Carrying the anger towards my two brothers and the determination to be with Serena, I returned to my room.
"Eh..."
... But of all times, Mary is waiting at the door in a kneeling position.
However, if she gets expelled from the royal palace, she'll lose her salary, and the revival of the Sierra family will be even more distant. It's a matter of life and death for Mary ...
"I deeply apologize for the disrespect I showed you, Prince Elysion. Could you please find it in your heart to forgive me?"
While prostrating herself, Mary apologized in her usual monotonous voice.
Now... what should I do?
Considering her situation, it's not entirely impossible to sympathize with her. However, letting it go unpunished would mean betraying Serena, who got angry on my behalf.
However, if I let her off now when the main story of 'Engage Hunderd Times' begins, she might align with the protagonist, Vikir, and treat me as an enemy. Is there no good solution...?
"Ah..."
There was one option.
This way, I can understand Serena's feelings, and in the long run, it might not be a bad story for Mary either... I think.
"Cough... Mary. Unfortunately, I can't just leave you as my chambermaid."
"Wh-!? Please! I won't ever show such disrespectful behaviour again! So, please... please give me another chance!"
Hold on. I'm not saying I'll kick you out of the royal palace.
"However, from now on, you won't serve me. You'll be serving Prince Vikir, the fourth prince. Of course, as his exclusive chambermaid..."
"Ah..."
The moment I said that, Mary's flushed face turned pale.
Currently, Vikir doesn't have an exclusive chambermaid.
That's because no chambermaid wants to become his exclusive one. There are no benefits to becoming one, and everyone around treats them with disdain, just like Vikir, making them the lowest-ranked among chambermaids.
All of this is solely because Margaret, my mother and the first queen, won't allow any improvement in Vikir's environment.
Why? Because Ferina, Baroness and the mistress of King Evial, snatched the queen's husband away.
Yes... Vikir is the child born between the most beloved husband of Margaret and the woman she hates the most.
Moreover, this woman, who is nothing more than a mistress, managed to persuade King Evial to forcefully give Vikir the right to partake in the succession race for the throne. That alone is unforgivable.
Other royal and noble families also won't appreciate having a child of a mistress in such a position. Anyway, Vikir has been living an unfortunate life since his birth.
That's why Vikir is called the 'Tainted Prince.'
I don't particularly sympathize with the protagonist... no, when the main story of 'Engage Hundred Times' begins, he'll be surrounded by heroines and enjoy a great time. So, I don't sympathize at all.
Well, in that sense, Mary is somewhat facing a death sentence.
"Don't worry. If someone asks, just say, 'Prince Elysion forced me and made me Vikir's exclusive chambermaid.' I'll also inform the head chambermaid about this. This way, at least, you might get some sympathy from those around you and avoid unpleasant things."
"Prince Elysion, you can say such things because you don't know anything! I... I..."
"But, even if you leave the royal palace now, you won't be able to revive the Sierra Count's family."
"Wh-!?"
Upon hearing that I knew Mary's desperate wish, she looked shocked. Shivering, she stared at me with wide eyes.
"In addition, even if you serve here, we'll only make each other miserable, and I don't have the power to support the revival of the Sierra family. So, whether you are the chambermaid of the 'useless bad boy prince' or the 'tainted prince,' it doesn't make a difference, right?"
I shrugged my shoulders and joked, and Mary glared at me, look at that guts!
Anyway, for the past month, I've endured Mary's scornful looks and rough treatment. I endured it because I didn't want to raise any unnecessary flags and reach a bad ending.
But just because of that, if I'm asked which one I would choose to respect between Serena and Mary,it's an easy decision.
At the very least, if I stay engaged to her, as the 'prince with the world's best fiancée,' I won't have to participate in the ridiculous throne succession struggle. No, wait...
No, for me, the most important person in this world is Serena alone.
"Mary, this is my maximum concession. If you can't accept this, you should leave the royal palace immediately."
"..."
Leaving only those words behind, I entered my room.
With the gaze of the utmost hatred directed at my back.
'Goodbye, bitch!'