The broken queen

18

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The door to the hall swung open, and as soon as the maids spotted her, they stood to their feet and bowed their heads. Nancy nodded at the guards before they got on a platform not far from the old hall's entrance.

"Good evening, everyone. I am sorry for the interruption. I would like to speak to the third Princess's maidservant."

The hall went silent as they all wondered what she must have done. They heard of the princess being ground, d and now her maid was taken by the Empress's lady-in-waiting; everything was suspicious, but who would dare ask questions? After a l,l they still very much lived in fear no matter how good Irisa had been to them; years of trauma could not just be washed away.

"I am here, ma'am," a younger girl walked out frightened for herself,f, but she knew delaying the inevitable was of no use. She prayed that she did not lose her life for keeping such secrets. She swallowed, twisting her hands as Nancy smiled at her.

"Follow me," Nancy said before getting off the platform; they walked out of the hall with the girl's head bowed in respect to Nancy. Nancy walked forward with confidence and pride, the only thing that did not complete her was the noble blood she did not have. Well, half of it.

Although she did have the Prime Minister's blood running through her veins, she never wanted to be near the man. "Did..d... Did... I do anything wrong, ma'am?" Nancy frowned at the word ma'am. She was a little older than the girl following her through the corridors of Kaley's palace, but the difference in status and significance was a lot, something nobody could deny.

"Why not get there and ask her yourself," the girl blinked, more frightened as they approached the Empress's quarter, she prayed she got out alive, and she looked at the guards that were staring up ahead. Her beloved was among them, they had just started seeing each other, and she still wanted more time with him. The men bowed to Nancy, who nodded and entered the quarter, waiting for the girl to follow.

The girl's mouth opened as her eyes feasted on such luxury; the decorations were simple yet elegant, and the Empress had good taste. Looking at the simple artworks and paintings hanging strategically around, she knew the Empress was a smart woman.

"Stop looking around!" Nancy snapped her out of her reverie.

"I am sorry, ma'am," she quickly apologized, not wanting to get into more trouble.

"Your Excellency," Nancy announced, "I have brought her here," she declared.

"Bring her in," Irisa's voice sounded out of the bed chamber. Nancy held out her hand in the direction of the bed chamber, the girl twisted her hand before taking steps toward the huge bedchamber. The bed on which the Empress sat was impossibly huge, it was decorated beautifully, and luxury and elegance were all she noticed.

"Your excellency," Nancy bowed, and the girl bowed too; Irisa looked up at her, and she dropped the tea cup near her bedside, "You are the princess's maidservant that accompanied her in Silkon Valley?" Irisa asked, taking another sip of the tea.

"Y... Yes your excellency," she stuttered.

"What is your name?"

"Maria, Your Excellency," she answered with a shaky voice.

"Maria, such a sweet name," Irisa said, softly. "I have called you here for one reason. By your expression, I think you know why I have called you," Irisa narrowed her eyes at Maria, who looked away.

"Your... Your excellency... I have no idea..."

"Who is the father?" Irisa interrupted not bothering to bite around the bush, "What... Your ex..."