Enigmatic Fantasies - Maid in Fantasy Part VI

Part I|II|III|IV|V|VI

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           Deciding that rejecting the robed figure’s offer might end with a knife planted in her back, Serena played along. She’d have to choose her words carefully, but she might just make it out of here alive. Best case scenario, she’d learn some helpful information. Although, considering the figures said they speak for Lady Aphros, would it even matter?

           “What exactly are you asking me to do?” Serena tried to stand firm. “I’ve heard so much about you, but this is my first time speaking to you directly.” That sentence in and of itself was not a lie. She had heard about those who favored the second princess.

           “I see you’re a touch apprehensive, don’t worry, you’re among friends,” the figure assured. “Gentlemen, please step away, give the girl some breathing room.” The other cloaked figures stepped away but remained at attention. “We’re not asking you to do much, just bring the child to the right place, at the right time.”

           “I see,” Serena gulped. “Regardless of my opinions on the…child, I’d just be putting myself at risk for your plan.”

           “Again, I understand your concern,” the figure approached her, speaking more softly. Serena swore she heard his voice somewhere before. “Like I said, we speak for Lady Aphros. She’ll ensure you’re given a much cushier position when all the dust settles.”

           “I’m grateful for that,” Serena lied.

           “Your orders shall be provided at the right place at the right time. You’ll know it when it happens,” the figure stated before he and the rest of the cloaked individuals slipped back into the shadows as fast as they came.

           ‘I’d bet good money they’re still following me,’ Serena realized. ‘I need to speak to Lady Aphros.’ The maid rushed out of the underground.

~--~

           After leaving the first princess in the hands of some capable guards, Orion prepared to retire to his room. The young man wondered where Serena was, as she had not been attending the third princess since this morning. A panicked thought crossed his mind that she had been given some share of blame in the assassination attempt. Thankfully, that thought was dispelled when he saw the raven-haired girl rushing down the hallway. He had never seen someone run that fast in a dress, except for the third princess…and Lady Aphros that one time.

           “Serena, what…?” Orion tried to ask.

           “No time,” Serena half replied as she bolted past him.

           “What’s going on with her now?” Orion wondered. ‘I hope she’s not taking after Lady Aphros and the princesses. Something about this palace makes all the women act a little…no, it’s just my imagination.’

~--~

           “Please, I must speak to Lady Aphros immediately,” Serena bowed before a squad of royal guards.

           “I apologize, but Lady Aphros is not taking visitors right now,” one of the guards replied. “Please return to your duties, young maid.”

           “I come at her request,” Serena clarified.

           “Please return to your duties, young maid,” the guard repeated with a little more force.

           “I must-!” Serena tried to continue.

           “Return to your duties!” The guard interrupted.

           “What’s this about?” Lady Aphros peaked out. “Oh, Serena, I was hoping you’d return soon. Please come in,” she welcomed the maid. “You two, leave us.”

           “But, my lady,” the guard tried to argue.

           “That’s an order, soldier,” the blonde snapped.

           “As you wish,” the guards left as Serena was let into the room. Lady Aphros’s quarters were about what Serena would have expected. It was large, filled with luxurious furniture and a several-meter-long table dedicated to jewelry. Fine silks and perfumes covered every surface. All topped off with a massive heart-shaped bed.

           “Lady Aphros, I need to talk to you about-” Serena began.

           “Shush,” Aphros put her index finger to Serena’s lip. “I know.”

           “But what’s this about-?” Serena tried to ask.

           “Shhhh, it’ll all work out, trust me,” the blonde hushed her again.

           “But the-?” Serena remained frantic.

           “Stop,” Aphros clamped her hand of Serena’s mouth and leaned dangerously close to the younger woman’s face. “The walls have ears on both sides,” Aphros whispered, “nod if you understand.”

           ‘Lovely, two groups of people spying on me,’ Serena thought as she nodded.

