Chapter 6

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 4-3

Chapter Title: The Second Prince's Daily Routine

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The only remaining prince in the Hamel Empire, the Second Prince who would soon ascend to the Crown Prince position, followed this daily routine.

He rose at the fourth hour before dawn, headed straight to the training grounds to train with his Crown Prince-exclusive guard unit, the Blue Hawk Unit, then went to the rear garden to feed Nacha. After that, he moved to the Emperor's palace, Anu Palace.

The Second Prince paid his morning respects to the Emperor before returning to the Crown Prince Palace for breakfast.

Once breakfast was over, he received instruction in the empire's history, laws, and etiquette right there in his office.

Around noon, he headed to Black Lion Palace in the outer court.

Black Lion Palace housed the six departments responsible for imperial administration, where they handled their duties and held meetings.

There, the Second Prince had a simple lunch before attending each department's meetings and the state council presided over by the Emperor, honing his skills as a future ruler.

In the afternoon, he returned to the Crown Prince Palace and held individual meetings with ministers or the prime minister in his office, receiving advance reports on the next day's meetings and studying them.

After finishing the necessary meetings, the Second Prince went to the rear garden to feed Nacha and had a late dinner.

Even then, he continued with lessons required for his investiture as Crown Prince until the dead of night before finally retiring.

Close attendant servants and close attendant maids were solely responsible for attending to their master up close.

In the Crown Prince Palace, there were a total of 18 close attendant servants among the chief servant supervisors, and 8 close attendant maids among the chief maid supervisors.

Close attendant servants and close attendant maids were divided into morning and afternoon shifts, alternating duties.

Originally, the Crown Prince should have been accompanied by a total of 15 attendants: 2 escort knights, 9 close attendant servants, and 4 close attendant maids.

Since attendant servants and attendant maids shuttled back and forth between the Crown Prince and the chief supervisor offices to relay instructions, the entourage sometimes swelled to 17 people.

However, the Second Prince found it tedious to have a long train of people following him everywhere, so he drastically reduced the entourage to 3 close attendant servants and 1 close attendant maid. (He had tried to eliminate the escort knights entirely, but failed due to fierce opposition from the guard unit captain.)

As a result, the close attendant servants and maids in the Crown Prince Palace now divided their shifts into even finer segments than before.

The chief supervisors, deliberating on when to slot in the two newly recruited close attendant maids, decided to place them during the prince's bedtime—the least demanding shift.

But—

"Where are Leona and Miranda?"

The Second Prince, rising from bed and being dressed, suddenly scanned the attendants standing in the room and asked.

Amid the surprise at the abrupt question, attendant servant Barts quickly stepped forward to answer.

"They will attend Your Highness from the second hour to the fourth hour of the morning."

"Why?"

"We arranged it that way since they may not yet be familiar with their duties."

"If they wanted to serve me closely, what's the point? We can't neglect those who have earned merit like that."

"Then... how shall we arrange it?"

The Second Prince sat in a chair, closed his eyes, and lifted his chin.

A waiting close attendant servant carefully applied shaving cream to the prince's chin.

Scrape—scrape—

The steady sound of the razor echoed in the quiet room.

Barts stood with hands clasped, calmly awaiting the Second Prince's decision.

The servant finished shaving and wiped the prince's chin with a warm towel.

As the servant removed the towel, the prince opened his eyes and commanded.

"Assign Leona and Miranda to attend me closely all day, from the moment I rise until I retire."

"Understood. We will handle it as such."

Barts answered calmly despite his inner surprise, then quietly withdrew from the room and hurried to the chief servant supervisor's office.

Leona and Miranda, summoned, quickly prepared and headed to the training grounds to join the Second Prince.

At that moment, the chief supervisor conference room in the Crown Prince Palace was in chaos.

Every morning, a joint meeting of the chief supervisors was held in the conference room, attended by the chief servant supervisor and the chief maid supervisor.

During these meetings, senior servants and senior maids typically reported on duties, exchanged information, discussed and resolved issues.

As gatherings with the palace's highest-ranking officials present, the atmosphere was always solemn and hushed.

But today, the room buzzed noisily over the "newbie maids" issue.

The close attendant maids were especially furious.

With the Second Prince having reduced the number of attending maids, the close attendant maids could hardly catch a glimpse of him these days.

And now, newcomers who had just arrived were taking over his entire schedule.

The close attendant maids were now reduced to not even seeing his shadow.

They strongly urged the chief servant supervisor and chief maid supervisor to raise objections to the Second Prince on their behalf.

