Chapter 163 - I’ll See Soon (2/2)

The nanny had played an important role in their lives, filling the hole after their mother died.

Mirabelle made an expression as if she remembered something, then pulled out a stack of documents.

“Ah, sister. Here is a list of all the maids and servants. It also has personal information about them, so keep it safe.”

“Yes, I will.”

Elena smiled and placed the papers on the table. When Mirabelle spoke, it was with a more cautious voice than before.

“It’s a slightly different list than the one I received from the butler. I switched out one of the servants with another.”

“A servant? Why?”

Mirabelle answered Elena’s question with an awkward smile.

“I just wanted to keep him a little longer because I’m so attached to him. So I want to ask for your understanding.”

As Mirabelle spoke, there was only one person that came to Elena’s mind—Kuhn Kasha, Carlisle’s subordinate. Elena looked on questioningly.

“What is the name of the servant?”

“Kuhn Kasha. Do you remember him from last time?”

At Mirabelle’s sheepish reaction, Elena had a tight feeling in her stomach. When she had been busy preparing for her wedding, she had a suspicion that Mirabelle was nurturing feelings for Kuhn. More importantly, Kuhn had said something to Elena that had bothered her.

—The Young Lady has been working me hard.

Mirabelle was not the type to always keep a servant close to her. Elena tried to speak as gently as possible.

“You must have become close to the servant Kuhn without me realizing.”

“Uh-huh. Somehow…”

Mirabelle scratched her nose and smiled shyly. She had changed in a short amount of time. Elena had accepted that Mirabelle would mature as she grew older, but now it felt a little different from that.

Presently, Elena did not know the details of Kuhn’s situation, as he had lied about promising to protect Mirabelle. From Elena’s point of view, she considering asking Kuhn to ensure Mirabelle’s safety until she returned to the south.

‘It’s convenient to have Sir Kasha stay in Blaise mansion, but…’

When she heard Kuhn applied to work as a palace servant, she knew that he would leave Blaise mansion. What Elena didn’t expect, however, was Mirabelle complicating matters by blocking him.

‘What is going on?’

She needed to verify Kuhn’s story with him later. Elena gave an understanding nod to Mirabelle.

“Very well. If you want to keep the servant Kuhn, you may.”

“Ah! Thank goodness!”

Mirabelle whooped with glee, but was interrupted by the sound of a knock. The parlor room door opened and the nanny walked in.

“Young Lady!”

Mirabelle leapt up at the sight of the nanny, then ran to hug the aged woman.

“Nanny~”

Elena watched the joyful reunion. Mirabelle’s smile always magically made her happy, and she wanted to protect that smile the most in the world.

Time passed by and the day of Elena’s party finally arrived. She didn’t want undue attention, so she removed the bandage from her ankle for the day and wore a strikingly lavish dress. The party would be attended by many people, from Empress Ophelia to the ambassadors from various countries. Elena took meticulous care, as this was her first event hosted as crown princess.

Ttogag ttogageu—

Elena spoke in a low voice to her nanny as she walked towards the hall.

“Is there nothing suspicious about Asabe?”

“Nothing yet.”

“Very well, then we’ll watch a little longer. She was the maid to bring me the Manera plant after all.”

“Of course. You can rely on me.”

Elena gave a faint smile. The nanny acted as if she were Elena’s hands and feet, and exceeded the expectations of her position. It was hard to imagine how Elena would have gotten through palace life without her nanny by her side.

“You’ve been working hard organizing the party, nanny.”

“Yes, the preparations went smoothly, so you can be at ease. And you should call me ‘lady-in-waiting’, Your Highness.”

“I’ll only call you nanny when we’re alone. I’m still more familiar with that term.”

The nanny wore a tender smile, knowing that there weren’t many people Elena could act as a child around.

Elena didn’t know what would happen once it was revealed to everyone that the Empress had given Elena the Manera plant. It would be a large stain on the Empress’ reputation, unless there were any unaccounted variables. Of course, that did not mean Elena would loosen her grip on a dangerous opponent, like Carlisle warned her so many times.

‘But it won’t be easy to get out.’

Even the Empress could not slip away from this net. How would Ophelia react in this situation? While Elena knew the Empress by word of her reputation, this was Elena’s first direct confrontation with her.

‘I’ll see soon.’

With her jewel-like red eyes shining brightly, Elena approached the hall with her nanny following her footsteps. The people milling by the entrance recognized her and bowed all at once.

“Hail to the Crown Princess. Eternal glory to the Ruford Empire!”

Everyone’s voices came together in a loud chorus. With as much composure as possible, Elena walked into the party.

Kkiiigeu—

The door opened before Elena’s footsteps. The brilliantly decorated interior gradually came into view, followed by the ambassadors from various countries, as well as Empress Ophelia seated at the head table.

The servant standing by the door heralded Elena’s arrival.

“The Crown Princess of the Ruford Empire has arrived!”

Everyone at the party turned towards the entrance. Despite the numerous eyes turned on Elena, she entered the party with an undaunted and dignified look.

The secret battle would begin.