The head maid had not only flogged Peony's back until her undershirt had been drenched in blood but also punished her by cruelly dumping her afternoon tasks on the girl.
Bending hurt. Breathing hurt. Sitting hurt.
Vivianne had stormed off somewhere, probably to save her reputation. Her vanity still had blushes and lipsticks scattered around from yesterday. The court maids hadn't cleaned up, it seemed. They were always sloppy with Vivianne's room, primarily to spite Peony for being a commoner with a higher position than them, leaving her to do everything.
Peony moved the makeup into a separate cabinet, but something stopped her. The makeup resting on the vanity had a very faint and familiar scent that reminded Peony of somebody she used to know.
She couldn't for the life of her figure out who it was or what had happened to them, a thick fog clouding her memories.
Where had she seen this blush before?
...
Within the palace grounds was a lavish harem where the king kept his concubines and royal consorts. The harem was a sprawling complex of ornate rooms and gardens, surrounded by high walls to keep the women secluded from the outside world.
The entrance was guarded by fierce-looking soldiers who scrutinized anyone who entered with a sharp eye.
Inside, the harem was a place of opulence and indulgence. The walls were adorned with intricate mosaics and colourful frescoes, while the floors were gleaming marble.
The air was heavy with the scent of incense and perfume, and soft music could be heard echoing through the halls.
The women in the harem were some of the most beautiful and talented in the land, carefully selected by the king for their charm, grace, and intelligence.
They were dressed in the finest silks and jewels, and their hair was styled in elaborate braids and curls. They spent their days learning new skills and practising the arts of dance, music, and poetry to entertain the king.
The king occasionally visited the harem, choosing which concubine he wanted to spend time with. Naturally, the women would compete for his attention, using their wit and charm to win his favour.
Despite the competition, there was also a sense of camaraderie among the women, who would gather together to share stories and gossip.
Regardless of the luxury of the harem, there was also a sense of confinement and restriction. The women were not allowed to leave the harem without the king's permission and were expected to remain chaste and faithful to him.
While some women may have enjoyed the status and privilege of being a concubine, others may have longed for freedom and independence.
The ladies who were no longer needed or not called upon for years were either sent back to their homes or granted as brides to officers and knights, so the tension was high. Peony could tell how strained some of the higher-ranked ladies were.
They all sparked like gems with colourful garnets and pearls, but their eyes were dull.
The wet maids were on the verge of getting laid off, so they served as extra staff for the time being.
Peony signed to herself, determined to get out of there quickly. She walked to the highest floor in the mansion, where the consorts were living with their attendants.
The rest of the staff were sleeping at the servant's house as they were free to leave the harem whenever they wanted, as they were trusted and handpicked by the king himself.
The second consort Natalia was away for some charity work at the border where the arson had been the worst; it made sense, as she was a military official's daughter Prince Luke and missionaries accompanied her.
Lady Rosalina, the second consort, was gazing out of the balcony unto the garden, where a fountain created a rainbow when its drops got tugged along by the breeze.
She was beautiful but had a sombre expression. Her art was stunning and highly praised, but she hadn't lifted a paintbrush in decades after being sent to the palace.
Lady Rosalina was humming a soft tune, her long chestnut lashes quivering. Her only son Oscar had only visited her once, and it was after his coronation.
She hadn't been allowed to see him get knighted.
Peony walked calmly by, not wanting to disturb the lady. A woman giving up who she was, was too familiar.
The head maid was tasked with assisting the third consort with her meal and sweeping her room this afternoon. Peony scoffed lightly; she had expected the head maid to have a more significant workload.
The third consort's room in the harem was a luxurious and opulent space fit for a queen. It was situated at the far end of the harem, away from the other consorts' quarters, and was accessible only through a private corridor.
The room was spacious and airy, with high ceilings and large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The walls were adorned with richly embroidered tapestries and intricate frescoes depicting scenes of mythological creatures and exotic landscapes.
The floor was covered in plush Persian rugs, and soft cushions and pillows were scattered throughout the room.
In the centre of the room stood a massive four-poster bed draped in silk sheets and plush velvet curtains. The consort's bed was also a work of art, with a canopy of delicate lace and silk draping from the four posts.
The linens were of the highest quality, with a softness that enveloped her like a cloud; Peony pouted a little, wishing she had a thick duvet like her.
