Responses
All her worries can be good until she steps out of her authority, clearly the maids he's trying to get rid of are spies and up to something, yet she thinks she has better judgement than Eric the master, is what makes me feel she's up to no good, the emperor is a crazy bastard with a knife around their necks and his chesspieces (maids) shouldn't stay at the castle.
Plus it's good to say whatever but she didn't relent when he admonished her gently and still thinks and will probably do something outside her authority to "save" the masters
Honestly I like that even the Cladnier family's head maid, despite being a strong ally of theirs, is apprehensive of Miesa. Don't get me wrong, but I think it's natural that not everyone would think favorably of a "mentally ill" princess who does not bring anything to the table (yet). Not many of us would be able to be that kind to Miesa as Eric is. The father's dislike of Miesa is one thing, but the head maid had valid reasons — she doesn't know Miesa can actually communicate, it's something only Eric is privy to. She's worried Eric would neglect his official duties over his duties as a husband to Miesa. She's also worried about the Madam bcuz she can see her getting attached to Miesa the same as how she was with her now-deceased daughter, she doesn't want the Madam to be swayed or get influenced into taking a wrong decision because of Miesa like she did in the past.
All in all, She's not being purely malicious and is being rational for the Cladnier family and wants them to act for the family's benefit cuz ofc they are living difficult times and the imperial family hardly rewarded the family for their achievements. As for the mistress part, I am quite sure she is also thinking on behalf of Miesa cuz ofc Miesa is still a "child" to everyone but Eric (who knows the truth). It would be uncomfortable if Miesa were to get pregnant while still enacting her "mad and childlike princess" role-playing. A mistress, while it is morally and legally wrong, might be the only way to preserve the Cladnier lineage. She must have felt anxious to suggest such a desperate measure, but ngl that upset me too for a bit.
I like that this story can provide a scenario where the entire family and their servants don't immediately swoon over Miesa just because she suffered from a traumatic past. Miesa deserves to be loved by the world ofc but not everyone should be obligated to shower her with affection, the Head maid may not be able to do so but she does treat Miesa with the necessary respect and I think that's fine for the time being. Unlike Miesa's assigned maids from the palace who aren't sincere with their duties, the Head Maid still tried to look out for her changes in mood and wants, that's a plus imo.