The maids exchanged nervous glances. None of them answered.
"I asked a question," she said sharply, moving closer. "Who started that rumor?"
"We didn't mean any harm, my lady," one of them stammered. "We were only repeating what we heard—"
"From whom?" Aveloria cut in.
"The Queen's maids," another whispered reluctantly. "They said it last night. We shouldn't have repeated it, I'm sorry."
Aveloria stared at them, fury and disbelief burning behind her eyes. "Do you understand what you're saying? You're slandering a dead woman who served me with her life. You are spreading lies to protect someone else's evil."
The maids dropped to their knees immediately, trembling. "Forgive us, my lady. We didn't mean to offend you."
"Don't apologize to me," Aveloria said coldly. "You should pray that Alin's spirit forgives you."
