In a more modest corner of the grand Chief's Mansion, Alexa was performing her weekly chores, tucked away in the property's laundry room. Here, a somewhat intricate system functioned. Fresh water was hauled from the village spring into the mansion and heated in a separate room. Servants like Alexa would then transport the warmed water to be utilized for various tasks around the mansion. One such task was laundry, and today just so happened to be laundry day.

The clothes Alexa laundered were often of exquisite quality, befitting the status of the manor's inhabitants. From the rich brocade of the chief's robe to the fine linens of her Young Master's daily wear, each piece radiated a wealth far beyond what Alexa could ever dream of affording.

Even the maid's uniform she wore was provided by the manor. Her single uniform was all she possessed, standing in stark contrast to the expansive wardrobes of those she served. This single uniform was something she had to preserve meticulously, for she knew replacing it would be a burden too heavy for her meager savings.

This shared reality echoed among the other maids serving within the mansion as well. Their circumstances necessitated them to handle each garment with a careful, concentrated touch, ensuring no harm would come to these symbols of wealth during the laundry process. Their diligent efforts played a crucial role in maintaining the mansion's sophisticated air, even if it was often unseen or unacknowledged.

Following each laundry session, the head maid took on the responsibility of inspecting the cleaned clothes, ensuring each garment had been properly tended to. As she undertook this task, the rest of the maids congregated, filling the time with idle chatter and shared stories

Despite the grandeur of the Chief's Mansion, it didn't house many inhabitants, hence the laundry work and the number of maids required were comparatively fewer. The group responsible for the task consisted of just five maids, including Alexa.

As they waited around, one of the maids finally broke the silence. "Hey Alexa," she began, her voice carrying a teasing lilt, "hasn't the Young Master been getting more mature and stronger? You must feel blessed and happy." The maid who posed the question was named Lydia, a good-natured woman known for her easy laughter and lively conversations.

Lydia often found it amusing to tease Alexa, mainly due to her youthful innocence. Despite the good-natured jabs, there was no malice in Lydia's actions. Quite the opposite; she had a soft spot for the young girl.

When Alexa first arrived at the manor, it was Lydia who took it upon herself to ensure the newcomer felt welcomed. During those initial, daunting days, Lydia had made a special effort to help Alexa acclimate, smoothing her transition into her role as a maid in the Chief's Mansion.

Caught off guard by Lydia's playful comment, Alexa blinked in surprise before letting out a soft laugh. "Lydia, you're always full of teasing," she responded, shaking her head. "But yes, Young Master has been training hard."

Lydia chuckled at Alexa's retort, not missing a beat. "That's true, that's true," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "The Young Master really is dedicated. His training regimen is so intense! Why, even my nephew, who's at the 2nd stage of the Pre-Practitioner realm, hardly practices as much."

The admiration in Lydia's voice was clear, a reflection of the respect they all held for Jasper's dedication, despite the casual, playful nature of their conversation.

From the corner of the room, another voice chimed in, a slightly sharper tone that cut through the friendly banter. "Hey, by any chance, has the Young Master's aura already awakened?" The question came from a maid named Bernice a maid two years older than Alex. A woman with a reputation for her less-than-friendly demeanor.

Bernice and Alexa had crossed paths under unfavorable circumstances in the past, resulting in a frosty relationship between the two. Bernice's question hung in the air, her voice carrying an undercurrent of insinuation that seemed to challenge the easy atmosphere that had just moments before filled the room.

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Adding another jab to her already pointed inquiry, Bernice continued, her voice dripping with false concern, "I mean, even if he did awaken his aura, I doubt it. If he had, why wouldn't the Chief announce it?"

She paused for a moment, a smirk playing on her lips before she added the final sting, "So much training with seemingly no progress... could it be that Young Master Jasper is simply... untalented?"

Her words hung in the air, a blatant challenge thrown towards Alexa and a harsh critique of Jasper's efforts, a stark contrast to the friendly chatter that had filled the room only moments ago.

Bernice's provocative statement lingered in the room, casting an uncomfortable pall over the group. Sensing the conversational shift, the other two maids hastily retreated, anxiety apparent on their faces.

