Chapter 8: Ladies of East and West
Early in the morning we set out again. This time, in the afternoon we'll reach a town where we'll settle for a a day waiting for some candidates from other territory and this place is also their last chance to escape. Where this three ladies whom I made friends with can escape.
"We're near the capital.. We are also near Fiore Town." Joie said feeling a bit down. The three of them also have a bit of hangover, but they drank a remedy made by Effreila. Which seems to be effective seems they look okay now compare this morning.
"We are going to escape, yet..." Resitaire sighed. I'm just glad that they have their life to live and that their parents really care for them. Plus they don't remember what happened last night is a bonus. Although I did warn them not to drink too much.
"Reen! Can you just come with us? Isn't it better?" Effreila said and cried hugging me. I patted her head.
"If we all escaped, who's going to remain? If there's someone who remained, they can just let you all off the hook because there are still other candidates, right?" I explained. Although what they offering me is rather good, but if the Ermyntrude family found out that I escaped, they might as well send someone to kill me. Since they are cowards, thinking that killing me would not implicate them to punishment. Plus, this young ladies was sure to escape since the servants and envoy was pretty lax to us. They must have already know the plan first hand or the envoy was paid to let them escape. Afterall, they are rich and there's almost nothing money cannot do.
"If you weren't able to be selected, you can always come to us. Here is my address and my token. If you are to come, show this and I will come immediately." Joie said and handed me a paper and a thing made of wood and there's an engraving of like a crest in the middle.
"Here's also mine," said Resitaire and also gave me a piece of paper and a wooden token.
"Here's mine too. We have a clinic in the capital, just show them this letter and my token and they'll take you in." Effreila said and handed me a letter and a token.
"That's smart! I should also write a letter!" Joie said and she searched for a quill and paper. Of course, Resitaire also did, but finished faster than Joie since Resitaire is a girl with few words.
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"A lodging was prepared for everyone. Please rest and we'll set forth again tomorrow." Servants helped each lady with their bags. Currently, there are 12 ladies present, including us six from the same town, four came from a town from east while two came from west.
I heard from the conversation of the envoys earlier that three ladies who came from the east already escaped, while there's only two ladies who came from the west. The only batch of ladies we're waiting is from the south.
I observed the other ladies. There are still seems to be ladies who are planning to escape, especially the two ladies from east. The rest of the ladies was rather composed like the lady they are although there's a hint of nervous and anxiousness in them, but they don't seem to be wanting to leave.
"Say, do you happen to know anything about this young ladies?" I asked the three as we walk to our rooms. The first room we got into is Effreila's room so we stayed here and have a chat while the servants send our belongings to our respective room.
"We do because every year we gather to celebrate the Emperor's birthday in the capital so everyone kinda mingles and make social connections." Said Resitaire. I see. That make sense.
"Let's see. Starting from the same territory as we are. Lady Annette from the family Laviest. She is the one who have a blue long hair and brown eyes. A beauty with a seemingly stone heart, quite fitting for the Dark Emperor if you ask me." Joie jokingly said.
"They're a merchant family who have stores in almost every towns and territories. They even have stores in some of other nation. Thus they are rich and respected in the Empire." Effreila added. Oh. Now that is indeed something.
"The other one, Belein of the family Antes is the short lady who have a light brown hair and wears make up like an adult. She hates her baby face thus she always tries to be like a mature person when you can't even take her serious because her voice is like a whinny child when she's angry." Resitaire laughing with Joie's remarks. I just silently sighed. Oh this kids.
"Their family is also a merchant family although they are not as big as the Laviest family, their products sells really well and they have a good dealing with the Palace." Resitaire said after clearing her throat and stopped laughing when I looked at them. It's not nice to make fun of others, well kinda funny but still a not nice thing to do.
"Now the ladies from the east, the two ladies doesn't seem to be familiar. Maybe some daughter of a viscount. The other two is quite familiar. The tall lady with a foxy looking eyes is Cassidy from the family Trushen. She's a two faced girl. I once saw her slapped her own face and cried because the servant girl was given a flower by someone she fancies when we were 12 and then blamed the servant. The poor girl was punished severely and was almost blinded when she tried to stab the stalk of the flower to her eyes. You must be careful around her, okay?" Said Joie in a serious manner. I gulped. The.. hell?? That kid is a real psycho. I must make sure not to cross her path.
"The other one is rather nice. I am suprised that her parents let her to join the selection process. Because her whole family dotes on her fully because she's the only girl of Wahlberg clan. Alexandria Wahlberg. She's the one who have a light blue eyes and a golden hair and fair skin. She's honestly a sweetheart. Which is kinda sad if ever she is to be wed to the Dark Emperor." Effreila said you can see how she adores Alexandria. Well, I have indeed seen her earlier and she did seems to be that way. It would be indeed too bad if ever she married a Dark and dangerous guy.
I mean I'm not sure, haven't really met the guy. So I can't say for sure, but for a sweet lady, getting herself here despite being dotted upon means she's here by choice. We cannot cross out the possibility of her falling for the Emperor. Who knows? Maybe she fell in love on first sight.
"Now in the west side. I seen that girl. Ugh. I can't believe she's here even though she always hated the Emperor. What a hypocrite!" Resitaire said and rolled her eyes. Which suprised me a bit. Joie laughed while Effreila just chuckled as she pours us tea. She handed me the first cup and I warmly accepted it.
Tea is the best. I did want to learn how to steep a tea back then. I even watched how to do it many times, but I don't have the time so I was happy buying teabags and drinking it. Well maybe I'll have time in the future.
"Pharisen Icrita. A smart scholarly woman. She is Resitaire's rival in terms of being an educated smart women. Icrita Family are full of scholarly people and have been producing scholar that are truely remarkable--" Effreila explained but was cut off by Resitaire.
"But our family is much more smarter and scholarly than them. We have also established schools throughout the Empire, while them? They just use their connection. They're so shameful, I hate it." Resitaire can't help not to show her disapproval. I just chuckled to the unusual sight. The Icrita family and Resitaire's clan must have some conflict to have this much dislike.
"That aside, it was really surprising for her to be here. Whenever there's a gathering, she makes sure that everyone knows how much she disapprove the Dark Emperor's barbaric and as she calls it 'unrefined' ways. But she just truly proves herself to be a hypocrite to be here." Joie said laughing as she drinks tea. I just nodded. That does sound hypocritical of her, but there must be a motive. One does not easily change their way unless it was planned all along.
"The other girl from west, well.. She's not really from aristocracy. She's from a well known brothel and a top performer. It is just that there where rumors regarding her background. That she was a princess from a fallen kingdom and was somewhat related to the current Emperor. Her name is Yisa Venetia. The long red hair girl with a pretty deep blue eyes." Joie said plainly as if it's nothing interesting. I looked at the three of them and they don't seems to be interested about Yisa Venetia. Am I the weird one to be interested?
"Are you wondering why where are not that interested?" Asked Effreila. I quickly nodded. Resitaire smiled.
"Because it doesn't really matter. We are talking about the Dark Emperor here, the same Emperor who sent his own relatives away from the capital and have his own father beheaded. Meaning, if she was really a relative, she might as well be good as dead. So probably she isn't and jusy doing it for a show or the Emperor find her insignificant." Resitaire explained. Wait, what? The Emperor had his own father beheaded? and sent his relatives away? Why am I hearing some important things that seems to be the norm here??
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