It was a regular day inside the capit—
…
No, it was far from regular. The capital is comparable to a powder keg; all it takes is a spark, and everything ignites. The scale of imbalance grows too great, and while things are perfectly tipped right now, any change will have massive consequences.
Gold and blood. One side makes gold of another's blood, while the other can only make gold by labouring away, causing their own blood to spill. The scale could tip either way...
The same could be said about the Princess’s palace; the foreigner’s poisoning was the last straw. The Shameless Princess had reached the point of no return; her scale was fully tipped in the favour of insanity…
“You’re kidding me!? These sorts of working conditions are unacceptable!”
“I know right!? Take Lord Reynold’s manor, for example. I’ve heard rumours that missing a single speck of dust is met with a lashing! Or worse! I reckon a commoner’s home is tidier than the palace.”
“And yet, the western wing continues to fester, while we’re forced to sit idle. It’s insulting how carefree Her Highness can be!”
During my morning routine of mopping the halls, I come across a handful of other maids. All are in deep conversation, and all appear to be frustrated and angry about the working conditions. I don’t get it!
“Are you lot really complaining about the lack of work around here?”
“Of course, Ellie! You want to know how bad it’s gotten? Rachel swore she saw a rodent in the western wing yesterday!”
“It was ever so dark, and I was ever so f-frightened! He came at me with b-beady eyes, and t-teeth that could chew through a p-pillow.”
“How awful! You must be traumatised!”
“I-I-I am!”
Don’t get me wrong, the Princess’s orders go against every maid’s solemn duty. She demands we only clean the areas in use, so the entire western wing ends up a dusty and dirty mess. I can’t understand why they care so much!
‘These other maids are ridiculous; we get paid for taking most of the day off! This is the best job I’ve had.’
Sure, my loyalty may be divided, but I’d be happy to permanently work here if things were different. I only wish the Princess were slightly less scary, then life would be perfect!
“Hmph! Are any of you surprised? This is what happens when you bring vermin into the palace!”
“Vermin? What vermin was brought it?”
“I’m talking about the Madam! Sure, she seems nice, but everyone knows northerners attract rats, fleas and disease. Its amazing plague hasn’t spread yet!”
‘Hearing this over and over again, it gets boring fast.’
These types of conversations are always common among the maids, especially the transferred ones. It’s not like I don’t understand where they’re coming from; it’s just that there is a time and a place for gossip. Mopping the halls when the Princess could be around any corner… it’s asking for trouble.
Besides, Madam Frost isn’t dirty and diseased! I would have been infected already if that were the case!
“But isn’t that why Headmistress has been tasked with cleaning her? So the disease can’t spread?”
“Yeah, but she's right, think about how bad it would be WITHOUT her intervention! Plague would spread inside the capital, and it would start from the palace…”
Interrupting the gossip, the head chef of all people graces us with his presence. Usually, he’s as mute as a mouse, only coming in to prepare meals, then leaving immediately without making any fuss.
And yet he’s wandering around the palace, wanting to strike up a conversation?
“Um… you lot really shouldn’t say nasty things like that.”
A soft and quiet voice comes from the black-headed man putting on a jacket, only to be snapped at by the maid who dislikes Madam Frost the most.
“What do you want, Baxter?”
“The Headmistress, she um... calls for all remaining servants inside the palace.”
“Huh? Then why are you leaving?”
“I wish I knew, but um, many of the cooking staff have been temporarily suspended, myself included.”
Something isn’t right, I can feel it in my bones. If Headmistress Anna is separating the staff, something bad is about to happen.
“I’m not sure what I’ll do with myself. We’re still getting paid. Um… I doubt it’s anything bad, but the Headmistress wants you to drop whatever it is you’re doing. You must see her.”
“Okay Baxter. Get moving, you're boring us now.”
While many seem clueless about what could be going on, I unfortunately have an idea. My inner voice is screaming at me, telling me to scram before things are revealed. This can’t be good!
‘Shit shit shit! Keep it cool for now, Ellie! The Princess may be scary, but she is a reasonable person! She’ll understand the message and realise I’m just a broker! She’s not stupid…’
“You called for us, Headmistress?”
“I did. Please, grab a cup and join me. There’s something I’d like to discuss.”
‘This literally might be my worst fear! Nothing good can come of this!’
All of us still serving enter the common room where Headmistress Anna takes her breaks, only to be met with her getting up and serving tea to us! To go out of her way and break the chain of command like this, my heart beats out of my chest!
The room is sizable and has more than enough tables for the ten of us to sit around, but this is weird, no? We’re being served tea in silver-lined cups!
It’s not uncommon for servants to use the spare silver set, but for every cup and kettle, excluding just a few tucked away in the corner, it’s all silver. It’s as if she’s trying to make a statement!
Silver is supposed to react to poison, turning the beautiful metal black. But that only applies to certain poisons! It’s as if she’s trying to make us feel at ease!
All maids are seated and served by the Headmistress, all of which are happy to accept the break. At least if their fake smiles are anything to go by. But as fate would have it, I’m being seated and served last!
“H-Headmistress… my stomach isn’t g-great at the moment.”
I know it’s unlikely to be poison; something so messy is hard to hide. But my anxiety is causing my stomach to ache, and fear is getting the better of me. I don’t want to drink this!
“I know, Miss Ramshackle. My stomach isn’t great either, that’s why you’re drinking the same as me.”
“This is a special kind of coffee, meant to soothe one with stomach issues. Give it a try… I won’t take no for an answer.”
