Irene closed the door to the parlor, allowing Princess Lecil to catch up with her sister. It worried her that Princess Anne might be behind the destruction of Princess Lecil's room. Irene nearly had a heart attack when she first she walked in.

True to Princess Lecil's words, everything was cleaned up, spit and spot. The bed missing was a blunder in their mood, but the Princess solved the issue by and custom ordering a new one. The new one was less grand and several magnitudes softer. Someone was clearly pleased with the patronage because it somehow arrived before nightfall, being assembled magically on sight.

It gave Irene heartburn, thinking how much it all cost.

Fortunately, the Princess managed to turn a negative into a positive, and Irene was overjoyed about being during their shopping spree. Dress color, accessories, and furniture pairings. Irene got to play around with combinations she never dreamed of.

Rain was a lifesaver being able to drag everything around. He was a sporting individual with a lot of passion for being so young. Irene wasn't much older, maybe a handful of years at most. Still, she wasn't nearly as spry and limber. How did Rain manage to do the splits while carrying over 30 bags without getting injured?

Overall, the outing was entirely enjoyable. Princess Lecil made them both laugh and was completely unlike what all the other maids spoke behind her back.

Back in the present, Irene proceeded away from the parlor with the gaggle of the maids; they were heading back to their version of a barracks. It wasn't as military. It was twice as strict. Maids in the palace didn't have it easy. Competition could be brutal inside the Palace. That was why Irene was so happy to be permanently assigned to the First Princess. She was excused from any other duties she would have had normally.

"What are you smiling about, Irene?"

"What? Oh. I was just thinking about how nice Princess Lecil turned out to be. I didn't think she would be so pleasant to work with."

"Pleasant? Truly? You must be jesting. I figured it would be endlessly frustrating to work for someone, so..."

The maid swirled a hand, looking to the others for help. Two chimed in with different words.

"Unexpressive?"

"Impassive?"

"I was going to say dispassionate. She never so much as looked in my direction."

Irene became thoughtful.

"Well. She was like that at first. Cold and distant. Then one day, things changed, and she opened up. She is actually really warm and smart. Beautiful too."

Princess Lecil was an honest and straightforward person. She could handle her business well and wasn't afraid to tell Irene if she did something wrong. Once all those bruises clear up and Princess Lecil could try on her new outfits, any man would fall for her beauty.

Learning about the bruises was one thing; It was a sucker punch to realize no one ever paid enough attention to notice, including Irene. Then learning how they came to be was a total knockout. Tristan. Anne. Then there was Sallow. The things she heard about Sallow became more and more believable.

"Honestly, I don't understand it. I could never work with Princess Lecil."

"Me either."

"I couldn't do it."

Irene's eyes narrowed. Were they trying to stir up trouble? Hadn't they already said enough?

"Luckily, none of you have to. Fortunately, I am enough for Princess Lecil."

"Princess Anne is much more pleasant. She has fits of anger now and then, but I expect her to grow out of it soon."

"True. She is very kind to the staff. Remembering our names."

"The occasional gift is a welcome surprise too."

Helda, the oldest of the group, remained silent.

Irene understood that Princess Anne was good to work under. Many competed to serve Anne when she was growing up. Princes Lecil, on the other hand, went through maids quickly. She never objected to them, but the maids found themselves quitting on their own, upset with their duties. Not many could handle serving someone who was so passive. The maids ended up trying to interpret and infer, leading to blunders or useless actions. Maids required clear orders and rules to be effective.

Anne's maids received clear orders and attention, and even gifts at times. They may be content and satisfied in their positions, but Irene doubted their work ever made them genuinely smile. She doubted they could boast sharing a laugh with a Princess. Not that Irene would bother correcting their false assumptions. They didn't need to know exactly how amazing her job was; lest they fall over themselves in an attempt to win the next position.

"It wasn't long ago when you were begging eveyone to switch jobs."

Helda's words pricked at Irene's skin.

"I've made my job enjoyable."

"You will quit like all the others."

Irene stopped walking, her voice became unshakable.

"I will never quit on Princess Lecil."

"So you say."

Irene held her hands in front of her, preventing herself from curling fists.

"I don't see what your problem is. Why does it matter to you if I quit or stay?"

The older woman's sneer could score a perfect ten as she loomed over Irene. The other three stood behind like a posse on the playground. They were playing games—the oldest acting like the biggest child.

Irene knew she was unliked among the maids. Maids went on rotation when it came to Princess Lecil since it was seen as punishment assignment. Many were unhappy with the fact she hadn't quit after the mandatory first week.

Helda probably did her 'stint' as well.

"No one can tolerate working for an emotionless half-blood bastard. Don't pretend it is any easier for you."

Irene let a chuckle escape. She couldn't help it. They were jealous that she was thriving at the job they all failed at. Their feelings were hurt because they weren't up to par and had to settle for something easier.

"I didn't realize you all were so incompetent."

Irene heard ringing in her ears as her vision was knocked away. The sting on her cheek was unexpected and biting. Keeping her head in place, her brown eyes focused on the older maid—a hand lowering.

The others seemed mildly surprised by the attack but unwholly concerned.

"I can't strike a princess. But I can strike you for insulting me."

"Oh?"

Irene didn't move. Head angled to the side, she inched in back into place, never breaking eye-contact. The corners of her mouth creeped ever upward. The handprint on her cheek tickled as her throat thrummed with ominous words.

"I can't strike you for hitting me. But I can report you for threatening a Princess."

"What? I did no such thing."

The older maid took a step back.

Yes. This was how you handled bullies.

"Oh, but you did. You stated you regretted not being able to strike a princess. I even have three witnesses standing directly behind you."

She turned, stammering.

"That's-"

"You'll be lucky to keep your life, much less your job. And that is if I don't mention you calling the Princess an emotionless, half-blooded, bastard, whore..."

"I never said she was a whore."

"No. But you just confirmed you said everything else. Do I have to spell it out for you?"

The older maid paled. She would be executed for her loose tongue. No. Better to retreat here. She huffed and turned to walk away. The others moving in tandem, uncertain.

"Wait."

Helda stopped.

"You haven't apologized. I expect an apology."

Helda made meaty fists.

"I am sorry for striking you."

"And?"

"And?"

"Are you not sorry for calling the Princess an emotionless half-blooded bast-"

"I sincerely apologize for both my actions and words. I beg you forgive my transgression this one time."

The sight of seeing Helda bowing caused Irene to shiver with ecstasy. Maybe this was what it was like to have power. Perhaps Irene and Lecil aren't entirely dissimilar.

"Apology accepted."

Helda stormed away with thr backups on her heels. Irene decided to walk back to the parlor.

It would be awkward in the dormitory, and Helda would no doubt be spreading voracious rumors about Irene. This was how the world of maids operated. It was eerily similar to the nobles they attended. Just as Helda was quick to anger like her ward, Irene knew how to twist words in her favor. A little threat about going over the bully's head didn't hurt either. As long as the bully believed the danger to be real, they would back down nine times out of ten.

Irene waited outside the parlor door for about thirty minutes. She smiled happily when the doors opened.

"Irene. Sorry to make you wait."

Lecil noticed the faint mark on Irene's cheek the same time Irene noticed Lecil's red eyes. There was an unspoken understanding of what occurred for each of them.

"Did you give them hell?"

"Just as you would have, Princess."

They grinned ear to ear.