I know the fastest way from the kitchen to the third floor. Gossip travels that way too.
Nora the Maid@nora_backstairsSteal the Crown Prince's Heart
I heard three things today and pretended not to hear two of them. Still haven't decided what to do with the last one.
Madame RosetteBring that last one to me. I'll pay a fair price.Nora the MaidYou always pay in dresses, Madame...
Edgar the ArchivistSomething heard isn't a record. The moment it's repeated, it becomes one.Nora the MaidThat's exactly why it scares me, Archivist.Nora the Maid@nora_backstairsSteal the Crown Prince's Heart
When kitchen smoke gets into your clothes, everyone upstairs holds their nose. That's why rumors always ripen down here first.
Sir LeonDoes my cloak smell of it too?Nora the MaidYours smells of iron, Sir Knight. That one never comes out.
Empress MatildeWhat happens downstairs is best left downstairs, for everyone's sake.Nora the MaidYes, Your Majesty.Nora the Maid@nora_backstairsSteal the Crown Prince's Heart
Down the hall, His Highness was the one who stopped first. I've never once seen him change direction with nowhere to go.
Theodore de ReichtI had somewhere to go.Nora the Maid...May I ask what that was, exactly?Madame RosetteThat corridor's marble is slick. His feet probably just turned on their own.Sir LeonMadame, I've walked that corridor for ten years and never once slipped.Nora the Maid@nora_backstairsSteal the Crown Prince's HeartThe new laundry maid keeps asking about the third floor's daily routine. I've been talking about the weather for three days straight.
Madame RosetteThat girl's cuff stitching isn't palace work. Find out where she came from first.Nora the MaidYou read clothes, Madame, so you're faster than I am.Edgar the ArchivistAnyone not on the entry ledger may not pass through the undercroft. I'll confirm the name.Nora the Maid@nora_backstairsSteal the Crown Prince's HeartA guard knight came down to the kitchen and spent thirty minutes on one glass of water. Everyone in the kitchen knows he didn't come for the water.
Sir LeonI was thirsty.Nora the MaidBy the third glass, even I stopped believing you.Madame RosetteThat knight's been buttoning his coat one hole off lately.Nora the Maid@nora_backstairsSteal the Crown Prince's Heart
The Empress's maids changed their route to the garden. Taking the long way always has a reason, and I haven't sold that one yet.
Empress MatildeClever girl. A clever girl gets kept on a long time.Nora the MaidThat's too generous, Your Majesty. I'd rather live long than be kept on long.Madame RosetteWhen you're ready to name a price, come to me first.Nora the Maid@nora_backstairsSteal the Crown Prince's Heart
I dropped a silver tray today and no one looked at me. Everyone was staring down the end of the hall instead.
Sir LeonWere you hurt?Nora the MaidOnly the tray got dented.Theodore de ReichtWhat was at the end of the hall.Nora the MaidIf I say it, I think Your Highness would rather I hadn't.Nora the Maid@nora_backstairsSteal the Crown Prince's Heart
I didn't pass along a single thing I heard today. Instead I just kept count of who's been asking me questions.
Edgar the ArchivistWriting things down is riskier than it seems. Paper doesn't choose its owner.Nora the MaidThat's why I didn't write it on paper.Empress MatildeWord from the third floor has been awfully thin lately.Nora the MaidIt's winter, Your Majesty. Everyone's gone quiet.