Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: The Princess Dresses as a Maid
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The banquet, which had stretched deep into the night, finally came to an end just before midnight, granting the attendees permission to return home.
Of course, that didn't mean we could leave right away. After bidding farewell to Princess Elizabeth and Her Highness the Crown Princess, and exchanging greetings with the nobles who were friends of my parents, I was finally able to climb into the carriage.
"Phew..."
The pocket watch I sighed over while staring at it showed 1:10 a.m.
It had been a long time since I'd stayed up this late without getting scolded, leaving me with a strange mix of feelings.
"You've had a long night, young master."
As I gazed at the watch with a complicated expression, Emily, who had been sitting quietly beside me, spoke up cautiously and began tapping the back of my neck with her knuckles.
It felt refreshing, but I shook my head and gently grasped her wrist, lowering her hand softly.
"No, you've had it worse, keeping an eye on all those nobles."
"This time, no one was paying much attention to me, so it wasn't too bad. If anything, boredom was the real ordeal."
"Really?"
If she wasn't uncomfortable, that was a relief.
Spending the whole day watching your step around those sly foxes was no small stress.
If His Majesty the Emperor hadn't backed me so strongly today, I'd have been locked in a battle of wits from morning till night, probably ending up with cramps in my stomach.
And collapsing in the carriage afterward.
"Hoo..."
I let out a deep breath and leaned back against the carriage seat.
It wasn't the most comfortable, but after standing most of the day, even this hard chair felt like heaven.
Fatigue washed over me, and I could feel my body growing languid.
"Young master."
"Yeah..."
As I half-opened my eyes and stared blankly at the carriage ceiling, Emily gently took my hand and called out to me.
Wondering what she wanted to say, I tilted my head slightly and looked at her.
"I'm sorry, but could I take another day off tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? You mean... uh..."
It was past midnight, so I got confused whether her "tomorrow" meant today or the actual next day.
"After we sleep? Or the next calendar day?"
"After we sleep, so daytime today, I suppose."
"Hmm..."
Daytime today...
I blinked slowly, trying to recall what day of the week it was.
"It's a weekday today, though?"
"Yes, it is."
"Ehh... It's fine, but what's the reason?"
Emily rarely took time off on weekdays, so a slightly curt tone slipped out.
"We have that outing with you in a few days, and it's the day before the Castle Festival. Don't you think some preparation is in order?"
"Ah~"
My mood lifted instantly.
And even on a weekday, she could just take the butler or Anne along for a day.
"Then of course you should take it. Need any money? It's for an outing because of me, so I should chip in."
"No, that's not necessary."
"Still..."
"Don't pull out your pocketbook. Even if you force it on me, I won't spend it and will give it back."
"Eek..."
Before I could even reach into my pocket, Emily grabbed my wrist, and I couldn't so much as touch my money.
Other servants would snatch it up eagerly, but why did she always refuse?
Did it make her feel like charity?
"Wouldn't it be better to dress up properly? More money means more options."
"I can't even enter the expensive shops in the first place, and for preparations, I don't really need to buy much."
"Hmmm..."
Then maybe I should just go with her... but no, she might want to save the reveal for the day itself as a surprise, so I held my tongue.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with."
"Don't expect too much."
"No way, I'm expecting big time. Like, will a fairy descend? I'm all excited."
"Then don't blame me if you're disappointed."
"Saying that just makes me more excited. Should I prepare a camera or something?"
"Good grief..."
Watching me chug a bowl of wishful thinking like kimchi soup, Emily shook her head in exasperation, narrowed her eyes, pursed her lips, and muttered.
"Keep that up, and I won't dress up at all."
"That'd be fine too..."
I'd be happy with Emily no matter how she dressed—as long as she didn't show up bald.
Gloomy and hollow-eyed? Fine. Bright and radiant? Perfect.
Short bob or even a tacky perm? All good.
A beauty makes anything work; that's logic, fashion, beauty itself.
"Anyway, I'll be waiting in anticipation."
"Ugh..."
Emily grimaced slightly, let out a small groan, and whipped her head away.
