Chapter 5

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 4-2

Chapter Title: Taming Nacha

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Leona and Miranda followed the senior maid along the palace's outer path into East Lake Court.

The Crown Prince Palace was the largest residence in East Lake Court, located close to Anu Palace.

Flanking the Crown Prince Palace were two annexes, one for the Chief Maid Supervisor and the other for the Chief Servant Supervisor.

The senior maid led them to the right annex and up to a room on the highest floor.

"There should be spare new maid uniforms in the wardrobe. Change into fresh ones and come straight down to the duty office. You know where it is, right?"

"Yes."

Leona and Miranda replied politely.

With her instructions given, the senior maid hurried off.

The moment she was gone, Leona and Miranda collapsed onto the bed as if they'd been waiting for it.

Miranda, still buzzing with excitement, kept patting her chest, while Leona took the opportunity to inspect the room.

The furniture was in slightly better condition, but otherwise, it wasn't much different from the trainee maids' quarters. The main difference was that each maid had her own wardrobe.

"This isn't the time for that. Hurry up."

Miranda opened the wardrobe and pulled out a new maid uniform.

At her urging, Leona reluctantly dragged herself up.

Opening her own wardrobe revealed two clean maid uniforms hanging inside.

In truth, the ones in the wardrobe were identical to what Leona was wearing. Simple gray dresses without decoration, with long, wide skirts but narrow sleeves and bodices.

But the one Leona had on was already showing signs of wear from trainee training and chores.

Leona stripped off her old uniform and took a new one from the wardrobe.

Regular maids wore the gray dress with a white vest covering the hips, cinched with a white sash. Matching white vests hung in the wardrobe alongside the dresses.

As she slipped the white vest over the dress, Leona gave a wry smile.

Suddenly, she recalled the day in her past life when she'd first been appointed Chief Maid Supervisor of the Empress's Palace.

How thrilled she'd been to receive the purple vest worn only by the Chief Maid Supervisor. Now that joy had faded into distant memory, leaving only bitter regret.

Leona tied the white sash from her appointment ceremony tightly and took a deep breath.

This is just the beginning.

Once ready, Leona and Miranda headed down to the first floor of the annex and entered the duty office.

But the moment they stepped in, the room fell eerily silent, as if by some unspoken cue.

The spacious office, lined with desks, held seven or eight maids, all shooting cold glares at Leona and Miranda.

Confused and glancing around, one senior maid crooked her finger at them.

"Come here."

The senior maid led them to the door of the Chief Maid Supervisor's office at the back.

"Chief Maid Supervisor, the new maids have arrived."

With permission granted from inside, the senior maid carefully opened the door and entered.

Miranda and Leona followed, heads bowed and hands clasped.

"Introduce yourselves. This is the Crown Prince Palace Chief Maid Supervisor, Lady Sonya."

"Maid Leona."

"Maid Miranda."

"We pay our respects to the Chief Maid Supervisor."

Leona and Miranda greeted in unison, bowing deeply. They remained frozen in place.

They couldn't straighten until the superior acknowledged them, but Sonya offered no response.

As Miranda nervously picked at her fingers, Leona quickly scanned the room with her eyes.

Did they find out about the bribe?

She'd sensed something off in the duty office atmosphere and realized things had gone awry.

Sure enough, only after a long pause did Sonya finally acknowledge their greeting. As the two slowly straightened, Sonya let out a loud, deliberate sigh.

"How could such unqualified wretches enter this Crown Prince Palace? It's all my failing."

A pale-faced woman in her mid-forties pressed her forehead and clicked her tongue.

The senior maids and a young maid attending Sonya shook their heads in denial at her self-reproach.

"How could this be the Chief Maid Supervisor's fault?"

"Indeed. Everyone in this palace knows you're always fair in all matters. Don't take the blame for the sins of those who cheated."

Leona sneered inwardly at their fawning.

Who knew Sonya better than she did?

Sonya was the epitome of a power-seeker, just like Leona in her past life.

Fawning to the strong but cruel to the weak, vicious and scheming—Leona had kept her close out of necessity but never liked her.

Sonya massaged her temples with an irritated expression and waved them off.

"All of you, leave. Ellie, get these things out of my sight."

"Yes. Yes."

Ellie, the young maid standing by Sonya, bowed obsequiously and herded the two out.

Once outside, Ellie glanced at Leona and Miranda with weary eyes.

"I'm the Chief Maid Supervisor's attendant maid, Ellie."

"Hello, Lady Ellie."

"Skip the greetings. I'll show you what you'll be doing, so follow me."

