29|| The Mask

Grace ran through the palace halls, her shoes were slamming against the marble floors as she stopped in front of Head Maid Smite’s office. Without knocking, she burst inside and slammed the door shut behind her.

Both Head Maid Smite and her other assistant Sarah, looked up in shock. Smite’s eyes narrowed as she glared at Grace as she was still angry about the embarrassment she suffered in front of Dahlia which she totally blamed on Grave.

“Grace,” she snapped. “What on earth are you doing barging in here like a madwoman? Didn’t I send you to help clean Concubine Naomi’s quarters as your punishment or do you not want to work here anymore?”

Grace’s chest was rising and falling fast as she tried to catch her breath. Her face was pale, her hands trembling as she shook her head. “I—I did! I mean, I was going there, but—”

“But what?” Sarah cut in. A smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. How satisfying, she thought. Grace finally made a fool of herself. Let’s see how long her precious position as Head Maid Smite favorite lasts now. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Grace’s voice cracked. “Something terrible just happened and I swear by the goddess it isn’t my fault, it’s that stupid—“

Smite exchanged a look with Sarah, her expression darkening. “Speak clearly, girl.”

Grace started shaking her hands, her eyes looking everywhere but their faces. “On my way there, I—I saw that useless maid, Poppy. She was coming from Lady Dahlia’s Quarters, and she had money on her—lots of it! I thought maybe she stole it from somewhere, so I tried to take it before anyone saw.”

Sarah snorted. “You mean you tried to steal from her.”

“I didn’t mean to!” Grace cried, shaking her head violently. “We started struggling over the bag. I told her to let go, but she wouldn’t. She said it was for Lady Dahlia—”

At that, both Smite and Sarah burst into laughter.

“For Lady Dahlia?” Sarah rolled her eyes. “That useless woman? Where would that miserable bitch see money.”

Smite smirked. “Right! Because she’s certainly not collecting her monthly allowance. I was hoping she’d never come to ask for it so she and her dirty maid would starve to death in that ugly house. She definitely stole it.”

Grace frowned, looking very uncomfortable like she’s just swallowed a bug. “Please, you don’t understand. She wouldn’t let go! I pushed her—just once but she—she fell into the ditch by the back road! She hit her head and she…she stopped moving!”

The laughter died instantly. Smite’s smile vanished, replaced by a very angry stare.

“You what?”

Grace placed her hand on her head shaking with fear. “I didn’t mean to! I swear I didn’t mean to! She wasn’t moving and there was blood and I panicked! I ran straight here!”

For a long moment, no one spoke, then Head Maid Smite stood up slowly from her chair, the corners of her mouth curving into a smirk that didn’t reach her eyes.

“So what?”

Grace’s eyes went wide. “…What?”

“So what?” Smite repeated. “Listen to me very carefully, Grace. You didn’t see Poppy. You didn’t touch her. You were never near that ditch. Do you understand me?”

Grace looked like she was about to cry. “B-but—”

The sound of the slap sounded out through the office. Smite slapped Grace so hard that she stumbled backward and hit the floor, holding her cheek.

“Are you deaf?!” Smite hissed, looking like she wanted to swallow her alone. “You keep your mouth shut. You were in Concubine Naomi’s quarters all day, cleaning. That’s your story. Do you hear me? No matter who asks you, that will be your answer. Did anyone see you?”

“N-no one saw me…” Grace whispered, shaking.

“Good,” Smite said with satisfaction. “Then it doesn’t matter. Let this be a lesson for that stupid girl Dahlia. Wasn’t she looking down at me and acting all arrogant before. Maybe now she’ll understand what happens when she doesn’t keep her mouth shut and stay in her lane”

Sarah covered her mouth as she laughed. “That’s if her little maid isn’t dead already.”

Smite chuckled. “If she is, even better. But if by some miracle she’s still breathing, I want every maid and every guard to stay out of Dahlia’s way. She’ll scream for help, and not a single soul must answer. Let her run around the palace like a madwoman.”

She turned her glare on Grace, looking at her with pure disgust. “You’re such a troublemaker. Are you stupid? Have you been enjoying being my assistant so much you think you can get careless? After the nonsense you did the last time, didn’t I tell you not to make a move without my permission?”

“N—no, Head Maid Smite, I—” Grace stammered.

“Just shut up!” Smite snapped. “Go and tell everyone to ignore Dahlia. If anyone helps her, I will make sure their work here is a living nightmare”

“Yes ma!” Grace ran out from the room, bursting out in tears as Sarah turned her head to really laugh when she was done she cleared her throat and turned to Smite,

“Head Maid,” Sarah said

“shouldn’t we tell Concubine Naomi what happened? She should be prepared—”

Smite cut her off. “Prepare? For what, exactly? Do you really think that Dahlia, that nobody can do anything? If Dahlia ever finds out Grace was involved, what will she do, write a letter to His Majesty?” She rolled her eyes and laughed. “There is a difference in power Sarah. Concubine Naomi comes from a very powerful pack, her brother is advisor Saffron, she is the first official concubine. While Dahlia, who the hell is she and what does she have except a big mouth.” Smite laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Sarah’s smirk widened. “So what should we do now?”

“Yes,” Smite said, turning to her with that calculating smile. “Go to where the accident happened. Check for any clue that idiot Grace might have left behind. I don’t want a single trace linking this back to us. Do it quickly, before anyone finds her”

Sarah’s smile fell for a moment, her hands turning into fists behind her back. Of course, Grace again. Always Grace. Always the favorite. The unfairness made her so angry she could scream. She was obviously the more smart and talented one but Smite always preferred Grace. But she didn’t let it show on her face.

“Yes, Head Maid,” she said. “I’ll handle it.”

As Sarah turned to leave, the mask on her face slipped just long enough for the hatred in her eyes to show. Let her protect Grace all she wants, she thought. I’ll make sure that protection doesn’t last much longer. The person that will be the next Head Maid is me.