"...Do whatever you want."
She replied curtly and clamped her mouth shut.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I'd asked the young master for time off, saying preparations were needed, but shamefully, there was a small lie hidden in those words.
Preparations were indeed necessary, but it wasn't me who needed them.
"Thanks for making time on your precious day off."
In the private room of an upscale coffee house.
Princess Elizabeth warmly greeted me as I entered behind Sera.
The reason I'd used a vacation day on a weekday—one I never took—was to help Her Highness the Princess prepare for the meeting the day before the Castle Festival.
The goal, naturally, was to bring Her Highness and the young master a little closer.
It stung to tighten someone else's bond with him instead of my own, but since this small sacrifice and concession brought me gains too, I soothed my heart and offered Her Highness a gentle smile.
"No, it was a vacation day I wasn't using anyway. Please don't worry about it."
"Alright... Let's sit and talk first."
"Yes."
I gave a light bow to Her Highness, who gestured to the chair opposite, then smoothed my skirt and sat down.
"Did you bring the item I asked for?"
"Of course."
Her Highness cut straight to the chase the moment my bottom touched the seat.
I smiled confidently, placed the basket on the table, and lifted the lid.
The hidden contents were revealed, and Her Highness craned her neck forward to peer inside the box.
"The item looks fine... but I still need to see if it suits me."
She examined the contents with a serious gaze, muttered softly, then stood up and looked at Sera and me in turn before speaking.
"Emily, I'm sorry to ask right after you sat, but could you help me change?"
"Yes."
It was the request I'd expected, so I nodded readily and lifted my barely settled bottom from the chair not even five minutes prior.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "All done."
"Thank you."
Her Highness's change of clothes went quickly since the dress she had on was simple, and the one she changed into was even simpler.
"Please take a look in the mirror."
"Hmm..."
Sera subtly turned the large mirror she'd prepared in the room toward Her Highness, who narrowed her eyes and scrutinized her reflection intently.
"Urgh..."
She twisted her body this way and that, checking herself meticulously. Whether the outfit felt awkward or she was embarrassed to be dressed as a servant, Her Highness's face flushed as she made a shy expression filled with mortification, letting out a groan laced with shame.
Her eyes darted restlessly, and her hands fidgeted nonstop with the apron.
"It feels a bit off... Maybe I should wear something else? How about changing now...?"
Unlike her usual haughty, dignified, noble demeanor, she showed the fresh shyness of a girl in her prime.
Seeing her like that reminded me that Her Highness was only 17—just two years older than me.
"I'm glad we didn't back out. Only like this do you feel less like a lofty, elegant royal and more like a fresh young girl."
"I've served you for years, but this is the first time you've looked so cute and perky."
"Eeeek..."
As Sera and I showered her with praise for the perfect image change, the embarrassed princess ducked her head even lower and gripped the apron roughly for no reason.
"This is so embarrassing... Just kill me..."
"Your Highness, why act like some tragic princess over this? It suits you perfectly, so carry yourself with confidence."
"Hah... Easier said than done..."
Her Highness bit her lower lip, looking weary and downcast.
"We'll mostly travel by carriage, and with winter coats covering us, don't worry too much."
"And it really suits you."
"It's not about suiting—it's pointless if it's covered anyway! This isn't just for wearing; it's to show William."
"Your Highness, you'll take off the coat indoors, so the disguise matters. There are eyes everywhere."
"And it's the young master's favorite outfit."
"Why on earth?"
"Who knows..."
Her Highness furrowed her brow and demanded an explanation, but unfortunately, even I didn't fully understand that part.
I only vaguely grasped that something beyond the outfit's beauty had touched the young master's heart.
I'd asked, but the more he explained, the more confusing it got, so I'd given up trying to understand.
"Really...! Why does he like this sort of thing...?"
Her Highness grumbled lightly, her shoulders slumping dejectedly.
For someone as noble as the princess—one of the highest in the land—to dress as a servant just to impress a man...
"......"
I felt a twinge of pity for her, but also envy that she could follow her heart so freely.