For a mont it seed to that Maxie had volunteered to be my personal knight just to do nothing.
After her appointnt, the girl spent whole days in my room, and instead of standing guard: playing board gas or drinking tea. None of this sounded much like her original duties…
But when I told Maxie about it, she declared that she was on standby at any mont.
«Wake up at three in the morning and I'll overpower an entire army.» — To be literal, those were her words. But as far as I was concerned, it was just an excuse.
I sighed, wondering why I'd gotten such an irresponsible knight…
It wasn't that bad, though. With Maxie's presence: the atmosphere in my chambers had improved considerably. At least, with the appearance of a new companion, I had no desire to crawl back into bed and do nothing. This was entirely to Maxie's credit.
That morning she ca to my house early again and brought a deck of cards. Surprisingly, her regular partner in this endeavor was linda. How it was that such a humble girl knew so much about gambling, I had no idea… Anyway, while they were playing, I watched from the sidelines.
A couple of tis I even complained that Maxi was distracting the girl from her duties because of her passions. After all, unlike that linda certainly wasn't a slacker.
To this Maxie objected that it was her way of relieving the stress of her own constant work.
I sighed. And what am I supposed to do with them…?
Anyway, when Maxie ca to see today, she was deeply disappointed.
— Where's your maid? — she asked.
— I don't know,» I just shrugged, «linda left a long ti ago.
I sat at the coffee table and studied the palace etiquette manual. Since I was going to have to do it sooner or later anyway, I decided not to put off studying until later.
Maxie ca closer and settled herself in the chair across from . She shuffled her cards in disappointnt and sighed.
— Where the hell was she…?
— I'm sure she's busy,» I said, «Why don't you stop distracting her all the ti? If linda doesn't do her chores, she'll be punished by the head lady of the court.
— To hell with it… Just fire her.
— Court lady?
— You're the crown princess! — Maxie objected, «How hard can it be?
I glared at her incredulously.
— Why would I fire soone who has worked here for sixty years? — I said reasonably, — Not all such idlers as you.
— Exactly! That old woman is long overdue for retirent.
— I said no.
Maxie made a hurt look on her face.
— Who am I going to play with then? — At least not with you, she said. You've got no talent…» I snorted.
I snorted. What kind of «talent» was that?
— Why don't you go to work for a change? — I decided to suggest.
— I have almost no rest… Do you want to finish off?
I rubbed the bridge of my nose and decided to just close the subject. I opened the etiquette book again, about to continue reading, when Maxie interrupted again after a couple of seconds.
— By the way,» she rembered animatedly, «that's all they're talking about at the palace today.
— What do you an?
— Your fiancée has suddenly left the palace.
I was so surprised at first that I put the book down. Ever since our engagent, Rachel has never left the imperial palace. I guessed that she made such exceptions very rarely at all. So why is this suddenly happening now?
— Is it true? — I asked her a question.
— Well, considering that absolutely everyone is talking about it…
For Maxie this circumstance also seed suspicious. Ever since her accession, Rachel had guarded the palace like the apple of her eye. And with Lerian's return, the situation had only intensified. In other words, Maxie really found no reason for her sudden departure from the palace.
After I got the news, I cald down pretty quickly.
— Rachel must have so business,» I suggested logically.
— «Business…?» They're kind of weird…
— What do you an?
— Well, Cassius left out of the blue and didn't even tell you what she was doing… or that she was driving an ordinary carriage, not an Imperial carriage.
— So what of it? — I wasn't quite sure what she was getting at.
Maxie cleared her throat, as if to hint that I should have figured it out by now.
— Obviously, if none of the officials had been notified, it was a secret trip.
— «Secret…?»
— I bet your fiancée has soone on the side!
I exhaled angrily. Even at a mont like this, the girl managed to turn serious things into a farce.
— It's not even remotely funny,» I pouted, folding my arms across my chest.
— It's true, Belle, it's true! — Maxie didn't let up. «All these rulers are bastards, really. Once they're in power, they make harems for themselves…
— So you're saying Rachel's cheating on ? — I assud.
— I can't think of any other reason why she wouldn't tell you.
I knew Maxie was just ssing with as usual, but I still found it strange. After all, Rachel really hadn't warned at all.