However, neither Sonya nor Gerard reacted throughout.

Sonya had already clashed with the Second Prince once and gotten burned badly, while Gerard, having recently served closely by his side, had gauged his personality enough not to step forward.

Would the Second Prince reconsider just because they asked?

Gerard was certain he wouldn't.

The Second Prince appeared kind and generous at first glance, but to Gerard, he was utterly indifferent and cold toward others.

He wasn't fussy, but far from an easy master to serve.

Even Gerard, who had entered the palace at 17 and served the imperial family for 25 years, struggled to read the Second Prince's thoughts in many ways.

Suddenly summoned from outside life to become the empire's heir, the Second Prince handled grueling daily duties without complaint.

He managed lessons and responsibilities that would overwhelm ordinary people, yet showed no signs of strain.

On the contrary, he adapted astonishingly well and produced remarkable results, surprising those around him.

Palace insiders whispered secretly, comparing him to the former Crown Prince and deeming the Second Prince truly worthy of the title.

Gerard glanced at Barts standing by the conference room door.

Despite being a regular servant, Barts's diligence and honesty had led Gerard to make him his own attendant servant.

Gerard wanted to make him a lifetime servant and keep him forever, but Barts had a fiancée outside and planned to leave the palace in 2-3 years.

He often said that once he left the treacherous palace life, he'd never look back at anything imperial... yet lately, he was studying for the "Imperial Secretariat" exam.

Gerard pictured the faces of the problematic newbie maids.

The maid named Leona, who had boldly stated her desires to the prince, stood out especially.

His Highness decided to keep her by his side...?

Gerard couldn't even guess what lay behind the Second Prince's decision.

Swallowing a sigh, Gerard tapped the desk with his hand.

The noise vanished instantly, silencing the room.

"The chief supervisors' primary duty is to follow His Highness's will with utmost devotion."

"Chief servant supervisor, but...!"

Gerard silenced the close attendant maids with a sharp glare.

"First, we'll place Maids Leona and Miranda by His Highness as ordered and observe. If we see any shortcomings, then we'll request corrections from him."

With Gerard's conclusion, everyone accepted silently without protest.

"Moving on. How's the progress on redesigning the rear garden with northwestern flora?"

The Crown Prince's crest was a blue hawk with a red dot on its chest.

Thus, his exclusive guard unit was named the Blue Hawk Unit, and their uniforms bore the image of a blue hawk with wings spread in flight.

The crest of the throne's heir derived from the "Legend of the Guardian."

After defeating the giant tribe, the shaman who became the Guardian spent his life by a dead lake.

Plunged into grief over lost loved ones, the Guardian never married and aged alone.

The heavenly god wished for the Guardian to produce an heir to continue his duty.

One day, the god sent a blue hawk to the Guardian.

Reading the divine will, the Guardian sliced his palm with a white sword and dripped his blood onto the hawk's chest.

He then placed the blue hawk into the red lake.

After ten days, the lake's waters evaporated, leaving a baby on the dry ground that emitted the "Guardian's Fragrance."

Thus, this child became the second Guardian.

The Hamel Empire adopted the blue hawk as the Crown Prince's symbol based on this legend.

In her previous life, Leona had been enemies with those bearing the Crown Prince's crest.

Working behind the scenes for the Empress to undermine the Crown Prince's position, Leona became a target of hatred for the Crown Prince guard unit members, who ground their teeth at the mere sight of the Empress or her.

Even a chance encounter on the street would provoke scowls and curses from them.

They'd heap on insults they couldn't direct at the Empress herself.

"Looking forward to working with you, Lady Leona."

The man smiling amiably before Leona now—the Blue Hawk Unit vice-captain Casey—was the worst of them.

"Likewise, Vice-Captain Casey."

Recalling how he'd even drawn his sword to threaten her in her past life, Leona returned the greeting.

"I heard about your performance yesterday. Impressive. Even our knights are scared of Nacha and keep their distance."

"Just luck."

"Luck is skill too."

Despite displeased glances from nearby close attendant servants, the sociable Casey kept chatting with Leona, clearly eager to build rapport.

"A newbie already promoted to close attendant maid. Remarkable. Fastest in maid office history. Haha."

"Is that so?"

Ignoring Casey's flattery, Leona turned her eyes to the sparring ground.

On the spacious platform in the training grounds, the Second Prince and guard unit captain Glenn were dueling.

Glenn, in his early fifties with a slightly balding head, wielded a real sword against the prince with full force.

The clash of blades rang out with sharp clangs, sparks flying.

