Chapter 34
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Refusing the Maid Position
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‘It’s fine. It’s different from the book.’
‘Philomel’ in the story couldn’t let go of her past glory and stayed in the palace, but she had no intention of doing the same.
The position the emperor had offered in the first place was that of princess, not her handmaiden.
Ellensia must have brought it up thinking she was doing Philomel a favor. The girl was so kind-hearted and worried about others.
‘More than that, adoption my foot. He didn’t explain a damn thing to Ellensia.’
Recalling Justis’s face as he’d brought up adoption made her grip the handle of the game board tighter.
In the end, Philomel claimed victory in the game by reaching the emperor’s seat first. It was an ironic outcome, considering Ellensia was the sole heir who would one day ascend to the throne.
They’d only played one round, but time had slipped into the late evening.
“Why hasn’t Daddy come yet?”
Ellensia glanced at the clock while gathering the game board and pieces.
“His work must be running late. It would be best if you and I retired for the night, Princess.”
There was usually no business that would keep the emperor tied up this late.
Especially not for Justis, who preferred handling affairs from his bedroom over his office.
‘He probably can’t come because I’m in his bedroom.’
The last time she’d seen him, he’d seemed reluctant to hear her response.
As Philomel stepped out of the bedroom, Ellensia clapped her hands cheerfully.
“Ah, let’s go to Daddy!”
“Pardon? W-Wait a moment...!”
Ellensia grabbed Philomel’s wrist and took off running, dragging her along.
“He’ll be in his office!”
“What business do you have with His Majesty?”
“I’m going to ask him to let you be my handmaiden!”
“What? I told you I’m fine!”
“No need to refuse. You’re just worried he won’t allow it, right? He’ll listen if it’s me asking!”
“That’s not it at all!”
“It’s okay. Just leave everything to me!”
Philomel wondered if they were even speaking the same language—their words weren’t getting through at all.
Ellensia’s grip was surprisingly strong, making it hard to shake her off. Perhaps from growing up running through mountains and fields, her physical strength far outmatched Philomel’s.
“Oh dear, Princesses! Please don’t run! You’ll get hurt!”
The palace servants they encountered tried to stop them, but Ellensia merely hesitated for a moment before continuing on.
“Daddy! I’m here!”
The door to the emperor’s office burst open. The emperor sat at his desk, signing documents.
“Ellensia, how many times have I told you to knock...”
His gaze landed on Philomel standing behind Ellensia.
“What brings you two here together?”
“Well...”
“Daddy, please! Allow Philomel to be my handmaiden!”
“...Handmaiden?”
“Yes. Philomel is so pitiful. She has to leave the palace, which is like her home. If she’s my handmaiden, she won’t have to leave, and the work won’t be too hard. So please allow it. I’ll take good care of her, so there won’t be any problems.”
The emperor’s eyes shifted from his daughter to Philomel.
It was as if he were saying, I have no idea what this is about, so you explain it.
Philomel had no choice but to neatly summarize and repeat what Ellensia had said.
“Ha...”
Justis let out a deep sigh and pressed the end of his pen to his temple.
The emperor rose from his seat and approached Ellensia.
“So, has Philomel accepted your proposal?”
“Huh? Well, not exactly, but if you allow it, Daddy, then Philomel...”
“No. I have no intention of accepting.”
Philomel shook her head firmly.
“What good does begging me do if the person involved hasn’t agreed? Do you want to force her into being your handmaiden against her will?”
“...”
“Ellensia, no matter how you were raised until now, you are a princess. Bringing me such nonsense...”
“Sob.”
His reprimand cut off at the sound of her sniffling.
“I-I’m sorry.”
Tears rolled down Ellensia’s cheeks.
“Sob, I’m sorry... I know I have so many shortcomings... I’ve disappointed you, Daddy.”
The emperor looked troubled before his weeping daughter. No one could stand firm against her.
“Don’t cry. A royal shouldn’t shed tears so easily. And the one you should apologize to isn’t me.”
“Daddy...”
“Go on.”
Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, Philomel interjected.
“I’m fine. The princess was just overly concerned for me and misspoke.”
She suddenly found herself embroiled in their family matters and wanted nothing more than to smooth things over and leave.
Besides, who knew what fate awaited anyone who accepted an apology from Ellensia, beloved by the entire world?
“...If you say so.”
Justis grudgingly agreed and awkwardly patted Ellensia’s shoulder.
“There’s no need for you to worry about Philomel’s future. She’s more than capable of finding her own place. If I adopt her, she’ll stay in the palace.”
“...Adopt her? You mean you’ll make Philomel your adopted daughter?”
Ellensia’s head snapped up.
“That’s right.”
Noticing Philomel’s sharp glare, Justis added,
“Only if she accepts, of course.”
Philomel decided it was time to firmly reject the adoption talk once and for all, but Ellensia turned to her.
“Does that mean we’d be sisters?”
Ellensia smiled, her face still damp with tears.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t even know that was an option... Let’s get along from now on.”
The lamplight cast deep shadows across her face.
The emperor was the one who sorted out the situation.
“In any case, it’s late. Both of you, go back to your rooms.”
“Yes. Good night, Daddy.”
Ellensia replied brightly, as if ready to leave at once, but she stared fixedly at the emperor’s face.
“...?”
She gestured for the puzzled Justis to lower his head.
As he did, her small lips pressed a quick peck to his cheek.
“Hehe. Goodnight kiss!”
Leaving the emperor frozen like a statue and Philomel behind, Ellensia scampered away.
“...I’ll never get used to that child’s sense of distance.”
Philomel wholeheartedly agreed.
She’d read in the book that their father-daughter bond was incredibly warm, but seeing it firsthand left a different impression.
Philomel herself could never do such a thing, even with a knife to her throat.
The emperor spoke.
“Let me apologize on Ellensia’s behalf. I’ll make sure to teach her properly from now on.”
“Yes, well. It’s fine.”
This reaction was somewhat unexpected.
How should she put it? In the book, he was portrayed as a doting father utterly besotted with his daughter...
But from what she’d just witnessed, he didn’t seem that way at all.
Was there something she didn’t know?
Philomel stole a glance at his profile before looking away.
‘What does it matter to me?’
Whatever was between them had nothing to do with her. It was their business.
“Your Majesty, about the adoption you mentioned earlier...”
Thud! Justis practically slammed the pen he was holding onto the desk.
“I’ve spoken to Lady Deless. She’s prepared your old room for you to stay in. It should be more comfortable than my bedroom. I should retire as well. Rest well.”
He rattled it off like a machine gun and hastily left the room.
Philomel stared blankly at his retreating figure before her eyes fell on the documents on the desk.
They weren’t even fully signed. And they weren’t urgent enough to require the emperor’s attention so late.
With no other options, she headed to the room she’d once used.
‘I thought when I left, I’d never return.’
Tempted to flee right then, she scanned her surroundings. Palace servants dotted the halls here and there.
Well-trained as they were, they bowed politely to the fake princess who had suddenly vanished and reappeared, without a hint of suspicion.
But they always kept her in the corner of their vision. If she tried to run, they’d pounce immediately.
Escaping a second time wouldn’t be easy. Her shoulders grew heavy at the thought.