Extra Chapter 2: His Imperial Highness Picked Up Another Stray
His Imperial Highness Konstantinos has recently taken up the hobby of rescuing stray commoners and caring for them, a pursuit he embraced after the passing of his mother four years ago. His mother ran a strict household, which is why His Imperial Highness’s closest wards were not officially acknowledged until her death. As a gesture of his affection, His Imperial Highness even built a maze for one of his wards.
At present, they are faced with a commoner who is dirty and gives off an unusual smell. His appearance is strange, made even more so by the oddly tinted glasses that obscure half of his face.
It has been a while since His Imperial Highness last rescued a stray, as the previous one had escaped due to the interference of the former Head Butler, who now holds the position of Deputy Butler after his demotion.
The servants exchange glances after the Imperial Prince announces that the commoner will be joining their ranks. While they are relieved that he does not plan to adopt this individual, there is a noticeable discontent among them about the prospect of working alongside him. At least His Imperial Highness’s wards are not subject to the same responsibilities.
Lor, a Level 3 maid and one of the palace attendants, was among those who greeted the Imperial Prince after his successful mission to seize the illegal magic books being sold in Guhya City.
When she first meets the man known as Cielo, her foremost reaction is to the unpleasant smell that assaults her senses. As a fallen noble, she views herself as little more than a commoner, which lessens her discomfort in working alongside him compared to the other servants at Level 3.
Although she is indifferent to his background, her curiosity about him is stirred. There is something about him that she cannot quite grasp.
Is it his apparent lack of concern for the scornful remarks from the other servants, their refusal to engage with him when he tries to strike up a conversation, or the derogatory comments he overhears? He seems to create a barrier around himself, remaining untouched by the chaos that surrounds him in the palace.
For example, on Cielo’s third day at the palace, two level 3 male servants from a Duke’s faction approached the man while he was admiring the paintings in the South Wing.
It is important to clarify that she is not attempting to stalk him, rather, it is simply a coincidence that she finds herself amid the drama involving the homeless individual whom the Imperial Prince has taken in, regardless of her assignments.
Lor pretended to dust an ornate antique vase as she eavesdropped on their conversation.
“Why is it that you, an assistant gardener, are inside the palace? Shouldn’t you be outside, tending to the soil where you truly belong?”
She couldn’t help but roll her eyes at such melodramatic remarks. As a fallen noble, she is all too familiar with this kind of dialogue, which still resonates today. The constant repetition of these comments is quite tiresome, leading her to wonder how Cielo might handle this particular situation.
She couldn’t make out the man’s eyes, but it was clear he was not amused with the situation.
“Are you not going to answer?”
One of the two asked impatiently as Cielo remained quiet.
The blind man crossed his arms, tilted his head, and sighed. To her, it seemed as if Cielo was silently suggesting that their behavior was childish. Lor was surprised by his audacity, yet she found it intriguing.
Frustrated by the lack of a reply, the two eventually left the blind man alone, but not before warning him to be aware of his circumstances. This was typical of them.
Once they were gone and her attention returned to the man, she saw him studying her thoughtfully before he departed, tapping his cane on the ground with ease, as if he had perfected the motion over a lifetime.
That was just one of the many dramas Lor saw surrounding Cielo.
The next time it happened was in the dining area.
The dining area was bustling with activity, particularly crowded due to the simultaneous presence of His Highness the Second Prince and a close associate of His Imperial Highness Konstantinos at the palace. Meanwhile, the Imperial Prince, along with his close aides and Head Butler Tree, were absent, attending an emergency meeting regarding the ongoing war.
During this time, the cafeteria was filled with servants. Cielo was the last to arrive, looking as if he had rushed in just before the end of his scheduled lunch period. The only available table was occupied by Lor, which was unfortunate since most of the people at her table were level 3 servants, known for their contempt for commoners.
Despite this, Cielo seemed undeterred and approached the group. Before he could say anything, one of the maids placed her empty tray on the seat next to him. Nevertheless, Cielo’s composure remained steady as he continued to ask his question.
“The only sick—seat available is here. Could you please move the tray?”
“Are you really unable to read the room?”
Andrea, a particularly irritable level 3 maid, shot back.
“I believe this establishment has a no-bullying policy. Please remove the clay—tray, or I will sit on it. I assume you’d prefer not to have me in that position, right?”
Lor nearly choked on her food at Cielo’s bluntness.
His tone was devoid of sarcasm, rudeness, or any noticeable emotion. He seemed simply bored and impatient, focused solely on finishing his meal. For the first time, she found him genuinely impressive.
“I’ve finished my meal and will be leaving now.”
A voice broke through the tense atmosphere.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
It was Lor, who had enough of this drama. She understood that Cielo was short on time and unable to savor his lunch, which prompted her to hurry through her own meal.
Without looking back, Lor stood up from the table and returned her tray to the collection trolley meant for used plates, which would be cleaned after lunch. As she walked back to her assigned work area, Lor hummed happily.
Cielo remains surrounded by a considerable amount of drama, with Lor appearing to be involved as a witness in nearly every situation. She struggled to count the number of events that occurred in just a month after Cielo arrived at the palace.
The latest drama she witnessed was that time when the sudden surge in Cielo’s popularity, thanks to the new inventions submitted under his name in the Magic and Research Department.
“May I be excused now?”
