From The Maid's Perspective

From the maids veiw

As I knocked on the door of the duke's office, the air was thick with anticipation. The heavy, ornate door creaked open, and I stepped into the richly furnished room. Sunlight filtered through tall windows, casting a golden hue over the room’s opulent decor. At the center of it all sat the duke, his striking rose gold hair and piercing grey eyes giving him an otherworldly presence.

I approached the desk, clutching a letter sealed with the emblem of the Rose Palace. The duke looked up, his expression a mix of curiosity and impatience. Without a word, I handed him the letter. He broke the seal with a practiced flick and unfolded the parchment. His eyes scanned the contents, and as he read, a smirk spread across his lips. He chuckled, a sound that echoed through the room, filled with disbelief. "The princess is in love with me and wants to marry me," he said, shaking his head. "How absurd."

The duke’s laughter was tinged with mockery, his disdain for love evident. "I don't believe in love," he declared, almost to himself.

I nodded in agreement, knowing well his pragmatic nature. "You don’t have to get married if you don’t want to," I replied calmly. "But accepting the proposal and marrying the princess will only create more succession problems. You know as well as I do that it will complicate the line of inheritance and stir unrest among the nobility. It’s a headache you don’t need."

The duke considered my words, his fingers tapping thoughtfully on the desk. After a moment, he stood, straightening his impeccable suit. "Let's not waste any more time on this nonsense," he said, his tone resolute. "We have a ball to attend."

I followed him through the grand corridors of the palace, our footsteps echoing on the marble floors. The grandeur of the surroundings was overwhelming, a testament to the wealth and power of the nobility. As we approached the ballroom, the sounds of music and conversation grew louder.

Entering the ballroom, the duke’s presence commanded immediate attention. He was quickly surrounded by courtiers and dignitaries, each eager for his attention. Amid the sea of elegant gowns and tailored suits, the countess caught his eye. She was a striking figure, her silver hair and bright green eyes making her stand out in the crowd. Her every movement exuded grace and confidence.

The duke made his way towards her, and as they exchanged pleasantries, I could see the subtle interplay of power and influence in their conversation. Despite the festive atmosphere, the weight of the letter from the Rose Palace lingered in my mind. The evening progressed, and I remained vigilant, always aware of the delicate balance of alliances and enmities that defined our world.