Forgetting his opponent's status, Glenn thrust freely at vital points.

The Second Prince effortlessly blocked Glenn's two-handed swings with one hand.

"Our captain's determined today. He's 0-8 against Your Highness. If he loses today too..."

Then it happened. Glenn's sword hand was struck.

The Second Prince knocked away Glenn's sword, tripped him, and Glenn tumbled to the ground with it.

"...that'll make it 0-9. Sigh, guess I'll have to buy our poor captain some comfort drinks again. Wonder where His Highness picked up such thug-like moves..."

Leona glanced at Casey.

Even as he sighed, Casey's face brimmed with awe toward the prince.

Leona shook her head slightly and looked for Miranda.

Miranda gaped, mouth wide, forgetting her duties amid the unfamiliar scene.

Leona straightened the prince's upper garment instead.

Having discarded his top during the match, the prince descended the platform, lightly slick with sweat.

A waiting servant immediately offered a glass of water.

As the prince quenched his thirst, another servant wiped his sweat with a towel.

Miranda snapped to at Leona's nudge and helped the prince don his clothes. She naturally tried to assist further, but he took the garment and dismissed her.

The prince loosely draped the upper garment over his shoulders and called out.

"Glenn."

Glenn sprang up from where he'd sprawled on the platform.

His face flushed red and purple, barely containing his frustration.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"I won, so reduce the escorts to one."

"...Understood."

Glenn bowed his head dejectedly, offering no rebuttal.

"End today's training here."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The prince walked alone toward the rear garden, cooling off in the dawn breeze.

Then Barts rushed up, halting him. The Emperor had coughed earlier than usual today, so if paying respects, they must hurry to Anu Palace, he advised urgently.

The Second Prince pondered briefly, then called Leona.

"Leona, go feed Nacha instead."

Bowing low upon the order, Leona politely voiced her concern.

"However, Your Highness, I'm worried Nacha might refuse food from me."

"It's fine. He'll eat."

"......"

Leona bowed deeper. Unable to question the prince further, she could only obey.

"He likes your scent, so don't worry. With his keen nose, he'll come to you once you bring the feed."

Leona tilted her head at the cryptic words, and the prince leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"And no secret treasure hunts this time. Come straight back."

Leona's head snapped up in shock, staring straight at the prince, forgetting decorum.

Seeing her wide-eyed glare, the prince chuckled softly and turned away.

As he stepped off, Miranda and the close attendant servants followed, with one escort knight hastily joining per Casey's orders.

The remaining guards bustled around the deflated Glenn, consoling him.

Meanwhile, Leona headed slowly to the rear garden alone.

A chief servant supervisor waited at the entrance with a feed bucket.

Leona relayed the prince's order, took the bucket, and wandered the garden in a daze.

Soon, as the prince predicted, Nacha appeared on his own and approached her.

Nacha rubbed his head affectionately against Leona's face.

Leona gently stroked his neck, then set the bucket down.

Nacha happily began eating the feed she'd brought.

Watching him munch contentedly, Leona buried her face in her hands.

"He remembers that mess I was in..."

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.

Late afternoon, the Treasury Department minister visited the Second Prince.

The prince received him in the reception room.

While the two conversed inside, the close attendant servants went to prepare refreshments, leaving Miranda and Leona with Barts and the escort knight to guard the door.

Normally, preparing refreshments fell to the close attendant maids, Leona and Miranda.

But Gerard, worried the newbies might err, had the close attendant servants handle it for now.

Moments later, the close attendant servants returned—empty-handed. Instead, a close attendant maid appeared carrying a tray with two cups of tea and pastries.

Barts eyed the servants curiously, but they averted their gazes, pretending not to notice.

Resigned, Barts approached the maid.

"Lady Heather, what brings you here during off-hours?"

Heather flashed a charming smile.

"I was worried the newbies might fall short serving His Highness. Couldn't rest. Idleness is torture, so I thought I'd lend a hand."

"I see. Give me the tea."

As Barts reached out, Heather slyly stepped back.

"Serving tea is a close attendant maid's duty. How could I trouble you, Barts?"

"But..."

Not giving him a chance to reply, Heather handed the tray to Miranda.

Miranda took it reflexively, flustered.

Heather urged her gently.

"What are you waiting for? His Highness awaits. Hurry in."

"Ah, y-yes."

Pushed forward, Miranda stood at the door just as a close attendant servant reached to knock.

Leona stopped his hand.

"Please wait a moment."

"What are you doing? Keeping His Highness waiting?"