The headboard was carved from solid mahogany and adorned with gold leaf and precious stones. Next to the bed, a small table was set with a silver tray of pastries and a crystal decanter of rare wine.
Against one wall stood a dressing table with a large mirror and a collection of makeup products and perfume bottles.
A plush velvet chair was placed in front of the table, inviting the consort to take her time getting ready each day.
A cozy seating area was arranged around a low table in one corner of the room, with a comfortable sofa and several plush armchairs.
In addition, the room was filled with many exotic and valuable objects gifted to her by the king and other nobles.
A rare porcelain vase from Sol stood on a pedestal in one corner while a set of intricately crafted silver candlesticks adorned the mantlepiece above the fireplace.
The lady also had a sizeable jewel-encrusted casket sitting on a side table, containing a collection of precious gems and treasures given to her over the years.
A small bell was positioned on the nightstand next to the bed, allowing her to summon her attendants whenever she needed something, but It looked dusty.
A massive portrait of the king was covering the wall so that whoever was sleeping on the bed had to make eye contact with his beady eyes. The giant chandelier was dazzling and made the room feel more royal.
Peony crossed the floor to the bed with her cart, her shoes clicking loudly. It was stuffy in the room, like nobody had bothered to air it out. She opened the balcony door, letting the cherry blossom's sweet scent in.
Since the lady hadn't woken up from her sleep by the sunlight, Peony hastily wiped the windows and rolled up the dusty carpet, replacing it with a bright and clean one.
She threw the dying plants out and brought in lavender pots.
"Lady, I have brought you lunch; shall we dine on the balcony?" Peony asked the figure huddled under the thick covers. Where were all the attendants, she wondered. Somebody should have brought the lady outside for some air while she was cleaning at noon.
Peony lifted the woman's covers and immediately took two unstable steps back, eyes bulging. Her heart raced, and she felt light-headed, like the ground beneath her was shifting. She wanted to sit down, but her legs felt weak and unsteady.
The consort was pregnant.
...
Peony had fed the lady to the best of her abilities, but something was odd. Lady Charlotte was frail and sickly coloured with tremors wreaking her frame at slight movement. She'd fight to get a lungful of air.
The lady would speak nonsensical sentences, calling for Vivianne occasionally. All Peony could do was stroke her hair and pretend to be her daughter. Although Peony suspected the lady was blind or at least partially, her eyes shimmered with blue eyes shadow.
"Please eat some." At those words, the consort finally finished her broth with great effort, only encouraged by Peony's soft praise and encouragement. She felt doom as she carefully adjusted the lady back into her sheets.
"I got to get out of here before it's too late."
Peony's eyes once again wandered to the consort's elaborate makeup collection, anger sizzling in her veins on behalf of Lady Charlotte, who was defenceless and ill. She finally understood the purpose of the makeup and jewellery on the consort's withering body.
...
Peony quickly escaped the harem with her heart in her throat. She'd do anything to avoid getting in trouble again.
As the winter slowly gave way to spring, the sky over the royal court became infused with a soft, golden light each evening. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm, glowing hue over the courtyard.
The air was cool but not chilly, and a gentle breeze rustled the branches of the trees that lined the palace gardens. The sweet scent of blooming flowers wafted on the breeze, mingling with the aroma of fresh bread and roasted meats from the kitchens.
Hunger ripped at her stomach as the last meal she had was oatmeal. All the beauty surrounding her was hard to take in with all the turbulence her thoughts were causing.
As she rounded the corner of the main castle's second corridor, she came face to face with Mio, helplessly cradling Vivianne in front of her bedroom.
The palace walls, made of white stone, glowed pink in the sunlight, reflecting the changing colours of the sky. The palace windows glimmered with an orange light, and the entire corridor was bathed in a warm and inviting glow.
Peony gaped at the unfortunate scene until Mio looked up helplessly.
"Quick, get inside before somebody spots you," Peony gasped, quickly swinging open the bedroom door and ushering in the pair.
The room was still filled with the scent of fragrant oils from her previous bath. The warm orange light streaming in from the windows created an enchanting atmosphere, casting a soft glow on the princess's face as she was lowered onto her bed draped in a canopy of delicate white fabric with fluffy pillows and a soft duvet.
