Elis had retired to her chamber after Mary helped her change into clean attire. Feeling exhausted, she succumbed to sleep after taking the dicine Rafe had prescribed.
Unwilling to disturb her, Kiev retreated to have lunch with the healer. As they ate, the two n discussed further treatnts to boost Elis’s energy and increase her fertility.
Before long, Arl burst into the dining hall, panic written across his face.
"Your Highness, please forgive for disturbing you! But I really need your help!"
"What’s the matter?" Kiev asked, alard.
"It’s Miss Mason! Lady Bridgette Lynn is about to punish her in the courtyard! Right now, Mr. Foster is trying to stop her, but I’m afraid he might not be able to hold her any longer!" Arl reported, his voice trembling.
"What?? But why?" Rafe asked, surprised.
"It’s because she left the laundry on the floor! Well... actually, I stumbled upon her and caused the dirty clothes to fall while she was carrying the basket. I urged her to co with to the treatnt room to help examine Miss Canton before she could finish picking them up!" Arl explained.
"That’s not even her fault! Why would Lady Lynn want to punish her for that?" Kiev protested.
"I don’t know! She said Miss Mason had abandoned her duty and that she was going to flog her!" the teenager added.
"That’s too much! Mary did nothing wrong, and she only helped us! Let’s go to her imdiately!" Kiev decided, pushing his chair back and standing up. "Lead the way, Arl!"
"I’m coming with you!" Rafe declared.
Arl nodded, and the three of them rushed to the courtyard.
Upon arrival, they found a heated altercation already ongoing between Bridgette and Anryr.
"If you don’t want to tie her up, then I’ll do it!" the lady-in-waiting shouted, her anger palpable.
A cane was already in her hand, ready to whip the maid, whom she deed guilty.
Mary knelt on the ground, crying profusely. She had tried to explain her temporary absence, but none of her words could appease Bridgette’s fury.
"This is preposterous! You cannot do this here, Lady Lynn! No punishnt can take place within the mansion without the person in charge’s order," Anryr asserted, raising his voice against the lady-in-waiting.
"Then, in that case, I’ll drag her out of the gate and punish her outside! Rember, reprimanding her is still under my jurisdiction, and you have no say in it!" Bridgette shouted back defiantly.
Anryr glared at the lady-in-waiting. His old face was flustered from the argunt he had with her. He knew he couldn’t stop Bridgette from proceeding with the punishnt, given that Mary had been found absent from her duties, but he couldn’t accept such intolerance.
"I won’t let you! Let her go!" he exclaid determinedly.
"Try , or I’ll report you to Her Majesty the Queen! My position supersedes yours, Mr Foster, even if this mansion is under your managent! Know your place!" Bridgette warned, her tone icy.
As she began to pull Mary’s arm, dragging her away, the other servants could only watch in dismay. Being a noble lady and the queen’s person, Bridgette’s status placed her above them in the harsh social hierarchy, and they dared not confront her.
Anryr cursed inwardly, realising that Bridgette had intentionally chosen this mont to act, knowing well that Eric and redith were away—Eric attending to an urgent matter and redith visiting her ailing father, Lord Grey.
"Lady Lynn! Please spare ! Please!" Mary begged, clasping her hands in desperation as tears stread down her face. But the queen’s lady-in-waiting ignored her pleas.
"You should’ve thought about this before you abandoned your duty! You know well that such actions warrant flogging! Be thankful I’m only using a cane instead of a whip!" Bridgette snarled in disdain.
"No, please! Please!" Mary cried, her voice breaking.
Bridgette continued to pull the maid, forcing her to follow. Anryr’s heart boiled at the lady-in-waiting’s behaviour, which not only disrespected him but was also cruel. He believed this punishnt stemd from Bridgette’s resentnt over restrictions imposed by redith.
According to the mansion’s rules, Bridgette was not allowed to bring her own personal maid to attend to her needs. Even redith, after her marriage and relocation, had not brought her personal maid, Rania, to adhere to the sa rules. Most areas of the mansion were also off-limits to Bridgette, further restricting her movents.
Consequently, the queen’s lady-in-waiting found herself without an aide, which ignited her anger. While the male servants continued to provide service, they were unable to fulfil the delicate tasks that required female attendants. This left Bridgette to manage her personal matters on her own—sothing she was unaccustod to.
In her frustration, she ordered Mary and Scarlette to assist her. However, when redith learned of this, she swiftly confronted Bridgette, reminding her that the two royal maids had been brought exclusively to serve Anna and that the lady-in-waiting was never permitted to command them for her own use.
