Anna stood by the side, hands clenched into fists as she observed her mistress, who seemed lost in a world far removed from reality. She had served her for years, had watched her grow from an innocent young lady into a graceful noblewoman, had seen her laugh through pain, hide her sorrows behind a dazzling smile, and endure what no woman should ever have to. But today… today was different.
Her sharp eyes were fixed on her mistress, Princess Vivian Anna De Rose Lomalot. The young princess sat motionless, lost in her own world, oblivious to the servants moving around her. Her once-bright red eyes, usually filled with warmth and playfulness, were now dull and distant, her expression as lifeless as a porcelain doll. It was painful to witness.
Her mistress sat motionless, an empty shell of the woman she once was. She let the other maids dress her in fine silks, brush her beautiful flamboyant red hair, and adorn her with jewelry without so much as a sigh or protest. Not even a single complaint when a pin pricked her scalp, a thing she would normally joke about. She barely even blinked, her hands mindlessly tracing the intricate floral designs of the armchair she sat on. And the most telling sign of all—she had not greeted anyone this morning.
Anna had been her lady-in-waiting for years, watching her grow from a carefree child into a graceful woman, a beloved noble admired by many. The princess had always been a beacon of light, joyful, kind, and full of life, even in moments of sorrow.
No matter how much pain she bore, she never let it show. She always greeted her servants with a cheerful "Good morning, wonderful people!" brightening the day for those around her.
It was not like her at all.
Every morning, without fail, her mistress would wake with the first light of dawn, standing by the window of her lavish chamber in Duke Valerion's grand castle. She would sip her favorite chamomile tea, gaze upon the flowers in the vast garden below, and chat lightly with Anna about trivial things, the maids' gossip, the latest books in the library, or even the mischievous antics of the little sparrows that nested on the window ledge. She would laugh, teasing Anna with affectionate words, twirling the hem of her gown as if she were dancing with the wind.
For the first time, her mistress had not uttered a word since waking. She did not laugh or joke with the maids during her morning bath. She did not even sit by the window, watching the sunrise over the gardens with her usual cup of tea. Instead, she remained in the armchair by the fire, after allowing the maids to dress her like an unresponsive doll. She muttered to herself occasionally, her hands tracing the intricate designs on the armrest, a nervous habit of hers.
This wasn't the woman Anna knew.
The woman she knows
That was the woman who had been shattered.
Anna's nails dug into her palms as she swallowed back the hot anger burning inside her chest. She felt so helpless. She had failed her mistress. She had failed to protect her from the cruel betrayal that had unfolded before her very eyes.
And this morning, the lively, radiant woman Anna knew was gone.
For the first time, her mistress had not uttered a word since waking. She did not laugh or joke with the maids during her morning bath. She did not even sit by the window, watching the sunrise over the gardens with her usual cup of tea. Instead, she remained in the armchair by the fire, allowing the maids to dress her like an unresponsive doll. She muttered to herself occasionally, her hands tracing the intricate designs on the armrest, a nervous habit of hers.
Anna clenched her fists. The sight of her mistress in such a state filled her with both sorrow and rage. She knew exactly what had caused this. The empire was already abuzz with rumors about what had happened last night at the ball. The whispers had spread like wildfire, carried by the gossiping tongues of nobles and servants alike.
It had been meant to be a grand celebration—a joyous occasion. Not only was it the princess's birthday, but it also marked the third wedding anniversary of her marriage to Duke Leonard Theo Valerion.
A marriage that, in the eyes of many, was built upon admiration and partnership. The perfect noble couple. A bond that symbolizes power and unity, and she knows how much her mistress loves the Duke, the whole world knows.
But it had all been a lie.
Anna had not been there last night, she had been attending to urgent matters that required her absence, but she had heard everything upon her return.
The duke had humiliated her mistress.
He had taken another woman, Isla Belle Aldwyne, into his arms for the first dance, an honor that should have belonged to the princess, the very host of the evening. To dance with another woman before even acknowledging his wife was not only improper but an open insult. It had been a blatant display of disrespect before the entire nobility. And yet, when Princess Vivian had rightfully intervened, when she had tried to remind him of his place and his duties, he had scolded her in front of everyone, as if she were the one in the wrong.
The commotion that followed had been unlike anything the empire had seen before. Her mistress, the ever-benevolent princess, had retaliated. No longer willing to endure the humiliation, she had not remained silent. The image of her graceful composure had shattered as she struck back, showing the world that she was not a woman to be cast aside, even she was surprised when she had of what her mistress had done last night.
But now, in the aftermath, she sat there, silent and lost in thought.
A hollow shell sat in her place.
Anna wanted to scream. She wanted to break something, to tear apart the world for what it had done to her mistress. Isla. Leonard. Those two despicable, shameless people. Did they think they would get away with this? That they could simply walk away after destroying the heart of the woman who had once given him everything?
Her mistress had loved Leonard. Devotedly. She had fought for him, supported him, used her influence to strengthen his house, and even begged her father for several days just to extend a proposal to his family just for her to be with him. She had sacrificed so much, and this was how he repaid her? With betrayal?
And Isla, oh, Anna could barely contain her fury. That scheming woman had always acted innocent, always pretending to be timid and fragile, but Anna had known better. She had seen the way Isla looked at Leonard, the way she lingered near him at every gathering, the way she fluttered her lashes just enough to catch his attention. And now she had succeeded in seducing him, in stealing what was never hers to begin with.
Anna gritted her teeth, her chest heaving with restrained rage.
If only she had been there. If only she had protected her mistress. If only she could turn back time.
But there was no "if" in this world. What was done was done.
However, that did not mean she would sit idly by. No!
If her mistress would not seek justice, then Anna would do it for her.
Isla and Leonard would regret this.
The empire would not be kind to them. Not if Anna had anything to do with it.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, kneeling beside her mistress. "My lady," she said softly, her voice steady despite the storm raging in her heart. "Would you like me to bring you your favorite tea?"
For a moment, there was no response. Then, slowly, ever so slowly, her mistress turned her head. Her red eyes, once so full of warmth and light, now seemed dull and lifeless. She looked at Anna as though she were seeing a stranger.
"Yes do please," Vivian said giving a weak smile, she still did not know how to interact with Anna yet but this was interpreted as something else by Anna who is now more determined to seek revenge for her innocent mistress.
And as for those who had hurt her,
They would soon learn that some betrayals came at a price.
A price they were not ready to pay.
"Leonard Theo Valerion, Isla Belle Aldwyne, wash your neck clean for my rage," Anna said as she made her way out to prepare her mistress tea by herself, she don't feel like entrusting the task to any of the maids in this household.