Chapter 16 - Act Of Cunningness

Hazel wanted to applaud at her act. Rene was more cunning than she had thought! She knew that if she went against her and rejected her then others would take her as heartless and rude. But if she would accept Rene then Amelia and Rene would be great while she would be labelled as a pampered and selfish girl who could only think about her benefit.

She was standing on a thin ice sheet again. She had to accept that Amelia was too old and experienced in this game while she was just a new player who did not even know the rules.

She could see in the eyes of Rene, that prideful smirk of winning the game. Hazel clenched her hands into a fist. She would not give up easily this time.

"Then I have to thank my little sister who always thinks about me. But I did not want to be a heartless and selfish girl who only thinks about herself. So, i will send my maids in exchange to her. Though I am afraid that she was not as competent as you are.`` Hazel spoke in an apologetic tone as if she was too embarrassed to offer her maid.

"That would not be needed. Young Miss has many other maids to serve her. You did not need to worry about that." Rene assured as she knew that Amelia would be furious to see this old and ugly lady in her chamber when Hazel started crying

She was dumbfound to see the sobs of the dumb girl. She was at a loss of words on how the situation changed to this!

"I know, Amelia has many servants. Mother loves Amelia too much to give her a personal chain of staff. But I have only had Anna as my servant since the start.

Then I can only give her my respect for her kind gesture. What shall I do? Shall I pledge to serve her when I become completely fine instead?" Her muffled cries and loud voice brought the attention of the whole staff as they were sitting in the dining hall. She was normally not allowed to go there. But her father had accepted her whims and gave her permission to roam in every nook and corner of the palace. So, she decided to take as much as she could of the offer.

Though she was crying that she could not return the favor to her sister. She reminded everyone that she was treated as pauper while her sister was treated as princess in the palace. So she had nothing to give while Amelia could pay anything whenever she wanted as she had been given so much from the palace.

"Do not worry, lady Amelia would not mind."

"Yes, yes. She had a lot of staff so she would not face any trouble while Rene would not be there. But you have no one Except Anna, so how can you give her?"

"I agree, it was unfair from the start. You should have an equal number of staff. So, don't fret over it.'' Rene was shocked to see that the whole staff was taking her side. Though what they were telling was true. It was still the first time that they realized it. If this continued then lady Amelia would not be treated as the kindest soul in the palace.

She bit her lips as she tried to find a solution to the increasing favor of staff towards Hazel.

Hazel kept looking at Rene with her eyes hung low. She knew that Rene would take the bait.

"Come on, rene. Speak up." Hazel kept chanting this in her heart like a chant.

"But we should not forget that I am the head maid and closest to young miss. Yet she did not hesitate to send me personally. There is no one as kind as my young miss in the whole palace." Rene spoke righteously and an evil smile formed on the face of Hazel.

Things could not have gone any better. She could see the speechlessness on their faces. This was her time to shine. An evil smirk formed on her face which was soon replaced by a weak and vulnerable girl.

"Yes. I am sorry for being a nuisance all your life. But I can not bear to be more selfish. That is why I will steal my heart and return you to my sister." replied Hazel righteously as she shook her head.

That was when Rene realized that she had fallen into her own trap. But it was still not late. She could easily win from a naive and dumb girl.

"What are you saying, elder miss? Young Miss is too worried about you. You are not able to manage everything. You can't be too stubborn just to show that you are not selfish. You should realize that you need a servant to serve you.'' Though she spoke presumptuously, many servants agreed with her. They could help Hazel with common things but they could not be with her 24/7 as they had their other responsibilities of the palace too. They were not her personal staff. So, it would be better to have a young maid personally for her.

Hazel knew that this was about to come, so she was already prepared for the show. She wiped her tears, from her trembling hands. She was looking like an epitome of a weak girl for while anyone could develop a protective feeling.

Her supple white skin and her splendid beauty when mixed with those soft expressions and tears, create a feeling of concern and care and cherish her. She knew that they had fallen for her act completely.

"I understand. And I didn't want to be trouble for everyone, that is why I have thought of a solution." she spoke in a low voice, getting everyone's attention on her. even Rene looked at her with curiousity.

"I will take a normal young girl from her staff rather than her head maid."