Ellie led Leona and Miranda out of the annex, with them trailing behind.

Miranda, not grasping the situation, shot Leona questioning looks.

Leona shrugged innocently and stared at Ellie's back.

'Ellie' was someone Leona knew.

Petite with a cute face, but her hawkish eyes and gloomy expression made her seem unapproachable.

In Leona's memory, Ellie was always timid, watching Sonya's every mood.

Rumors had swirled in her past life of Sonya abusing Ellie privately.

Leona had quashed them then, as she was pulling Sonya to her side.

I did so many awful things.

Leona swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth.

"Alright, you'll be cleaning and maintaining this area from now on."

Ellie had stopped and pointed to the Crown Prince Palace's rear garden.

The vast garden left them speechless for a moment.

"You two don't need to attend morning roll call. Start work here every day. Wait here a bit; someone will come with your orders."

As Ellie turned to leave after her curt explanation, Leona grabbed her urgently.

"I have a question, Lady Ellie."

"What..."

"I understand the Crown Prince Palace rear garden falls under the Chief Servant Supervisor's jurisdiction. Is that not so?"

"W-Well... it is, but..."

"Then why are we maids assigned to manage it?"

Ellie floundered at Leona's firm objection.

"Lady Ellie, we're new and know nothing of palace affairs. It might be a hassle, but please explain."

At Leona's gentle request, the cowed Ellie hesitantly spoke.

"As you know, the Second Prince returned to the palace a week ago. His residence was set as the Crown Prince Palace since he'll soon ascend... but he brought his horse with him."

Ellie paused, gauging Leona's reaction. Seeing none, she continued.

"Horses should go in the imperial stables in the outer courtyard... but the Second Prince insisted his was too sensitive for confinement and wanted it pastured in the rear garden..."

Leona grasped the situation from there, and Ellie's explanation matched her guess.

The Second Prince's stubbornness led to pasturing the horse in the garden, but it was so fierce and vicious that problems arose.

It trampled flowers and trees, threatened the Chief Servants tending the garden, causing injuries.

The Chief Servant Supervisor's department complained it wasn't their job.

Amid existing friction between the maid and servant supervisors, neither wanted responsibility, passing the buck.

"Then newbies who... pulled some shady stunt arrived just in time, and the Chief Maid Supervisor assigned it to you."

In short, Leona and Miranda had fallen out of favor with the Chief Maid Supervisor and been dumped in the worst spot.

Understanding, Leona thanked Ellie.

"Thank you for explaining so kindly, Lady Ellie."

"Uh..."

Ellie gave an awkward smile and scurried away.

Leona turned and gazed blankly at the garden.

Who leaked it? Now that I've earned the Chief Maid Supervisor's enmity, how should I proceed?

The unexpected snag filled her with worries.

Then Miranda grabbed Leona's hand tightly.

Snapped from her thoughts, Leona startled and looked at her.

"Shady stunt? Must be some misunderstanding, right?"

"...I was so happy to enter the Crown Prince Palace, but what now, Miranda? We've been saddled with the dirtiest work right away."

"So what? Better than being kicked to another palace. If we work hard, the misunderstanding will clear up. Let's show them our best!"

Seeing Miranda's unchanged cheer, Leona felt comforted.

Yeah. Who cares about the Chief Maid Supervisor's dislike? We're in the Crown Prince Palace—that's what matters.

"You're right. Let's buck up and work hard."

"Yeah!"

"Whew!"

Miranda set down the water bucket from the well by the trough and rubbed her back.

Leona, who had carried it with her, poured the water into the trough.

Confirming it full, she nodded to Miranda.

"Phew, finally done with the morning chores."

Miranda wiped sweat from her chin, glancing at the sky well past noon.

"Too late for lunch now, huh?"

To her woeful expression, Leona pulled out a small prepared bundle.

Unwrapping it revealed two meat-filled buns and two apples.

"Whoa! Where'd you get these?"

"Whined a bit to Lady Zelda and scored them."

"You're the best."

Miranda gave a thumbs-up, making Leona grin happily.

They sat on the garden grass for a leisurely lunch after ages.

Nine days into the Crown Prince Palace, they hadn't rested properly once.

Garden maintenance was grueling for women, with endless heavy labor, forcing them from dawn till late night.

No time even for lunch back at quarters lately—they'd been skipping meals.

Plus, senior maids' bullying piled on extra work.

With meager meals, surviving was tough.

To maintain strength, Leona had approached Zelda, the senior maid handling kitchen duties for the maids' supervisor department.

