Casey remained silent for a moment but soon let out a long sigh.
“Yes, to become a royal maid, you need rigorous training from an early age. My father, to make me a maid in the royal palace, even as a maid to the Empress, initiated me at the age of six through the initiation of a duchess’s maid.”
The education to become a maid was diverse.
It included artistic insight like observing artworks, intellectual skills for witty conversations, adapting to different situations, and even virtues.
To master all these, countless practices and efforts were required. Etiquette was fundamental, and even proper handwriting practice was necessary.
The maids’ writing style was elegant and gentle. Though not officially published, maids secretly cultivated palace literature.
“When I became the maid of the Empress, I felt like I had everything in the world. So, the sense of loss I’m experiencing now is natural.”
Ines nodded in understanding.
“I don’t know why I’m saying these things to you, whom I just met, but I can tolerate what people say about me. However, feeling denied of my entire life is really unbearable.”
“Mrs. Hampsher.”
When Casey called her that calmly, her eyes flickered. She seemed to regret the story she had just shared.
“Please forget everything I just said.”
“Please initiate me as your maid.”
“What?”
“You are currently the closest maid to the Crown Princess in Crown Princess’s residence. So, take me to the palace. The place I want to establish myself is precisely in the royal palace.”
“But you are of age…”
Of course, she knew that it was uncommon for someone of her age to be initiated. However, she heard that even adults could become maids, and there was no fixed age for initiation.
When Casey frowned, seemingly disbelieving the statement, a maid outside asked if it was okay to start the carriage. She looked at Ines for a moment and shook her head.
“No, it won’t work. I have nothing more to say. It’s better for you to leave now.”
She then grasped the carriage handle. In a desperate tone, Ines spoke.
“Those initiated into the maid role pay a certain level of tuition to the family responsible for their education. I’ll pay the tuition in one go.”
Biting words were evident in her open statement.
“I am willing to pay the tuition even though I am old and haven’t gone through that process. Becoming a close attendant maid comes with considerable honor, but the high monthly salary and the wealth and information obtained next to the nobility are the main reasons why people prefer it, despite its unstable position.”
So, when they quit their jobs, it would inevitably become financially difficult. As far as Ines knew, the financial situation of the Olando family was not that great.
Although Casey’s face showed humiliation, she did not easily push Ines out of the carriage.
“I didn’t mean to upset you. If you could consider how desperate I am right now, I would appreciate it.”
Casey closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them. She released the doorknob she had held.
“I’ll be honest from that side, so let me ask you one thing.”
“Please ask.”
“Is that rumor true?”
“What…?”
“The rumor about you and Viscount Carson having a romantic relationship.”
Ines couldn’t help but smirk unintentionally. Casey let out a long sigh at her reaction.
“I apologize. Such a straightforward question…”
“No, I wouldn’t usually behave so recklessly. If they were really lovers, I wouldn’t have asked you to initiate me.”
Ines hesitated for a moment but couldn’t let her go like this.
“He and I dare not have a romantic relationship, but… He will never turn away from me.”
“Then ask directly to be initiated as a royal maid. If you write a letter, I will somehow deliver it.”
Ines tilted her head.
“Of course, if I make the request, it will be granted. But he is now going to become the Emperor. He will ascend to the imperial throne without causing a stir, flawless and untainted.”
As Ines spoke about Carson, a faint smile played on her face. Continuing her words, Ines’s face brightened even more.
“I was a sinner. As soon as he ascends to the throne, I cannot make him do anything against imperial law.”
“…But.”
“But being initiated as a maid does not violate the law.”
For some reason, Casey couldn’t say anything to her. Although she was a palace maid, she had never seen anyone sincerely sacrifice so much for their lord.
“You could tell your parents about it. With a lot of money, anyone would be willing to initiate you into the maid role.”
“My parents don’t even know that I exist.”
Casey let out a hollow laugh.
“Living as an initiated maid, you could rise to become a palace maid and, if lucky, enter a vacant position with a recommendation. Of course, being a former sinner could still be a problem at that time. But at least it wouldn’t violate the law.”
“Why are you so determined to enter the palace like this?”
As if waiting for that question, Ines smiled brightly. In that smile, there was no hesitation or fear.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