           “Stay the night with me, Serena,” Aphros smiled. “We’ll have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

           ‘Oh god,’ Serena glanced at the heart-shaped bed as her brain moved a thousand miles a second. ‘I’m not emotionally ready for this. Even knowing it’s all a cover.’ Serena moved towards the bed.

           “I’ll be gentle,” Aphros whispered in Serena’s ear, causing the latter to do a spit take. Serena whipped around to see Lady Aphros childishly sticking her tongue out and winking.

           ‘Is she trying to defuse the tension or give me a heart attack?’ Serena wondered.

~--~

           The following day, Orion sat on his own in the servant’s dining quarters. It was not even 7:00 am, but the working class was well into their breakfasts, as their duties began fairly early. In Orion’s case, the first princess was not much of an early riser, so he had quite a few hours to sort through his duties and complete his tasks. Alas, his mind was elsewhere, Serena had not returned the night before, and he struggled to sleep, wondering what happened.

           “Did you hear about Serena?” Two of the female servants began gossiping at a nearby table. Normally, Orion wouldn’t concern himself with trivial gossip, but seeing Serena’s name piqued his interest.

           “What happened? Did the third princess push her to quit too?” The other servant asked.

           “No, I heard she spent the night with Lady Aphros,” the first servant revealed. Orion felt his heart clench. He knew where this conversation was going.

           “Another poor soul pulled into the lady’s web. How long before she tries to steal her away?” The second servant pondered.

           “With all the panic, they might take a newer servant like Serena off the third princess in a heartbeat,” the first servant proposed. “The real question is, how long before she gets bored of this one?”

           “Well, poor Orion over there was strung along for months before she dumped him on the first princess,” the second servant stated. Orion tried his best not to choke on his food.

           ‘Why do people keep saying that? I was never supposed to work for Lady Aphros permanently,’ Orion thought to himself. The young man was blissfully unaware of his own naivete. ‘Now they’ll be spreading those nasty nonsense rumors about Serena too. I should warn her.’ Orion stood up and walked away with purpose.

           “Did he hear us?” The first servant noticed the young man leave.

           “He definitely heard us,” the second servant affirmed.

~--~

           “Did you hear about the first princess…?” “Princess Atlanta is nothing like her mother…” “I hear she hates the youngest princess more than anything…how petty…”

           Orion trudged through the halls of the servant’s quarters, desperately trying to ignore all the nasty rumors about his charge. He had yet to find Serena, and already the rumor mill produced something far worse. It was strange, the first princess was never the favorite among the servant staff, but she wasn’t disliked either (that privilege was reserved for the third). Now suddenly, she was the black sheep?

           ‘Do they have nothing better to do than gossip?’ Orion wondered. It honestly disturbed him to a degree. Some of these servants were his own, albeit distant, family members. ‘Where’s Serena? I need to talk to her about this now too.’ By some stroke of luck, he finally spotted her rushing through the servant quarters like a woman on a mission. Orion dashed to her side and tried to get her attention.

           “Serena I-,” the young man began.

           “Not now, Orion,” she shut him down and zipped away.

           ‘What’s gotten into her?’ Orion followed. Some small inkling at the back of his mind told him this wasn’t a good idea, but he dismissed the feeling as irrational. After a long trek through twisting corridors and narrow passages, Orion realized Serena was trying to lose him. ‘Now I know something is wrong.’ The blonde acknowledged. He let the girl disappear from his sight before shifting into stealth mode. Serena was good and a bit of a natural in their unique positions. However, Orion had been training for over a decade, and if there’s one thing Lady Aphros taught him, it was how to be sneaky.

           Orion trailed Serena from a safe distance, practically spidering across the walls like a pop-culture ninja. As he watched the raven-haired girl duck into one of the less-visited parts of the palace, Orion felt the strangest tingle. Something here was a danger to his princess, and he must become aware of it. It was the weirdest feeling, as something like this had never happened before. He made a brief glance towards Serena again as she slipped into a nearby room, noting her sweat and paling complexion and wondered if she felt the same thing.

