A faint chill clung to Cassie’s bones as she moved through the east wing’s corridors, her arms still aching from the night’s work. Only when she entered the dormitory did the buzz of whispers fully register, a murmur that swirled around her like smoke. One word sliced through the haze, sharp and clear.

“Esther.”

Cassie’s focus sharpened as she passed a cluster of maids huddled near the doorway. Their voices were hushed but insistent, laced with a tension that made her pause.

“She’s furious with the Crown Prince again,” one maid murmured, glancing around as if expecting Esther herself to appear.

“More than usual?” another replied, incredulous. “What now?”

“Something about the ball. She’s demanding he make a statement of loyalty, but he won’t play along.”

Cassie slipped into her corner of the room, her expression carefully neutral. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that Esther’s frustrations, no matter their origin, were bound to spill over.

The next morning confirmed it.

The staff lined up in the grand hall, their postures stiff and their gazes fixed straight ahead. The air was heavy with the scent of beeswax and lavender polish, masking the tension that hung over them like a cloud.

Lady Esther stood before them, her gown a masterpiece of shimmering black and silver. She held herself with the poise of a queen, her sharp eyes scanning the line of maids and footmen with a predator’s intensity.

“You represent this palace,” she began, her voice calm but edged with disdain. “And by extension, you represent me.”

Her gaze swept over the line, pausing briefly on Cassie before continuing. “Excellence must be evident in every detail. Anything less is unacceptable.”

She strode forward, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor, stopping before a maid whose apron was slightly askew.

“This,” Esther said, gesturing at the offending garment, “is sloppy.” She didn’t raise her voice, but the words sliced through the silence like a blade. “If you can’t manage the basics, you’re not fit to serve.”

The maid stammered an apology, her hands trembling as she adjusted the apron.

Esther’s eyes moved on, landing on Cassie.

“And you,” she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Recite the protocol for presenting a noble’s evening meal.”

Cassie straightened. Her heart quickened, but her voice remained steady as she began, detailing each step with precise formality. Her tone was calm, her phrasing exact.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

When she finished, Esther’s smile thinned. “Adequate,” she said after a pause. “But perfection is the standard here. Don’t forget that.”

Cassie inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment, her expression neutral. Esther lingered a moment longer, as if searching for something to criticize, before moving on.

The inspection continued, but the tension between them lingered, sharp and unspoken.

It radiated extravagance, every inch adorned with luxurious details. Crystal chandeliers bathed the grand dining hall in golden light, and the polished marble floor reflected the shimmer of silk and jewels as nobles moved through the space in practiced elegance.

Cassie moved among them with practiced precision, balancing trays of wine and delicacies as the weight of their gazes barely registered. She kept her focus on her tasks, her steps careful and deliberate.

“Cassandra,” Lady Esther called, her voice cutting through the hum of conversation.

Cassie turned, her tray steady in her hands as she approached.

“Take these to the far table,” Esther said, gesturing at an array of crystal goblets and decanters. The table was at the far end of the room, the path to it narrowed by clusters of nobles deep in conversation.

Cassie’s hands tightened briefly on the tray, but her expression betrayed nothing.

“Yes, my lady,” she said.

The path was a deliberate challenge, and Cassie knew it. She moved carefully, weaving between groups of nobles with measured steps. The weight of the tray pressed into her palms, the delicate glassware teetering precariously with each movement.

A noble’s elbow brushed the tray as she passed, and the faint tinkle of glass drew a few glances, accompanied by soft chuckles.

But Cassie didn’t falter. She reached the table and set the tray down with quiet precision, her hands steady despite the strain.

From across the room, Esther watched, her sharp smile tightening as Cassie returned to her duties without a word.

Later, Esther confronted the Crown Prince in one of the side chambers, her voice low but laced with frustration.

“That maid,” she said, her tone clipped. “She refuses to bow properly or show the deference required of her station. It’s disruptive.”

The Crown Prince’s voice was calm, almost detached. “She performs her duties with exceptional competence. That is all that concerns me.”

“She undermines authority,” Esther insisted, her voice rising slightly. “If you won’t reassign her, then—”

He cut her off, his tone turning cold. “Your grievances are noted, Lady Esther. But I have no intention of sacrificing efficiency for your personal vendettas.”

Esther’s breath hitched, her anger barely contained as she turned and stormed out of the room.

The air was heavy as Cassie finished her evening duties, the corridors quieter now as the palace settled into its nocturnal rhythm. She moved with practiced efficiency, returning the last of the silver trays to the kitchens and wiping down the counters.

A faint noise drew her attention—a soft creak, barely audible over the clatter of utensils.

Cassie froze, her senses sharpening.

Lady Esther stepped into the room, her gown trailing behind her like liquid darkness. Her expression was calm, but the fire in her eyes betrayed the fury simmering beneath the surface.

“You think you’re clever,” Esther said, her voice soft but venomous. “But cleverness can only take you so far.”

Cassie straightened, her posture neutral, but her muscles tensed.

Esther stepped closer, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “You’ll regret this. I’ll make sure of it.”

Without waiting for a reply, she swept out of the room, her heels clicking sharply against the stone floor.

Cassie exhaled slowly, her pulse steadying. She glanced around the room, her gaze lingering on the shadowed corners.

The threat hung in the air, heavy and undeniable.