All of the sudden I heard a maid speaking ,
"Ha, she deserves this. Who could live with this arrogant woman? Master doesn't need someone like her."
"She thinks she can deceive us with her demeanour. Nobody would believe her innocent act. Two -faced b*tch !", responded another maid.
Just as I turned around the corner, I saw five young maids standing in circle in the middle of the corridor. It seemed that they stopped cleaning the place, so they could talk with each other.
The next one continued confidently,
" I heard her walking around in the room. She must be boiled with rage ! As I thought, She is really ill-tempered and emotionally unstable."
'Now this didn't make sense. What was walking in the room had to do with wrath ?! Do they have a brain? I wouldn't deny that I was in fact angry, but being ill-tempered and emotionally unstable as the conclusion ? Are you kidding me? ', I murmured with a frown while secretly listening to their conversation.
" It was like punishment to serve her. Lady Bareford is multiple times better than her."
They didn't like me, but liked Luciana. I felt so offended now !
Even though they talked behind my back, I was extremely calm which a normal thinking person wouldn't stand it in such situation surely. But for me it was almost daily basis.
I remembered the times I heard their usual kind of talks which contained mostly of badmouthing and ridiculing me, whenever I was around or not. It didn't matter when and how ,as long as they lowered my energy. In addition to this, the following disgusted eyes directed at me, some even were filled with hostility, was the icing on the cake. Over time I just ignored them and got used to it.
'How could I endure this that long ?', I admitted to myself .
" Her family must be as bad as her ,for sure . HAHAHAHA !", the last maid added before laughing along with the other maids.
Well, I lost my patience now. What did they know about my family? They were the best family you could ever wish for, especially in the European medieval century.
Above all they cared for their people in the territory. Why would our territory flourish so well when not because of them? 'Just listening to the nonsense made me puke',was my thought.
Until now I never scolded them before, as long as they did their job properly. Only their shatter and cold attitude towards me was something I really wished it to end. Some would ask why I didn't criticising them for this ?
The reason was that this could be used for evidence to prove their statements about me being a villainess, which would result them to send complaints to the archduke directly. If I let my anger on them, they could maliciously utilise it as a prove for my "wickedness", because nobody in this mansion was on my side at that time. Then it would cause problems for me as well as for my family, so I avoided this. That was my thought in the past.
Before that, I believed they wouldn't consult with the archduke, knowing that I didn't do anything to them in reality. But now I knew of the unheard complaints through my ex-husband personally.
That was some irony, I had to admit. How could I believe in something like this ?
Angry at my own stupidity I thought, 'Since I was already divorced, I won't see them or any of these people ever again anyway, why not acting like a villainess they always portrayed me for once now?'
" Hey !", I yelled to the group of young maids.
The maids all looked in my direction and shock became visible on their faces upon seeing me.
I scolded them coldly, " What do you do here ? If you have the time to speak about such nonsense, then you could as well as work properly !", indicating with my finger at the half done work in the corridor ,dust still lying on with cupboards and floor .
Silence came shortly. Suddenly one of the maids came up to me .'Oh ,she looked like the leader of them.', I believed through seeing her attitude.
"Why do we have to listen to you? You're not our master anymore. The archduke already announced his divorce to you during breakfast openly. As far as I know you got divorced just now, so we don't have to cooperate with your request. Besides what could you understand how we do our work ? ", she scorned, proudly defending herself and her colleagues .
Soon smirks followed on theirs before blank faces and obvious ridicule was shown to me .
To this, I retorted strongly, " Even if I am divorced, I'm still the only daughter of the marquess family, one of wealthiest and most trusted family to the royals. Such wrong statement could bring terrible consequences upon you . "
Translation: I am from higher status than you. How dare you speak like this to me. If you continue like this, I could just punish your whole family for blaspheming a marquess family.
I glared at each culprits, responsible for my anger. The faces began to pale like white paper and smiles disappeared.
I soon continued with my threat, „You're right when you say that I don't know how you do your work, but it doesn't change the fact that you talk instead of completing your work."
Translation : Do you even work properly ? Use your brain before continuing to speak.
They never saw their previous mistress scolding them once, so only bewilderment filled them. They absentmindedly looked at me until finally reality came back to them and they soon kneeled before me.' Whoah. Their reaction was faster than I thought.', I admired their quickness.
One after another they gave me their apologies.
" We apologise. We didn't mean it. Please show mercy towards us ."
" Please forgive us !"
I became angry because of the cheap acting, so I spoke coldly,
" Why should I forgive you? Just now I heard you badmouthing my family! Give me some justification !"
" We only heard some rumours and just told the others about it. Reading newspaper was luscious. We, commoners, can't read and write, so how could we be possible to get information other than speaking. We only heard of them."
