Main Residence

"I am the Crown Prince of this Empire. I used all the information I needed to find the culprit. So how could you, a mere maid of a fallen noble obtained such important information from this informant that you mentioned?"

He smiled slyly, as if his grey eyes, rather than his lips, were smirking.

(He's testing me.)

As I pointed at myself, a pleasant smile appeared on my lips.

"Because I'm an interesting fellow."

I responded, my smile unflappable. He was taken aback by my response and raised an inquisitive brow.

"With all due respect, Your Highness, I wanted to explain that, even if you think you have everything dancing on the palm of your hand, I am someone who is far from it."

I tilted my head to the side, lifting my head a little.

"Futhermore, I didn't ask anything too risky in the first place. If I were to cause a scene while facing the Emperor, the imperial knights would be there to behead me immediately."

Isaac remained silent, his eyes scrutinizing me before making a quick decision. It was difficult to discern what he was thinking, but as someone who had read the novel, I could tell that he was gradually believing my claim.

"Well, what will you do if the information you gave us is false?"

"Of course I'm ready to die. Your Highness, you are free to watch, observe, and analyze me as much as you desire. I won't run away."

"... Hahaha."

He chuckled, which I was confused by his sudden action.

"There's no need for us to refuse, given you're assisting us. However, it is up to the Emperor himself to decide whether or not he wishes to meet you."

(That won't be a problem.)

"Please inform His Majesty that I'm going to talk about Julia Valerie, a woman that he knew in the past."

(Isaac don't know anything about Julia, so this is enough to piqued his interest personally. Though he might misunderstood because it involves a woman, but I'll leave it to the Emperor to settle this misunderstanding before it becomes a problem in the future.)

"Hm..."

"I've previously mentioned my name and the family for which I work. It won't be difficult to find me if the Emperor shows interest on the name of Julia Valerie."

My smile had disappeared, and I was looking at him with a serious expression.

"Since this is an important matter for the Emperor, your highness should send this message to him right away. If he request my presence, you can find me at the Libertas Mansion."

Then my lips curved into a friendly smile.  Afterwards, I told him the real culprit behind the illegal casino. He was taken aback when he learned that the noble was one of the aristocrats who supports him as the Crown Prince.

But Isaac didn't doubt me at the slightest. He patiently listened to everything I said and took everything into consideration.

When it's time for us to part ways, he looked at me with a skeptical gaze since I refused to tell him my 'Informant'.

Telling him about my informant is basically the same as telling him the entire truth. Regarding the original novel and the fact that I'm not originally from this world.

However, compared to when we first met, his expression softens.

(I'm certain that Isaac will send someone to follow me. But none of that bothers me because I need to earn his trust.)

***

After presenting all of the festival goodies to Nokto, who looked at them with wide eyes, I smiled smugly.

"Did you really buy all of this?"

"Yes, young master~"

Nokto suddenly fell silent, his gaze fixed on the festive foods I bought. I didn't have time to buy souvenirs, but I'm sure the food will suffice.

His complexion is much better than it was on our first meeting, and I'm glad that he's in better shape.

"... Let's eat together."

Both of us shared the food I bought from the festival. Even though it's cheap, but it was extremely delicious and somehow the happiness it brought was worth more than one gold coin.

Following that, Alma stopped harassing me after a few days because of what happened previously. But it doesn't mean that the others will stop.

"Bell, deliver this report to the head butler of the main residence."

"... Pardon?"

(I'm not even I charge of this things!)

"I have something to do, so here!"

Another maid, Mea, who was older than me, shoved the reports of what had happened in this pavilion into my hands and then turned around and walked away without even hearing my opinion.

(What the hell?!  Isn't it her responsibility to take care of this?!  Does she has to make everything difficult for me?!)

I sighed exasperatedly, realizing that I had no choice but to accept the urgent work she threw at me to the point she ran away without any words.

(It's still the week of the festival. I'm sure she wants to go, even if it means she has to abandon her responsibilities.)

***

"Why are you the one handing the reports instead of Mea?"

When I handed him the report after arriving at the main mansion, the head butler questioned me with a stern gaze.

"Ah, Mea is—"

"Don't tell me that you came here in hopes to be transferred here?"

He raised his brow, looking at me with a scrutinize gaze and I looked at him, dumbfounded.

"... Pardon?"

He sighed deeply.

"This is why I don't like the employees from the pavilion."

(Ah...)

My eyes narrowed as I realized he was definitely displeased by my presence when I looked into his eyes.

The head butler must've thought that I persuaded Mea for me to come here instead of her since this is the main residence.

Besides, working in the pavilion is the same as working for Nokto and they didn't like that. Many employees desired to be assigned to this main family.

The main residence is where the Duke, Duchess, and their legitimate son resides.

While Nokto, the illegitimate child, lives in the pavilion, which is a separate building.

(... It really pissed me off no matter how much I think about it.)

"I understand, I won't repeat this same mistake."

I curled my hands into fists, like I always did when I was frustrated.

"This is exactly why I detest every pavilion staff. How obnoxious and impolite."

(This guy...)

I managed to keep a smile on my face despite the emergence of veins on my forehead.

"Please accept my heartfelt apologies."

With a bitter sensation, I turned back to return to the pavilion after apologizing  whatsoever.

As I strolled through the hallway, unfortunately, I unexpectedly ran into the Duke, who was walking in the opposite direction.

He shares Nokto's silver hair and brilliant violet eyes. It was as though I was seeing an older version of Nokto.

(What a waste of looks for someone like him.)

I dropped my head and came to a complete halt in my steps to allow him to pass quietly. But I didn't expect him to notice someone like me.

"You."

(What the hell?)

"Lift your head."

My sapphire eyes met his skeptical violet ones as I lifted my head as commanded.

"I've never seen you around."

His voice was deep and cold, and it was full of suspicion directed at me, someone he had never met before.

Since he has such a powerful presence, that voice was enough to send shivers down my spine.

I curtsied politely, lowering my head.

"... Greetings your grace. My name is Bell Gratia. As the second young master's personal maid, I work in the pavilion. Due to unusual circumstances, I was sent to this place to deliver the report to the head butler."

I straighten my back after the perfect introduction, yet keeping my head low so that I don't have to face that bothersome gaze of his.

After all, I'm just a maid.

"Ah... so you're that child personal maid who was hired recently. I've heard about it."

(Of course, since you're the Duke.)

"Bell Gratia, daughter of Baron Gratia. I couldn't stop thinking about how your father was deceived in a gamble."

(Ugh, why would he bring up my family like this?)

Bell Gratia.

The character I've transmigrated to. A character that never appeared in the original novel. Not a side character, but unnamed character that never appeared in the story.

Appearantly, she's the daughter of Baron Gratia. A nobleman who went bankrupt due to his gambling addiction.

According to Bell's memories, he was a foolish father who wasn't even deserving of the title of parent, just like the Duke in front of me.

That's because Bell was an orphan adopted into the Baron's family as a marriage tool.

Bell, on the other hand, ran away and found a decent career before I transmigrated into her. The baron went bankrupt and became a fallen nobleman not long after.

Since then, Bell never returned to the Baron but she still uses her last name to find jobs because it was easier that way.

"I'm ashamed that your grace is aware of my father's situation."

(Can he just let me go? I really want to see Nokto right now, it's really annoying honestly.)

"Hmm, of course you're ashamed. Then you're free to leave and look after that child. I've got a few things to take care of."

(Not just you, old man!)