Knowing Zelda's soft, compassionate nature, Leona helped her alone with ingredients, subtly dropping hints of their harassment from misunderstandings.

Zelda pitied them, teared up, and promised snacks.

In her thirties, Zelda was so kind she got exploited by peers, stuck with hard tasks despite being senior.

In her past life, Leona had scorned such types as pathetic and useless.

Yet today, Zelda's buns and apples were a precious lunch.

Without her kindness, they'd be starving. Chewing, Leona mocked her past self.

"Oh, oh!"

Miranda's eyes widened suddenly. Leona followed her gaze.

Not far off, by the trough, a large red horse approached.

Startled by its majesty, Miranda pressed against Leona's back.

Leona watched quietly, eyes gleaming.

The red horse circled the trough slowly, then flicked its gaze toward Leona.

Miranda buried her forehead in Leona's back in terror; Leona lowered her eyes calmly.

After a pause, Leona looked up again.

The red horse was drinking from the trough.

"Leona, Leona, look."

Miranda whispered, tapping her back.

"Just like you said. The horse is drinking."

"Yeah. I was worried it wouldn't work, but phew."

Irked by voices, the horse lifted its head and eyed them.

Miranda curled up; Leona looked away.

Soon, the horse left the trough.

Miranda peeked at its retreating form.

"The Second Prince's horse looks different from normal ones. Bigger build, and two bumps on its forehead."

"It's from the northwest continent region. They say it's faster and has better stamina than central breeds."

"Northwest? That barbarian land? I heard savage, fierce barbarians live there."

"The Katago Tribe. Nomadic horsemen who treat horses like family. They're said to resemble horses—red hair, two forehead bumps."

"For real?"

"Yeah."

Miranda incredulously touched her forehead.

"You're amazing, Leona. You know everything. It worked just like you said—the prince's horse drank from our trough peacefully."

"No more messing with the flower water channels, so less work, right?"

"Yeah!"

They rejoiced seeing the trough half-empty.

Hitherto, the Second Prince's horse ignored human-offered water.

Even when Chief Servants brought troughs, it ignored them, digging up flower channels instead.

It trampled rare foreign flowers and trees too.

No one but the Second Prince could control it; the once-beautiful garden was ravaged quickly.

Three servants already seriously injured blocking it.

Leona and Miranda's initial task: repair ruined flower channels.

But their hard day's work was undone by morning—the horse again.

Leona recalled her past life knowledge of the Crown Prince's horse, 'Nacha'.

She'd investigated the Crown Prince thoroughly, gathering Nacha intel too.

Noting garden flowers mostly southeast continent varieties, mismatched for a northwest horse's habits.

Katago horses bond lifelong to one master, rejecting others—not tamable by force.

So, adapt environment to horse.

Leona halted channel repairs, uprooted all southeast flowers and trees.

Then checked palace for northwest plants.

Luckily, one East Lake Court garden grew northwest flowers.

She got Garden Department permission, transplanted masses to Crown Prince Palace garden.

(Garden Department: Manages palace gardens, building maintenance, and cleaning.)

The next day, Nacha calmed.

It even drank from the trough instead of ruining channels, acknowledging Leona's efforts.

Problem solved faster than expected; worries eased, work lightened.

They refilled the trough, circled the garden edges cleaning Nacha's droppings. Central area off-limits by Chief Servant order—no cleaning needed.

Leona pondered empty flower spots.

Uprooting southeast plants left gaps, marring the view.

Can't leave bare; fill with more northwest plants Nacha likes.

But finding more in vast palace doubtful.

"Can I step out briefly? Won't take long."

Someone came to mind; Leona asked Miranda's leave.

"Take your time."

"Don't do the final channel fix alone—wait for me."

"Okay. Go."

"Don't overdo it alone—wait, seriously."

"Got it, got it."

Dubious of Miranda's smiling send-off, Leona repeated before leaving.

Thinking northwest led naturally to one person.

A perfumer in the Perfumery, who'd earned the rare title 'Perfume King' for his excellence in her past life.

Hamel Empire's early emperors claimed continental dominion via 'Guardian's Scent'.

Thus, scents became symbols of power.

Over time, 'Guardian's Scent' faded from the imperial line.

Later emperors cultivated scent experts, monopolizing fragrances.

Perfumers serving only the emperor wielded great power and wealth; many abused it.

But not him. Perfumer 'Phil Mago'.

In Leona's memory, he walked the straight path, true to his duty.

Stepping back from politics, devoted to scents—Leona never harmed him, secretly respecting his character.

Phil roamed the continent most of the year collecting ingredients.