All eyes wander over to me, as if all the other maids inside the room know something is wrong. Some of the evil women even let out a little smirk. This is totally unfair!
‘No no no! This is even worse! Why am I the only one being punished!? It’s not like I’m the only one with blonde hair inside this place!’
Calm down, Ellie! Think for a moment! If she’s drinking the same drink as me, then it can’t be poison, right?
Unless… she’s crazy enough to poison herself! She could’ve already consumed the antidote! I don’t like this one bit!
Once the Headmistress pours both of us a special drink, she makes sure I’m seated right next to her. The entire time, she never takes her eyes off me for a split second.
Even when it comes to the actual drinking of the tea, she refuses to take a sip of hers, purposely waiting and relying on me to drink mine first!
‘You’re panicking too much, Ellie! Everything has gone to plan; they shouldn’t punish the messenger. All I was doing was following orders. Nothing more, nothing less.’
Eventually, I muster up all my courage and take a sip… only to be met by a large amount of sweetness and a hint of almond. Was I overthinking this? Poison can’t be this sweet, right?
…
‘She knows! She has to know! This is the same kind of drink which was served to Madam Frost!’
“So… what would you like to discuss, Headmistress?”
“It’s nothing too important; I just wanted your opinions on something.”
Anna still watches over me, even as she speaks to another. It’s as if she’s telepathically telling me to continue drinking and swallow as much as I can!
“Tell me… what do you think about Her Highness? How well does she treat you? How are the working conditions inside the palace?”
…
The headmistress must know this line of questioning is akin to an investigation. No maid inside the palace dislikes Headmistress Anna, but none will ever answer honestly to a question like this. She’s far too loyal to the Princess.
“Erm… great? I’m not sure of the question, Headmistress.”
“She’s awfully unsettling, but all royals are scary! To be in her position, you’d have to be powerful!”
“The working conditions are perfect, uh huh!”
“She and the Madam are inspiring!”
‘Stop looking at me, Headmistress! She might be as scary as the Princess!’
Still, her eyes continue to pierce this mortal vessel and reach the deeper portions of my soul. Her stoic face causes me great discomfort, as if it masks the fiery anger she hides inside.
“It’s peculiar that you’d bring up Madam Frost. Just a mere week ago, someone inside the palace attempted to poison her.”
“They failed no less, but it’s peculiar you’d describe someone you dislike as inspiring.”
‘Dear God, I’m starting to feel sick…’
“My Lord, food is served.”
“Excellent! When you get a moment, make sure to get a bottle of the vintage Malbec. The one that uses blind nuns to pick and ferment the grapes.”
“Of course, My Lord. Your wish is my command.”
Dinner is served! On this most pleasant of days, the evening comes to a draw with a feast fit for a King. With friends and servants like these, what better way to spend an evening?
“My honoured guests! I could waste your time preparing a speech that would make a Goddess cry, but I’d rather you just tuck in!”
Ding! I make the briefest of toasts, then all guests around my table tuck in to the most expensive of meats, that being venison.
As always, this meat is delectable! I’m yet to hear of a meat glaze that uses the sweetness of almonds, yet this is to die for!
“Your hospitality is most appreciated, Sir Reynold. The food is always exquisite.”
“Both taste and sight, it is a joy to the senses! Who would have thought those animals would make such perfect servants!”
Usually, I wouldn’t allow my exotic servants into the public eye, but with tension running this high, it helps ease those who may worry about our decision.
It’s hard to come across such perfect stock in a desert as vast as it is, so encountering those great in service and possessing beauty is a rare sight. It is a true testament to the influence this kingdom can have!
It’s always the patient waiting that gets many far too anxious. Speak of the devil, another man can’t help but worry.
“If you had told me the plan earlier, Reynold, I’d have told you how moronic this approach is. She will overreact.”
My right-hand man, Aaronhart, shows his concern with an insult no less! His word is usually golden, like his hair, but only in terms of business.
“Fiddlesticks! This is by far the best way to show the Princess we mean business!”
“Who’d have thought just how many agents we have inside the palaces! With the royals this lax on security, they’ll have to listen to our plea!”
“It would take discarding every temptress of the lesser gender before they could begin to see real results. We hold just as much power as the royals themselves.”
Aaronhart has always been known for his radiant beauty, as pleasing on the eye as the animals that serve us. Even as he eyerolls, a certain glow radiates off him.
“Idiots… you treat the royalty akin to us nobility. They ARE nothing like us. Heads will roll for this.”
When it comes to action, he is far too cautious. Being the youngest inside the room, still in his twenties no less, it’s expected he’d be less experienced in understanding how the way of the world really works.
Those with power scheme against their enemies, only common scum and barbarians cut off heads. We’re far too civilised to be running around waving clubs like a bunch of untrained beastkin!
“Then how might you suggest we treat them, Aaronholt? Bend over backwards and graciously accept a royal thrustin—”
Bang bang! I’m interrupted by the door of my dining hall nearly falling off the hinges! Who in their right mind would make such a racket!?
“Must you interrupt our succulent meal!? What is wrong with you!?”
“My Lord, the city is on fire! And it’s spreading this way…”
[In & Out]
Spoiler
Blood and Fire.
Blood freezes in the presence of absolute bitterness, the harsh Frost breaks through the toughest of armours and cools what lies beneath.
Fire burns when one gives it a reason to ignite. The warmth it provides hurts more than a knife, leaving behind a mountain of smoke and a meadow of Ash.
“It’s time…”
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