Chapter 41: You Don’t Want Althea to Know, Do You?

Althea left with a swagger, her earlier frustration swept away by teasing the maid.
Oddly enough, she’d come to find Tina, yet ended up chatting with a stranger maid.

She felt a twinge of guilt toward Tina, but it wasn’t her fault—she wasn’t some flake who fell for anyone.
It had to be some trick the maid pulled. Tonight, she’d summon her and get to the bottom of it.

Soon after leaving, Althea met up with her companions.
The Great Sage reported first: “The investigation bureau has no record of Tina. She’s not a resident here, nor has she caused any documented trouble. She’s a ghost.”

“Alright, forget it for now.” Althea wasn’t sure why her interest had waned. “We’ll stay a few days, wait for the auction.”
“Huh?” Everett suspected something had rattled her but didn’t dare say it.

“You’re not searching anymore? Before we entered, you were ready to tear the city apart to find her. Why stop now?”
“You’re right, but I don’t need to keep tying myself to her. I should leave some room for myself, no?”

Her words sounded like she’d let go, but Everett saw through it—she’d likely found a Tina lookalike as a substitute.
A substitute, though, wasn’t the real thing. It couldn’t fill the void of her heart’s white moonlight, and messing around only caused trouble for others.

On this matter, Everett decided to help the poor soul caught in the crossfire. If he met her, he’d explain everything, let her think it over.
“Back to the inn. It’s been a long journey—you’ve worked hard.” Althea, unusually, suggested rest.

In the past, no matter the destination, she’d never stay holed up in an inn. She’d roam, investigate, and govern.
Her sudden laziness made Everett suspicious.

At the inn’s front desk, they checked in for their pre-booked rooms.
The clerk glanced at their credentials. “Your rooms are on the second floor—two suites.”

“Wait, didn’t we book three?” Everett had just paid recently.
“Sorry, sir. One of your rooms had a ceiling issue needing urgent repairs, and all other rooms are booked. We’ll refund that portion.”

“Fine…”
No point arguing further.

The only issue was how to divide the rooms.
“You two share.” Everett, mindful of propriety, suggested Althea and Isha bunk together.

But Isha felt the pressure of sharing with the queen was too much and tried to dodge. “Your Majesty’s been overworked. You should rest alone. I’ll stay with the Great Sage—no bother to you.”

Althea approved—she needed the room free for the maid anyway.
Thus, the two scheming women unexpectedly agreed, outvoting Everett two to one.

“This makes me look weird,” Everett sighed, glancing at Isha.
“Hey, I’m fine with it. You’re the one complaining? If anyone’s rejecting, it should be me.”

Althea, silent, grabbed her bags and checked in first. Their constant bickering was grating.

…

Meanwhile, Tina finished her last order, ready to clock out.
The manager gave her a look, signaling her over with something to say.

“What’s up?” Tina asked, puzzled.
“That woman looking for you—she’s Kellivir’s queen, right? Why’s she calling you to the inn?”

“How should I know? She pays, I go~”
Taking money to visit an inn sounded shady, but it worked. Anyone saying it didn’t just hadn’t been paid enough.

Tina saw it as an extra paid companion service, not some weird transactional deal.
Besides, what could Althea do to a stranger? Eat her alive in the room?

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back safe tomorrow.”
Tina promised, then clacked out in her little boots, still in her maid outfit.

The inn was close, just across the street and a short walk right.
At the front desk, she asked, “Is there a guest named Althea here?”

“Yes. And you are…?”
“Uh… a good friend. Can you take me to her?”

“For guest privacy, I’ll call her down. If you’re friends, she can take you up.”
The clerk’s discretion was tight, so Tina waited on the first floor.

During her wait, a familiar figure descended—not Althea, but the Great Sage.
He noticed her instantly, frowned, and saw through her disguise with a soul-scrying spell.

“You… you’re still alive? Why the new look?” He didn’t seem shocked.
Oh crap, I’m exposed!

“Shh! Not so loud! I’m hiding so Althea doesn’t find out.”
“Why? She’s been searching for you for years. Six years gone without a word—you’re cold.”

“…I have my reasons. For now, this is fine. Please pretend you don’t know.”
“Depends. I might tell her if needed.” Everett couldn’t fully side with one—king on one hand, friend on the other, their personal matter.

He’d only try to balance their relationship within his limits.
“Ugh, worry about yourself first.” Tina’s gaze flicked to Althea and Isha descending the stairs.

“What do you mean?” Everett paused. “Wait… you’re the substitute she’s after?”
“Substitute? Kinda.”

Isha saw Everett chatting with an unfamiliar maid, stormed over, and yanked him away, glaring at Tina. “Who’re you?”
Tina glanced between them.

Protective much? Top-tier possessiveness.
Everett whispered Tina’s identity to Isha, shocking her.

“For real?”
Tina nodded.

“Oh~ You don’t want Althea to know, do you?” Isha smirked mischievously.
“Hey, new account, don’t mess with me!”

“Haha, kidding. Sort out your own mess.”
Isha dragged Everett away, pretending ignorance.

Then came Althea, expressionless, staring straight at Tina.
Oh no, she’s not jealous, is she?