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"You are walking too slow!" Renata who was still trying her best to walk stopped in her tracks and then stared at the man who was her father with frosty eyes.
What was she even expecting? That someone would hold her in their arms? How could they expect a three year old girl to walk so much in the first place and now he was complaining that she was too slow? SCUMBAG!
"Your majesty, the princess is too young to walk so much and she seems hungry. How about a knight holding her in his arms and asking her to only guide the way?" The voice was soft but not scared by her father. She tilted her head to the side to see who this brave woman was.
When all the men stayed silent, how did she dare to speak up! Though she was wearing a fancy gown, it looked a bit washed out like her own clothes and the design was rather simple. She must be a lower noble. But then how she had so much strength to stand against her father.
As if sensing her gaze, the woman turned to her too and passed an assuring smile surprising her. Renata looked away. She was not going to get swayed by these kinds of actions.
When she was crying in the hall, no one came forward to help her. There was a chance that the woman was only trying to curry a favor from her father by getting bold.
"How troublesome. Then why don't you hold her?" her father sounded bored and a bit annoyed. As if he was already troubled by so many demands.
The woman pursued her lips as she stared at him. As expected she did not want to hold her, Renata mused as she looked away and started walking again.
She did not want to waste time too since there was a chance that the maids realized something was wrong and ran away.
She would not be able to prove their sins then.
But just as she had walked another step, she felt a warm touch on her waist and then her feet left the ground. She turned to see that the same woman was holding her by her waist and then held her in her arms.
She held Renata's back while keeping her head on her shoulders.
"Lean in and just tell me which way to go. You seem tired so do not need to push yourself more." her expressions were soft and kind and her voice was endearing but Renata felt nothing.
She knew how others fake their emotions in front of her father thinking that they would get his good grace but in the end, when they find her alone, they do nothing but taunt.
She was not going to repeat her past mistakes., this time she would be the one using all those blood suckers at her disposal.
She passed a wide but fake smile to the woman who seemed relieved that she had fooled Renata. But thanks to her fast pace, they were able to reach the destination faster.
"Haha! This is so fun. I have never thought my job would be this easy." a woman in the maid uniform was laughing as she was eating black grapes leisurely while laying on the soft wool blanket that was perfect for winters while enjoying the sunshine.
"I know, I have never thought that working at the palace of an abandoned princess would give me so much joy. But that brat.. She asked for food in a cold tone today. Has she realized who she is?" a tinge of anger and worry could be seen in her voice as she turned to look at the maid who raised a brow and then chuckled.
"No! She was just getting rude. I have taught her a good lesson by locking her in the dark room. I would only take her out when she would apologize to all of us. Staying hungry and thirsty for a whole day in a locked room would make her realize that she could never speak against us and have to follow our every command.
She had to learn to bow her head to us all her life or else she was going to get punished harshly." her tone was cold and full of contempt. Only by taking the name of the princess, she felt nauseated.
"You all only need to follow my commands and I will make sure that you have your best life in the palace leisurely." She chuckled with arrogance but everyone nodded their heads and laughed with her.
They did not care about a small child as long as they were treated well. Where could they have rare fruits and dishes that only higher noble could afford. These fruits, macarons and everything.. It made her feel that they were no less than those nobles.
In their joy, they did not care about a small child that was suffering. When her family did not care about her, why would they concern themselves about it? The cold and harsh words shocked the royals that followed the emperor.
Though they could see that the girl was looking like a mess and was too weak, they still could not believe that she could be treated this badly and thought that she was exaggerating but now hearing the voices of maids that are enjoying like owners, they realized how ill treated she was.
Now everyone's eyes were on Leo, the emperor to see what he would do..
"Get a hold of all of them and put them in the underground prison. It has been days since I have tormented anyone. It would be a good way to pass the time."