A Loyal Retainer’s Gift
A change of view: Going back to the Ballroom.
The once tumultuous crowd had finally found some semblance of calm, although a faint undercurrent of unease lingered in the air. It was into this atmosphere that Anne returned, slightly out of breath.
“Ah, you’re back,” Ludwig greeted her, his brow furrowing with curiosity. “Did you encounter any issues? You were gone for quite some time.”
Ludwig observed Anne, puzzled by her visible exertion. The guards she had been sent to fetch had already stationed themselves outside the hall’s entrance, ready to act in case of any trouble. But the situation seemed to be under control. Sunkland’s soldiers were efficiently maintaining order, and the people inside the hall had regained their composure.
The ballroom security is in the capable hands of Count Lampron, isn’t it? His men are well-trained.
However, his concern lay with Anne. According to the guards, after instructing them to gather outside the hall, she had hurriedly left the castle. Her unexpected behavior had left him apprehensive.
“Um… Do you happen to know where Mia-sama went?” Anne inquired. “I thought she might be thirsty after all that dancing…” She held out a bottle. “So, I went to fetch some juice from the innkeeper who’s familiar with Lady Rafina.” Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead, which she wiped away with a smile, adding, “The drinks in the hall should be safe, but…”
Ludwig nodded, understanding her concern. After all, a poisoned drink had been intended for the king, and it was reasonable to assume that other drinks might also be compromised. If there was even a slight chance that Mia might have consumed something harmful, Anne’s decision to run this minor marathon was entirely justified.
“Miss Anne, your dedication is truly admirable.”
While he admired her unwavering loyalty, it also sparked a hint of envy within him. She had identified a potential threat to Mia that had eluded his notice.
It’s safe to assume that Her Highness may be thirsty after dancing. However, it’s best to avoid the drinks in the hall. She recognized Her Highness’s needs, assessed the situation, and acted promptly to find an optimal solution. She is indeed a remarkable attendant.
Ludwig had no knowledge of Mia indulging in potentially poisoned cookies as she left the ballroom, but even if he had seen it, he would likely have come up with a convoluted explanation for it, attributing it to Mia’s character.
Anne blushed at his praise and shook her head. “I still have a long way to go to be a worthy lady’s maid to Mia-sama. I hope this helps a bit. It’s the least I can do for her…”
“It’s more than enough,” Ludwig assured her. “As long as we do our best to assist Her Highness, we will undoubtedly be valuable to her. She doesn’t let effort go to waste. I’m certain that every bit of help we provide will be incorporated into her plans.” He concluded with a characteristic gesture of pushing his glasses up. “Let’s continue to support her, as we always have.”
Anne beamed at him. “Yes, let’s. Thank you for your kind words.”
The two loyal subjects exchanged nods, their camaraderie deepening as devoted followers of their beloved princess.
“Now, I apologize for the abrupt change of subject,” Ludwig began, “but can you take care of Her Highness on your own? Prince Abel and I find ourselves somewhat… occupied.”
“Are you suggesting that you need to stay here to ensure the culprit doesn’t escape?” Anne inquired.
“That’s part of it, yes,” Ludwig replied cautiously, glancing around the room. “While it may appear calm in the hall right now, it’s actually quite precarious here.”
“What do you mean?”
“As you might have gathered from my request to bring our guards, there’s no guarantee that the hall won’t descend into chaos again. King Abram is a spiritual pillar for the people of Sunkland. Presently, the nobles and guards are relatively calm, but if emotions run high once more… someone needs to be capable of maintaining order.” Ludwig gestured toward Abel. “I’d prefer Prince Abel to be in a safer location, but…”
“I appreciate your concern, Ludwig, but I can assure you, I’m perfectly fine,” Abel chimed in with a good-natured smile. “I’ve probably endured more punches than you, and you are one of Mia’s most important subjects. I can’t leave you here alone. Additionally, if I can help maintain order there, it would be a great service to her. I’m sure she wouldn’t want to see unnecessary violence either. Not to brag, but between a Tearmoon commoner and a Remno prince, I believe the latter has a bit more influence over people.”
Ludwig chuckled. “Well then, that settles it,” he said, turning to Anne. “Can you look after Her Highness?”
“Of course,” Anne affirmed.
As she left to search for Mia, she was fortunate enough to encounter Keithwood, who led her to the king’s chamber. She patiently waited outside for their conversation to conclude, but upon hearing Mia cough, she quickly entered the room.
“Excuse me, Mia-sama.”
