[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: IKO IKO ~ SIA]
Catja raised her pinky finger to her lips, nipping it a little before she said, "Mm... who to avoid, it would surprise you to know that you should avoid everyone in the palace. What they claim to be is not really who they are. All of them discard people that serve them like they’re nothing and continue to live their lives." Catja said in a low tone. When she realized she has overstepped her boundary, she bowed her head.
"I’m sorry, Lady Panha, please don’t tell on me. I spoke out of my place," the maid apologized.
Panha sneered when she saw the maid bow, changing the look on her face immediately. She raised the maid’s head and said, "That shouldn’t bother you; I’m glad we both now share a secret because I do imagine that’s how the royal family would be. But Catja, can you tell me the reason why you said so?" Seeing that the discussion would last a little longer than usual, Panha pointed for the girl to sit while she sat down with her legs crossed.
"You think so too? Hm... like I said, I’ve been serving in the palace for a long time, and I’ve seen things happen. Before when King Khelan was crown prince, he spent most of his days with maidens in the village, and the queen dowager would punish them. Some said they were... killed." Catja said in a low tone, afraid that someone might overhear them.
Panha, who already knew this information, was not literally surprised but she had to act like it was also news to her. So, she covered her mouth as if in shock.
"You don’t say!" She exclaimed in shock, and the maid nodded, proud that she was offering shocking information. Panha decided to ask further to test the words of Almaria. She didn’t trust the woman fully.
"This is shocking, but have any maidens survived this before? I mean the queen dowager’s eradication."
Catja bit her fingers again; it was a habit whenever she was in deep thought. "Not that I’m sure. But something happened a few moons before King Khelan’s coronation; he left the palace, and everyone knew it was to go and meet with his new catch. The queen dowager went to catch him as usual, but something strange happened. Nobody died. The maids that served that day said the princess was there before they arrived. You know as maids, we don’t get all information. But also..." Catja drawled.
Panha noticed the maid was holding back something; she got up from her chair and went to sit close to the maid, holding her hands gently.
"I have always wanted to have a sister I can talk to about anything. You shouldn’t be afraid; it’s just us here. I will protect you, tell me, also what?" The sly woman coerced.
Catja bit her lips this time; what she was about to say, nobody knew about it in the palace. "The day before King Khelan’s wedding and coronation, a maiden arrived in the palace. Some maids identified her to be the one that was in the inn that day, but we were confused because the princess said it was her acquaintance. Some maids said the maiden was a concubine; I don’t know how true this is, but all I know and saw was that on the wedding eve, I saw the same maiden fighting with the princess. I reported this to the queen dowager’s then aide, but I didn’t tell them exactly who the princess was fighting with."
The maid heaved a sigh of relief; she hadn’t told anyone about this, but saying it now made her feel even lighter. She had remembered walking through the dark corridors that night when she saw the princess fighting with the same maiden that she pronounced to be her acquaintance. She reported it, but when nothing was done about it, she decided to forget about it.
Panha gritted her teeth, so it was really the princess who had hurt her younger sister. She tried to hide her anger from the maid by asking. "After then did you see what she did to the maid? I mean the princess?"
Catja shook her head negatively, "I left to report this to the queen dowager’s aide who is now gone. That is why I said you should be on your toes here in the palace. I don’t really support anyone because the royal family only cares about themselves. Do you know that the queen dowager’s aide was killed just like that, and she didn’t do anything to save him, someone that has been serving her for so long? Including the princess; she used to also have this maid... mm Axilla, yes, that everyone noticed was close to her. But when the girl was accused of murder, the princess did nothing to stop the maids execution; recently, the real killer was apprehended." The maid sighed.
Panha’s eyes widened at the mention of Axilla; so the girl was supposed to be dead, that audacious girl. Seems like not many persons knew of her return to the palace, and like she overheard, the girl was really close to the princess. Panha made a mental note to come back for Axilla when she was done punishing the main person who killed her sister.
"Wow... a lot of drama have happened here in the palace. Is there a shrine here? I would love to offer my prayers for my security and yours too. As we are now soul sisters who share a secret." Panha smiled like she meant well for the maid.
"Yes, there’s the royal shrine. It’d also be good if you stay on the edge around the high priestess. Some say she’s like a thick-skinned sly fox." Catja added a piece of information that was not asked of her.
Panha chuckled; the maid was now on a talking spree, even saying what she wasn’t asked. It was as if her mouth was a tap left running; she decided to end their little discussion and continue it for another day.
"That’s fine; show me where the dining room is. I really appreciate Catja, for confiding in me. Let’s also keep our friendship secret, yeah?"
The maid nodded, and stood up to straighten her gown before opening the door for the noblewoman whose dressing was very different from that of everyone in the palace.
As Panha walked along the corridor making her way to the dining room, she noticed that the moon was now out full in its glory, while the candles along each pillar were lighted to illuminate the passage. She stopped in her track when someone bumped into her.
"Watch out, lady," Panha held the person firmly.
"So sorry, I thought I saw something move in that corner." Bareea turned to reply the person who held her shoulder, her busy hands cradling her son who was startled by the sudden movement.
Panha noticed the woman was carrying a child; before she arrived at the palace, Almaria had given her all the necessary information she would need. She knew immediately that this was Khelan’s concubine and the child was Almaria’s grandson.
"That’s fine; you should be relaxed so your child can be too." Panha advised touching the baby’s head.
Bareea nodded; she hadn’t seen the woman’s face before, so she furrowed her brows.
When Panha noticed this, she
held her chest, "Pardon me. I’m Chief Panha, a merchant that works with Lady Larel’s brother. We came here for business, we are staying for a short while." She replied.
"Oh, that’s nice. Larel cares about her brother but not her husband." Bareea muttered.
"What did you say?" Panha who heard the words clearly still asked, enjoying the show that was yet to start in the palace.
Bareea shook her head, "Nothing... you were on your way to the dining right? Let’s go together" she offered as the two of them walked towards the dining room.