After the cat reversed back the time, the maid who delivered the princess' food appeared in front of me.
"What are you doing?" I said, trying to intimidate the girl.
"I- I am assigned to bring the princess' food." she said. Now that I came back, I noticed that her hands were shaking a little. Obviously, because she knew what's in that food.
"Have you forgotten that the king banned the princess from ingesting food and taking a sip of water? Do you want to be punished by His Majesty?" I roared, acting like a maid with higher standing.
Actually, it was a lie. The king never issued something like that, but as an illegitimate child, she was often discriminated against and harassed by her siblings. That is why, the maids are used about the ban. Another is, the maid was so shaken to the point that she won't be able to think critically.
"I... I'm sorry! Please don't tell his Majesty! I'll immediately leave!" she said hurriedly and left the hallway with the food cart.
After she left, a sigh of relief escaped from my mouth. The first hurdle was now solved. Now, the problem is, where can I go and get the princess's food?
Should I sneak into the kitchen?
Nah, there's no way the cook will give me good food. That cook might give me some hard bread or a watery soup. And there's no way the princess deserves such food.
Wait, isn't today the crown prince's coronation? Which means there is a banquet... Should I sneak in the banquet and hid some food for the princess?
But how do I enter the banquet? And I'm not sure if I'll be able to successfully get some food, considering that there would be countless servants helping the nobles and royalties.
Then, a smirk was form on my lips, which vanished immediately when I see Dria walking towards my direction.
"It's dinner time and the princess must be starving. I'll get her some food," I said casually but I actually feel a little nauseous. I mean, I saw her being stabbed right in front me. I can't deny the fact that, it caused me some trauma. Although I acted calm and collected in front of the cat, my mind is vividly recalling everything. As someone who hates seeing blood, that scene is so... ugh! I can't explain it, but something disgusting and scary.
"Go," that's all she said before pressing her back at the door.
I took a deep breath before walking towards the main palace, the venue of the banquet. Good thing, I familiarized myself with the map that Dria gave me before. And since I can't enter the entrance since only nobles with invitation are allowed there. So I have to go to the backdoor, the path that the servants take whenever they go out of the castle.
While walking towards that path, I couldn't help but compare this palace to the place where the princess is residing. This palace is so extravagant. Everything is gold.
"Should I try and take a bite on this gold?" I mumbled. As someone who can't afford real gold or gemstones, I was undoubtedly fascinated by this castle. That is why I can't help but look around. Wherever I look, all I can say is that this place screams nothing but luxury and splendor.
When I saw people entering the backdoor, I ran to follow and blend in with them. And since I'm wearing something similar to them, I managed to join them without difficulties.
After entering the door, I was greeted by the aroma of the foods that the chef was cooking. The smell is so tempting to the point that I want to taste every single food here.
"Good thing that you're here. From what Palace are you?" a man said, while carrying a tray of food.
A woman amongst the group suddenly bowed a little before saying, "We are from the Emerald Palace. It was Her highness, Princess Sei that sent us." Her voice is respectful and her movements were so elegant and graceful.
"Oh. Now go. Bring these few carts in the corridor of the grand hall and wait for the servers there. Remember you can't enter the grand hall without the butler's permission." the man said and pointed to countless food carts.
Without saying a word, the maids from Emerald Palace pulled a cart and walked towards the mentioned location. So to blend in, I also took one and followed them. While on our way, one of the maids spoke.
"Have you seen the princess earlier? She's absolutely breathtaking!" the maid boasted.
Just how beautiful is she? Is she more beautiful than our Princess Racia?
"Of course! I peeked earlier. That's the reason why I'm here. The head maid caught me and punished me. Though it's worth it. I managed to take a glimpse of our saintly princess."
"Saintly?" I whispered but I guess they still heard it.
"Hey, haven't you seen the princess? You must be new seeing how you don't understand us." the maid concluded.
"Y-yes... I apologize for my ignorance. It's just that... I'm wondering what you mean by that..." I talked as if embarrassed.
"Oh! It's alright. If you haven't seen the princess, then I'll describe her to you. You'll absolutely won't be able to take off your eyes once you see her. She possessed an incredible beauty that no princess could compare, a long blonde hair, a trait of royalty and a deep green eyes that resembled an emerald. That is why her palace was named Emerald Palace." she shared with an animated tone.
"Wow! I can't wait to see her!" I spoke full of glee. I really can't wait to see her and compare whether she's more beautiful than Racia.
"Well, you'll never be disappointed once you see her!" she giggled.
"But I've been wondering since earlier, where are you from?" a maid asked. She was silent earlier and I was surprised when she suddenly asked.
"I.."
"I'm curious too! Most of the population has brown hair and I was surprised after seeing a black one. You know, I have seen different hair colors you could imagine but this is my first time seeing a black one." another maid joined in interrogating me.
Now that she mentioned it, almost all of the maids here are brown haired except for the girl who spoke earlier with the chef.
"Are you from a secluded kingdom or something?"
Uh... What should I answer?
"Stupid! If she's from another kingdom, then what is she doing here as a maid?" another maid retorted.
"Then from a tribe or something?" another one asked.
Should I go with that?
"Ah, that's right. I came from a tribe from the North where everyone else had black hair." I lied. Since when did the Earth become just a tribe of the kingdom of Elestrea?
"Oh! So that's why! Do all of your tribesmen possess golden eyes? If so, that would be incredible."
That question made me frown a little. Golden eyes?
"Uh, no?"
"Then whom did you inherit your eye color? Is it from your Mom or your Dad? Are they from another tribe or something?"
Just what the hell are they talking about? Do they mean that I had golden eyes? As far as I remember I have brown eyes. So how did it become gold? Is it because I'm already dead and got transported to this world? Or because it's the characteristics of the body that I possessed.
Maybe it's the latter. I mean, I even had a position in the hidden battalion in the North.
So before answering, I showed a pained expression and sighed, "Actually, I haven't seen my parents. They died before I was born and the people who raised me didn't tell me anything. That's why I ran away from our tribe and miraculously ended up in the palace as a maid." I lied flawlessly.
The atmosphere immediately became awkward and countless fake coughs echoed through the corridor. Come to think of it, just how far is that grand hall? We've been talking since earlier and that even disrupted my sightseeing.
"Earlier, did you say you're from the North?" someone spoke, ending the long series of coughs.
"Yes,"
"Then have you seen the duke of the North?" they asked. I noticed that their eyes were shining and if we were not pushing this cart, they might have gathered in front of me and began exchanging gossip.
"No..." Well, I've seen him but he's frozen.
A series of 'aws' and 'what a pity' echoed the hallway.
"Didn't you know? The duke attended the banquet. I heard it earlier from the princess' personal maid." the silent girl said.
"The northern duke attended the banquet? Are you sure Trish?" an excited girl spoke.
That made me pause. So Xior is here?