"Master, please believe me." Zoya knelt before Cedric, tears streaming down her face. "I did not steal Lady Cathleen's necklace."
The other servants watched in shock as Zoya, one of the longest-serving and most loyal staff members of the Orion household, sobbed uncontrollably like a child who had lost their prized toy.
"I am Lady Cathleen's devoted servant. I would never dare take something belonging to my mistress."
"But the necklace was found in your room," Ellie murmured, her quiet words audible to the group.
"It wasn't me. Please, believe me," Zoya pleaded. She wasn't foolish enough to steal from her mistress, not even out of her deep disdain for Cathleen. Zoya preferred subtle and calculated ways to drive a wedge between Cathleen and Cedric.
Cedric's gaze bore into her with undisguised contempt. Zoya hated that look. The man she loved so deeply was staring at her as if she were a criminal. This wasn't how Cedric was supposed to look at her. He should be looking at her with love, not scorn.
Zoya reassured herself. Cedric must only be doing his duty as the head of the household. He needed to demonstrate leadership by addressing this issue firmly and wisely. Yes, that had to be it. Zoya clung to this belief. Cedric was simply forced into this position, and deep down, he would defend her. She only needed to weep a little longer to evoke his sympathy.
"Why did you steal my wife's necklace? Is your salary not enough to satisfy you?" Cedric's restrained anger was evident in his voice as he glared at Zoya, clearly irritated by her persistent crying and groveling.
"I did not steal Lady Cathleen's necklace." Zoya's tear-filled eyes locked onto Cedric's, her expression pleading. "I'm certain someone has framed me. Please, My Lord, believe me." She bowed her head low, attempting to convey her sincerity.
"And what makes you think that?"
Wiping her tears, Zoya replied, "I know many of the servants envy me because I am Lady Cathleen's personal maid. Some of them want to take my place." Her gaze swept across the lineup of servants before landing squarely on Ellie. "It was you, wasn't it? You set me up!"
Ellie stiffened at the sudden accusation. The atmosphere shifted as all eyes fell on her. She forced herself to remain calm if she wanted to escape this predicament.
"Me?" Ellie's voice wavered but steadied quickly. "A lowly servant like me, who has to wait to be called before even entering Lady Cathleen's chambers, would never dare steal anything."
"Lately, you've been hanging around Lady Cathleen more and more. You must want to take my position!"
"That's only because Lady Cathleen needs me. If you were competent, she wouldn't have to keep summoning me," Ellie shot back.
Zoya froze, stunned by Ellie's audacity. How dare she speak to her that way? Just wait—once Zoya became Duchess of Orion, Ellie would be the first to be dismissed.
"My Lord, you trust me, don't you? I'm not the thief. It's Ellie! She's been clinging to Lady Cathleen to gain her favor."
"No, Master." Ellie dropped to her knees dramatically. "Serving in this household has secured a life for my family and me. I would never risk everything by committing such a crime."
Cedric sighed heavily, the weight of the situation pressing on him. On one hand, Zoya was a trusted servant who had been with the family for years, even before his marriage to Cathleen. He found it hard to believe that someone so loyal would commit such a reckless act.
"Eleanor, what do you think?" Cedric finally turned to the headmaid for advice.
"Zoya, provide proof that you're not the culprit!"
"I have no proof, but the real thief must be Ell—"
"What I need is evidence, not baseless accusations."
Zoya fell silent. She had no way to prove her innocence. How had things come to this? Ever since Cedric returned from the war, so much had fallen out of place. Something new and unwelcome had taken root in this household, making it nearly impossible to shatter the bond between Cedric and Cathleen.
"Zoya?"
***
After quietly observing the situation from the upper floor for quite some time, I finally reached the bottom of the stairs, slowly and with the painful effort of a leg that had yet to heal. Now it's time to stir up this situation even more.
"Zoya?" I said with a tone of confusion.
Everyone turned to look at me. I could see a glimmer of hope in Zoya's eyes, as if she believed I would defend her. But it didn't last long. Her expression shifted to one of hatred as she saw Cedric rushing toward me.
I caught Cedric's worried look as he noticed me standing there.
"What are you doing here? How's your leg? Does it hurt? Can you walk?" Cedric knelt, holding my leg gently. His concern was written all over his face.
"I want to know who stole my necklace." Time to start the act. "But what do I find here? Why did you make Zoya cry?"
Cedric stood up and then brushed my face lightly, as if trying to calm me. "Your necklace is in her room."
"WHAT?!?!"
Zoya immediately came to me and knelt, seemingly desperate to convince me.
"My lady, you must believe me. I couldn't have taken the necklace."
Ignoring her words completely, I said, "Zoya, if you needed something, I would have given it to you. Why did you have to take my mother's necklace?" I tried to look as heartbroken as possible. "Why did you betray my trust?"
Zoya looked panicked, inching closer to prostrate herself at my feet, but of course, I wasn't about to make it that easy for her.
I winced in pain as she approached. "What's wrong? Is your leg hurting again?" Cedric asked.
"Yes, could you take me back to my room? My whole body hurts." I leaned into Cedric, showing just how frail I was before him. Oh, I could see the maids, still unaccustomed to such a sight, staring wide-eyed, and of course, Zoya, who I guessed was burning with jealousy.
Without hesitation, Cedric scooped me up and carried me back to my room, leaving Zoya in utter confusion.
"My lady, what about me? I didn't steal the necklace," Zoya pleaded repeatedly.
Before Cedric could respond, I quickly interjected. "Whip her ten times, and from now on, her job is to care for the horses in the stable."
After that, Zoya called my name over and over, but I ignored her completely. The sound of her sobbing filled the entire room.
"Why didn't you just fire her?" Cedric asked, puzzled.
"She's been here longer than I have. Maybe she was desperate enough to steal my necklace. It's fine; I'll forgive her this time."
Of course, that wasn't the real reason. I wanted Zoya to suffer even more until I was the one to finally dismiss her. I didn't know what she might do outside this house to destroy me, but by keeping her here a little longer, I could keep a close eye on her.
As for the necklace, it had all been part of my plan with Ellie. I had allied with Ellie to orchestrate this situation for Zoya. Naturally, Ellie was paid extra to keep her mouth shut. I had instructed Ellie to hide my necklace in a discreet spot in Zoya's room when I accompanied Cedric to the palace to prepare for the victory celebration.
That was days ago, and Zoya hadn't even realized the necklace was there. I wanted to laugh at the sight of Zoya's face, her makeup smeared from crying.
Don't worry, Zoya. There's more for you, and it will be far more spectacular than this.
I wanted to feel sorry for her, but she was the one responsible for Cathleen's death in the original story. So, let's make sure Zoya's fate is even worse than Cathleen's.