Chapter 176: The Duchess’s Burden
"Did you hear?" the maid asked another, leaning in conspiratorially.
"What?" the other maid replied, raising an eyebrow.
"The noises coming from the duchess’s room last night," the maid answered with a knowing smirk.
"Oh, that! How could I not? It’s all anyone can talk about in the palace," the other maid chuckled.
"But I still don’t understand. If the duke wanted to return to the room, why did he order his things moved when he could have just stayed there?" the first maid pondered.
"No idea," the other maid shrugged, "but judging from the sounds, they must have been quite passionate last night. The duchess’s voice kept carrying out."
"I know, right? I never imagined her like that. She always seems so... cold. But after last night, I’m convinced she truly loves the duke," the first maid added, whispering dramatically.
Suddenly, the guard of the duchess’s room appeared, his face stern. "What are you two gossiping about? Do you know the consequences if the duke or duchess heard a word of this? You want to lose your jobs?"
"No, no! It just slipped out," the maids stammered, fear creeping into their eyes.
"And entering the room like this? What if they’re..." the maid began, but was cut off before he could finish.
"I will inform the duke. Wait here." He gave them a pointed look and then knocked on the door.
"Duke, the maids are here to help prepare the duchess. Shall I send them in?" the guard asked politely.