Chapter 7
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: No Place for the Fake
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After finishing her meal, Philomel returned to her room.
"Princess! You're back? So, what did His Majesty say...?"
The nanny, who had rushed to interrogate her about the audience with the emperor, spotted the man following behind.
"No. What brings you here, Count?"
It was Count Polan.
"His Majesty has commanded your retirement. You've served diligently, attending first Her late Majesty the Empress and now Her Highness the Princess."
"Pardon? What do you mean...?"
The nanny blinked, unable to comprehend Count Polan's words.
"Your retirement pay will be generous, so you needn't feel shortchanged. If you wish, we can even arrange a house for you in the capital."
Philomel looked up at the nanny and smiled brightly.
"Nanny, thank you for everything. Now rest without pushing yourself."
"Retirement?! What in the world is this? I have no intention of retiring. I vowed to stay by your side until the end!"
The word "retirement" horrified the nanny. Though she feigned otherwise, she greatly cherished the authority she wielded as the princess's protector.
"Your loyalty is admirable. However, Her Highness personally informed His Majesty of your long-standing back pain."
She had even expressed worry that the nanny might collapse at any moment.
Philomel hid behind the count, flashing a sly grin.
The startled nanny began making excuses.
"Th-that's not so serious. Her Highness must have taken it too gravely out of youthful concern..."
"We've already confirmed it with the other servants. There's no need to hide it any longer."
The nanny had boasted everywhere that she had devoted her entire being to the imperial family, but words could be twisted depending on how they were conveyed.
Philomel had earnestly pretended to worry about the nanny and begged Emperor Justis, who without objection ordered her retirement.
From his perspective, it would be troublesome if the nanny, whom his late wife had treated like a mother, were to collapse.
"So from today onward, cease your duties and focus on recuperation. We plan to carefully select a capable maid to assign to Her Highness."
"I'm truly fine! Please just reconsider once..."
Philomel breezed past the nanny, who clung to Count Polan, and entered her room. Hoping Emperor Justis would rescind an order once given was less likely than dying and being reborn.
The maids huddled in the corner looked uneasy.
"...What happens to us if Nanny leaves?"
"Nothing but to get along with the new maid."
"All the effort we put into cozying up to Nanny... such a waste."
Thanks to the nanny, who only cared if they obeyed her verbally and ignored the rest, they had slacked off and lived comfortably.
The first step in Philomel's escape plan was to purge them all.
Having those who gnawed at her sanity lingering around would only hinder her preparations.
A good start.
With light steps, Philomel headed to the bath to wash up.
A few days later, in Philomel's quarters.
Today was the day Philomel first met Lady Deless. She was the one who had taken over as Philomel's chief maid after the nanny's retirement.
Gazing at the gray-haired woman before her, Philomel thought.
'Even in a rush, Count Polan found a decent one.'
Lady Deless's only flaw was her lack of assertiveness, but she was dignified and tight-lipped—perfect for a chief maid.
How did Philomel know this on their first meeting?
Lady Deless was the chief maid who served Ellensia in the book. There, she was portrayed as refined and honest, someone Ellensia relied on heavily.
The soft-featured Lady Deless bowed politely.
"It is the greatest honor for my house to serve Your Highness. Please command me without hesitation whenever you have need."
Lady Deless tensed, fearing the notoriously picky princess might find fault from the very first impression. Though the princess had rarely appeared in public due to her young age, her formidable temperament was well-known.
"Pleased to meet you. I look forward to working with you."
However, contrary to rumors of arrogance, the princess greeted the countess with a courteous smile.
Throughout their conversation, there were no breaches of etiquette. If anything, she gave the impression of being more mature than the average noble child.
'Unnecessary worry.'
After about half a day with the princess, Lady Deless fully relaxed.
From observing her daily routine, the princess approached everything diligently and never mistreated her inferiors.
Her youth showed in some immature aspects, but with proper education, her future as a model for the imperial family was clear.
The ill repute surrounding the princess seemed just one of many society gossips.
'What nerve they have, spreading such tales while she has a princess.'
Lady Deless thought to herself.
At that moment, the princess clutched her flushed little cheeks and said.
"Want to see my wardrobe? I have lots of pretty dresses."
The two were enjoying tea during a brief lull.
When Lady Deless had mentioned the latest dress fashions—thinking it a topic a young girl might like—the princess grabbed her hand and led her to the wardrobe.
She had just been wondering if the girl was too mature for her age.
She has a childish side after all, Lady Deless thought warmly, smiling.
But the moment she looked inside the wardrobe, her expression subtly hardened.
Philomel chattered on, pointing to each dress one by one.
"This is my favorite, and that one I got last spring..."
"...I see. They're all lovely."
There was nothing wrong with the dresses themselves.
The problem lay in how the wardrobe was organized.
At a glance, the clothes seemed neatly hung, but upon closer inspection, they were jumbled haphazardly, regardless of purpose or season. Some even had creases in the lace, left as is.
In this state, the garments would ruin quickly and couldn't last. It seemed they had gotten by because new dresses kept arriving for the princess.
'To make such a mistake even ordinary noble maids wouldn't!'
Lady Deless shot a cold glance at Philomel's maids. She had already noted their sloppiness while serving tea.
'Is this the only issue?'
Typically, one visible mistake concealed ten hidden ones.
She resolved to thoroughly investigate how they had handled their duties thus far.
Soon, all of the princess's maids were replaced. At Lady Deless's request, officials had conducted an investigation.
Not only negligence in duties, but evidence emerged of them embezzling funds allocated to the princess for personal use. It was hardly surprising, but the nanny had siphoned off the largest amount.
All involved were severely punished. Philomel later heard that the nanny hadn't even realized it was a crime.
"Has this old woman grown so senile she can't tell her own money from others'? Such injustice! Oh, woe is me! If Lady Isabella were alive, how she would pity her mother-like servant..."
A maid who witnessed the nanny storming the palace in tears to protest reported every detail to Philomel.
It wasn't a few coins, nor a momentary lapse—the amounts and frequency were staggering, making her excuse implausible.
Philomel had suspected the nanny was spendthrift, but not to this extent.
The nanny was beaten and expelled afterward, but for a criminal to put on such a disgraceful display and still keep her head—what more could she want?
Unlike the jailed maids, mere confiscation of assets was the emperor's utmost mercy. Yet she couldn't be content and even protested.
"You should have seen it, Your Highness. She wailed like a baby after just one hit."
The maid giggled, reenacting the nanny's unseemly behavior.
"...That's too much in front of Her Highness."
Lady Deless frowned and glanced at Philomel.
She seemed worried the princess might be saddened by the fate of her long-time caregiver.
"I'm fine. She's reaping what she sowed, isn't she?"
Philomel reassured the lady with a gentle smile. In any case, she was no longer connected to her.
Philomel yawned widely and patted her shoulders.
Lady Deless chuckled softly.
"I'll have them prepare your bed."
"Thank you."
"It's my duty."
As she lay in bed, sleepiness washed over her.
For the past few days, Philomel hadn't slept peacefully, mulling over how to oust the nanny and maids.
Even while studying, her mind was filled with those thoughts. Appealing to the emperor and showing the new chief maid her wardrobe had been the result of intense scheming.
To others, it might seem trivial, but for Philomel's nine-year-old body, it was utterly exhausting.
Fortunately, things had gone as planned.
'I hope it stays this way.'
With that prayer, Philomel drifted off to sleep.