Chapter 97

Eventually, we reached the palace to celebrate the founding day.

'I'm going to leave now...'

"You're going away like this? Don't go, Rose."

But even before I could finish speaking, Blake pleaded with me to not leave, and my resolution ended up falling apart yet again. It would be easier if he treated me badly.

However, I couldn't reject him. He looked like a rabbit abandoned in the rain.

When we first reunited, I thought he had changed a lot. But after 15 days together, I realized that I was wrong.

His appearance was different, but his personality was the same as before.

The carriage stopped in front of the Palace of Forens. The palace was familiar because it was originally the place where Blake and I were supposed to stay together.

Upon our arrival, numerous servants and knights came out to greet Blake.

There were so many people who served Blake now. This palace also looked ten times better than Amoria Palace. The number of servants was about the same as the number of servants at the emperor's palace. I felt very proud to see it.

Melissa stood in front of us. Even though seven years had passed, she was only in her late 20s. Her clothes were more luxurious than before, but unlike Edon, her appearance hadn't changed much.

"Rose, let's get off."

I nodded at Blake's words.

As Blake escorted me out of the carriage, people began to chatter. It's probably because of my appearance. I was already used to people's reactions now, but that didn't mean I didn't feel hurt.

"Ahem."

Melissa coughed intentionally and then, the chaotic atmosphere settled down in a moment.

"I greet Your Highness, the light of the empire."

Melissa greeted Blake and the other servants also followed.

"Melissa, everything's fine, right?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"You must have had a hard time managing the palace."

"No, I'm alright. But who is that?"

Melissa looked at me. She must be wondering since Blake had brought a woman back, but there was no sign of disgust on her face even after she saw my appearance.

"Rose, my special guest."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Rose. I'm Melissa Reed, the head maid of the Crown Prince's palace."

Reed' was Hans' last name. These two got married. That's great.

I smiled and gave a silent salute instead of answering. Melissa looked puzzled so Blake explained to her on my behalf.

"Rose can't speak."

"Oh, I see..."

"Prepare her room. Give her the room on the second floor."

"The second floor?"

"Yes."

If Blake hadn't changed the locations of the rooms, then our bedroom was still on the second floor. And unless the head servant, head maid, or the Crown Prince invited someone specially, they could not use the same floor as the prince and his wife.

The servants around me looked agitated at Blake's words. I was also surprised and rejected it, but Blake didn't care at all.

He cast a glance at the chattering servants and they instantly quieted down again.

"Rose, let's go in."

Blake smiled and took my hand.

The moment I entered the Foren Palace, I was very surprised at my surroundings.

The lights, the furniture, the carpets, the curtains, everything, which I had chosen before I left was still there.

Blake hadn't changed a thing in seven years. He had been using all the things I chose without changing anything.

I touched the sofa I had chosen before, as Hans came inside and greeted Blake.

"I greet Your Highness, the light of the empire."

"Melissa and you don't have to greet me so formally. How many times do I have to tell you?"

"Your Highness is a royal. I can't simply ignore the etiquette like that."

Hans smiled. He hadn't changed much either. If I had to spot a change in him, it would only be that he wasn't as thin as before.

"By the way, who is this?"

"It's Rose, my special guest."

Blake introduced me and we greeted each other. Hans also showed no sign of disgust after seeing my face.

"Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting."

"Okay."

Blake answered reluctantly and looked at me.

"Rose, are you tired? Do you want to take a break or have a meal first?"

No. He had finally returned after so many months and his father was waiting for him. He should've rushed to his father now.

I told him to go to the emperor first.

"It's alright."

Weren't they getting along well before? I hoped it wasn't because I suddenly disappeared. I'd feel very guilty if it was.

I shook my hand again.

'Go to His Majesty.'

"It's really alright."

'Please go.'

Blake pouted when I said that. I laughed because his pout looked the same as it did seven years ago.

'Go ahead.'

"Okay. I'll be right back. Hans, she's an important guest of mine, so please take good care of her."

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

Blake went to the emperor after Hans assured him.

***

"Miss Rose, come this way."

After a while, Melissa led me to a room on the second floor. It was the VIP room that was next to the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess' room.

"I'll send the maids soon. Please let me know if you need anything."

I nodded.

After Melissa left, I looked at the room. The interior was very fancy. I didn't choose the decoration and furniture here, so someone must've chosen it.

