CHAPTER 5

Anna made her way into Prince Leo's room, her heart racing with excitement. "Your Highness, I brought your lunch," she said, trying to sound composed.

Aide Kim was surprised to see her. "Maid Anna, why are you delivering food to His Majesty? What about Chef Ryu?"

"She's actually busy with something important," Anna replied.

"Too important to serve His Majesty?" Aide Kim queried.

"It's the same – I'm here to help. Besides, Chef Ryu is making something that'll ease His Majesty's abdominal pain," she said smoothly.

Aide Kim led her to a table, and Anna placed the food down. "Do you need anything else, Your Highness?" she asked, her head bowed.

"No... for now," Prince Leo replied.

"I hope His Majesty gets better," she said, turning to leave.

Meanwhile, Chef Ryu finished making the special drink and headed to the prince's chamber. She bumped into Aide Kim in the hallway. "Have it," she said, handing him the juice. "For what?" he asked, confused.

"maid Anna said youu asked for this – for His Majesty," Chef Ryu replied.

"When?" Aide Kim looked puzzled. "I didn't order Maid Anna to tell you to prepare ginger tea."

Aide Kim sent a guard to call Anna. Moments later, she arrived. "Aide Kim, you called me?" Anna said, approaching them.

"Yeah, I did. Chef Ryu said you ordered her to make ginger tea, which was clearly not my order," Aide Kim explained.

Anna began to fidget, realizing she'd gotten herself into trouble. She hadn't thought through the consequences of lying. "Uhm... I... it was a prank," she stuttered.

"Or you were lying," Chef Ryu said, landing a stinging slap on Anna's face, making her stagger. "How did you even get passage to the prince's chamber?"

Aide Kim watched in silence as Anna's thoughts raced.

         _Rethink_

Anna's thought " If I go to the prince's chamber, the guards won't grant me passage... If I could get her badge, they'll definitely grant me access... "

Anna tried to deflect. "Uhm... Chef Ryu, there's something on your hair," she said, reaching out to remove the badge gently without her knowledge.

Chef Ryu's eyes narrowed, but she didn't notice the theft.

      * rethinks end*

"You stole my badge, you're sure going to die," she said, paranoid.

Queen Elena, busy reviewing paperwork in her office, heard the commotion and stepped out into the hallway. "What's going on here?" she asked, approaching the group.

"Nothing... my queen..." Aide Kim tried to defend, but Chef Ryu cut in. "My Queen, the new maid is the reason for this commotion."

Chef Ryu explained the ordeal to the queen.

Queen Elena listened to Chef Ryu's explanation, her expression stern. "Anna, you lied and stole a badge. What's your defense?" she asked, her voice firm.

Anna trembled, knowing she was in deep trouble. "I... I wanted to serve His Majesty," she stammered.

The queen's gaze was unyielding. "Your actions are unacceptable. For lying and theft, you'll receive 10 lashes and be demoted to kitchen duty for a month."

hey my adorable ghostlings

please like and comment your thoughts

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***