# Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Annie left immediately.
Cayena poked at the soup for a while, but just in case, she put down the spoon.
Then, Annie returned, bringing another maid with her.
“This is the maid who tried to go to the central kitchen with Vera.
“Did you try to go?
The maid carefully explained what had happened during the confrontation with Mrs.
Sovenin.
Cayena then realized that the court ladies were trying to reign in Vera.
“She sent me away, then retired to the ladies-in-waiting's rest room.
Annie added the maid's words.
“However, there was no one in the room.
When I asked the doorman, he said that she left with the new lady-in-waiting who had arrived today.
“You mean she went out with Olivia?
“Yes.
And Olivia stated that she would ask for practical training and guidance on working at the castle.
“Is that so?
Cayena's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she thought.
His behavior was suspicious.
She was sure that today was the first time the two of them had met.
And what was that about practical training?
“Come to think of it, in the novel Vera was an independent character who often plotted and moved alone.”
In this case, Vera may have acted on a hunch.
Cayena let out a short sigh.
She just wanted things to be quiet before heading off to her fake wedding.
Even though she had authority over internal affairs, it was only a temporary thing.
There was no reason to antagonize Rezef.
She was wondering what to do when Donna burst into the room.
“Your Highness!
Vera is facing the head chef in the central kitchen!
— Cayena sighed again.
“Well then.
Let's go.
The palace had long been deprived of a woman of royal influence, ever since the empress passed away from an allergic reaction.
Since most women in the imperial family left the palace after marriage, Rezef took control of internal affairs a long time ago.
With this power, he filled the palace with his own people.
Among those who supported Rezef was Mrs.
Helier, who ruled the servants in a violent and oppressive manner.
“It is not right to be so careless when managing the people of the palace,” declared Mrs.
Helier, looking stern but determined.
“Only an empress who has learned and studied how to do this since the time she was a crown princess can properly take care of internal affairs.
Mrs.
Sovenin, who held a lower position than the maid, added: — You are completely right, Mrs.
Helier.
“Have you all heard that Princess Cayena chose only young and inexperienced ladies to be in her palace?
Furthermore, she divided all power between just four women.
Everyone laughed and mocked except one.
A court lady named Colleen, who had the ability to think rationally, tilted her head.
“The princess's palace only needs to take care of Her Highness, so isn't that number right?
Mrs.
Sovenin's eyes sharpened at Colleen's observation.
“Enough of this nonsense!
If you've seen one, you've seen them all.
Of course the court ladies are substandard, and there is no way this huge palace can be managed with just four!
— Mrs.
Helier calmed Mrs.
Sovenin, who had become angry in her place, by gently holding her hand.
“Calm down.
We are here now to resolve the situation,” said Mrs.
Helier.
“And even if we weren't, I would have taught the court ladies of this palace a lesson while I watched them.
Even if the princess had control over internal affairs now, nothing would change.
In the imperial palace, most people were associated with Rezef as they rode on the backs of the Evans family.
“Ask each department not to act recklessly against His Highness’s instructions.
Once Prince Rezef regains power, everything will return to its rightful place, so there is no need to do anything unnecessary.
“Right, Mrs.
Helier.
At that moment, a maid ran into the ladies-in-waiting's rest room.
“His Highness is tearing down the central kitchen!
The chef has been arrested!
“What?
The central kitchen?
“Why did she suddenly arrest the chef?
Did the princess hear some ridiculous rumor?
The frightened court ladies rose from their seats.
“Hurry, to the kitchen!
—Then, the servant who announced the news waved his hand.
“She's not in the kitchennha central now.
“So where is she?
— Mrs.
Helier asked.
Mrs.
Helier was someone who always pretended to be elegant and was rarely so openly irritated.
It meant that the princess's movement caught her off guard.
“She said she would check all the locked outbuildings of the castle,” said the servant.
The blood drained from their faces.
Alex, the deputy head of the central kitchen, took a short break after confirming that the meals for the imperial family were prepared.
Once the afternoon shipment arrived, the kitchen staff had to prepare the ingredients for dinner.
The central kitchen only had to prepare meals for three people, but since the three of them were members of the imperial family, they had to prepare a variety of things.
Alex smoked a cigarette near the loading dock.
He looked to the side.
Next to the central kitchen there was another kitchen responsible for preparing employee meals.
This place was a complete war zone.
“That's something to see after it becomes a success.
Alex was the chef's assistant.
Thanks to good timing, he became the deputy head of the central kitchen, which required the least amount of work among all the kitchens.
There was another advantage to the position as well.
A substantial amount of money has been generated off the books here.
The chef even gave him some black money that he could pocket.
“Oh?
Suddenly, Alex noticed a strange figure.
“A maid?”
The woman behaved well for a servant.
Her hair was shiny, and even though she was hiding her face with a mask, Alex could imagine that she was attractive.
Plus, she looked young.
Servants were usually very old or extremely young, as women in their prime preferred to work as regular domestic servants.
Alex stubbed out his cigarette.
As the deputy head chef of the central kitchen, he could easily talk to a maid.
His lust increased.
The maid awkwardly carried things from the loading platform to the central kitchen.
When she entered that secluded area of the dock, Alex followed her.
“It looks like you haven't worked here for a long time,” he said.
“…!
— The maid stopped and turned around.
“This is the central kitchen, where the emperor's food is made.
And I'm the deputy here.
He slowly approached the maid.
“Is your job difficult?
he asked.
The maid lowered her head.
“… it is not.
Alex also liked the maid's voice.
Her manner of speaking seemed refined, like the way a young noblewoman would speak.
The more he saw her, the more he wanted her.
“If you're nice to me, I can arrange for you to work in the central kitchen.
You can serve the imperial family directly.
“No thanks.
Alex had to take care of the afternoon shipping after the break.
He thought he could seduce the maid before things got too hectic.
Then a servant came looking for him.
“Alex!
“What?
“A senior court lady in the princess's palace wishes to receive practical training.
“The princess's palace again?
I understand, so you will deal with it first.
I'll follow you later.
“Yes sir.
Alex was in a hurry, so he spoke sharply to send the servant away.
“There's nothing for you to think about.
If you miss the chance now, you are missing the opportunity to become a servant in the central kitchen.
“Lord, I don't need this!
“Stop playing coy!
— The maid took a step back and Alex grabbed her tightly.
“Kyaa!
Let go!
— As he got closer, he could see that the maid was definitely a beauty.
He ripped off her mask and exclaimed in surprise.
“And you!
—It was the court lady of the princess's palace who had been pestering the central kitchen every day recently.
“How dare you try to coerce a helpless maid with your false authority?
You don't even have control over staff decisions!
— Vera glared at Alex.
Although he was surprised at first, he quickly regained his composure.
“There is!
Well, you're the one running around disguised as a maid...
and where's your proof?
I was just catching a suspicious person.
Vera was stunned.
It was very cheeky, claiming there was no evidence right in front of the person he tried to molest!
She swallowed her humiliation and fear, unable to speak.
Alex laughed evilly.
“It's clear to anyone who sees it.
A suspicious person disguised himself and hid on the dock.load.
“You dare…!
— An angry voice rang throughout the loading dock at that moment.
“Alex!
Why are you wandering around?
He was the chef.
The chef entered the loading dock and stopped.
“Sir!
— Alex hurriedly ran to the chef's side and pointed at Vera.
“Look here.
The lady of the princess's court disguised herself as a servant to sneak around!
— The chef turned to Vera with a murderous expression.