Two days later, Sophia left for the capital. A very strict-looking maid came to meet her there. She was a maid Sophia had seen before.
“It’s been a while, Miss Hilden.”
Though, Sophia wasn’t sure if it could really be called “a while.” Madam Ana Meruny, Marchioness of Meruny, had been a longtime maid of the Empress. The only time Sophia had seen her was briefly during the winter social season. When there were balls at the imperial palace, Madam Meruny would gather the young ladies, busily fanning herself, guiding them to greet the Empress and lining them up to prepare for the event.
Even now, Sophia could imagine her holding a guest list, calling out, “Miss Sophia Hilden.”
But today, Madam Meruny didn’t wear the ribbon embroidered with the Empress’s initials, which symbolized her status as the Empress’s maid. She gave a small nod and looked at Sophia’s luggage loaded in the carriage.
“Is this all of it?”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Good. It’s better not to bring too much. You’ve done well. Remember that you’re not going on a trip—you’re taking on the responsibility of serving the Princess. Shall we go?”
The madam opened the carriage door herself. After hugging her family goodbye, Sophia climbed into the carriage. The madam helped her up and reminded her that she was now a maid and should get used to not being waited on, and to waiting on others instead.
“For the first week, observe how the other maids serve the Princess. During that time, Her Highness won’t ask you to do anything. But don’t act lazy. Do your best to adjust to life at the palace. Being careful is good, but if you’re too timid, you’ll just look foolish, so control yourself. Once we arrive, we’ll greet the Empress and the Princess, and then you should get some rest.”
That was the beginning. For the entire ride, the madam didn’t stop talking about the attitude and rules a maid should follow in the palace. Sophia couldn’t help but wonder how someone who talked so much could be so silent like a clam beside the Empress.
‘Is she saying all this now because she couldn’t speak before?’
Sophia had that cheeky thought for a moment.
But the longer the lecture went on, the more Sophia realized that wasn’t the reason. The madam was worried. Though her expression remained blank, small cracks would show now and then—frustrated looks toward Sophia and concern over the Empress’s choice.
Sophia could almost imagine Madam Meruny saying to the Empress:
“She has no experience as a maid. Since it’s urgent, I suggest choosing someone more experienced and capable. If she joins, the palace is sure to become noisy. The one who should shine is not her, but the Princess.”
All her worries showed in her words. As if she knew everything that had happened recently, the madam firmly warned Sophia not to get involved in any incidents.
“A maid is the face of the royal family. Don’t forget the Empress’s generosity in choosing you.”
Sophia nodded. But she also knew she couldn’t be someone like Madam Meruny, who found great satisfaction in serving the royal family. Because the whole time the madam was talking, Sophia had only one thought in her head:
‘So… when is my day off?’
The madam only talked about work and never mentioned time off. After all, the only reason Sophia had taken this maid position, despite her parents’ opposition, was because it allowed her to go to the capital where Solid was. Even while packing, she had been thinking about what she would say when she met Solid.
“I’m sorry, Madam, but… are there any free days?”
Sophia knew better than anyone that the madam would hate that question, but she had no choice but to ask. As expected, the madam’s face twisted in displeasure.
“As I said before, Miss Hilden, being a maid is not a job for play. I’ve told you several times already—asking such a careless question now?”
“I know it’s rude, but it’s important to me. I’ll serve the Princess with my best effort every day otherwise.”
Seeing her sincere attitude, the madam reluctantly sighed and answered.
“You can rest twice a month. Arrange the dates with the Princess.”
“Yes. Thank you, Madam.”
Sophia nodded politely and returned to acting like the ideal noble lady. The madam couldn’t shake the feeling that she had just taken on a huge headache.
Madam Meruny had, through gossip and experience, come to think of Sophia as quite a troublemaker. She’d heard Sophia had confessed to the Duke directly, drank poison, and that even her friend who visited her had ended up having a miscarriage.
Of course, she didn’t believe the malicious rumors that Sophia had deliberately caused Lady Sandel’s miscarriage. But she could tell that this young lady had at least been involved in some way.
Even before her five-month coma, Sophia had always stood out at social gatherings in the palace. Whenever they crossed paths, Sophia was always surrounded by people, laughing, or charming the crowd with sparkling eyes and witty words. She had a unique glow, more vivid than most girls her age.
Because of this, Madam Meruny thought Sophia would surely make some mistake in front of the Empress—maybe trip, or crack a weird joke at the wrong moment. Sophia just seemed like someone who caused noise.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
But her greeting was clear and proper, with no fault to find. She even conversed naturally with the Empress and responded with wit, drawing a rare smile from her.
The Empress smiled brightly and beckoned her to come closer. As someone from the Kingdom of Duhamel who had married into the empire, the Empress had a unique temperament—gentle but easily bored, and quick to be fond of those who could make her laugh.
“Sophia, I was so happy you accepted my request. I truly wanted to see you.”
She held Sophia’s hand as she spoke.
“Honestly, I thought you or your family might decline with some excuse. I’d heard troubling rumors. I admire your courage for coming here. But if you had looked downcast during our first meeting today, I would’ve been disappointed.”
Sophia only smiled in response. Madam Meruny raised her eyebrows in surprise—such honesty from the Empress was rare.
The Empress brushed her cheek against Sophia’s briefly and said,
“Always remember this: don’t be afraid. And even if you’re not happy, act like you are.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Sophia replied politely, but in her heart, she thought: If someone pretends to be happy all the time, wouldn’t they seem crazy? Still, she understood the Empress’s meaning.
In high society, it’s better to seem mad than to look like frightened prey.
“This is the place.”
Madam Meruny said formally as she brought Sophia to an isolated palace building. She said she was sorry to part here, but Sophia couldn’t focus on the farewell.
No matter how she looked at it, the building didn’t seem like the residence of a beloved imperial princess. Sophia unconsciously gave the madam a suspicious look.
Without offense, the madam explained,
“Her Highness is… a little unusual. Since childhood, being around many brothers, she believed acting strangely would catch the Emperor’s eye. So sometimes… she makes odd requests. The Emperor finds them amusing and always agrees.”
“Odd requests?”
“Yes. She said she’s staking everything on her social debut. So she wanted to move to a quiet, modest palace for a year to prepare. She also said she wanted to imagine what life would be like if she married a truly pathetic man.”
“Oh…”
Sophia couldn’t help but exclaim. The Princess hadn’t debuted in society yet, so only nobles close to the royal family really knew her. And they all described her as beautiful, graceful, and the Emperor’s beloved daughter.
“Well then, I hope your palace life brings you good fortune.”
Madam Meruny said. Sophia curtsied slightly, then looked up at the old, worn-out palace building with tired eyes.
Without some luck, it didn’t look like a place anyone could easily survive.