           Orion hung above the door and pressed his ear to the wall, taking in what little of the conversation inside he could. The voices were muffled, but he’d recognize Serena’s anywhere. Thankfully, the discussion was quick and direct.

           “Finally…arrived, I hope…?” One male voice said.

           “A little…sudden, if I don’t… I’ll miss my…duties and…suspicious,” Serena replied.

           “Don’t worry…just take…princess to the g…and it will all…” Another male voice answered.

           “This is all…so fast…” Serena commented.

           “Do not…by the end of…the third will be gone…” The first male voice assured. This statement made Orion’s skin crawl. What were they talking about?

           “I still don’t…understand…” Serena stated.

           “Do not concern yourself… we’ve already handled the first…” The second voice declared. That new sensation assaulted Orion again; the whole situation reeked of something sinister.

           ‘I don’t know what Serena is involved in, but I have to warn someone,’ Orion dashed away.

~--~

           “Princess!” Orion busted into Atlanta’s room. The girl was still in her nightgown and looked frustrated as she rooted through her desk.

           “Orion, you’re two minutes late,” the princess commented. “But forget that now, someone has been fingering through my stationery and pens.”

           “Princess, this isn’t the time. Something sinister is afoot,” Orion warned.

           “What nonsense has Lady Aphros poisoned your mind with this time?” Atlanta sighed.

           “Shadowy figures, speaking ill of you and your youngest sister,” the young man explained as he bowed.

           “Let me guess, you believe that the assassins are involved and that they plot beneath our very noses?” Atlanta inquired.

           “That was my first instinct,” Orion admitted.

           “There are many shadowy meetings within the palace walls, Orion,” the princess explained. “They speak in riddles and double meanings, but a better question would be how you stumbled across one.”

           “I…followed Serena,” Orion admitted.

           “Ah yes, Lady Aphros’s new favorite,” the first princess rolled her eyes. “Do not concern yourself. She has likely been pulled into that woman’s grand machinations. You should keep your head out that mess and help me discern who was so bold as to steal my stationery and-” Atlanta looked again, “make off with my royal seal!”

           “At once my, my princess,” Orion bowed again, gears turning in his mind. ‘The theft of her stationery and seal is also of concern. Someone may attempt to forge a letter in her name. But it’s not as though-’ The blonde thought, his mind turning to the mystery men’s words. ‘If they’ve said they’ve already dealt with the first, does that mean they intend to…Oh, no…’

           “Your face speaks a thousand words, Orion. What paranoid thought has crossed your mind now?” The first princess asked.

           “Where might Princess Irene be at this moment?” Orion asked.

           “Running at full charge across the courtyard into the gardens,” Atlanta looked out her window. “Or rather, walking in march step with her maid. There they are now.” Orion walked up to peer out the window, and like Atlanta said, Irene and Serena walked, hand in hand, across the palace gardens.

           ‘I need to know for certain,’ Orion thought. “Forgive me, my princess,” he begged, “but I must go. Lives may hang in the balance.”

           “If it may finally cure you of these concerns, then go,” Atlanta stated. “You have my blessing.” Orion nodded and dashed out of the room and down the hall.

           ‘Please let me be wrong,’ he thought as the sights of the palace whipped by. ‘It would be a paper-thin deception, but they merely need to get the idea out there. No need for hard proof if you could spread enough misinformation to convince many that the first princess was behind this plot. Even if proven innocent, just the fact people might accept the idea without question could damage her reputation.’

           Orion emerged out into the gardens and zig-zagged through to find his way to where Serena and Irene walked. As the two came into view, he rushed towards them faster than before. His sudden arrival clearly took Serena off guard. However, her face quickly went from surprise to confusion to anger.

           “Serena, you must tell me what’s going on,” Orion shouted. He immediately regrated his outburst as his instincts flared up, and out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a shadowy figure. The figure pulled out what looked like a rifle and took aim at the now stationary Serena and princess.

