“Lyra! You're late, Lady Pricilla’s calling for you! Here, take this,” One of the kitchen maids said, hurriedly handing Lyra a heated kettle of water.

She barely had time to set her bag down, before rushing toward the parlor. She took a deep breath and opened the door, walking inside.

“Good morning, My Lady. You called for me?” Lyra said, with a respectful curtsy.

“Oh, Lyra, you’re here. I was just telling my cousin, you'd prepared the most divine tea the other day, what was it?” Pricilla asked.

“That was a white peony tea, My Lady,” Lyra responded.

“Ah, that’s the name! Could you go prepare it? Claudia you must try it,” Pricilla ordered, gesturing for Lyra to leave. Lyra simply nodded and left the parlor with her kettle in hand, closing the door lightly behind her.

Pricilla Mauvais, was a young noble woman living in the Alistair Duchy's countryside. She possessed a striking, cool beauty, with dark mahogany brown hair stretching down her back. Today it was worn pulled back in a simple but elegant style that kept all attention fixed on her clear face. Her most arresting feature were her smoky gray eyes, they gave the impression of maturity well beyond her years, again they gave only the impression. Today she dressed, wearing a midnight blue gown with layers of ruffles and a structured bodice that highlighted her delicate frame.

In contrast, Pricillas cousin who sat beside her, Claudia Villani, possessed a vivid, almost ethereal beauty, highlighted by her truly remarkable hair. A dense, rich tangle of bright, fiery copper-red waves. It was meticulously styled with braids pulled back from her face, yet still tumbled wildly about her shoulders. Her eyes a luminous jade-green that stood out vividly against her pale complexion. She wore a sleeveless dark forest green dress, with velvet detailing around the bodice, and a tight choker adorned with a gold medallion.

“It's lovely of you to visit me, Claudia,” Pricilla said smiling brightly.

“Of course, I had missed you at the last imperial ball,” Claudia said, taking a small sip from her own tea cup.

“Yes, I had fallen ill, but I've completely recovered now. It's a shame, I had truly been looking forward to coming back to the capital, it can be too dreary here sometimes,” Pricilla explained, with a pout.

“Let your mind rest easy, the ball was rather dull. In fact the crown prince wasn't even in attendance,” Claudia said with a sigh. The only reason she had even attended the ball was to get the chance to dance with Prince Cedric.

“Well, now I don't feel as bad. The only reason one would ever go all the way out to the capital, would be to see that handsome man, and perhaps a single dance,” Pricilla said with a giggle. Claudia slightly narrowed her eyes without realizing it.

Pricilla was not wrong, Crown Prince Cedric Fitzwilliam-De’Wraith, was indeed one of the most eligible and handsome men in the empire. The true embodiment of imperial privilege and power. His hair was a mass of thick, sun-kissed golden-blonde waves that tumbled across his forehead, giving him a misleadingly youthful and effortless appearance. Prince Cedric’s most distinctive and unsettling feature were his eyes. They lacked a traditional hue, instead they were a vibrant, intense shade of imperial red. The calling card for the royal bloodline. Those striking eyes against the soft, almost delicate features of his face, created a chilling duality that would cause any woman to immediately start swooning.

Claudia had every intention to make such a man her husband. But having to sit here and listen to the love-struck ramblings of this childish girl, almost made this trip too unbearable. 

“You shouldn’t, there’ll always be another ball to attend, my dear Pricilla,” Claudia said with an equanimous smile.

Pricilla hadn’t known this, but the reason the crown prince didn’t attend the imperial ball was due to the emperor, Edgar Fitzwilliam-De’Wraith, giving him immediate orders to conduct an emergency survey of the perimeter border of the De’Wraith Empire’s outer walls. Claudia had overheard her fathers advisor, Matthias Sheridan, telling him that there had been sightings of creatures in the Erhas slums and even some reported deaths of missing children. Claudia had notified her mother Beatrice right away and they set this trip up with the intention of running into the prince’s caravan as they passed through the Alistair duchy. It was very likely they’d stop at the Alistair duchy for provisions and rest, which Claudia was all too happy to provide.

