"My Lady?" A maid muttered meekly as she was busy talking with the one lady-in-waiting she had.
"What? Really -"
"Did the Crown Prince and The Princess really have an argument last night?"
"Yes, I believe so from the rumours that seem to be circulating around the palace, Miss" The Lady-in-waiting said honestly as she looked in envy at the concubine's beauty… someone so beautiful? So ethereal. It was like a person was sent from the heavens for a reason.
"Is there any speculation as to why they were –"
Rosette said, her voice slightly trailing off as she looked up at the lady-in-waiting, hoping she would tell her more about this incident that has caused a larger rift in the Crown Prince and Princesses relationship.
"Arguing or in some form of a disagreement?"
"miss?"
"..."
"I think so. They were shouting at the top of their voices."
The lady-in-waiting gave a bitter smile, and Rosette covered her face with both her hands, pretending to be embarrassed by the situation when this was the leverage she needed to have authority in this twisted place.
"Wow...His Highness is incredible..."
"Not only that, but he declared a strict punishment to anyone who brings up any slander against You, or Your Family Name" The face of the lady-in-waiting, Attend and shifted slightly under the sound of the Concubine's sweet sobs.
"The Crown Prince really loves you, My Lady"
".."
"His Highness is so kind to me, so gentle"
"Yes- Yes? I suppose he is in a way, My Lady"
The lady-in-waiting finally left the room. Passing by the maid who was at the door, saw the maid tending outside of the Concubine's chambers.
The maid who was standing at the floor, holding a bucket of water in one Of her hands as she knocked on the door again.
Slightly glancing, as the Lady-in-waiting walked by her with a nonchalant and cool expression on her face. An impressive aura of a noblewoman As she walked.
"My lady?"
"Your Highness, May I come in for a moment"
"Yes! Of course!"
The concubine chimed from inside of her room as she heard the door gently open.
The maid then diligently went about her duties and started cleaning the Concubines Room quite thoroughly, despite her own tiredness and fatigue from The palace as she worked quite hard. As well as, the other staff who helped maintain the pristine and smooth conditions of The Imperial Palace…
The Concubine, now Gushing over some jewellery and gems that the Crown Prince had personally gifted her as she glanced back at the made, through The mirror of the vanity as she proclaimed with glee in her voice.
"You!"
"Me?"
The maid responded weekly, as Young Lady signalled her forward with her Index finger. The maids movement across the floor was gentle as she was curious to what the Concubine was talking about.
"Yes, You!"
"Which one do you think compliments my eye colour more?"
Within Lady Rosette's hand was a neatly cut Ruby necklace and a diamond pendant with a golden chain on it. Surely one Of luxury, as the Sparkles from both gems blinded by the maid.
"Which one?"
The maid stammered, as she looked at the delicate jewellery that she wouldn't ever be able to afford. So Gently placed in the Concubines hand. Like she was holding onto it for a reason.
"Yes? Which one do you think would suit me better"
"Madam… I Don't quite know jewels quite well"
"Still? Is that any excuse?" Rosette, Taunted the maid as she held the jewels In her hand, playing with them carelessly as she juggled them around to show off the sparkles and shine of the gems.
"So!"
"Answer me! Or I'll punish you for your insolence!"
The concubine, Spat as she glared At the maid who seemed to shrink back into herself.
The maid, slightly biting the inside of her cheek, before then weakly replying as she bowed her head to the concubine as a sign of respect.
The maid hesitantly pointed at the Ruby Necklace that had a matching Brooch on the vanity.
"I Think it would suit your complexion best, My lady?"
"The Red? It would compliment your hair, as well as the Blue in your eyes"
The maid said truthfully as she slightly glanced at the Lady, keeping her head lowered as a sign for respect.
"The Ruby?"
"It seems like you have quite the exquisite taste of jewels, Miss?"
"Oops! I don't think I ever caught the name of a mere Maid who serves me?"
Lady Rosette, taunting the maid slightly as she let out a low hum of a chuckle underneath her breath. Without a care she quickly chucked the emerald necklace and matching brooch to the maid, who quickly caught it in her hands.
"Madam?"