Bridgette couldn’t confront redith directly, as the queen’s orders surpassed her authority. Instead, she bided her ti, waiting for the perfect opportunity to retaliate against both the noble lady and the mansion.
Anryr was ready to pounce when Bridgette cruelly pulled Mary’s hair, causing the maid to scream in pain. No one, not even a lady-in-waiting, should be allowed to impose such cruelty before his eyes. Mary’s dignity was at stake, and he couldn’t stand idly by.
If he still couldn’t handle the situation himself, he would have no choice but to call upon the knights for their intervention—a step he would rather avoid, as he believed this matter shouldn’t involve them at all.
"Hold it!" A voice called out just in ti, stopping the steward before he lunged at Bridgette.
"Let her go!" the voice continued, firmly commanding Bridgette to release Mary.
The lady-in-waiting was about to retort when she realised the command ca from the striking derian Prince. His cunning crimson eyes bore into her as he approached with long strides, making her heart race at his stunning features.
He was as handso as the grand duke, yet in a contrasting way—Kyren had raven-black hair and deep, pearly blue eyes, while Kiev had hair as silver as silk and gleaming ruby-red eyes. It was impossible to determine who was more good-looking than the other.
"Y-your Highness!" Bridgette stamred, her voice quivering at the sight of him.
This was the first ti she had seen him up close; even watching him from a distance had stirred her heart.
The others present quickly bowed in respect to the derian Prince.
Kiev had the privilege to reprimand Bridgette, given his royal status and position as the guest of honour in the kingdom. With a re push, he could send the lady-in-waiting sprawling to the ground to save Mary.
However, Kiev thought carefully. Bridgette was the queen’s lady-in-waiting, and confronting her could incite conflict with the ruling Raychards.
He already had an impending duel with Kyren and didn’t want to add further complications with the King or Queen of Cassian while trying to complete his mission on this continent.
This matter had to be handled with utmost care to preserve his current relationship with the monarchy.
"Let her go... please," Kiev softened his voice, making the request sound almost like a plea.
Bridgette blushed, realising the derian Prince’s words were directed at her. However, with all eyes on her, it would be embarrassing to simply release Mary after insisting on her punishnt.
"Forgive , Your Highness," Bridgette said, bowing respectfully to Kiev. "But this maid was found guilty of abandoning her task. She left dirty laundry scattered in the hallway and was out of sight. I must reprimand her for not fulfilling her duties properly. We are royal servants for Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Cassian, and are bound by the rules set by the palace."
"I understand where you’re coming from, Lady Bridgette Lynn," Kiev said calmly.
Rafe, behind, was sceptical of the derian Prince’s gentle response. Knowing that Kiev had a sensitive temperant, he expected him to scold the lady-in-waiting for her overreach, but his anticipation was utterly off the mark.
"Oh, you know my na!" Bridgette exclaid excitedly.
Kiev saw through her reaction; the lady-in-waiting was clearly smitten. Of course, who wouldn’t be taken by a man as strikingly beautiful as an angel?
On the way, Arl had briefed the derian Prince about Bridgette. Although she had been staying in the mansion for so ti, he had never paid her much attention—not until now.
Mary had helped Elis that very morning, and he recognised her ticulousness and diligence. The derian Prince felt it was his duty to repay the kindness she had shown to his beloved.
"How could I not? You are one of Her Majesty Queen Elda’s trusted lady-in-waiting. A noble lady of your calibre would certainly catch my attention..." Kiev said gently. "Like a unique flower in the garden."
Rafe and Anryr exchanged weird glances, surprised by the derian Prince’s friendly remarks. If soone didn’t know Kiev’s true nature, they might think he was flirting with Bridgette. The two n suspected he had ulterior motives for initiating the conversation this way.
Bridgette giggled shyly at the praise, convinced that the derian Prince was interested in her. Yet, she remained reluctant to release Mary.
"You flatter , Your Highness. I wish I could comply with your request, but that would put in a difficult position. If I don’t set a good example, we, the humble royal servants of Their Majesties, might be looked down upon by others," she insisted.
"Allow to explain the situation, Lady Lynn. Miss Mason here never intentionally abandoned her duty. In fact, she ca to assist with so urgent matters this morning. I understand that she has specific tasks in this mansion, but I truly needed her help, and the circumstances were unavoidable," Kiev explained.
