Farewell Noble Ladies

*Author pov*

As the morning sun cast an orange glow the Westallia palace, the air hummed with whispered secrets and veiled intentions.They stepped into the maid residence kitchen. Reem spotted them instantly. Her eyes widened, and she dashed toward them, enveloping them in a tight hug.

"Saerom and Eveline!"

Reem exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief and curiosity.

"The dorm has been empty without you two fighting."

Eveline grinned.

"We missed you too,"

She replied, her gaze flickering toward Saerom. They shared a silent understanding—a pact forged in secrecy.

Reem's curiosity bubbled over.

"How was it, visiting your relatives" she asked,

Saerom chimed in,

"Yes, yes. It was fun visiting our aunt."

Reem raised an eyebrow.

"How come you two have the same aunt if you're not related?" Reem inquired.

Eveline explained,

"Well, since we grew up together, we've known each other since we were like 5 or 6 years old. The Aunt we visited is a very close family friend of our parents."

She said, her tone light. But it was a half-truth, a veil woven to conceal their true purpose.

Saerom added,

"That's why we call her 'aunt' even though we're not blood-related."

Reem accepted their explanation, unaware that the bank vaults held their real destination. . .

The three of them continued toward the opulent Westallia palace, As they entered the mansion grand foyer, Claire and Jennifer swept past them. Their faces hidden behind delicate fans. Their glares, especially aimed at Eveline and Saerom, spoke volumes.

Lady Claire and Lady Jennifer, adorned in elegant dresses spoke in volumes as how they love to show off, was no strangers to intrigue.

Following closely behind were Duke Akai and Duke Zella, their purpose evident. Zella's smile widened when he spotted Saerom. She arched an eyebrow, her skepticism palpable.

"Why are you smiling like a fool?" she whispered.

Zella's response was unapologetic.

"What else should I do? I'm ecstatic to have seen your beautiful face before I leave."

Jennifer, ever watchful, clung possessively to Duke Zella's arm.

"Does this maid bother you?" she asked, her voice dripping with disdain.

Saerom rolled her eyes, knowing Jennifer felt threatened by her assertiveness.

"Your grace, my lady," she said, her voice cold, "have a delightful trip to the town."

Jennifer's seductive touch on Zella's arm only fuelled Saerom's audacity for her attempt, making Saerom jealous, which caused her to be disgust.

Meanwhile, Eveline's gaze met Duke Akai's, and they exchanged a silent nod. Reem, too, greeted Duke Akai respectfully.

Claire's voice interrupted their interactions. "We have to hurry—the carriage awaits,"

she urged, her hostility directed at Eveline. As the Lady Claire, Duke Akai, Lady Jennifer, and Duke Zella departed,

Eveline and Saerom slipped away toward the palace garden. Robert, the aging gardener, greeted them with a knowing smile.

"Today's mission is kind of easy,"

he said cryptically. The girls exchanged glances, curiosity piqued.

"How easy are we talking about?" Saerom asked, concern flickering in her eyes.

Robert chuckled.

"We're just going to water the grass,"

he revealed.

"It's been neglected for too long."

But as they set off, Robert's voice halted them.

"Not just the grass," he added, mischief twinkling in his eyes.

"The entire garden around the palace. It'll take forever."

Eveline sighed.

"I knew it. Robert's missions are never easy."

Saerom, a touch annoyed, added,

"And this old man disappeared again this time."

The two girls shared a knowing laugh before heading toward the fountain, buckets in hand.

Meanwhile, in Gray Agatnez, the carriage came to a halt. Akai and Zella, ever the attentive gentlemens, assisted Claire and Jennifer as they disembarked. The quartet strolled through the streets, their noble status evident in their demeanour. Jennifer, however, couldn't help but voice her discontent:

"Ugh, there's nothing to shop for here, especially for people like us."

Claire nodded in agreement, her eyes catching the dukes' attention. Annoyance etched on their faces, they remained silent. Claire wisely kept her mouth shut, knowing when to choose her battles.

The decision was made to enter a clothing shop, where an elderly couple warmly welcomed them. The old woman complimented Claire and Jennifer's beauty, but Claire's forced smile faded as soon as the lady turned away.

Moments later, the elderly woman returned, clothes in hand. She suggested they would look lovely on the two ladies. Jennifer, however, laughed in her face. Before she could respond, Zella intervened, hoping Claire and Jennifer might appreciate the gesture.

But Jennifer's disdain was palpable as she flung the clothes to the floor, declaring,

"I'll never let stuff by commoners touch my body."

Claire, more subtle, conveyed her agreement through her expressive golden eyes, hidden behind her fan.

The elderly couple watched with sadness as the rude noblewomen exited the shop. But Akai, ever the gentleman, retrieved the discarded garments from the floor. He then pulled out five thousand Rubire from his pocket, offering it to the old lady as compensation for the ruined items. As they stepped back into the sunlight, the lady stared at the money in her hand, her reaction bordering on the comical:

"OMG, that's a lot!"

Even if she bought the entire shop, it would still be too much.

Claire and Jennifer found nothing that truly piqued their interest during their stroll. Disappointed, they decided to return.

Horse-drawn carriage and disappeared into the mansion. Zella assisted the girls as they alighted. Claire, ever observant, couldn't help but notice Akai's annoyance. She mused to herself, "If Jennifer hadn't acted that way, he'd be smiling at me right now."