“You’re absolutely right, but what happens to bring you all the way out here, Claudia?” Pricilla asked, taking a small bite of an orange macaroon. Claudia seethed internally at the audacity of this girl to ask why she chose to do something.

“Well, you see, Isadora came to the countryside only a few days ago,” Claudia started as Lyra re-entered the parlor, steaming kettle in hand.

“Yes, I heard quite a few things about that,” Pricilla said, chewing away.

“As her sister, I felt it was my duty to personally check on her, but it seems she's been refusing to see me,” Claudia lied. Lyra’s ears perked up at the word ‘sister’. Surely this couldn’t be the same sister that had gone around spreading false rumors about Lady Isadora being pregnant by a stable boy. How daring she was to try to meet with her, Lyra thought. If she was Isadora, she would never see her again in this life.

“It must be because she feels ashamed about the scandal,” Claudia continued, feigning sincerity. Lyra struggled to hold in an ironic snort as she poured the white peony tea into the small cups.

“Oh, I actually have it on good authority that Isadora was never with child. Tell her what you told me the other day, Lyra!” Pricilla interjected, loudly.

Lyra stared at her wide-eyed. This idiot girl couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it. Lyra had only told her what Henry mentioned, because she’d thought she’d get paid for the gossip. She had heard other maids speak of making a bit of extra money this way. They’d said you wouldn’t necessarily even have to spy on anyone, you just relay what you hear and are rewarded. But in a situation like this, speaking to the wrong person could definitely get her into big trouble and if this is who she thought it was, this was definitely the wrong person. Lyra couldn’t even find the words to utter a sentence as she felt the weight of Claudia’s intense green eyes shift to her.

“Come on, Lyra, tell her. She said just the other day that the family doctor had confirmed that Isadora was still pure, so the scandal was ultimately without grounds,” Pricilla said, satisfied with her contribution to gossip.

“But Claudia, where ever did you hear such a baseless rumor? People are going to think you intentionally started-” Pricilla stopped mid-sentence, her wide doe eyes met with Claudia’s, cold hard eyes narrowed into what seemed like predatory slits. She didn't move or say anything, Claudia simply sat in frightening stillness, her expression holding more menace than any words ever could.

Lyra clenched the warm tea kettle tightly. It was too quiet. Something had shifted in the atmosphere, the surrounding air seemed to grow tense and heavy with Claudia’s unspoken anger. Pricilla wavered under the intense pressure of Claudia's gaze and looked away. It was clear who the dominant entity in the room had been.

“Oh my, of course not! How could you think I'm capable of such a vile thing, Pricilla?” Claudia suddenly said with a sweet laugh. How could she not, Lyra thought?!

“I simply heard the story from the trusted staff within our household, after all Isadora was immediately moved after the incident, it wasn’t as if I could directly speak to her. I only knew as much as everyone else did,” She continued. Lyra almost felt herself vomit at how disgustingly sweet this woman was suddenly acting while lying through her teeth.

“However, I’m interested to know about you. How have you come across such useful information, Miss Lyra?” Claudia asked her. The corners of her demonic mouth curling up into a small smile, Lyra thought. With a small gulp, Lyra prepared herself to answer the question. There was no escaping whatever fate this was now, thanks to Lady Pricilla. 

“My husband is Lady Isadora's footman, sometimes he will relay to me the comings and goings of his day,” Lyra answered, trying not to tremble under Claudia’s gaze.

“Oh, how interesting! And what does your husband relay, Miss Lyra?” Claudia asked, taking a small sip of her tea. Although she seemed genuinely intrigued, her words were also condescending. 

“W-well,” Lyra hesitated.

“Please speak freely, you aren’t in trouble or anything, I’m only asking out of concern for my dear sister,” Clauda assured her with a smile. Even though Lyra didn’t believe shit this woman had to say, she told her what she knew. 

