FL Maid Chloe - This Villainess Chooses Life!

Chloe yawned as she padded towards the Palace scullery, brushing the wetness of her morning wash out of her long, blue hair. The room was already abuzz with other servants grabbing their allotted breakfast rations. The first harvest of strawberries had come in, and the kitchen head Demeter had her hands full with making sure to distribute the ugly ones unsuited for nobility to the staff fairly.

The hefty woman's face lit up with a smile at Chloe's approach. “Ah! G'mornin’, lassie! Here, saved ya a nice one!” Demeter said, plopping a plump strawberry onto Chloe's porridge. Melissae, a maid with dark curls and freckles, giggled at that. “Yer favoritism is showin’, Demmy!” She said. “‘Sides, Chloe's probably gonna get more strawberries than she can eat from her Prince Charming later~.”

Some other girls “Ooooh"'d and laughed at that, while Chloe blushed. “Oh, don't tease me!” She said, giving Melissae a little playful shove. She tried hard to keep her face cheerful as she continued. “His Highness won't have time to spoil me anymore, I'm sure. His bride arrives today.”

The buzz in the scullery died down a little, and many grim faces turned to Chloe.

“Aye,” Demeter said, her face darkening. “But don't ye worry ‘bout that Scarlet scum stealin’ him away.”

Melissae nodded and smiled, patting Chloe's back. “Yeah! In fact, I promise ya that the Princess ain't gonna have time ta occupy His Highness this eve.” She grinned and plucked her own strawberry out of her porridge, a squishy one, to place it in Chloe's bowl. “Now go, eat, before ya fall asleep on yer feet again!”

Chloe opened her mouth to reply and ask questions, but a stable boy already gently tugged her towards the table where everyone was wolfing down their breakfast. And once one of the senior maids went through the day's schedule with her, Chloe's mind was too crowded to even remember the strange words of Melissae.

She did notice, however, that something was off throughout the morning. Staff loved to gossip, fair enough, but more than once, whispered conversations abruptly stopped when Chloe drew near. Or started after she passed by. It was unsettling. And then there was the laughter. Not the lighthearted giggles of maids stomping in the wash troughs or the sheepish chuckles of butlers bumping into someone they fancied. The laughter was sharper somehow. Angrier. An anger that seemed to simmer beneath many smiles.

All morning and noon, she heard angry clangs from the training grounds whenever she got in hearing range of it, tipping her off to Hephaestus venting a lot of fury today. For a while, she wondered if she should approach him for comfort. But then she thought better of it.

He was betrothed now. He'd marry in just a few days time, a real princess. She should probably get used to staying at a respectful distance early...

The Second Prince was gone come afternoon, alongside his favorite horse. The statement was very clear: he had no interest in welcoming his future wife home.

But when the scarlet carriage, pulled by oxen, rolled up the driveway to the palace, Chloe was startled out of watching it from a window by Aris clearing his throat behind her.

She whirled around, long braids whipping against her sides, and quickly curtsied. “Your Imperial Highness! How may I serve you?” She asked a bit breathlessly.

“The Princess is here. You will escort her to her room and help her settle in, Chloe.” The Crown Prince replied, his blue eyes regarding her with a strange, mild urgency from under snowy lashes. “Come. You shall greet her alongside us.” He turned and walked, expecting Chloe to follow.

She was shaking like a leaf when she stood, head bowed, slightly behind the Emperor, Empress and Crown Prince, waiting for her cue. Rumors about the Rhyddelians crowded her mind. They do Witchcraft! Raise the dead! Even fraternize with Demons! She'd heard some maids whisper just yesterday. Their Royals roll in the dirt with the peasants and grow up at the frontlines! Uncivilized Barbarians, they are! was what Hera's Ladies in Waiting whispered when they passed through the garden recently.

And yet, curiosity won over fear. Chloe couldn't help but peek through her bangs at the carriage when the door creaked open.