           Everything slowed down. Orion saw some feeling cross Serena’s face. He instantly recognized it as the same one that assaulted the two of them in the depths of the palace that morning. The young woman pulled herself and the princess to the ground, right before a bullet rang out through the garden, missing the two girls by what felt like a hair.

           Orion glanced back at the assassin, who looked to be cursing his misfortune. He had a split-second decision to make, charge the armed assassin or move to protect Serena and the princess. For the former, while he was certainly far faster than the average person, he couldn’t outrun a bullet, especially one he was charging at. For the latter, he still couldn’t outrun the shot. But maybe they could move to safety, assuming there isn’t another assassin.

           “Orion, behind you!” Serena warned. The blonde looked back to see a cloaked figure charging him from the shadows, dagger drawn.

           ‘So, there was another assassin,’ Orion realized. He turned to face his new foe, praying the sniper wouldn’t shoot him out of spite. Then a dagger flew over his head and nailed the second assassin in the chest, knocking him over with the force of the impact. Orion looked back to see it had been thrown by Serena.

           “You idiot,” she said as she clutched the princess close to her chest, a look of resignation on her face. It was then Orion remembered there was a sniper, and he darted forward. Perhaps he couldn’t outrun a bullet, but maybe he could block one with his body.

~--~

           The night before, as Serena and Aprhos sat in the latter’s private chamber, hidden beneath Aphros’s bed covers. They spoke of strategy and intrigue, of a plot that threatened the former’s charge. Serena never expected to be in a position like this, her discomfort apparent, but Aphros comforted her to the best of the noble’s ability.

           “I understand your concern,” Lady Aphros stated. “But we must act with care. These assassins don’t care whether Irene lives or dies. They only care about pinning the blame on Atlanta.”

           “I don’t understand this whole political squabble,” Serena admitted. “What’s so great about the second princess they’d be willing to kill the third and frame the first?”

           “Well, the second is known to be wise beyond her years and said to be the one most like her mother,” Aphros explained. “But the real reason is far less poetic. I’m sure you’ve noticed the second is like a ghost around her, mentioned but never seen. There’s a reason for that, but the rumor is that she’s…invalid. They want someone they can more easily manipulate.”

           “Well, now I’m just sick to my stomach,” Serena commented.

           “As am I,” Lady Aphros agreed. “I must ask you to play along with these would-be assassins. I’ve already talked you up to them, and you’re still viewed as something of an outsider, so they won’t question where your loyalty lies.”

           “So, is this why you hired me? An outsider to help foil a political plot?” Serena inquired.

           “Well, it was more of a happy accident,” Aphros admitted. “But in a sense, yes, that’s why I pushed you through training so quickly.”

           “Victoria was right. I really am being strung along,” Serena said without thinking.

           “I’m sorry, Serena, I really am,” Lady Aphros said genuinely. “You’re just the unfortunate third party in all this. I did wrong by Victoria, and I won’t make the same mistake. No harm will come to you, I swear on my life.” The noble hugged Serena.

           “You owe me a full explanation after all this,” Serena stated.

           “I know,” Aphros agreed. ‘Forgive me, Serena, there’s still something I haven’t told you. I just know Orion will sniff out something is wrong, and he’ll interrupt whatever plan we make like the noble idiot he is. I can’t tell you as much because I don’t want you to rely on him the off chance he leaves well enough alone.’

To Be Continued…

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Workplace violence is best avoided, and should always be reported to your immediate supervisor.

Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy

Enigmatic Fantasies - Maid in Fantasy Part V

Part I|II|III|IV|V

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           Nothing quite brings out the activity in a kingdom like an attempted assassination. The days following the attack were like a whirlwind to Serena. The royal guard was mobilized in mass, Lady Ze was recalled back to the palace, and the nobility was in complete panic. The young maid was incredibly grateful for Lady Aphros’s presence, who guided her through the worst of it. Still, that didn’t save the young woman from several hours-long sessions of questioning and going over every detail of their day leading up to the assassination attempt.

