Chapter 46

Eitana, the head maid, frowned slightly as she looked at the schedule book where the day's plans were written. Today, a friend of Princess Edna was visiting the palace. It seemed to be the daughter of the queen's favorite farm.

Eitana had gently expressed her concern that the princess's close relationship with a commoner might have a negative influence, but the queen had smiled and said, "There's absolutely no problem. She's a wise girl." However, Eitana decided to take charge of today's reception herself, rather than leaving it to Mimir, who was in charge of Princess Edna for the day.

(A wise girl, but still a peasant. She might do something disrespectful to Princess Edna.)

Eitana had braced herself, but when Alesia, who was fourteen, descended at the side entrance with vegetables and fruits, Eitana changed her mind. Alesia had a refined expression and demeanor. When Eitana greeted her, Alesia bowed gracefully and greeted her with a lowered gaze, her movements beautiful.

"Thank you for inviting me today. My name is Alesia. I will do my best not to be disrespectful to the princess."

Hearing Alesia's greeting, Eitana felt as if a small stone had been thrown into the pond of her heart, creating ripples. Hadn't she heard this exact voice somewhere in the distant past?

(That's impossible. This girl is clearly a teenager. There's no way I could have spoken to her in the distant past.)

Reconsidering, Eitana put on a professional smile and led Alesia to Princess Edna's room. As she guided her, she subtly observed Alesia, but she had no memory of her appearance. When they entered the room, Princess Edna, who ran over and hugged Alesia, looked very happy. Eitana rarely saw such a smile.

Princess Edna, who usually received attention in conversations with girls of her own age, was excitedly talking to Alesia about various things. Alesia, with her slightly lower and calm voice, responded in a way that made them seem more like sisters than peers. Eitana felt as if she had heard this voice before, but decided it was a mistake and ignored it.

"Here is your tea."

The highest quality tea, with its rich aroma, was a luxury that could only be enjoyed in the palace or by high-ranking nobles. Eitana expected Alesia to be surprised by its deliciousness, but Alesia was simply enjoying the tea gracefully. Noticing Eitana's gaze, Alesia looked up and said with a lowered gaze, "It's very delicious," and smiled.

"But the tea I had at Alesia's house was even better."

"Oh, that's just ordinary tea that commoners drink. It's not the same as this high-quality tea."

"No, the tea at Alesia's house was really delicious. It was smooth, had a beautiful color, and a wonderful aroma. I even thought about asking for some of the tea leaves."

Alesia smiled wryly.

That's impossible. The tea must have seemed special because it was unusual for her to drink it at a peasant's house.

Eitana stood by the wall, looking away and listening to their conversation with her ears. Suddenly, she felt a gaze and looked in that direction, but the two girls were chatting happily. It must have been her imagination.

The princess asked Alesia about her favorite gemstones, and Alesia replied, "I don't have any gemstones, so I don't have a preference."

"Not even one? Then let me give you one of mine! You're coming here during your work hours, after all."

That's not good. That's not right. A princess giving her own accessories to a commoner. Eitana tried to stop it, but Alesia firmly declined.

"Princess, I will accept your kind intentions. If I accept a gemstone, I won't be able to visit here anymore. People might think I'm coming here for the gemstones."

"Let them think what they want."

The princess's tone was unusually stern.

"No, if people think I'm close to such people, it would be unpleasant for the princess. Besides, I have no place to wear a gemstone. I only go to the market or the library."

Hmm.

As the queen said, she is a wise girl. Eitana thought Alesia would be blinded by the gemstones and accept them happily.

Eitana approached the two with the teapot, intending to serve the second cup of tea. For the first time, she saw Alesia's face directly. Looking into Alesia's eyes, which were gazing up at her, Eitana almost dropped the teapot. However, her decades of experience unconsciously kept the teapot steady.

"Thank you, Eitana. The tea is very delicious."

This voice. And those eyes, which she could never forget. The blue eyes, like the summer sky, with scattered golden stars.

Now she understood why she felt she had heard this voice before. It was exactly the same as Lady Aula's. The low, calm, and soft voice.

The same voice. The same eyes...

Although their faces, builds, and hair colors were completely different, this person was Lady Aula. Her intuition told her so.

Eitana tightened her trembling fingers to hide her inner turmoil and retreated to the wall, desperately trying to hide the fact that her legs were shaking.

(Ah, God. Do you know everything? Are you testing me?)

The only and enormous blemish on her life, which she had lived with pride in her honesty. A memory that tightened her heart even after decades, the source of the nightmares that still made her wake up in a cold sweat at night. To think that a girl with a voice and eyes identical to Lady Aula's would appear before her after so many years.

While trying to suppress the fear that threatened to make her collapse, the conversation between the two girls continued.

"Then, how about something else?"

"Well, if you allow it, I would like to read books in the palace library."

"Oh? Then I won't be able to chat with Alesia."

"Oh, that's right."

The topic had already changed.