Suddenly, alarming news was heard by Duchess Sylvia.
"No, I sent you my recommendation letter!"
"Are you sure she was not classified as a maid?" the Duchess asked furiously.
In a nervous voice, Donna bowed. "Yes, I looked into it and it was…"
"This is so disgusting."
Sylvia's letter of recommendation to Trisha meant that she should be an ally who was expected to work hand-in-hand with Diana after her marriage. With her recommendation, it was natural that she would pass as a maid. But there were unexpected changes.
"It has been selected separately."
When Trisha applied as a maid, the duchess's recommendation letter was valid. However, once selected, the maid's status was more important. Since the maid could not dare to bring down the vulgarity of the ordinary people to the imperial family, she must become a person of noble status or else she could be used for one-time purpose and discarded with no delay. In addition, Trisha's mother was a commoner which made her inconsiderable of achieving the position of being one of the royal maids.
"What should I do?" Donna asked nervously.
Sylvia frowned funnily at Donna's voice.
"What do you mean, what can you do?" After a sigh, Sylvia picked up the teacup again with an elegant poise.
"Abandon her and look for another child."
"Yes, I will madam."
It wasn't just the royal maid who thought of Trisha as disposable. Sylvia was also well aware of what an hour-maid was like. After Lucas was finished with her, she will be abandoned anyway. Maybe by the time Diana enters the palace, she'll be gone.
***
A few days have passed. Trisha repeated her life of falling asleep at midnight's bell as the new ladies standing in the room disappeared one by one.
Trisha was only seventeen, but not naive. There was something secret about this dubious mission. No, at some point, it became no secret.
***
Trisha's imagination of the prince's perfect characteristics are pretty far from reality. One by one, the girls disappeared slowly after meeting with the prince. In other words, they are thrown away after their chastity is given away.
I have to do something. Trisha thought.
She didn't want to leave the imperial palace like this. In the worst case, Trisha would have to go back to her humble, damp home and work her whole life after spending her first night with the crown prince. In just a few days, she would be back to her bitter reality, waking herself from the fantasy of becoming a part of the splendid imperial family.
If Diana was here, everything would be resolved. How nice would it be if I could tell her about this right now? Now that we are grown up and we have been friends since childhood, I know she will help me right away. She will comfort me by saying that I am not a child to abandon. Diana was a sweet and kind child. Trisha mused in her dreamy thoughts.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!" the guard announced.
But the midnight bell did not ring. When the guard opened the door, the sight of Prince Lucas appeared. As Trisha had heard, the prince had beautiful bright blonde hair and mesmerizing emerald eyes that give more emphasis on the characteristics of the imperial family.
Oh, the prince! Trisha was suddenly astounded by the prince's presence.
The voice of the guard trembled in the ears of Trisha. She got up from her seat, bent her knees and bowed her head. Trisha gave a freezing respect, but as soon as Lucas saw her, he was mesmerized by the sight of the girl in front of him.
"Huh, you really have red hair."
Now, Lucas' mischievous thoughts heightened and started to wonder whether Trisha's bushes would be red also.
"Look up," commanded the prince.
Trisha slowly raised her head. Her heart throbbed as Lucas stared at her fluttering breast.
"It's Trisha Blanc."
"She looks interesting."
Lucas spat casually and tried to unbutton her clothes. Trisha knew what it meant. If she doesn't stop what's about to happen, she'll be thrown out of this imperial palace. Her lips were parched with nervousness.
"I joined through Carl's introduction."
But Lucas unclasped one more button. Trisha had a hard time recalling the idea because of the thumping heartbeat.
"Diana Carl … who will become the Crown Princess "
Her statement made Lucas' curious hand to stop.
"Diana?"
Lucas' eyes filled her with curiosity instead of desire.
"Yes, that's right. I'm a childhood friend of Diana."
"Huh. Then why are you here? "
Lucas, who had a puzzled look, sat in a chair instead of a bed."If you're a childhood friend, you know Diana well."
"Yes, your majesty."
A beam of hope struck Trisha.
"Sit down."
Only then did Trisha slowly raise her head. Shy and trembling, Trisha's soft cheeks turned hot. The red ruby-like eyes of hers filled with an aesthetic image of Lucas. The young man's emerald eyes twinkled for a short moment.
"Come on, sit here." Lucas tilted his eyebrows while looking at Trisha.
"It's Trisha Blanc." She timidly retold her name and Lucas nodded.
"I'll have tea with Trisha," Lucas ordered the maid.
Trisha's heart leaped at the remark. In Lucas' words, she became an infantile girl and for her, it was an upheaval.
"Yes, Trisha."
Trisha couldn't believe that the prince was calling her by name, which was close to the fantasy Trish had dreamed of over and over. And the privilege to drink tea with the prince himself was magic itself.
"Shall we have a conversation about our common interests?"
Indeed, Trisha's dream was coming true.