It has been two days after the event took place and everyone in the empire was still talking about the possible union of the two houses.

Shelly who has been hearing the rumor become ridiculous and exaggerated is worried about her lady Francheska's thoughts as Shelly observes her unfazed reaction reading the brochure of the news about her.

"my lady, your food is still piping hot-- your mental physic would be better after eating," Shelly announced inside the room which caught her lady's attention.

"My thank you, Shelly, my stomach was starting to grumble-- What's with that look on your face Shelly, did something happen to you on your way here?" Francheska folded the brochure back to its look and set it aside on her desk. Standing up from her chair, Francheska made her way to her usual seat as Shelly handed her a meal.

Shelly who's guilt written over her face could not contain the words to herself and just let out her concern for her lady.

"My apologies my lady, I'm just really worried about the word being spread around lately it could--" but before she could finish a loud laugh from her lady interrupted her sentence.

"I'm sorry for laughing, I swear my intention was not to mock your concern. I just really find those rumors or whatever this person wrote about me in this paper is just pure entertainment-- do you not find these amusing Shelly?"

Shelly's brows knitted in confusion, finding the question very odd. This is the first time Shelly has seen a person this happy about people talking behind their back.

"if I may speak out my thoughts my lady, I do not personally like rumors about me spreading throughout the entire empire to sip tea and talk in their day," Shelly stated as she looked at the shiny porcelain floor of the room, she just could not have the courage to look at her lady's eyes.

"I used to think like you about rumors-- it does wound me, but now it is just entertaining how these people portray me from a distance..." Francheska took a glance at Shelly's face and it was evident how her words were alarming to her. Grabbing her cup as if to wash down what she just said.

"Shelly these are the times when doing nothing can save us. If I dare make a move on them-- everything will only become worse."

"Forgive my rudeness my lady but you are a noble and a Hartpinjer you can just--"

"Find them, give them a threat, and make them eat their own words?" Francheska looked up to Shelly. "That too has crossed my mind, but that is wrong Shelly. Forcing a person against their will would be me taking away their freedom, happiness, and everything."

After what Francheska had said, Shelly then realized how she had forgotten about her lady's age-- that Francheska was still a kid and that the people of this empire created a heavy burden and forced a kid to carry that load.

Francheska, who was staring idly at the rim of her cup, was cut short as she heard gentle sobs coming out of her dear maid.

"My lady, I'm so sorry." Shelly's cries were loud now. The maid then went to her knees, begging to be forgiven.

"It is alright Shelly, no need to prostrate yourself, get up," Francheska said, patting the maid's head to at least lift her head to face her.

"I should have been better my lady, I'm the older one here but I kept doing immature things, and yet you who are still young can have an understanding of the complicated world of adults."

Francheska was stunned, 'probably because I already experienced a lifetime before…’ The lady wanted to tell her that but that would be useless information.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Letting a scuff out of Francheska, “I guess my teachers taught me the best-” Shelly who suddenly got up and snapped to her senses, “-Shelly did the duchess finally hire the professional dancer to teach me?”

Wiping her tears off her cheek, she scurried her way to the tray piled with letters that recently arrived.

“Here it is my lady.” Shelly raised the letters for her lady to see.

Franceska was relieved to see the unfamiliar seal wax, but another thing crossed her mind.

“Shelly, did ‘his’ letter arrive as well?” the lady asked, to which her maid could only smirk in response.

“Highness’ letter is here my lady.”

“No, the letter that you should personally get.”

“Ah. that one…” Shelly said as she grabbed her pocket to assure her lady that she indeed got the letter too.

For some reason, something is stirring inside Shelly’s stomach about this letter.

A day ago, Lady Francheska gave her an errand to forward a letter, she assumed it was for the crown prince but turns out it was for the commoner she had met in the festival. At the moment it sounded inappropriate for two individuals to share letters– especially with a commoner. Even though Shelly was in no position to tell, she still pushed her thoughts and that the best act to reward the commoner was by letting one of their guards hand money. Surprisingly her lady’s reaction was odd, Francheska strongly opposes the idea and that Shelly should be the one and never let a single soul know about it. Shelly then sucked a breath and made her way to do her task– after journeying to the town and locating the house Shelly knocked on the door, and a young lad greeted her. She did not give him any introduction but directly gave him the letter, however, the wax seal gave away and the lad called Shelly out and handed her his letter.

“Please give this to her– my apologies, umm to my lady, and that I send my regards.” He awkwardly laughs at the end of his sentence.

Looking down at the tattered folded paper, Shelly raised an eyebrow at how no effort this commoner had in communicating with her lady. Nonetheless, as a maid, she still took the letter and gave the letter to her lady when she finally reached the mansion.

Even with a cold expression, the image of her lady Francheska receiving the letter still burned in the back of her head– her face lit up like it was the greatest gift her lady had ever received, and right now– her expression was like the moment.

Shelly who gave the letters next to her lady’s side, her lips moved like fish– wanting to interrupt her lady’s excitement and yet no words came out.

‘I might be misunderstanding things. My lady is still young so she might forget that commoner soon but– my lady isn’t like any other ladies…’

It seems Francheska noticed her silence that when they locked eyes Shelly could only smile in return.

“Shelly, how about you open his highness’ letter and read it aloud? Hearing his thoughts while I eat will give me much more energy.” Francheska said as she resumed her plate and she started her breakfast.

Shelly then obeyed her lady, as she carefully undid the wax seal and pulled out the letter for her to read. As she read the letter, Shelly could hardly comprehend or pronounce some words but it sure did amuse her lady so much that she seemed to gestured her to make her voice louder.

Then, the door suddenly burst open– showing Lady Marinette’s presence.

“SHUT IT, YOU DAMN MAID!” Marinette screeched.

There was a short pause, but Fancheska broke the tension, “Go on, continue. I’m intrigued by what the next phase will be.” Her lady, beaming with excitement and mischievousness, smiled at her maid who was having cold sweat.

“...these days, the flowers blooming in my garden could only remind me of you as if you were here in my humble abode– your presence lingers like the air I breathe–”

Marinette then pushed one of the vases near her to crash down onto the porcelain floor as she stomped her way to the hallway.

Shelly flinched that she was not able to finish the sentence.

Next to her, Francheska laughed at what just transpired.

“It is alright Shelly, I will continue the rest.” Francheska then stood up from her seat and gently took the letter away from Shelly’s hand.

“I’m sorry my lady, we spoiled your breakfast, we should have secured the door for anyone to interrupt you.”

“No no no, do not apologize. I intended to spoil my sister’s day– it made my day much brighter.” Francheska comforted her as she rubbed the back of her maid.

Shelly could only bow before her lady, as she made her way to gather servants to help her clean the broken fragments of the vase.

They returned to finish what they were doing and Shelly could only think about the ragged letter that her lady discreetly pocketed. The more she pondered about it, it was unusual– as if her lady and the commoner had the same idea from the beginning.

Shelly wished she could take a peek at that letter.