Pushing Favor

Another day passed uneventfully.

Flora Haggia was pleased that she wouldn’t have to face Flax Mounten too often, but then she suddenly received a notice from the old butler—

“You want me to accompany His Highness to visit Baron Fate?”

“Yes, this is a very important task… Baron Fate was His Highness’s mentor and served in the mansion until four years ago,” Charlton explained.

“He is the person His Highness trusts most, apart from me.”

“I will definitely do my best!”

Flora Haggia said with enthusiasm.

But this wasn’t entirely for maintaining her persona; she also wanted to meet this “celebrity” she had heard so much about.

However, beyond his identity as the Crown Prince’s teacher, Baron Fate was more famous for a suggestion he made to the current Emperor: after dukes die, their eldest sons directly inherit the title, while other sons can also receive a portion of land, becoming earls or barons.

This was a strategy specifically designed to weaken the power of dukes.

Before the current Emperor ascended the throne, the Emperor’s power was relatively weak, and the various dukes of the empire acted arbitrarily, even leading to a rebellion involving seven dukes at one point.

After the Emperor took power, he decided to change this situation and strengthen central authority…

Ultimately, His Majesty adopted Baron Fate’s suggestion and implemented a decree called the “Edict of Grace.”

Thus, the various ducal families were divided without bloodshed.

There were cases where dukes didn’t comply, but under the Baron’s guidance, His Majesty sent people to secretly contact the duke’s second and third sons, working from within…

The result was that as soon as His Majesty’s troops approached, the rebellious ducal family surrendered.

After that, those who deserved execution were executed, and that ducal family was removed from the empire…

The promised titles and territories for the second and third sons were still granted, but this small price was incredibly cost-effective compared to the benefits of reclaiming more than half of a ducal territory.

Ten years passed like this, and now there were only a handful of dukes left in the empire who posed any threat, essentially incapable of forming a major force.

Having achieved such a great feat, although no one dared to openly praise him, privately, Baron Fate’s reputation had already spread throughout the empire.

Yet, he refused high office and generous emoluments, choosing instead to be the Crown Prince’s teacher, and a few years ago, he even left the imperial capital to live in his own territory… People still lamented his wise reputation.

Flora Haggia was no exception.

She had always held immense respect for such figures who had made great contributions to the empire.

“Oh, I almost forgot to mention, Earl Flax Mounten will also be accompanying you, so be careful not to act recklessly.”

Flax Mounten, seeing Flora Haggia getting a bit carried away, quickly reminded her.

Huh?

Flora Haggia felt a sudden wave of speechlessness.

Honestly, she still didn’t understand what this Flax Mounten guy was even doing here, clinging to her so inexplicably.

Soon, presumably to officially announce the visit, the Crown Prince called her to the study.

His assistant was also there, his face full of worry.

Seeing the bewildered Flora Haggia walk in, Morris immediately turned back and said:

“Your Highness, I think this matter needs to be reconsidered. It’s too dangerous.”

The Crown Prince didn’t answer but looked at Flora Haggia and said:

“This visit is very dangerous. You can refuse.”

“What’s going on?” Flora Haggia was even more confused.

“Someone wants to assassinate His Highness.”

Morris was only willing to reveal simple information. “Flora Haggia, as long as you refuse, His Highness will not trouble you.”

But upon learning that the Crown Prince was in danger, Flora Haggia had no intention of backing down—she was there to conquer the Crown Prince and break off the engagement; how could she tolerate her target being in danger?

“What do I need to do?” she said.

Morris grew more anxious. He glanced at the Crown Prince, and seeing that the latter had no intention of stopping her, he quickly said:

“Flora Haggia, you are not essential, and we don’t need you to do anything, so—”

Flora Haggia understood and immediately interrupted:

“I just need to do my maid’s job and pretend this is just a normal visit… right?”

“Exactly.”

The Crown Prince nodded.

Clearly, if Flora Haggia refused, another maid who was unaware of the situation or lacked self-preservation skills would go.

Therefore—

“Then I shall go.”

Flora Haggia smiled slightly. “Please rest assured, I am no ordinary person.”

Morris, who was about to say more, was speechless upon hearing this.

Not mentioning Flora Haggia’s potential as an awakened person was their unspoken agreement.

Morris had worried more than once that the Crown Prince might inadvertently blurt it out, thus scaring Flora Haggia away.

Unexpectedly, to help them, to put their minds at ease, the blonde girl had revealed it herself!

For a moment, Morris felt incredibly ashamed.

As for the benefactor who saved his sister’s life, not only could he not repay her, but he was also hiding crucial information… He looked at the Crown Prince and decided—

“You don’t need to tell me the inside story; I am just a maid.”

Flora Haggia waved her hand. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go out and work. Just tell me when it’s time to depart.”

“Wait.”

The Crown Prince called out to Flora Haggia, who was about to leave, and had Morris give her a necklace.

“This is a magic item.”

The Crown Prince said, “It can withstand attacks equivalent to seven fireballs.”

Fireball is an extremely powerful offensive magic; just one is enough to melt shields and weapons.

Even official knights must treat fireball attacks cautiously; if directly hit, it could result in severe injury or immediate death.

Even official mages can only cast about ten fireballs per hour, and most cannot cast them consecutively.

A magic item capable of withstanding seven fireballs was already a very precious item.

“Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness.”

Flora Haggia did not refuse, because only by doing so would their hearts feel a little better… They truly were kind people.

That’s why Flora Haggia had to go.

Even without knowing the full scope of the situation, and with very limited information, she could still discern one thing… during this visit, Flax Mounten and the Crown Prince most likely did not trust each other enough to cover each other’s backs.

(Honestly, Flax Mounten, what are you up to?)

Flora Haggia didn’t think this was something the respectable Emperor would do.

The only explanation was that Flax Mounten had taken certain rumors seriously.

Two days flew by. After settling the work at the mansion, Flora Haggia, with simple luggage, boarded the Crown Prince’s carriage.

Assistant Morris did not accompany them, as he appeared to be a frail scholar who couldn’t even protect his own life.

The Crown Prince still brought his personal guards, but there was one more than usual: Yuri Tyler, whom Flora Haggia had officially met.

Considering Yuri was the only female guard and her attention was constantly on Flora Haggia… it was clear this was a personal bodyguard arranged by the Crown Prince to prevent anything from happening to her.

(How thoughtful.)

Although Flora Haggia didn’t need it, she was very pleased with these small things the Crown Prince did subtly.

“Miss Haggia, are you really going?”

Seeing her board the carriage, Flax Mounten seemed surprised.

Similar to the situation in the study two days prior, Flora Haggia was essentially admitting she had combat capabilities.

But in Flora Haggia’s view, there was still room to play dumb—

“Of course, His Highness Ryan cannot do without my delicious food and attentive service!”

She patted her somewhat ample chest, saying proudly.