Weeping Men: The Innocent Princess's Secret Delight - Chapter 1.1
It was her first day at work. Jessie pushed the cart, trembling nervously, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Princess’s Palace.
‘To think that I would be assisting in Her Highness’s grooming…’
She hadn’t even adapted to the scale of the Princess’s Palace, which was on a different level from the Viscount’s residence when she was suddenly summoned.
How did she catch the eye of such an important person? She was on the verge of fainting when she heard that it was Her Highness the Princess who had requested her, wondering if she had unknowingly caused a major incident.
‘Turn crisis into opportunity! Let’s try to become a close lady-in-waiting!’
Now she had become rather brave, having been too nervous earlier.
Jessie made a firm resolution. She shook off the remaining tension in her body.
From what she had heard from her seniors, Her Highness the Princess wasn’t a demanding mistress. She rarely had her maids accompany her unless necessary, gave ample rest time, and didn’t make many requests.
‘As long as I don’t cause any trouble!’
Jessie stood firmly in front of the massive door, making this vow to herself.
“Your Highness. I’ve brought your morning tea.”
At least the greeting went smoothly. It was the result of dozens of repetitions in practice.
Jessie inwardly cheered. The door slowly opened, granting her entry.
“I’ve prepared a tea with a gentle aroma to relieve your fatigue from last night.”
She entered with lowered eyes, reciting the lines she had memorized. It was a desperate attempt to appear professional. As a result, she was a bit late in actually looking at the Princess.
She poured the tea into the cup. Only when it was time to serve the tea did Jessie steal a glance at the Princess.
And she couldn’t continue with any words or actions.
Just facing her up close made her heart constrict. It naturally inspired awe, even creating the illusion of an angel descended to the mortal world.
“…..”
“…Jessie?”
“Ah! Oh, yes! I’m sorry!”
She snapped out of her daze at the Princess’s call.
She had committed the rudeness of staring blankly. Flustered and embarrassed, she moved hurriedly. Jessie bowed her head deeply and extended the teacup she was holding.
In her haste, the tea spilled over onto the Princess’s bed.
“Ah…”
“Aaa…! I’m, I’m so sorry!”
She had caused an even bigger accident while trying to remedy the situation. She was about to kneel and prostrate herself on the floor to apologize.
It was the Princess who stopped her. A white, delicate hand touched her shoulder, and Jessie froze awkwardly, unable to move either way.
“It’s alright.”
“But…”
“It’s not like I got burned or anything. Hmm?”
The Princess tilted her head sideways and cutely persuaded her. Jessie almost lost herself again in her loveliness.
“Thank you…”
Finally giving in to the Princess, Jessie bowed at the waist instead of prostrating herself. As she did so, she thought to herself.
‘She’s as kind as an angel, just like her appearance. It’s my fortune to serve such a mistress.’
While her loyalty was welling up, the Princess cleared away the teacup and sat at her dressing table.
Jessie naturally followed and helped with the grooming. She moved more enthusiastically, wanting to make up for her mistake.
However, the more she worked, the more self-deprecating she felt. The original was so beautiful that every attempt seemed to detract from its inherent beauty.
“How is it?”
“Yes, it’s good.”
Whenever she asked cautiously, the Princess would smile gently and affirm. Encouraged by this, she was able to keep moving without stopping.
It was when she had somehow managed to dress the Princess fully and opened the jewelry box to find the brooch to decorate the chest area.
“…Huh?”
The brooch that had been set aside was nowhere to be seen. A cold sensation ran through her entire body.
She searched the jewelry box as if about to overturn it, but the brooch didn’t appear. She was too frantic to realize that such behavior was improper.
The color drained from her face. Throughout the entire time she had been helping with the grooming, she was the only one who had touched the jewelry box.
‘Even if Her Highness is like an angel, would she be angelic even to a maid who lost her jewel?’
In an instant, dozens of thoughts raced through her mind.
“Aren’t you done yet?”
The Princess asked, having grown tired of waiting. As soon as Jessie heard that voice, she fell to her knees on the marble floor. It made a loud thud.
“I’m, I’m sorry. The brooch… I can’t find the brooch. It seems to be… lost. I’m sure I put it out earlier… It was there then. No, no…! It’s my responsibility for not managing it properly. I’m sorry for making excuses… I’ll, I’ll accept any punishment…”
Even her apology was terrible. All her mistakes from this morning until now flashed before her eyes.
Forget about being a close attendant, she’d be lucky if she didn’t lose her head.
As fear mixed with self-loathing, moisture gathered in her eyes. The tears she couldn’t wipe away fell in drops. Her shoulders trembled and her limbs tensed.
‘If I die, will the debt pass to my family? What about my mother and father who felt sorry for sending me to be a lowly maid in the Imperial Palace without even a dowry? What about my younger siblings whom I need to support…?’
Unpleasant thoughts flourished, choking her. It felt like her head was about to explode.
“Calm down.”
At that moment, a handkerchief touched her cheek. The Princess was sitting face to face with Jessie, gently wiping away her tears.
Jessie was dumbfounded, not having expected to be comforted even in this situation.
“Aren’t you angry?”
“Hm?”
“Your Highness’s possession has disappeared…”
The Princess smiled and tilted her head at the foolish question. It seemed almost playful.
“Would you like me to be angry?”
“No, no! That’s not what I meant…”
Her face reddened even more. The Princess, still smiling, withdrew the handkerchief.
“I’m not angry. It’s my fault for not managing my possessions properly.”
She raised Jessie up, even showing concern.
“More importantly, are your knees alright? It looks like they might bruise…”
“Ah, no! They don’t hurt at all!”
She waved her hands in denial. The Princess stared at her intently, then,
“Eep.”
“Aaah!”
She poked Jessie’s knee with her finger. Jessie bent over, unable to withstand the sudden pain.
“They’re not fine.”
“I can, I can bear it…”
“You intend to serve me while limping?”
“…..”
She tried to endure until the end out of guilt but only received a stern response.
As she hesitated, unable to do anything, the Princess’s lips once again produced a kind voice.
“Going to get treatment quickly is what Jessie can do for me.”
“But…”
“Isn’t it also a servant’s virtue not to worry their master?”
“…I understand…”
Jessie finally left the room, limping. Her mind was complicated with feelings of guilt and gratitude.
Only the Princess remained in the room.
