<h4>Chapter 582: Have The Skills? Use Them</h4>
"You don’t have to cover for him, Your Highness," the housekeeper countered, eyes softening briefly before hardening again. "Your wellbeing became our duty from the moment His Highness acknowledged you. This must be done."
Then, to the guards: "Go."
The guards froze, caught in the middle. Should they obey the housekeeper, the man who had alwaysmanded their loyalty, or the princess, who carried his highness’s acknowledgment?
Their eyes shifted toward the housekeeper. The weight of their silence said it all.
But instead of pressing the guards, the housekeeper turned back to Nnenna, studying her carefully.
"Your Highness?" he asked, his tone softer now, yet still carrying that edge of inquiry.
"It was really an ident," Nnenna replied firmly. Then, lowering her voice, she added, "I wouldn’t cover up for anyone who makes an attempt. I’m more than capable of dealing with them myself if they dare try."
The housekeeper held her gaze for a moment longer before finally nodding. With a flick of his hand, he signaled the guards to stand down.
"Very well. Alice will being over shortly to tend to your wounds," he said smoothly, his voice sliding back into its usual calm, paternal cadence. "After that, you may take your brunch."
"Okay." Nnenna nodded, her eyes narrowing slightly as she scanned his face for any crack, any trace of deceit.
Nothing.
Hmm. He’s good, very good. Even with her training under Arthur, she couldn’t read through him at all. His expression carried only genuine concern, every word spoken with sincerity.
But then again, someone of his standing in the household, and now, as she realized, in the martial world as well, would hardly be an open book. He was probably well trained, both in concealing his true thoughts and in wearing convincing masks when necessary.
Which only made him more dangerous.
"She’ll be in your room soon," the housekeeper reminded her, noticing she was still standing there.
"Okay," Nnenna nodded, turning to leave. But then something struck her. She whirled back around.
"The soup!"
The housekeeper blinked. "Yes, Your Highness?"
"I would like some soup as well," Nnenna said suddenly, her tone casual but her eyes sharp.
"Soup?" His brows lifted ever so slightly, as though caught off guard.
"Yes, soup. Make me some," Nnenna pressed.
He hesitated, just long enough for her to notice. "I’m afraid that might take a while, Your Highness."
"Why’s that?" Her eyes narrowed, curiosity edged with suspicion.
"It’s... not ready yet," he hurriedly replied. Then, as if to patch the slip, he added, "But it will be ready in thirty minutes."
"I won’t have an appetite for it in thirty minutes," Nnenna answered with a light smile, though her mind was already racing.
"There’s nothing we can do about that. I hope you understand." His voice remained polite, but there was a faint firmness beneath the courtesy.
"No, I don’t," Nnenna replied softly, her smile fading into something sharper.
The housekeeper frowned. This was unusual. Normally, she would yield if he gave his reasons, especially when he couched them in respectful tones. So why was she suddenly resisting?
"I overheard one of the servants mention you already made soup," Nnenna added casually, but her eyes never left his face.
"It’s for His Highness," the housekeeper answered smoothly, as if he had prepared the line long ago.
"Great, then you can give me a little from there," Nnenna countered immediately.
He didn’t flinch. "It won’t be enough," he replied patiently, his tone calm, his expression steady.
Nnenna tilted her head, studying him. Hmm. He’s good, she thought, oddly impressed at how he never lost his cool. Still, her suspicion only deepened. There must definitely be something wrong with the soup.
"Okay, I understand," she finally said, letting the matter drop with a faint smile.
The housekeeper gave the smallest of sighs, silent relief hidden behind his fatherly expression. She had never pressed him this much before. What had changed?
He didn’t ask, though. Instead, he said gently, "I’ll tell the kitchen to prepare soup along with your brunch. In the meantime, let Alice treat your wounds. I’ll inform you when your food is ready."
"Yes," Nnenna nodded and turned away, her expression unreadable.
Back in her room, she waited quietly for Alice, her hands throbbing with pain. Her thoughts, however, weren’t on her wounds.
’Love System... that soup will be served in a few hours. I can’t let that happen.’
"What are you going to do to stop it?" the System asked in her mind.
’Whatever it takes,’ Nnenna thought, her determination sharp as steel.
A few hourster, Alice still hadn’t shown up. Instead, the housekeeper had called her over for brunch. But Nnenna kept postponing, making one excuse after another. Dinner would be served in a few minutes, and she still hadn’t figured out how to help Carl. Food could wait.
She sat by her bed, lost in thought, so focused on unraveling Carl’s problem that she almost forgot about the throbbing pain in her hands.
"It’s almost time," the Love System reminded her.
"Okay," she muttered under her breath.
"It looks like Alice isn’ting," the System added.
"I would be surprised if she did," Nnenna scoffed. "Forget it, I need a first aid box. I’ll treat myself."
"You don’t want me to heal you?" the System asked curiously. "You’ve got enough good points for that."
’How much will that cost me?’
"About a thousand good points."
Nnenna blinked. ’A thousand? For just this?’
"Healing costs are high. Instant recovery isn’t cheap."
’And how much would a first aid box cost?’ she pressed.
"About 300 good points."
’Great. Then give me the first aid box.’ A small smile tugged at her lips. ’All those medical skills I’ve acquired won’t just sit there gathering dust. I might as well use them and save my good points.’
"I see your point," the System admitted. "You’re right. It’s good that you’re independent. This way, you can save those points for things you can’t predict yet."
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