'Oh? What is this?'

I picked up something shiny from the floor. It was a small ruby brooch. Someone must've dropped it while cleaning.

As I opened the door and went out into the hallway, the maids crowded together.

"Who is that woman using the same floor as the Crown Prince?"

"I don't know. But what's with those creepy scars?"

I hesitated to approach them. The maids were talking behind my back.

"You'd better watch your language. Sir Paul and Matthew got fired for talking about Miss Rose."

This maid was probably Chelsea. Although she had become taller, her unique way of speaking and sharp eyes were the same as before.

She was the only daughter of Count Brooke and she was famous for her excellence. She was smart and had an unmatched ability when it came to collecting information.

"Chelsea, is that true?"

Chelsea was right.

"Yes. They said it was all because of Miss Rose that Dix and Joanna were sentenced to death. Joanna was bullying Miss Rose, and she got caught doing it."

"Did the Crown Prince like her?"

"That's ridiculous. You're saying that because you've never met the late Crown Princess. Crown Princess Ancia was so beautiful that she'd be mistaken for a doll! His Highness can't forget her and refuses all the famous beauties, but he suddenly chose that creepy girl? No way!"

The girl with pink hair would be Charlotte. I remembered because I liked her very unique hair color. She hadn't changed much in appearance over the years.

"But Charlotte, Lady Joanna was also famous for being pretty."

"How can she be compared to the late Crown Princess? She only has a pretty face but a bad temper."

"Is that so?"

"I think His Highness isn't someone who cares about outer appearance."

Chelsea replied, "Is there even such a man in the world who doesn't see a woman's appearance?"

Everyone was chattering excitedly, but a brunette woman standing quietly in the corner opened her mouth suddenly.

"Sympathy."

She had straight long hair, dark brown eyes the same colour as her hair, and a beauty mark near her eyes. Her voice was calm yet appealing. Even though I only just noticed her, I could still tell who she was.

It was Camilla. She was the daughter of Marquis Vendrick and one of the women who loved Richard in the original story.

"Camilla's right. His Highness wouldn't like a woman like that! It must be sympathy! After all, His Highness was also cursed once."

Charlotte agreed with Camilla's words. But Camilla looked serious.

"Charlotte, watch your words. His Highness Blake was put through a trial. The goddess tested him to give him more strength, you know?"

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean that...ahh!"

Charlotte screamed when she saw me. The other maids seemed surprised as well.

I'll just give them the brooch and go back. I gave the brooch to them but no one said anything.

"Charlotte, isn't that your brooch?"

When Chelsea said that, Charlotte's expression became grim.

"I don't want it. What if I catch a disease."

"Why do you say that?"

Chelsea came closer to me.

"Miss Rose, it looks like Charlotte accidentally dropped it. Thank you for bringing it back."

Chelsea took the brooch from me.

"Why did you take it? No! Throw it away!"

"Charlotte!"

Chelsea looked at me and rebuked Charlotte. But, Camilla sided with Charlotte.

"There's nothing wrong with Charlotte's words. We could really get infected. Chelsea, you'd better throw it away."

"What's wrong with you Camilla!?"

Chelsea shouted, but Carmila didn't budge.

If I stayed here, it would only make things worse, so I went back to my room.

***

Frankly speaking, I didn't feel very good. Charlotte's change of attitude was especially shocking since she was usually so nice to me. Turns out she only liked Ancia's appearance.

Still, maids had a high status. They all came from prominent families.

Historically, it wasn't uncommon to see maids marrying royals or becoming their concubines. I'm sure they had also become maids to associate with Blake.

Families in Asteric Empire usually arranged their children's marriages early. Only some of them were late in marriage.

There were many reasons for it, such as trying for admission to an academy or taking over the family, but most of them did it because they wanted to associate with the royal family.

In particular, there were many variables this time. The Cassil family collapsed and Blake's curse was gone. Moreover, the Crown Princess had disappeared.

The nobles of the influential family, who wanted the three sons of the Cassil family, suddenly turned to Blake.

In the original story, Richard's maids Camilla and Chelsea became Blake's maids.

Now that their families had already given up on their marriages, they must be willing to somehow associate themselves with Blake. Even if Blake married Diana, there would still be a place for concubines.

Blake became very popular...