The maid, A young girl said as she looked at the Concubine. Has she gone insane? The concubine… What does she want me to do with this?
With Countless thoughts running through the maid's mind about why the Concubine was acting so Careless and reckless with gentle items that His Highness had gifted her personally.
The noise of the concubines dwelling and talking drowned into the background, the maid standing still as time seemed To freeze. Only to be brought back to reality, by the sound of the concubine's sweet voice Who said.
"Do you think Her Highness would be attending the ball?"
"The Crown Princess? Is it not mandatory… For her to attend the banquet?"
"Yes – I believe it is so…"
The Concubine let out another chuckle as she said calmly. Turning her head back as she glanced at the maid.
"I think We all know… in this palace?'
"Just Who? His Highness?"
"Really prefer?"
The maid, not wanting to disagree with the Madam she served, quickly said In an agreeing tone. Quickly, she went back to performing her main duties which was fixing up and making the palace look as pristine and shiny as the walls were.
The jewels that She was told to discard By the concubine. Stuffed deep in the pouch of her dress.
"Get rid of them?"
"Who would get rid of such expensive and priceless jewels?"
The maid muttered, a word and thought of confusion in her voice. It would be a stupid mistake to get rid of them, Especially when it was His Highnesses' own generosity and kindness of his heart.
"I dread to think of what will happen when His Highness Finds… out"
"..."
"Surely… it won't End well?"
*
*
*
I lay crying in bed when I heard a tap on my window. I looked up dully, and to my surprise, I saw the handsome bird hovering outside. I hesitated before opening the window, and the bird hopped onto my bed, picked its wings and stared at me.
"You arrived quickly this time."
"Why did it take you… so long?"
I wiped away my tears, and the bird peered at me with its large eyes, like it had seen me crying. It was such an interesting and intelligent beast. That's what I liked most about this word.
The bird nodded as if it understood my words. I lifted the bird and placed it on my lap, and it froze for a moment and blinked rapidly. I brushed its head then pulled the note from its leg.
"Sisi? My lady? What is it I shall call you?
I have been quite ill these past few days… but rest assured my lady? I'm fine
Yeowang? He has a bracelet? I hope it is of your liking
wear it would you?
If it won't cause you shame in society… I just want to know the person behind these Letters.
It would be wrong to say my heart is slightly troubled.
–Heine"
"Your master?"
"He is certainly confusing isn't he?"
I said calmly, As I looked at the small bracelet that was on the bird talon, fastened securely to it without a doubt. The bird, seeming to understand and reconcile with my hesitation to receive the bracelet, quickly flew up into the air as it dropped the bracket Into my hands.
Causing me to accept it, with open arms as I gripped Onto the jewellery that was quite heavy
"Amethyst?"
"It… It's quite pretty? Isn't it Yeowang?"
I glanced down at the bracelet in my hand, as I rubbed the surface of it with my fingers. Feeling how clean and smooth the gem was cut into the holes of the bracket.
Some small silver chains with stars that contained minute size jewels of the main one Slightly hung off the clasp of the bracelet.
I stared at it, In awe For quite some time… I couldn't accept something like this. Not from some Lord I didn't even know.
It would cause such a huge scandal of an affair… His Highness? He may not know now about the letters but I really don't want to trouble my own husband… What he doesn't know won't hurt him.
"Right?" I muttered under my breath as I glanced at Yeowang. My own heart felt slightly troubled as I felt it throb inside of my chest.
"I-I can't accept something like this"
"Not something so priceless"
Biting my bottom lip for a moment I let out a small sigh, feeling the weight of this decision on my shoulders as I felt It weigh myself down.
"If I accept this? I risk my own death"
"If I don't accept it? I risk facing the wrath of your Lord"
I looked at the bird with a solemn Expression on my face As, I gently ruffled its feathers slightly.
"What do You think? I should do Yeowang?"
I didn't want to cause a scandal in society… not when I had survived this far by my own will and drive to live. I was meant to be the Empress of this Empire? But accepting another man's gift Apart from what Leonardo would give me?
It's quite troublesome…
"Hah? What am I meant to do, Yeowang?"
I said as I glanced at the bird, taking my hand away from its feathers, expecting it to give me an answer to the pestering questions I had.