“Well, the attending doctor, Dr. Doyle, administered a virginity examination and found the lady to be untouched. She is now recovering in the east wing of the countryside estate after having ingested poison from a tea cup. They’ve also assigned her a personal knight and select staff who are only allowed by list to enter the east wing. My husband has also been assigned to restore the lady’s personal garden, he has the duke's favor and was given a letter of authority and a high-priority budget for the east garden restoration,” Lyra finished. Claudia had to suppress a scoff. The “duke’s favor”? Who was this peasant to say such a nonsensical thing? Claudia looked Lyra up and down. Blonde hair worn in soft, flowing waves and cool gray-blue eyes, she was yet another boring, simple girl that needed to be taught a lesson.

Claudia grabbed her adorned fan from the table, with a slow, rustling sound, she drew it open, its fabric unfolded with a soft hiss that lingered in the air. Lyra instantly felt uncomfortable as Claudia’s eyes remained locked on her atop of the fan that only revealed a section of her face.

“I just noticed how lovely that ribbon you’re wearing is,” Claudia remarked. While Lyra was shocked at the compliment, she remained somewhat proud. She had spent a lot of money on something like this and it was nice to have a little recognition.

“I actually just got it this morning–,” Lyra started.

“It’s that what all the commoners are wearing these days?” Lyra’s heart dropped, she immediately realized what was happening, she was being torn down. She had done something to offend Lady Claudia and she was being taught a lesson. Lyra clenched her kettle and braced herself.

“Hm, I wonder what fabric that is? It looks like silk, but I’m honestly too afraid to touch it and find out, cheap fabrics have made me break out in hives in the past,” Claudia said, laughing her cruel insult off as a mere joke. Lyra could feel herself close to tears. She tried to look up to stop them from coming,

“Oh no! I apologize, I’ve done it again. I truly didn’t mean to offend you. Sometimes I can be so careless with my words. You’ll accept my apology won’t you?” Claudia asked, closing her fan with a snap. It wasn’t a question.

“Oh course, please think nothing of it,” Lyra replied, holding back sniffles. Pricilla looked at her with sympathy in her eyes, but there wasn’t much she could say to Claudia either. She had more power than the both of them.

“Oh good! Please take this as a token of my sincerest apology,” Claudia said, standing up from her seat and placing 2 gold coins in one of Lyra’s hands.

“I do look forward to the wonderful updates you’ll have on my poor sister next time,” Claudia said, patting Lyra on the shoulder and walking toward the door.

“Until, next time, my dear Pricilla,” Claudia said, exiting the room leaving the two women alone.

Pricilla and Lyra sat in silence for a moment, as Lyra tried not to cry and Pricilla searched for the right words of comfort. None of which came easily to either of them. Unable to hold it in any longer, Lyra’s tears began to silently stream down her face.

“I’m so sorry, Lyra. I had no idea she was going to do that. I don’t know what set her off,” Pricilla apologized awkwardly, giving Lyra a few soft pats on the back.

“But it is better to stay on her good side. When she comes again, just answer her questions with a smile, alright?” Pricilla asked. Lyra slowly nodded, attempting to compose herself. She had been wrongfully humiliated for no reason.

“Here,” Pricilla said, taking the kettle from Lyra’s hand and setting it on the table. She reached in her own coin purse and pulled out two more gold coins and handed them to Lyra.

“Go home now, and get some rest, we can take care of the rest here. I will see you tomorrow when you feel better,” Pricilla said slowly ushering Lyra towards the door. Clearly uncomfortable with the crying woman in front of her.

Lyra stood in the hall staring down at her hand. Was this how much her humiliation was worth? 4 gold coins?

The humiliation wasn’t really her issue, she and especially Henry had worked themselves to the bone serving others for next to nothing. It was, in fact, that same selfishness that Claudia held in her heart that kept people like her and Henry in poverty. Why should they have to endure this kind of treatment, she thought? None of this was fair, none of it. Lyra suddenly ripped the white silk ribbon from her hair and tossed it on the ground before storming off down the hall.

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