"No matter who assumes the position of Head Maid, history will repeat itself—unless that person is you."
The Queen Mother's voice carried the weight of exhaustion and hard-won wisdom.
"With you in that role, everyone will understand that I stand behind you. They will surrender before the thought of defiance even crosses their minds. No one will dare attempt anything so foolish again."
There was no possibility that Baroness Pinatelli—the Queen Mother's eyes and ears for two decades—would fail to make the entire palace nervous as she moved through its corridors.
"You are the only one capable of rectifying this chaos. Only then... will I finally feel secure."
Was it truly possible to receive such profound trust from another human being?
Baroness Pinatelli felt deeply grateful that the one extending it was none other than the Queen Mother herself.
Eradicating corruption and restoring proper order to the royal household—this has been my deepest aspiration for years.
Yet even as gratitude swelled within her chest, Baroness Pinatelli could not entirely suppress the pang of remorse.
She could not reveal the complete truth to the Queen Mother.
She bowed deeply, concealing the turmoil behind practiced composure.
"I will dedicate every fiber of my being to ensure I do not disappoint Your Majesty's expectations. I shall pour my entire life into this task."
"Very well. I place my trust in you."
A wrinkled hand descended slowly upon her shoulder, its weight speaking of age, of hope, and of a fragile faith that could not afford to be broken.
The New Regime
"Have you heard? A new Head Maid has been appointed."
"Baroness Pinatelli? She was the Queen Mother's closest attendant, was she not?"
The newly appointed Head Maid proved to be a woman as gentle as still water—yet as unyielding as mountain stone.
She would no longer tolerate the sloth and injustice that had festered throughout the royal palace.
Marchioness Pinatelli appointed Royal Head Maid
The areas corrupted by former Head Maid Quiggin were excised with surgical precision. A comprehensive purge swept through the palace staff like wildfire.
Baroness Pinatelli possessed intimate knowledge of the palace's true conditions, having lived within its walls for decades. She proved especially zealous in hunting down the agents the Prince Regent had strategically planted in various positions.
With the Queen Mother standing firmly behind her, no one could impede the new Head Maid's relentless reforms.
"The former Head Maid was guilty of embezzlement—but what proved even more shocking was her expulsion for attempting to slander Her Highness the Princess!"
Word also spread that the palace physician who had neglected the recently collapsed Princess had been severely beaten and permanently expelled from the palace.
"The Queen Mother still cherishes her granddaughter after all!"
The invisible hierarchy of the palace was being systematically dismantled and rebuilt, piece by piece.
The Princess's Palace
The new Head Maid undertook a comprehensive renovation of the Princess's quarters, bringing sweeping changes to every corner.
"Arrange the layout to mirror the Queen Mother's Palace."
"Position that crest here."
Baroness Pinatelli personally visited the Princess's residence and supervised the placement of every item. Not a single object or piece of furniture failed to meet the standards befitting royalty.
Once the transformation was complete, the palace finally resembled a proper royal residence.
"I greet Your Highness the Princess."
Upon encountering Medea, Baroness Pinatelli executed a deep, flawless bow—her etiquette befitting royalty in every particular.
That the Head Maid—chief of all court ladies—would demonstrate such sincere courtesy to the Princess sent an unmistakable message. The other attendants immediately straightened their backs and followed suit.
Baroness Pinatelli serves the Queen Mother directly. If she treats the Princess with such deference, it can only mean the Queen Mother values her granddaughter.
They could no longer afford to ignore or disparage the Princess.
The message rang clear: no matter how strained the relationship between grandmother and granddaughter might appear, the Queen Mother would never permit malevolent forces to torment her own blood.
"Baroness Pinatelli."
"Your Highness."
"This place remains rather dusty—hardly suitable conditions for extended occupation. You must be exhausted from overseeing the work so constantly. Would you care to take some fresh air with me? My garden is modest, but quite pleasant."
Baroness Pinatelli did not refuse the Princess's invitation.
"I am grateful for Your Highness's consideration."
The two settled into a secluded alcove near the garden entrance. Warm sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting delicate shadows across Medea's features.
Baroness Pinatelli allowed herself a gentle smile.
"It is simply remarkable. Events have unfolded precisely as Your Highness predicted..."
Rather than responding, Medea raised her teacup in a subtle gesture.
Their morning conversation dissolved beneath the rippling surface of the tea—understood without words.
Baroness Pinatelli recognized the meaning and smiled in companionable silence.
"The royal palace is finally standing upright once more. Your contribution has been immeasurable, Baroness. The seal I received has at last fulfilled its purpose."
"You give me far too much credit, Your Highness. I am merely performing my duty. The work ahead will require considerable time—Quiggin left corruption embedded in countless corners."
"I have complete faith in your success, Baroness."
Medea offered these words of encouragement. Then her expression grew contemplative.
"However... while tracking the whereabouts of my former maids, I encountered certain information. I remain uncertain whether I should burden you with it."
"Please speak freely, Your Highness. If it concerns the restoration of proper order within the royal household, there is nothing I would hesitate to hear."
Medea pressed her lips together briefly before speaking.
"Madame Quiggin—there are whispers that she abducted children from within the palace and sold them."
Baroness Pinatelli's brow furrowed deeply.
"Are you suggesting that Quiggin may have been involved in human trafficking?"
"I cannot speak to the details. When I attempted to locate the maid who provided these hints, she too had vanished..."