           “This has been a hell of a month,” Serena admitted to herself as she retired to her room. It wasn’t that different from the one she lived in at the fort, albeit a little bigger and nicer. Orion was even in the neighboring room. ‘To think, a few months ago, I was about as typical as they come. How’d I get so tangled up in the highest-level politics?’

           “Serena, is that you?” Orion popped into her room. The young man didn’t look tired for once.

           “No, I’m her evil twin,” Serena joked. “Hey Orion, how has your job been going?”

           “Oh, Princess Atlanta is quite the refined lady,” the young man answered. “She certainly expects less of me than Lady Aphros ever did. I’d ask how your duty has been going, but…”

           “The rumor mill has already run its course?” Serena asked.

           “Well, it is rather hard to hide a gunshot in public. Even at a private high rise,” Orion explained. “The palace hasn’t made a public announcement yet, but it’s basically an open secret among the palace staff and, according to some, the press.”

           “Lovely,” Serena threw herself face-first into her bed.

           “Is it true you deflected the assassin’s bullet with a table knife?” Orion inquired with his usual sincerity.

           “Who the hell told you that?” Serena sprang up.

           “So, it isn’t true then?” The blonde asked.

           “Of course not. Can you?” Serena barked.

           “Well, I’ve never tried. I saw Lady Ze do it once, though,” Orion admitted.

           “I…really? Oh, never mind. Don’t believe everything you hear, okay?” Serena slumped back onto her bed.

~--~

           In the following days, Serena found her usual escapades with Princess Irene were joined by an entire squad of palace guards. Thankfully, having about a dozen well-trained men and women at her side made it much easier for Serena to corral the princess. Thus, less time was spent chasing the girl across the halls, and more was spent shuttling her from place to place.

           For once, they were actually on time to each of Irene’s various lessons, not that it mattered much as the little girl still refused to hold still or pay attention. Then again, even her teachers became guilty of the same thing. Most spent their times constantly looking over their shoulder, afraid that another assassin would burst into the room. The squad of guards certainly didn’t help diffuse the tension any. At one such lesson, one of the teachers nearly suffered a nervous breakdown and stepped out to calm themselves. In their absence, Lady Aphros slipped into the room.

           “Leave us,” Aphros ordered the guards.

           “But, my lady,” the leader of the squad replied.

           “Leave us,” Aphros repeated with authority.

           “As you wish,” the squad reluctantly stepped outside.

           “Is there a problem, Lady Aphros?” Serena inquired.

           “Nope, just wanted to check on you two,” Lady Aphros put on her usual smile, but it was noticeably forced.

           “Well, the princess…” Serena looked at her charge. Irene skipped about the room without a care in the world.

           “Yes, she’s always been like that,” Aphros sighed. “She takes after her mother in that respect…Anyway, how are you feeling?”

           “Overwhelmed, uncertain, concerned,” Serena found herself doing the same nervous ticks as all of Irene’s teachers.

           “That’s to be expected,” Aphros nodded. “Anything in particular?”

           “Well…I never got a chance to ask you because of the insanity of the last few days, but,” Serena gathered her thoughts. “I noticed we were going to be attacked before it happened. I only avoided the bullet because I realized someone was going to shoot us before I even knew they had a gun.”

           “That’s also to be expected,” Lady Aphros nodded.

           “Huh?” Serena was left even more confused than before.

           “Let’s just say, there’s a reason why your family is chosen exclusively to serve the royal family,” Aphros winked. The blonde then reached into her pocket and retrieved a small, cylindrical, black object. “Here, you might need this in the near future. You’ll know when to use it.”

