Your Highness. Your Highness, please wake up."

Still no response.

Anxious, Leona climbed onto the bed, grabbed his shoulders, and shook hard.

"Your Highness! Can you hear me? Your Highness!"

In desperation, Leona swung at his cheek sharply.

Her hand halted just before contact.

The Crown Prince had caught her wrist in time.

He yanked her close, eyes wide.

Leona's nose buried in his chest.

"Insolent."

Rubbing her stinging nose, Leona lifted her head slightly.

The Crown Prince eyed her displeased.

"No matter how much I shook, you wouldn't wake..."

As Leona explained, the door burst open; Barts and the guard rushed in.

"Your Highness! Are you al—"

Sensing wrongness, they'd barged in—but fled at the bed scene.

Leona realized her improper position atop him.

She jumped off quickly but paused descending.

He held her arm, preventing distance.

The Crown Prince stared piercingly at her wrist, lost in thought.

"Your Highness?"

"Hm?"

"Please... release my arm."

"Ah."

He let go.

Awkward silence fell between them.

Leona hopped down hurriedly, dashed to the window.

She busily opened it, adjusted curtains.

After airing the room, she returned to give morning greetings.

"Did you rest well overnight, Your Highness?"

The Crown Prince cleared his throat twice and accepted graciously.

"Yes. But why are you here at this hour?"

"From today, I wish to resume full duties. Please permit it."

"Hm... Because of yesterday?"

"Yes. I'll ensure nothing like yesterday happens again. I'll protect you, Your Highness."

The Crown Prince chuckled.

"Quite reliable. Approved."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Rise."

He got up, called in servants.

They swiftly dressed him in training wear.

Attired, he headed to the training grounds.

Leona waited until training ended, got permission, and went to the east gate.

Special-ordered goods arrived at Crown Prince Palace today.

A cart loaded with crates was under inspection.

Leona ran excitedly.

Gate guards recognized and greeted her.

She replied warmly, eyed the cart.

"Inspection done?"

"Yes. Ready for Crown Prince Palace warehouse."

"Pull out three pomegranates? Need them now."

"Sure."

One guard opened a crate, handed three.

"Here."

"Thanks. Someone from the palace will come soon—hand it over. I must go..."

Leona hugged the pomegranates and ran to Crown Prince Palace.

Her destination: the rear garden.

Nacha greeted her right on time.

"Nacha."

Nacha nuzzled into Leona's bosom.

Leona laughed, fed her pomegranate seeds.

"From today, pomegranates every meal. Big shipment arrived."

Nacha rubbed cheeks joyfully against Leona's.

Leona whispered after feeding her.

"Nacha, one favor?"

"Purruck."

"If someone tosses an apple in the garden someday, signal me. Signal by circling the front yard a few times before returning. Your actions reach my ears quick."

Nacha nodded understandingly.

White Sword Palace's council chamber.

Yesterday's unresolved agenda made it noisy again.

Topic: Raising imperial tomb construction costs.

The Prime Minister's faction, citing rising labor and prices, argued the imperial law amount insufficient, needing revision.

Treasury opposed fiercely yesterday, warning fiscal collapse.

Today, Prime Minister's side proposed covering via tribute from neighbors.

Treasury didn't oppose—no imperial loss.

Then Military Affairs and Foreign Affairs objected.

(Military Affairs Department: Manages the military. Foreign Affairs Department: Handles diplomacy with neighbors.)

Foreign Affairs noted neighbors' poor finances delaying tribute, expressing concern.

Military warned tribute demands could spark war amid kingdoms' economic resentments.

Prime Minister's faction held firm: Yielding undermines dignity; be firm to show might.

Foreign and Military countered on diplomatic friction risks.

Pro-revision and opposition clashed evenly.

The chamber rang with raised voices.

Kamin propped his chin, watching them bicker like fighting cocks.

'What a spectacle.'

Kamin tsked inwardly, glanced at the Emperor.

