Her Best Friends

Lady Sophia was very displeased.

She prided herself on a flawless reputation. No matter what happened, she had always been able to get out of trouble. It had become easy to make an issue fade away, one way or another. Acting sweet to the staff got her these things. One smile, one piece of jewelry, one physician for them got her endless loyalty. That loyalty gave her the resources to always come out on top.

That was rather difficult to manage when the event occurred in a place like the temple.

Recently, Sophia had found herself in quite a bit of situations that were hard to hide. However, that was nothing a little distraction could not fix. If you took up enough of their attention, they would forget about the incident. That was how it had always worked for her.

Until it failed.

Of course, it was hard to keep their attention when a stubborn snob refuses to fall. Did that woman think she was better simply because she managed to stage a few lights?  However, Lorelei had been getting quite bold, as of late. Sophia had been suffering at the hands of that lady since they were children.

All because of one incident.

Sophia was still fuming when the servants opened her room. Colored to match the night, Sophia took great satisfaction in her space. She particularly liked how the moonlight from the windows reflected against the decorative glass on the floor, creating an illusion of stars. It had not changed since she had been a child.

It was perfect.

"My lady," said Lacy, one of the maids. "How was the event?"

She regarded Lacy for a moment. Dressed in a uniform that did nothing for her, Sophia's eyes took in the red hair that stood out against her dark skin. Ever since Sophia had slipped her a hair pin as a birthday gift, Lacy had become devoted to her. She considered crying to the woman. She had done that before, and it usually got them to try harder to make her happy.

That had gotten rather boring.

Sophia sighed. "That wretch Lorelei embarrassed me today."

"She did what?" Lacy said, her face growing as red as her hair. "How shameless! I do not understand why she will not leave you alone!"

Sophia stared on as Lacy continued to defend her. "I do not care how powerful she thinks she is! She has no right making a scene at such an important event! It does not surprise me, though. You know, she fired one of her best maids for simply speaking up to her!"

Sophia blinked, suddenly intrigued. "She did what, now?"

"One of her staff finally got the courage to speak up about what had happened to one of the previous staff. What was her name again? Anna?" Lacy shook her head. "Regardless, Coral, that was the maid who just got fired, called Lady Lorelei out for leeching off her husband, too."

"You mentioned Anna before," Sophia said with false sympathy. "The one who was cast to the streets. Was that her?"

"Yes, my lady."

A plan began to form in Sophia's head. "Oh, we cannot simply let this slide. We have to do something!"

"What can we do, my lady?" Lacy asked.

"Perhaps if we take Lorelei down a notch, she will leave her poor staff alone," Sophia said. "But I will need help. Lacy, you will help me, right?"

"Of course, my lady!" Lacy exclaimed passionately. "Anything for you."

With that, Sophia told Lacy her plan. Bowing, Lacy left to carry out her will. Sophia could not understand why anyone was mean to their staff. They were valuable resources.

Lacy was one of Sophia's favorite resources.

Things were about to change. Sophia was done with Lorelei disrespecting her. She had the perfect plan to take Lorelei down. She could not wait to see Lorelei fall, and this was the perfect way to start. Riding her high, Sophia left to go see her friends.

In another life, perhaps she and Lorelei could have been friends. If Lorelei had not been so weak, tying herself down with foolish morals and other foolish ideals. Without those, Sophia had no such boundaries stopping her from getting anything she wanted. If she could not get a knight, she could ruin the brat who stole him. If someone spoke out against her, she could destroy the will of that fool.

Just like she would do to Lorelei.

One comment at a time. One win at a time. One little sabotage here and there was all it would take. Truly, if Lorelei did what she had done at the tea party more often, Sophia would only need to watch the fall. She had not even been trying too hard. It just took one poke in the right nerve, and Lorelei had come crashing down.

Thinking of all the ways she could take down her rival, Sophia smiled as she reached the area where her friends lived. It was a large room, with clear glass on two sides providing some sunlight, while also not making them uncomfortable. The last thing Sophia wanted to do was make her friends uncomfortable.

Entering their home, Sophia reached them, a true smile on her face. Their hands, always cold, welcomed her from their position in the evening shadows. Their heads drooped down, as they always did. Even in shadows, Sophia knew they looked wonderful.

"Good evening, my friends," Sophia said, truly sincere. "Has the weather treated you well? Perhaps, when I have the time, I can take you all for a little stroll after dark." Their walks were always blanketed by night, allowing them to go without interruption.

She walked over to a table in the corner. "You all must be so thirsty! I deeply apologize. Here, let me help you."

"As she assisted them, she continued talking. "It shames me to admit that I keep forgetting lately. You are all so self-sufficient without me and, with everything that's been going on, I have far too much on my mind. No matter, though. I will ensure that I don't forget you all."

She meant that with every part of her. No matter what was going on, she was ashamed to have neglected her friends. As she told them about her week, she resolved to never forget them again. In the end, they were all that mattered. Lorelei was nothing, and Lacy was even less. No one could compare to the ones in this room.

Her best friends.