Transmigrated Into The Body Of The Cursed Prince Wife

As Ave was about to deliver a kick to Catherine to teach her a lesson, she heard a soft voice speak, "What’s going on here?"

Ave paused mid-motion, her leg halfway in the air, ready to send a flying kick to the maid’s face. She turned toward the voice and was momentarily stunned by the sight of the beautiful woman who had spoken. If a fairy were to take human form, Ave thought, this young woman would be the closest resemblance.

Her hair was as black as the night, her skin as fair as milk, and her eyes the deepest shade of gray Ave had ever seen. With a heart-shaped face that seemed tailor-made for the screen, Ave couldn’t help but stare longer than she intended, awestruck.

In her era, Ave mused, the modeling industry would be clamoring to sign this girl with such looks. The young woman’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she repeated her question, "What’s going on here, Princess Selene? Are you having some trouble with... the maid?" Her gaze shifted briefly to Catherine before returning to Ave, who snapped out of her daze.

Ave recognized the woman and the young man who had just arrived to stand beside her. She had seen them in the dining hall last night. They were Lucian’s half-siblings, which meant they were part of the group that had made his life miserable at the palace. Ave had no doubt they were here to do the same to her, being his ’wife.’

"Yes, Princess," Ave replied, her eyes narrowing at Catherine before turning back to the princess, who seemed surprised and taken aback by how she was addressed. Ave wasn’t about to let them push her around, nor was she going to forget how the royals had deprived her of food the previous night and laughed when the Emperor dismissed them from the dining hall.

"Did she just call you ’Princess’ and glare at you?" Prince Orion leaned down to whisper in Thaila’s ear, his eyes narrowing at Ave for daring to disrespect his beloved sister. "Should I rough her up a bit for you sister?" he asked, already rolling up his sleeves as he stepped in front of Thaila, raising a warning finger at Ave who looked equally ready to engage in a fight with him. Thaila shoved him aside before he could advance any further.

"I apologize for my brother’s insolence, Princess Selene," Thaila said calmly, though there was a hint of reproach in her tone. "If the maid is bothering you, you can let me know, and I’ll take care of it." She smiled softly, revealing dimples that softened her stern demeanor.

Ave, who had been bracing for a confrontation, was caught off guard by the kindness in Thaila’s voice. She was good at reading people, and Thaila’s eyes held no malice. Relaxing her stance, Ave scratched the back of her neck and gestured toward Catherine with her chin. "This maid disrespected me, and I thought I’d teach her a few lessons. She insisted on taking Lydia to replace her with—June or whatever she called her—and I don’t want a replacement."

Catherine, bristling with indignation, quickly jumped to defend herself. "It was the Empress’s orders to replace the maid, you—"

"It seems that your position as head maid has made you forget your place around the royals, Catherine," Thaila interrupted, her voice calm but laced with disapproval. "You do not speak unless spoken to." The reminder was as gentle as it was firm, putting Catherine back in her place.

Catherine hastily bowed her head in apology. Though she might get away with disrespecting Selene, she wouldn’t dare try that with the first princess whose brother wouldn’t hesitate to behead anyone who upset his precious sister.

Princess Thaila was not someone to cross in the palace—not just because of her gentle yet strict nature, but because her brother’s men were everywhere, ready to report the slightest offense against her. Catherine couldn’t afford to be at the receiving end of his sword; not even the Empress could save her then.

"My apologies, Your Highness!" Catherine fell to her knees. "Forgive me for speaking out of turn!"

Ave’s eyebrows shot up in surprise at the sudden submission. How had the princess managed to make this little witch back down so quickly? Thaila didn’t seem the least bit intimidating. If she was going to continue living in Selene’s body, Ave decided she needed to learn how to command that kind of respect among the maids.

"You may leave, but if I find you causing trouble with any of the royals again... you won’t be spared so easily next time." Thaila dismissed the maid with a wave of her hand.