Unhappy, the Emperor frowned eyes closed.

No resolution, officials sought his view.

He asked Kamin first.

All eyes on the Crown Prince.

Kamin surveyed the room.

Pre-campaign, power had nearly transferred to him.

Post-war, he was empty-handed again.

Kamin paused, then spoke.

The council ended; Emperor stormed out.

Prime Minister glanced at Crown Prince, chased after.

Ultimately, Prime Minister's agenda passed.

But by Emperor's will; most officials leaned to Crown Prince's opposition.

Kamin warned of large tomb pitfalls, urged Emperor reject as fine example for posterity.

Officials agreed, expecting drop.

Under pressure, Emperor flushed, forced through.

After Emperor and Prime Minister left, Kamin consoled dismayed officials.

From then, Military and Foreign ministers frequented Crown Prince's office.

Huda Kingdom's Crown Prince 'Dennis Kirk' slipped from lodging at night.

With one trusted retainer, he groped through dark to the public cemetery.

Deserted post-sunset, they entered unseen.

At an unmarked grave, a black-cloaked figure awaited.

"Must it be here?"

Dennis showed displeasure immediately.

"Understand. No more secret spot in the capital."

The figure removed hood, apologizing.

Dennis signaled; retainer lit a red lamp.

The man's cheerful face emerged; Dennis narrowed eyes.

"Younger than expected."

The man laughed, offered handshake.

"Thanks for coming. Means you accept my proposal?"

Dennis hesitated, then gripped.

"Yes. But can you really fund that sum?"

"Doubt my word?"

"The amount..."

Man pulled bundle of papers.

"This? Convincing?"

Dennis scanned, startled.

Checks from reputable imperial bank; total exceeded Huda's annual budget.

"Half promised."

"Impressive."

"As proposed: Rally kingdoms. Use funds for war prep. I'll contact when ripe."

Dennis eyed checks darkly.

"Why hesitate now?"

Dennis met his gaze.

"Investigated your name."

"......"

"'Wayne Hudson.' Exists, but not you. Description mismatches. Who are you? Why help? Intentions?"

Man shrugged lightly.

"Even after this sum, no trust."

"Natural. My nation's fate. Can't act blind."

Then.

Retainer drew sword, staring.

Dennis gripped hilt, alert.

"Relax. My men."

Man signaled; shadows emerged.

Over a dozen.

Dennis clenched hilt tighter.

Hadn't sensed them; sweat beaded.

Man withdrew them, spoke.

"Understand caution. But mine too. Much to handle for the cause. Secrecy aids; can't reveal."

"Can't reveal? Fine. Why help us?"

"Simple. Profit."

"Profit?"

"War opportunity for merchants like me. I'm investing in you for bigger gains."

Dennis remained skeptical.

Man narrowed eyes.

"Heard Empire demands tomb costs from kingdoms."

Dennis crushed checks.

"Without me, Huda must war. Already cornered, right?"

"......"

"Win it. Take my hand. I'll support fully."

Dennis stared.

"What to call you?"

"Wayne, as said."

"Fine, Wayne. Deal."

Dennis sheathed, extended hand.

Wayne grinned, shook.

A strange tension hung in the Imperial Palace.

Revival Palace mistress, new inner power backed by Emperor's favor, clashed with Supreme Maid Chief Odel.

Emperor's love for Biota Helsian outshone other consorts.

One smile: palace treasures gifted. One tear: palace rules bent.

Soon Revival Palace brimmed with treasures; people bowed at her shadow.

All avoided her ire.

But Odel remained consistent.

If Biota violated rules, Odel went to Revival Palace to reprimand, disciplined inner maids.

Biota's status couldn't break Odel's uprightness.

Even Emperor yielded to Odel.

Lately, Biota hosted noble wives daily; Odel rushed over.

Citing palace decorum, Odel criticized; Biota took to bed.

Refusing visits, worried Emperor scolded Odel.

Odel knelt at Anu Palace, urging discipline.

