"Baroness, do you need any assistance?" one of the royal guards asked.
She shook her head. "Thank you. I am just heading back to the Queen's residence."
"Let me arrange a carriage for you," said the guard. "We cannot let a noble lady walk on her own in the middle of the night."
Esther nodded and soon he brought a carriage for her. Esther climbed inside it and left after thanking the thoughtful guard. On the way back to the Queen's residence, Esther's gaze landed on the evening view of the palace lake. Under the night sky, its crystalline waters looked peaceful, and she needed fresh air to calm her anger.
"Stop the carriage," she instructed the coachman.
The coachman did as he was instructed and stopped the carriage by the lake side. Esther stepped out as she felt suffocated with what that brazen lady said to her. Her insinuating words continued to pester her mind, even after she left the royal ball.