From her saying it gave off the feeling that she indirectly blamed their low status for their missed education. Not like I didn't agree with this, still she shouldn't show me such reasons. A commoner with enough wealth could actually be taught, not as deeply as the education of a noble, but at least they understood the alphabet and more in the end. Some even built their own company and rose in ranks, so it wasn't impossible. If she wanted to learn to read, she could do it when she collected enough money to go to a school or find connections.
By working here, not only was her salary enough for four month worth going to school, she also had chances to interact with nobles's high ranking maids who could read, write and even calculate. So she had many possibilities, but didn't use them at all. Many would desire such chances, you know ?
Her thinking was so conservative. Like many women in this circle, she was afraid she wouldn't be attractive for men if she learnt writing and reading. Just by looking at her overall makeup and slightly shortened skirt, I could easily tell that she wanted to catch a man on her own.
Seeing this I realise, that most women had the similar mindset where in order to survive this society they should just listen to the males, being intelligent wasn't necessary. Only small group of independent women achieved goals like owning a boutique or building their own small company. Through our previous king woman rights were established and more men accepted this as they saw their capabilities. Still there existed some resistance and conservative thinking.
How stupid ! Now using this as a reason for incapability which was what you also wanted in the first place, didn't make sense here.
Angry about her mindset ,I coldly asked with a glare ,
" And you don't even think, if there are proves for them? How could you easily believe without any evidence ?", indicating her low intelligence.
The maid next to her spoke," Yeah, we are stupid commoners, who don't know anything . Naturally, we can't compare ourselves to you ?"
My eyes widen in surprise and I just stood there in the short daze.
'Heh ?…. How did it develop to this? They suddenly agree with me and in addition to this,…they insulted themselves too.', as I was contemplating about the reason, suddenly a cold voice rang behind me .
I turned around and what welcomed me was a man wearing a dark blue military uniform with his black hair comb behind, exuding cold aura that anyone who would be near him felt the temperature went down. His sky blue eyes glared at the woman standing in front of his maids.
The master of this house and the youngest Archduke in this empire stood before me.
" What do you do again ? How could you act like that to them ? I thought you behave yourself now, since you didn't show your temper when you signed the divorce, but it seems like I was too deceptive to believe that .", he sighed heavily while holding his head with one hand.
From the corner of my eye I could see their satisfied faces. 'They must be enjoying this now. I always wanted to avoid such scenarios but ended up in one now. Sh*t ! I thought I changed my path with this interaction just like in these transmigration books. Was my fate perhaps still inevitable? Did "they" try to correct it now?', I inwardly spoke to myself.
Pulling me out of my thoughts, I heard the maids greeting the archduke in unison," Welcome master !"
From the third person perspective, they looked like they were only smiling to welcome their master as a greeting, but I knew through their eyes that they were laughing at me at this moment. Unfortunately, Cedric didn't notice it and just waited for me.
Soon I also followed with my greeting," Good day, archduke." After I finished ,he began to come back to the main point.
"Now what happened here?" , he knitted his eyebrow, already expecting bad news.
Seeing him this way, I became frustrated that he only thought of me as trouble .
Shortly, the leader of the maids answered him, " If I get the permission to speak my lord, I would like to explain the situation here ."
The man nodded, waiting patiently for explanation.
"Lady Ainsworth scolded us suddenly, while we just worked. And insulted us for being lowly commoners.", she responded, noting the previous so-called insult I gave them, while acting pitiful . 'Whoah , what an actress !', I sneered inwardly.
Soon a sharp glare followed, directed at the mentioned woman (me), while I just looked at these maids emotionlessly.
"I heard the insult too. I hope you know, what you have to say, lady Ainsworth ?", he asked coldly, taking my attention back to him.
Calling me with my after name "Ainsworth" in front of his servants just indicated that we never shared a close relationship to begin with. He looked at me as an intruder who just got involved in his affairs.
Come to think of it, he didn't call me by my name, even before our marriage. He also didn't talk to me much. Only when it came to duties for the mansion, he would do so reluctantly. The time we actually conversed with each other as good friends was only after our engagement, the start point for our interaction. He would share nice conversations with me. But some day it became strange between us and he began to distance himself from me three years ago. Since then Cedric mostly acted with me like an acquaintance showing respect to each other. At first I was all right with this, but soon we would be married ,so I tried my best to shorten the distance between us. However similar to the others in the capital he also avoided me intentionally in the end. After marriage he started to 'handle' me like his professional meeting with the aristocrats. Never did I felt any attachment and affection from him directed towards me, even at that time where our previous relationship was probably on his best state before. For him I was only a business partner according to the novel, but soon became an intruder in his own mansion. I felt sick thinking of it now. Immense Pain spread around my chest and sadness washed me over. Fortunately, I didn't show the emotions much on my face.
'Now you accuse me of this ?',I thought looking at my situation momentarily as I got myself together again.
'I hope you know, what you have to say, lady Ainsworth?', just the way he said to me, he indicated that he already believed them without asking for my opinion. He literally awaited for my apology. It was pure humiliation as an aristocrat.
