Chapter 68. Trap

One uneventful day passed, and we finally arrived at the capital all the way from the south. It's rather upsetting to see the scenery shift from the raw and untouched meadows to a dense and populous city.

Still, the grandiloquent walls of the city and its flamboyant inhabitants brought me a sense of familiarity. After all, the capital was the place where I lived twice, as an orphan and a maid, however briefly. I consider it my homeland.

As our carriage went by, the nondescript lives of the people on the streets made me feel nostalgic.

I remember sleeping on the cold and going through trash for food. That was my life as Callista, until I realized this was a novel.

After dying and waking up as Isabelle, I could say my life improved. I had food to put into my stomach, a warm bed, and a roof above my head.

But in the end, I still died. And I kept dying.

My life as an extra just got worse from then on.

I was engrossed in reminiscence when my travel companion broke the silence inside the carriage.

"I was told that the crown prince actually knows your face." Alistair remarked. "Is that true?"

"Unfortunately, yes." I clicked my tongue. "I have met him once, and His Highness recognized me before I even introduced myself. How crafty."

"If that's the case, then you absolutely cannot meet him in the palace." His Grace emphasized. "It will be bad if he recognises you as the executioner."

I nodded. "I'll make sure to avoid him."

The grand duke seemed taken aback by my response. He must've been surprised by my amenable attitude, no derision or innuendos.

Well, I realized that there's no point in being petty towards him. Whether I like it or not, we're on the same boat now. My emotions can't be in the way.

As long as he doesn't betray our side, I can work with him. If he does, then I will make sure to kill him myself this time. No one can betray me twice and get away with it alive. So better behave now.

Anyway, the imperial palace finally came into sight. The majestic and opulent infrastructure stood erect in the skies as a symbol of power.

As our carriage entered the imperial grounds, we saw a bevy of servants lined up outside the Sun Palace. They must've been expecting Alistair.

That brings back memories. I used to be one of them. I remember running to and fro as a maid only to welcome these self-important nobles.

"By the way," Alistair cleared his throat. "You know Louie, don't you? My personal knight."

"Yeah," I answered. "What about him?"

"You're most likely to meet him since he always follows me around." His Grace surmised. "He might recognise you, but for his own peace of mind, just pretend you don't know him at all."

I bowed politely. "I'll bear that in mind."

"Thank you." He said then took a deep breath. At the same time, our carriage stopped. "Shall we?"

My heart pounded as we got off the post-chaise.

Only the gentle autumn breeze could be heard as we stood in front of the servants who had their heads lowered, except for the head butler.

The elderly man, who was dressed neatly in a suit with a pair of white gloves, looked dignified and elegant just as how he appeared in my memories.

Edward, I thought to myself sentimentally.

He looked exactly the same, save the few wrinkles he gained through the years. I haven't forgotten how he went around telling people that I want to get spanked by the emperor, but I forgive him.

I'm glad to see him alive and kicking.

I ran an eye over the maids. I recognize some of them, even though I wasn't particularly close to my other colleagues other than Leila and Rumi.

I never thought I'd be able to see them again.

My role as Isabelle was the very first time I lived properly. I was employed, I mingled with people, and I also fell in love like a normal human being.

In this place, I made friends. Selfless, loyal, and kind friends. The walls of this palace also know how I was betrayed by my own master, Ruth.

The palace witnessed it all, the good and the bad.

"Your Grace," Edward smiled warmly. "Welcome back. How was your trip to the southern lands?"

"It was a unique experience, I would say." Alistair glanced over the maids. "But Edward, I said not to bother greeting me like this. You must be busy."

The head butler shook his head politely. "Everyone here is always eager for your return, Your Grace."

It was true. Aside from the fact that he was Prince Dion's playmate, Alistair Kirsten de Averill was also hailed as a war hero, so the whole palace admired him. They held him in high regards.

I also suffered due to that eminence of his.

After all, Alistair had a high status, and he was a man who would eventually become a legend to the future generations. He was simply perfect.

Back then, everybody knew about our scandalous relationship. The grand duke was very vocal about his affection towards a lowly maid, which turned me into a frequent subject of rumors in the palace.

