Lucius frowned, his curiosity deepening as he accepted the note.
Unfolding it carefully, he recognised Cassius's distinct handwriting at once. His eyes darted over the words, his expression shifting as he read.
The moment he finished reading, he folded it back neatly, slipping it into his pocket without so much as a flicker of emotion crossing his face. He straightened, brushing a hand through his neck-length hair as though to compose himself.
His silence was deliberate, ensuring no one around him could catch even a hint of what the note contained. He simply nodded, as if to confirm his understanding, and walked toward the front of the assembled staff with purposeful steps.
Standing before the crowd, Lucius took a deep breath, his expression turning grave. The dim lighting cast shadows across his young face, but his sharp grey eyes glinted with intensity. He raised a hand, silencing the low murmurs of confusion among the staff.
"I have an important announcement."
Lucius began, his voice steady and solemn. The tension in the room deepened, every pair of eyes locking onto him.
''Earlier today, someone attempted to assassinate your master, Cassius Holyfield, through the use of poison.''
The reaction was instant.
A wave of gasps rippled through the room, followed by frantic whispers and murmurs of panic.
The servants exchanged wide-eyed looks, some clutching their hands together nervously, while others stepped back as if the very accusation might taint them.
"An assassination?" One maid whispered fearfully.
''Who would dare to go after a noble?'' Another voice hissed, laced with dread.
''Do they suspect the staff? What if we're blamed?''
Lucius's sharp ears caught every word, his lips pressing into a thin line. The fear spreading through the hall wasn't concern for Cassius—it was pure self-preservation. They weren't worried about the young master's life; they were terrified for their own safety and positions.
Raising his hand once more, Lucius silenced the room again. His voice dropped slightly, carrying an edge of quiet authority.
"Your master survived.''
The collective sigh of relief that followed was almost deafening, but it was accompanied by a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The fear eased, replaced by murmured reassurances and faint smirks of relief. But Lucius noticed the truth behind their expressions.
Their relief wasn't out of gratitude or loyalty—it was selfish. They were relieved because Cassius's survival meant their jobs and livelihoods were secure. There was no genuine concern for their master's well-being, only the assurance that the repercussions wouldn't fall on them.
Lucius's jaw tightened, his grey eyes narrowing as he observed the crowd. A quiet anger simmered within him, though he kept his composure.
'These people....' He thought bitterly. 'They don't care about him at all...To them, he's nothing but a burden they tolerate for their own gain.'
But Lucius said nothing. Instead, he stood tall, his demeanour calm and controlled.
''Rest assured, your master is safe, and measures are already being taken to address this incident. I expect all of you to remain composed and continue your duties without fail...This household will not tolerate weakness or disorder."
The crowd nodded quickly, murmuring obedient affirmations, though their faces betrayed more relief than sincerity.
Lucius let the weight of his words settle over the room, his sharp grey eyes scanning the crowd. The staff stood frozen, murmuring quietly among themselves, their earlier panic now tinged with unease.
Just as the tension began to dissipate, Lucius raised his voice again, his tone cutting through the murmurs like a blade.
"One more thing.'' He said, his calm demeanour unwavering, yet his words carried an edge that made the room fall silent once more. "The one who dared to poison your master is already on the verge of being found...By the end of the day, their identity will be revealed."
The statement struck like thunder, sending ripples of shock and curiosity through the crowd. Faces turned toward one another, hushed whispers breaking out almost immediately.
"Who could be bold enough to poison a noble?" One servant murmured.
"Especially a member of the Holyfield family." Another added, their voice laced with disbelief.
"Do they have a death wish?" Someone else whispered nervously.
The staff's unease shifted into a strange mix of fear and intrigue. The idea that someone among them—or someone close to the family—might be responsible ignited a flurry of speculation. They began to exchange theories and gossip in hushed tones, their earlier panic giving way to morbid curiosity.
Lucius watched them silently, his expression unreadable. Inside, his anger still simmered, but he hid it well, maintaining his calm facade. He let the crowd's whispers grow louder, knowing their focus was now directed away from their selfish relief and onto the gravity of the situation.
As the last of the staff filtered out of the banquet hall after they were excused by him, their whispers fading into the corridors, Lucius allowed himself a brief moment to exhale.