Bernice's audacity had crossed a line; she hadn't only referred to Jasper without the due respect of his title, but had also belittled his efforts and questioned his talent. Such impertinence, if reported to the wrong ears, could lead to her termination, or in extreme cases, even her execution!

The other maids, fearing association with Bernice's reckless comments, wanted nothing to do with it. The room, previously filled with the comfortable hum of friendly banter, now echoed with a heavy silence, each maid deeply aware of the precarious situation Bernice's words had created.

Lydia, who had maintained a stoic silence throughout Bernice's tirade, finally found her voice. Her usual light-hearted demeanor was replaced with a stern countenance as she addressed Bernice directly.

"Bernice," Lydia began, her tone icy, "Such disrespect towards Young Master Jasper is completely unacceptable. We, as servants of this manor, are expected to show due respect and deference to our betters. It is not our place to question his efforts or talent."

She paused, locking eyes with Bernice. "And it is certainly not within your rights to critique him so openly. Not only is it disrespectful, but it also risks our livelihoods here. Words have consequences, Bernice, and those you've just spoken can have grave ones."

Lydia's rebuke echoed in the silence, a stark reminder of the boundaries that Bernice had so blatantly crossed.

Unsettled by Lydia's stern reprimand, Bernice decided to push the envelope further by goading Alexa, the main target of her disdain. "Well, Alexa," she sneered, "Isn't your beloved Young Master proving to be a disappointment, despite all your efforts?"

At these words, something in Alexa snapped. She'd held her tongue throughout Bernice's impertinent remarks, but this blatant insult was the last straw. Anger boiling over, she stomped up to Bernice, her gaze piercing.

"Mmmph," she scoffed before retorting, "What would you know, Bernice?!" Her voice resounded in the room, silencing all other murmurs. "Young Master Jasper has already awakened his aura a long time ago! In fact, he's probably the most talented individual in the entire village. How dare you, someone of your stature, utter such words!"

Alexa's defense of Jasper was impassioned and vehement, a stark contrast to her usually reserved demeanor.

Bernice's face fell at Alexa's vehement response. The room fell into a stunned silence, the other maids looking at each other in shock. None of them had seen Alexa react with such fervor before. Bernice, who was used to instigating with little consequence, was momentarily speechless.

However, Bernice wasn't one to back down easily. Recovering from her surprise, she retorted, "Oh, really? And how would you know that? Has the Young Master confided in you, Alexa?" Her words were edged with mockery, but underneath lay an undeniable hint of jealousy.

Before Alexa could respond, Lydia stepped between them. "That's enough, Bernice!" she admonished. "It's clear you've forgotten your place. I suggest you remember it before others have to remind you." Her gaze was hard, her tone stern, clearly signaling the end of the argument.

With that, Lydia steered Alexa away, leaving Bernice to contemplate her actions. Meanwhile, the other maids breathed a collective sigh of relief, glad the confrontation hadn't escalated further.

As the tension gradually faded, they returned to their duties, the hum of activity restoring the normalcy that Bernice's contentious words had disrupted. Yet, the events of the afternoon had undoubtedly stirred the tranquil life of the maids in the Chief's Mansion, sparking undercurrents that would resonate long after the day was over.

Alexa's impassioned defense of Jasper had a ripple effect within the intimate society of the Chief's Mansion. By the time evening descended upon them, whispers of Jasper's alleged aura awakening filled the servants' quarters. It was a rumor too enticing to be contained, a secret too captivating to be kept.

In the heart of the mansion, Cline sat in his private study, a scroll spread out on the desk before him. The evening was usually a time of solitude and quiet reflection for the village chief, but tonight was different. The head maid entered the room, her face etched with concern. "Chief Cline," she began, her voice wavering slightly, "there's a rumor circulating among the maids..."

As the words spilled from the head maid, detailing Alexa's outburst and Bernice's provocation, Cline's face turned grave. His son's secret, he realized, had escaped the confines of their tight-knit circle. A slow sigh escaped his lips. They had been careful, so careful...