Rose quickly followed Helena to the door but she did not leave and instead watched the head maid disappear through the large corridors. With a thoughtful expression, she turned around and got back into her room. Removing the paper from her pocket, she took the glass that was on her bedside and carefully poured the water on the paper without spilling it on the floor and once the paper was wet, she squeezed it tightly with her fingers and put it back into her pocket.
********. ************. ********
On the other side of the palace, far from the residential area, in the courtroom, Lucas sat on the large expensively built throne with beautiful carvings that were coated with gold on the edges. His demeanor was cold and intimidating while he listened to one of the ministers who was standing before him.
"Your highness, there have been a few reports that the werewolves are residing in some villages which are mostly dominated by the humans. Ther have also been two deaths reported in Eastern side of the coast and the people there are saying that it was an animal attack and fortunately we got to catch one of the wolves."
Saying that, the minister took a step back and slightly bowed his head before getting back to his seat.
There had been many attacks at the border and even though many claimed that it was the werewolves who were killing humans, the king knew very well that it was not them and that someone else was doing the killings but not having enough evidence and not knowing who was behind all the murder, Lucas decided to take the fool's path in agreeing that the werewolves were the ones causing deaths. Sitian was a kingdom that was envied by many due to its wealth and the natural resources that could not be found in the neighbouring kingdoms.
"I will personally interrogate the werewolf and in the meantime, why don't we send Norman and Cooper at the coast so that they can tell us what's happening there." Those were the king's words and Norman who had been sitting at the back while trying to be as invisible as he could possibly be tried to wiggle his way out. "Your highness I don't think that I.._"
"It's not a request Norman." Lucas cut him off with a cold smile that chilled the whole room. Though there was some sort of glimmer in his eyes, there was something dark and evil behind the smile that was on his face. He had his suspicions on Norman and upon seeing his reluctance to go, it only proved that his doubts were right. He had grown up in the palace and he knew very well how it operated. People were thirsty for power and being one of them, he would never let the crown slip out of his head.
"I need to be left with John. The rest of you can go. And Norman, I will be expecting to hear from you." The king declared dismissively and the ministers started leaving the room. Once it was just the two of them, the minister named john finally stood up and walked towards the king.
"Speak."
"Your highness, you were right. It's not the werewolves but the vampires who have been killing people. We have one of them in our special room but he is not willing to talk." The man stated and the king whose hand was resting on the armrest raised it and massaged his lower lip before saying.
"I will be sure to force words out of his mouth. And.., I want you to keep a close eye on Norman. He is working with her."
Not needing to be told who the king meant by "her", John nodded and Lucas dismissed him. After staying in the courtroom for a while, he lazily got up and walked out of the room while holding a parchment in his hand.
**********. ***********. *********
Rose was in the company of two maids who were cleaning the attic when she spotted Stella and some other servants heading towards the main gates. Not wanting to miss such an opportunity, she quickly walked towards her newly made friend and pulled her aside. Handing an old brown envelope with an address on it, she whispered to her
"If you get a chance, please leave this at the delivery box."
When the girls saw butler heading towards them, Stella gave Rose a nod and left her side. Rose also did not hesitate to leave the place before the butler would give her a scolding. She had written another letter to her aunt and she hoped that it would reach her.
On her way back to the attic, she saw Helena who was walking on the opposite direction and when they almost passed each other, the head maid turned her head to look at Rose. There was a smile on her face as if she was plotting something evil but Rose whose mind was preoccupied with something else decided to ignore her.
Helena who had been contemplating on what to do so that she could permanently get rid of the girl who was brought in by the king had finally come up with an idea. She had gone to the king at the time of noon but she was told that he was in the courtroom and not being patient enough to warm air for him, she decided to go to the king's mother.
Lucky enough for the headmaid, she found lady Victoria in her room.
"What is it Helen?" Lady Victoria asked after Helena entered into her room.
"Milady, it is the new maid. She is a spy."
Helena's words came as a surprise because she had not heard that there were new maids in the palace. Covering her anger which was subtle, she raised her eyebrow to ask.
"And how is that possible. What made you think that she is a mole?"
"Milady, I saw her writing this." Helena replied while handing a letter that was in her pocket and lady Victoria elegantly took it.