He straightened his jacket, his sharp eyes scanning the room one final time, ready to leave and report back to Cassius.
But once again, just as he turned toward the exit, the same maid approached him hastily, a folded letter clutched tightly in her hands. "Master Lucius, this just arrived for you." The confused maid said, bowing slightly as she offered it to him.
Lucius took the letter without hesitation, unfolding it with practiced ease. His eyes darted over the contents, and almost immediately, his expression sharpened. He folded the paper briskly, tucking it into his pocket as his gaze swept across the lingering remnants of the crowd.
His grey eyes then locked onto a figure in the far corner of the hall, half-hidden in the shifting shadows.
Without a moment's pause, he raised his hand and pointed directly at her. "You there!'' He called out, his voice commanding and precise. "Stay right where you are!"
The figure froze, her posture stiffening as every eye in the room turned toward her. A murmur of confusion rippled through the remaining staff, some pausing mid-step to glance back.
The young woman he had singled out hesitated, her head bowing slightly as she nodded in acknowledgment. But even from a distance, Lucius could see her fidgeting hands and the faint tremor in her stance. She was unusually nervous, her unease palpable.
As the rest of the staff continued to shuffle out, their curiosity sparked, and they exchanged quiet speculations.
"Why is she being called out?"
"Did she do something wrong?"
"I've never seen her act like this before…She's normally such a smart and obedient girl."
The crowd's muttering faded as they finally left, leaving the hall nearly empty. Only then did the woman step fully into the light, her figure no longer obscured.
Lucius's gaze settled on her, his sharp features remaining calm but watchful. She was breathtakingly beautiful, her face unrivalled by any other maid in the household.
Standing before him was a young woman who seemed to have stepped right out of a fairytale. Her blonde hair, soft as spun gold, was styled neatly into short, delicate curls, with a ribbon woven through to match the black-and-white of her attire. Her blue eyes, as radiant and inviting as a clear summer sky, sparkled with a mix of innocence and quiet mischief.
Her figure was nothing short of mesmerising, a sensual masterpiece sculpted with exquisite curves that drew the eye and quickened the heart. The fitted bodice of her uniform clung tightly to her ample chest, the delicate fabric teasingly emphasising every soft, inviting contour. Her narrow waist tapered dramatically, accentuating the full, rounded swell of her hips that the skirt barely managed to conceal.
Each movement she made was effortlessly graceful, yet carried a subtle, tantalising sway that seemed almost intentional, her body exuding a natural allure that was impossible to ignore. There was an unspoken seduction in her poise, a quiet confidence that spoke volumes without uttering a single word.
But Lucius was not swayed by appearances. His grey eyes narrowed slightly as he stepped closer, his mind already working through the implications of the letter's contents. The dim light cast sharp shadows across his face, highlighting the cold, calculating expression that had sent many servants in the household trembling with fear.
The maid, however, did not shrink away. She flinched slightly at his approach—her delicate fingers twitching for the briefest moment—but quickly steeled herself. Taking a sharp breath, she squared her shoulders and met Lucius's piercing gaze head-on.
Her fists clenched at her sides, as though she were drawing strength from the action, and her large, intelligent eyes locked with his, refusing to waver. Though her pulse raced and her mind screamed at her to show no fear, she composed herself with remarkable poise. She knew any sign of weakness or hesitation would only draw more suspicion.
Lucius raised an eyebrow, his grey eyes glinting faintly in the dim light. Her response intrigued him.
Most of the staff wouldn't have dared to hold his gaze, much less stand firm under the weight of his cold demeanor. To see this young maid, with her elegant beauty and apparent intelligence, remain calm under such scrutiny was, if nothing else, impressive.
"Interesting.'' Lucius thought, his lips twitching as though on the verge of a smirk. He let his gaze linger, watching as her breathing steadied, her composure firming with every passing second.
Most servants feared him, not just because he was Cassius's closest confidant, but because he rarely showed his playful side to anyone other than his master. To them, Lucius was an unapproachable figure—a shadow that moved with precision and authority. Yet here was this maid, standing her ground with a quiet defiance that he couldn't help but admire.