The sun had already disappeared and moonlight gently shone over the beautiful flower gardens, making them look even more enchanting and romantic.
However, Sylvia was still not quite done with her single chore that she had been working on all day long.
"What the heck? How many more hours are these idiots planning to keep this charade on?" She sighed and muttered under her breath, wiping the sweat off of her forehead.
What she didn't notice was that... the rose bush on which her sweat drops had landed now looked much healthier and livelier than the other plants nearby as if someone had treated it with a high-grade elixir.
"Eh? Do I hear grumbling?" Michelle loudly harrumphed.
She walked over to Sylvia and before she could react, the stout woman stamped her foot onto Sylvia's right hand, clamping it down tightly on the ground.
She crushed her mercilessly with a sneer on her face until Sylvia winced in pain. "Now stop wasting time and put your back into it. You still have a lot of distance to cover."
Sylvia nodded, keeping her head down. After Michelle walked back to stand behind her, she looked at her knuckles and her wrist that was reddened and bruised.
A cold glint flashed past her eyes but she didn't react and continued searching the vast garden which was sprawled out like an ocean around her.
She already knew that things like this might happen and had expected some bullying, but even for Priscella, this seemed a bit too far, especially considering that this was happening in the wide open for everyone to see.
Something didn't feel right and Sylvia wondered what made the woman so bold and brazen in her actions.
As she continued searching for the probably non-existent ring for a few more minutes, loud chatter sounded near her and Sylvia looked up to see a group of three women and one man sitting around a table.
They seemed to be having their evening tea and more importantly, Sylvia instantly recognized two out of the four people. The man and the youngest woman were Priscella and Gabriel.
Sylvia had never met the two other older women, but they also seemed to belong to royalty judging from the dress and the weight of the jewels on them.
The four of them were talking quite excitedly to each other and their animated chatter casually reached Sylvia's ears.
"When are you both planning to hold the wedding?" One of the older women asked, to which Priscella blushed like a little girl and shyly gulped. "We haven't decided yet, mother."
"Ha Ha Ha. Look at you turning red! Ok ok. I am not pushing anything. You both can take your time to decide but don't take too long as well."
"You know how important an heir is. And Mikel is the eldest Prince after all. I am sure he will also be pleased with a couple or more talented sons."
The older woman started advising Priscella, while she shyly nodded, already dreaming about the life that awaited her in the future.
Sylvia only looked up to steal a quick glance but that itself made her want to vomit. The woman in front of her looked like a teenager in love rather than the evil scheming snake that she really was.
What an actress! She rolled her eyes.
Though there was something that quite puzzled her. She didn't understand why these people were suddenly discussing these things. What changed now to make them even more delusional than they already were...
"What? Are you eavesdropping on her highness? Piece of trash!" Michelle spat out, almost startling Sylvia.
She didn't reply anything to her as it might only give her more ammunition to scold her and punish her and brought her gaze down again, to continue raking the grass and the soil with her soft hands.
"Heh. Stupid bitch. Don't act like a dumb duck in front of me. I already know just how devious you are. Ptui!"
"You must be really talented in bed huh? You seemed to have even tamed his highness who used to be pure and clean."
Sylvia's hands trembled slightly but she continued doing what she had been asked to.
Michelle, however, didn't seem to have any intentions to stop her harassment. With her feet casually kicking Sylvia every now and then, she continued spouting acidic words.
"Listen to me carefully, slut. I am a kind-hearted person, so let me give you some warning and advice."
"These next couple of days, there is a big event happening in the palace."
"There will be some high-level guests visiting the castle, so you should hurry up and find someone else to seduce."
"You don't look that bad. Just undress and slip into someone's room. After that... He He... You know what to do right?" Michelle mocked Sylvia by making an O with her fist and moved it up and down near her mouth.
Unfortunately, her mockery didn't quite land on point as Sylvia had no idea what she was talking about.
So she could stare at the woman doing weird actions in the air as if she was looking at an insane person who had lost it.
"Bitch!" Michelle spat out and landed a loud slap on Sylvia's cheek, making it sting with pain. "What is that look you have in your eyes?"
"Huh? What do you think of yourself? It will only take me a second to pull both your eyes out!"
"I was trying to tell you what's good for you, but fine. I guess your fate can't be changed. Wait and watch how you are going to suffer."
"My lady will soon..."
Before the stout head maid could finish her words, a loud clap sounded and disrupted their conversation. "MICHELLE?"
The two of them turned around to see that Priscella was calling for them or at least one of them.
"You. Stay here and don't go anywhere. Hmph." The maid gritted her teeth and threatened Sylvia.
She then bowed her head, wiping the smug attitude off of her face, and quickly hurried over to the table. "Yes, My Lady?"
Sylvia shook her head helplessly, no longer paying attention to that conversation. She was too tired and too bored from having to put up with this nonsense for almost the entire day.
Her arms were aching, her back was sore, and her face was numb. Sylvia wanted to curl up on the grass and close her eyes until the day finally ends.
While she continued aimlessly messing with the plants, she saw from the corner of her eyes the small table, where Michelle was now busily serving the women, some more tea and snacks.
The group chatted for a while after which everyone stood up and left, walking back into the castle, still busily laughing and chatting.
Sylvia watched Michelle clean up after them and scurry behind them like a rat, carrying all the leftovers in a trolley.
She chuckled at the comical sight of the woman and flopped onto the grass tiredly. It had been a long day for her.
Since her keeper was busily occupied, for now, she decided to enjoy the small break. She was not an idiot to still keep working when no one was around.
At least if it was a legitimate chore, Sylvia would have considered completing it, but she knew that these women were only messing around with her for the purpose of torturing her.
So she didn't bother with searching for the 'ring' and simply stared at the distant sky above her covering the land like a blanket.
Along with the gentle wind that blew through the gardens making the trees and plants slightly sway, it was really not a bad evening.
Sylvia didn't care that she was mistreated and stamped on and kicked. She knew that she needed to keep a low profile to help the man whom she deeply cared for.
It wouldn't take her 2 seconds to act out and make a scene and Mikel would probably support her, but then it would only make his life so much more complicated.
And she didn't want to add any more burden to his life.
Though she had rather been impulsive and bold lately, Sylvia was by nature a calm and cautious person who knew how to act and when to act.
And definitely… now was not the time…
She lifted her hand up which was still hurting and wondered just how much that woman weighed to injure her so much with just one foot!
She blew air at her injury like a small child and chuckled to herself. However, unexpectedly leaves rustled near her and a familiar voice sounded.
"Does it hurt?" Sylvia quickly sat up straight and froze in confusion. What was this guy doing here?
Her eyes darted here and there awkwardly and she muttered. "No, my Lord. I am fine. Ummm… Thank you for your concern."
Standing in front of her, Gabriel had a frown on his face as he pushed away his inky black hair that was ruffled by the wind.
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