Duties

“Come in.” Raquel called out.

She watched as the door opened, four noblewomen walking in with Nicole behind them. Raquel recognized the first lady, it being Lady Ria. She was well dressed with her hair having several jewels in it.

Lady Ria stared at Raquel nervously, like she was about to be executed. The other ladies were also nervous however didn’t seem as scared.

Raquel looked at Nicole. “Please go get some refreshments for my guests.”

“Yes. your highness.” Nicole bowed before leaving the room.

Once Nicole had closed the door behind her, Raquel turned her attention to the four noblewomen in the room. She stared at them, waiting for them to greet her as was custom among nobles for lower ranking nobles to greet first.

“Greetings, your highness.” The four ladies curtsied as they stood in front of Raquel.

“Morning.” Raquel greeted back. “Introduce yourselves.”

A short woman with curly blond hair and brown eyes took a step forward. “I’m Lady Olvia of House Verisa.”

Raquel nodded in understanding and Oliva took a step back, another woman taking a step forward. This woman was the same height as Raquel and had black hair and green eyes. She looked much more cheerful than Lady Olvia had.

“I’m Lady Liana of House Raymill.” Lady Liana exclaimed with a grin.

Raquel couldn’t help but want to smile at what seemed to be a bubbly person. Lady Liana then took a step back and the third lady took a step forward.

This woman was of an average height and had brown hair and brown eyes. Freckles dotted around her nose which was unique for a noble.

“I’m…Lady Bethany o..of House Serthaven.” The woman said, a slight hint of a stutter in her voice.

It made Raquek wonder if it was because Bethany was nervous or actually had a stuttering problem. She hoped it was the former as Raquel knew that high society would never tolerate someone with a stuttering problem.

Finally Lady Ria took a step forward. She was pale as she gulped down, trying to prepare herself. “I’m Lady Ria of House Goldborough.”

Raquel nodded. “Good to meet you all. Now why not take a seat so we can discuss your duties as my lady-in-waitings.”

Lady Liana bit her lip for a moment, looking like she wanted to ask a question. Raquel nodded her permission.

“Your highness…can I ask why you’re holding a sword?” Lady Liana asked, pointing at the sword Raquel was holding.

Raquel looked down at her sword, having completely forgotten she was holding it. The sword felt so natural in her hand but she knew it probably looked weird that she was holding one in the middle of her office.

Nothing like another crazy rumor to go around. Raquel thought to herself.

“Oh this…” Raquel said, holding up her sword. “Well, office work makes my shoulders tense sometimes…So I use it to stretch.”

Lady Liana nodded in understanding and hurried off to go sit with the other noblewomen. Raquel meanwhile went to her desk, placing her sword down and picking up a stack of documents, Ryker had helped her prepare for her lady-in-waitings.

“As you all may be aware, I normally have one lady-in-waiting at a time. However, with my marriage and increased workload, I’ll be needing more help.” Raquel explained as she sat down. “Of course, I would really need two but seeing my luck with lady-in-waitings, it was best to have five in the event that someone fails at their duties, others can pick up the slack.”

Raquel fell silent letting her subtle threat be understood. She needed to make sure her lady-in-waitings understood their positions and would keep each other in place.

After a few minutes of silence, Raquel continued, “The fifth member is doing a task for me right now so you’ll get to meet her later. Each of you will also be receiving a list of tasks you are to complete. Should you not understand something you may ask me.”

As she spoke, Raquel handed each noblewoman a small stack of documents with their specific duties written down.

“I have arranged accommodations for everyone and you all will be required to attend various events with me so I expect you to have a decent wardrobe. I will not accept any excuses as there is a budget for your wardrobe. You may ask my servant, Nicole, for more information about that.

“As for salary, it’ll be stated in the documents handed to you. Bonuses will be awarded for any extra work done. You will be allowed to leave the palace and visit family, however you are to place a notice about your leave of absence a week ahead. Emergencies are taken into account, however you’ll need my approval first.”

The door suddenly opened and Raquel turned to see that Nicole had entered the room with a tray of refreshments.

Raquel turned back to the noblewomen. “Do you ladies have any questions regarding what I just said?”

“No, your highness.” All four quickly replied.

“Excellent.” Raquel smiled. “Read through your duties and if you don’t understand something you can ask me a question about it.”

The four noblewomen nodded their heads in understanding before looking over their respected documents. Nicole took this time to set out the refreshments on the table.

She then handed Raquel a teacup and poured some tea in it. Raquel smiled her thanks and Nicole nodded, moving to a corner.

The room was silent except for the sound of papers being turned until Lady Ria suddenly looked up in confusion.

“Your highness…It says here that I’ll be staying in some town in the south…I don’t understand….” Lady Ria suddenly exclaimed in confusion.

Raquel smirked behind her teacup before placing it down and giving Lady Ria a blank look. “Well, as the future empress, you’ll all be more than just simple lady-in-waitings. You’ll be helping me with the administration work of this empress. Thus it’s important that you get experience now.”

Raquel paused for a moment. “Lady Ria, I’m sending you to a small military base in the south to oversee some construction work. If you think you’re incapable of doing such a minor task, I ask that you pack your things now.”

Raquel knew what she said could put everything planned at risk but this was the only way she could test Lady Ria and see what she was really capable of.

Lady Ria bit her lip and nodded. “Alright, your highness.”