***
Shilla rushed back into Lucy's chambers and locked the door behind her. This had been the way things had been since Lady Wickshire found out about her hair. That day, Shilla had been asked to run back and return with a thick veil, as there had been none in Lucy's closet. Shilla had done as told, but a thick veil was hard to come by. She had told Lucy she would have to go into the capital for it, but Lucy was still spaced out, so she nodded.
Shilla had locked Lucy in her room, so no one could mistakenly open the door and rushed into the capital. She had rushed to Madame D'huile, whom she knew was her lady's acquaintance.
This was her first time here. She had heard rumours of the grand nature of this store when she used to work for different ladies through the years. She had told Madame D'huile that Lucy needed a thick veil. The store was up to the task. They already had her measurements, and Madame D'huile herself gave Shilla veils thick enough to hide sunlight and dresses that went with the veils. Shilla was grateful and rushed to return to her carriage; but where good things come, bad things follow.
Shilla heard a sharp voice order her; "You stop!"
Shilla had turned to see a young lady she used to serve before the arrival of Lucy at the academy. She was a princess of Isne, a first-rate kingdom twice the size of Juhntt. She had been sent by her father years back to come and school in Juhntt and was engaged to Prince Thelmus of Juhntt. This was the last person Shilla wanted to see, so she continued to make her way toward the carriage.
"Stop her!" she had heard the princess say and two heavily armed men blocked her path.
"Did you not hear me call you? Shilla, you little slave, dare to not bow in my presence?" she had scolded with eyes that seemed to say, I am above you.
"Step aside," Shilla had said to the two men. She knew she had not come with guards and the only other person from the spring-crest pond here was the carriage driver who had been watching the proceeding. She was Lady Wickshire's maid, she did not even bow to the king, why bow to some little princess?
"You dare talk to me that way?" the princess had walked over to stand before her.
"Princess Freulle, what do you want?" Shilla had asked her expression blank as though talking to a child. The princess, though sixteen of age and may not be considered a child, was still young compared to Shilla, who was in her mid-twenties.
"You dare to look me in the eye?" the princess had fumed.
"You stand there, repeating what I dare do, you have yet to answer my question, what do you want?" Shilla had asked.
"I came to offer you your old job back; seeing as all the maids had been let go, yet you are here talking to me without respect of any kind! Now, I wish to string you up in the lower town's square," Princess Freulle had fumed.
"I already serve a lady, your goodwill is not needed. Step aside so that I may finish my task," Shilla had said and the carriage driver took out a long bow with a sigh.
"Move," was all he had said and the crowd that had formed gave way, so as not to be in the path of an arrow. Shilla had fought the urge to sigh a relief. She should have known, that even a carriage driver on the lady's property would not be so simple.
"You dare? I am the..." she had started to say when the driver released an arrow at one of the armed men blocking Shilla's path. The arrow went straight through his chest and the man collapsed, dead. People screamed and shifted farther away.
The Princess paled at the sight. She had wanted to say something, but her voice was stuck in her throat. This was the first time she had ever seen a person die.
"Who dares!" a voice had boomed and approached the scene.
"Uncle, kill them!" she had suddenly found her voice and ordered. The elderly man that had arrived glanced at Shilla and the driver, then at the carriage crest and paled. He had turned and threw a slap at the Princess, who fell straight to the ground the moment she was hit.
"Uncle..." she had said in confusion, but he was not looking at her, and had bowed to Shilla and the carriage driver in apology.
"Forgive her, she is not raised well," he had said, but Shilla glanced at the other armed men and they gave way. She directed the store hands to load the carriage with the boxes of new dresses and entered. Without a word, she had returned back to Spring-crest pond and to Lucy's side.
Shilla had returned that evening and since then, Lucy only wore a veil. Shilla entered Lucy's chambers and looked at Lucy staring out the window.
"This bottle was the one that was supposed to be used for your hair, to keep it white, my lady. I had gone through Nanny Han's notes and know how it is made and in what proportion. I have made a lot of it, should I get the bath ready so that I can apply it on your hair?" she asked Lucy.
Lucy remained silent, yet she patiently waited for her answer; but, it never came.
"The letter I had sent to the grand dowager empress of Khul? Have we received any message back?" Lucy asked.
"Nothing, my lady," Shilla answered. She did not understand why the lady waited, but a lot of time had passed and still, no reply came.
"Tomorrow is Nanny Han's funeral. Everything has been prepared, all the guests replied that they would come. Do you have any other instructions?" Shilla asked.
"Leave the mix for my hair on the vanity. You are excused," Lucy said and Shilla bowed, taking her leave.