Ignoring Heather's scolding, Leona lifted the teacup lids.

"You...!"

"We can't serve this tea to a guest."

"What nonsense? Who are you to butt in?"

Brushing off Heather's grumbling, Leona asked Barts directly.

"Barts, should we serve this tea to the guest?"

Barts hurried over and inspected the contents.

The Crown Prince's cup had a gold rim, distinguishing it from the guest's.

He immediately spotted the issue with the guest's tea.

The guest was the Treasury Department minister—a notoriously picky one.

He ignored anything less than top-grade tea from the Hudah Kingdom and despised any additives altering color or aroma.

Yet milk was mixed into the minister's tea.

"Lady Heather, what is the meaning of this?"

As Barts demanded, Heather shook her head in denial.

"I-I didn't know. I truly didn't know it was the Treasury minister."

"I never said the guest was the Treasury minister."

Leona's remark chilled the corridor air.

The close attendant servants bowed their heads; the escort knight looked away to avoid fallout.

Barts pieced it together.

Heather, knowing Gerard was absent, had schemed to embarrass the newbies, and the close attendant servants—who fancied her—had turned a blind eye.

Hating newbies was one thing, but tarnishing the Crown Prince Palace chief supervisors' reputation? Barts's face hardened.

"I'll report this to the chief servant supervisor."

Hearing Barts, Heather and the servants paled.

"Barts...!"

"Quiet. Do you think this is a place to make a fuss? Mind your conduct until punishment is decided."

Barts sent Heather away and took the tray from Miranda to fetch new tea himself.

"Barts, may I go instead?"

Leona suggested.

Barts hesitated, then recalled her bold response moments ago.

"Very well. Leave it to Lady Leona."

Leona thanked him, took the tray, and headed to the kitchen.

Shortly after Leona left, Gerard appeared.

"Any issues?"

Everyone stiffened at Gerard's question.

Barts reported the incident factually.

Gerard's expression darkened progressively.

As everyone fidgeted uncertainly, Leona returned.

Leona stopped before Gerard and bowed.

Gerard eyed the tray, then personally lifted the lids to inspect.

After checking the guest's tea, he opened the prince's—and flinched.

The prince's tea was different from usual.

Gerard asked.

"What tea is this?"

"Cold peppermint tea."

A tea he'd never heard of.

"Cold peppermint?"

"I understand Your Highness spent a long time in the western frontier. The hot climate there makes this tea popular. We had peppermint leaves in the kitchen, so I thought he might enjoy it and prepared some."

"......"

Listening, Gerard reflected on the prince's habits.

Come to think of it, the prince rarely touched his tea, leaving most untouched.

Gerard had assumed he just disliked tea... but perhaps...?

"Chief servant supervisor, shall we serve the tea?"

"...Hand it over. I'll deliver it."

"Yes."

Leona handed over the tray readily.

Gerard glanced at her impassive face and entered the reception room.

Inside, the Crown Prince and Treasury minister were talking.

Gerard approached the table quietly, set down the refreshments, and stood by the wall.

Soon, the prince took his cup.

The minister, who had awaited tea patiently, grabbed his own the moment the prince did.

The minister savored the aroma first, then sipped slowly.

A satisfied smile curved his lips.

The prince sipped absentmindedly, paused, and examined the tea.

Confirming it matched his expectations, he glanced at Gerard.

But Gerard, head bowed, didn't notice.

The prince looked away and drank without comment.

Conversation resumed between the prince and minister; at an opportune moment, Gerard retrieved the cups.

The Second Prince's cup was empty clean for the first time.

Afterward, Gerard entrusted the close attendant maid duties to Leona.

The Crown Prince's investiture loomed tomorrow.

Though the Emperor ordered it kept minimal, preparations were extensive, leaving the Crown Prince Palace bustling.

Gerard supervised the investiture prep, leaving the prince's side to attendant servant Barts for the day.

With no extra time granted for rehearsal, the Second Prince followed his usual routine.

He shuttled between outer and inner courts, attending meetings and reports amid the frenzy.

Meanwhile, the Crown Prince Palace chief supervisors worked breathlessly to perfect the investiture.

Finishing public duties late at night, the Second Prince returned, checked his ceremonial robes one last time, and headed for his bath.

As close attendant servants went to the bath, Miranda tidied the bedroom bed, and Leona prepared wine and snacks.

Miranda watched Leona set the table and asked.

"What's that snack? Never seen it before."

"Not a snack—dried jujubes."

"Jujubes?"

