Chapter 6

"It's only been three months, and I'm already starving myself thin," I grumbled.

He handed me another fork and said coolly, "That's because you used to be a bit plump."

I shot him a look, thinking he had no taste and when he turned twenty-three, he'd wish I was still this curvy.

After dinner, Winston washed the dishes himself, then settled by the window to write. I sprawled out on the veranda, basking in the warm spring sunlight, feeling like the days would never end.

Not long after, news of a plague outbreak at the border reached the palace. Displaced refugees were kept outside the capital, unable to get in.

Right about now, Nelson would be out at the border, probably running into that blind girl, Zora, who was only eleven.

He used to call me a kid, but now we're about the same age. If I could just leave the palace and make it to the border, maybe things would be different...

But getting out of the palace was easier said than done.

Especially since my master was the notorious broke seventh prince, Winston.

The palace gates were locked down tight. The imperial consort's maids and the second prince's servants could stroll in and out with their master's pass, but me? Every single time I tried, I got sent right back.

One time, a few of Edmund's servants set their sights on me, lured me into a dark corner, and tried to get handsy. Luckily, I screamed for help, and an old guard passing by saved me.

I forced myself to stay calm as I made my way back to Tranquil Hall, but once I was alone, I hid behind the bed curtains and cried quietly.

When Winston came back and saw me like that, he paused for a moment, then set a colorful lacquered box on the table. "Father gave it to me as a festival gift. I don't care for sweets, so you can have it."

I quietly said I wasn't hungry, but he took my wrist, felt the bruises there, and saw my swollen eyes. His eyes turned cold.

After he learned what happened, he ignored my protests and marched straight to Prince Edmund Stuart's residence, beating the crap out of those eunuchs.

Afterward, the king punished him by making him stand outside the palace hall without rest. His legs became sore, and he was unable to walk for days.

I helped him apply medicine, my tears kept falling as I awkwardly tended to his wounds. Sometimes I was too rough, and the medicine seeped into his injuries, making Winston flinch in pain, which only made me sob harder.

He tossed a handkerchief into my lap. "I didn't do it for you. You're the only maid I've got; if they bully you, it's like they're showing me zero respect."

"Well, honestly, nobody really respects you anyway," I said, being blunt.

Winston went quiet, so I hurried to add, "But I'll always care about you."

He gave a small huff and turned his head away, but I could see his ears turning a little red.

The next moment, I intentionally pressed harder as I applied the medicine, making Winston yelp, "Can you go a little easier?"

"Alright," I said, but my hands didn't ease up one bit.

Back when we first slept together, he never cared about my feelings. So now, this was just my little revenge.

After that, everyone in the palace knew I was under Winston's protection, and nobody dared mess with me anymore.

One day, I came back to the Tranquil Hall and found Winston hauling in a huge stack of books.

"What are you up to?" I asked.

"Father's been worried sick about the plague. I'm hoping to find some cures, maybe something that could help the people out at the border," he said.

I froze for a moment, caught off guard.

Back at the border, Nelson scoured for herbs while I kept the medicine brewing. That plague remedy is still etched in my memory.

If I could help Winston make this happen, his standing would finally rise, and I could ride on his reputation to slip out of the palace and track down Nelson.

"Your Highness, I had a dream a few days ago; an immortal appeared and handed me a remedy, said it could cure any illness," I told him.

I scribbled down the recipe and passed it to him. He took it and placed it on the table, right beside his calligraphy book.

"That's strange... your handwriting looks a lot like mine," Winston muttered.

How could it not?

I used to be blind, and only regained my sight after marrying him. Back then, I couldn't read or write, and he'd get so annoyed with me. But he taught me, guiding my hand through every stroke. Those were the few tender times we shared in five years of marriage.

"Oh? Really?" I craned my neck to take a look. "I just scribbled it down. Honestly, your handwriting could use some work; you should practice more."

Winston's cheeks turned a bit red, clearly embarrassed. He balled up his own writing and tossed it aside. "Guess I'll just have to keep practicing."

I turned away from him, laughing silently to myself.

Just as I expected, Winston submitted the remedy for the plague, and it completely resolved the crisis at the border. The king was thrilled, summoned him to share a meal, and personally praised him.

Tranquil Hall was completely transformed.