So, I know that お前 nowadays is used as a rude way of saying "you". However,
during one of my readings, I came across a strange use of お前 which, from the
context, won't really make any sense if it was meant to be rude.

Basically, this is a "noblewoman" talking to her servants : she used お前たち
although she spoke with them in a rather friendly way, always using polite
forms such as ～です or ～ます.

Could I have more information about this お前 ?
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Can お前 be used as a polite substitute of あなた?
No, it can't. お前 is a rude way of saying "you", even if she always uses polite
forms such as ～です or ～ます. Probably she didn't use the word except to her
servants , right?

The author may want to contrast polite forms with a rude way of speaking and
expect that the readers will be a bit surprised to hear it just like you were.

Addition: お前 was used as a respect way of saying "you" till about 400 years
ago, but it doesn't be used like that now. This is the source. <http://gogen-
allguide.com/o/omae.html>
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お前 is clearly rude only when its used to address your boss, a stranger, etc.
It's a very common friendly second-person pronoun among close friends,
especially young male friends.

Being able to use お前 is often the sign of friendliness, frankness or a good
vertical relationship. There is nothing wrong if you used お前 to your children,
servant, etc., although it sounds more or less "bossy" or paternalistic. I
imagine how this noblewoman can feel at ease with the servants.
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