There Is No Place For Fakes [EN]: Chapter 7

* * *

After finishing her meal, Philomell returned to her room.

“Your Highness! You’re back? So, what did His Majesty say…?”

As soon as she saw Philomell, the nanny was about to pry into her conversation with the Emperor, but then she noticed the figure following behind.

“My, Count Polan, what brings you here?”

It was Count Polan.

“His Majesty has ordered your retirement. Thank you for your hard work in serving Her Majesty the Empress and now Her Highness the Princess.”

“Pardon? What are you talking about…?”

The nanny blinked, unable to understand Polan’s words.

“You will receive a generous severance package, so I hope you won’t be too disappointed. If you wish, we can also arrange a house for you in the capital.”

Philomell looked up at the nanny and smiled brightly.

“Nanny, thank you for everything. Don’t overdo it anymore; just rest well.”

“Retirement! What is going on? I have no intention of retiring! I’ve decided to stay by Her Highness’s side until the end!”

The nanny was horrified at the word ‘retirement.’ She pretended otherwise, but she thoroughly enjoyed the power she wielded as the princess’s guardian.

“Your loyalty is admirable. However, Her Highness has personally informed His Majesty that you have been suffering from back pain for a long time.”

And also, the concern that the nanny might collapse soon.

Philomell hid behind the Count and smirked slyly.

The nanny, feeling guilty, began to make excuses.

“W-well, it’s not that serious. Her Highness probably took it too seriously in her young mind…”

“We have already confirmed it with the other servants. You don’t have to hide it anymore.”

The nanny had been boasting about how she was dedicating herself to the Imperial Family, but words could be twisted.

When Philomell earnestly pretended to worry about the nanny and pleaded with him, Justis ordered the nanny’s retirement without complaint.

From his perspective, it was a measure taken because it would be troublesome if the nanny, whom his deceased wife had followed like a mother, were to collapse.

“So, stop working from today and take care of yourself while recuperating. We plan to carefully select a competent maid for Her Highness.”

“I’m really okay! If you could just reconsider…”

Philomell brushed past the nanny clinging to Polan and entered her room. Hoping that Justis would retract an order once given was like hoping to be reborn after death.

The complexions of the maids whispering in the corner were also not good.

“…What will happen to us if the nanny quits?”

“We’ll just have to get along with the new maid.”

“We’ve put so much effort into the nanny until now. What a waste.”

They were the ones who had been living comfortably, doing their work haphazardly, thanks to the nanny who didn’t care much about anything else as long as they followed her orders.

Philomell’s escape plan started with getting rid of all of them.

Having those who gnawed at her sanity by her side would only hinder her preparations for escape.

The start was good.

Philomell headed to the bathroom with a light step to wash up.

* * *

A few days later, at Philomell’s residence.

Today was the day Philomell would meet Countess Delles for the first time. She was the one who became Philomell’s head maid, replacing the retired nanny.

Looking at the gray-haired woman standing before her, Philomell thought.

‘Even though they were in a hurry, Count Polan brought in quite a decent person.’

Although Countess Delles lacked assertiveness, she was discreet and tight-lipped, making her suitable for the job of a maid.

How did Philomell, meeting her for the first time today, know that?

It was because Countess Delles was the head maid who served Elensia in the book. In the book, she was a dignified and honest person whom Elensia relied on a lot.

The gentle-looking Countess Delles bowed politely.

“It is a great honor for my family to serve Her Highness the Princess. If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to tell me.”

Countess Delles was nervous that the notoriously picky princess would find fault with her from the very first impression. Although she had few appearances at official events due to her young age, it was well known that the princess’s personality was not easy to deal with.

“Nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you.”

However, contrary to the rumors of arrogance, the princess greeted the Countess with a polite smile.

Even during the ensuing conversation, there was nothing particularly rude or improper in her words or actions. Rather, she even gave the impression of being more mature than the average noble’s child.

‘It was an unnecessary worry.’

About half a day after meeting the princess, the Countess was completely relieved.

According to what she had observed while following the princess’s daily routine, the princess was sincere in everything she did and never treated her subordinates carelessly.

