140 Chapter 140. Seeking death - 2

He faintly got an idea about whom they were talking about as he heard them calling the princess name and his ears sure caught few words along the way, allowing him to connect the dots, however, the whole picture isn't clear to him. 

So he took a chance and got closer to them, and finally stood behind the wall, to eavesdrop their conversation. However, to his surprise, as soon as he halted his steps and thought he could hear whatever they were talking about, their conversation too halted. 

The young maid stopped with an incomplete sentence, following it Shirley turned around reflexively. 

A crease formed on Peter's forehead, as he didn't hear any movement from them, after as soon as he reached closer to them. Both maids didn't utter a word. Shirley trying to note the situation, while her brain processing to come up with a suitable lie, which other party would buy. 

Shirley didn't know who was behind the wall, hiding there, but one thing she is sure about is, the person must have surely not understood much from their conversation yet, and she still got a chance to slip out of the situation in ease.

She began to weigh all possibilities. If it's a maid or servant, then they wouldn't have to worry about explaining themselves. But what if it's an official or a trust worthy guard? Atmost, they will be scolded for talking about the Royal's behind their back. To her, that much scolding is nothing, and she knew, no official will be interested to visit servant quarters, so she slided that option off her shoulder.

While Shirley is trying her best to think of a solution and into reasoning, the young maid behind her didn't understand anything that's happening around, only letting confusion fill inside her. 

Peter didn't barge in immediately, he took his time to know that the other party has alerted. He knew, there's no point in playing hide and seek behind the wall. So he came out, his angry this time got no bounds to it, " Preposterous, do you have death wish? " He shouted at them on top of his lungs. 

The young maid's eyes widened in shock, her body began to shiver in fright as she hung her head low in fear, that's the normal reaction any servant would have, but that isn't what surprised the young man stood in front of them. He only surprised when he faced the still well composed, calm Shirley. It's as if, she didn't make any mistakes, stood like an righteous player there. 

Peters eyes twitched, amazed at her acting skills. He got no words to describe her wonderful performance, but that's not the main point now. So he immediately sent his mind into right tracks, stopping it from wandering around with useless thoughts. 

Shirley bowed her head, without lifting her head, knowing well that she didn't get his permission to do so, she continued her stance, " Sir Peter, We were talking about her highness, princess Aeinshia, " She replied back, without any hint of nervousness or surprise in her tone. 

To be Frank, facing Peter truly surprised her. She did thought about the possibility of an official to prey on their conversation, but the likely chances were too thin and thought it might be a curious gossipy maid, who found them by chance, wandering around.

So the end result is unexpected, nonetheless, she didn't loss her cool and faced him. She knew, beating around the bush doesn't do any good to her, nor to that junior of her. In fact, it will only make them lose the situation. She knew, Peter isn't an easy opponent to sway away with one or two lies, even if they did, he will surely act along with them at the moment and make them his targets. So Shirley got to play safe here and play tacitly now. 

Peter raised his eyebrow, stunned listening her response. Shirley admitted it so easily, unlike what he thought. This act sure raised his doubts on her, nonetheless, he got no proofs to prove his suspicion, and could only let Shirley's and the other maid's guard down for now, acting along with the situation for now. 

Peter smiled alittle, his face not showing any of his thoughts out, " You can raise your head, " He ordered. Only then, both maid's raised their head, to face the young man. 

After getting an immediate reaction from them, he continued his incomplete dialogue, " You do know what you are doing right? " He asked again, this time his voice high, leaving the other young maid to shook in fear. 

Shirley felt amused witnessing this young maid's reactions from time to time. Just a while ago, this little junior of her played all high and cheeky, whereas now, facing an official, her tail bent down, shivering like a dog in the corner. This told that this junior still didn't have an idea how life of an black paw works and what dangers lie here. This reaction just shows her incompetency and lack of experience, or simply to say, fear of death. 

Shirley threw into a for of laughter inside herself, knowing pretty well that she is facing Peter. She need to answer carefully, or else both he's and that little juniors life would be threatened this second of the day. 

Listening to Peter's question, both the maid's nodded their head in acknowledgment. 

It wasn't any shocking to Peter anymore, so he simply decided to continue, " Since you already know what you are doing, then don't you know what falls upon you when you talk about a imperial member behind them? " He asked. 

Both the maid's stood their, in silence. Taking their silence as they knew, he didn't waste his time. Even if he got any complaints,  the most he could do is to punish them with few beatings or make them lose their jobs or not allow anyone to feed them any food for few days as he didn't really know what they discussed that shouldn't be discussed, limiting his actions of punishing them. Matters here handl d based on proofs. So he had no option to stay silent for now, but that doesn't mean he can't work with words. 

" Since you both know what punishments you receive, aren't you afraid of death? One can sue you on the name of blasphemy or behead you two. No, that's an easy punishment, how about slitting your throats? Witnessing today, I guess you don't value your life I think, how about I take action on you guys, making it a lesson for others. I am sure, people will learn quick this way, after all, fear sure makes one do things they weren't supposed to do and yet the same time, it is that same fear, which will make one do things they are supposedly to do, " He smirked as he warned them and at the same time spoke many malicious words with a smile worn on his face. 

He is the type to not use his authority over those peasants easily, he only act when he got situation bad or out of control and act when he definitely got proofs in his hands. So he decided to warn them off for now and keep an eye on them later. 

The young maid kept a wronged expression, while Shirley didn't budge any reaction on her face. 

Watching them, he spoke his monologue, clearly understanding, they won't open their mouths unless he left them with no choice, " I am willing to give you two a chance. My generosity got its limits. I pretend nothing happened if any of you both explain the situation, " He carefully formed the question, not letting them know that he wasn't aware about the topic they were discussing earlier. 

Shirley smirked inside. 

' Ho, so you were the type who throws a rock blindly to hit the cup? Interesting, you sure know how to work with words and let others have the losing end. Even I can't stand playing against you. You sure are a good player, successful in gaining the truth out of my own mouth, pretending you know everything that happened here. Yet, only me and you knows, that you don't know anything, ' Shirley scoffed inside, but admired this young man's talent for his ways to let out the truth come out. 

Before he got any reply, he warned them again, reminding them in what situation they were in, " I hold both of you accountable for the mistake. The one who spilled the news is as much as at fault when compared to the person who seeked the information. No lies entertained at this point, " He told to them, thinking they might try to sell some random story. 

Well, If it's that case, then he sure could catch them right this moment and present them before the emperor. He only mentioned about talking regarding an imperial member, and didn't mention Aeinshia's name in his any dialogue. So if they were to lie, then he could surely catch their lie.

In fact, Even if they conversed about an imperial member, why they would be afraid to explain if they were not upto any bad? They will only lie to hide their true intentions, so Peter is anxiously waiting for their reply. He wants to know their purpose, since things already came to this point. 

He would like to test Shirley. He would like to know, whether she is upto any good or not. If she really approached Aeinshia with malicious intentions, then the problem is quite serious. He really couldn't imagine the future if that was the case.