"Ruby, did you notice that concubine? I mean the one who stepped on the Queen's cat. Now that I think of it, she looks very familiar. I think I have seen her somewhere," the Crown Princess thought aloud.
"Where?" Ruby asked.
Perry's eyes widened as she recalled past events. "She used to be a servant in my father's mansion!"
"What?" Ruby exclaimed. "How did a lowly servant get the means to become a concubine of the noble Crown Prince?"
Perry continued, "I have that question too. But I believe we will get an answer another day. What I know is this: that concubine, her name is Patricia. She used to be a servant in Father's mansion. One day, she had a big issue with Margaret. And Margaret accused her of burning her feet. Remember that day Margaret stepped on hot coals?"
Ruby nodded.
Perry smiled, "I need Margaret here."
"Margaret? Why Margaret?" Ruby asked. Perry smiled again.
Ruby nodded, "I get it. You want to use Margaret's hands to put Patricia in her place, right?"
***
Since Patricia returned, she had been pretending to sleep. The Prince had placed her on the bed and ordered that she should not be disturbed. Now, the day was dark. There was a rumble in her tummy. She had not had anything all day. She heard some footsteps.
A voice said, "The Crown Prince has ordered me to bring these lavish dishes to the ill concubine. He hopes that she gets well soon."
As soon as the servant stepped out, Lisa and Pamela rushed to open the dishes one after the other. The aroma of the various dishes wafted through the room.
"Good gracious, Patricia is asleep," Lisa said.
"Yeah, how can a sick person eat this much food? We will have to help her," Pamela responded.
"After all, we are here for each other, aren't we?" Lisa said, smiling.
They heard a yawn from behind them. Patricia was sitting in her bed and stretching her hands. She yawned and said, "I needed to rest. Now, I feel much better." She rose to her feet and walked towards the table where the elaborate dishes were set. "I guess these are all mine?"
"No," Lisa said. "It belongs to all of us."
"Really?" Patricia asked.
"Yes," Pamela replied. "We have to share it equally." "You girls are lying. I was slightly awake when the server came in. I heard everything he said." Patricia sat down. Her eyes devoured the meals even before she put them in her mouth.
"We are sorry we lied," Patricia said.
Lisa shot Pamela daggers with her eyes.
Pamela continued to speak, "Please, can we have some?"
Patricia smiled, "Of course. We will have a good time together. Join me."
***
By dawn, Margaret received a notice to come to the palace to see her cousin, Crown Princess Perry. She was overjoyed. She prepared her finest clothes and could not wait for the next day to come. When the day arrived, Perry sent a few palace guards to personally escort Margaret.
Margaret felt very honored. When she got to the palace, Perry offered her favorite snacks and drinks.
Margaret said with her mouth full, "Your palace looks beautiful. You are surely blessed by the gods... Crown Princess." She had almost called Perry by her name, but she remembered it would be improper.
"Oh, cousin, I am so happy to have you here. So tell me, how have things been at home?" Perry asked.
Margaret thought for a moment and said, "I do not want to talk about that. Something is bothering me."
Perry became concerned, "I am all ears."
Margaret sighed and said, "One of the concubines in this harem was a former servant in Uncle's mansion. Remember that servant accused of setting coals in my path? The one accused of setting up my accident?"
"Yes, I remember her," Perry said.
"Have you seen her in the palace, cousin?" Margaret asked. She had to play on family ties now.
Perry lowered her eyes.
"You have, right?" Margaret frowned. "Tell me where she is, cousin?"
Perry rose to her feet. "Margaret, you may rest in the side chamber. I have a slight headache."
Margaret stood, "Cousin, you have to tell me where she is."
"Margaret, I would be lying if I say I have not seen her. But you have to understand one thing. The lady you desire to deal with is now a concubine of the Crown Prince. She is now part of the royal family. If I direct you to her, I would be breaching palace rules. Sorry, cousin," Perry walked out.
Margaret was breathing hard as she took the cup by her side and smashed it on the floor.
Ruby came in from another exit, "Oh, dear Margaret. I heard your discussion with the Crown Princess. Try to understand her."
Margaret's frown deepened, "I will not rest until I have vengeance."
Ruby placed a hand on Margaret's shoulder. "Dear, it hurts seeing you like this."
"Then help me, Ruby," Margaret pleaded.
Ruby thought about it briefly and said, "How can I refuse you, dear one? I will help you. But you must promise me one thing: the Crown Princess must never know this. No one must ever find out. Do we have a deal?"