“Hey, hey, did you hear? At the royal banquet duel last night, Young Master Valan lost.”
“Young Master Valan? You an the heir of the Figgs family? The one said to be the most talented swordsman of his generation?”
“That’s him. Word is, he was dropped in a single move— and then, not satisfied, challenged again and got put down twice more.”
“Impossible! Isn’t he supposed to be a prodigy? Everyone said his swordsmanship was unmatched, that he already had Carillian Academy’s recomndation in his pocket.”
“Then who beat him? Surely it wasn’t soone completely out of his league?”
It was the palace maids gossiping that afternoon, gathered in a courtyard over tea and biscuits during their rare free ti.
Those who served in the royal palace were almost all daughters of minor nobles— usually second daughters, girls of awkward position in their households. Being sent into service here could raise their family’s standing. With luck, they might even gain the favor of a royal.
For these families, it was practical. Second sons without talent beca squires in hopes of soday knighthood. Second daughters beca ladies-in-waiting or maids in noble households. The most ambitious, or the most fortunate, entered the royal palace.
So it was no surprise that the palace maids, themselves small noblewon, were avid for gossip from the aristocratic world.
“I heard his opponent wasn’t overwhelmingly stronger. In fact, before the duel, most thought Valan would win.”
“Then who was it?” one younger maid asked curiously. The others, who hadn’t had ti to catch up on the latest rumors, turned their eyes to the speaker as well.
Girls are always curious about gossip, after all.
“It’s soone you all know by na. That boy— Young Master Vinny.”
“Vinny? You an... that Vinny?”
“Exactly. As if there could be a second one in Calla.”
“I’d heard he enrolled at Carillian Academy, but— he defeated Valan? Impossible. I once saw Valan practice; his swordsmanship was incredible.”
“Well, the maids who were present last night all say the sa.”
“But... Vinny? Isn’t he the one everyone always calls a useless fool without self-awareness?”
“What are you all doing here?”
A voice cut across the courtyard.
The maids turned to see a brown-haired maid with shoulder-length hair. They scrambled to their feet at once.
“Miss Karin.” They bowed.
Mirexia’s personal maid since childhood, Karin held unquestioned authority among the palace staff. None dared cross her. If she whispered sothing displeasing about a maid to the princess, that maid’s position would be gone before she knew it.
“Miss Karin, it’s break ti. We were just having tea and a snack.”
“I know you’re on break. I’m not stopping you.” Karin’s eyes swept over them.
“What were you talking about just now?” she asked.
“Ah— just so gossip about last night’s banquet.” One maid answered honestly. She didn’t see what was wrong with it.
“In future,” Karin said with quiet weight, “it would be better not to speak too much about Young Master Vinny. Especially not to speak ill of him within the palace.”
“Eh?” The maids looked at one another, surprised.
Karin was well respected. Though taciturn, she had never abused her position. Many of them had received her kindness before. None doubted her words now.
“Careless words spread. Passed from ear to ear, they could reach the princess herself,” Karin added, feigning offhandedness.
The maids froze. Until now, they had thought Princess Mirexia despised Vinny. Why, then, would Karin warn against speaking badly of him?
They didn’t understand. It was as if they had missed a part of the story. Still, they nodded silently.
“Don’t mistake — it isn’t an order. Just advice. If you want to keep gossiping, that’s your choice.” Karin left it at that.
But no one would dare. With the princess’s temperant, she might not punish the origin of a rumor, but she would certainly bear ill will toward whoever had spread it. Who wanted that?
A few of the newer maids, less familiar with palace life, couldn’t restrain their curiosity.
“Miss Karin, why? Can’t you tell us?”
“I have duties from the princess to attend. Drink your tea. Rember: curiosity killed the cat.” Karin turned and left without further explanation.
She had only been on her way to instruct the royal chefs when she overheard the gossip. A word of warning, nothing more. Now she had to return to Shicodale and continue hosting the honored guest.