"Help? What kind of help?" Bridgette probed, her curiosity piqued.
Kiev stepped closer, bending down slightly to speak to her.
"I can’t tell you. It’s a little secret of mine. Can’t you show her so leniency? It would save my face, as I owe her that much. If you could tolerate this, I would be so grateful to you. What do you say?"
His gentle voice, reminiscent of an alluring sea siren, made Bridgette’s heart waver. She felt warmth flush her cheeks from their close proximity and the depth of his gaze.
"I-I don’t know if I can do that," she hesitated.
"I’m sure you can. You wouldn’t want to disappoint and make feel bad, would you?" he coaxed, forcing a disarming smile.
As she gazed at his sweet grin, Bridgette felt herself lting.
"Of course not! You are the esteed guest of His Majesty! How could I!" Bridgette exclaid, succumbing to his seductive charm.
Throwing her cane to the ground, she added, "I’ll forget today’s incident for the sake of Your Highness!"
"Thank you so much, Lady Lynn. You are indeed a gracious lady. Since you’ve shown such tolerance, I will ensure that no one brings up this matter again, and you shall not be questioned for your actions," Kiev replied. Glancing at Anryr, he then said, "Can we make sure of this?"
Kiev understood that the steward would report the incident to Eric and redith, so he needed his assurance.
Anryr’s forehead creased, but upon grasping the aning behind Kiev’s request, he bowed in compliance.
"Definitely, Your Highness. As you wish."
"Thank you," Kiev said. "Arl, help Miss Mason get up and take her inside," he instructed his aide.
"Yes, Your Highness!" Arl rushed forward to assist Mary in standing.
The crying maid wiped her tears and repeatedly bowed, thanking Kiev for his help. In acknowledgent, the derian Prince nodded and then let the teenager escort her into the building.
"Now that this matter is resolved, let’s disperse," he ordered.
Swiftly, the other servants and Bridgette moved to leave the courtyard after bowing respectfully to him.
"Wow! It’s the first ti I’ve seen you flirt with a woman!" Rafe said suddenly to Kiev as they walked back toward the main building, with Anryr following behind after the others had left.
"That wasn’t flirting! I was being diplomatic. If I had been rough, things would have gotten even more complicated, and we don’t want that," Kiev responded calmly. "Thankfully, the eccentric lady-in-waiting cooperated."
"Eccentric?" Rafe giggled. "Eric called her a parrot."
"A parrot?" Kiev glanced back, intrigued.
"Yeah. With all that excessive white powder and the rouge on her face, she really does look like one. If she wore a feathered hat, we wouldn’t be able to tell the difference," the healer said, a smirk on his face.
"Hmm... I think a parrot would be more beautiful. She’s just... how do I say this? Like sothing that’s out of place," Kiev remarked thoughtfully.
"But you said she was a unique flower!" Rafe exclaid in surprise.
"I did, but I didn’t an it in a flattering way. Not all flowers are beautiful, Rafe. So just don’t fit in and need to be pruned away to make room for the good ones to bloom," Kiev explained.
"Haaa... I thought you were praising her!" the healer chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.
"In negotiations, choosing the right words can prevent further escalation. In so cases, it might save a kingdom from war," said the derian Prince.
"Cheeky! Just admit you were lying!" Rafe shot back.
Kiev halted his steps and turned to face his brother-in-law.
"I didn’t lie. I was using a taphor. Mary helped Elis, so it was only right to return the favour," he replied.
"I know. You’d do anything when it cos to your woman."
"If it’s for Elis, not only lying, I would even kill for her!" Kiev said, his tone steely and determined.
Rafe gulped, feeling a chill run down his spine. The derian Prince’s declaration was alarmingly intense, and he could sense that Kiev ant every word.
"God, you’re scaring with that!" the healer exclaid.
Kiev’s cold expression softened into a wistful smile.
"Am I? I thought I was kind and alluring, not intimidating," he said, self-praising. "If not, why do won always seem to be drawn to ?"
Rafe’s mouth fell open in disbelief. The derian Prince didn’t wait for a response and continued on his way, leaving the healer shaking his head.
"Oh, my brother-in-law! It wouldn’t be you without the sarcastic remarks!" he muttered.
Anryr at the back, smiled, feeling satisfied. The way Kiev handled the tense situation was comndable. With his wisdom and eloquence, he managed to resolve the issue without causing further problems, ensuring everyone was unhard.
What a truly remarkable prince!
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