Though Catherine looked like she wanted to argue that it was the Empress’s orders to replace the maid, she quickly held her tongue when she spotted the first prince’s bodyguard in the distance. She got up and hurried away, nearly tripping over her gown in her haste. There was always next time, she thought to herself; she would find a way to get back at Selene.

As Ave watched Catherine’s rapid departure, she turned to the princess and asked, "How did you do that? I mean, Catherine looked so frightened of you."

Thaila smiled awkwardly. "I didn’t do anything. All I have to do is command what I want, and it happens naturally."

"I guess I have a lot to learn about commanding," Ave muttered to herself, then as if suddenly remembering she hadn’t introduced herself, she smiled and held out her hand. "I’m Aveline Ea—" she stopped short, quickly correcting herself, "I mean, I’m Princess Selene."

Damn! She’d almost slipped and given herself away. Ave made a mental note to get used to being Selene as she awkwardly held out her hand for a friendly handshake.

"We know who you are, and move your filthy hand away from the princess," Orion remarked coldly as he stepped forward and smacked Ave’s hand aside.

Everyone in the palace knew who Princess Selene was—a lowly slave who’d somehow managed to work her way into royalty. And if there was one thing Orion detested, it was mingling with people he considered beneath him, Selene being one of them.

"And who might you be, Blondie, to dare smack my hand?" Ave asked, frowning at the blonde prince who she already knew was the fourth prince.

Prince Orion puffed out his chest, towering over Ave as he began to introduce himself as if she didn’t already know who he was. "I am Prince—"

"The first prince’s errand boy?" Ave cut in with a fake, innocent expression.

Orion’s face reddened with anger. "I am the—"

"The one who shines the first prince’s boots?"

"I am the—"

"The royal stable boy?"

Orion’s eyes blazed with fury as Ave continued to cut him off with increasingly ridiculous titles.

Finally, he threw up his hands in frustration. "I will not lower myself by engaging in a battle of wits with a lowly being like you!" He spat out the words, clearly enraged. Turning to Thaila, he added, "You know where to find me when you’re ready to teach me how to court a woman and make her love me at first sight."

With that, he stormed off, head held high, trying to maintain his dignity.

Ave watched him go, shaking her head in disbelief. "Someone really needs to bring that little fly down from his high horse," she commented sharing a laugh with Thaila when they saw Orion nearly trip over himself as he ascended the stairs leading to the palace entrance.

Thaila smiled as she turned back to Ave. Though she’d known Selene for some time, they’d never really spoken until now. She had never particularly liked Selene, having heard a few disgraceful rumors about her circulating around the palace. But after this encounter, Thaila found herself liking the princess. There was something refreshing about her that she hadn’t expected.

People had labeled her as mean and overbearing for someone who’d been picked out of slavery to marry a royal, and Princess Thaila had not just disliked her for that but for not acting like a wife to Lucian, but last night and today’s incident had changed her opinion of the girl in Thaila’s mind.

"I’ll be heading back inside," Thaila said with a gentle smile. "I hope to see you again soon, Princess Selene."

Ave nodded and replied, "Catch you later!" She immediately realized her mistake as Thaila’s brows furrowed in confusion.

"Pardon me?" Thaila asked, puzzled by the unfamiliar phrase.

Ave quickly rephrased, "I mean, I look forward to our next meeting, Your Highness."

Thaila smiled, though still slightly curious about the odd phrase Ave had used. With a graceful nod, she turned and headed back inside the palace, leaving Ave to wonder how many more times she would slip up before she finally got used to her new life as Princess Selene.

Shrugging, Ave turned and walked into the carriage to join the frightened, pale maid, who stared at her in astonishment.

"Don’t worry, Lydia," Ave assured her, noticing the girl’s expression. "As long as I’m here, I won’t let anyone take you away."

Lydia nodded automatically, but her mind was filled with countless thoughts about her mistress. Since when had her mistress become so courageous in dealing with people like this? Not to mention she had just spoken to Princess Thaila, whom she had always said she was scared of because of the way those gray eyes judged her.

Something significant had changed in her mistress, and whatever it was, Lydia thought, she liked this part of her much better.