Charlene's Benevolence
~
Charlene's Personal Bed Chambers,
The Estate of Duke Walterus,
The Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
The hours after Noon,
The Eighth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
Charlene began, "I've seen her for quite a long while now and have known of her misdeeds." And then, her voice trailed off hesitantly. And so she added, "Ah, never mind, I do not wish to taint your opinion of Amelia. But I do simply wish for you to be careful."
This, the damsel said, since she did not want to appear as a person who was speaking ill of a common friend at their very first meeting. However, she did deeply desire to tell Alessia everything, in order to taint Amelia's image, but to have the young noble's curiosity crave for what she was about to impart.
"No, it is alright, you can tell me; I know you are simply warning me for my best interest", the green eyed dame was playing right into Charlene's intentions.
"I do not wish for you to bear a marred image of Amelia, please do not hold any ought against her; I just want you to know so you can be safe", the daughter of the Walterus Estate said.
"Yes, of course, I understand", Alessia nodded, leaning forward curiously.
Charlene began saying as much as she had observed:
"Well, you know I have most all my clothes made by Lady Hildeth's? So I visit the boutique once a while to make specific requests and I realised that Amelia was one amongst the staff who was not of best reputation and was greatly despised by the rest of her mates. Lady Hildeth does not regard her much either, but she keeps her for labours solely because her family desperately needs the income. I do know, however, that Amelia is not of the greatest use with them."
She knew she hadn't strayed far from the truth in as much as she had said that far. There were no alterations to Alessia's expression, and so she continued:
"And Lady Hildeth is kind in allowing her to labour and receive a salary at her boutique despite the futility. However, the other maidens working there do not like her, so I am uncertain as to what sort of inconvenience Amelia causes them, for they are all quite amicable amongst one another. She seems to be the odd one. I know most of the knights and none of them have fair opinions of her form what they see while passing the area, so I have reason to assume she is an unkind person."
At such point, Charlene was driven to fabricate things about the dame in order to win Alessia's judgement. The young noble's brows drew close to each other with concern. "What did they see her doing?" she asked.
Now, the daughter of the Walterus House knew the issues that Erion had spied from the Heartrim household. Thus, she knew what light to portray Amelia in, in order to win Alessia's hatred for the girl.
Charlene began, "I am in great hesitation to relay this to you, but I have heard that she goes in the late of the night to the dark of the woods and it is assumed that she meets men. They could be men of high society to lend her valuable favours, men who could be betrothed or even married!"
There was a sharp gasp from Alessia.
And so, the Walterus damsel proceeded, "I just wanted you to be careful; maybe she is as nice as she is to us because we are high society and she wishes to win our grace. If anything, I hope she does not take advantage of your innocence."
Alessia held a hand softly over her lips and nodded, "I am glad you told me. I did not dare assume someone as kind as her could hold any malicious intentions within." Then, the young maiden's green eyes appeared pensive, before she asked, "Why then did you allow her to join the Reading Association?"
"Well, as much as I know that she is not safe, I feel bad that she is so rejected by her own companions and has no one. I specifically requested for her to deliver my dress, because making errands to a prestigious estate would give her much favour with the others at work", Charlene said, with a sad smile written over her lips.
She knew that her father had specifically requested for the dame to deliver the dress and presently, it was convenient that Amelia was a part of the Reading Association, so they could keep a close watch on her.
"Oh, Char, you are such a kind person!" Alessia cooed, elated by the sweetness that was her companion.
"Ah, my dearest! I have had so many people tell me that, but I never understand. I am only simply doing my duties as a person who helps those she can", Charlene giggled. "I have feared many times that she may ruin the garments on the way hither, for reason of contempt, but I cannot resist. This is the only means by which I can help improve her reputation. But of course, she did not ruin this dress today"
"Oh so that's why she had come to the Estate? To deliver the outfit?" the young lady could not seem to take her eyes off the gown.
"Yes", Charlene laughed. "Do you like it?" she asked, brushing the creases off the satin laces.
"It is most enchanting", Alessia beamed. "And it looks all the more flattering on you!"
"Ah, thank you, I did like it a great deal myself. I had it specifically made this dawn", the blue eyed beauty winked.
"I see. What's the occasion that called for a tailor-made gown?" the Heartrim damsel asked, curiously.
"Ah, my dear Alessia, did you not hear of what had happened this morning?" Charlene asked, placing a hand on her cheek, before quickly adding, "Oh, it's no matter; the news must have only spread after you had already come to the Estate."
"Oh, I am quite so sorry, what did I miss?" the beautiful, young noble woman seemed most put off by the weight of her negligence.
Charlene's gaze met her guest's green eyes and she said, "Well, I had received a letter straight from the Regent Queen early this dawn, stating that Crown Prince Rayzenn was coming to meet me today! And he visited our Estate just before the Reading Association's meeting this noon."
~