"Eva," Lumielle mumbled as the maid looked up from her position. She had been setting down small platters for tea. "The new maids, did they like the dresses?"
A smile curved upon her face, "I have yet to give it to them. I have finished setting everything downstairs."
"Pick a couple of ones that will be useful," she answered back, flipping through her book. Her eyes soaking in the different herbs that she could use in the future. "I'll handpick them to be my maids so make sure they're also good at their jobs."
Evangeline smiled, "I will do as you instruct."
"Also come here," she said ushering the female to come forward. Gently, she placed a golden ring on the young woman's finger. It was the same one that Viria had worn but it had been redone. Lumielle had completely gotten it redone. The intricate silver latticework had been redone and Lumielle had replaced itself with gold plating.
Her eyes widened, "Princess!" She chided with a bright smile. Looking at the small ring, she clutched it to her chest. "Thank you so much, your mother would have been proud."
Lumielle felt her eyes widen as she looked down at her lap. Her mother would have been proud? Was that true? Lumielle had only heard about Empress Verena. Her kindness and amicability made her popular with the people but many aristocrats only saw her as an accessory to the Emperor. That was true.
"Thank you, Eva," Lumielle said giving her a bright smile. Evangeline returned one back as the door closed. Walking down the stairs, the maid clutched the ring that the Princess had given her. Even if Verena was not proud, Evangeline was.
Walking down the stairs, she looked at the clothes that had been placed on hangers. Indeed, there was a wide array. "W-What is all of this?" A young maid inquired. The young maids looked at Evangeline.
That was right. Her name was Maddy, she was a maid that Sylvia had picked up. Indeed, she was good at conversation. Thus, many people liked her due to her amicable personality. A young chatterbox, Evangeline had first disliked her. Then, as the two started to work together, she had realized how endearing Sylvia was.
"The Princess wanted to give them to you," Evangeline said.
There was a hushed whisper amongst those around her. The maids looking at the dresses. They were not ones that aristocrats wore but still, they were expensive for commoners and especially for maids. They were all young maids and they all had greed. That was good.
"For us? Really?!" Sylvia asked, a smile curving on her face as she turned to another maid with a bright smile. "Look at how kind the Princess is!"
Evangeline smiled as she placed a hand on her chest. Eyes were focused on the ring on her finger, the glittering gold. "Why don't you go look at some of the dresses? They'll go to waste."
Sylvia was the first one to act. She grabbed the wrists of two maids as they started to peer at the dresses. The maids quickly interacted with the dresses as Evangeline smiled.
"The Princess is so kind isn't she?" Evangeline hummed.
Maddy gave a nod, "She really is! Giving me a job after everything."
"Everything?" Evangeline queried.
Sylvia turned to Evangeline as she gave a smile, "Maddy was in debt. The Princess promised to help pay the debt and help by working here."
"How kind," another maid gushed, "And she's even giving us all these dresses for free."
Walking down the stairs, Lumielle gave the maids a smile. "I see that you all received my gift. It's not much but I wanted to thank you,"
The other maids practically looked at her with adoration. They were wearing bright smiles on their faces as they looked at the Princess with rosy oculars. Indeed, that was what she needed. In the past, Cosette had manipulated the maids inside of her own mansion to feel pity for her. They had all caressed her, helping wipe away her tears as Lumielle watched without a modicum of care.
She would not allow Cosette to blossom. Thus, she would do her best to try and get everyone she could on her side.
"I never had any sisters and my mom died when I was young," she paused. There was a slight look of sadness that spread across her face as Evangeline ran up the stairs to embrace the young female. "I just wanted to make sure you all felt like family."
Evangeline caressed her hair. The hearts of the maids had already begun to melt. She was doing a good job.
"Princess," Sylvia sobbed as she walked up the stairs to hug her. Indeed, she wanted sympathy and this was the best way to get it. Lumielle was young enough to tug at the heartstrings of maids who were all older than her.
It was good. Cosette wouldn't be able to cajole them as easily as she had.
"Thank you so much," Rebecca said gently touching the female's hands. "These dresses are beautiful."
The other maids nodded fervently as Lumielle gave a smile. Well, she had bought them for these young girls. After all, what use would these dresses serve for her after the tea party that she had attended with Veronica? All she needed was pity and after she had gotten that, she had completed her task.