Chapter 153 - What A Wicked Man (1/2)
Elena had no intention of making a move at the moment, but now that the Empress had, she couldn’t allow things to remain the same. Elena slowly rose from her seat, her blood-colored eyes shining.
“The maid who brought the plant looks a little suspicious to me. What do you think of her?”
“I feel the same way.”
“Yes. There can be none of the Empress’ people here.”
I was sure that Carlisle already knew, but there was a mole hiding among us. From now on, many things would change. I was the mistress of this palace.
After a moment’s consideration, I opened the door to the parlor, and a maid who I recognized approached and quickly bowed to me.
“Is there anything you wish, Your Highness?”
“Get me Sir Zenard.”
“Ah! Yes, My Lady!”
As expected, the maid seemed to know who Zenard was. After several visits to the palace, he was the one Elena encountered the most among Carlisle’s subordinates save for Kuhn. Zenard was one of Carlisle’s closest aides and she was familiar with him, making him the right person to speak to once she had just entered the Imperial family.
As Zenard’s neat, white-haired appearance floated in her mind, she calculated her future moves in her head one by one.
‘Now, shall we move on?’
*
*
*
Several minutes passed before Zenard arrived to the parlor room. As soon as he saw Elena’s face, he bowed politely.
“Hail to the Crown Princess. Eternal glory to the Ruford Empire.”
“We will meet many times in the future, so you can omit such formal greetings between us.”
“Oh no. I must follow standards.”
While his stubborn tone was similar to Kuhn’s, there was still a distinction in their personalities. Kuhn carried an air of indifference to him, while Zenard was steadfast to convention, and Elena knew not to ask him again to skip the formalities. She nodded knowingly and continued.
“I want to meet the people that work in the Crown Prince’s palace. I’d like to gather everyone together, and I can think only of you who could do this.”
“Ah, is that so?”
He lifted his head proudly. In the past he had looked at Len with eyes heavy with envy and burden, but his impression of Elena was quite admirable.
‘The difference in his reaction when I am Carlisle’s guard and his wife is enormous.’
Perhaps that was why there was a strange feeling of distance between them. When Elena was a knight, Morgan was the only one who treated her with a kind smile, contrary to his intimidating looks. She suddenly wondered if he was doing well, but she was pressed for other matters.
“I would like you to arrange a place where I can introduce everyone to my head lady-in-waiting.”
“Ah…”
Zenard looked at the nanny standing next to Elena with new eyes. The head lady-in-waiting and the head butler always played a large role on their master’s side.
The nanny, who had been keeping a quiet position next to Elena, politely introduced herself first.
“Hello. I’m the nanny who had looked after Her Highness when she was a child. I’m honored to be the head lady-in-waiting, so please take care of me.”
“I look forward to working with you. As you may have already heard, my name is Zenard. Please feel free to ask me for help anytime in the future.”
Satisfied with each other’s greetings, Elena continued.
“I’d like to take a look at everyone before I send my regards to the Emperor. Is that possible?”
“Yes. I’ll have as many people as possible attend.”
“Thank you.”
Zenard gave another bow in acknowledgment. The final task was to examine the plant Ophelia had sent. If it truly was poisonous to the body, they could feign ignorance and disguise it as a weakness. Elena would have assigned this to Kuhn, but he was still at Blaise mansion. She pointed to the plant on the table and spoke to Zenard.
“This was a gift from the Empress. Can you find out exactly what this plant is from the Sibena kingdom?”
“The Empress?”
Zenard’s eyes flashed. His suspicions also seemed to have been aroused.
“I’ll take it right away and find out.”
“No, I’ll leave this plant where I pass by often.”
“But if it’s dangerous—”
“All the more reason to.”
Zenard stare at her nonplussed, and Elena smiled and spoke quietly.
“With this, we will be able to find out who the Empress’ spies are in the Crown Prince’s palace. They will lower their guard if I appear to act careless.”
“…!”
He was stunned at her reply, then he spoke in admiration.
“You truly are a crown princess.”
Elena smiled sheepishly at his excessive praise.
Whether it was a favor or a grudge, one had to return whatever they had received. This time however, she planned to act differently.
‘I don’t have to expose my claws yet.’
Elena needed to conceal her true intent and watch the Empress’ reaction. And if the opportunity came, she would strike first.
“I will go quickly and gather the servants of the Crown Prince’s palace.”
“Yes.”
Zenard made to exit the room, but he suddenly stopped and turned toward Elena with a cautious look.
“Ah, Your Highness…”
“Speak.”
“I’ve threatened everyone to keep away from the Crown Prince’s private training hall, so you don’t have to worry about anyone interrupting you.”
“…What?”
Elena blinked for a moment, and then her cheeks flamed as she realized what he meant. She thought she glimpsed Zenard when Carlisle kissed her this morning. It had completely slipped her mind after she received the plant from Empress Ophelia.