"Ugh, why does she have so many dirty things?" Priscilla angrily grumbled under her breath, carrying the workload to the laundry maids.

  Priscilla was walking with a group of silent maidservants. These people never spoke to her.

  Ever since the horrific beating a few days ago, the servants were as obedient as a dog. They didn't even dare to speak in the hallways, despite the lack of aristocrats. The image of their bloodied peers haunted their minds.

  "My grandmother used to tell me people from Teran were savages who didn't even bathe properly," Priscilla said to the nearest handmaiden in an attempt to make friends. "Who would've thought the Princess liked to bathe so much."

  The handmaidens exchanged glances with each other. It had been a while since everyone had a leisurely conversation like this. They missed the soft chatter of gossip. It was how they passed their free time during the long walk to the laundry room in the palace.

  "It's the Prince… he requested for the bath," one of the servants carefully said.

  Priscilla raised her brow. She glanced down at the dirtied bedsheets, mattresses, and pillow covers, mixed in a pile of discarded clothes. She wished she could roll around in bed all day. How long had it been since she had a comfortable surface to sleep on?

  The Princess always had one.

  "I-it's best for us to get back to work, we wouldn't want to be late," another spoke up.

  Priscilla groaned at how weak-minded they were. Without another word, she clamped her mouth shut and got back to work——

  "Will you let me train?" Lina asked Kade, snatching his hand.

  Kade was sliding his long sword onto his waist. He had just returned from a bath due to his morning training. When he came back to his room to get dressed, his wife was already awake and waiting for him.

  "I can train your manners in bed," Kade muttered under his breath.

  He shouldn't have said that. His member was beginning to harden. Great, just great.

  "No, not that," Lina naively answered him. "I want to train and practice my swordfighting."

  At her response, Kade paused. He squinted in her direction. Disapproval hung in the air. He didn't like her in tight clothes, prancing in front of his men.

  "It's been a while," Lina pointed out. "If I don't train, my skills will be rusty. Your people are watching over me as well, it'll be fine."

  "No." Kade gently brushed her hand off of his.

  Kade continued to fix his thick sword back into place. Once the belt was snug, he turned to his wife.

  "It'd make me happy," Lina said in a small voice.

  Kade froze. "Truly?"

  Kade observed her like she was the most interesting thing in the world. Her lashes were long and beautiful, making him wonder if their daughter would inherit it as well. He'd want his daughter to resemble no one but his wife.

  "Truly," Lina agreed.

  Lina raised her head to look up at him. She was dying of boredom in this room. If she could train with her sword, then it'd give her time to think. She daydreamed better when her hands were occupied. Sword fighting was where she spent the majority of her time contemplating the best ideas.

  "Fine," Kade relented. "I'll have the handmaidens guide you to a secluded field. You'll practice with a blunt sword to prevent yourself from injuries. If you need me, I'll be in my private study—"

  "Okay!" Lina exclaimed.

  Lina perked up at his words. She presented him with a large smile and happily swung his hand with two of her own. She always admired how large his hands were. It only took one of his to capture both of her wrists. She'd know. He had pinned her wrists above her head before….many times

  He laughed at her antics, her heart swelling at the sound.

  "If you're so happy, come and give your husband a goodbye kiss," Kade muttered.

  Kade lowered his head expectantly, presenting her with his face. Lina hesitated and dropped his hand, looking away.

  Kade let out a small sigh. She was still mad at him. He straightened his shoulders and decided not to push her. Soon, his wife would return back to normal. He was certain of it. She'd embrace him again. She'd learn to love him again.

  "I'll be off now," Kade said, showing no signs of his disappointment.

  Kade turned and headed for the door. A few seconds passed. His hand was on the handle. Immediately, he heard it. The sound of soft and swift footsteps approaching him.

  Without warning, she grabbed his arm and yanked his face down. Lina stood on her tippy toes and gave him a goodbye kiss on the cheek. It lasted for a split second, but caught him off-guard. His eyes grew wide with shock. When she pulled away, she shoved him out of the door and locked it.

  Kade stood numbly outside the hallway, dumbstruck by the events. What just happened? Like a fool, he turned to look at the shut door. Finally, a slight smile broke out on his face.

  "Fucking adorable, I swear," Kade whispered under his breath.

  Kade shook his head in mirth. With a light touch in his steps, he stalked down the hallway, ready to begin the day——

  Shortly after Kade left, handmaidens entered the room. Lina instructed them to get her ready for swordfighting. She wasn't sure where the training ground would be, but predicted one of the guards stationed in the room would guide her there.

  "Where's Priscilla?" Lina asked one of the quiet handmaidens.

  The handmaidens were much more attentive. They gently combed her hair, careful not to tug on the precious strands. Their actions were detailed but quick, preparing the Princess in no time.

  Lina missed their enthusiasm, but knew it'd never return. Their betrayal of her weighed heavily on her mind, including the punishment.

  "Answering the Princess's question, Priscilla was nowhere to be found…" one of the maidservants replied in a low voice.

  Huh, that's strange.

  Lina paid no mind to it. She already had enough people. Lina predicted this was just Priscilla's way of disobeying the Emperor's orders. She let out a small sigh and watched as the handmaiden put her hair in a high ponytail.

  "P-Princess, if I may…" the same maidservant said.

  Lina raised a brow. She was surprised they'd speak out of turn, but didn't know if it was an improvement or not.

  "Go ahead," Lina welcomed.

  "Priscilla was bad-mouthing your home country by claiming Teran was a place of savages…"

  Lina tensed at the insult. She wasn't sure if these handmaidens were provoking her. She sharply turned to the servants and saw them tremble back in fear. It was the truth. She saw it in their eyes and on their faces.? They wouldn't risk their lives just to offend her again.

  "What was the context?" Lina asked.

  "Answering your question, Princess, Priscilla was complaining about the laundry load," the same maidservant responded.

  Lina wondered why they'd rat out one of their own so quickly. She supposed this conversation happened when the handmaidens came in to collect the bedsheets.

  The realization dawned on Lina. The handmaidens were trying hard to get on her good side. They were extra attentive. Extra observant. Extra obedient. They understood how much she mattered to Kade, despite their arguments.

  The maidservants sold this information in exchange for Lina's favorability.

  "I'll keep a note of the information," Lina vaguely responded.

  Lina said nothing else afterward. She got dressed in peace. She debated the idea of awarding the maidservant who spoke out. That way, she'd have more eyes and ears in the palace. However, did they deserve a reward for reporting about this, when it was granted given who they served?

  The maidservants already had an incentive to tell Lina the gossip—they wanted to get on her good side. The greater the risk, the larger the prize.

  "If there's anything else like that, tell me," Lina said out loud, to each handmaiden in the room. "I'll appreciate it."

  Lina's gratitude was all that she'd give. For now.