Chapter 7

ELARA'S POV 

Not interested? I mentally scoffed to myself, Not interested?! Is this guy kidding me? Did I look interested either?

"I don't understand what you mean, Sire," I said in a low tone, avoiding his gaze as I looked down. It was best to act dumb in a situation like this.

If not, I might say something I may forever live to regret... That's if I'll even live to regret it.

"Don't act dumb,"

I raised my head up, "I'm not," I replied, this time my tone was slightly higher than before, "I simply don't understand what you're talking about."

He leaned forward, eyes boring deep into mine. "Alright then."

With a quick bow, I picked up my bucket and walked away from him. I mean far away from him, headed towards the laundry room, upon reaching, I met Martha sitting on a chair.

"Oh hi," she turned to face me with a weak smile, "Kinda got careless and hurt myself," I studied the finger she raised up at me. That definitely was a huge cut.

I averted my eyes, not to fall into temptation to treat it, "Maybe meet the pack healer or something? Get some herbs first, that should help,"

"Yeah I know. I will stop working for now. You can finish up right?"

"Yes I can."

She looked out the window, "Looks like it's going to rain, or not,"

"Might as well hurry up then."

"Yeah, sure."

~

I left Martha, headed back to continue working. This time, I was done with laundry, it was time to scrub the floor. As I got engrossed in my task, I heard the sounds of faint female voices.

At first, I decided to shrug it off, assuming it was just gossip from the other servants, but not it wasn't. I heard Marceline's voice, Ronan's mistress.

Curiosity got the best of me, with a long sigh, I stood up deciding to take a sneak peek. I tiptoed towards the source of the noise, carefully inching along the corridor. I titled my head to the right, finally, I got a glimpse of what was happening.

I was right... It was Marceline and those three maidens from before, The gossipers. They seemed engrossed in a serious discussion, one that no other soul should probably hear about.

Just as I was about to turn away, I got a glimpse of the bruises already blossoming on the girl's arms.

Don't tell... She was disciplining them? There wasn't a whip with her though, could it be from earlier?

Well, whatever it was, it definitely wasn't my business. For a moment. I almost felt a flicker of something... Pity, I guess?

"No this isn't my problem." I turned on my heel to walk away. Those girls probably had gossiped about something that wasn't their business, just to make themselves feel better.

Maybe a warning and slight humiliation would teach them a lesson.

I went back to my chores which took almost three hours to finish, but finally I was done. 

Making my way to the washroom to change out of my work clothes. I bumped into the three girls from earlier. They tensed up immediately as they saw me, eyes narrowing at each other, a strange expression was plastered on their faces but I couldn't care less.

I walked past them, keeping my head slightly low, I quietly entered one of the stalls and closed the door behind me.

When I finished bathing and stepped out, the washroom was empty. The girls were gone, but my eyes caught the necklace that laid on the floor.

It wasn't just any necklace. It was pure Gold. The craftsmanship was exquisite and unique. This definitely didn't belong to a common person... Maybe that of royalty?

My breath hitched. Marcelline!

Oh I get it- they are trying to frame me? No wonder why the girl's faces wore the expression of guilt the moment I walked in. Unfortunately, I've handled more dreadful matters like this from Seraphine.

Knowing how twisted and manipulative people can be, I decided to ignore the necklace. 

I carefully stepped around the necklace, headed back to my room to retire for the day.

When I opened the door, I found Martha sitting on her, a concerned look etched on her face. She had a pile of herbs and bandages laid out beside her.

"How do you feel?"

"I'm fine," she replied with a forced smile, "However my finger hurts alot. I hope the work wasn't too much for you?"

I shrugged, "Nothing I couldn't handle."

Her eyes trailed down to my arms, she winced at the sight of the slightly bruised skin, "You have been working too hard. Maybe you should take the day off. It's not like this palace lacks maids, we have more than enough,"

"Today's my first day. I don't intend to back out suddenly,"

"I'm not asking you to back out, I'm asking you to rest,",

"You're one to talk," I said ,pointing at her bandaged finger, immediately her face grew Crimson red, she opened her lips, but no words came out.

"Yeah whatever."

I snickered at her behaviour. It was weird, we have only known each other for a day or two, but it felt like a very long time.

Maybe after all, I could still make a friend. A genuine one.

We talked for a while, mostly about mundane things. I didn't realize when I finally drifted off to sleep, the exhaustion pulled me like a rope.

The next morning, I woke up with a headache. The first thing I noticed was Martha's absence. Her bed was empty.

That shouldn't be normal, right? She seemed like the early bird type.

I shook my head, assuming she had just gotten up early to get something. 

After gathering myself for almost half an hour. I stepped out of the room, only to bump into a young maid. She looked way younger than me, maybe age 16 or so.

"What's wrong?" I asked, noticing how disoriented she was.

"You're Martha's roommate right?"

"Yes," I nodded, "What's wrong?"

She began to stammer, water dripped from her eyes, "They... They have accused her of theft! I'm scared something bad would happen to her!"

Theft? No, that's impossible.... Unless.

"I'll be going to the washroom now." I recalled Martha's last words from last night before I finally dozed off. Oh no- she must have been caught instead!

Without a second thought, I ran towards Macrelline's chambers. I didn't know what I was going to do, but I had to try.

The trap was set out for me, not Martha, she didn't deserve it. And I know for sure, she didn't try to steal it either.

Reaching the heavy oak doors of Marceline's chambers, I swallowed hard, trying to gather myself. I knocked, announcing myself. Suddenly, the door swung open almost immediately. I rushed in, dropping to my knees.

Macelline stood in front of me, her expression cold... So cold it could turn boiling water to ice.

"And what do you want?"

"Martha's not a thief," I said with a trembling voice, I had tried so hard to remain composed, but her cold gaze made me feel so little. "I beg of you. She's not a thief, she didn't steal anything,"

"If she didn't, then who did?"

"I.." My mind raced, why didn't I think of that first? If I was to say that it was the three maidens, it would obviously fall on me. It was their plan.

"Well?!" She demanded, her voice higher than before.

"Martha was with the pack healer yesterday, plus, we worked together all through. I doubt milady, she isn't the thief. Please reconsider,"

She said nothing, her eyes still fixed on me. "So you're defending someone you just met?"

"She's a nice person. That I know for sure,", I raised up to meet her gaze, " I simply can't let her suffer for something I know she didn't do,"

"Then who did?" She folded her arms across her chest, I caught the glimpse of a faint smirk on her lips.

"How would I know my milady?"

"What do you mean?"

"We do not cross these paths, we are the servants that work downstairs, we do not even interfere with food and all. The thief is obviously someone who has access to your belongings. I also believe they may have dropped it there, and Martha just unfortunately happened to be at the scene there,"

Her lips twisted into a deep frown, eyes blazing with fire.

I chuckled mentally to myself. I was right then. It was her doing.

"So, you're saying it's a plot?"

"No," I shook my head, "The thief knew they would be caught. So they ran, leaving the evidence behind in order to save their own skin,"

She stayed silent for a moment, then paced around for some minutes before turning to face me. "Fine then, I see reasons with your points. Martha will be free."

"Thank you!" I stood up, Bowing my head multiple times. As I turned to leave, her voice halted me in my tracks.

"You're just lucky this time Elara."

I smiled as I looked above my shoulder. "I know."