"What do you mean?" The maid said to the other as she vigorously dried the clothing on the rack, making sure to get all the water and grime that had been collected out of it.
"Her Highness?"
"Has she not been acting quite weird Lately?"
One of the maids of the palace questioned as she glanced at the other, folding the laundry in her hands after she had washed them by the river.
"The Crown Princess?"
"Yes… I don't know how she can just accepted the Prince having a concubine"
"Surely, it should infuriate her" The Older maid questioned the younger maid as they exchanged glances at each other
"I'd much rather prefer to serve Her Highness than The Lady we serve"
"I don't even know what His Highness sees in that whore - how has he not heard of the rumours that she sleeps with any men in the empire that look her way" The older maid
"Be quiet! The head maid might be hear!" The younger maid spat as she glared at the older maid. Not wanting to see anyone get punished or hurt by the head maiden.
"So what?"
"What is That wrinkly old woman going to do?" The older maid said dismissively as she mocked the head maid of the imperial palace with her fingers as she slightly held them up in a Gesture.
"Lucile!" The young maid stammered as she looked at the older one, before she then continued, "You know the Head Maiden would have you flogged over 100 times for the words you're saying!"
"Do you really wish to be flogged for your own insolence!"
The younger maid, Shelly shouted at the Older maid, Lucille as she looked at her.
… Lucille and Shelly? They were close no doubt, just like how siblings would care and look at eachother.
They relied on each other for their own survival, they had similar interests and harsh takes at society and all the nobles.
Shelly, quickly deciding she had enough glared at the other Maid slightly scowling as her eyes narrowed before she then stormed off to perform another one of her duties in The Imperial Palace.
*
*
*
On the other side of the Imperial Palace, The concubine - Rosette Toussaint was getting ready for the day as she was assisted by the various maids in the palace.
"Sister - How is she?" Rosette questioned one of the maids as they helped her put it on the gown she would wear for the day. The gown was quite an ornate one and a lavish one at That.
Like you would see in a fairytale
"Sister? One of the maids who was closest to Rosette stammered as she looked at her.
"Yes -!"
"The Crown Princess!"
The concubine exclaimed happily With a sense of glee in her voice as she gently ate the green grape that was in her hand. Quickly, discarding what was left of it onto the plate one of the maids was holding.
"Her Highness"
"My Lady.. we don't serve Her Highness Directly or see her through the palace"
"But I did hear some rather interesting rumours about her through the palace"
The maid stammered as she looked at The Concubine, Whose eyes now flickered With a glint of interest at what the maid said.
"What?"
"What rumours, did you hear …. About Her Highness?" The concubine, taunted the maid as she slightly scowled at her with an unfriendly expression.
An itching thought the concubine had to know more about this rumour. If it was something she could use against the Crown Princess? She would gladly use it….
"I-I Really don't think i can say My Lady"
"Why - Why not?"
"Is it that bad of a rumour?"
"Or is there enough evidence behind the source of it?"
Rosette kept taunting the maid as she slightly saw the maids expression grow more horrified at the thought of letting such a small Rumour that could get her own family executed by the Imperial palace if she was to say it…
"I heard some say that she's been sending secretly by a carrier bird"
"...."
"A carrier bird?" Rosette questioned as she looked at the maid as she slightly lifted her eyebrows in surprise
"Yes, My Lady'
"Rumours might just be rumours though, I'd take it with a pinch of salt"
"Why…" Rosette said as she turned around to look the maid in the eyes as the maid slightly looked away For A moment. Knowing that she shouldn't have said anything as the tension was visible in the maids face and the way she held herself.
"..."
"I'm sure my sister would never do such a thing"
"She's loves the Husband We share"
"Ah, Yes , Yes of course madam" The maid said hurriedly As she looked at the concubine, helping her put on her jewellery for the day
"Buf If I were you?"
"I wouldn't speak about this rumour with anyone else… After All? I'm sure you wouldnt to damage my Dear Sisters reputation?"
"Right?"
The concubine said, mocking the rumour The maid had approached her with. Dismissing the Maid with a sharp slap on the face.
"Go, leave me in peace" Rosette shouted as she glared down at the maid, before a couple of the other maids who were going to leave. Quickly turned around to help The other Maid up from the floor.
Apologising for the inconvenience one of the maids said To the Concubine.
"I'll make Sure the Head Maiden will flog Her for her insolence, My Lady"
"..."
"!"
"Good"
"See to it.. that she gets punished for her words"
"Such insolence shouldn't go unpunished" Rosette said quite Brazen As she glared at the maids watching the other drag Her out of the room. Before she was then alone with her thoughts And her contemplation on the matter.
"Hah" the concubine let out a small sigh as she slightly twirled her hair around her finger, in contemplation of the matter
"Such stupidity… from someone of a high rank"
"I'll just save that information for later… I'll make sure to not let my father down… I need to be the one to restore my family name"
"I'm not letting my noble House fall into slavery due to my fathers debts that are unpaid"
The concubine, slightly clenching her fists on Her gown As she stood up, glancing out the window. Seeing the same Serenity and tranquil atmosphere in the palace.
It was a stark contrast to the cruel and intertwined words of the palace, where if you didn't have a sense of authority you'd be shunned down on, not respected by anyone.
"I'm not having any of that… I'll make sure of it"
"One way or another"
"I'll be the Empress of Rodwine, Even if i have to die..I'll make sure that i'll get what I want"
"I won't let some stupid Crown Princess, stand in my way"
Rosette, Muttered under her breath as she looked out the window, her thoughts Quite treasonous and could have the Possibility to land her in further trouble than she already could Be in.
As long as the Crown Prince kept Vowing his love to her - she knew that she would be able to get rid of the object that was stopping him from devoting themselves to each other. Like Lovebirds.