Maurice's feet moved fast across the marbled floor. Hands gracefully folded, a neutral expression on her face—appearance neat and soft.
The true image of a court maid.
Though moving very fast, she still carried herself gracefully.
The tasks she needed to complete today were extremely much for just one hand, yet she wasn't complaining.
Working for noble ladies was exhausting—a part of their talent was stressing out whoever works for them.
Maurice was currently working for the imperial princess staying as a guest in the palace.
One would think she was the queen with the way she behaved, but at the same time her father rules the whole empire. Anyone would understand why she had such an overbearing ego.
Seeing pretty court maids was one of the things she hated the most. She would make sure to work them to death while still maintaining her innocent demeanor.
She was every court maids nightmare —and unfortunately, Maurice had fallen under her radar.
And the horrible task she had to complete wasn't even what bothered her.
It was how despite one's efforts the noble lady would still find something to nitpick on. It was exhausting but she signed up for this.
Her dream was to work for the crown prince, but dreams don't always come through —and now she was stuck in this nightmare of a Job.
She walked into the royal kitchen, greeting everyone.
" Imperial princess Mai's meal should not contain any food with the color green.
Little salt, no fat.
Please remove the nuts, and no cinnamon flavours "
She began instructing without pause, while at the same time keeping track of the time.
The princess had ordered for her to be back before the incense stick burns down.
Maurice had been the one to light the incense herself before running off to complete her tasks.
The stick was a small one that would run out in thirty minutes, Maurice knew it was done on purpose so she would have to be present before the stick burns down, else she would get punished.
Even court maids were bullied despite their ranks, how brutal.
Every single servants in the royal kitchen stopped whatever they were doing to stare in shock.
Did she just mention the imperial princess?
The head cook laughed nervously
" My lady, forgive me—but it would be better if you do it yourself.
The imperial princess is very.... thorough, and since you work directly under her you must know her preferences more than anyone else "
The sweet smile never left his face as he subtly avoided the dreadful task.
Every single worker in the palace knew the imperial princess.
She was someone dreadful they never wish to cross.
She was never satisfied with how things are done—countless servants had lost their lives because of the slightest mistakes.
And the head chef knowing this immediately saved his neck.
Maurice just sighed, knowing exactly why they refused to do the work. She couldn't blame them, infact if she also had a way to dodge working for the imperial princess she definitely would save her neck.
" That's alright. I'll do it " she took the tray from him, gently sorting the dishes.
Everyone watched her with pity, they all knew her death was likely near. The imperial princess hated pretty court maids.
Everyone went back to work, racing against time to deliver food to the royal quarters.
And of course there would always be few maids gossiping while working.
Nobody complained, it was infact another way to keep the atmosphere fun without worrying about the depressing palace life.
" Remember that small village close to the red river ? "
It was two maids whispering between themselves, but everyone had their ears strained and listening.
" I heard, a lady in a red dress was recently murdered there.
It was horrible, you need to have seen it. "
" Why was she in a red dress ? I mean it's a rare color. " The other maid was curious, she hadn't gossiped about something this thrilling in a long time.
" Who knows, " the maid replied, kneading the dough.
" That village is not safe " she shook her head
" Even the guards also died a similar death " she continued. At this point everyone was interested—they began asking questions on their own.
Maurice wasn't too interested in joining the discussion. She had an evil princess to attend to, anything else would come later.
She couldn't exactly say she hated the princess, but it was so hard to like a witch like her.
At the same time, she worried for Ravenna. She didn't come for her treatment last night, which was odd and her other uniform was missing.
She had been to busy to check on her, but deep down, she really hope Ravenna hadn't done something dangerous like trying to escape the palace.
She wouldn't do that, right ???
But then her uniform was missing, what does that mean?
She wasn't sure...The look on the girl's face that night was scary.
She wondered what Ravenna did way before she got badly injured and ended up in their house.
Once her shift was over she needed to look for the troublesome, cold stone of a girl.
She had seen how much her mother cared for her patients and it had rubbed off on her.
Ravenna was now more than a patient to her, she was a friend. A cold one, but still a friend.
She gently carried the new tray of food and quickly headed towards the imperial princess room.
The senior court maid was already there waiting for her. Sweat lightly coated her skin, thinking she had done something wrong.
" Maurice, " she straightened, slightly curtseying before looking up.
" Hand the tray over. Your shift is over, and you have been given a week off "
Another maid took the tray from her as the senior court maid spoke.
Maurice was taken by surprise, she wasn't supposed to have her off till the next full moon.
Seeing Maurice's shock the senior court maid asked
" What , you don't like it ? "
" I do " The reply flew out of her mouth faster than she expected.
This was an opportunity she couldn't miss. She could finally escape the imperial princess.
" Thank you my lady "
She grinned before bowing then with a speed unbefitting of a court maid, she dashed out.
If she had turned back, she would have caught the subtle smile on her seniors face as she dashed out.
' I need to find Ravenna ' was the next thought that immediately came to mind.
It was about to rain and she couldn't afford to get wet, the palace was cold without a fireplace and her room didn't have one.
" Maurice ! Where are you going ? " Another court maid called out to her and she paused to turn back.
" My shift is over, need to rest " She lied not wanting to tell her about going to the slave quarters.
" All court maids have been asked to report to the dungeon " The other court maid informed.
" The dungeon ? Why ? " Fear seeped in along with the chilling cold.
No court maid had ever been requested to step into the dungeon unless the imperial princess had pulled another trick.
" A girl in a court maid's dress was caught trying to escape the palace last night. So I've heard "
Blood drained from Maurice's face and her feet moved without thinking—fast and Swift towards the dungeon area.
' it couldn't be Ravenna right ??? ' She questioned in her mind. Worried for the stubborn girl.
Her dress was indeed missing, with Ravenna not showing up last night.
Oh no !
She panicked.
Her quick walk turned into a full sprint....