The Three's Room (2)
Ah, if it’s that rumor, I’ve heard it too. They say she’s a maid His Majesty cherishes greatly?
So I’ve heard. I heard His Majesty was incredibly enraged by that maid’s disappearance.
They say the Emperor’s palace was turned upside down and all the maids involved were dragged away for questioning… Just what kind of maid is she that His Majesty would go to such lengths….
He even ordered the knights to search for her. That says everything.
Slice— Slice—
I stayed out of the conversation between the two men and kept cutting the fish. The maid pouring the wine coughed lightly, as if to snap me out of it. Only then did I realize I had been slicing at an empty plate.
But do you know what the really interesting part is?
Why was he so talkative today of all days? Unlike his usual self, Hellion was leading the conversation.
That maid is the one I locked up in the underground prison. The one who calmed the rampaging horse on the day His Majesty and we went hunting.
Huh? That stable maid who was holding the herbs?
Illid’s blue eyes sparkled with curiosity. Hellion nodded vigorously, excited by his cousin’s reaction.
Yes. That stable maid changed her affiliation to the Emperor’s palace.
I can’t hear it. I can’t hear it. I can’t hear anything.
If I could, I wanted to cut off every one of Hellion’s words. But doing so for no reason might mean Hellion would keep his mouth completely shut during every meal from now on.
I decided not to stir up trouble. I simply hoped this uncomfortable conversation would end quickly.
Ishtel.
My name was finally called.
Here it comes.
I lifted my head from the plate where the fish lay in pieces. Hellion’s gaze was fixed directly on me.
You know something about this, don’t you?
Huh? What?
Perhaps because of the alcohol, my voice came out louder than usual. I cleared my throat and adjusted my tone.
What would I know? I don’t know anything.
That maid—you were the one who transferred her from the stables to the Emperor’s palace, weren’t you?
Hellion pulled his chair closer to mine. He looked at me with open curiosity.
Why did you do that?
Why? Because serving tea seemed more suited to her than working in the stables.
My carefully adjusted voice grew loud again. I downed the wine in my glass in one gulp.
Taking an interest in subordinates and assigning them to work that suits them better is also a superior’s duty. I performed my duty very well. To think I placed such a good maid in the Emperor’s palace.
Only I knew those words were laced with irony and self-mockery. Frustrated at a reality that allowed me to say nothing more, I emptied the newly filled glass in one go.
Illid’s eyes kept drifting to my emptying glass. He rolled his large eyes this way and that, his face asking, Should I stop her? Meanwhile, Hellion was too absorbed in talking about that maid to notice anything else.
Anyway, lately even our northern vassals can’t stop talking about that maid. They’re usually indifferent to most rumors, but not this time.
The glass is empty.
I don’t know why you made that choice, but if I were you, I wouldn’t have changed that maid’s affiliation to the Emperor’s palace.
The glass is empty again.
I still find it strange that that maid appeared at the hunting grounds. People that willful always cause problems sooner or later, for one reason or another.
Just leave the bottle. I’ll drink it myself.
Look at what’s happening now. A maid registered in the imperial palace leaves without any report? Only someone out of their mind would do that.
The bottle is empty too.
You have the authority to punish the palace servants, Ishtel. Why aren’t you punishing that maid? Even if you don’t punish her, shouldn’t you at least find out why she left the palace?
Oh, the food today is really delicious!
Suddenly raising his voice, Illid cut off Hellion’s monologue.
There is a southern dish similar to this grilled fish. Next time, I’ll prepare the meal in southern style.
Illid smiled gently at me. Then he quickly added, looking at Hellion.
Hellion, then you can prepare it in northern style next. His Majesty will be very pleased to try new foods.
Brother, that’s not what’s important right now.
Hellion grumbled as if asking why he was suddenly talking about food.
Ishtel, answer me. Did His Majesty tell you not to punish that maid? Is that why you’re acting like this?
Hellion!
Finally, unable to watch any longer, Illid spoke with a serious expression.
It’s a meal we have only once a week. Can’t we talk about something pleasant?
If this isn’t a pleasant story, what is? It’s the first time I’ve heard such an interesting story since coming to the imperial palace.
Hellion, who had been interrupted, looked bewildered.
A maid who comes and goes from the palace as she pleases, not only avoids punishment but even receives His Majesty’s favor… Isn’t it interesting? Look around you. Everyone in the palace is preoccupied with that story.
