The head maid, finally snapping out of her shock, glared at me with wide eyes.
“Which kingdom’s etiquette allows a commoner to speak so boldly to a noble? Attendant, recite the punishment for such insolence.”
The attendant, who had been quietly pleading nearby, stepped forward at my command.
“Under imperial law, the punishment varies by rank and offense. As Lady Eliant, the fiancée of His Highness the Crown Prince, is considered near-royalty, this woman’s crime equates to insulting the imperial family. Thus, Lady Eliant has the authority to take her life.”
Outside the palace, it might differ, but within these walls, imperial authority reigned supreme. As the crown prince’s fiancée, I was treated as near-royalty here.
At the attendant’s words, the color drained from their faces.
“Tch, that’s…”
“Don’t you, a mere maid, know basic etiquette?”
The head maid bit her lip. She couldn’t possibly be ignorant of such fundamental protocol.
She must think little of me.
The outcome of the palace meeting had toppled the First Consort and First Prince, and malicious rumors about me had subsided. Yet, the negative image long attached to me hadn’t fully dissipated.
It wasn’t just her. Many harbored ill will toward me without truly knowing me, believing only what suited them, convinced that their assumptions were true.
“You lack the qualities of a palace maid. Leave the palace by day’s end.”
I had no intention of justifying myself to those who judged me by their own standards. Their opinions didn’t change who I was.
“I’m a palace maid! What right do you have to dismiss me?”
“Didn’t you hear the attendant just now?”
“Even as the crown prince’s fiancée, you have no authority over palace personnel!”
Her defiant stance and sharp gaze made me scoff. There was only one reason she dared act so boldly despite knowing who I was.
Lady Daysha.
Clinging to the head maid like a child hiding behind her mother’s skirts, Lady Daysha seemed to have won her favor in a short time.
That’s why she’s so brazen.
“True, I don’t have personnel authority,” I conceded.
A flicker of relief crossed her face, but I wasn’t finished.
“But sending away a single maid isn’t so difficult for me.”
“Tch, that’s…”
I stepped closer. A clear footprint marked the once-pristine white hat. Leaning in, I whispered in her ear.
“Do you really think Lady Daysha can protect you?”
“…!”
“What’s going on?”
As the maid, pale with fear, stepped back, a familiar voice cut through.
“Your Highness.”
The maids and attendants surrounding her quickly bowed, recognizing Sys. I took a deep breath and turned toward him.
“Sirius!”
Trembling among the maids, she rushed to him as if grasping a lifeline.
The flutter of her dress seared into my eyes. The cold sunlight glinting through the fabric stung my vision.
“Sniff, Siri…”
Sys’s face hardened as he looked at her tearful approach. He turned to me, his golden eyes unreadable, and my heart sank.
“You’ve disappointed me.”
His voice echoed in my mind like a ringing in my ears—cold words, piercing gaze, all vividly recalled.
“…”
My lips moved, but no sound came.
I knew it was a mere memory, a phantom of the past. My mind understood, but my trembling body refused to calm.
The moment our eyes met, his golden gaze wavered fiercely.
“Bee!”
A strong force pulled me into an embrace. His urgent voice struck my eardrums as my consciousness flickered.
“Breathe!”
My body shook with his force.
“Please, breathe, Bee!”
“Haa…”
Cold air flooded my lungs. The phantom memory shattered, replaced by Sys’s panicked face filling my vision.
“Call the palace physician!”
He lifted me, barking orders, and an attendant rushed off.
“I’m fine…”
As I tried to speak, I saw her tear-streaked face behind him. Reflexively, my grip tightened on his arm.
“Just hold on, Bee.”
He strode forward, carrying me. Her forlorn figure receded as I watched from his embrace. I closed my eyes, surrendering to his hold.
“Bee.”
The door closed, and he gently set me down. The soft surface beneath told me it was a bed, not a sofa.
Warmth brushed my cheek. Opening my eyes, I saw Sys gazing down, his face etched with worry.
“The physician will be here soon.”
“I’m fine.”
He frowned slightly at my words.
“With a face that pale, you think I’ll believe you’re fine?”
“…”
Avoiding his piercing gaze, I heard him sigh deeply.
“Dodging my eyes? That’s not like you.”
His hands cupped my cheeks, lifting my face.
“What happened?”
“…”
“Don’t want to answer?”
My reflection filled his golden eyes.
“I wish you’d lean on me, even just once.”
“Find someone else to lean on.”
The sharp words slipped out before I could think. I regretted it, but they couldn’t be undone. His eyes trembled slightly.
“I didn’t know you had this habit.”
He sighed again, brushing my lips with his thumb.
“Stop it.”
I must have been biting my lip; the spot he touched burned.
“I don’t know what’s upset you, but don’t hurt yourself. Please.”
“…”
“Haa.”
As I stayed silent, he let out a low sigh.
“I’d rather you take it out on me, Bee.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I’m used to your barbs by now; they don’t faze me.”
He shrugged playfully, as if my response alone delighted him. His attempt to lighten the mood made me chuckle.
“Are you threatening me to feel sorry?”
“Not a threat, just a whine. Feeling guilty yet?”
He grinned mischievously, continuing.
“I’d prefer a kiss over an apology. What do you say?”
Leaning close, he tapped his lips with his finger.
“Come on.”
Fluttering his eyelashes teasingly, he earned a narrow-eyed glare.
“I might bite. Sure, you’re okay with that?”
“For a kiss from you, I’d risk a little injury.”
He puckered his lips and closed his eyes, his porcelain skin, delicate features, and perfectly placed lips resembling a divine work of art.
I traced the elegant curve of his lips with my finger, feeling their soft, moist texture. His long lashes quivered at my touch.
“No regrets?”
At my sudden question, he opened his eyes.
