“You should be rewarded to stay loyal to me and serve me diligently even in so much pressure!”
“That.. that is not needed, your majesty. We are only doing our duties!” though they both shook their heads in denial, Hazel could see a look of anticipation in their eyes and smiled inwardly.
“Oh why? I am grateful for your loyalty. It is a token of appreciation. You should not deny it!” walking in, she picked up her jewel box and took out two ruby hair pins from it.
She looked at them with cold eyes. These are the minor jewels her family has given her in her marriage. She had thought that these jewels would only be mocking her and she had no use for them.
But who would have thought that they would be so useful one day!
“Here, these would look beautiful on you. Try them and show me!” She could see the look of greed that they were trying to cover through fake hesitation but soon gave up on the pretense and took it when they noticed her impatience.
“Then.. thank you, my lady!” with the glimmering eyes, they put them on her hair and then looked at her with anticipation like a kid who wanted to show off her new things so that she could get a lot of compliments.
Hazel’s smile broadened. She had never thought that it would be this easy!
“See! I have told you, you both look beautiful.” looking at their beaming faces, she sneered in her heart.
She knew how reluctant they were to serve her and how half heartedly they helped her when no one was around.
“Thank you, my lady. We are grateful for the gifts!” gifts! Ha! How delusional… did they think that they are equal and that she would give them things?
They did not even use the word rewards or bonus? Just how high they think of themselves or how small she was in their eyes. She sneered but maintained that amiable look on her face.
“Hmm, but it is not enough! I can see how tired you are. So, I am thinking of appointing two new maids who would work under you.
That way you would only need to instruct them and did not need to do everything by themselves! But..” Hazel took a big sigh as if she was feeling troubled and took the attention of the girls who were floating in the clouds due to so many compliments and getting upgraded as the head maids.
“But what.. My lady?” The dream was so fulfilling that they could not let it go. They have to change it into reality no matter what.
Looking at the look of anticipation and worry on their faces, Hazel knew that she had already won half of the race.
“But what if they were like the other three maids that tried to target me with their cheap tricks.
How could they think that I have not noticed it! I asked Rafael to punish them for me. But it is troublesome to ask for his favor every time i want to punish one of you!” The face that was beaming with greed and joy turned stiff and pale in a second as if the sunny day was suddenly covered with dark clouds.
She could feel how the insects were entering into the cobweb thinking that they were fooling the spider while the reality was far away from their eyes.
“Then.. what should we do, my lady?” they should not have hoped at the first place now they were feeling disappointed!
They should go and do their duties or they would feel more annoyed if they continued to hear further.
“Hmm, there is a solution!” tapping her cheeks, Hazel looked at them with a sudden smile that brought confusion on their faces.
They were sure no maid of the palace would serve her willingly. Even if they were forced, she would only listen to the commands of lady Scarlet and play tricks on her wherever necessary.
Even they were part of it too. They were just glad that due to their fearful nature, they have not taken part in any scheme actively or else they would have been dead too.
“Solution.. My lady?” they asked with a tone of disbelief as they looked at her who nodded her head with a solemn face as if she had solved the biggest puzzle.
“Yes, if we hire someone who is already working in the palace, she would never be loyal enough to listen to your orders as she would take you as an equal.
But if we find someone new and tell them you are their head, they would accept it readily. What do you say?” she asked in a soft tone as if she was asking them for their views whose eyes sparkled as they nodded their head.
“That would be a great idea, my lady. We are sure new maids would not have any influence on Lady Scarlet and then they would listen to what you said!” Both nodded their heads readily but Hazel frowned once again and shook her head.
“But what if all the girls for the interview were sent by them. Then new maids would be with them too!” she took an audible sigh as if she was giving up but as she covered her face, a mocking laugh formed on her face.
“Then.. how about we mix a few of the local girls in them. I am sure the lady would not be able to interfere if you would be the one choosing the maid, my lady.” one of them replied while the other nodded her head.
“Lady Scarlet is afraid of my lord and you have lord’ favor. She would not confront you directly. So, if you find the right candidate she would not be able to stop you.“ They both looked at Hazel with pleading eyes who sighed.
“Alright, if that is what you think! Then I will leave the matter to you. Hope you will bring naive girls from the local towns for me.“ This was easier than I thought!