The secret underneath

Cordelia noticing the shadow following behind her, she carefully glances over her shoulder having wondered who had been following her through the corridor this late. She eyed the maid walking behind her suspiciously, having wondered how long she’d been there. She’d forgotten about her, and with how her steps never seem to touch the ground. She would have mistaken her for an assassin or spy.

She can’t help feeling a little disappointed that she was not, wanting to let off some of her frustrations that have been itching her skin for being called out this late. It frustrates her even more that the maid had to tag along, all because Hanna insisted that it wouldn’t look good if she went alone. But she’d rather not be around the maid that caused her 4 months of not being able to sneak out, trying to find out why she appeared by her bedside one morning.

Up until then Hanna had been the only personnel she had in the Monelunaire Palace, when she thinks about it Hanna is more like family at this point. She was puzzled over why a maid for the main palace had suddenly wanted to work for her. On the first day Cordelia watched as the poor maid shivered, her doe eyes a timid statue reminding her of a new born deer that could tip over at the slightest breeze.

She’d felt a little sorry watching as she almost knelt on the floor after she staged an accident with her dropping a wooden box that she lied was priceless. When in fact it was a regular box she could get anywhere. The guilt pricks her even now after Hanna told her that the maid cried to her in fear of what will happen to her.

At the very least it comforts her that Hanna is there for her to confide in, she’d even caught her talking animatedly about the gossip she’s heard when she was attending to the crown princess. Even laughing to herself that she even thought she was a spy in the first place, but she does wonder if she could make her one.

It amuses her sometimes to think the main palace doesn’t realise what they lost, or for lack of a better term discarded. She can already guess, the crown princess came up with some mundane reason to get rid of her, because she got bored of her toy again. It didn’t take much for her to know that she was dumped here, to preserve the benevolent and magnanimous image of the jewel of the empire and the people’s angel.

Cordelia can’t help but wonder how long until her obscure palace is overrun with discarded personnel, to hide the crown princesses endless rotation. She’s not too appalled by the idea, and hopes it happens soon. It was hard for her and Hanna to maintain the upkeep of the palace by themselves, and there is so much they can do. And as much as the new maid isn’t the most nibble on her feet she’s quite attentive.

It even seemed inevitable that the transfer was just bound to happen. She’s surprised Lillian even lasted this long with her. Her timid nature and clumsiness is seen as unbecoming of those that serve the imperial family.

She shakes her head seeing as her and the imperial family lost something valuable in the exchange. The crack of her heels along the cold tile echoing in her ears annoys her, bringing her back to why she’s there. Like a dripping faucet that can’t be fixed. The whistling winds and shadows fill the hallway.

Power and prestige is a fickle thing that the imperial family endlessly desires. And they’ll oppress anyone, even their own blood they deem too weak to share in their greed. It was only a week after the former queen consort died that the Monelunaire palace that was the envy of many was stripped to nothing but a shell. The same they wanted done to her, to lay quiet and lifeless like a dog waiting for its master’s command.

Cordelia would have done what they wanted and laughed herself like a madwoman being dragged around. There’s something that the queen consort liked to say; “The brightest pearls always form under the deepest and darkest of pressure.”

To many they see it’s due to her being disposable but she knows the truth that it’s fear. Even going as far to try erasing her and the Monelunaire palace’s existence.

They turned it into a ghostly tale of an abandoned remnant where a once deposed mistress had stayed that now haunts the halls. The guards won’t even patrol the vicinity of the palace, which has helped her with being able to sneak out a couple of times. Cordelia and the maid descend the steps into the dark abyss of the foyer. Her heels being muffled by the tattered rug was sweet music to her ears. Cordelia cautions her steps, for the consequences of getting a heel stuck in one of the rips of the tattered rug would leave her with either injury or a dust glove covered hand from the railing. She’d lived in the palace all her life but if she were asked what metals the banisters were made of she couldn’t answer.

The small ray of light being casted through the glass door. The area surrounds her light, a night sky touching the earth leaving its stars behind. At the end of the hallways on either side hold just a barely visible bit of moonlight struggling to shine through tattered curtains. The Amorin crystals that once lit up the palace like a guiding light had long burnt their energy.

However the main palace told her that due to lack of supply they couldn’t provide her with any. She knows they are liars, and that their empire owns the largest Amorin reserve across the whole continent. She wouldn’t blame them if they’d be frank with her saying they didn’t want to waste their luxuries on her. It’s not like they need to save face with her, that ship had long sailed.

A cascading sheet of snow shimmering down the sides of a mountain. The maid looks up at Cordelia her eyes shimmer. For the past 4 months she’d simply admired the way her modestly lived mistress carries herself. The way she seems to glide with her steps, holding a steady gait; to her very poised and elegant stature. Giving her a certain grace that far past rivals that of the crown princess. There’s no denying that she is a member of the imperial family.

Contrariwise, she’d noticed that Cordelia also carries a unique beauty to her, that’s different from most in the Astriel empire. A type of golden bronze like a lit warm fireplace on a chilled evening. Coupled with her hair as said before is more of a pure white close to silver than the usual blonde that most imperial family members possess. Nevertheless, that doesn’t change the fact she’d be the envy of all noble women in the social circle had she attended gatherings.

Though from being in the Wexenne palace the maid never once heard word of the Monelunaire palace neither of Cordelia. Before her transfer due to the crown princess not liking the way she served tea and that she was too slow. While walking down the halls of the Wexenne palace she over heard a few maids talking about a haunted palace that had fallen into obscurity.

It chilled her to find out that’s where she was being relocated to, and seeing dim yet modest space. Her first meeting with Cordelia wasn’t as welcoming either, being faced with an imposing heavy gaze. She’d been anxious and carefully trying not to make any mistakes for the past 4 months, though being watched closely put a bit of pressure on her. Though having Hanna around helps her relax a little.

That wasn’t where the peculiarities with her mistress ended, as a week ago she’d somewhat vanished. And Hanna seemed not alarmed that Cordelia had gone missing, she’d asked but was told ‘don’t worry about it, she’s just out for some fresh air.’ But the thing was she was nowhere in the garden. But she knows better not to pry into the lives of the imperial family. The head maid over at Wennex even told her once that her inquisitive nature would get her into trouble. She still doesn’t know much about Cordelia; however what she could tell was that she wasn’t bad, only a bit reserved.

The young maid wouldn’t mind seeing the looks on the others’ faces when they realized she’s not a ghost at all. Not to mention the less restrictive nature she’s placed under. Looking at the flowers dancing along their flower bed stage to the music of the breeze. The silver light of the moon is their spotlight. The garden well tended to be Cordelia herself, yes, young women in high society are not foreign to the art of flower arrangements and gardening. However getting into the soil themselves was unheard of. At the crown princess’s tea gatherings she’d seen ladies in waiting throwing away handkerchiefs that fell to the ground.

What enamours her most about the garden is the fountains, their base designs consisting of flowers and delicately sculpted pieces of silk like ribbons. The way the creases and folds look so seamless and smooth, it begs the young maid to wonder if it was really ceramic or satin.

“It’s ceramic if you’re wondering, but it can be quite hard to tell isn’t it?” Startled, the young maid turns her attention back to Cordelia, feeling like her mind had been read. Or had she voiced her thoughts out loud? Her orders were only to follow, sticking to her like a silent shadow. Bowing her head the young maids ribbon became loose. “I’m sorry for my insolence. It won’t happen again.”

She clamps her hands tightly together, trying her best not to tremble in her presence but fails. Feeling her hair come loose, brown locks falling over her shoulders. The silence was heavy, bringing her more fear, knowing her punishment will be great for being so unkempt. Glancing up a bit seeing her raise her hand a bit, tightening her eyes shut waiting for the sting pressure that was to come across her cheek.

However, the hand just brushes past her face, feeling hair being moved. Instead of a harsh tug, it was gentle, confused and fearful of her heart racing. Feeling a gentle tug as she pulls away, “It would have been a shame for you to walk alongside me looking like that in the main palace.” Still confused, she raises her hand up to her hair, finding it braided into a neat bun. Questioning, if Cordelia had really tied her hair up for her instead of berating her, unable to understand her action.