           “Lady Aphros?” Serena received the item. It was pretty heavy for its size and had a little button hidden on the side. Pressing it revealed it to be a cleverly disguised dagger. “Lady Aphros, I could never…”

           “Hush,” the blonde shushed her. “There may come a time when you’ll need to defend both your and the princess’s life. I know most would say a servant must save their master even at the cost of their own life, but I think that’s a little too sad.”

           “I understand,” Serena nodded, although the dagger still weighed heavily in her hand. With Aphros’s help, she slipped the blade into one of the hidden pockets littered throughout her uniform.

           “The other reason I came today was something that somewhat involves you,” Lady Aphros admitted. “Your cousin is being implicated as an element of the assassination.”

           “What?” Serena was taken aback.

           “A few of the higher nobles of a certain faction are looking for someone to blame,” Aphros explained. “Your cousin left on less than pleasant terms with the royal family, namely the third princess. Thus, she is seen as someone with a motive. Or at least, someone who could have information pried from them.”

           “I understand that, but would she really…?” Serena started to say but stopped herself before Irene heard them. “I mean, that still doesn’t explain how they knew we’d be there.”

           “Yeah, well, as the owner of said building, that’s of special interest to me as well,” Lady Aphros commented. Serena quickly noted just how poorly this situation likely reflected on the noblewoman. “There is something you can do for me, Serena, something only you’ll be able to.”

           “Me? But I’m just a maid,” Serena pointed out.

           “Yes, exactly,” Aphros nodded. “You’re also cousins with a certain someone who is a primary suspect. A cousin without previous contact, but perhaps enough in common you could forge a connection.”

           “You mean me to…?” Serena realized the course of the conversation.

           “After a little crash course on getting people to open up, I’d like you to speak to your cousin,” Lady Aphros stated. “Any information you can get out of her could be useful. Even the right reaction.”

           “I’m not sure. I don’t know her, or if she’ll even speak to me,” Serena admitted.

           “Then don’t go as a representative of the palace. Go as a family member looking for advice,” Aphros advised. “No pressure, but a few lives do hang in the balance. Not just the princess’s.”

           “I’ll try,” Serena bowed.

~--~

           Orion stood at attention alongside Princess Atlanta. The two were situated in the palace gardens; the latter sat in a reclining chair sipping tea while the former held a tray of sweets and biscuits. Despite the peaceful atmosphere, Princess Atlanta had a scowl on her face. Orion didn’t quite understand the girl’s moods at the best of times, but this was something else entirely.

           “Orion, I’m discontent,” Atlanta proclaimed.

           “I’ll go scare the birds out of the tree again,” Orion sighed.

           “No, not that,” the princess corrected. “It’s this whole assassination business. Who do those people think they are, putting a hit out on my little sister like that?”

           “I’m uncertain, my princess,” Orion knew to let her vent. ‘It’s nice to see her care for her sister,’ he thought to himself.

           “Why didn’t they go after me instead of the little brat?” Atlanta continued.

           ‘Oh,’ Orion realized what she was actually mad about. “I’m uncertain of that as well. Perhaps they had a specific vendetta against your sibling?”

           “That makes even less sense. She may be an uncontrollable brat, but she hasn’t wronged anyone,” the princess declared. “Except maybe her former attendants, but not enough to wish her dead,” Atlanta admitted. “Besides, even if they did want her dead, they wouldn’t have the money, connection, nor the resources to pull this off.”

           “Ah yes, there is a talk over how they’d knew she’d be there, how they bypassed security and how they got up there in the first place,” Orion commented.

           “This whole situation stinks of some deeper motive,” Atlanta declared.

           “May I be so bold as to presume my princess already has a theory?” Orion bowed.

           “Of course, I do,” the princess puffed out her chest. “Not about how they did it, I bet that was all spur of the moment. Mere luck that my sister was out of the palace. No, I think this is but a part in grander conspiracy…”

~--~

           Serena had never been in this part of the city before; the lower rungs of their fair metropolis were not a familiar sight. While the terms seedy and impoverished had long since fallen from the collective lexicon of her society, that did not mean there wasn’t a dark underbelly to their civilization. Beneath the layers of crystal and gemstones laid the old-world buildings, crumbling concrete, asphalt, and brick filled the young woman’s eyes.

