Both Olessia and Randa spun toward the voice, their movements quick to see who was behind them. The moment Randa saw the woman standing there, her lips parted in a small gasp and her head dropped so fast it was almost a stumble.
Fear crawled up her spine, tightening her shoulders as if invisible hands pushed her down. Olessia didn't bow, she didn't even know who the woman was. But she felt the shift in the air, the sudden heaviness that settled over the hall.
This woman wasn't just beautiful, she was the kind of beautiful that demanded space, the kind that made others shrink without being asked. Her gown shimmered with understated luxury, like someone raised in power.
And power radiated from her... quiet, intense, undeniable. Olessia didn't need a name to understand this woman held importance in Aurethia.
"I… I am sorry, Lady Walda," Randa whispered with a trembling voice. "The words slipped out. Please forgive my mistake, Lady Walda."
Lady Walda said nothing. Her gaze was fixed on the both of them. Behind her stood three girls who were her maids... each one graceful, beautiful, and perfectly still, like rare birds waiting for a signal from their mistress.
Olessia stared at Randa, watching the way the girl's body trembled as if the ground itself threatened to open beneath her. That alone told Olessia everything that this Lady Walda held authority.
And because Olessia knew Randa had only been teasing earlier, she stepped forward instinctively, hoping to smooth the misunderstanding before it escalated even more.
But Lady Walda moved first. Her chin lifted a fraction, quick and regal. Her eyes narrowed, and her lashes lowered. Even the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth was laced with disdain. When she spoke, her words were icy cold.
"Is this what you do?" she asked, her tone loud through the room.
"You force maids to spread foolish rumors that you and His Royalty Kaive are an item?"
She didn't just say it... she leaned in as she spoke, her shoulders squared, and her fingers curling slowly at her sides as though holding back a deeper disgust. The maids behind her stiffened, mirroring her reaction.
Olessia's breath caught. She shook her head immediately, her hands raising in frantic denial.
"No... no, my lady… I would never…" Her voice wavered. "I'm afraid there's a misunderstanding, please… let me explain."
Lady Walda slowly turned, giving Olessia her full attention at last. Her gaze traveled from Olessia's hair to her shoes, unhurried and merciless, like someone inspecting a flawed thing.
Her lip curled in barely a tiny movement, but obvious enough to sting. Even her posture shifted, as if the very sight of Olessia required distance.
"So it is you I've been hearing about?" she said, her voice sounding low…
"The black-haired outsider, hmm?" She clicked her tongue softly, and her eyes narrowing.
"Going around telling maids that His Royalty Kaive has taken an interest in you?"
The accusation hit Olessia so hard, she felt her stomach drop. She didn't understand why Lady Walda refused to listen, and why anger burned in her eyes like Olessia had personally wounded her pride.
Randa's earlier joke flickered through Olessia's mind, she had said stupidly to the wrong ears, never thinking it would travel this far.
"That's not true," Olessia said quickly, shaking her head so hard her hair brushed her cheeks. "I didn't do.."
Her voice caught, desperate to correct what was spiraling wildly out of control.
"You did," Lady Walda snapped, interrupting through Olessia's words before they could form. Her eyes hardened, cold as steel.
"And I will make sure every possible action is taken against you."
She didn't wait for Olessia to reply. Her gown swayed quickly as she turned, and her heels clicked with offended precision. The three girls behind her followed in perfect formation, their gazes avoiding Olessia entirely... as if touching her with their eyes might dirty them.
Olessia stood frozen with a thudding heart.
"Possible action?" The phrase echoed in her head repeatedly. She prayed Lady Walda wouldn't escalate a small misunderstanding into something dangerous.
"I'm… I'm sorry," Randa apologized, her voice trembling.
Olessia forced a small breath and touched her arm gently.
"It's okay, Randa," she murmured, though her own stomach churned. "Don't worry too much."
*
*
*
Lady Walda had arrived at the palace early that morning, answering Ziven's invitation with punctuality.
Tonight's dinner would be held in His Royalty Ziven's wing of the palace. She had been heading there, with her chin high and elegant steps, when she ran into Olessia and that irritating scene unfolded.
Even after leaving them behind, irritation clung to her chest. She smoothed a hand down her gown, lifted her shoulders, and continued toward the dining hall. Her heels tapped lightly against the marble, echoing through the corridor.
As she turned a corner, she spotted His Royalty Ziven and Lady Eirene walking ahead, they were having a conversation. She quickened her steps, gliding forward with a practiced smile blooming across her face. When she reached them, she dipped her head gracefully.
"Greetings, His Royalty Ziven. Lady Eirene."
Lady Erene returned the smile, warm and polished. "Welcome, Lady Walda."
Ziven gave a nod of acknowledgment calmly.
"Oh, wonderful," Lady Eirene added. "You're just in time to join us. Come, let's walk to the dining room."
Lady Walda's smile increased with satisfaction as she fell into step beside them. They walked together, their steps steady and unhurried, while maids and guards followed in quiet formation behind them.
Lady Walda's fingers twitched at her side, she had been holding the words in, waiting for the right moment. Finally, she breathed in and lifted her chin.
"There is something that troubles me, His Royalty," she said, her voice smooth but edged. "If I may speak."
They didn't slow. Ziven's reply came calm, and clipped. "Go on, Lady Walda."
She took the invitation immediately. "It has been weighing on me. I heard a maid say that His Royalty Kaive and the black-haired outsider are… an item." Her brows pinched with fake concern.
"I believe the outsider is forcing the maids to spread false rumors." Lady Walda added.
Ziven stopped mid-stride, his boots scraping softly against the floor. It was as if he didn't hear her well. His jaw tightened so quickly the muscles were visible on his skin, and his eyes darkened... every inch of him radiating restrained anger.
"Are you telling the truth, Lady Walda?" he asked with his voice low and vibrating with anger.
"Why would a noble lady lie?" Lady Eirene murmured, frowning.
"I didn't hear it from someone, His Royalty Ziven," Lady Walda replied. "I heard it with my own ears.. from the horse's mouth."
Ziven exhaled a harsh, furious sound. "The audacity of that little girl."