Chapter 14: Nanny Catherine (4)
“Ah, gently!”
One of the maids screamed while Catherine let out a moan as the wet cloth touched her wounds.
"I'm being gentle! God, where on this skinny body deserved to be whipped like that?"
Complaints soon began to grow among the maids, and the room was filled with complaints.
“Isn’t the butler very abusive? She never says anything when the main palace maids cause trouble.”
“Right? Even when they are always lazy to work, never blame them!”
“And we are the ones who end up doing all the work when they fail.”
“And if nothing gets done, we are the ones to blame.”
“Catherine, why did you disobey the butler’s orders and get yourself into this trouble!”
"Is that what you say to someone who's hurt? Leave her alone. It must hurt, doesn't it, Katherine?"
Catherine was lying in pain on the bed, surrounded by the annex's maids who seemed more like family than co-workers.
(We may not share blood, but we're family, Kayla. Get it?)
A tender voice echoed within me like the echo of a distant memory.
If I had not been sold to the killers, would I have lived a life like this too?
(You can be my family.)
Suddenly, the warmth faded with another sound that I wanted to forget.
I lowered my gaze.
It was a thing of the past, there was no point in ruminating over it. Seems like I'm too thin.
I was about to leave the place silently when my ears caught the maids talking:
“If Countess Caterina had not been there, that woman would have been fired long ago!”
“Shh! What if someone hears you say that!”
Fortunately, that name was familiar.
(Anyone in the empire's elite circles knows this name.)
The flower of society, Caterina Caterina, Countess and right-hand man of the Second Empress, is famous for her ravishing beauty and social skill.
(The butler is related to that woman?)
But why would one of her loyal followers put herself alongside the powerless Prince Edwin? It doesn't make sense for her to be just a spy for him.
(Are they only watching him because he is a prince?)
I remembered meeting her before I died. A beautiful woman, but cruel. The more beautiful the flower, the more painful its thorns are... and the first to hurt it is the one who comes closest.
Suddenly, the butler's transgressive actions came back to mind.
(What should I do?)
While I was deep in thought, I realized that the maids were staring at me.
“Um, nanny?”
One of them approached with cautious steps, her eyes full of hesitation.
“Catherine said you saved her, is that true?”
“Yes, so what?”
“We're grateful, but… in the end, we're just maids. If the butler finds out about this…”
Their faces were all filled with worry. Catherine also looked terrified.
I knew what they feared: retaliation from the female butlers because of their low status.
“Don't worry.”
I said coldly, and one of them opened her mouth in surprise.
"What?"
“I did this, and I will take responsibility.”
“You will take responsibility?”
The word was repeated between them in whispers.
“Then it is true that you entered the palace on Lady Conrad’s recommendation?”
“Does this mean that we won’t have to suffer from the main palace’s maids like before?”
I watched their reactions for a moment before saying:
“But there are some things I would like to ask you.”
(You've got enough information now.)
I was returning to the main palace after speaking with the annex maids.
(The only thing left to do is decide what to do.)
The distance between the annex and the main palace is short. I soon found myself in front of the palace doors without reaching a decision.
(I'm someone who will be gone soon anyway.)
But hesitation kept holding me back.
(I'm not even the real Rachel Brown, so why should I get involved in the prince's palace affairs?)
Just thinking about it didn't make sense.
(Why am I putting in all this effort?)
The prince, the princess, the annex's maids...they were all strangers. In a world where parents sell their children and children kill their parents, why would I risk myself for others?
(You're so conflicted, Kayla.)
Ian's damned voice came back ringing in my ears.
(You kill people easily, yet you help others with whom you are not related just as easily.)
He said it to me at the beginning of our acquaintance.
(I don't understand you at all.)
Exactly what I wanted to tell myself right now.
Why should I defend a maid from the annex that I will soon part with? Was it just because I couldn't accept an unjust punishment?
(Let's settle this issue now, and then think later.)
I shook my head vigorously.
Anyway, I promised the annex maids that I would take care of it. Breaking promises is something I hate more than anything.
With this determination, she pushed open the palace door.
As soon as I entered, two maids grabbed me as if they were waiting for me. They dragged me outside and forced me to kneel on the dirt.
The head butler appeared, her features as angry as a raging bull, and behind her the maids of the main palace gathered with faces eager to see what would happen.
“Miss Rachel Brown. You know what you did wrong, right?”
I looked up to see her screaming with her burning eyes:
“What law is this that allows you to release a maid who was punished without the permission of the butler?”
(A dictator who even overrides the prince... and talks about the law? How ridiculous.)
I held myself still, suppressing my urge to laugh. Then her hand rose.
I found myself in an unexpected dilemma: Should I allow that dirty hand to slap my face or not?
It would have been easy to dodge the blow, but if I had, I would have fueled her anger even more.
(No choice... just this once.)
I lowered my head.
The loud slap screamed in my ear, and I saw flashing whites.
My face burned.
(What a disgusting feeling.)
But the butler was not satisfied. She said in an arrogant voice:
“Did I not tell you clearly, Miss Brown? I have entrusted you to the care of His Highness, and you must do your duty as governess.”
She put her hands on her waist and shouted:
“Not only were you negligent, you also dared to interfere in my affairs!”
Then she pointed to one of the maids next to her:
“Bring the whip immediately—”
“I cannot accept this.”
I raised my head, my features cold.
“It is impossible for me to take care of Their Highnesses alone. I need the cooperation of the maids.”
The butler laughed sarcastically:
“Huh, miserable excuses now?”
“I am telling the truth.”
I stared at her as I continued:
“But you took advantage of the so-called authorization to prevent the maids from helping him. Isn’t that strange?”
"What are you saying?"
“His Highness Prince Edwin is the rightful master here.”
She frowned slightly.
“And here you are, punishing a maid for preparing food for him without permission. Doesn’t this seem absurd?”
Her eyes widened.
"this…!"
“If this is not a challenge to the Empire's authority, then what is?”
The maids hummed anxiously. Seeing the hesitation of her followers made her scream even more:
“You dare to spread nonsense! You want to incite them with your lies!”
Her hand rose again—
But suddenly a sharp voice rang out:
"Stop! What are you doing!"
The owner of the voice was the lord of this palace, Third Prince Edwin.
He stood at the top of the steps, his face distorted with anger, and at his side was Emilia clinging to him in fear.
The prince came down with angry steps and his voice was ringing:
“What right do you have to do this?!”
It wasn't his usual voice… it was filled with unbridled anger.