           This underground layer of the city was home to the outcasts of their society. The disgraced, the violent, those who did not fit in, and those who chose not to fit in. Serena instantly recognized a few former politicians among the thin crowds, as well as one or two infamously violent people. The culture shock left Serena feeling more than a little dirty.

           The young woman had also attracted several stares, some curious, others were angry, and a few with intent. Serena couldn’t tell if they were waiting for her to do something wrong or if they were waiting for her to drop her guard. The black-haired girl decided to stay vigilant as she rushed to her destination. Thankfully, she had switched out of her maid uniform and into plain street clothes, which would hopefully deflect the worst of the attention.

           “Hey, girlie,” a particular brawny man approached her. “You lost?”

           “No, now leave me be,” Serena tried to move past him.

           “Hey, that’s not very polite, now is it?” The man tried to grab her.

           “Don’t make me use this,” Serena pulled her newly acquired hidden dagger on him.

           “Woah, woah, no need to be violent,” the man backed off.

           “Then leave me be. I’m busy,” Serena rushed away. ‘I’m so glad Lady Aphros taught me how to deal with people down here.’ Despite how the area presented itself, most of the individuals were not hardened criminals or in desperate poverty. Even these outcasts still lived relatively comfortably. After all, only 1% were working class, and the only members of the working class that should be here were Serena and her cousin.

           ‘Now that I think about it, if Aphros knew how to deal with them, does she comes down here too?’ Serena thought. ‘Best not to think about it,’ she dismissed the thought and finally found her destination. It was an old bar with a sign that read “Brando’s.” Serena pushed open the door and saw the interior mostly empty. There were a few patrons and a single bartender, but notably among them was a young woman with long black hair nursing a beer.

           “Victoria Di-” Serena approached the woman.

           “Don’t you finish that fucking name,” the woman snapped at her. “I told you, people, I’m not coming back.”

           “I didn’t even say anything yet,” Serena was put off by the other woman’s aggression.

           “I know you people. I can tell by your fancy smell,” Victoria sniffed. “You’ve got…her scent on you.”

           “I’m not here to bring you back. I’m just here to ask some questions,” Serena explained.

           “Oh wonderful, an interrogation again, I’m out,” Victoria began to stand up.

           “No, advice,” Serena corrected.

           “Advice, why would…? Oh,” Victoria laughed. “You’re the poor sap they got to replace me, huh? How is the little brat?”

           “Uncontrollable and unyielding,” Serena replied.

           “Sounds about right,” Victoria sipped her beer.

           “So, you wouldn’t happen to know any tricks to corral here?” Serena began.

           “Corral her?” Victoria laughed again. “If I knew that, do you think I’d be down here drinking this crap? You want my advice? I’ll tell you what I told the last few guys, run and don’t look back.”

           “Last few guys?” Serena tried her best to sound confused.

           “Let me give you some real advice, kid,” Victoria stated. Serena chose not to point out her cousin was likely no more than a year or two older than her. “If you hang out here too long, some folks can piece together who you are. Then they tell the shadiest kind of people, and those creeps come to shake you down for all the info in your noggin.”

           “That’s…” Serena couldn’t find the right words to respond.

           “But, there’s this thing about being a worker. They tell you nothing. They give you nothing,” Victoria ranted. “All they want from you is to follow that little brat like a loyal lamb until you keel over and die. That ain’t going to be me!”

           ‘What is she going on about? Lady Aphros has been nothing short of forthcoming with information,’ Serena thought. ‘At least, I think she has?’

           “Oh, I see that look in your eyes. Confused, right?” Victoria muttered. “You think those nobles give a damn about you? You might think they’re keeping you in the loop, but they’re not. They only tell you just enough to string you along with whatever plan they have. You’re a worker drone kid, and you only exist to do what they can’t, or more frequently, don’t want to do.”

