"It was better than expected."

"That's what I saw and heard when I was growing up" She grew up watching actors practice acting and stage for over a decade. The changes in speech and behavior that fit the role were basic.

"Still, you should not relax. Even if you talk and act differently, you can have someone who recognizes your voice. Don't forget to speak as quietly as possible."

Julietta nodded at Maribel's attention.

"There's Mrs. Johanna outside, the head maid of Harrods' mansion. There was not enough time to get in touch with other attendants. And I've come to think that I might rather be suspicious."

At Maribel's words, Julietta nodded. "I'd like to send Vera and Phoebe to Maribel's mansion."

At Julietta's request, Maribel nodded. "Yes, they can't follow you in, so they should do. It's weird that only the maids go back to the Kiellini mansion as the princess is gone."

"That's not all."

"Do you mean there's another reason?"

Maribel's eyes were narrowed.

"Please make Phoebe a different person."

"A different person?"

Maribel frowned, wondering, and then nodded as if she understood. "Are you worried that someone recognizes her? I didn't worry much because her hair color changed."

Julietta recalled the situation when Phoebe had been found on the street. She didn't know who had put her in custody, but he must have seen Phoebe's hair turn white. He could have been a n.o.bleman. There were many people whose hair turned white now, but there was nothing wrong with being careful.

She wanted to make Phoebe the illegitimate child of the Duke of Kiellini and ensure a safe future. However, this was a plan to withhold as long as the Kiellini family became a candle in front of the wind. Phoebe had to be a different person than she used to be, in case she couldn't be a windbreaker in the future.

Julietta nodded at Maribel's words, looking at Phoebe's white hair, greenish-brown eyes and a fine face. "Yes. Even if they have known Phoebe, please let them not recognize her at all."

--------------------

18. Disclosure

"Good to see you again. I'm glad you've lost a lot of weight."

Countess Auguste, the head maid of the Asta Palace, greeted Johnna, the head maid of the Harrods' house that Ian had brought, and pretended to know Julietta who was standing behind her.

"I haven't seen you in a long time. I've lost weight, reflecting on what the head maid said."

Her appearance was still tacky, but her greeting was quite plausible. Countess Auguste nodded at the sight.

A few months ago, she heard that the girl accompanied Killian in place of the sudden cut-off maid just before he went to Bertino did a very good job. But when the Prince returned, he didn't bring her with him, and she thought she went back to Harrods' mansion.

As soon as he disposed of the house of the Harrods Street, he called them, and it seemed that these two women were being trusted by His Highness. Mrs. Auguste who had been supporting Killian since childhood with Sir Albert was pleased to a.s.sign a place for the two to work.

"Mrs. Johanna, please help me manage the maids. Julie, His Highness wants you to work as a private maid as you used to be, so follow Ian."

"Yes, ma'am."

It felt strange to be walking in the hall of the Asta Palace where she used to walk in and out as Princess Kiellini to show their solid romantic relations.h.i.+p.

When she crossed the hall with her head and back up, all the attendants who pa.s.sed by, as well as the n.o.bles and knights who she ran into, paid homage to her. That was natural, but now it was so different.

She had to put her hands together somewhat comfortably in front, and she had to lower her eyes slightly with her head bent at forty-five degrees. As she pa.s.sed the corridor, she had to stay close to the edge and move carefully so that she wouldn't make the sound of footsteps. When a n.o.bleman pa.s.sed by, she had to stop walking and bow down and wait until he pa.s.sed.

They said they had no idea what it was like to be a man's business; she had been in a high position and came down to the lowest position of a maid.

Ian was at a loss as to what to do when he saw the princess standing aside and lowering her head like he did until the n.o.bles had pa.s.sed by. 'Can His Highness bear it when he sees this?'

He arrived in front of the office, pa.s.sing the long corridor, with a sincere prayer for the crisis to pa.s.s safely.

"Julie!"

As soon as she entered the door, Killian who had been anxiously waiting for her sprang up.

When Ian hurried to close the door and turn around, in case the knights in the hallway thought strange, the Prince was holding Julie tightly. The former cold and arrogant master hugged the princess affectionately, and Ian turned back and stood looking at the door that had just come in.

Killian hugged Julietta and took her to the sofa.

"How's the situation going?"

Killian gently stroked Julietta's cheek, looking up at him with an uneasy look.

He wanted to give her the best seat without any worries, but why did the th.o.r.n.y path unfold so far? For the first time, there was a rush of skepticism about his strength.