Meanwhile, Duke Zella stood there, fed up, staring at Jennifer aloofly as she walked toward the mansion.

Back in the garden, Eveline and Saerom, two spirited souls, wrestled with the unruly hose. Determined to water the grass themselves, they grappled with its unwieldy coils. But they were also puzzled over how to connect it to the fountain.

Upstairs, Akai ascended to the second floor, and Zella followed him. On the balcony outside Akai's office, the two men leaned against the wrought-iron railing, their arms resting on the edges. Akai's gaze shifted to the garden below, and a second later, Zella's did too. They maintained silence as they watched Eveline and Saerom struggle with the hose, their laughter echoing through the air

Eveline, mischief dancing in her eyes, approached the fountain and clicked something—a hidden mechanism, perhaps. Saerom's voice interrupted the tranquility as water exploded in her face. Eveline's laughter was short-lived, as she experienced the same fate. Now both stood there, their tops soaked, and the men couldn't suppress their smiles.

Saerom retaliated by splashing water on Eveline's skirt, playfully blaming her for the mishap. Eveline hesitated for a moment, then reciprocated, and soon the girls launched into a water fight, running around the garden like mischievous sprites. After a while, they stopped, both drenched but exhilarated. Eveline quipped,

"At least the grass is watered now."

Suddenly, Michelle's voice cut through the scene, and the girls turned off the water, hurrying back to their caretaker , Robert.

Jennifer, oblivious to the blissful scenery the duke enjoyed, entered Akai`s office. She approached Zella, who looked at her with disdain.

Jennifer asked if he wanted to take a walk in the garden. Zella, unfazed by her invitation, declined, citing work to be done. Jennifer nodded slowly and uttered temptingly,

"If you need me, I will be in my room."

She walked off, leaving Zella disturbed

Akai, the silent observer, asked Zella,

"You have to tell Jennifer that you are not serious with her."

Zella sighed, frustration etching his features.

"I have told her many times, but she doesn't want to listen."

Akai leaned against the railing, staring out into the distance.

"What about you and Claire? Shouldn't you tell her and make things clear?"

Zella asked. Akai hesitated, torn between duty and desire. His relationship with Claire was a order, orchestrated by their parents. But suddenly, a vivid memory flashed in his mind—the feel of Eveline in his arms, her soft skin, her delicate scent. His heart skipped a beat.

He shook his head, banishing the thought.

"What am I thinking?"

he muttered. But Zella caught the flicker of emotion in Akai's eyes, he could tell that his friend was thinking about somebody special. Zella remembered the day, he spotted Akai carrying a girl in his arms.

Meanwhile, Jennifer sought solace in Claire's room.

"I'm going to miss my dear Zella," she confessed.

"I really don't want to leave."

Her gaze shifted to Claire, and she added, "And those two maids—the elephant one and her friend—I never trust them."

Claire, always calculating, had a plan. She led Jennifer down to Michelle's office, where Lexi was buried in paperwork.

"Lexi,"

Claire greeted with a warm smile, interrupting the sea of documents spread before her.

"Would you mind taking a break and joining us for some tea?"

Lexi looked up, surprised by the interruption but nodded, intrigued by the unexpected invitation of the nobles ladies. As they settled in, Claire engaged Lexi in casual conversation, effortlessly weaving her way through topics until she had Lexi feeling comfortable and relaxed.

Then, with the finesse of a seasoned manipulator, Claire subtly revealed her plan.

"From now on, Lexi, you are our ears and eyes," she declared, her voice soft yet commanding.

The promise of inclusion and importance, paired with Claire's persuasive smile, worked its magic on Lexi. She felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of being valued and trusted by Claire and Jennifer.

Jennifer chimed in, her voice steady and supportive.

"Remember, if you do a good job, we'll reward you,"

She reminded Lexi, emphasising the potential benefits of their arrangement.

Lexi's gratitude overflowed as she expressed her genuine appreciation to Claire and Jennifer,

As the hours passed, the maids stationed at the entrance observed Claire and Jennifer's departure. Eveline, pragmatic as ever, questioned their presence. Saerom, who had once scoffed at this duty, now admired Eveline's insight.

Outside, Akai and Zella waited. Claire stepped into the open air, torn between Akai and Eveline. She hugged Akai tightly, whispering,

"I'll miss you." Her eyes lingered on Eveline, who stood nearby.

Jennifer held Zella's hand, but Zella's gaze was fixed on Saerom. As Jennifer chatted with him, Saerom pulled a lollipop from her pocket, her silent message clear: "What are you looking at?"

Michelle welcomed the ladies' visit, anticipating their return. Akai assisted Claire into the carriage, while Zella did the same for Jennifer. As the carriage pulled away, Kasper—the tomcat who had witnessed it all—bid farewell to Bella, Claire's cat.

"Until we meet again, my love," he mewed, "remember my handsome face."

Everyone had returned to their duties, except.

Eveline, left standing alone, cradled Kasper in her arms. Akai watched her, caught in her emerald gaze. Her voice broke the silence:

"Can you please move?"

He stepped aside, allowing her passage to the kitchen. As she disappeared from view, Akai grappled with his own emotions. What was wrong with me today?