Episode 2
The Countess of House Saxony, once an insignificant regional noble family, had become a formidable force thanks only to its connection to the current Empress. Back then, Jack of Saxony would never have dared talk to Grace Taylor—but now, even moons fall at their feet.
In the finest guest chambers of Taylor Castle, the floor was littered with broken bottles and glasses. Maid Jessie lay face-down, while Jack of Saxony squatted before her, grinning lecherously.
“Why’s it so hard to just sit next to me?” he slurred, swaying drunkenly.
His lackeys had slunk away quietly; the minor duke was so drunk he’d been carried off. The Taylor family and the Saxony nobles kept their distance. Only the powerless servants remained.
An elderly servant knelt beside Jessie, begging, “My lord, please—have mercy…”
Before he finished, Jack slapped his cheek hard.
“How dare a servant address me?!” he roared.
“Forgive me,” the servant mumbled and bowed—but Jack wasn’t done. He picked up a goblet and tipped its contents over the servant’s head. Gold-hued wine streamed down the man’s nape. Some onlookers crushed their fists in outrage, others turned away in shame.
Jessie clenched her fists, her eyes flashing—and Jack snarled mockingly:
“You lot are just like these cups. Do what you’re told. No thoughts, no words of your own!”
With that, Jack grabbed Jessie by her nape and thrust her upright.
“Understand?”
At that moment, the door burst open. Jack froze mid-stride, turned toward it—and there she stood: Grace in a pale green gown.
She took a sharp breath and scanned the room. The Taylor retainers brightened to see her, then immediately turned grim. One servant seemed ready to protest, but dared not.
Grace gave a cursory nod toward Jessie and the fallen servant before fixing her gaze on Jack.
“Jack of Saxony.”
Her voice was soft yet regal; Jack’s drunken haze vanished in an instant. He stared—captivated.
Jessie bit her lip hard—blood trickled down. Others stood silent, shocked. Only Grace remained composed.
“It’s late. You should rest.”
Jack smirked—just the tone he liked.
Of course, he’d been miffed she hadn’t shown up sooner, so his sneer was smug—until Grace spoke again.
“Pour me a drink and I might leave you be.”
Jack’s empty grin froze. Those gathered watched in stunned silence as Grace ordered the retainers out.
The drinkers, Jack among them, stiffened. But the retainers obeyed—slipping away quietly.
When the door shut, Jack lunged at Grace like a hungry hyena, his fingers twisting her hair.
“Taylor is finally worth something…”
But Grace’s calm interjection cut him off.
“You perform too.”
Jack blinked.
Grace swept her hair from his grip, stepped back, elegantly raised the wine bottle she’d grabbed from the table, and spoke with quiet menace:
“You said you forget everything after a night’s drinking?”
“Not true! I remember it all!”
Too late—Grace loomed, wine bottle raised.
“If you scream, you get two strikes. And bite down hard—if not, you’ll chew your tongue.”
Meanwhile, outside, servants paced nervously.
“How could you bring her here?”
“But… there was no one else… sob…”
“Tomorrow, she’s marrying him. What will happen?!”
As tears trembled in the hallway, the door opened. Grace emerged and smiled reassuringly.
“She’s fine.”
She gently closed the door, and to the eldest servant she announced:
“Jack has passed out. Send for Count Saxony’s servants and clean this up.”
He staggered but collapsed where he stood, and Grace walked with quiet dignity down the corridor, servants stepping aside as she passed. Hall lights shimmered across her path.
One maid, unable to bear it, called, “Milady!”
Grace paused, turned, and looked at her with clear warmth.
“Are you all right?”
The roomful of worried faces, brutal upbringing, tears—they had seen her through the darkest days. Since the night she lost her parents, they had sheltered and nurtured her. Even as Duke John and Emma disliked her, they warmed her room, comforted her, fed her gentle meals—
“Milady, come–”
“Look at the flowers, your Highness!”
They were her family.
She smiled into the darkness.
“Thank you—for everything.”
“Milady…”
“Just hold on a little longer.”
Grace turned and walked into an endless swirl of darkness, whispering to herself: “Until I return.”
[“You perform too.”]
I have no idea what this sentence was supposed to mean?
I think it meant you entertain too…. Because he wanted the maids to entertain him!
You rock Grace 😎😎