Its impossible. The Empress didnt even trust me in the first ce. If otherwise, why would she hide her identity.


    Meanwhile, Senior Maid Wember was peering over the maids like a hawk.


    She continued, And as far as I know, out of all of Her Majestys people, there is no one who is specifically favored by her.


    The maids were looking at each other, their gazes moving unstably from ce to ce, perhaps an action that stemmed from their guilty conscience.


    Her Majesty has graced you with this job, so why cant you show a little respect to the child she has chosen?


    But, Senior Maid Wember


    You know we cant


    Dont make excuses. Although the child is young, she was chosen by the Empress herself.


    The maids tried to protest, but Wember drew a firm line.


    And it was her Majesty who promoted her to an official maid.


    Thats


    Youarent going to defy Her Majestys orders, are you? the senior maid asked as her eyes squinted with suspicion.


    The startled maidsints immediately ceased.


    wow, how could she control the maids with such ease?


    I was amazed by the absolute power of her words.


    If you are jealous of your new superior and cause trouble


    Wember smiled coldly.


    What do you think will happen to you if you receive the Empress anger?


    The sound of the maids swallowing could be heard from all the way here.


    A new realization dawned upon me.


    She is worthy of the title Senior maid. It seems that by the time you be a senior maid, youll be able to handle all sorts of problems.


    I couldntpare to her at all.


    I gazed at the senior maid who had skillfully handled the situation.


    If you understand me, you should all get going.


    The maids dispersed quickly.


    To their departing backs, Wember, the senior maid, raised her voice.


    If I hear anyints about the youngest maid in the future, I wont let you off!


    Is it over?


    What am I supposed to do now?


    I was a little flustered and confused about the situation.


    Well, I guess its right to say thank you here, right?


    I spoke up carefully, Senior Maid Wember, thank you so much for your help.


    However, the senior maid shook her head lightly and smiled, You dont need to thank me.


    I should have disciplined the maids more strictly in the first ce to prevent this from happening.


    But


    Youre shocked, arent you, Charlize?


    Ah.


    I stared at her in surprise.


    She remembered my name.


    Senior Maid Wember bent down, and her clear eyes came in contact with mine.


    The corner of her eyes crinkled into a crescent as she smiled.


    Im a little sorry that this incident happened in our first meeting, but its nice to meet you.


    Well, Im d to meet you, too!


    Do you like the rose crystal brooch?


    I could feel warmth creep up on both of my checks and nodded bashfully.


    The senior maid, who saw my response, spoke in a friendly voice.


    Im d you like it. The brooch looks very good on you.


    Thank you.


    I feel ttered by herpliment even though Im still wearing my old uniform under the brooch


    I could feel my heart pounding.


    The person whod praise me so far was only Sister RoseI mean the Empress.


    I fiddled with the brooch hanging on my chest.


    My name is Lisa Wember, the senior maid of the Empress Pce.


    Wember.


    I nced at the senior maid with curiosity.


    Seeing that she had a family name, thedy in front of me mustvee from an aristocratic family.


    I used to have a vague idea that thedies from the nobility would be snobbish and arrogant


    However, Head Maid Hayden and Senior Maid Wember were unexpectedly kindhearted.


    By the way, Charlize, youre still very young Isnt it hard for you to work as a maid?


    Its okay, I can do it.


    Alright


    The senior maid nodded, but nevertheless, failed to conceal the pity from her face.


    its kind of strange that someone cares about me like this.


    Somehow my heart was bubbling with unfamiliar feelings.


    Before I got sidetracked any further, I switched the topic hastily.


    Speaking of whichwhy are there only pretty things in the pce?


    Huh? What do you mean?


    The garden and the building are both wonderful, even Senior Maid Wember is very pretty.


    The words that came out of my mouth werent ttery. I was being truthful.


    The beauty of the Empress Pce had exceeded my imagination. I couldnt help but admire the breathtaking sight of the pce.


    Even the people who worked here, like Senior Maid Wember, were very beautiful.


    When she heard me, Senior Maid Wember couldnt help butugh out loud.


    Oh, thank you for saying that.


    She patted my head.


    But, if you think about it that way, then I must say that Charlize really fits this pce.


    Pardon?


    Because Charlize is the prettiest kid Ive ever seen.


    I let out an awkwardugh at her praise.


    Because her words had reminded me that I was going to be one of the most beautiful women in the future.


    Although in the end, my life was ruined because of that beauty.


    How ironic. I brooded in resentment.


    However, Senior Maid Wembers words cut through my chain of thought.


    You know, Charlize.


    Yes?


    Do you remember what I said earlier?


    I tilted my head and looked up towards the senior maid.


    Wembers smile grew while she spoke, I said that youre the only one who can please Her Majesty.


    Ah.


    I stiffened up at her reminder.


    As if to cheer me up, the senior maid patted my shoulders lightly.


    So, from now on, youve got to take care of the Empress, okay?


    I dont think thats possible.


    It seemed that the people of the Empress Pce hadnt found out about the truth of our rtionship yet.


    Well, I dont even know why the Empress called me after ourst meeting.


    Feeling uneasy, as if thorns was pricking my skin, I quickly turned around.


    Well, by the way, are we going to work with other maids?


    Yes, thats right. Originally, the official maids were only me and the head maid.


    Oh, really?


    Now that Charlize is here, there are three of us, Wember shrugged lightly.


    She continued exining the inner working of the pce.


    There were only three official maids, including me. The other maids only came to help with chores.


    The head maid usually calls around five people to help with the chores, but they onlye in the morning and go back in the evening.


    There are fewer people than I expected.


    Yes, its because Her Majesty doesnt want to wastebor cost.


    Come to think of it. The novel did describe a reason for the Empress behavior.


    The Empress didnt trust anyone. Thus, she didnt have many people by her side.


    Didnt the novel describe her as such?


    But to say that


    The atmosphere at this pce is more weing than in my previous workce.


    Usually, the ambience of the pce follows the personality of the owner.


    That means the warm atmosphere of the empress pce was due to the Empress own gentle nature.


    If the Empress had a dreadful personality, as the novel had described, everyone would feel ufortable.


    But no one is like that. Everyone looks sofortable working here.


    Id never felt this rxed before.


    The Empress routine, which the senior maid exined, was roughly like this:


    The Empress is a very earnest person, so she opens her eyes noter than seven in the morning.


    It was remarkably early, given that ordinary aristocrats would only wake up around lunchtime.


    After having a light meal, she would start her work.


    If she didnt have any special event at lunch, she would sit in front of her desk until evening. She wouldnt let go of the documents until right before she went to bed.


    This Doesnt she seem like a workaholic?


    I was scared out of my wits.


    Remembering the time when the Empress was hiding her identity as Sister Rose, it made me wonder; how did she even have the spare time to meet me?


    So when does the Empress rest? I questioned unknowingly.


    What if she got sick when she was so wrapped up in her work?


    Wember shook her head.


    Itsshe hardly rests, thats why were very worried.


    she works that much?


    Yes, although on Tuesdays and Saturdays, shed take some time off work, and go out for a while, but the senior maid trailed off, having a concerned look on her face.


    Tuesday and Saturday.


    I held my breath.


    Those were the days we promised to meet each other.


    The senior maid smiled as if to assure me.


    But dont worry, Her Majesty is quite the generous master.


    So it wont be too hard to work as her maid.


    Thats what the senior maid implied as if tofort me.


    But my heart still felt heavy.


    She works so hard, yet she still spared her precious time to see me.


    Meanwhile, the senior maid straightened her body.


    Trantor:Nox


    Editor:Diya


    Proofreader:Bakareem