Medea lowered her lashes, concern evident in her refined features.
"Regardless of their station, once they enter this palace, they become members of the royal household— citizens of Valdina under the Crown's protection. If it proves true that they were forcibly sold from these very walls..."
Baroness Pinatelli moved swiftly to reassure her.
"I understand Your Highness's concerns completely. I shall investigate this matter thoroughly—please do not trouble yourself unduly."
"I hesitated to burden you with such a matter so soon after your appointment, but since you have offered... I shall set my concerns at ease."
Even after extensive investigation into Quiggin's affairs, not a single trace of the repugnant "gifts" she had supplied to the Minister had been uncovered.
This could only mean that Etienne was concealing his proclivities with exceptional care.
"The palace's internal affairs were jointly overseen by the former Head Maid and the Minister of the Court. Perhaps you might consult with the Minister? He may possess relevant knowledge."
Medea added this suggestion with apparent thoughtfulness.
"Though I confess some hesitation, given that the Minister himself became entangled in the maid's conspiracy."
"I understand completely, Your Highness."
Baroness Pinatelli inclined her head in acknowledgment.
The Office of the Minister of the Court
The Minister flung aside his newspaper with undisguised irritation.
It contained yet another follow-up article concerning the former Head Maid Quiggin.
"A spectacular failure, from beginning to end. Foolish woman."
He clicked his tongue and scratched absently at his protruding belly.
The moment Quiggin had been imprisoned, he had immediately severed all ties and devoted himself entirely to securing his own survival.
How was I to anticipate that she would act so recklessly, so entirely of her own accord?
Not long ago, she approached me claiming she would deliver more of those "toys." Her true intention was undoubtedly to steal something compromising, connect me to the Princess somehow, then manipulate me by exploiting my weakness.
When the Prince Regent had arrived to investigate the situation, the Minister had successfully persuaded him and sent him on his way.
There existed no evidence of their collusion, after all.
The Prince Regent had departed wearing an expression of lingering unease—like a patient suspecting illness but unable to confirm diagnosis. Even if he did not entirely believe the Minister, he would not think of discarding him entirely.
Nevertheless, Quiggin's downfall had significantly impacted the Minister's operations.
The bribes he had systematically distributed throughout the palace were now blocked by the new Head Maid. But far more pressing—
With Quiggin's death, his source of pleasure had vanished entirely.
Quiggin possessed considerable skill, I must admit. Her ability to select... items... was truly exceptional.
What a waste—as though he had shattered a useful tool that could never be replaced.
As he savored his regret in solitude, a servant announced a visitor's arrival.
The Minister lurched upright with sudden energy.
"Welcome, welcome! Baroness Pinatelli!"
"The decision to remove such a shameless creature was absolutely correct!"
The Minister slammed his palm against the table with theatrical indignation.
In a transparent attempt to curry favor with Baroness Pinatelli, he heaped curses upon the former Head Maid with performative fervor.
"To satisfy her own greed, she even dared to harm Her Highness! Her Majesty the Queen Mother demonstrated extraordinary wisdom in punishing such a person without delay!"
His ample belly shook in rhythm with his jowls as he erupted in boisterous laughter.
Baroness Pinatelli regarded him with an expression devoid of warmth.
The Minister's laughter died in his throat. He cleared it awkwardly.
"Ahem!"
"Then I shall take my leave. I trust you will investigate the matter I mentioned with appropriate thoroughness."
"Naturally, naturally! Human trafficking—why, even demons would recoil from such depravity! I shall uncover every detail without fail!"
Having received the response she required, Baroness Pinatelli rose to depart.
The Minister rubbed his greasy hands together with an ingratiating smile.
"Now that our paths have crossed in this manner, I would very much like to pay my respects to the Queen Mother together with you at some point. When might be convenient?"
"I believe the Queen Mother would find greater satisfaction in our resolution of current matters than in the cultivation of social connections."
Baroness Pinatelli's reply carried the temperature of winter stone.
"Then please excuse my intrusion."
"Indeed. Please see yourself out."
As the Baroness departed with impeccable courtesy, Count Etienne's lips curled with distaste.
"Rigid as seasoned timber. Tsk!"
He spat out the tea he had been drinking.
The liquid gushed forth with his breath, soaking the table in a repugnant display. A servant bearing a fox-emblazoned badge approached with a handkerchief.
"This grows troublesome. I concealed everything so meticulously—how could she possibly have caught the scent?"
With watchful eyes now trained upon him, it seemed prudent to abstain from any new... acquisitions... for the foreseeable future.
"Damn you, Quiggin. Still plaguing me even from the grave."
Nothing was proceeding according to plan. He kicked the table in impotent frustration.
The Princess's Palace
Baroness Pinatelli dispatched word that her meeting with the Minister had concluded.
He proves more cautious than anticipated.
This is evident from the fact that so many political adversaries have yet to discover the Minister's fatal secret.
No—the Minister has concealed his depravity with exceptional skill.
Either way, the secret he had guarded for so long would soon be dragged into the light.
Medea turned from the window.
"Neril. You mentioned that your friend Tom hails from the streets, did you not?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I would like to request that he run some errands on my behalf."
Neril received a piece of parchment inscribed with glue and various other ingredients.
Now that the Prince Regent's left arm had been severed, the time had come to address his right.
Minister Etienne. You are next.
Once this remaining piece of unfinished business was concluded—
The Hunt Continues ## The Right Arm Will Bleed
To Be Continued
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