I held back my tears for a brief moment as I looked into the eyes of the maids around me, their faces now red.

Then, with a deep breath, the handmaiden embraced me in her arms.

Dont cry, sweetheart.

Um, I dont want to cry eitherhuu, huu, huu, its because the maids are so scary

After saying that, I buried my face in the handmaids arms.

The handmaiden wide-eyed, patted my back.

Tell me what happened. Be honest. Ill make sure no harm comes to you.

Well then

With a runny nose and sniffles, I told her what they said.

They told me if I gave them an order because I was a maid of the Empresss palace, they wouldnt leave me alone!

Hey, when did we say that?

Each of the maids was furious but I just shrugged my shoulders and continued.

Do you think Im just Charlize?

Im Charlize, whos had years of education and is a maid of the Empresss Palace!

People develop!

She knows that Im a maid of the Empresss palace and told me not to lie.

Well, to be exact, she didnt say, Dont lie.

But honestly, isnt that what she meant?

Madame, all those words are lies!

How could you say such rude things to a maid of the Empress Palace?! reprimanded the handmaiden.

Its because were being framed right now?!

The maids mouths curled and tightened, it even looked like they would die of frustration.

Really? Thats how it comes out.

I never thought that I would be pushed to this extent, Im tired. I probably shouldnt have cried and run like crazy from the start.

I made a pitiful expression as I placed my arms around her neck and hugged the handmaiden tightly.

Im sorry, handmaiden. I will keep everything that happened today a secret

What are you talking about all of a sudden?

The handmaiden asked me back in a puzzled voice with her eyebrows raised.

I looked up at the handmaiden, my vision a bit blurry from all my tears.

Because of me, Im worried that Her Majesty and the Empress dowager will end up hurting each others feelings.

What?

You know, its because I am a maid of the Empresss palace.

I sniffled a little bit.

At that moment, the handmaids face hardened slightly.

So, Ill keep this a secret for sure. I will never tell the Empress about this.

In fact, it doesnt matter if what Im saying is true or false.

More precisely, what can be gained from this situation in the Empress dowagers palace is more important.

According to the Empress, most of the employees of the Empress dowagers palace were people who were selected and brought in by the Emperor.

Truth be told, the word most is a gross understatement.

Except for the handmaiden, the Empress said that everyone was nothing but a spy for the Emperor.

Well, if you think about it for a bit, it makes sense.

In the first place, the insidious Emperor cant let there be servants loyal to the Empress dowager, right?

In addition, it was easy to replace maids with someone who suited the taste of the Emperor.

Since his Majesty doesnt reside in the Empress dowagers palace, its easier to come into contact with outsiders.

Which means.

It means that if you take good advantage of this, you can replace all of those spying maids.

Its a bit embarrassing to actually say even if its in my mind but anyway, Im the Empresss extremely beloved maid.

What if such a maid was insulted by the maids belonging to the Empress dowagers palace?

An insult inflicted on a maid is also an insult to the employer of the maid.

It means that if the Empress takes issue with this, things could get really big.

Insteading of adding more words, I cried more crocodile tears.

The handmaiden has survived the Imperial palace for much longer than I have.

So, she must have already noticed what the benefits can be from the current situation.

As evidenced

Are you all out of your mind?

The handmaiden, who was usually calm, spoke with a loud and harsh tone.

Whoa.

I buried my face in the handmaids collar and smiled satisfactorily.

As I expected, the handmaiden was making the most of this problem.

If the Empress gets angry, will you take responsibility for it?

But, handmaiden!

No matter how young she is, dont you know that this child is an official maid and your superior!

At that rebuke, the blood on the faces of the maids vanished, their faces pale.

In any case, messing with the maidservant of the Empresss palace could lead to a quarrel between both of her Majesties!

Gulp.

Swallowing, the maids were fearful of what might happen next.

The handmaiden glared fiercely at the maids.

As the handmaiden of the Empress dowager, I cannot ignore this matter, and I will deal with this matter strictly.

What!? No, handmaiden!

The maids clung to the handmaiden, their intuition telling them that their time was up.

But right then.

A cold voice rang out.

Handmaiden, dont worry about that.

The maids shuddered and shook as if cold water had been poured on them.

Wait, what? This voice?!

Surprised, I looked behind my back.

The Empress dowager was looking at me with a serious face!

I am going to do everything I can to avoid damaging the relationship between me and the Empress.

Woah, your Majesty, the Empress dowager!

As expected, these maids will be punished severely for their actions, said her Majesty.

I opened my eyes wide, talking to myself internally.

Your Majesty, I didnt know you were being so gentle when you treated me.

With such an intimidating face, the Empress dowager is terrifying, isnt she?

Shocked and as if on the verge of fainting, the maids began to beg with sobbing cries.

Im so sorry! exclaimed one maid.

I never meant to offend or go against you, Empress dowager! pleaded another maid, tears streaming down her face.

However, the Empress dowagers momentum did not subside at all.

Did you really not know that acting the way you did while bearing the title of a maid of the Empress dowager is detrimental to me?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep