His presence here must have been due to me.
Whispers emanated from the maids circulating in the foyer of the courtiers. Everyone appeared somewhat anxious, yet they could not have been more apprehensive than I was. I endeavoured to maintain my posture and composure. I was unable to succumb in front of everyone, despite my profound fear.
My heart pounded vigorously in my chest, and my palms were nearly saturated with perspiration. I endeavoured to dry my hands on my skirt, but it proved ineffective.
Kylie frequently cast anxious glances in my direction, likely contemplating my condition. However, I maintained my gaze directly forward.
After what seemed like an extended period, Mr. Leon finally articulated his thoughts.
“Silence,” he instructed the anxious maids. Everyone promptly fell silent and directed their attention towards Mr. Leon and Vera.
I felt relieved that he was no longer regarding me with suspicion. He did not regard anyone with suspicion, yet his features bore a certain hardness and his expression was nearly inscrutable.
“Concerning last night’s ceremony, it appears that not all of you were committed to ensuring the evening proceeded seamlessly,” Mr. Leon commenced, surveying the audience. I gulped, hoping he would not gaze at me again. “It seems that one of you neglected your responsibilities last night. Remember, no one will compensate for your errors.”
I inhaled unsteadily, attempting to maintain an upright posture.
Mr. Leon continued, “However.” Alpha King Elliott generously provided an additional gratuity in recognition of your diligent efforts. He expressed satisfaction with the overall results of the evening, notwithstanding Prince Jayce’s disruption and incivility.
I exhaled, a sense of relief enveloping me. He was not present to abduct me; he was not present to abduct anyone or to reprimand anyone. He was not present to administer punishment. He was present to provide us with a gratuity.
I felt an overwhelming urge to weep; I was immensely relieved. He continued to survey the room as the maids commenced forming a queue to receive their gratuities. Vera remained upright beside Mr. Leon, regarding me with scepticism. Her lips were tightly compressed, and the animosity was evident on her countenance.
She must have been aware that something was occurring. I felt immobilised as I observed the other maids queueing. Kylie stood next to me, her expression marked by a hesitant frown.
“Are you coming to collect your tip?” she enquired as she entered the queue.
I blinked several times and diverted my gaze from Vera. I succeeded in offering Kylie a faint smile, although I was aware it did not illuminate my eyes.
“Affirmative,” I replied, positioning myself next to her in the queue.
Mr. Leon distributed coins individually to each of the maids. By the time my turn arrived, I was trembling uncontrollably. Mr. Leon scrutinised me meticulously, and I began to experience a wave of nausea in my stomach. I had to leave before I vomited everywhere. At that moment, I required no additional attention.
I extended my hand as he deposited several coins into my palm. I inclined my head in gratitude to him before turning to join Kylie and the others. However, the sound of Mr. Leon’s voice halted my progress.
“Oh, one final matter,” Mr. Leon commenced. “Did any of you meet with Prince Jayce last night?”
My palms grew clammy, causing the coins to escape my grasp. They congregated on the ground and around my feet, producing an excessively loud noise. The other maids gazed at me, and I encountered their vigilant stares.
A shadow enveloped me in dimness as Mr. Leon approached and gazed at the coins I had dropped.
“Molly…” he uttered, maintaining a subdued tone with a hint of menace.
My face reddened, and I recognised it was changing to various shades of crimson. I bit my lip to suppress my trembling breath and turned to confront him. He was significantly taller than I, and I consistently felt intimidated by his presence. His close association with the royals rendered him nearly royal in the eyes of the maids.
Vera advanced, her face flushed with rage as she gazed at the coins strewn across the wooden floor.
“Clumsy maid…” she spat, appearing ready to strike me, but Mr. Leon raised his hand to stop her.
“Molly,” Mr. Leon commenced once more. “Did you confer with Prince Jayce last night?”
His demeanour was peculiarly tranquil, rendering me decidedly agitated. I swallowed another lump that had formed in my throat and implored the lunar deities that my voice would not betray me.
“No, sir,” I asserted with greater confidence than I genuinely possessed.
“Where were you last night?” he enquired, scrutinising me intently.
“Upon concluding my responsibilities at the ceremony, I retired to my room to rest,” I informed him.
He gazed at me for an extended period; I sensed Kylie regarding me with dismay from across the room. I refrained from meeting her gaze. She was aware of my deception. She understood me more profoundly than nearly anyone else at the palace. Furthermore, she observed me last night engaging in a cold bath after I inadvertently entered the room. I was dishevelled last night, and she was aware of it.
She was aware that an event had transpired; however, she was uncertain about the specifics.
After an extended period of silence, Mr. Leon finally averted his gaze from me and directed his attention to Vera.
“Very well. There is no merit in becoming agitated with the girl. It was an inadvertent occurrence,” he informed her.
Vera frowned, yet she refrained from disputing Mr. Leon. She nodded respectfully to him while maintaining her gaze on me.
