Chapter 9

My bedroom door was slightly open. It was weird I was sure I locked it when I left. I can see the light and warmth coming from the fireplace. Someone was there.

My heart was drumming inside my rib carriage so fast you would think it was trying to leap out. Could it be Darius? Was he already back? What should I tell him to get him off my back?

But my anxiety fled the moment I saw the old maid Daphne sitting on my bed, searching through my things. I couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief. At least it was not him. The last thing I wanted was to get into another flight with that jerk.

Still, the sight of her didn't exactly fully calm me. I would have never thought she would not only have the nerve to touch my things but also leave the door open while doing so. It means she didn't care if I walked on her or if anyone found her like this.

Just how much power does she have?

I don't know if I should call it kindness or foolishness from Faith. But Faith must have let Daphne walk all over her. This woman had no respect and knew no boundaries.

This has to be the last time something like this happens. My heart gave another leap, thinking about the cursed book given by Xenos. Did she get her hand on it? Or did she read it by chance? I put it under the bed before leaving the room, but I must find a better hiding spot.

I once asked Faith: "What will happen if someone found the book?"

I remember her face going pale when she answered. "You will be executed for contorting with demons," replied Faith solemnly.

Faith's words rang loudly in her ear; it felt like someone was tightening a rope around my neck.

Daphne was so engrossed that she hadn't heard my footsteps nearing her. Or maybe she was pretending. Either way, it didn't matter. What a stupid bitch.

I clenched my fist at my side, walking toward my bed. "What the fuck are you doing?" I demanded. "I told you my room is off-limits."

The maid's wrinkly face jerked upward at my words. Her eyes widened for a slight second before shrugging. Before Daphne could utter a word, Faith glided before me, frowning.

"Don't be rude to her; she has taken care of me since I was a child," said Miss Saint, who seemed to like stopping me at every turn. It was starting to get on my last nerve.

"Oh, shut up!" I told her off. I couldn't help but grind my teeth. I knew I was rude, but this time, I was not willing to listen to Faith, specifically if it concerned my life. How long was she here?

"Pardon me, my lady?" said the old lady. As if she had done nothing wrong and came for a walk in the moonlight.

"You heard me. " I was tired from today's fiasco and I had no energy to deal with petty thieves. "Whatever you took you better put it down."

"I didn't take anything. I was just cleaning this room, my lady," she said with a mock bow. Underneath her pretense, I can see a vein throbbing on the side of her head. Imagine being angry at being caught. I should be the one pissed.

"If I find it on you, I swear I will cut both your hands," I said. Faith gasped like I was a monster. "Leanne!"

"She would never steal; why do you keep accusing her?" said Faith outrageously. I can know a thief when I see one; I mean, I am one; I stole a lot from Marco. It was written all over her guilty face.

I have been observing her for a while. And Daphne wasn't exactly subtle. I had Aria, another maid, spy on her. I'd noticed things missing from my room—small trinkets, jewellery. She was in the room whenever I explored the castle and acted as if she was "cleaning". However, it's a mistake on my end, and I should have gotten rid of her sooner.

Daphne didn't bother defending herself anymore. She grabbed an emerald necklace from her dress pocket and shoved it in my hands before bolting out, cursing at me. It took everything in me not to go after her.

I can only imagine what would have been of me if I had cursed at my superiors. This old hag has been given too many leeways.

Faith stared at me with her mouth open. It took her a while to come back to the present. "She probably needed it for her family, you didn't need to humiliate her" Faith muttered scratching the back of her head and turning away from me.

"I haven't done anything yet. Tomorrow, I will make sure she never steals from us." I said.

I need a strong drink to cope with everything that's happening. If only I could go to a bar to destress. I hate this damn place; you can't do anything without anyone's permission; it was like being back to my shitty childhood.

*_*_*_*

I stood at the top of the huge staircase leading to the entrance door. The polished wooden floor was shining under the massive chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. It was giving the impression a royal ball was about to take place. Two huge vases filled with white lillies was placed on each side of the front door giving a strong smell of spice and citrus masking the smell of the cramped entrance hall. Not even the sunshine through the big window made the place less gloomy.

I was waiting until everyone was lined up. A total of 20 people.

The whispers of the servants carried on until I shushed them. Faith hovered beside me, fidgeting with the white dress she had stuck with ever since she woke up as a ghost. I knew Faith wasn't going to like what I was about to do. But I cannot have anyone snooping in my room. Not anymore.

My head was on the line.

"Daphne," I called loudly, my voice unsympathetic. The older maid pushed forward rather boldly, standing in front of the rest of them. Maybe she thought Faith would let her off. She would have been right to think so. But for me, this woman means nothing. She was like a ticking bomb I didn't want to keep close to me.

"You were caught stealing," I said, my voice echoing through the quiet hall. "Not only did you do that, you kept pushing your tasks to others."

