After finalizing the contract, the Duke commanded me to return back to the palace. He also added that he'll contact me when the time comes.
Before returning to the palace, I decided to roam around the town for a few minutes. While I reached the park, I couldn't help but wander my gaze. Unlike the parks from the modern world, the serenity of this place is insane, and I could really feel that my mind was relaxing.
"Are you certain about that?"
"Absolutely. My sources were never wrong."
I was about to ignore them, but the next words of the guy in the black coat ignited my interest. So I sat at a nearby bench, and luckily, I spotted a newspaper. Therefore, I grabbed it and pretended to be busy reading. But I am attentively listening to the two people nearby.
After all, I love gossip, and there's no way I'll ignore an interesting piece of gossip.
"So the king is really sick. The crown prince will surely ascend the throne in no time," the other guy said.
That made me think deeply. If the crown prince ascends the throne, then he will surely eradicate all of the remaining royal members that are not committed to serving him.
And one of them is Racia.
Is it the reason why he sent assassins and even tried to poison the princess? To slowly eradicate them and sit on the throne pretending to be innocent and a good ruler.
Then in the next days, the palace would surely be filled with a bloodbath.
"But where did you learn about it? I'm sure that there's no way information about the king's illness wouldn't be widespread here," the same guy added.
I unconsciously nodded at that, silently agreeing with his statement. Does that mean there's a spy in the palace who is deliberately spreading information about the king?
But who is it?
I'm certain it won't be the crown prince since he's not stupid enough to do this kind of move. It must be someone within the royal family.
And that someone would be an additional enemy to the princess.
"I just heard it from a maid working in the palace. You know that I've been delivering fresh fruits and vegetables, and I overheard the maids talking about it."
The maids? Are the maids allowed to talk about it? If their higher-ups heard them, they'll absolutely face severe punishment.
"Well, it doesn't matter if that old king dies. I'm sure the current crown prince will achieve unimaginable feats for our kingdom." The guy shrugged as if he didn't fear that someone might hear him and charge him with lèse-majesté. And it won't end up with just imprisonment, he might even end up being tortured or beheaded.
Anyway, I'm curious about what achievement the crown prince will bring to this kingdom. Is he going to colonize the neighboring kingdoms and improve the economy of this country? Is he going to eradicate all the monsters in the north to lessen the burden of the Northern Duke?
"Shh! Don't spout like that! Someone might hear you and send you to prison!" The other guy warned him and pulled him somewhere else.
That made me disappointed. I was about to become elated while listening to that gossip, but they decided to leave? And I can't stupidly follow them, or else they might suspect my intentions.
Then, my gaze shifted to the words in the newspaper. The letters were emphasized, and I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows at it.
"THE PRINCESS FROM THE EMERALD CASTLE WAS SAID TO BE THE NEXT SAINTESS IN THE HOLY EMPIRE."
Eh? What's this?
Princess from Emerald Castle? Isn't that where those maids are working?
Attached to the news article was the picture of that princess.
So this is Princess Sei? And her complete name was Sei Caera Sol Elestrea.
She's pretty. She possesses a beauty that makes her look innocent. And no one could deny that. But Racia is prettier. Even if I look at them unbiasedly, I'd blindly nominate Racia as someone prettier. Because Sei only looked innocent with her big doe eyes, while Racia gave off a seductive vibe with her slightly droopy eyes.
However, this princess is none of my concern. When I flipped the newspaper, the topic was about the crown prince's coronation. Again, attached to that article was his image. His image slightly resembled Racia's except for their eyes. But their mother is different, so does that mean that Racia resembled the king?
Beside his name is his complete name.
Kivell Reonis Sol Elestrea. Crown prince of the Kingdom of Elestrea.
It's a good name, and it made me remember Racia's complete name.
Racia Sol Elestrea. She only has one name because they said that an illegitimate child like her doesn't deserve two names before their last name.
Or is it because I'm too lazy to think of another name, and I just created that reason that's why she only has one name?
Hayss.
Aside from the crown prince and princess, there's also an article about the Northern Duke's achievements in the North. It was all about eradicating the monster there and opening the passageway from the east to the north, easing their trading.
My eyes were locked on his name. It was Alxior Grivounne.
His name is one of the names that I effortlessly made. That time, I asked my sister for a good name, but I guess she misheard my question, and she replied with 'sure'. And since I couldn't think of anything, I just named the character Xior and added Al at the beginning.
For a few minutes, I continue reading the newspaper. Since phones don't exist in this era, newspapers are the best source of information. Though information here isn't as widespread as on Earth, where I can spot gossips in just a few scrolls.
After finishing the newspaper, I stretched out for a bit and prepared myself to return back to the palace. I wasted so much time here. Nevertheless, I gathered information that I don't know if it'll be helpful or not in the near future. The only useful information that I can use is about the king's health.
So, I stood up and left that park. That knowledge about the king being sick was good gossip, and I guess I'll refrain from squeezing more information from those two. After all, this type of discussion isn't as simple as people talking about a pregnant neighbor who was living alone for a long time. It isn't a light matter that can be published anytime in the newspaper.
So despite their carelessness, those two still fear the punishment that they might receive for offending the royalty. That's why they ran away. And the other guy might have noticed that I am eavesdropping on their conversation.
After arriving in the palace, I immediately reported all the information I gathered to the princess. Though I omit my contract with the duke since it won't benefit her anyway and it'll only bring doubts and confusions.
"So that cunning snake began moving his pawns, huh?" The princess scoffed and chuckled humorlessly. I just stared at her, and so did Dria. She suddenly reacted like this after I shared what I heard in the park earlier.
"I guess I have to hasten my plans, then." She stands up and walks near the window. "Have you finished your preparation, Dria?"
Dria, who was overly silent, bowed to Racia and responded, "Yes, your highness. Your plan will take action as long as you signal to begin."
After their short conversation, I was dazed. Just what the hell is happening? Isn't today my 2nd day here? So what's this sudden plot development? Why do they sound like we will reach the ending in no time? Why are we hurrying to the climax?
And why am I so clueless about everything? Does that mean the princess hasn't fully trusted me? Unlike Dria? So that's why she sent me to the Duke while she's planning something with Dria?
Or maybe, just like the duke, she also remembers something? And she's just good at concealing them?
"Don't overthink, Zeana!" the princess flicked my head, and I was stunned. "Don't think nonsense."
"Eh? "I-I'm not, haha," I denied.
How did she know? Does she have a mind-reading ability or something? Is that the reason why she suddenly trusts us, except for the fact that we work for the duke?
"I'm not reading your mind, Zeana," she stated, and my eyes widened.
If you don't, then how did you know about that? How did you answer the question in my mind?
"It's so obvious. You were like an open book. Even Dria can read what's in your mind right now," she explained, but I'm not going to buy that.
"Well, suit yourself." She just let go of the topic, and her playful place became serious.
That is my signal to erase all my overthinking and begin to focus on what they are discussing.
As they continued to converse, my expression was slowly becoming more and more stunned. I was in a daze, unable to believe what I heard.
"Damn..." That's all I could say after hearing it all.