Knowing her stubbornness, Emperor limited Revival guests.

Seemed Odel won, but no.

To soothe Biota, Emperor promised monthly banquets, all under her lead.

Invisible friction grew; suddenly Odel's aide Bess summoned to inspectorate.

Odel questioned inspectorate chief immediately.

Hour later, sent him off sans action.

Then barred doors, ceased eating.

That evening, Leona met Ember at laundry, offered comfort.

"Worried about Bess?"

Ember startled.

"You know?"

"Heard someone denounced her; dragged to inspectorate."

"Rumors already..."

"Palace gossip spreads fast."

"What happened?"

"Only rumors Revival Palace framed her. Details unknown."

"Frame indeed! Denouncer: Revival chief maid. Mistress plotting to hit Odel."

Ember gnashed teeth.

Biota-Odel clashes fueled Ember's enmity.

"Visited Bess?"

"Tried inspectorate, but chief stonewalled."

"Her innocence will clear. Don't worry."

Ember tilted head at Leona's words.

"Sounds like you know why."

Leona smiled mysteriously.

"You know! How? Only high-ups do."

"I do."

Just past life knowledge, no special means.

Biota's close maid 'Cloi' likely schemed.

Past life: Biota pondered attacking Odel; Cloi suggested exploiting Bess's suspicious past.

But Leona opposed, scrapped it—flaw existed.

"Impressive..."

Ember believed Leona masterful, accepted.

"Thanks for trusting Bess's innocence."

"Not trust. I know she's not Bess's child."

"What? Know?"

"Yes. Not her biological child."

Bess summoned over report of outside child.

Indeed, she'd sponsored a commoner girl from birth to adulthood.

Denouncer claimed her daughter.

Palace service required unmarried status.

Lifetime maids/servants: Chastity duty; violation grave.

Bess entered at 20—late.

Denouncer: Bore child pre-entry.

Girl's age matched Bess's murky period.

Her foster couple claimed Bess begged them to raise 'her child'.

Circumstances forced investigation.

"Proof she's innocent?"

Ember clung like lifeline.

"Witness to birth. Midwife."

"What? Denouncer produced one too—midwife at Bess's birth."

"Fake. Bess testifies, truth outs."

"Problem: She's refusing to speak."

"No choice... Sister's honor at stake."

"Sister?"

"Commoner: Bess's sister's child."

"What?"

Ember gaped.

"Bess said visiting kin with sister, left home. Sister birthed afar—as virgin. Sadly died in labor; baby on Bess. Father? Unknown—sister had many suitors. Palace entry inevitable; couldn't abandon or raise baby. Entrusted couple, spent all earnings on her."

"Such..."

Ember slumped against wall.

"Never knew."

"Everyone has backstory."

Leona eyed meaningfully.

Ember got hint, smiled bitterly.

"True... All have stories."

"Bess silent? No help for it. Drags Odel's pain; I'll assist."

Ember brightened.

"How?"

"Here."

Leona gave paper slip.

Name and place.

"Memorized?"

"Yes."

Leona burned it in lamp.

"Midwife who aided Bess's sister's birth. Leak to inspectorate. Her word clears Bess."

Ember pondered worriedly.

"Denouncer's midwife? Will they buy it? Could suspect ours fake."

"Identity check reveals truth. She's revered locally. Lifelong service to poor; saint-like. Word equals noble oath."

Cloi's flaw: Witness too credible.

One word snaps noose.

Leona'd opposed on that.

"She testifies, Bess freed."

Ember's face lightened.

Five days later, inspectorate released Bess.

Arrested denouncer for false accusation.

Tried extracting motive.

Palace folk assumed Biota behind; predicted Revival fall.

But denouncer hanged self; case fizzled.

Three days post-release, Odel collapsed vomiting blood.

Emperor sent imperial physicians.

They found organ damage but no cause or cure.

Bedridden, Supreme Servant Chief 'Joaquin' assumed her duties.