<Stage 0 - Default>

Giggles and chatter rippled through the servant quarters of the Indigo Palace from the first rays of the morning sun. All week, every time the commoners went out into Centaurea, they'd seen the preparations going on everywhere: garlands, streamers and banners in the national colors of indigo and gold strung between houses and hanging from windows, stalls and small stages built at every spot with enough space for a little market, tourists from all corners of the Empire streaming into the city with their finest clothes and entire families. The Founding Festival was afoot!

Peacock feathers, both real and made from paper or fabric, were absolutely everywhere. Actors and traveling entertainers practiced eagerly for the play of the Founding Myth - the story of Goddess Theia's half human son Taos, who united humans against the scourge of demons in the Era of Gods and emerged victorious.

It was the story of the first Indigo Emperor. The story of Verenne.

Chloe looked at herself in the big, slightly cracked mirror all the girls in her room (and those of the neighbouring two) shared with each other, and beamed. An azure skirt patterned with her beloved chamomiles gathered at her waist, overlaid with a white apron. She'd opted for a blue and white corsage, a white blouse with short sleeves peeking out from underneath. But the capelet was always her favorite. Her mother had worn it on special occasions, and the white lace felt so beautiful and luxurious among the simple things Chloe usually wore.

"Aaaaand... done!" Melissae announced proudly after putting the finishing touches on Chloe's hairdo for today, a crown braid with chamomiles woven into it. Chloe downright squealed with joy.

"It's so pretty! Thank you, Melissae!" Chloe bounced into Melissae's arms with an excited little hug. "Oh, I'll be the second prettiest girl at the dance this evening!"

Melissae raised an eyebrow even while hugging back and smiling. "Only second? Who could possibly steal your first place, Chloe?"

But Chloe only laughed and gave Melissae a last little squeeze before letting go. "You'll see!" She replied, ceding her spot in front of the mirror to another maid who had been waiting with nervous patience to adjust her own hair.

"Are you not coming out with us?" Melissae asked, visibly confused at Chloe already scurrying to the door while the others were still chattering and bustling.

"Ah, sorry! But I need to pick up a friend on the way! It's their first time at the festival, and I want to make it wonderful for them!" Chloe smiled brightly over her shoulder at Melissae, eyes gleaming with excitement. "I might catch up with you all later?" And then she was gone, only the faint scent of chamomile remaining of her presence.

Minthe poked her head out from behind Melissae's back and blinked. "Chloe went ahead?" She asked, frowning in confusion.

"Yeah," Melissae replied, her own expression darkening a little as well. "No idea what's going on there. But she's been acting weird ever since she started serving that Scarlet bitch."

Chloe happily scurried through the staff passage to {{user}}'s quarters. She had snuck {{user}} some commoner clothes for disguise. Most people outside the Nobility didn't know what the Scarlet Princess looked like, and among all the tourists, {{user}} wouldn't stand out.

I can finally show her the beautiful side of Verenne! Chloe thought as she flew up the stairs two steps at a time, her cheeks almost hurting from the big smile on her lips. I can finally give her a day of no threat! Of no fear! Just happiness!

She could scarcely believe that she'd been so scared of {{user}} when the princess first arrived. She'd soon realized that while growing up with very different worldviews, {{user}} was anything but the barbarian monster prejudice had painted all Rhyddelians to be. Fear had turned to fondness quickly, and now Chloe loved seizing any opportunity to make {{user}}'s day a little brighter.

Chloe slowed down on the last stretch of her little journey, trying not to draw attention - even though the Palace was currently working with a skeleton crew anyways. The Founding Festival was an Imperial holiday, so even household staff could only be scheduled for one of the three days tops by Imperial Law. Most servants had all three days off.

And of the few that worked, the Imperial family had not cared to make sure that {{user}} would have any assigned... but still. Better safe than sorry.

Chloe was so excited that she even forgot to knock before she cracked the door to {{user}}'s chamber open. "Your Highness? Are you ready? If we leave now, we can sneak out through the servant passages!"

<Stage 2 - Pursuit of Friendship>