Neither Nonna nor I could ever stand being idle. We changed into our going-out dresses and visited the Asher family estate.
Lady Blythe greeted us there herself. “Welcome, Anna and Nonna.”
“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for Nonna, Lady Blythe,” I said.
“Aunt Blythe, I’m very sorry for not coming back after going to the festival,” Nonna said.
“I’m just glad you’re safe, Nonna. When I heard something terrible happened in the plaza, I was beside myself with worry. If Anna hadn’t sent over that letter, I was about to dispatch a search party out for you.”
“I’m so sorry, Aunt Blythe. I got separated from Elizabeth during the commotion, and when I ran into Mom, I was just so happy to see her that we ended up going home together.”
“Well, as long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters. Anna, have you finished your work?”
“Yes, it’s all done,” I said.
“I see.”
For some reason, Lady Blythe didn’t quite seem like herself. What could be wrong? Nonna seemed to pick up on this, too, and out of consideration, she announced she was going to say hello to her grandmother. Once my daughter left the room, Lady Blythe had the maid leave as well, so it was just the two of us.
“What’s wrong, Lady Blythe?”
“To be honest, my husband hasn’t returned yet. He’s never been out for so long without contacting me before. I’ve heard something big happened at the castle, but I don’t know the details. I’m very anxious. I was up all last night worrying about Edward’s safety.”
Earl Edward Asher was the head of the Department of Institutional Maintenance. Apparently, he also oversaw the Repairs and Document Management departments. None of those were involved in the military’s rebellion, though.
But perhaps after what had happened, maybe even people from unrelated departments were being called in to help?
Come to think about it, I had, in fact, entered Lord Edward’s office during the chaos. It was on the third floor of the north wing. The Third Order had gathered there, and not a single civil official, including Lord Edward, had been present. I assumed they must’ve been evacuated somewhere, but then what happened to Lord Edward after that?
“Lady Blythe, there’s something I need to return to the palace for, so I’ll be going there soon. It may be a bit chaotic at the moment, but if Edward hasn’t returned in a few days, I’ll check in with his department.”
“Would you, please? That would be so helpful. I’m sure he’ll be back tonight, but if he’s not, I’d really like you to see what’s going on. Edward dislikes it when I go to the castle. Since getting married, I’ve hardly ever gone there, save for some events we were required to attend.”
“I see. He might need a change of clothes. I’ll deliver them on your behalf. Have you received any word from his department?”
Lady Blythe shook her head sadly.
“Normally, someone would have come to give us an update, but no one’s showed up this time around,” she said.
“That is worrisome.”
“Yes… It’s not a glamorous position, but Edward works in a safe department, you know? I’ve never had to worry like this before!”
I truly empathized with Lady Blythe’s anxiety, as my own husband was currently away from home.
“All right. Instead of waiting two or three days, I’ll go the palace tomorrow.”
“Please do. But if it seems like the castle is in too much chaos, please don’t worry about it and turn back home.”
“Understood.”
I decided I would visit Lord Asher’s department the next day to put Lady Blythe’s mind at ease.
I said my good-byes to my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law and left the Asher estate.
The following day, I went to the palace to return my maid’s uniform.
The castle seemed to be back to business as usual, so much so that it was hard to believe a crisis had transpired there the day before.
Since I’d just stayed here for two months, by paying close attention, I could tell there were more guards than when I had served as decoy. But there weren’t so many that it stood out.
The government must have implemented strict information control about the previous day’s rebellion, which explained why Lady Blythe had been told that something serious had transpired at the palace. Even though the story of the conflict would eventually trickle out, most of the nobles and military personnel were complying with the control measures.
The commoner entrance to the castle was tightly guarded, with thorough identity checks. But for a woman like me, the scrutiny was relatively lax. And since I had my maid outfit with me, I just told the guards, “I’m resigning and have come to return my uniform.” After a quick pat-down, I was allowed inside.
I removed the maid uniform from the bundle of clothes I was carrying and deliberately placed it on top as I walked. Just as I reached the third floor of the castle’s northern wing and was about to knock on the door of the Department of Institutional Maintenance, a voice called out from behind.
“What’s this? Do you need something from me?”
“Oh, Lord Edward! You’re just the person I was hoping to see. Lady Blythe is very worried. She asked me to bring you a change of clothes.”
“Ah, I’ve caused you some trouble, haven’t I? Things have been so hectic here that I couldn’t even send a messenger to Blythe.”
“I see. Well, I’ll give this to you, then. I’ll tell Lady Blythe you’re doing well.”
“Please do. And please let her know I’ll be home in a few days.”
“I’ll do that. If you’ll excuse me.”
I bowed and headed back toward the stairs.
Lord Asher looked very tired. There were dark circles under his eyes. But he wasn’t injured, so it wouldn’t be a lie to tell Lady Blythe he was fine.
I stopped at the landing between the third and second floors when I heard a familiar voice coming up the stairs.
Uh-oh, what should I do? That’s the lead operative of the Third Order! What is he doing here? Does the Third Order have a station in the northern wing?
For a moment, I panicked, but if there was a station up here, it wouldn’t hurt to find out where it was. The leader of the Third Order knew my identity anyway. If I discovered where their base was, then we’d be even.
I quickly ran up the stairs and slipped into the nearest room. A sign reading DEPARTMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL MAINTENANCE hung by the door.
As I entered the room, all the people sitting at their desks turned to look at me.
“I’m so sorry, I seem to have gotten lost…”
I was about to say more, but then I trailed off.
Every single person in the room was a muscular man. There wasn’t a single older gentleman in the Department of Institutional Maintenance.
What’s going on? Feeling a strong sense of unease, I quickly put a smile on my face.
A young man got up and approached me. “Can I help you with something?”
“I’m so sorry. I got lost.”
“What business do you have at the castle?”
“I’ve come to return a maid’s uniform, but…”
“Then I’ll take it from you and bring it to the linen room.”
The young man stepped closer to me to retrieve the uniform from my arms. Just then, however, the door behind me opened, and a voice called out, “I’m back!”
I quickly turned to look at face of the man who had come in, then turned around again. “Yes, please do so.”
I lowered my head and kept my gaze on the floor as I slipped past the young man out into the hallway. The door immediately shut behind me as soon as I stepped out. I glanced back at it before going down the stairs and stepping outside.
It was likely that the young man who’d just entered had only seen my face through the veil of my hat that day, but I recognized him. It was the boy who had gone up to the attic with Nonna.
The Department of Institutional Maintenance had been full of strapping young men.
Near the department, I had seen the leader of the Third Order climbing the stairs.
And a young man from the Third Order had said, “I’m back!” as he entered the office of the Department of Institutional Maintenance.
“Hmm…”
By all appearances, it seemed the Third Order’s base was actually here, disguised as the Department of Institutional Maintenance.
And what about Lord Edward? He didn’t have military training. Was he unrelated to the Third Order?
No, wait. Lord Edward is in charge of three departments here.
So if the Departments of Institutional Maintenance, Repairs, and Document Management were all under the umbrella of the Third Order, that would make Lord Edward their chief. And it wouldn’t be impossible for a civil servant to be the chief of a special operations unit.
“Hmm… I see.”
If Lord Edward was indeed the leader of the Third Order, everything would make sense.
That would explain why I, a defected foreign spy, had been able to wed Jeff, the prince’s favorite.
Our move to Shen had been arranged in no time, and Jeff was entrusted with the very important task of setting up a trading company for exporting medicine.