There were some immature aspects due to her age, but it was clear that with a little education, she would grow into a paragon of royalty.

The princess’s bad reputation seemed to be just one of the many rumors in society.

‘How dare they talk about the princess like that?’

Countess Delles thought to herself.

At that moment, the princess, cupping her small, flushed cheeks, said,

“Would you like to see my closet? I have many pretty dresses.”

The two were enjoying refreshments during a break.

While looking for a topic that a young girl would like, she mentioned the latest dress styles, and the princess took her hand and led her to the closet.

She had been thinking that the princess was too mature for her age.

‘She does have a childlike side,’ Countess Delles smiled contentedly.

However, the moment she checked inside the closet, her expression subtly hardened.

Philomell chattered, pointing out each dress one by one.

“This is my favorite dress, and I got that one last spring…”

“…I see. They are all beautiful.”

There was nothing particularly wrong with the dresses.

The problem was the state of organization inside the closet.

At first glance, the clothes seemed to be neatly hung, but upon closer inspection, they were mixed haphazardly, regardless of the dress’s purpose or season. Moreover, some were stored with the lace still wrinkled.

At this rate, the clothes would quickly be ruined and could not be worn for long. It seemed that the princess had been getting new dresses right away, so they had been glossing over it.

‘But to make mistakes that even the maids of most noble families wouldn’t make!’

Countess Delles glared at Philomell’s maids with cold eyes. She had already felt that their attitude was clumsy since they had served tea.

‘Is this all there is?’

Usually, one mistake that is revealed means ten hidden mistakes.

She thought that she would have to thoroughly investigate how they had been handling their work until now.

A large number of new maids might be needed.

Soon after, all of the princess’s maids were replaced. This was because the administrators had launched an investigation at the request of Countess Delles.

Not only was there negligence in their duties, but it was also discovered that they had been privately using the budget allocated to the princess. It was only natural, but the one who had embezzled the most was the nanny.

All those involved were severely punished. Later, Philomell heard that the nanny didn’t even realize it was a big mistake.

“Is it such a big crime that this old woman got confused about whether it was my money or not because I’m old! Oh, how unfair! If Isabella were alive, how much she would have pitied me, who was like a mother to her…”

A maid who witnessed the nanny coming to the Imperial Palace to cry and protest reported what she had seen to Philomell in detail.

It wasn’t just a few coins, and the number of times and the amount of money she had ‘confused’ were enormous, so it wasn’t a plausible excuse.

Philomell had thought that the nanny spent money lavishly, but she didn’t realize it was to this extent.

The nanny was beaten and kicked out afterward, but considering she was a criminal, it was a wonder that her head was still attached to her neck even after making such a scene.

Unlike the maids who were imprisoned, having her property confiscated was the greatest leniency the Emperor could offer. Not satisfied with that, she even went so far as to protest.

“You should have seen it, Your Highness. She cried and cried that it hurt even after being hit only once.”

The maid, who was reenacting the nanny’s unsightly appearance, giggled.

“…You’re going too far in front of Her Highness.”

Countess Delles frowned and glanced at Philomell.

She seemed worried that the princess would be heartbroken because the nanny who had been in charge of her upbringing for so long had ended up like that.

“I’m okay. Isn’t it just reaping what you sow?”

Philomell reassured the Countess with a gentle smile. In any case, she was no longer related to her.

Philomell yawned and patted her shoulder, and Countess Delles smiled slightly.

“I will tell them to prepare your bed.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. It’s my job.”

As soon as she lay down on the bed, sleepiness washed over her.

For the past few days, Philomell had not been able to sleep soundly, worrying about how to get rid of the nanny and the maids.

Even while studying, her mind was filled with that thought. Being summoned by the Emperor to make a wish and showing the state of her closet to the new head maid were all strategies that came after intense deliberation.

It might not seem like much to others, but it had completely drained Philomell, who was only nine years old.

Anyway, she was really glad that things had worked out as she had hoped.

‘I hope it will continue to be like this in the future.’

With that prayer, Philomell fell asleep.