"Fruit from trees. Rare here, but dried ones come to the capital as sweeteners."

"His Highness eats these?"

"He likes them."

Miranda found it hard to believe even commoners skipped such treats, but trusted Leona implicitly—even if she said frogs flew.

Soon, the Second Prince returned in his nightclothes.

He sat, eyed the table, and raised an eyebrow high.

"Tomorrow's momentous, so I prepared light wine tonight. Please partake sparingly to preserve your health."

Leona poured his glass while advising.

The Second Prince picked up a dried jujube.

"Did you prepare this?"

"Yes. It's nourishing with wine."

"...I see?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Chewing the jujube, the prince muttered.

"You match my tastes uncannily well."

Under his lingering gaze, Leona calmly returned to her position, bowed with Miranda, and greeted.

"We take our leave. Rest well, Your Highness."

Aware of his habit of a solitary nightcap before bed, the close attendant servants prepared to withdraw too.

"Rest well, Your Highness."

As Leona exited with them, the prince called.

"Leona, you stay."

Leona halted abruptly.

Silent glances passed among the servants; Miranda looked worried.

Leona nodded reassuringly to Miranda, turned, and replied.

"Yes, Your Highness."

The room emptied quietly, leaving only the prince and Leona.

"Any further orders?"

Leona asked, bowing slightly.

"Come closer."

"...Yes, Your Highness."

Leona stepped forward a few paces.

"Closer. To my side."

"...Yes."

Leona stood beside his chair.

The prince looked up at her bowed face.

Her expression, eyes downcast, seemed serene—almost cold.

No tension or fear, even alone with him at night.

"Leona."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The prince spoke softly.

"You have no idea how much easier palace life has become since you arrived. Returning suddenly to this place with no one I knew—it was bleak and lonely every day. You've been a great comfort."

"Your gracious words honor me, Your Highness."

Leona replied formally.

Her unwavering poise puzzled the prince.

"Hmm... Leona?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Come even closer."

Leona knelt right beside his chair.

"Lift your head."

Leona raised her head, eyes still on the floor.

"Look at me."

"......"

Leona met the prince's eyes.

Bending forward, he peered deeply into hers, voice gentle.

"Isn't the work hard? I want to help you live comfortably... what do you say?"

His hand slowly touched her hair, stroking the neatly tied brown locks.

"Tell me what you desire, Leona."

Waiting for his hand to withdraw, Leona stared straight into his eyes and answered.

"Your Highness, I have already achieved what I wanted. I desire nothing more. If anything, only this: to serve and attend you faithfully for life."

Her tone calm, voice earnest with resolve, blue eyes firm with conviction.

The prince erased his smile and pulled back.

"Is that truly all?"

"Yes, it is."

"...Very well. I understand your heart. You may go."

"Yes, Your Highness. Rest well."

Leona rose, backed away a few steps with bowed head, and exited the bedroom.

The prince watched her go, then downed his glass in one gulp.

"Nothing you want? That makes you even more suspicious, doesn't it?"

A man emerged from the bedroom balcony shadows immediately.

Tall and lean, his platinum hair gleamed in the moonlight streaming through the window.

"Jahankun, what do you think?"

"Doesn't seem like a lie. To me, she seemed sincere."

"Hmm... Me too. That's what bothers me. At her age and experience, that composure? Flawless work, knows my tastes inside out. Something's off."

"Investigation results on her will arrive soon."

"Will we find anything? Doubtful at this point."

The prince lounged lazily, popping another jujube.

As Leona emerged, all waiting eyes turned to her.

The close attendant servants peeked curiously but hesitated to speak.

Miranda, pacing the hall, lit up.

"Leona, you okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Worried His Highness might scold you."

"Scold? He praised my work instead."

"Wow, impressive. Must've loved your snacks."

"Yeah, seems so."

The eavesdropping servants sighed in relief inwardly, smiling as Leona and Miranda departed.

On the way to their quarters, Leona thought of the prince.

Reflecting on his actions today brought an involuntary smile.

She'd used past-life knowledge of him to ease his palace life.

But since it was all from her previous life, her adept service naturally aroused suspicion.

No matter.

She wanted to atone, even slightly, for past wrongs against him.

Treat him well this life to balance the torment she'd inflicted before. That was Leona's honest sentiment.

Yet—

"Heh."

To think he'd probe like that.

"Didn't see that coming."

"Huh? What'd you say?"

"Nothing, just mumbling."

His attempt at seduction struck her as absurd; Leona couldn't suppress a chuckle.