People like this annoyed me the most. Useless people. From the corner of my eyes I could see the shadow of joy from some maids.

"So what's the point of keeping you?" I asked her when she just stared at me like I lost my soul.

"I have never stolen anything from you, my lady," Daphne said without blinking, her shoulder relaxed.

"Are you calling your master a liar?" I asked raising my brow. I could have just sent her out of the mansion quietly but I want to make sure the other servant didn't make her mistake.

"No, my lady." said the maid with gritted teeth. "I assure you I was only cleaning your room before finding your necklace lying on the floor."

"Yes, of course. Every time you clean so well, I can never seem to find anything ever after you leave my room. "I said in a mock tone.

I took the receipts from the bank and a few necklaces and rings she hadn't sold yet and threw them at her feet. The objects roll down the staircase with clangs before laying flat at the bottom.

"Aria, you will take Daphne's place and serve me from now," I said to the teenage girl with hair tied in a pigtail, standing next to another maid whom I recognized whispered behind my back in the corridor. Not that like Daphne who barely came to my room when she was my personal maid.

"You are fired. You will pack and leave immediately." I said, my eyes narrowing on her every move.

"Nooo! Please do not fire her. She made a mistake, please forgive her" said Faith her voice trembling, her hands trying to shake me but failed.

I control my urge to shake her. To yell at her, " Why are you fucking kind to people who do not deserve it? Why are you stupid?"

Her pleading was suffocating me. As if someone submerged in ice-cold water. I had to bite the inside of my cheeks to refrain from getting into another argument with her. I had no choice but to give in for my own peace of mind. I knew I would never hear the end of this so I compromised with Faith. I have a feeling I will regret this decision.

"I changed my mind. You will be doing Aria job going forward" I smiled. Aria worked in the garden and washing area, which from what I heard the hardest and painful job specially when winter comes.

"You're demoted to being a water maid in this household, and you'll do all the tasks assigned to the maids you bullied."

"Is this better?" I whispered to Faith from the corner of my mouth. Taking her silence as a yes, I continued. I was hoping the old hag would quit once she got demoted. Seeing how proud she is, maybe she will resign later on rather than accept it. Faith wouldn't be able to blame me since Daphne would have left by herself. It will be killing two birds with one stone.

There was a low gasp among the maids, some of them exchanging shocked glances. Some trying hard to hide their smile. Daphne eyes glared at me with pure hatred, telling me I made myself a new enemy.

"Ungrateful child, after everything I have done for you! How can you do this to me" she screamed at the top of her lungs, shaking her finger at me.

"Ok now you just your situation worse. The butler will go through the ledger to see everything you have sold and taken. I make sure you pay back every item you stole from me."

"Take her out," Giving a command made me feel exhilarate as if I was high in the cloud. It felt good not to be on the other side for once.

It took a couple of maids to hold her down when she charged like a bull toward me. As Daphne was taken away, I felt a chill running in my veins, freezing my inside. How long had it been since I was in control? Since I had not been made to feel like a dog. Far too long.

Now that I got a taste of power it was not too bad.

"I hope I don't have to spell out everything so we can all get along in the future for the rest of you," I said, giving a wide smile to the rest of them. It's time they show us respect.

Later that day, I received a letter of invitation to a party from Faith's mate. I learned his name was Asher, but for me, he will always be scum.

Dear mate,

I gave some thought about your behavior and I must say you have greatly disappointed me. I have decided to forgive you since you woke up from your injury and your head must not been in the right place. I must insist , You are not allowed to leave your home. I placed a guard for your safety.

As promised, I would love to invite you to a ball at my mansion to celebrate my birthday.

Hoping you will be on your best behaviour.

Yours truly;

Asher.

Safety? Who is he trying to gaslight?

I scrunched up his letter in my hand before throwing it into the burning fire. Faith yelled, trying to pick up his pompous letter, but it was too late.

"I did you a favor," I said flatly, grabbing the cursed book from under the bed, my eyes scanning the pages absently, even though my mind was elsewhere.

"You are one of the most selfish I have met", Faith snapped. "Do you even know how long I waited for the moment he would finally look at me?"

I lifted my gaze from the book, meeting her watery eyes. "No, but If you have any self-respect left, give up on him," I said cruelly. I knew I was mean. I was a bitch toward the only person who I can speak. But I wanted her to come back to reality. And that reality is her fiancé has no love for her.

The silence hung in the now empty, cold bedroom. I avoided looking into her eyes, as I felt something eat my inside.

"Selfish"

I didn't want to admit it, but the word hit me harder than a brick. It shouldn't have bothered me. I heard far worse when living with my parents, bringing back memories I prefer to stay buried in the past.

I have only ever tried to survive. And maybe that's why I am becoming more like my father -the man who only knows how to hurt his loved ones.

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