The maids watched her go, then exchanged uneasy glances.
“So why, then? Do any of you know?” the young maid asked, wide-eyed.
But no one answered. No one was willing to risk it.
“We’d best not ask. Let’s change the subject. From now on, that na is off-limits.” An older maid shook her head.
“...Oh! Look!” the young maid cried suddenly, pointing toward the flower garden.
The maids turned— and saw.
“It really is! The princess herself.”
Their eyes were drawn at once to the striking golden figure strolling in the sun.
“How odd. At this hour, Her Highness is usually still working. Why is she here today?” a veteran maid murmured.
“Yes, and— wait. Look beside her. Who is that pink-haired maid? That’s not Miss Karin.”
“Indeed. Why isn’t Miss Karin with her? Who is that pink-haired girl? She’s... beautiful.”
Usually, any maid beside Mirexia was diminished instantly by comparison. Even the prettiest looked plain in her glow.
But this one— this pink-haired maid— did not fade. One gold, one rose, the two girls walking together were a vision of twin brilliance.
If anything, the maid seed almost to outshine the princess.
She °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° looked perfectly suited to the maid’s uniform, yet her bearing suggested otherwise. Older maids, experienced in serving nobles, suspected she could not be an ordinary servant. Perhaps a minor noble’s illegitimate daughter?
Such things happened.
But still— she was flawless, from her hair to her eyes to her gait.
“Do we even have this maid in the palace? What’s her na?”
“No idea. I’ve never seen her before. I would rember.”
“Could she be new? A noble’s daughter fallen into service?”
They speculated.
anwhile, in the garden—
“Ah.” Vanessa noticed a flower fallen at her feet. “What a sha. Such a pretty blossom, fallen to the ground.”
“Vanessa?” Mirexia, walking ahead, stopped when she saw her pause.
“Pardon , Princess Mirexia. Just a mont~” Vanessa bent, picked up the flower, and deftly began weaving.
“Here, don’t move.” She ca to Mirexia’s side, turning her head gently and tucking the flower into her hair.
No one but her father or her personal maid had ever touched her hair before. Mirexia stood still, face warm, breathing in the faint callia fragrance from Vanessa’s skin.
[Virtue 120]
[Current Virtue: 7104]
“All done~” Vanessa produced a mirror from her belongings, holding it up with a smile so Mirexia could see.
A pale yellow blossom now adorned her golden hair. Mirexia lifted her eyes, eting Vanessa’s disguised icy-blue gaze. Even through the false pupils, the warmth brimming there made her heart pound.
“I thought this flower would suit you, Princess. And see— it does.”
“How is it? Beautiful?” Vanessa pressed the mirror against her chest, presenting it playfully.
“...Yes. Beautiful.” Mirexia nodded softly.
[Virtue 50]
[Current Virtue: 7154]
“Where did you get that mirror?” she asked.
“As your temporary personal maid, of course I carry many useful things. Otherwise, how could I be a proper maid?” Vanessa’s voice was sweet as a swan’s song.
“...Here, when no one is watching, you don’t need to call Princess.” Mirexia murmured.
“No can do. My role is Princess Mirexia’s personal maid. How could I be so remiss?” Vanessa clearly delighted in the ga.
Only with Mirexia, though. With anyone else, she would never.
“And walls have ears. Even in Calla’s palace, one must be careful.”
“...Very well.” Mirexia gave up correcting her.
For the record, she had not chosen the maid uniform out of so wish to see Vanessa in it. Truly, there had been no other new clothes in the palace. That was all. She repeated it to herself silently.
Whether she believed it was another matter.
“You haven’t eaten breakfast, have you?” Mirexia asked.
“Mm. And you haven’t either, right? You were busy with my matter first thing in the morning.”
“Then let’s go eat.”
“Of course. As you command, Princess~” Vanessa gave a flawless maid’s bow.
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