Chapter 30: Jealousy

After a happy and sweet night, the Grand Duke arrived at the Grand Ducal Family.

‘Why didn’t you stop by the Count’s residence?’

There was some nagging, but Yudith, who had lost interest in the Count after what happened with me, ended the matter with a short apology.

I heard that he threatened Count Renard with the crime of insulting the Imperial Family. Although the Grand Duke is royalty, he isn’t one to flaunt it, so I was initially surprised.

It was surprising to hear that someone who always said he hated being involved with the Imperial Family threatened the Count with the crime of insulting the Imperial Family.

‘Even if I told the Imperial Family that I was insulted, now that I’m not marrying the Second Princess and have produced an heir, that old fool wouldn’t even listen. It’s just for intimidation. When else would I use it?’

I heard that Count Renard, unaware of this fact, kept bowing his head, even kneeling and crying. Because there are no nobles who don’t know that the minimum punishment for insulting the Imperial Family is death.

The Grand Duke, unable to tolerate someone under his command deceiving him, eventually confiscated all of Count Renard’s territory, except for the corrupt parts of the Black Forest, using the threat of the crime of insulting the Imperial Family.

‘Look at him handing over his life’s worth. You’re royalty in name only now, so use it like I do later.’

After saying something that was hard to tell if it was a joke or not, the Grand Duke concluded the matter like that.

I knew that Yudith had a hard time because of that incident, so I wondered if it was okay to end it like this, but Yudith didn’t show any change in expression, as if she really didn’t care.

Watching Yudith turn her head and give me a small smile, I felt that small anger melt away.

---

After the Count’s affair was over, the only remaining event was Yudith going to meet the Emperor. I heard that she would go to the capital with the Second Princess, who was staying at the Separate Residence of the Grand Ducal Family as a guest.

“What kind of person is the Second Princess?”

Yudith, who was using my lap as a pillow and lying on the bed, looked up at me with wide eyes. Did I ask something wrong?

“…You don’t know?”

“Yes? I’ve never met her…”

“You don’t know… No, it’s okay if you don’t know.”

“…?”

I only answered that I didn’t know when asked if I knew. As Yudith’s personal maid, I had never been to any building other than the main building, so of course, I had never even seen the face of the Princess in the Separate Residence.

I heard rumors that Erina had been dispatched to the Separate Residence as the Princess’s maid, but…

“You have to go to the capital right after arriving from the Count’s residence… The schedule is too tight.”

“Yeah… There are too many annoying things.”

Isn’t this moment, watching the person I love rolling around on my lap, the ultimate happiness?

Yudith was busy preparing to go to the Imperial Palace, so it was too difficult to make time to be together except at night.

It felt like the day was too short, and even this time seemed to be getting shorter, which I hated.

“Erina said that there are a few dessert shops in the capital that you should definitely visit. Could you… maybe go with me this time…?”

“Ah… I’m… sorry.”

Yudith replied with a pitiful expression to my request for a date. Was I only thinking about myself too much? She must be going to work busily.

I felt ashamed for only indulging in my own desires without thinking about Yudith’s busy schedule, and I wanted to hide in a mouse hole if there was one.

‘Still… it takes more than a week to get to the capital by carriage… It might be good to take care of Yudith, who is suffering from motion sickness during that time…’

Just the time we would spend together in a private space after a long time was enough happiness, but…

“This time… I’m going to the capital alone…”

“Yes…?”

I couldn’t hide the great disappointment that washed over me because even that time was not allowed.

Why? The word came up to my throat, but I couldn’t be stubborn here. Yudith must have made this decision thinking of me. That must be it. That’s what it must be.

“…Is that so… It can’t be helped. I’m worried about Milady getting motion sickness in the carriage.”

“That’s… but. It’s okay, I’m not a child anymore, you know?”

“…In my eyes, Milady is still a child?”

“Heung…”

Yudith, who got up from the bed at my provocation and laid me down on the bed, smiled enchantingly.

I swallowed hard at that look, and I felt like I knew what she wanted from me.

I also wanted it, so I responded to that enchanting smile with a happy smile.

“Do I still look like a child?”

“Pfft… No?”

A sweet smile leaked out at the slightly laughing question, and our lips lightly touched.

‘Can I endure not seeing her for a month… I’m most worried about myself.’

---

Today, Erina said that she had an important announcement, so I skipped out on work and secretly escaped to the warehouse where we always gathered.

“Sorry, I couldn’t find the right time to get away from cleaning.”

“It’s okay, we just got here too.”

“But what’s going on today that you’re suddenly calling us to gather like this? Is it another discussion about Erina’s husband’s personality?”

“Chloe, you didn’t know because you were at the Earl’s residence. Erina and her husband have completely broken up this time.”

“Huh?”

The news I heard upon arriving at the warehouse was shocking. Erina complained about her husband every day, but I thought it was just the kind of petty stuff that comes out between lovers…

-Bang!

“Everyone, pay attention!!”

“This crazy girl is advertising that we’re skipping out on work here!”

Everyone stared at Erina in disbelief as she came in, fluttering her pink hair and striking a confident pose as if she had done something great.

“What’s going on this time? If you’re asking us to cover up another accident, we won’t do it!”

“It’s not that!”

Erina cleared her throat and her eyes were moist. Everyone felt like something big had happened and waited for Erina to speak.

“This time, I… I’m going to the capital as the Princess’s traveling maid!”

“What was with that serious atmosphere just now, you little brat.”

“What?”

Everyone burst into laughter at Erina’s appearance, spreading her arms and jumping up and down as if she was happy to be going to the capital, but I couldn’t laugh. If Erina is going with the Princess, why can’t I go with Yudith?

