Madame Red, now called Angelina by the Duchess, observed her living space within the estate. Obviously, she no longer has an entire mansion to herself but only a singular room. Her master had taken possession of her old home and mentioned that if she was able to climb back up to her old position, the Duchess will give back her property as a congratulatory gift. Angelina didn't expect much though. She had a newfound respect for her master and perhaps, working for a powerful female figure like the Duchess would actually grant her more freedom. She would miss the social events, however, and the luxurious goods. But from what she had heard among the servants who all kindly accepted her, the Duchess was generous with her payments. A knock was heard from her door and she rushed to open it, revealing the duchess's personal maid Felicity, and her twin, Felix.
"The Lady ordered for your presence."
She quietly followed them, exiting the servants building, through a loggia, and into the main building of the residence. She silently admired the beautiful arrangements of flowers. They were all carefully tended to and astounding, each in their own way but a certain species caught her eyes.
"Her Grace was gifted this garden for her eighteenth birthday. And though all these flowers are exotic and beautiful, the flowers she was named after still blooms the most radiant." Felix smiled, noticing Angelina's distracted attention.
"By her family? Or perhaps a lover?" Angelina smiled, knowing full well that the flowers represented affection and adoration.
"Neither. By two friends." Felicity sighed in disappointment. "Although you probably won't believe who it is from." Madame Red wanted to ask, but she did not want to pry. Afterall, she was now the servant of the woman who was the subject of the topic. Sensing her curiosity, Felicity decided to inform her.
"Don't worry. It's common knowledge within the Diose household. It was built by both Lord Charles Phipps and Lord Charles Grey, Her Majesty Queen Victoria's Private Secretarial Officers and Butlers."
"I heard that the Duchess was not on good terms with Lord Charles Grey?" Angelina asked, as they entered the main building.
"Those are merely rumours. It is true, they often have disagreements, but Her Grace prefers straightforward remarks than false pleasantries." Felix smiled.
"But it is best you do not bring this up in front of the Earl himself otherwise he may cut your head off." Felicity whispered before knocking on the door of Camellia's office. Felix shot her a disapproving look, warning her that she is overstepping her line and is in no position to gossip about those who are in a higher status.
"Come in." Camellia responded. She lifted her head as Angelina and Felicity curtsied while Felix bowed. Felix then stationed himself behind his master and Felicity stood next to Wendeline, who was pouring the first cup of tea in the newly brewed pot. Angelina stood in front of Camellia, waiting to hear the reason as to why the Duchess had ordered her to come in here. Right as the Duchess opened her mouth, another voice chimed in, rudely interrupting her.
"Is this your new pet? Sticks out a little like a sore thumb with that red hair." Charles Grey remarked, leaning back against the couch with biscuits in his mouth.
"Red is a bold colour and offers a sense of power. I like it." Camellia responded.
"Hmm. Well I'm not here to discuss colour theories with you so hurry up." He said with disinterest. He then looked up to see Angelina wear an expression of confusion and waved his hand. "Just pretend I'm not here."
"Like he said, just ignore his yapping mouth. Here, I wanted to give you this." Camellia pulled out a thick envelope for her. Angelina took it and was prepared to open but Camellia raised her hand, gesturing to her to stop. "Take the time to read it when you retire to your room. It has instructions of what you're expected to do and the contract. Feel free to bring up anything that you want to discuss when you're done with it tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes. I will be out for a while today as I'm going to the royal palace to a private tea party hosted by the Queen." Camellia nodded at Charles, meaning that the Earl came to pick her up after acting as a messenger. Angelina nodded and was dismissed back to her quarters. Camellia stood up and Wendline immediately pulled out a cloak for her and Felicity pulled out the gloves. Charles finished the last bite of his cake and stood up. "Ready?"
"If I said I wasn't, you would still drag me out."
"I'm glad we are on the same page."
Charles helped her into the carriage while the coachman helped Wendeline up on the front of the carriage. Felix followed them on horse, along with three other knights. Camellia asked the young earl: "Which other ladies will be attending the tea party?"
"Baroness Wrottesley, Viscountess Portman, and Countess Strafford."
"Should I just tell you to tell her that I'm sick?" Camellia sighed, looking out through the window. Charles crossed his legs and arms, giving her a pointed look.
"I don't understand why Her Majesty is so fond of you when you lack manners, etiquette, and charm. Not to mention that you're talking about skipping out on her invitation to one of her Secretarial Officers."
"Really? I suppose I just have more interesting tales to tell and an understanding of the female heart and know what to say to appease to the old, married women. I am definitely much more fun to talk to than you. Do you know how many women would gossip about you being unapproachable? That statue like Phipps has more admirers." Camellia opened her fan to cover her mouth. The corner of Charles' mouth twitched slightly.
"Who would want the smothering attention of those annoying brats? If they are so intimidated, it just means that they aren't suited for a higher position. The Queen finds my presence quite charming, since she chose me to be her Secretarial Officer and butler to be by her side at all times -"
"You are not by her side right now." Camellia blinked, feigning innocence.
"Enough of this childish play." Charles slumped back and crossed his arms, blatantly annoyed. Camellia grinned as she decided to provoke him a little more.
"Why? Worried that you'll start another argument and upset me, then you'll plant another garden by hand in hope that I can forgive you? I'm still waiting for the verbal apology by the way."
"Really, Camellia? That was years ago." He grumbled. Camellia laughed apologetically and decided to let him go.
"What do you suppose Her Majesty wishes from me?" Camellia wondered out loud. Charles cocked his head, puzzled by her concern.
"Isn't it just a tea party? Wouldn't you just gossip or talk about sweets and trends, or whatever? She did seem excited though."
Camellia paused before replying. Charles had misunderstood her meaning as she asked the question. She didn't actually wonder what the Queen wanted from her, as she knew what it was - marriage and to continue the Dukedom's lineage. She merely said it out loud, due to the exasperation she felt and that she wished the Queen would stop enforcing those old men of the Council's agendas onto her.
"I had hoped at least Marchioness Midford would be there. Holding a conversation with her would be much more worthwhile and interesting than the easily tamed housewives who keep the house warm for their husbands."
"You should be careful with how you address them. They're all reputable and received the Queen's favours."
"Since when were you so fond of rules? I thought you found them stuffy like I did."
"Since you took in that French peasant as your butler." Charles snorted in disgust, the smallest reminder of the person he talked about made him restless and his forehead wrinkle further. His mood wasn't the only one ruined, the Duchess also lost the playful energy she had earlier. Since she didn't say anything, the Earl pressed on.
"No matter how talented and skilled he was, everyone is pleased he is gone. During the period he was serving you, you would be pushy or extreme about things that you didn't do before. It was like you lost all control over yourself and chose to ignore all the rules that not only society had set on you but what you set for yourself. Besides, he was just overall nauseating to look at." As he mentioned, just being in the same room as Jacques, he felt nauseous. The butler felt like a living mannequin and it grossed him out. But he also felt a different sort of discomfort towards Jacques. It was like Charels could never read what his intentions were, yet he felt like he himself was being watched and exposed instead. Additionally, Jacques always hovered around Camellia, not allowing her out of his sight. The Queen noticed this as well and requested for a secret investigation done on him, but nothing came up. She and her trusted supporters could never find an imperfection to send him away and even if they had a plan to frame him, the evidences all disappeared as soon as they were set. When he was declared dead, everyone felt a sense of relief. During the first couple of days when Jacques disappeared, Charles thought Camellia was devastated. But after a while, it seemed as if even she felt a sense of relief.
"I admit I acted rashly sometimes. But that was due to the impulsiveness all youths go through. The same, however, applies to the state I was before. Some of my so-called rules I set for myself were naive. My goals, my dreams, they cannot be achieved that way."
"Dreams? What dreams do you have that could have possibly made you want to torture criminals both mentally and physically? When we were training partners, you would use to preach about nobility and forgiveness. Your life is already set as well, with the power and wealth of the dukedom."
"You're right. Perhaps it's how everything isn't black and white like my past self thought it was and as a result, I've started to step into the grey area. Curiosity is a dangerous thing." Camellia smiled after contemplating on how to answer her friend. The carriage stopped and Charles got out first. He held out his hand and helped Camellia out, who was immediately greeted by Felix and the other knights had seen that their Duchess was safe, they went to the royal stables where they would allow their horses to refresh themselves. Imperial servants, along with Charles Phipps, greeted the Duchess. He bowed before smiling at the Duchess.
"I hope your journey was comfortable, Your Grace."
"Quite entertaining. I was reminded of how our Lord Grey cannot even keep the admiration of a lady. He scares them off because he acts like little boys who flirt with girls by pulling on their hair-"
"Your Grace!" Charles Grey hissed while still trying to maintain a noble image in front of the servants. Charles Phipps merely smiled as they walked towards the royal garden. "I hope that one day Your Grace will teach him a thing or two about women's tastes in men."
"Of course, anything to help see my two old friends live a peaceful life."
"Yes, Your Grace." Charles Grey rolled his eyes before reporting to the guard that stood in front of the rose arch that led to the gazebo in the royal garden. The guard saluted both of them, stepping aside as he announced her arrival: "Her Grace, Camellia Rochelle Diose has arrived."
Wendeline and Camellia entered the garden, where Camellia walked up to the tea party and greeted all of the attending members while Wendeline stepped aside to cater to Camellia if she needed assistance.
"Please enjoy a safe trip back, Your Grace." Charles Phipps had escorted Camellia and Wendeline back to the carriage. Camellia smiled, slight exhaustion and irritation noticed only by one of her oldest and closest friends. "Whatever Her Majesty said, I am sure she meant it with a good heart."
"Of course. I trust Her Majesty." She and the rest of the Diose household departed. This time, Wendeline was sitting in the carriage with her. She didn't speak a word, although she was worried for her master. Camellia appointed her as the Head Maid because Wendeline was very bright and knew when to hold her tongue but also know when to prevent her from doing anything.
"Hah! I'm sure she said everything at the tea party with a good heart. Between all that pointless talk of the latest trends among peasants and nobles alike, the gossips, the scandals, the rating of the best bakery in the empire, she constantly pressured me into marriage and even threatened me. " Camellia grinded her teeth as she slouched into the backseat. She recalled how so subtly, the Queen would ask about the Duchess's romantic life before stating that it was "dangerous for a single young lady not to wed before she can no longer bear children and that her power and wealth cannot be passed on from the previous duke." In other words, a woman is incompetent to inherit the wealth and properties of their family and it will be transferred to the closest male relative if Camellia cannot secure a marriage and give birth. The Queen would like to continue the dukedom, but just not appointing Camellia as the inheritor.
"Charles Grey said something interesting to me today as well. He said that after Jacques appeared, I lost control of myself. I lost my nobility. Even though I was given everything in the first place."
"!" Wendeline was shocked and she shook with anger. She harbored negative emotions towards Jacques as well, but she didn't blame her master for anything. She felt enraged that the Earl had the nerve to insult her master when she knew that more than anyone else, Camellia had the most noble pride and soul. To think that he even suggested that she was manipulated by Jacques severely upsetted her.
"Nothing was ever mine - not in the past and not now because I am not a man. But it will all be mine."
Wendeline's muscles lost their tension as she smiled knowingly. "I know that Your Grace will definitely get everything you want and this humble servant will do everything to see it through."