Chapter 44. Brainwashing

AURELIA

“The empress is too merciful for her own good,” the maid beside me muttered as she folded the laundry.

I was not particularly the mood for some palace gossip, but this one involved the royals—the empress herself—hence, curiosity overcame me. None of these should be my concern though, my intuition cautioned me.

I hummed a noncommittal response to the gossiper, something barely coherent, praying she would drop the subject, but hoping she didn’t. Familiar with the intricacies of royal houses, I was very sure committing to gossip would push me to picking sides in such a workplace, and I did not want to.

Still trying to engage me, the girl continued, “You’re lucky to be chosen as one of the queen’s maids. Not everyone gets the privilege of visiting her inner chamber.”

“Oh, really?” I gave out a lackluster response. After all, how could I tell her that being favored by the queen was the least of my worries? All I wanted was a piece of information to