           Serena didn’t reply and took a moment to soak in Victoria’s rant. She didn’t want to doubt Lady Aphros, especially considering how cordial she’s been. Still, the young woman couldn’t help but wonder what she wasn’t being told. This whole situation had grown far more uncomfortable than she expected.

           “If it wasn’t for that stupid brat, I’d still have that cushy job in the palace,” Victoria grumbled. “Cooking and cleaning were no big deal, but no, I had to be made her personal servant. Such fucking bullshit. I’m not surprised someone put a hit on her. Even the nobles are sick of her shit. I know a certain few who are. I’ve spilled the beans on who before, and maybe I’d do it again. Course, I’m the loose thread in all this, the disgruntled former servant and all. I bet it’ll only be a matter of time before they come marching down to blame part of this on me.”

           “There she goes again,” the bartender commented. “You best leave, little girl. Once Vic gets like this, she won’t be stopping for a while. You wouldn’t be the first to get her worked up like this.”

           “R-right,” Serena sighed and stepped away. ‘Well, all I learned is that she’s been venting this to a bunch of people for a while. Of course, all that’s going to be useful for is helping someone pass the blame to her.’

~--~

           “The truth is Orion,” Princess Atlanta explained, “I’ve made no secret of my more colorful opinions towards my youngest sister.”

           “I see,” Orion nodded. “I wasn’t aware.”

           “Well, we can thank Serena for keeping her under control for the most part recently,” Atlanta sipped her tea. “I haven’t felt the need to complain. Alas, that wasn’t so when…what’s her name…? Tori? Vicky?...That other maid was here.”

           “Okay,” Orion remained professional.

           “I may have vented on her for failing to control my siblings, and so did Lady Aphros. Perhaps that’s what contributed to her leaving so quickly and suddenly,” the princess revealed. “Now, in truth, I am merely annoyed and frustrated with my sister’s behavior, but not many know that. Now tell me, how easy would it be to misconstrue my frustrated venting as something more…vicious.”

           “It would depend, but in the right hands…” Orion nodded.

           “Now imagine someone wanted to tie this all back to me by prying my frustrated rambling out of a disgruntled former maid,” Atlanta theorized. “Next, there’s an inexplicable assassination attempt on my youngest sister. The only person with the slightest motive couldn’t possibly pull it off, but what if they pried the right kind of confession out of her?”

           “It’d certainly be a bad look, but there’d be no way to convict you on such a confession,” Orion pointed out.

           “There’s no need. The right political force would only use it to aid in their attempt to discredit me. It would cast doubt on my sanity,” the princess explained, “and more importantly on my worthiness as a successor. I know plenty who’d prefer the second princess over me as an heir.”

           “That’s certainly a well-thought-out reasoning,” Orion nodded, his thoughts briefly turning to concern over Serena being caught in the middle of this.

~--~

           ‘Well, that was a bust,’ Serena sighed as she made her way out of the underground. ‘Aw crap,’ she spotted several figures moving to surround her.

           “Don’t be alarmed. We’re not here to harm you,” the largest figure approached. They were all garbed in face and body concealing cloaks.

           “Just stay back,” Serena fingered her hidden dagger.

           “There’s no need,” the figure assured. “You wouldn’t be down here if you didn’t feel the same as we do.”

           “I don’t…” Serena tried to reply.

           “Don’t worry, we speak for Lady Aphros,” the figure explained. “I’m sure you’re as eager as we are to see this through.”

           “Oh, and what would that be?” Serena played coy.

           “We want the second in power,” the figure leaned up to Serena’s ear, “and I’m sure you’d love to be rid of that brat.” It took every ounce of Serena’s self-control to maintain her composure.

To Be Continued…

~~~~

Open communication with your predecessor is helpful in making your transition into a new job go as smoothly as possible.

Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy