Molly elevated herself slightly. “Gossip?”She surveyed her surroundings and leaned in towards the two girls. “I have been confined in a carriage for days with two men who scarcely converse,”
The girls’ eyes expanded in sympathy. “Oh, you unfortunate creature.” I cannot fathom enduring days without engaging in meaningful discourse! “Men are particularly egregious in that regard,” Beck remarked, rolling her eyes at the notion. “The anecdotes I’ve encountered could provide us with days of discussion.” She chuckled.
Molly’s grip on the bottle intensified. She laughed with them and cast a glance at Millie to ensure she was not approaching. “How long have you two been present?”Molly enquired nonchalantly, attempting to avoid appearing overly enthusiastic. Given Jayce’s typical reticence, it was incumbent upon her and Beckham to extract information from these individuals.
“Mia and I arrived around the same time nearly two years ago,” Beck remarked with a smile. “We were both transferred here from mixing, which was an unpleasant position.” Our arms felt weak and fatigued by the day’s conclusion.
Molly smiled while they shared laughter. She abruptly felt a pang of longing for Kylie, wishing she were present; however, concurrently, she felt relief at her absence. There was an abundance of experiences to be had, yet none justified the peril associated with mortality.
“I heard something yesterday regarding the prince.”Mia whispered, and Molly leaned in closer. “I heard he murdered one of the assassins sent to eliminate him.” He located and pursued him, and the following day, his body was discovered in the woods.
Molly endeavoured to appear shocked. “Oh my…” how macabre.
“Indeed, the other two believe they are next.” They have been warning others to be cautious, but there is no possibility he would arrive here,” Beck elaborated.
Did the insubordinate leader dispatch them to pursue him? “I heard the princes are perilous individuals,” Molly remarked, her eyes wide in disbelief at the gossip she was receiving. She frequently exhibited the same expression with Kylie whenever she relayed something hazardous.
“Alas!” Lord Colton has commanded them to cease, yet it appears that an individual from his own palace has placed a substantial bounty on his life.
“Females!” “You are compensated for labour, not for conversation,” Millie reprimanded. Molly promptly resumed filling the bottles, experiencing a profound sense of irritation surge within her. Had she been afforded a few additional minutes, she might have received more critical information. Her mind fixated on what she had learnt, and she immediately discerned who had placed a bounty on Jayce’s life.
The Luna Queen. It was inevitable. She was the sole individual privy to their destination, apart from his family, and the only person Molly suspected.
After an hour, the two girls resumed trivial gossip about individuals unknown to her. Molly participated with equal enthusiasm as she had with the Jayce discussions, despite her awareness that it would linger in her thoughts.
They perceived her as one of their own and readily confided in her. She was indeed a girl like them, a maid who had encountered countless others who invariably reacted similarly upon seeing her, even if they never crossed paths again. She surmised that she possessed a countenance that inspired trust.
Upon recognising their lack of further contributions, Molly signalled for Millie.
“Completed already?”Millie meticulously examined each bottle before nodding in approval. “Excellent, tomorrow you will commence your first full day.” Work commences in the late morning; please do not arrive tardy.
Molly nearly lost her way multiple times while returning to her room but ultimately located the fractured hallway she had observed previously. Those she encountered appeared dazed, even as she unabashedly gazed at them with a smile.
Upon her return to the room, Beckham and Jayce were already present with an unappealing spread of food. Molly secured the door and took a seat to join them.
Jayce’s gaze tracked her, appearing to assess her condition, yet her thoughts felt fragmented. “Anything?”She enquired of them initially.
“I encountered an individual who was evidently a heavy drinker.” He extended an invitation for a beer later, and I intend to ascertain what I can extract from him, provided he arrives unaccompanied,” Beckham remarked while rubbing his arms. Molly recalled the comments made by the girls regarding the assignment he had received and bit her lip.
“The men in my section converse quite loudly and are indifferent to who overhears them,” Jayce stated. “I overheard them reference one of the supervisors and discuss plans to improve the establishment.” No valuable information has emerged thus far, but I anticipate that something will eventually be revealed. What is your status?
“I encountered two young women who were fond of gossip.” Molly regarded both men with raised eyebrows. “They promptly divulged to me the most recent rumours concerning the prince and how an individual from the palace had placed a bounty on his life.”
Beckham’s eyes widened, and the room fell silent for an extended moment as they all exchanged glances.
Did they specify who?Jayce enquired despite their mutual awareness of the identity. Molly merely shook her head in negation.