“Hehehe! The Princess is going, and it takes more than a week, so she said she needed a maid and asked me to go with her! I’m going to stop by that dessert shop in the capital!”

“Good for you… Did you call us just to brag about that?”

“Of course!”

When she saw the maid clenching her fist to give her a knuckle sandwich, Erina gasped and ran to the wall.

“W-wait..! Is this okay?! You think I called you just for this?”

“Then what else?”

“I’ll buy you anything you want in the capital! Like the latest cosmetics from the capital! But I’ll charge you the price as is, so you have to be sure about that!”

“Erina…”

The maid colleague who had clenched her fist gently released it and looked at Erina with sparkling eyes, holding Erina’s hand tightly.

“Just buy me a Rose perfume from Verne…”

“Okay…!”

The sight of my colleagues laughing and chatting was very pleasant. It felt like I was seeing friends I had met in school in my past life.

But now, this scene felt so distant. The fact that Erina was going with the Princess as her maid meant that Erina could also take care of Yudith, who doesn’t bring a maid with her.

What is this feeling? My stomach was churning and I couldn’t control my anger. I knew that Yudith had a reason for not taking me with her.

So… so I agreed with Yudith, but Erina can go.

I know that Erina is not going as Yudith’s personal maid. But… but…

“Chloe, what should I buy you?”

“Huh?”

“Is there anything you want to buy in the capital?”

“Ah… um… I don’t think there’s anything in particular.”

I just smiled awkwardly. I forced a smile to avoid revealing the emotions boiling inside me. I know it’s not Erina’s fault. I also know that it’s not Yudith’s fault either.

But… if you’re taking Erina, couldn’t you take me too…? It’s not just a day or two, but a month…

The thought of Erina being next to Yudith instead of me during that time stirred up a sticky jealousy in my heart.

‘…This is annoying.’

Erina checked the checklist of items that her colleagues had asked her to buy and smiled happily.

“When are you leaving?”

“It’ll be in two days. Our Milady will leave as soon as she’s ready. Right, Chloe?”

“Yes, my Milady is going after hearing about the Imperial Family from the Grand Duke, so that’s definitely what will happen. The Grand Duke said he’s going with her too.”

“I knew it, right? When I go to the capital, I’m going to explore the dessert shops even if I have to spend all my salary!”

Erina’s healthy, positive, and bright appearance was very popular among her colleagues.

Erina’s presence, which brought laughter amidst the hard work, was very precious. I also like Erina’s immature but cute actions. Erina was the one who helped me when I first came to the Grand Ducal Family.

‘…What was I thinking?’

Seeing Erina’s innocent and bright smile, I felt my face turning red with the ugly jealousy I had felt until just now.

It was something I could have known if I had thought properly. That Erina, who even had a husband, would never do such a thing that I was thinking of.

“Be careful and have a good trip. And can you buy me cookies from a famous dessert shop? If it’s cookies, I think I can last about a week?”

“Um… Is that okay, Chloe? Don’t you need perfume or cosmetics like the other girls?”

“It’s okay. I’m curious about what the cookies in the capital taste like.”

Because I don’t need to use perfume. It would be a problem if Yudith’s scent decreased because of that smell.

“Okay, I understand! I’ll have a good trip!”

“Be careful on your trip. Let’s go back to work now, or we’ll get scolded by the Head Maid again.”

After Erina decided to go to the Princess, we decided to return to the place where we had skipped out on work in the main building.

But just one more time today. I should ask Yudith one last time. I won’t ask for the reason, but it’s a hopeless thing, but it’s okay to ask one more time, right?

---

That night.

Chloe took a deep breath and asked Yudith one last time. Not because she wanted to see the capital, but just because she wanted to be by her side, couldn’t she go with her?

“Milady, do you really not need me when you go to the capital?”

“…I want to take you too, but I don’t want to take you to a dangerous place like the Imperial Palace.”

“Dangerous…? Is there something dangerous in the Imperial Palace?”

Yudith’s lips moved slightly, but no words came out.

How should I tell her? Damian said that there might be a risk of assassination.

If I, who had just become the heir, died, Damian, who needed to continue the lineage, would have to get married no matter what. The partner would inevitably be fixed as the Second Princess.

Damian advised me to be careful because they might have the sinister thought that if I just disappeared, the mining rights for the Mana Stone would come in.

I didn’t want to worry Chloe with such things.

But when Chloe didn’t give up, I had no choice but to separate her.

It would be better for Chloe to be here, which is relatively safe, than to go to a dangerous place and show unnecessary weaknesses.

“I’m fine. Damian is just saying nonsense. So, can you wait here…?”

“…If you say so… I’ll give up too.”

Chloe sighed softly and smiled sadly as if she had given up.

Yudith sighed in relief, seeing Chloe give up on going to such a dangerous place, as she felt it was enough for only herself to go.

“Let’s go wash up now. The bath is ready.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Yudith slowly moved her feet towards the bathroom. As she opened the bathroom door, she felt the hot steam rising from the bathtub spread across her skin.

Entering the bathroom, she untied the ribbon on her chemise, and it fell to the bathroom floor with a soft rustling sound as the fabric rubbed against her body.

-Click.

“Huh?”

As she took off her clothes, Yudith was slightly startled by the sound of the doorknob locking and turned around. There, Chloe, with the sleeves of her maid uniform rolled up, had entered without a sound and locked the doorknob.

“It’s only natural for a maid to help her master bathe.”

“Chloe…?”

“Please get in the tub, Milady.”

Chloe’s eyes were smiling, but for some reason, they didn’t seem to be.

Was it because of the voice echoing in the bathroom, or was it because of the blue glint in Chloe’s eyes that could be seen through her eye smile that made her feel that way?

“You’ll catch a cold if you just stand there, Milady.”