The servants surrounding her were momentarily stunned and unsure of what to say because there was no fault in her words. The servants stayed silent for a few seconds, creating an awkward atmosphere. The one who broke the silence emerged from the group of servants, walking towards Alyysia. She was an attractive green-haired woman who touched Alyysia's right shoulder and pushed her towards the door.
"Are you saying you've completed your tasks in such a filthy state and that you'll represent the Eight Supreme Gods like this!? Moreover, with your clothes not even clean, how can you clean the Crown Prince's room?"
As Alyysia hit the door, feeling pain in her shoulder, just as she was about to get angry, the words of the Divine angel echoed in her mind, "Always appear innocent and fragile; turn the cruelty done to you in your favor."
Later, Alyysia, with teary eyes, looked at the four servants in front of her and tremblingly said, looking quite fragile and delicate, "Dear sisters, I didn't understand what you said... Wasn't my uniform washed by you this morning? How can it be dirty? Perhaps you didn't notice this dirt due to tiredness..."
The red-haired middle-aged woman furrowed her brows and her mouth took on a disdainful expression. She was about to speak when Alyysia continued her speech.
"Sister Malliat, I sincerely apologize for my words. It wasn't your oversight, of course. I dirtied the uniform you worked hard to wash, and for that, I apologize again! I haven't shown respect and gratitude for your effort. Please forgive me. If there's anything you want me to do, I'll do it immediately, as an apology and to make up for wrongly accusing you!"
Alyysia bowed as if she had committed a great crime, and a few tears streamed down her cheeks. While her body trembled, she continued to express her willingness to fulfill any request for apology.
Malliat looked at Alyysia with a satisfied expression, as if thinking that this was how it should be. After a moment of contemplation, with occasional pitiful looks from Alyysia, Malliat seemed to be pondering something.
Then, Malliat snapped her fingers and said, "Today, a lot of laundry needs to be done. I wish someone could do it for me."
"I can do it, Sister Malliat. Please allow me to do this for you!"
Alyysia kept her head bowed out of respect and spoke loudly. Malliat smiled at Alyysia and said, "Well done, my dear. You should be respectful to your elders!" Then, turning to the servants behind her, she added, "Don't interfere with her."
As the servants dispersed grumbling, Alyysia clenched her fist and walked silently to the laundry room, murmuring to herself, "Not much longer, not much longer, you will all pay a thousand times for what you've put me through!"
While washing laundry in the laundry room, Alyysia was mocked and belittled by passing servants, whispering and giggling at her. Despite this, Alyysia managed to keep her emotions in check and continued washing the laundry.
Valnric, passing by the laundry room, overheard the servants' whispers and laughter. Intrigued, he entered the room and found Alyysia washing the uniforms and clothes of the other servants in a pitiful manner.
Seeing Valnric, the servants ceased their gossip, and Valnric, noticing the potential future concubine in such a pitiful state, became angered. He shouted, "What is happening here?"
All the servants startled and immediately lowered their heads. Alyysia, frightened by the sound, jumped from her spot, splashing wet laundry over herself.
Valnric looked at Alyysia with sympathetic eyes and asked, "Why are you performing the duties of the laundry room attendants? Do you now desire to be a laundry servant instead of being the personal servant of the Crown Prince?"
Alyysia quickly bowed her head, kneeling, and replied, "I would never dare!"
"Then why are you washing the clothes and uniforms?"
"Well..."
Alyysia bit her lip, appearing to think of an excuse. Then, realizing that Valnric understood the mistreatment she faced from the other servants in the palace, he sighed and spoke.
"Go, fetch Malliat for me."
"Please allow me to explain..."
Valnric interrupted Alyysia's attempt to explain, warning her sternly, "Go and do the tasks you're supposed to do! This matter does not concern you. Also, I will arrange for a new pair of uniforms for you."
Alyysia, with her head bowed, turned away from the laundry room. Before leaving, she cast an apologetic glance back and then exited. As she walked towards her room, a momentary smile appeared on her face, but she quickly wiped it away.
Upon reaching her room, she maintained the sad expression on her face. She knew that displaying happiness or a normal expression might arouse suspicion. Upon entering her room, she looked at the light reflected from the window and silently belittled her space, consisting only of a wardrobe, dresser, and bed – a place she felt undeserving of.
Sitting on her bed, a crazy smile appeared on her face, and waves of joy surged from her heart. However, when her room door was knocked, she swiftly erased the smile, replacing it with a guilty and sad expression.
When Alyysia opened the door, she saw a servant who had brought her a new uniform. She slightly bowed, expressing gratitude, "I apologize for exhausting you, and thank you for bringing me a new pair of uniforms."
After the servant handed over the uniform with a gentle smile, they left. Later, as Alyysia closed her room door, she muttered, "Yes, this is what I deserve. I won't bother to bring anything; everything will be brought to me and laid out in front of me!"