Julius signaled Pricilla to be quiet. Pricilla did as she was asked to as she noticed Maximus standing in a trance. Standing in the middle of the room, his eyes were closed and he was fiddling with his fingers.
Maximus opened his eyes and left the room at a large pace. Julius followed him. He's seen Maximus doing this at times in the past. To be honest, he doesn't understand what he does or why he does it.
No one knows! But he succeeds doing so.
And being successful is what gives Maximus the vibe he has. Haughty, regal, and worthy of reverence and adoration.
Julius had a feeling that Maximus figured out where Lady Felixa is. Although Maximus' shoulders were stiff and he was walking fast, there was a sense of relaxation in his gait.
Julius hoped Lady Felixa is safe.
"Where is Flavia?" Maximus asked as they entered the West wing of the mansion. Julius gulped sensing the dryness in his tone.
Is he blaming my wife for not guarding Lady Felixa?
"Sire, she's in the kitchen preparing lunch for Lady Felixa. She was complaining that the Lady is not getting enough nutrients and decided to prepare the soup with the recipe of her grandmother that would help the Lady with~"
He nervously explained why his wife is not with Lady Felixa. Pricilla could sense the heaviness in the air and followed them at a distance to see what is happening.
I just don't want the new friend I made to be hurt…
She said to herself but the real reason she is still hanging around is to have a look at Elrick. She didn't want to accept it but she didn't want him to get punished.
"Hmm," Maximus hummed and held his hands behind his back. "Where does this lead to?" he asked pointing at the hallway branching out.
"The breakfast room and the grand library, Sire. Should we-"
Julius was interrupted by Maximus' wave. He then pointed at the thick tapestry on the wall beside a window.
Julius observed that area and he found an odd thing there. The drape near the tapestry looked bundled up and part of the tassel tieback was stuck behind the drape.
He removed his sword from the scabbard and reached there in a careful but sure gait.
"In the name of His Majesty Maximus, The Emperor of Lethusia and every land under the sky, I order you to come out, whoever you are!" he shouted.
Pricilla clenched her chest as she saw a pair of shoes peeking from behind the drapes. Her heart started to pound.
"Come out!" Julius shouted once more and since there was no movement, he pushed aside the drape carefully with his sword.
With a ruffle, something fell forward making Julius take a cautious step back. Maximus' eyes squinted and Pricilla closed her mouth with her hand to hide her shock seeing a maid hanging with the tieback tangled around her neck.
The maid's hands were dangling freely and her eyes were partly closed and bloodshot. At first appearance, she looked dead. Julius turned and looked at Pricilla and she stepped forward.
Pressing her fingers on her neck, she concluded that the maid was indeed dead. She stopped Julius who was about to get the body of the maid down and made some observations. After getting the body down, she did a basic investigation.
"There are signs of struggle. Her nails are broken… The face is congested. There is haemorrhaging in the eyes and~"
"We don't want proof of your medical knowledge, doctor!" Maximus' thunderous voice interjected her. "Be concise!"
"Your Majesty," Pricilla stood up in a hurry and gave a curtsy. "The maid was murdered not so long ago. The culprit might be-"
As she was speaking, Maximus walked closer to the dead body. With his leather shoes, he pressed on the maid's face and turned it to face him. Pricilla's shoulders stooped as she controlled herself from saying something.
Even if she was just a maid and is dead, he cannot treat her like that. And the shreds of evidence might get destroyed.
"Isn't she Lady Felixa's maid?" he asked Julius. But he corrected himself. "Wasn't she..?" he scoffed and stomped on her hand. "Throw this garbage away to the dogs," he said and turned to leave.
A chill ran through Pricilla's spine hearing that. But it didn't surprise her too much to see the Brute denying a proper funeral for a dead person.
Well, he's the Brute!
Pricilla heard the familiar footsteps approaching them and turned to see Elrick running towards them. Her heart pounded wondering if he brings good news.
"Will the dogs get affected if they eat it?"
Maximus' voice made Pricilla look at him. He was pointing at the dead maid. She wondered how she should answer them. But before she could answer, he turned at Julius.
"Julius, grind it and feed it to the pigs. And feed the pigs to the dogs," Maximus ordered and Julius. The ever-loyal knight accepted his Emperor's order with a bow. "And bring me a new pair of shoes. I stepped on dirt," he looked at his shoes with disgust.
Pricilla knew Maximus is harsh on his enemies, but she couldn't understand why he hates on a maid this much. And with Lady Felixa missing, why is he not investigating the murder of the maid of Lady Felixa?
Maid of Lady Felixa? If so… Is the maid responsible for the scars on Lady Felixa's body? Oh, my! Is that why he is this vengeful? Does he truly love her?
"Hail be thou, Your Majesty!"
The clear greeting of Sir Elrick made Maximus stop.
"I am here to make a report, Your Majesty," he knelt placing his hand on his chest.
Pricilla held her breath and observed the situation. Her fingers turned cold as she looked at Elrick's face. He looked defeated and that means he still hasn't found Lady Felixa.
"Have you found her yet?" Maximus asked Elrick. His amber eyes were glowing red and he was rolling his tongue inside his mouth. His long hair swirled in the blowing wind along with his cape.
"N-no, Your Majesty," Elrick answered and Pricilla's hand clutched on her shirt tightly, crinkling it.
"I-"
"Julius! I am not engaging further with the Knight who broke his code. Forty lashes for leaving his post, twenty for procrastinating, and forty for defying my direct order. Crack his shield to two, crack his sword on his head, and-"
Elrick's eyes almost blackened. He didn't expect his punishment would be this severe. He'd take death over this.
I am being punished for breaking the code of chivalry? I am no longer a Knight?
"No!" Pricilla knelt in front of Maximus and held his leg. "No, please, Your Majesty, he did not leave his post. It was I who pulled him-"
"Pricilla!" Elrick interjected her.
If His Majesty's punishment surprised him, Pricilla pleading for him surprised him more. Surprised, and happy.
There is no reason for her to plead for me!
But he is not going to let her take the blame. That is not chivalrous and that would be a lie. He is a Knight. He is not going to lie to his Emperor and he will not let his wife do so too.
"That's enough!" He growled at Pricilla. "Get up and leave," he ordered her.
"No!" Pricilla was adamant.