The cleaning of the royal villa has gone smoothly and some rooms were now ready for use.

She sent the knights to bring in the bed and took a break. The knights seemed to have assumed that Rishe would be resting somewhere in the meantime, but then she moved on to clean the next room as a matter of course.

She was holding the rag in hand, but found out that the water in the bucket fetched earlier was almost used up. Rishe grabbed the bucket and went out to the well where she had just been told where. No knight guard may be in sight, but then, she is in the royal palace grounds in the first place. Theres no need for a guard to stroll around.

(Surely, having a guard is merely nominal. Arnold Hein is just trying to keep tabs on me, right?..)

She pondered as she walked through the blossoming courtyard with the bucket in her hand. Colorful butterflies fluttered around the flower beds, flapping their wings lower.

(Besides, he seems reluctant to let me meet the current Emperor. Though if I were just a nominal bride and a real hostage, it might still be necessary to have an audience with the Emperor.)

Shes also quite curious what kind of person the Emperor is that led to Arnolds patricide.

Of course, she wants to stop it if possible.

Becoming the Emperor by killing his father was the beginning of Arnolds tyranny.

(I have never known what fate awaited Arnold Hein after I died in my other lives, whether he reigned as the winner of a war of aggression, or he was subdued by some country either way).

Rishe looked forward abruptly.

(If it comes to that, I cant just sit around! Whether Im held as a hostage or being forced to take care of the castle while hes away as his wife, even if Im just regarded as a decoration, its going to be tough! Thats why!! Absolutely! No to war!)

It would be nice if he would at least divorce her then let her go. But if shes thrown out in the midst of the war, she feels like she cant escape the fate of being inadvertently killed and again reborn at the age of twenty.

(. Huh?! Wait a minute, in the first place)

In retrospect, all of the reasons why Rishe lost her life in the past six times could be traced back to the wars that Arnold had instigated.

(I died in the fires of war, I died in the treatment of a plague that had spread in a village, I died taking care of the wounded, I died during the invasion of the Garkhain army)

Every circumstance surrounding her death was entirely similar. Rishe squatted without thinking and massaged her head.

( Maybe, its better if I ask for divorce as early as now.)

However, she quickly reconsidered it.

(No! Its too late for regrets on what Ive chosen. Ive ended up dead even living as far away as possible from Arnold Hein. If thats the case, what about living close to him this time around and see how the trend goes?)

Theres still no certainty as to why Rishe had been reborn over and over again, but maybe this would be the last time.

Suppose its the last one indeed, she must live it to the fullest, enjoy every hour and live longer.

She might have some reservations, but regrets shouldnt be one of them.

(Forget it, Im in the midst of cleaning now.When the bed arrives, Ill soak in a bath and clean off the grime and exhaustion from the trip and cleaning. And then, Im going to lay down as much as I want!)

With a firm resolve, she stood up and made her way to the well in good cheer.

Thereupon, she heard a roaring laughter of ridicule.

Hey, look at you, novice, youre trying too hard.

But even if you bend over backwards, were the only ones wholl be the Crown Princess handmaidens!

From the sounds of it, there are several girls arguing around the well just around the corner.

Hey, are you listening? Im telling you, its useless even if you break your neck!

Arghh!

The faint shriek reached Rishes ears, followed by the sound of someone falling. Rishe rushed over to the well.

There she saw a girl lying on the ground surrounded by four other girls.

Are you alright?

She ran to the girl on the ground and helped her up. Shes a lovely girl with pale golden hair and big eyes. Although shes dishevelled and was covered in mud, she was dressed in her chambermaids livery.

Meanwhile, the girls, who were now scowling at Rishe, are wearing the same sass. Its a combination of a loose dress that allows free movement, coupled with a white apron.

Who are you?? Are you new here too?

One of the girls glowered at Rishe.

Although Rishe wasnt garbed in a maids uniform, her dress at the moment was too plain. Her coral hair is also tied up at random, and most of all, her entire body is grubby from the big cleaning.

(If Ill introduce myself here, itll likely cause a bigger fuss.)

At a loss for the right words to answer her, she seemed to have irritated the handmaids temper all the more.

Why are you being silent? Just because there will be a need for an attendant for the Crown Princess, they are raking up new recruits. I dont think youve ever done any ragging or water work before. Look at your hands, theyre so smooth.

Hahaha, what a pity! Its because weve already been working in the Royal Palace for three years that were the ones who are going to be the maidservants at the Royal Villa and would soon be working alongside Arnold-sama.

Let me, do you want to stand? I dont think you have any injuries

Hey, listen up!

One of the maidens shouted at Rishe, who was supporting the bullied girl. The redhead is probably the leader of this group.

Youre being cocky, arent you? If you really want to be a handmaiden, youd better learn how to respect your seniors. In any case, girls as bad at their jobs as you guys wouldnt be able to serve as an attendant in this castle, dont you agree?

More than that, theres something thats bothering Rishe now.

The red-haired maid is holding a thick curtain in her hand. Its so thinly stained that it doesnt look like it was washed.

The red-haired maid somehow faltered as her eyes stared at her hand.

What, what

Uhm, better not wash the curtains today.

Huh?

Of course the maids were affronted at Rishes warning.

Are you trying to tell me that if I wash it after noon, it wont dry out? Sure enough, youre such an amateur! The days are long in spring, and todays weather is hot. Thats enough to

Well, itll probably rain in a little while.

The girls exchanged glances at her certainty.

How can you be so sure?

Look, there are now clouds gathering in the sky, and the butterflies and bees are flying low. I think it would be more troublesome if you wash a big game.

Wha.?

Upon hearing the hints, another maid muttered in a faint voice.

Diana said that if I take the initiative in washing such a big game, I can be evaluated and take a spot among the Crown Princess handmaidens.

Wow, are you saying that its now my fault?

The redhead girl called Diana was indignant and her face flushed red.

Dont expect such an amateur girl to be right, the weather has always been fine today! Come on, lets better do the laundry quickly!

Diana swivelled around in a huff and the other maids left with her.

Rishe sighed and looked back at the golden-haired girl who had gotten up.

Are you okay? Do you feel pain anywhere?

.Yes, Im fine. Thank you, Im.

The girls gaze wandered as if searching for words to say and then bowed her head.

My name is Elise. Thank you for helping me

The girl, who raised her face up, was almost expressionless.

But from the polite bow and the way she chose her words so hard, Rishe could tell that she meant it.

Rishe shook her head and smiled.

Its nothing, More importantly, youre now dirty.

Huh?..

Elise looked down at herself. Although she remained stoic, the dejection on her shoulders were unmistakable.

It doesnt matter, this has been given to me.

As long as you take it off and wash it right away, youll be fine. Even though its going to rain, the fabric of your dress dries easily. If you use a lot of soap and wash with a brush to scrape away the mud, rather than rubbing it with your hands, it will come off.

Brush it?

The reason mud stains are so hard to remove is because the dirt gets deep into the thread. A brush is the best way to get rid of it.

During her life as an attendant, Rishe did a lot of research because the sons of the house were too mischievous and always played around the garden. Even those muddy socks theyve been hiding for days for fear of being scolded can be brushed off with a lot of patience.

Who are you?

Elise blinked, then stared at Rishe.

Is it true that the handmaidens of the Crown Princess have already been decided?

Rishe gently averted her gaze, unsure whether to answer Elise truthfully.