I remember feeling inadequate as his lover.

However, that's all in the past. I am no longer his woman, and I feel no shame standing next to him.

Even though our statuses are like heaven and earth, we stand as equals... because we're both needed and valued as Princess Odette's people.

"Ah," Grand Duke Averill cleared his throat when he noticed Edward looking at me. "I brought my personal maid. Kindly give her a set of uniform."

The head butler kept mum while staring at me.

Beads of sweat rolled down on my face. By any chance, does he recognize me? Crap, this is bad.

Alistair panicked. "Edward?"

"Oh, my apologies." The elderly man adjusted his spectacles. "I was merely surprised, Your Grace."

"Why?"

"You used to dislike servants with blonde hair." Edward smiled at him. "Have you outgrown it?"

At first, Alistair stiffened beside me, unable to string coherent words. He was taken aback.

"It's been years. I'm fine now." His voice was shaky when the grand duke spoke. "Just as you learn to keep things, you also learn how to let go of them."

When I lifted my gaze to him, he was smiling sadly at me. A rueful one that didn't even reach his eyes.

"Blonde hair no longer hurts me like it used to."

After that sentimental conversation, the two of us entered the palace in silence. Despite all that has been said and done, we had nothing more to say.

I knew then. From here on, it's purely business.

That aside, I was a bit disappointed when Edward failed to recognize me. Perhaps no one in the palace even remembers Isabelle anymore.

To them, I was merely a maid who was executed for harming her master and the crown princess.

Once again, I was reminded of the bitter truth.

That I was an extra meant to be forgotten.

I was lost in my own thoughts that I didn't notice the grand duke halting. I bumped into his back, and when I lifted my head, I caught him staring.

I raised a brow. "What?"

"You seem upset." Alistair commented, eyeing me with concern. "Are you disappointed that none of your former colleagues remembered your face?"

My eyes twitched. He's so needlessly perceptive.

"What if I am?" I answered sharply. "Call me vain or self-important, but I want to be remembered."

I lowered my gaze, somehow feeling ashamed.

"Do you have a problem with that, Your Grace?"

For a moment, his eyes focused on me. They still had the same glimmer, like gold condensed into a pair of orbs, further enticing you with opulence.

"Don't be upset." He told me. "I'll remember you."

My throat dried.

"No matter how many centuries pass, I won't forget." His voice was full of conviction, as if making an oath. "Seasons may change, but my heart won't ever. I'll remember. I won't forget."

For a while, I was at a loss of words.

After getting killed over and over again, it felt like my life had no ounce of value. That I was akin to dust, constantly blown away by the wind without a choice. That I was no different from a withering plant, while the world is filled with other flowers.

Alistair Kirsten de Averill knew me so well.

He knows what to say to make me feel better.

"How ridiculous," I marched past him, trying to conceal my vulnerability. "No one gets to live for centuries, you know."

I heard him laughing behind me. "That's true."

None of us spoke a word after that, but the silence was comforting. As our steps echoed within the walls of the palace, I promised not to forget, too.

---

When we arrived at his designated chambers, one of the servants handed my uniform set and left.

"Change your clothes." Alistair turned around.

I frowned. "You want me to undress here?"

"I won't look. What do you take me for?" He sighed in indignation. "Besides, I've already seen all of it."

I rolled my eyes. It was such an unnecessary comment, but I decided to let it go. I hurriedly undressed myself while watching him keenly.

Grand Duke Averill stood still from a distance with his arms crossed. Perhaps he was uncomfortable with the silence, so he spoke while I was changing.

"They prepare His Majesty's meals twice a day." He imparted. "He's basically bedridden, so he barely touches his food. The poison must be on the tea."

"Makes sense," I said in agreement. "So, should I switch the whole meal or just the tea would do?"

"Switch the entire meal, just to be sure." His Grace contemplated for a second. "But if the situation doesn't permit it, then only the tea would do."

I told Alistair that I was finished changing, so the grand duke faced me reluctantly. After looking at me from head to toe, he was rendered speechless.