He likely knew northwest plants well.

If not traveling, he'd be in the Perfumery.

Leona hoped for luck.

Perfumery in East Lake Court like Crown Prince Palace—short walk.

Passing Attendant's Quarters and Imperial Infirmary, it appeared.

Reception confirmed Phil was working inside.

Leona requested a meeting, waited outside.

Soon, Phil appeared.

Mid-forties, shock of white hair unusual for age, youthful face blending youth and age oddly.

"Did the maids need me?"

He spoke with a warm smile.

Leona bowed properly and introduced herself.

"First time meeting, Perfumer. I'm Leona, Chief Maid from Crown Prince Palace."

"Phil Mago. But why from the Crown Prince Palace...?"

Phil tilted his head.

Leona got to the point.

"Not sent officially—personal question for you. If presumptuous..."

"No, speak."

"Seeking your advice on northwest continent region."

"Northwest?"

"Yes. Heard you've traveled everywhere."

"Haha... Didn't know rumors spread in palace."

Ignoring, Leona continued.

"Heard of Second Prince's beloved steed?"

"Ah...!"

Phil eyed her anew, grasping.

"Heard the Crown Prince Palace garden's chaos. What advice do you seek?"

Leona briefly explained her Nacha measures, asked about other northwest plants in palace.

Listening intently, Phil pondered.

"Hm. Far as I know, no others besides what you found."

"Really...? Any northwest plants procurable in capital?"

"Tough. Climate and environment differ vastly—hard to cultivate. Palace has many southeast/southwest exotics because easier."

"I see."

Leona slumped disappointed.

"I have seeds from near-northwest border plants. Some hardy—should grow here."

Leona's eyes lit up.

"Will Nacha—the Second Prince's horse—like them?"

"Won't reject like southeast ones. Oh, your actions remind me of Katago horse lore... Wait a moment? Back soon."

Leona agreed; Phil hurried inside.

Soon, back with small box.

"Here."

Leona hesitated; Phil opened it—cloth pouches inside.

"The seeds mentioned. Each has cultivation instructions."

"Thank you, Perfumer."

Leona bowed, took box.

"And this—a special gift for you."

Phil handed small vial from his bosom.

Stunned, Leona froze; Phil chuckled heartily.

"Nothing much. 'Foal Grass' powder from Katago lands. Their horses smell-sensitive like dogs. Used to train."

"With this?"

"They go wild for the scent. Haha."

Leona sniffed vial—fishy grass smell, unremarkable.

"Katago horses wild-blooded, hard to tame. Tribe makes unique scent pouches with foal grass variants; horses recognize owner scent."

"Scent pouches illegal?"

"Katago resisted empire ages—no reason to follow laws."

Leona nodded, asked.

"Why give me this?"

"You'll deal with Second Prince's horse often—use sparingly in tough spots. Dust cloth, shake; it'll obey. Use wisely."

Leona's face brightened.

Thrilled by windfall, she bowed deeply despite Phil's protests.

Leona paused at Crown Prince Palace gate.

Atmosphere off.

No guards; noisy chaos inside.

Uneasy, she rushed in.

"Get out of the way!"

"Stay still!"

"Careful!"

The palace in uproar.

In front clearing, Nacha rampaged snortingly; guards, Chief Servants, maids screamed fleeing.

Why out of garden, so agitated? Situation grave to Leona.

Injuries visible blocking exit.

More blocking enraged it further.

"Argh!"

A guard flew from Nacha's kick.

Screams peaked; decorative sculptures shattered.

Leona stared dumbfounded at the mess.

Someone grabbed her arm—pale Miranda.

"Miranda!"

"Leona, what do we do?"

"What happened? Why's the prince's horse like this?"

"After you left, I was working alone..."

Miranda explained rapidly.

Forgetting Leona's warning, she started channel repairs solo.

Suddenly, a Chief Servant appeared, berating her.

He accused them of uprooting flowers without permission, threatened severe punishment for negligence.

Miranda cited superiors' approval; he called her liar.

Then Nacha appeared.

As they froze startled, it passed to trough, drank.

Chief Servant's jaw dropped.

Miranda smugly lifted chin.

He dashed off, fetched feed bucket.

Arrogant, approached Nacha offering feed—hand trembling knowing its ferocity.

Nacha ate only from Second Prince; ignored.

But today, calmly turned head in refusal.

Emboldened, he pushed harder.

Nacha glanced; he startled back, fell on butt.

Miranda laughed unwittingly; Nacha snorted disdainfully.

