Every day, the castle grounds bustled with activity as workers hurriedly made their way to their workplaces and diligently performed their chores. Amidst the commotion, the air was filled with the constant chatter and gossip that seemed to permeate every corner, making it impossible to escape. Today was just like any other day, except it was noticeably louder than usual, particularly due to Poppy's voice echoing throughout the entire castle. She was the source of the buzzing gossip, revealing all the details of what transpired during lunch with the countess. She persistently expressed her opinion to everyone, arguing that Lady Dimitrescu is not the person depicted in the hanging portrait that everyone saw in the art room. Contrary to what the villagers say, she did not possess the elegance and regal aura that they attribute to her. Lady Dimitrescu was an elderly woman who emitted a musty odor and appeared to have neglected personal hygiene for a considerable period of time. She possessed advanced age, wrinkled skin, a diminutive stature, and a noticeable curvature of the spine.
"I'm telling you, she is ugly. I couldn't even bear to look at her while we were having lunch together," Poppy said, making a gagging sound. "It seems that wealthy individuals don't always appear as extravagant as we might anticipate. She is hideous, I'm telling you." She spoke loudly in front of all the people present in the servants' dining room.
Ella glanced at Paula, who sat at the head of the table next to her. Paula's face remained expressionless, resembling a stoic statue, as she quietly listened to Poppy's rant. It was evident that Poppy didn't even care about the presence of the head maiden. That was her nature after all.
"Is she truly as ugly as you say?" After her friend's long rant, Ashley chimed in, expressing her own curiosity.
"Would I fully go all out with claim about her if she wasn't?" Poppy let out a moan. "Paula, how do you do it? It's amazing that can you maintain eye contact with the countess for such a long period of time. I couldn't even spare her a glance."
Paula tilted her head in a bored manner and casually popped a small piece of bread into her mouth. "Could you please be clear on what you are referring to? It is very impossible to not look at the Lady."
"I'm sorry, could you please clarify what you mean?" Poppy's mouth hung open as she scoffed.
"She is an incredibly beautiful woman." Paula stands up from her seat and takes her plate with her, remarking, "I recommend that you visit the infirmary to have your eyes checked. The Lady is not at all what you have described." With a wink and a smirk, she turned her back and quickly walked away, leaving Poppy no chance to argue with her statement.
The entire table buzzed once more as the group of maids dispersed after finishing their breakfast. Poppy felt increasingly perplexed as she realized that no one seemed to understand or connect with her earlier rant. She remained seated, motionless, as Ashley spoke to her, offering reassurance.
Ella walked away from the table with Jude, without even sparing a glance for Poppy, who had caused a big commotion about their employer's appearance. Her mouth is as unpleasant as her character, completely corrupted. Today, Ella's task was to do laundry with her Jude. This was a good thing for her as she was able to work alongside someone she knows. They had arrived in the laundry room, conveniently located next to the open gardens where they could hang the clothes they had finished washing. While doing their chores, they engage in a conversation about various personal topics, eventually leading to a discussion about their earlier breakfast.
"Do you genuinely believe that the Lady is unattractive, as Poppy has been claiming?" Jude asks as she squeezes the wet cloth to remove excess water, then proceeds to hang it outside in the gardens.
Ella casually shrugs while rinsing the soap out of the clothes they washed earlier. "I am unable to provide a definitive answer as I have never personally laid eyes on the Lady."
YOU ARE READING
Burning Embers of Desire
Fanfic"Why do you continually remind me of her? Who really are you?" Alcina Dimitrescu has been harboring a secret that only her family knows about, and if that secret were ever revealed, she would likely commit herself. Days, months, years, decades, and...