Perhaps my outfit made him feel nostalgic, from the black underdress to the white headdress and frills. Even I didn't expect to be wearing this again.

He cleared his throat. "You look good."

"Shut up."

The grand duke instantly closed his mouth.

"If I remember correctly, it's about time they make the emperor's lunch." I stated while tying my hair into a messy bun. "I need to go. Let's talk later."

Alistair nodded. "Be careful."

When I was all prepped, I left the grand duke's chambers and headed to the royal kitchen.

Despite all the years that passed, nothing much changed in the palace. It was still the same grand and plush place that houses the imperial family.

The floors were mostly made of marble. There was a wide variety of artworks featured inside the palace, most of them being portraits of the imperial family from previous generations.

Anyway, I finally arrived at the royal kitchen.

Contrary to my expectations, it was more hectic and messier than I thought. There were many servants inside and all of them were occupied with preparing, slicing their own ingredients.

I casually blended myself among the maids, and no one seemed to notice the newcomer that I am.

"A freckled guy with red hair, right?" I mumbled to myself while scanning the place. Where is he?

During our journey on the way here, Alistair told me that he slipped in one of his men into the royal kitchen. Apparently, he's the one who's supposed to hand me the exact same meal as the emperor's.

Suddenly, in the farthest corner, I noticed one cook staring right at me. He was wearing a cap, but some strands of his red hair protruded.

When he nodded to me, I knew it was him.

I quietly approached the cook, trying my best to be as discreet as possible. When we were an arm away from each other, he slid the tray of food towards me without breathing a single word.

I cautiously looked around. Good, no one saw.

While pretending to fix the arrangement of the food, I ran an eye over the kitchen in search for the emperor's meal. My eyes widened when I saw an identical set of meal carried by a certain maid.

I rushed to the opposite side in an attempt to circumvent her. The plan is to purposely bump into the maid and swap the trays we're holding.

I can't miss the timing, I thought to myself.

As we walked towards each other, my heartbeat was so erratic. Just as she was about to make a turn, I collided with the unsuspecting maid.

"Oh, my god!" She screamed and lost her balance.

I took that opportunity to seize the tray from her hands. The servant, who was busy tending to her hips after the collision, didn't notice what I did.

"What the heck are you doing!" She furiously exclaimed. "You could've messed up the-!"

Much to everyone's surprise, the massive doors of the kitchen swung open. A man around his forties who looked a messenger stepped inside urgently.

"Terrible news!" He announced. "His Majesty, Pierre Maggio Von Solaris, has passed away!"

Huh?

The whole kitchen was pervaded with noise, but none of them made through me. At that moment, my head was full of astonishment and confusion.

Wait, this isn't how it's supposed to be...

I was sent here with the grand duke to delay the emperor's death. It hasn't even been an hour since we arrived. How come His Majesty's already dead?

Something's wrong.

With trembling hands, I brought the emperor's meal with me and left the kitchen. I managed to swap them, but there's no point if he's a corpse.

This is bad. All of our plans were made with the emperor alive in mind. We never discussed anything in case he died the first day we arrive!

Due to the urgency of the situation, I rushed back to the grand duke's chamber. However, I made the mistake of not knocking on the door. I barged into the room, oblivious to the presence of his guest.

Seated across Alistair was the crown prince.

And that's when I realized, it was all a trap.

Not only for me, but also for Grand Duke Averill, who was surrounded by three imperial guards whose swords were all pointed on his neck.

---

Hello. It's been a while since my last update.

This month, I officially became a corporate slave lol. The first week of my job was so stressful, so I wasn't able to post a chap as much as I wanted to.

To be honest, I wanted to finish this story before my start date on work, but I had to begin earlier than planned so I couldn't. My deepest apologies.

Right now, I don't have that much free time like I used to, so I might not be able to update on a daily basis anymore. Even so, I hope you'd still read this despite the slow updates. I want to finish it too.

As usual, thank you for your voting and leaving comments on my story. I really appreciate it.

Take care and happy reading to all of you.

Yours Truly,

Aomine-san