There were piles of books, scrolls, and papers that the princess had been reading and studying the day before their arrival. A wide desk is located near the window, with a quill pen, inkpot, and parchment in front of it.
Peony must've forgotten to clear it after she had been hit; she quickly cleared the table and organized the scattered documents.
Mio was staring out from the balcony with an absentminded scowl on his face. Both jumped slightly when they heard a light knock on the bedroom door.
As the knight steps into the room, his heavy boots make a soft thud against the polished marble floors. His sword softly as he walks, indicating that he has just come from rigorous training. The knight's face is flushed with exertion. His breathing was slightly laboured as he made his way toward the centre of the room.
"Where did you get the new sword from?" Peony asked as she handed him a glass of water that he finished in a second.
"Tonight is my first night as a guard; the captain of the division I am being trained by gave me this for the job." He said tiredly. He was supposed to start his shift at midnight; he had six hours to sleep.
Another knock came, this one quieter. It was the physician, his assistant Agnes, and a senior maid named Nancy. Nancy was a lovely old lady with a kind face and powerful arms; she smiled slightly at the teens hoovering around the balcony.
"This concludes your first day. Go wash up and eat." She dismissed them, laughing at their visible relaxation and collective breath of relief.
Tomorrow, the dukes, who were the rulers of the provinces and the superiors of the counts in the cities, would come to discuss the violence causing havoc in the country and how to solve it; she advised the teens to get a good night's sleep to prepare for their many guests.
...
The canteen is a large rectangular room with high ceilings and wooden walls. Rows of wooden tables and benches are arranged haphazardly in the centre of the room, providing ample space for the servants to eat and socialize.
The tables were covered with crisp white tablecloths, and the benches were polished to a gleaming shine. They were sturdy and unmoving when the three of them threw themselves down on them,
A large fireplace at one end of the room provides warmth and comfort during the colder months, with a large cauldron of soup bubbling away on top of the fire.
The aroma of fresh bread and hot soup fills the air, making mouths water and stomachs grumble. They quickly filled their plates with their share.
An extended counter lines one of the walls, where the cooks and servers work tirelessly to keep up with the demand of hungry servants.
The counter is filled with various dishes and treats, from hearty stews and savoury pies to sweet pudding for dessert.
It was considerably better than what any of them were used to. If only their beds were of similar quality, Juno signed for himself.
They ate silently, washed up, and returned sluggishly to their room, silently wishing the royals would stop playing around and dismiss them already; they had no business being here.
After a hellish day, Peony could almost cry, sinking into her plush bed. The wounds on her back were pulsating together with her feet.
Their thick curtains blocked out the moonlight, and lanterns strung up on the trees outside.
Juno complained about his muscle ache and how his joints felt stiff. He dragged himself up to his bed, collapsing onto the mattress with a deep sigh. Peony related to him. Her calves were burning from all the work she had done today.
As they lay in the beds, they felt a wave of exhaustion wash over them like a heavy blanket. The warmth of their blankets enveloped their tired bodies.
Peony's mind was foggy and disoriented, and she struggled to focus on any coherent thoughts. All she could think of was the blissful sensation of sinking into the soft mattress and the comfort of the warm blankets.
The knight's breathing gradually slowed, and soon Peony felt herself slipping into a deep slumber. She was barely aware of his surroundings, and the world around her faded away as she fell into a state of peaceful oblivion.
For a brief moment, the sleeping maid and knight's minds were free from the demands and stresses of their daily life.
Suddenly, she was jolted awake by noise and blinked rapidly, trying to regain her bearings. Juno jolted awake as well, groaning in pain from the sudden movement.
As her vision cleared, the girl saw Mio standing in the middle of the room with his arms crossed, an unimpressed look on his face.
The knight rubbed his eyes and sat up groggily, still feeling the remnants of sleep weighing heavily on his mind. He was mindful of the low ceiling.
"What is it?" Juno mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.
"I'm sorry to wake you, but we are in some deep trouble," Mio said, not sounding sorry at all.
Juno nodded, groggily getting down from his bed and stretching his aching limbs. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep that still clung to his mind.
As Mio's words started to sink in, Peony's mind began to clear, and she became again rigid with stress. She knew that whatever emergency had arisen, she must be ready to face it with all of her attention.