"Your ladyship here—" the maid then slipped and let out a sharp scream.
Celestira startled and stood up. What's happening? Oh, the maid just slipped.
Soon, many other maids, along with the head butler, panicked and asked, "Your ladyship, we heard a scream! Are you alright?"
Celestira waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, it's fine. It was the maid who screamed, not me."
The butler breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness."
The maids murmured among themselves:
"Such a relief, it's just the maid."
"When I heard the scream, I thought it was something serious."
"Haha, me too."
"But... what about Rose?"
"What do you think? Of course, our ladyship would order her 25 lashes any moment after giving her a hard slap."
"Poor Rose."
Celestira observed all this and thought, I think I first need to disperse my villainess reputation.
The maid—Rose—who was now in tears after hearing the other maids gossip, shut her eyes tight as she saw Celestira raise her hand.
Expecting the worst, she could never have imagined that Celestira, instead of slapping her, just patted her shoulder and said with a worried expression, "Are you okay? You didn't get hurt, did you?"
The maid blinked, bewildered. "N-no, your ladyship. I-I am fi—hic!"
She covered her mouth in embarrassment.
"Good!" Celestira said with a chuckle. She continued, "It's fine. Everyone can leave. I am sure she slipped by mistake."
Celestira looked at the people in the room, scanning their faces. They all looked pale, as if Celestira had grown a second head. Was my past self so cruel that a simple pat could earn these reactions? she thought angrily.
Then Celestira tilted her head, trying not to sound annoyed, but that clearly didn't work. She asked, "May I know when everyone will leave the room?"
The maids and butler, startled, said in panic, "Y-yes, your ladyship, we are leaving now."
---
Soon, everyone departed, and the maid—Rose—had calmed down too after a glass of water. She sat on the couch, her hands sweating with nervousness.
Celestira looked at Rose. A timid maid, who looks like she has no experience… she is probably a new worker.
Meanwhile, Rose was clutching the hem of her dress nervously. "Y-your ladyship, is there something on my face?"
But Celestira, too busy plotting, didn't hear her. Rose closed her eyes nervously and thought, Aaah, maybe her ladyship is deciding my punishment. I shouldn't make any movement.
Celestira studied Rose thoughtfully, unaware of the dilemma Rose was in. Then she smirked. I know what to do at next week's tea with Alicia, but I will be needing Rose's help… if she is clever enough to follow my lead.
To be continued...