I Became the Maid of the Lout Prince-Chapter 470: What happened in the Imperial Palace (1)

Although the carriage was broken, their movement was hardly affected. With twenty knights having arrived on horseback, they now had a generous number of royal-bred steeds to utilize.

Naturally, as a warrior, our hero would have been trained in horseback riding. Natalie and Thomas, both from the frontier, also knew how to handle or ride horses. I, too, had learned horsemanship from Lydia and Dietmaier, as did Lydia herself, Rainy’s escort maid.

Of the group, only four couldn’t ride on their own, but these sturdy horses could easily carry two riders each.

“Hero, Lady Natalie, Mr. Thomas, and Lady Lydia, you’ve all had horseback training, correct?”

“Yes. It’s essential when traveling long distances without a carriage.”

“Oh, yes! I learned when I was young.”

“Same here, like Natalie.”

“I had to learn for Princess Rainy’s protection.”

“That’s good to hear. I can handle a horse as well, so if each of us takes a non-rider, we can proceed without issues. Naturally, Lydia should lead Princess Rainy, while...”

Just as we did in the cramped carriage, each of us would pair with a companion. Natalie would take Agnes, the warrior would accompany Silena, with whom he had a budding romance, and Ethan would ride with me.

The remaining horses, as regrettable as it was, would have to be left behind. I only knew how to ride, not how to herd multiple horses. And we didn’t have the time to try.

“Then let’s set off. Young Master Ethan, hold onto my waist tightly.”

“Oh, uh...”

– Thump.

“Not like that. I meant wrap your arms around my waist firmly.”

“...Won’t that be uncomfortable if I’m too close?”

“It’s more uncomfortable thinking you might fall if you hold on so loosely.”

“...Alright.”

– Tight grip!

“...That’s perfect.”

Feeling Ethan’s body pressed securely against mine, I glanced back to confirm that everyone else was settled behind their riders, and then we resumed our journey toward Princess Rainy’s villa.

Although we had faster horses now, it wasn’t wise to push them to full speed.

With Princess Rainy’s curse of misfortune, there was a real risk that her horse might suddenly collapse or stumble, twisting an ankle and throwing her off.

By slowing our pace, we could reduce the risk of such accidents and, even if one occurred, we’d at least minimize injuries.

Our party moved forward at a moderate, steady pace, neither too fast nor too slow. Having started at dawn, we managed to reach the villa before sunset.

“That building over there is the royal villa, where Princess Rainy has been staying.”

“When you say ‘where she’s been staying’...”

“Queen Veronica was wary of Princess Rainy’s influence within the main palace. When the princess turned ten, she arranged for her to stay here, citing concerns that her misfortune might affect the kingdom’s fortune.”

“...”

...Though, ironically, the one most affecting the kingdom’s fortune was Queen Veronica herself.

She had meticulously kept any influence over royal authority at bay. But all her efforts would soon be rendered meaningless in a few days.

Even if she somehow succeeded in assassinating Princess Rainy, her power would not last long. Queen Veronica’s current control over Defrin’s kingdom was only due to her role as Rainy’s regent.

Keeping Princess Rainy alive was her only way to retain authority; the moment the princess died, the queen would lose all grounds for rule, risking rebellion and her life.

If she had at least governed well, she might have garnered some support, ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) but that was hardly the case.

‘Not that it means we don’t need to protect Princess Rainy.’

Keeping her alive would undoubtedly benefit the hero’s party. Although her blessing only activated when she truly wished it, it could at least offer enough protection to avoid accidental death on the battlefield.

And honestly, I wanted to see her have a happy ending most of all.

“...I’m hungry.”

“We haven’t eaten since dawn. With the carriage broken, we had to leave our food supplies behind.”

“Still, it’s the royal villa. There must be something here, right? Even if Queen Veronica mistreated Princess Rainy, surely she wasn’t the only maid in this vast estate.”

“Indeed. There were two other maids who cared for Princess Rainy. They would have kept the villa clean and maintained.”

The sourc𝗲 of this content is frёeωebɳovel.com.

“...Can we trust those maids?”

“Yes. Like me, they’ve served Princess Rainy since childhood, so they’re trustworthy.”

Lydia’s words were filled with conviction as she spoke of her fellow maids. However, knowing what lay ahead, I could only remain silent, watching the villa.

...The situation they were about to encounter inside the villa would be anything but pleasant for Princess Rainy and Lydia.

– Ring! Ring!

“Lora, Neris, are you in there?”

“...”

– Ring! Ring!

“Lora! Neris!”

“...”

Lydia called out to the maids inside as she rang the bell at the villa’s entrance, but no one responded.

As her expression hardened, Lydia seemed to realize it was unlikely the villa’s two assigned maids had simply gone somewhere.

“They might have gone to the village for supplies. Fortunately, I have a spare key, so I’ll lead the way.”

“Really?”

“Let’s go inside quickly. It’s cold, I’m hungry, and exhausted...”

With those words, we unlocked the gate leading to the villa’s garden and walked toward the residence.

Just before Lydia opened the door, the warrior gently grabbed her wrist and suggested cautiously.

“Let me open the door. Just in case.”

“Yes?”

“Queen Veronica attempted to assassinate Princess Rainy the moment she returned to Defrin. It’s possible she may have set a trap in the villa beforehand.”

“...”

“It’s just a precaution. But considering the princess’s condition...”

“...Understood. If the ‘Prophetic Warrior’ advises it, it’s wise to be cautious.”

With that, Lydia inserted the key and stepped back.

Taking over her role, the warrior carefully opened the door, and the scene inside looked as if a storm had swept through.

A broken chandelier lay shattered on the floor, the central staircase’s railing was broken and abandoned, and dozens of muddy footprints spread throughout the villa.

It was clear that the “precaution” the warrior suggested had become a grim reality.

“...What?”

“...!!!”

Lydia and Princess Rainy were visibly shaken by the devastated state of the villa, which looked starkly different from its outwardly calm appearance.

The rest of the group, upon entering, quietly voiced their concerns as they took in the destruction.

“W-When did this...?”

“This is...”

“As the warrior suspected...”

“...A cunning woman. She never intended to keep the princess alive once she sent her to this villa.”

“But shouldn’t we first check if the maids we mentioned, Lora and Neris, are safe?”

“Oh! Lora! Neris!!”

Falling to her knees in despair, Lydia dashed up the central staircase, calling out the names of the two maids who had been left behind to guard the villa during Princess Rainy’s time at the academy.