No, what I mean is you should read the room when saying such things—
That’s why I’m talking about it when His Majesty isn’t here, right? Moreover, they say His Majesty treats that maid almost like a daughter—
Shatter—!
The two archdukes’ gradually rising voices fell silent at once.
Ah…
I realized it from the hot sensation flowing across my fingertips.
My glass has broken.
Red blood dripped drop by drop onto the white tablecloth. It seemed I had cut myself.
Ishtel!
Duchess Regentera!
The two startled men shouted at the same time.
I-I’m fine.
Without thinking, I hastily hid my hand under the table.
I was just as surprised. I had only set it down lightly, but the alcohol must have thrown off my control.
What do you mean you’re fine! You’re bleeding like this!
Hellion reached beneath the tablecloth. I hid my bleeding hand behind my back, avoiding his grasp.
It’s nothing. Don’t make a fuss.
Let me see.
I said I’m really fine.
I’ll be the judge of whether you’re fine or not!
Hellion kept trying to catch me. He reached behind my back, seized my injured hand, and pulled it toward himself.
Hellion’s hot palm touched the glass-cut wound. It stung sharply. The pain was so intense I could barely stand it.
I said I’m fine—why do you keep doing this?!
A sharper sound than the breaking glass shook the dining room. I realized it had come from my own throat only seconds later.
…….
Hellion silently placed my hand on the table. His mouth was clamped shut, but his eyes trembled, lost and directionless. It was the same frightened face he had worn as a child whenever I grew angry.
I’m sorry.
The moment I saw that face, reason returned. I lowered my head and muttered softly.
It hurt… it hurt so much… and when your hand touched it, it hurt even more….
The blood flowing from my hand continued to soak the tablecloth. As Illid and I sat there dazed, Illid finally stepped forward.
Chief Maid! Chief Maid!
Illid called for Abigail in a trembling voice. Soon Abigail, who had been waiting outside the dining room, entered and led me to the treatment room.
…….
Only deep silence remained in the dining room where the two archdukes had been left behind. Illid looked at the blood spreading across the tablecloth and squeezed his eyes shut.
After taking several deep breaths, he rose from his seat, leaving Hellion behind.
Left alone, Hellion stared down at Ishtel’s blood on his hand. The gradually drying dark red stain felt unbearably cold.
Our young lady’s lovely hands are injured—what are we to do!
Molly let out a wail at the sight of the bandage wrapped around my hand. Even after I reassured her it was not a serious wound, my nanny kept heaving heavy sighs.
By the way, what happened with Archduke Illid and Hellion? Did they finish the meal and leave?
Finish the meal? As soon as you left, my lady, they both returned to their quarters not long after.
The nanny waved her hand as if to say don’t even mention it.
They say Archduke Illid was extremely shocked. The dining room maids told me he couldn’t move for quite a while even after you left.
That man? No, why—
Ah, blood! That’s right—Illid is afraid of blood.
Come to think of it, the amount of blood that had flowed was by no means small. And since it had fallen on the white tablecloth, the red stains must have looked even more vivid.
What should I do about this.
I began to worry about him. He was the sort of person who had to steel his heart even to shoot a duck at the hunting grounds; seeing human blood must have terrified him.
Where are you going, my lady?
I’m going to see Archduke Illid.
I rose from my seat and prepared to leave. Molly immediately blocked my path.
What about His Highness Hellion?
Huh?
You must look after His Highness Hellion too!
Only then did Hellion come to mind at the nanny’s words.
That’s right. I should go to him and tell him I’m all right.
Yet my heart was not in it. Today, instead of saying I was fine, I wanted to lean into someone’s arms and be comforted.
Molly, go to Hellion in my place and tell him I’m fine. And tell him I’m sorry for raising my voice.
You raised your voice?
The nanny’s small eyes widened.
Our little imperial grandchild must have been very startled.
Anyway, nanny, do a good job and come back!
Leaving the regretful-looking nanny behind, I left my quarters.
Uh, Duchess Regentera?
Illid, who had been opening the door to his quarters, spotted me and flinched in surprise.
Have you come to see me?
Yes. It seemed we parted too abruptly during dinner earlier. Shall we have a drink together?
I shook the bottle of wine I had brought for him.
It’s not too late, is it?
Not at all. You are welcome anytime, Duchess.
Illid smiled gently. He ushered me into his room and closed the door behind us.