Lor turned to assess the situation.
Today, five individuals were confronting Cielo. Demanding if he truly invented those devices known as drones, if he isn’t genuinely homeless but merely pretending, or if he comes from Malaya, and so on...
Many people find it hard to accept that an ordinary individual could possess the intelligence to create such innovations when given the right opportunities and resources. Their egos were further bruised by the fact that Head Butler Tree was now openly supporting Cielo, which meant that the servants who had previously bullied him had to be more cautious in their interactions.
‘The Head Butler is quite intimidating.’
Lor thought, a sentiment that relates to many other servants.
“Are you trying to get away? It seems like you’re hiding something.”
“On what grounds dot—did you come to that conclusion?”
The man with partial blindness replied, clearly irritated.
“Then why aren’t you giving us any answers?”
“Is there a ruse—a rule that requires me to answer every question? Unless this is an official interrogation, I won’t be providing any responses.”
Cielo dismissed them effortlessly and was about to leave when one of the male attendants grabbed his arm.
With a frown, Lor’s attention shifted to the bucket of water she was carrying. Moving it from the first to the second floor was a bit challenging, and she risked getting scolded by the seniors for possibly spilling water in the hallway, but it should be manageable.
Pretending to trip on the carpet, water from her bucket splashed onto five people in the hallway. Cielo stood back, avoiding the deluge.
“I truly apologize! That wasn’t my intention!”
Lor rushed around, flustered and feigning confusion about how to react.
“You!”
Andrea, who Lor had expected to see, was on the verge of confronting her about the mess made of her carefully styled hair, which she had spent a lot of time perfecting.
“What is going on here?”
An authoritative voice echoed through the corridor—it was none other than Head Butler Tree, who surveyed the scene with narrowed eyes.
Lor clenched her fist, anxious about the threat of losing her job. As a fallen noble, she understood that, unlike the five individuals who had either support or ties to a faction, she was the most vulnerable to reprimand or, worse, dismissal. To make matters worse, it was a clear case of one against five—an entirely unfair situation!
The disturbance caught the attention of those positioned behind the Head Butler and on the opposite side of the hallway, causing them to stop and watch. However, a single look from the Head Butler made them quickly withdraw.
“Head Butler.”
The five calmly greeted him with respect, despite having just harassed a blind person moments before.
“What is the reason for this disturbance?”
At the Head Butler’s question, the five quickly changed their tune, portraying themselves as victims and claiming that it was Lor and Cielo who had splashed them with water without any provocation.
How is it possible that two individuals—one a mere girl compared to the two men with Andrea, and the other partially blind—are capable of harassing five people?
Just as she was about to express her thoughts, Cielo, who had been quiet until then, stepped forward to address Head Butler Tree.
“Head Butler, isn’t it tune—true that bullying is not allowed here? So why do they keep targeting me? Was that statement folk—false?”
He dramatically pointed at the five people who had been harassing him earlier, then pretended to cry and sniffle, imitating a distressed puppy in front of the Head Butler.
‘…Huh…’
Lor pondered as she took in the scene around her.
Though few might notice, Lor could see that Cielo had a special connection with the Head Butler. Their relationship seemed to go beyond the usual servant-master dynamic, resembling a genuine friendship. Or was it simply a product of her imagination?
After hearing Cielo’s full account, Head Butler Tree turned his attention to the five individuals and spoke with an air of authority.
“The five of you. I expect to see you in my office.”
“…U, understood.”
Despite the five servants’ ties to powerful figures, they could not challenge the Head Butler, who had been appointed by none other than His Imperial Highness Konstantinos to manage the palace.
“Are you alright?”
The Head Butler turned to Cielo, his face showing a rare concern that Lor had never seen before. Usually, he carried a serious and imposing presence, so seeing him worry for someone else was a refreshing change. This moment made Head Butler Tree seem more relatable.
“I’m alright. Those five have been quite troublesome lately, and I believe they will face the consequences they deserve.”
“Certainly. I have reiterated my stance on multiple occasions, yet they continue to disregard it.”
With a sigh, the Head Butler finally recognized her presence beside them.
“I shall reward you for your efforts in saving your companion. I encourage you to maintain this commendable behavior in the future, Miss Lor.”
Lor nodded in acknowledgment, genuinely surprised that the Head Butler remembered her name among the over 2,000 servants in the palace. Still, this acknowledgment filled her with a sense of pride.
Once the five individuals and the Head Butler left, only Lor and Cielo were left in the corridor.
She was about to walk away when Cielo lightly tapped her shoulder, causing her to turn toward him.
“Hey, I really appreciate you always looking out for me.”
“…I’m not sure what you mean.”
Since the man had partial blindness, she had thought he wouldn’t notice her presence unless she was close by. However, it seemed he was indeed aware of her constant nearness.
He tilted his head slightly, a playful smile on his face.
“Don’t think I would miss you. It might seem like a coincidence that you’re always around when trouble comes my way, but I truly value your help.”
The man gave her one last pat before leaving, acting as if nothing had happened, as if he hadn’t just put the five well-connected level 3 servants in a difficult position. After all, harassment is a matter that the Head Butler firmly condemns and is addressed with the highest level of seriousness in this palace. Those found guilty of such conduct may even face the possibility of being sent back home.
Lor couldn’t help but chuckle.
‘As I said, he is truly something else.’