The Roman Curia's Anomaly

In the Crown Prince's cabin, Perna sat behind an exquisite wooden table, nibbling at her breakfast. Yet every so often, she secretly glanced at Joseph across from her, and her cheeks immediately flushed scarlet.

Her eyes brimmed with a blissful smile, but she quickly lowered her head again, pretending to focus intently on the food on her plate.

Today, she had not given the Crown Prince his routine examination—she had already performed a full-body examination last night, and every part of him had been perfectly normal. In fact, perhaps a little too normal...

Just as her thoughts began to wander, Eman knocked and entered with a tray in hand. He set two portions of fried fish steak toast before the Crown Prince and her respectively, then bowed.

The valet's expression remained calm, as though the scene before him was nothing out of the ordinary.

A maid walked around from behind Eman and headed toward the inner cabin along the wall.

Perna froze for a moment, then sprang up as if struck by lightning. She hurried forward to block the maid, forcing out an awkward smile. "Um, Diana, wait, wait. I'll tidy the room myself later..."

Well, space aboard the ship was limited, and the bed was very narrow, so last night's bedding was still spread out on the floor. There might even have been some traces left on it.

If the maid saw it, Perna would truly die of embarrassment.

Joseph had grown accustomed over the past few years to having others make his bed and fold his blankets. He also realized what was happening and gave a dry cough. "Ahem, Diana, you needn't bother with it."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Joseph and the utterly bashful Perna exchanged another glance. Both of them smiled, sharing an unspoken understanding.

Joseph gestured for