I ultimately averted my gaze and focused on my feet.
I was taken aback by the sounds of coughing and the clattering of a spoon striking the floor. I observed that Vera was reclining in her chair, distanced from the table; her face was flushed, and her hand was pressed against her chest as she struggled to breathe.
Her coughing expelled small fragments of mucus from her mouth, which visibly repulsed the women at the table. A palpable silence ensued as they directed their attention towards Vera.
For a brief moment, I believed she was asphyxiating, and I questioned why no one was intervening. However, I then observed what appeared to be foam emanating from her mouth.
I inhaled sharply as her complexion deepened to a darker hue of red; she was unable to breathe.
Blood began to emanate from her nostrils, and her body convulsed involuntarily.
“Request a medic!”Ashton shouted as he swiftly rose to his feet.
Jayce sprang to his feet and rushed to the door, which he flung open to call for Mr. Leon.
“Summon the medic,” Jayce commanded him.
Mr. Leon appeared momentarily bewildered; he surveyed the table and his gaze fell upon Vera, who was still gasping for air, foaming at the mouth, and bleeding from her nose.
He inhaled sharply and fled in the opposite direction to seek assistance.
My body trembled; the soup must have been the cause. It was not solely the flower contained within; they must have also contaminated it.
Vera collapsed to her knees, her body succumbing to the ground. She ceased coughing.
The room fell silent as they gazed at Vera; everyone was astonished.
I inhaled unsteadily.
I terminated her life.
…
What transpired?Jayce exhaled sharply, surveying the room.
All were astonished by Vera’s collapse at Luna Queen Kamila’s birthday celebration. Jayce was the initial speaker, yet no one possessed any explanations. How could they? No one had exited the room, and it was evident that the soup was the culprit.
The paramedics arrived promptly and prepared to extricate Vera from the room.
“It must have been the soup,” Lady Elsie remarked, regarding the soup with suspicion. “However, I feel well; thus, it was solely her soup?”
They all gazed at each other once more, with the exception of one individual.
Prince Jack.
He gazed at me, his lips pressed into a thin line during our eye contact. I was unable to discern his thoughts. My interactions with Prince Jack have been minimal, if not nonexistent. The sole information I possessed about him was his discord with Jayce.
However, his gaze instilled a chill along my spine.
“It must have been the maid,” Jack asserted, indicating me directly.
I sensed the air in my lungs dissipating as everyone directed their gaze towards me, their expressions filled with dismay, except for Abel and Ashton, who appeared increasingly concerned.
“Myself?””I murmured, scarcely perceptible.”
Jack approached me, assessing me from my feet to my head.
“Do not feign ignorance, maid,” he shouted at me. I recoiled at his words, my body stiffening. Heat flushed my cheeks, and tears threatened to spill from my eyes, yet I resolutely withheld them. I could not display such vulnerability before them, despite feeling profoundly fragile at that moment. “It is evident that you serve her, and she nearly took your life.” This was your retribution, was it not?
Negative!”I stated, my voice emerging as a squeak. “Certainly not, your majesties.”
How did this occur?Kamila enquired, gazing at me with such intensity that I anticipated lasers would emanate from her eyes.
“I am uncertain…” I stated, my tone betraying my trepidation.
“You are deceitful!”Jack emitted a hiss.
I am not!I attempted to justify my actions.
Molly would never engage in such behaviour!Ashton asserted, advancing. “You are mistaken, Jack.”
“Do I?”Jack stated, maintaining eye contact with me. “I observed her alter the name cards on the soup.”
I inhaled unsteadily; my body faltering, nearly causing me to collapse.
“Due to the presence of Aconitum in the Luna Queen’s soup!” She has an allergy, so I replaced the soup. I was unaware it was also contaminated,” I remarked, tears welling in my eyes.
“Are you suggesting that an individual in the kitchen was attempting to murder me?”Kamila enquired, her eyes widening; I was uncertain whether she believed me, judging by her tone.
Who would perpetrate such an act?Jack derided, “What could the motive possibly be?”
“I am uncertain,” I stated, my lips trembling.
I trust her!Abel stated, panic evident in his eyes, “She would never engage in such behaviour.”
What evidence do you have regarding the maid’s capabilities?Jack enquired, directing his focus towards Abel. “You are not even acquainted with her.”
“I am sufficiently acquainted with Molly to ascertain that she would never engage in this behaviour.” She possesses no inclination towards violence.
Kamila gazed at her youngest son in bewilderment; Jayce exhaled exasperatedly and crossed his arms. He exhibited indifference towards my predicament; I was uncertain whether he believed my innocence or guilt. However, it was inconsequential; he would permit them to act as they pleased regarding my situation.
My heart nearly fractured as I surveyed the myriad of distrustful and accusatory expressions surrounding me.
I observed that Alpha King Elliott had exited the dining hall moments prior; if I were to speculate, I would surmise he was summoning the guards to apprehend me. I braced my back against the wall resolutely to avoid collapsing. I needed to maintain my composure, or I would appear even more culpable.
Abel is correct; Molly would not engage in this behaviour. Ashton interjected, standing next to Abel, “She is not a violent individual.”
Although I had the support of two royals, I would have valued their allegiance more had it been significant. However, it was inconsequential; if Queen Kamila of Luna did not trust me, nothing else held any importance.
As anticipated, Alpha King Elliott reappeared accompanied by several guards. He gestured towards me, prompting them to advance swiftly in my direction.