Sure, I would do it if I was wrong, but this wasn't the case here.
It seemed like the maid also joyously wanted to hear my apology, just by seeing their expression. Disgusting !
I didn't want to give in, so I suggested," Is it okay for you, if I could tell my part of the story?" while glaring at my previous husband with cold eyes.
Surprised by my attitude, he was flustered for moment, but regained his composure fast and
just nodded, still carefully observing my sudden change of behaviour towards him.
I just looked at his reaction amusedly and thought, 'Naturally, you would react like this, because I normally acted warmly with you.'
You thought at that time that I just wanted your attention. To this, I couldn't deny it, since I loved you back then and hoped for improving our relationship, but now seeing your current attitude towards me my expectations just crushed at that moment. For all these years why did I waste them for you anyway? I should had get out of this mansion earlier, however I was a fighter in the past and wanted to protect my family's honour.
Now you spoke to me like this, so should I treat you likewise .
I don't care anymore.
I already reached my limit.
I wished this to end definitively.
I loved you, but now I didn't want to see you .Ever.Again.'
"Your maids accused me and my family behind my back, while they were on work. That's why
I reminded them that they shouldn't do this for the consequences were fatal and should resume their work instead ."
Cedric's eyes widened upon hearing me and shortly looked at the supposedly culprits. The maids flinched in front of his stare, worry filled them and they became stiff. Soon one of them insisted trying to save themselves, " But she looked down on us, only because of our ranks !"
" Only you see it like this. How can this be an excuse for assaulting my beloved family ?
You clearly looked down on me, as soon as you talked back to me for claiming to tell the truth that my family was as bad as me. In addition to this, you don't give me the appreciated respect according to not only my status, but also as a person. Never did I accuse you .",I retorted.
" Lies, naturally you accused us !" ,shouted another maid .
" So to your logic because of my high status I accused you, correct ?
The maid said with confidence ," Yeah !" .
" But do I need to accuse you, since I am from higher status ?", I questioned them. Then Cedric and the maids looked at me ,as if I was crazy. Ignoring their glances , I continued,
"I have everything, so why should I care about you, right? I wouldn't waste my energy for something like this, enough duties to do anyway", I laughed coldly. To this only maids bitterly looked at me with jealousy flamed in their eyes.
Remembering my time in the mansion where I had to manage the mansion as well as other possessions of Cedric, met and accommodated some royals of other countries as the empire's representative, organised tea parties and festivals of our city, helped finishing trade agreements with other kingdoms every now and then and what's more. The archduke should know the best how much work I had to complete. There weren't any married noble women, even other archduchesses, who actually did trade and business meeting with other kingdom or who sometimes had to travel around the territory to inspect the production, constructions and harvest. He surely added this extra for me, so I would give up on the position for the archduchess, taking full use of my education that he got to know through my father .'Doting FATHER!!!!!' , I screamed inwardly blaming him for my suffering. I was so angry that time. The worst thing was that nobody acknowledged my achievements as they were still female duties that the archduchess should do. What is trade and business agreement had to do with female work ?! Sorry, I became somehow emotionally devastated about this part, since I hated economy .
Finishing my last reminiscing of my hell, I came to the main topic,
"Besides why should I accuse you, if you would work properly and consequently ? If I would find some flaws in you, I had long gone directly to the head butler and reported it. Did I ever walk to the butler for this, heh? Then there would naturally be a reason for "that so called" accusation."
" But you accuse us without any prove ."
" Like you did it with me before too ."
" However if we didn't finish our work properly, wouldn't the problem lie on the person who stopped us ? "
Now blaming me ,heh ?
" If it's like that, wouldn't all servants in this mansion long fell behind their work because of me ? Since I always accused them according to the complaints I heard moments ago, right ? "
Surprised that I knew of their complaints, their eyes shook a bit.
" It's not like that … ", the leader maid tried to retort.
" Please restrain with "your accusation". I will look over your attitude. So please disappear from my sight ."
Knowing that they shouldn't step over the boundary now, they apologised immediately and tried to find excuses.
" We didn't mean to accuse you ."
" But then our whole conversation wasn't an accusation directed at me ?", I asked with crossed arms, slowly losing my calm.
'Nobody would be stupid not to know that they clearly tried to pin the blame on me.', I thought to myself.
" Now that is enough. It seems lady Ainsworth forgave you for this. Continue working now !", with his imposing stature and sophisticated attitude he spoke up sternly to the young women in front of him. As if we forgot his presence, both, the maids and I, became startled with his loud voice. But he didn't care .
Not standing this disagreement anymore, he stopped it. Soon the maids left the scene as fast as they could.
Only Cedric and me were left behind in the hallway. Other servants who watched the scene from afar also dispersed, noticing the stiffen atmosphere around us.
'Who do I want to deceive, never could I get used to this mansion.' , I admitted sadly to myself.