[Luke POV]

“Your Highness, are you sure about this?”

“Don’t worry about it, Cynthia.”

“Some of them might have been sent by the Eastern Commerce Guild, worse your enemies.”

“Orwell already cleared them so it’s fine. Take care of them, Cynthia.”

“Of course your Highness.”

Cynthia left as I continued to observe the maid working in the lobby.

It has been a week since we began searching for employees for the palace, it took a few days to determine which ones to take in.

“We determined 317 potential spies from other merchant guilds and nobles.”

From those who were suspicious, a mother and daughter stood out.

“The new cook Cella and the maid Nola are related to director Gato of the Eastern merchant guild.”

“I still think it won’t be wise, your Highness, they might use this against you.”

“We might have a choice to do that Orwell, but they don’t.”

During our investigation, we found out that the mother and daughter had been abused and were about to be sold by a man named Gato.

“This world’s standard in human life is low…”

“Well, people are easily replaceable.”

“We’ll protect them.”

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This is my palace. No one has more authority than me in my home.

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[Nola POV]

“Mom, why were you hired?”

“Nola?”

“You can’t even cook well.”

My mother has been sulking ever since I said that.

“You can take a break now everyone.”

After a maid reminded us, we dispersed to take our break.

I went to my favourite place in the palace.

I greeted the gardeners as they trimmed the trees in the garden. I headed towards the center to see Lady Sophia.

“!!!”

Someone was already there by the time I got there.

He was sleeping on the fields of grass that was trimmed beforehand. The smell of grass wafted in the air.

Silver hair.

The boy wore some sort of tunic but it seemed to open from neck to waist, I had never seen it before.

“Beautiful…”

The boy looked a lot like Lady Sophia. He looked like a prince on a canvas.

I stared at the boy for a long time, to the point that I forgot how much time had passed. To think that this boy is the owner of this beautiful palace seemed unrealistic but he is. I could only wonder how high he would soar.

“What are you doing here?”

“!!!”

As I was about to scream, the person behind me put their hand on my mouth blocking my voice.

“Scream and you’re dead.”

“!!!”

I could feel cold sweat pour on my back. The Head Maid!

“I will ask you again but try and wake up His Highness, I will make sure you and that mother of yours will leave this palace.”

I tried calming myself and answered her question.

“I was taking a stroll around the palace during my break…”

“That does not explain why you are watching His Highness. Are you under orders from your father to spy on his Highness?”

“!!!”

They knew about my father!

“You knew about my father?”

“Answer my question, why are you observing his Highness? Don’t even lie, I can feel your heartbeat.”

“He reminded me of Lady Sophia!”

I could feel her hands flinch from my answer.

“I saw Lady Sophia once. I just can’t believe how much he looked like her.”

I continued.

“His beautiful hair reminded me of the winter snow… I wondered if his eyes looked like the finest jewellery in the entire Kingdom.”

“!!!”

She removed the hand from my mouth. As I turned around I saw her proud face.

“His Highness’s eyes cannot be compared to any jewellery not just in the Kingdom but the entire world!”

We spoke about His Highness and Lady Sophia until my break ended.

During this conversation, I found out that His Highness was the one who advocated for my and my mother’s employment in this palace to protect us from my father.

“I shall serve His Highness with all my life.”