Later that evening, in Cecilia’s room.
“These past few days have been hard on you, Rita. Before the Sacred Knight examination begins, all you need to do is hone your skills and broaden your horizons. Later, I’ll select suitable teachers to instruct you. If possible, I also hope you can learn some maid skills.”
As Cecilia spoke, she let Rita help her remove her clothing.
M-Maid skills! Was Cecilia planning to make her responsible for all of her daily needs?
Although Rita had already caught some hints back in Solus City when Cecilia asked her to help with her bath, being formally ordered by Cecilia still felt a bit different.
“Ah… Alright, but… Isn’t it a bit much for me to be a maid…”
“Because most of the maids around me now are spies arranged by others. Not that it matters to me, and their work is indeed quite good, so we all tacitly ignore that fact.” Cecilia answered with her eyes closed.
Was it because she didn’t covet the throne or scheme in secret, so she didn’t care about spies around her at all?
Rita felt that Cecilia still hid things from her, but those secrets were probably just parts of her difficult situation she didn’t want to speak about. Rita couldn’t ask more and rip open scars Cecilia didn’t want to reveal.
After all, ever since arriving in the Royal Capital, Rita had seen more than one strange look cast at Cecilia, even if they were well concealed.
But Rita also felt that if she said nothing, the silence would only grow more awkward, so she asked a silly question, “Then now, if you let me take over these tasks, won’t others mind…?”
“They will. But compared to the secrets I have to keep, let them mind all they want.” Cecilia replied.
“What is the secret you have to keep, Lady Cecilia?”
Cecilia turned around, lifted her hand, and gently cupped Rita’s cheek, her fingertip brushing softly across Rita’s lips. Under slightly arched brows, her eyes were filled with the question: “What do you think?”
Ah, it was herself.
Rita scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“By the way, about what Her Highness the Third Princess said just now… Do you know what she meant?”
“I don’t, but I can guess.” Cecilia replied, “Firstly, for a princess to be the chief examiner, although there have been similar cases in the kingdom’s history, it’s the first time that all the princesses are directly participating in the Sacred Knight examination.”
Rita didn’t quite understand how this related to the Sacred Knight examination, but she nodded and listened.
“I’ve told you before: Sacred Knights, especially Emblem Knights, are extremely important within the kingdom. Father’s move this time is, unsurprisingly, another test for us princesses.”
“Because of the King Selection Ceremony?”
“That’s right. The tests for us began even before the King Selection Ceremony.” Cecilia explained, “But, to stand out in the King Selection Ceremony, I’m afraid others won’t only excel in this aspect.”
Rita thought back to the scene she’d witnessed the night she met Lilia, and considered what she’d said today. It seemed likely that Lilia was trying to build up enough reputation and merit through such actions.
She and Cecilia just happened to pass by and were misunderstood as wanting to intervene.
Forget it, anyway, since Cecilia had no desires or ambitions, there was no need to clear up such misunderstandings.
“Well then, get some rest tonight. If there’s anything, I’ll have a maid notify you. The rest of the time, you’re free to walk around the Royal Capital and get familiar with it.”
As Cecilia spoke, she was already by her bed, lying down.
Rita bid Cecilia farewell and left the room.
Cecilia’s room was actually the same as the previous guest room. Technically, there shouldn’t be any “guest rooms” in the Royal Palace, but calling it that would do for now.
As for the environment, there was no way to compare it to Cecilia’s own room, and even compared to Solus City, it was a bit lacking. It was probably a room for the palace maids or kitchen staff.
At least it was a single room, so Rita had no complaints. Besides, Cecilia mentioned that if she really became a Sacred Knight, she’d be given a different arrangement.
Back in her room, it wasn’t long before someone knocked on her door.
A tailor in dazzling gold and two maids came in, one before and one behind. After a simple salute to Rita, they stated their purpose.
“Miss Rita, His Majesty instructed us to prepare a brand-new set of clothing for you, so we’re here to take your measurements.”