Face red, Chief Servant leapt up, hurled bucket at Nacha's head.

Thud—then Nacha went berserk.

"W-What now, Leona..."

Miranda sniffled tearfully.

As injuries mounted, guards drew swords.

Miranda fretted Nacha might get hurt.

Swords stimulated it more violently.

It chased people every which way; servants scattered screaming.

Guards counterattacked, but Nacha too agile—no hits.

Left unchecked, archers incoming.

"Hold this."

Leona gave box to Miranda, removed vest.

Dumped all powder on vest, rubbed in.

"Miranda, back off far."

"What're you—"

"I have a plan. Hurry!"

Miranda retreated reluctantly.

Leona clutched vest, plunged into fray.

Nacha charged a sword-wielding guard, terrified like facing beast.

As hoof raised to smash—

Nacha sniffed, lowered leg calmly. Spun suddenly.

Leona in its sights.

It stared piercingly.

Leona waved vest vigorously.

Nacha's eyes bloodshot, haunches twitching.

Noise subsided gradually.

All watched tensely.

Leona backed slowly.

Nacha advanced step by step.

Leona retreated toward garden, eyes fixed.

Snort! Snort!

Nacha lowered head, scraped ground—about to charge.

Leona gulped, rolled vest.

Nacha neighed loudly, lunged.

Leona timed collision.

"Leona!"

Miranda screamed.

Instant before impact, Leona hurled vest aside empty, rolled away.

Nacha narrowly missed, chased vest.

As onlookers sighed relief—

Nacha spat vest, charged Leona.

No time to block; all averted eyes from tragedy.

Sniff, sniff.

Not screams—horse snorts.

They looked.

Unexpected: slender maid huddled head-down; massive horse stood meekly, nuzzling her hand.

All dumbfounded.

Leona relaxed at sleek nose touch, lifted head.

Nacha licked her hand, snorted happily.

Baffling, but calmed—Leona relieved.

"L-Leona..."

Miranda approached sobbing.

"Y-You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Leona rose slowly, hands under Nacha's muzzle, Miranda supporting.

"What is this commotion!"

Stern voice boomed.

Stern-faced middle-aged man scanned: Crown Prince Palace Chief Servant Supervisor 'Gerard'.

Others straightened hastily, minus injured.

"Chief Servant Supervisor, allow me to explain."

His attendant 'Barts' began report.

Suddenly, Second Prince appeared.

Servants, maids, guards bowed uniformly.

"We see Your Highness."

Leona and Miranda bowed deeply too.

Silence; only prince's footsteps.

Thud, thud, thud.

All ears strained, heads down.

Footsteps halted somewhere.

Leona peeked, bit lip.

Prince picked up Phil's vial.

"Hmm..."

Prince approached Nacha.

Extended hand; Nacha nuzzled affectionately, pleased noises.

Prince glanced at horse, then maid at feet.

"Barts, report."

"Yes."

Barts swiftly detailed events.

Prince spoke post-report.

"Barts."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Dismiss the servant who first provoked Nacha. Give fitting leave and compensation to the injured."

"Understood."

"Are you the maid who calmed Nacha?"

Question over Leona's head.

"Yes, it is I."

Forehead to floor.

"Raise your head."

Leona straightened, met descending gaze.

Lowered eyes calmly, awaiting.

"Name?"

"Leona."

"Hm. You calmed Nacha, ended chaos—commendable. Merit deserves reward. Speak your wish."

Prince's praising tone gentle, promising anything—even treasure mounds.

Worried about vial origin, Leona seized chance.

"I wish only to serve Your Highness closely. I humbly request you make Maid Miranda and myself your Close Attendant Maids."

"My Close Attendant Maids?"

Murmurs rippled.

"That won't do."

Sonya interjected—when appeared?

"They're raw newbies, unfinished training. How can they serve royalty closely?"

Prince silent; Sonya pressed.

"Promotions require rules, procedures. Skipping for new maids risks palace order."

"Sonya."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Who owns this palace?"

Soft question silenced her.

"Who?"

"Your Highness."

"Who is your master?"

Feeling tone darken, Sonya prostrated.

"None other than Your Highness."

"Do I need your permission for decisions?"

"N-No, Your Highness."

"Then shut up."

Sonya clamped mouth; silence fell.

Prince scanned indifferently, decided.

"Leona, your request is granted."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Th-Thank you, Y-Your Highness."

Leona bowed properly; Miranda belatedly followed.

Prince stared at Leona's nape lingeringly, then left with Nacha.

Then, on deeply bowed Leona's lips, a deep smile bloomed.