The Runaway Maid is Loved by the Archmage - Chapter 14
Of course. Roina thought to herself. It wasn’t anything as grand as a guard. This was surveillance, pure and simple, along with control. Ethan had her relocate her quarters and restricted her interactions to only a select few individuals.
“What about the work I used to do?”
“Someone else will handle it.”
He responded indifferently, nothing more. Roina bit her lip.
For now, she would have to resign herself.
It would require another long stretch of patience. She didn’t know why the Crown Prince was acting this way, but eventually, there would be an opening.
Roina clenched her fists tightly.
“Today, I am Veronica Eckhardt, tasked with overseeing Lady Roina’s education. I look forward to working with you.”
Before her stood a maid who claimed she would be providing some sort of education. The maid, who introduced herself as Veronica, had long chestnut hair neatly arranged, with makeup that highlighted her fair skin, giving her an elegant and refined appearance.
“Greetings, Lady Veronica. Forgive me, but why would someone as lowly as I require an education…?”
“It is His Highness, the Crown Prince’s boundless generosity. You should accept it with gratitude.”
“…I understand. I will do my best.”
Did she even have the option to refuse? Roina thought so while doing her best to offer a natural response.
There had been a brief hesitation before she spoke because Veronica’s face felt familiar. After a moment of reflection, Roina recalled that this Veronica had been among the maids who mocked her injuries the day before.
Veronica offered no explanation about what sort of education it would be, but she proceeded immediately with what she called “instruction,” in a detached and strict tone. It was focused on noble etiquette, the royal family’s genealogy, and the customs required for servants attending directly to the Crown Prince. In truth, it was all knowledge that nobles typically learned and internalized as a matter of course. After all, the attendants who served royalty were often nobles themselves.
But etiquette like this had always been irrelevant to Roina. She was an invisible figure—a mere symbolic presence, no more human than a shadow. A figurehead meant to demonstrate the royal family’s stance against discrimination toward slaves.
Yet, for some reason, things were different now. She was being trained in the royal court’s etiquette without any explanation.
“You don’t even know the basics.”
And the so-called training was closer to harassment.
How could anyone do something perfectly when they were learning it for the first time? Yet, whenever Roina made a mistake or didn’t know something, Veronica would show subtle disdain.
Roina had thought Veronica was beautiful, but the fleeting grimace of contempt on her face as she looked down on Roina was disturbingly grotesque.
Veronica would deliberately speak quickly or demonstrate something only once, then repeat the task over and over if Roina failed, all while displaying derision and mockery.
No matter how patient Roina was, enduring this for an extended period left her utterly exhausted.
At that moment, when she was utterly exhausted—
“I told you that’s not how it’s done!”
Should she just snap and act recklessly? That person was already being so unreasonable anyway.
At some point, Roina had started following Veronica’s instructions with the bare minimum effort, moving mechanically. This seemed to make the chestnut-haired noblewoman even more hysterical. Veronica appeared displeased by Roina’s indifferent attitude.
Eventually, it seemed Veronica reached her limit. She reflexively raised her hand high, likely intending to strike Roina across the cheek.
“Stop.”
A broad, sturdy back suddenly stood in front of Roina, blocking Veronica.
“It’s time to end this.”
“Oh my.”
Veronica elegantly tilted her chin and glanced at the clock. Nearly three hours had passed.
“Hmm, time has flown by. Lady Roina, I hope you continue to improve so as not to bring shame to His Highness, the Crown Prince. I’ll return soon. This is the most basic of basics, so learn it before then.”
With that, Veronica slammed the royal genealogy book onto the desk, producing a loud thud.
‘Wow, it’s as thick as an encyclopedia…’
Even the latest edition of the genealogy didn’t include every branch of the royal family. Anyone could see it was impossible to memorize this book in a short time.
But Roina simply nodded obediently. She figured Veronica would use this as another excuse to torment her tomorrow, but she was more focused on ending this pointless session as quickly as possible.
“Ha.”
Veronica frowned with her signature grimace, seemingly annoyed by the oddly calm Roina. Then, turning her head, she left the room.
Roina let out a long sigh, her shoulders slumping. She was on the verge of developing a nervous tic from Veronica’s constant criticisms of her posture.
“Sir Ethan, why has this kind of training suddenly begun?”
“…I don’t know.”
“Hmm.”
Roina rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
“Sir Ethan, what am I supposed to do now?”
“You are to wait here.”
The “here” Ethan referred to was the room adjacent to the Crown Prince’s bedchamber. It was a simple sitting room where light refreshments could be served, primarily used as a waiting room for those who assisted the Crown Prince.
Roina collapsed onto the sofa and looked up at Ethan.
Throughout the entire lesson, Ethan had been paying close attention to Roina’s every movement, gesture, and even tone of voice. He had been observing her intently, but there was something distinctly different about it—it didn’t feel like surveillance or scrutiny.
Roina stared at Ethan with curiosity, her expression puzzled.