Rita nodded, stood up from her chair, and the middle-aged tailor lady immediately pulled out her tape measure and started measuring Rita from head to toe, taking a long time to finish.
“I recommend fabrics like bubble silk or snowwood cotton, which allow for easy movement but are also durable. If you have a preference, please tell me. As for patterns, I can embroider your House Emblem or the Legion Badge—just give me the sketches and I’ll ensure you’re satisfied.”
The tailor rattled off a lot of things Rita didn’t understand, so she could only nod repeatedly and reply using the phrases Cecilia had taught her along the way.
“Um, well, I believe in your skill, so I’ll leave all the details of this outfit to you. Yes, that’s good.”
Although Rita spoke haltingly, the tailor showed no impatience or displeasure at all. After bowing to Rita, she left with her notes.
Once everyone had left, Rita kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the bed, scrolling through her online courses as usual. Even if she might not get to use them, there was no reason to slack off on her studies.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t summon animal companions in the Royal Palace. Dream demon magic was still magic—she’d be easily found out.
And if there were mice in the palace, some people’s heads would definitely roll.
The night passed quickly. The next morning, Rita opened her eyes, washed up briefly, and went to report to Cecilia.
Cecilia had traveled for days and wasn’t awake yet, but Rita could sense that the nun guarding Cecilia’s door was looking at her strangely.
Oh right, these were probably spies placed by others. It was normal for them to be wary of her.
Rita thought, and returned to her own room. As a dream demon, she didn’t need a normal breakfast, and with nothing else to do, she continued her online courses.
After a few more hours, someone knocked on Rita’s door again.
Rita hurried to open the door and saw a maid she didn’t recognize.
Judging by the time, it seemed about right. Rita asked, “Did Lady Cecilia call for me?”
“No, it’s Miss Zack who wishes to meet with you. If you’d like to accept the invitation, I’ll take you to her right away,” the maid answered.
Miss Zack? Rita thought for a long time but couldn’t remember ever meeting someone by that name.
Could it be that, as Cecilia’s personal knight, someone was trying to win her over?
Yes, it was possible! This Royal Capital was practically built on intrigue! She had to be careful!
But Miss Zack’s intelligence network was impressive—Rita had only arrived yesterday, and already someone had come to recruit her!
While Rita’s mind was racing, the maid’s voice interrupted her.
“Miss Rita, have you decided? Miss Zack is still waiting.”
Judging from the maid’s tone, Miss Zack’s status was indeed unusual. At the very least, it was enough to earn the maid’s loyalty.
Alright! I’ll see what this Miss Zack is up to!
“No problem, please take me to her.”
Guided by the maid, Rita left the Royal Palace and was soon handed off to a butler whose attire was completely different from the palace maids. He continued to lead Rita onward.
They walked for a while and soon entered a residential area near the bustling market—a neighborhood that looked anything but cheap. They finally stopped in front of a mansion.
She’d thought Miss Zack was waiting somewhere, but it turned out she’d been led to her very house.
Thinking about it, that was normal for someone of such status.
The butler led Rita inside, and she took the chance to look around at the mansion’s decor.
Compared to the City Lord’s residence in Solus, this place was much smaller. But in a place like the Royal Capital, where land was so precious, a mansion like this surely cost a fortune.
Yet it wasn’t lavish to the point of extravagance; at least it didn’t look like a noble’s manor. But if it was just a rich person’s house, it felt a bit too simple, leaving Rita unable to figure out the owner’s identity.
While Rita was thinking, the butler stopped with her at the entrance to a garden.
“Miss Rita, please go this way. The lady is waiting for you inside.”
“Alright, thank you for your trouble.” Rita thanked the butler, took a deep breath, and strode into the garden.
Miss Zack, let’s see what kind of game you’re playing!
But when Rita finally saw the person, she couldn’t help but be stunned. All her imagined scenarios and strategies vanished in an instant.
That mysterious Miss Zack—why was it her?