“Everyone’s buzzing about her stunning looks, so I can’t wait to see for myself if the rumors are true.” The maids' conversation continued.

 

One maid who seemed to be the group's elder nodded thoughtfully and added, “You girls have no idea. I caught a glimpse of her once at the royal court. The way she moved, the elegance that seemed to radiate from her—she's in a league of her own in Claveria. Her beauty is beyond compare.”

 

Another maid, her fingers absently twirling a strand of her apron’s lace, contributed with a dreamy tone, “Ah yes, the sole princess of our land. Every courtier spoke of her warmth and how she could light up even the dullest of royal gatherings with her charm. Quite the opposite of our brooding master, I must say.” Her words ended with a light, mirthful laugh, echoing softly among the group.

 

“Careful with your words. Our master might be cold, but he’s our hero.”

 

“I know, and I’m just saying that the Duke and Duchess really feel like they're destined for each other. They say opposites attract after all.”

 

“Right! And that’s why, when I heard about their union, I imagined her to be the sunlight that will finally bring this estate to a bright and breathtaking place.”

 

"Agreed. I anticipated a complete transformation of these halls with her arrival. But it's rather unusual, isn't it? To not even catch a fleeting glimpse of the duchess?"

 

The conversation took a puzzling turn when one of them voiced her concern. "Now that you mention it, it’s really strange that I didn’t even hear anyone, not even the ones who were assigned near the grand hall, talk about seeing the duchess at all.”

 

Another maid hesitated before sharing her thoughts, “Do you think the duke might be keeping her away intentionally for now? You know how private he can be.”

 

Unable to hold herself anymore, Alena approached the maids, wondering if she could interact with them as she had with the Duke.

 

She extended her hand, trying to touch the nearest maid's hand.

 

But her fingers passed through her.

 

The group stiffened, their eyes suddenly widening in collective fear. The maid Alena touched, her face ashen, whispered hoarsely, “Did anyone else feel that cold breeze?”

 

"Can anyone hear me?" Alena tried to speak to them, hoping that maybe they could hear her.

 

But the maids hugged themselves, looking around. “Something’s off here. I feel goosebumps all over me.”

 

“Me too," one of the maids broke off and gasped. “I think I just saw something... white. A ghost!”

 

Panic spread among them like wildfire. And in a frenzied flurry, the maids scattered in every direction, their earlier excitement replaced by horror.

 

Alena could only stand there, rooted to the spot, as she watched the scene unfold before her.

 

The feeling of watching them run away with horror in their eyes was strangely awful. And when she was suddenly reminded of what that woman told her—about her soon turning into a mindless malevolent phantom forever stuck in the world—a sickening feeling coursed through her.

 

But quickly, Alena lifted her chin up. Refusing to be overcome by any fear. She was going to fulfill her vengeance in time before that happened!

 

With renewed determination in her eyes, Alena forced herself to shift her focus to what the maids had been talking about before she approached them.

 

"They're calling me Duchess," she pondered aloud, trying to connect the dots. The palace maids seemed convinced she had married the duke, despite never having seen her around the estate. “Everyone talking about my marriage to the duke instead of my funeral or my assassination?” Her thoughts then turned to a more pressing matter, one that tightened her chest with urgency. She looked at the grand palace, then out towards the distant gates. “Where is my body right now?”

___

A/N: next update is friday. Also, please subscribe guys! If this novel gets 2k subscribers, i'll give mass release. ^^