6. Fireplace mystery and the dead body
1058 Words
“Um… A dead body…” Gertrude was caught off guard. She never expected that there would be anyone listening on the other side of the door. When she saw the rest of the kitchen helps standing there and looking very shocked at what they heard from her, Gertrude knew that she had manipulate their little minds.
One way out of that situation was to gaslight them—make them believe that they heard wrong and that their conclusions were totally wrong. “Bertha plans on joining the town’s play.” Gertrude knew that she had to sound more convincing, “We’ve been practising her lines all morning long. She has problems showing emotions that match the script because she has never dealt with a dead body before.”
“Have you dealt with a dead body before, Ms. Gertrude?” asked one of the maids. She was the most admired in the palace for her striking beauty and natural grace. She had been working in the palace for as long as Gertrude has. Her name was Lutho.
“N-no. Why would you think of something like that?”
“I didn’t think it. I just asked a question. You’re the one who’s seeming suspicious right now,” she continued to go near and then, she stood right in front of Gertrude. Lutho gave Gertrude one of her condescending looks. This was to remind Gertrude that she didn’t think highly of her.
They had been rivalries for years now and all the workers joining the palace over the years would instantly learn of their vendetta. It was never clear to any of the maids what the problem was with the two ladies. Most would guess that Lutho wanted Gertrude’s position as the head maid of the palace but instead, she became the deputy head maid.
“Well, so-called head maid, you should know that this is no time for your silly play rehearsals. Breakfast must be ready within an hour from now. Everybody! Get to work!”
The kitchen became busy, instantly. The maids rushed to each scrub their hands and position themselves at their stations. They would be making an impressive breakfast because it was announced that the King’s father would be joining the table that morning.
Lutho was not done with Gertrude. She glided past Gertrude, and carefully whispered, “I look forward to the play. Matter of facts, I must go ask the director for a part too, in this thrilling murderous play about dead bodies.”
When Lutho walked out, Bertha could finally breathe again. She was fairly new in the palace and so, that was the very first time she met Lutho. Bertha and Merucia had arrived to work at the palace 2 days before the wedding and so, not many recognized their faces. “Do you think she knows? I think she knows, Gertrude.”
“Hush now. You don’t have to take every word she says so seriously. She likes to play silly mind games. Now, hurry with the dough. Of all things, bread must be ready first so it can have time to cool off.”
It was a forever begging question, did Lutho really know? She seemed very confident striding around the kitchen like that. Even Gertrude was glad to see her walk out. Normally, Lutho would have to stay and work with them all to prepare the meal. Only, this day, Gertrude did not feel the need to command her to stay and work like she always did.
The maids went and laid the table with breakfast. Gertrude looked and confirmed that everything was set right. She then sent out a word to reach the monarchy that breakfast was ready.
Gertrude now had time to herself. She had to go find Lutho. She would find her in a safe place to talk and hopefully, they would be able to talk in private. She always knew Lutho’s hiding spot.
It was said that Lutho wanted the position of head maid, but it was sickening how she would avoid work. Constantly, she would have to be dragged around by Gertrude to get her job done. “Ugh!” Lutho scorned, “what are you doing here?” she was very unhappy to see Gertrude.
“You know that I want to talk…”
They were somewhere by the male-servants’ courtside. They were hiding behind the laundry room. Lutho had chosen that spot as her hiding spot because no-one would ever think of looking for her there. Ladies were not expected anywhere near the male-servants’ court. Also, surprisingly the laundry room was the least visited in that court. Hence, Lutho would enjoy hours and hours of uninterrupted peace.
Of course, that was until Gertrude found that spot. Gertrude had been going there whenever she needed Lutho.
“You know, I want to talk, Lutho.”
Lutho got onto her feet. She wore an intrigued smile on her face, her eyes gazed on Gertrude’s very strangely. “About what? About what, Gertrude?”
There was a silence from Gertrude. Her tongue must have been tied down, she couldn’t arrange any words to say to Lutho.
“Ow, of course!” she stood facing Gertrude. “The ‘fireplace mystery and the dead body’. Isn’t that what you want to talk about?” She started reaching in her pocket for a pipe to smoke. She whipped it out and stuffed some herbs in it, she was about to lit it—
“You-you know, you’re not supposed to smoke! As a servant of the palace, you are restricted from toxifying your bodily temple with that—”
“And who’s going to report me? You?” she went ahead and lit her pipe. She took a big puff and went and blew it on to Gertrude’s face. Gertrude instantly, raised her hand as if to smack Lutho but was met with Lutho’s glare. The glare was almost daring.
“You can’t do anything to me, Gertty. I got you now.” Lutho took another puff and blew into the air. “You know, I’ve known you’re the truest corn but I never thought you could go that far. So,” she asked, “whose body is it? Who did you deaden?”
“You’re the one who wrote the letters, aren’t you?”
- Writer
