I’m the Only One Who Can Guide the Tyrant to Sleep - Chapter 32

Since I came to the Crown Prince’s Palace and became an apprentice handmaid, there were quite a few chances for me to accidentally run into Caesar.

Every time, he nodded to me or smiled with a friendly face. But like the first time we met. I greeted him respectfully and followed the etiquette.

As if I saw him for the first time. As if everything I told him to save me or save me was a lie.

‘From my perspective, there was no other choice.’

On the first day I was assigned to the Crown Prince’s Palace, we parted ways like that, and I wanted to explain my circumstances someday, but it was a difficult task.

It was all because of the unexpected talk about selecting a full-fledged handmaid. If my close relationship with Caesar were to be exposed, it would become even more dangerous.

Especially considering the personalities of Yellowhead and Purplehead, it was only natural. They were mocking even Arinna, who had done nothing wrong, for using unfair methods.

In the worst case, no matter how excellent my job skills were, they could push me out.

Anyway, because of that… Caesar was upset with me.

Although I didn’t have a direct conversation with him, I could tell.

First, he tried to call me but was ignored.

Second, he smiled brightly but was ignored.

Third, he made eye contact but was ignored again.

So, the fourth time we met, he ignored me first.

‘Is Caesar coming tomorrow?’

Does Caesar even know the seriousness of finding the Guide? He also probably didn’t know that there was only a little over a month left.

No, did he even trust me at this point? Originally, I planned to meet him and explain after the probation period ended, but now the situation was like this.

I recalled Caesar’s cold demeanor when he passed me by the fourth time we met.

There was a very real possibility that Caesar might take revenge and try to get rid of me.

***

I made every effort tonight or tomorrow morning, before Caesar personally came to evaluate the apprentice handmaids, to meet him.

I lingered near his bedroom for no reason and waited even in the garden where we first met, but it was in vain.

A lowly handmaid meeting the Crown Prince? There was no chance.

If I had even a little more time, the situation might have been different.

I could have asked Floria for a favor to arrange a meeting or tried to find out his official schedule and created a disguised encounter somehow.

‘Then I could have explained everything afterward.’

I could have informed him that I ignored him not because I wanted to but because I had to.

Failing to explain, I had no choice but to stand before Caesar with a helpless expression alongside the other apprentice handmaids.

Caesar was accompanied by just one aide, the knight who had always been by his side during his playtime with Floria.

‘They seem quite close.’

In the palace where he had no place to belong, it was fortunate if Caesar had at least one person he was close to.

‘It’s not the time for me to worry about others now.’

To be concerned about others when facing the risk of being cut off was absurd.

I involuntarily shook my head, but even though the danger of being separated was imminent, I couldn’t afford to worry about others.

Caesar looked in my direction, and our eyes met suddenly. I was startled and froze.

‘I need to say something…!’

My surprise was so great that my mouth hung open, but by the time I mustered the courage to speak, Caesar had already averted his gaze.

It wasn’t as if we had telepathy, and even if we did, it didn’t seem possible to explain through lip movements.

“Alright, now that everyone is here, let’s begin with a brief explanation.”

The head maid standing before us lowered her head respectfully to Caesar.

“It’s a great honor for us that His Highness, the Crown Prince, has graced us with his presence today.”

Caesar merely nodded his head slightly in response.

The atmosphere became serious. Regardless of how they might have talked behind his back before, none of the handmaids dared to act irreverently in front of Caesar.

Whether due to their strong belief in the status of the aristocracy or the difference between their imagination and the reality of seeing Caesar up close, they behaved with utmost respect.

Somehow, regardless of his background, perhaps the fact that he was a noble and, moreover, the image of Caesar that they had conjured in their minds was quite different from the reality.

Caesar looked far from the frail and foolish Crown Prince rumored in whispers.

“Today is the last day of the probation period. It’s the day when it will be decided whether you can become a full-fledged handmaid and what duties you will be assigned. And the final test to make that decision will be directly administered by His Highness, the Crown Prince.”

The chief handmaid bowed her head once more and stepped back. Caesar stepped forward.

Just as the sun emerged from behind the clouds, its rays bathed his head in light. Although only a few weeks had passed, Caesar had grown. It wasn’t just his height—it was an overall change in demeanor.

‘He’s growing up so fast…’

“The final test…”

Caesar slowly opened his mouth, and his voice sounded slightly lower.

“Is to guess my preferences.”