— Okay,» I decided to play along with her, «If that's true, then I won't be upset.
— Really? — I'm surprised.
— It's not my choice to get married anyway… So, I shouldn't care if she has soone else.
Even though it was a joke, there was so truth in it. Whatever the outco of our relationship, I was prepared for anything.
When our little talk ca to an end, Maxie was still pondering for a long ti. I could directly see her burning with the desire to snap out of her seat and follow her.
— If that's what you want to do, then go,» I finally muttered.
— Really? — she was astonished.
— If you really want to know if Rachel is cheating on , go ahead and do it.
Maxie hesitated.
— I'm not so irresponsible as to leave my post so soon after my appointnt…
— So you want to stay here?
Maxie cleared her throat.
— Ahem… Suppose that was an order. Then I just can't not follow it!
I grinned. When did she have ti to co to such a conclusion?
— According to the will of the crown princess, I will bring her fiancee out in the open!
It did not take long to persuade Maxie, as in a couple of minutes began to get ready for the road. Like Rachel, the girl will be away for about two days, and during that ti nothing extraordinary should happen.
But just as I was about to see her off at the door, there was a sudden knock at my door.
— Who is it? — I asked in surprise.
— Your Highness, it is the Warden of the Imperial Prison,» a voice ca from outside.
Maxie and I looked at each other with the sa bewildered expression. Why on earth would I have such a guest?
— Co in,» I finally answered.
The bulky knight, whom I had never seen before, announced on my doorstep in a perfectly calm voice:
— Your Highness, I have co to inform you personally. Your maid is suspected of attempted murder.
— What?!
— At the mont she has been seized and is in the Imperial dungeon,» he continued, «I require your permission to interrogate her.
I stamred. What on earth is going on?!
— What are you talking about? — I shouted,» Are you saying you have linda in your custody?
— Yes.
I was in complete shock. Maxie didn't budge either.
— «Murder…?» What kind of nonsense is that? — I tried to slowly comprehend what was happening.
— Your Highness may not have known, but this morning your maid attempted to poison Her Majesty's secretary.
— What is this nonsense?! — I was furious.
— When we arrived, Lady Fernandez was already unconscious. At that mont, only your maid was with her.
This ti Maxie couldn't stand it either.
— Have you all gone mad?! — How dare you accuse anyone?
— Believe it or not, we have witnesses,» said the Warden, nonchalantly.
My hands were beginning to give up on .
Damn it, Camille, I really wasn't going to quarrel with her… So why does she keep forcing to go against her?
When Maxie realized that this was really serious, she turned to .
— Don't worry,» she began, «I'll stay and do my best…
— You don't have to,» I interrupted her gently.
— What?» «Maxie rounded her eyes.
— I said you could go,» I said casually.
— But-but how…
— I'll take care of it.
Seeing my resolute look, the girl was dumbfounded. And while the chief was waiting for the final decision on my part, I myself took a step forward.
— Show the way,» I ordered.
The man also raised his eyebrows in surprise, but hurriedly straightened up.
— Please follow , Your Highness.
The knight walked ahead of , and when Maxie was about to stop , I didn't give in.
— What are you doing? — That bitch is trying to set you up, and you…
— I know.
— What?
— Right now Camille's hoping I won't take any action and just wait for Rachel to co back,» I smiled weakly, «That's enough ti for the rumors to spread throughout the empire. Then everyone would think linda was guilty.
Maxie stared at like I was insane. She felt that I would only make things worse if I made a scandal in the Emperor's dungeon.
— Since you know everything, wouldn't it really be better to wait for Cassius? She'll solve all the problems for sure…
— Until Rachel cos back, those subhumans can do anything to linda. I'm not going to just watch this.
— But…
— linda is my person,» I replied firmly, «If I can't even take care of her, how can I carry the title of 'mother of the empire' in the future?
While Maxie froze, rethinking my words, I finally took her hand away from and declared:
— In this world, no one would dare lay a finger on what belongs to .
When I dropped those words, I turned sharply and followed the dungeon master. Maxie was behind , and saw off with a strange expression on her face.
At that mont, the girl involuntarily flinched.
Only for a fraction of a second, but Leriana's eyes flashed scarlet… It was a look she knew well.
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