Clara rushed to Davina, eager to share the latest news from the palace of Ashwood. "Davina, have you heard?" she asked, sitting beside her.
Davina adjusted her position, curiosity piqued. "What is it?" she asked.
Clara's expression turned serious. "A maid in ashwood palace was poisoned."
Davina's face lit up with a sly smile, knowing that her trusted maid, Nina, had carried out her task.
Clara noticed Davina's reaction and frowned. "Did you just smile? A maid was poisoned, and you think it's funny?"
Davina shrugged nonchalantly. "Besides, Mother, what do you want me to do? A maid was been poisoned, so what? How is it my fault?"
Clara's expression turned stern. "I'm telling you to be careful and watch out for your enemies. I heard the maid was poisoned as soon as she ate her food."
Davina's smile returned, and she muttered to herself, "Good girl, good girl. You've done the needful." She planned her next move, "Now I'll play my part."
Clara noticed Davina's mumbling and asked, "What are you saying to yourself? Can you hear me?"
Davina snapped at her mother, "Mother, what do you want me to do? A maid in ashwood palace was poisoned, and so what? Please don't stress me, I need rest."
Davina stormed off to her room, locked the door, and began jumping up and down, ecstatic. "Now I will have my way," she declared to herself. "This time, Lord Nigel will not resist me." Her laughter echoed evilly through the room.
****************************
Lord Nigel's pov
I stood before the row of maids, scrutinizing each of their faces. Their expression all seemed identical, their eyes wide with fear. Who among them could have committed such a heinous act?
I couldn't believe I was even asking myself this question. I had to admit, I'd developed a soft spot for Aria. It was inexplicable, and I knew I shouldn't fall for a maid, but I couldn't help myself.
The thought of losing Aria was unbearable. If she died, how would I ever find someone as perfect as her? I didn't know when these feelings started, but they were consuming me.
My gaze swept across the maids, my anger simmering. Who dared to try to kill Aria? The worst part was that none of them were talking.
I wished I could snap their heads one by one. Instead, I called for the guards. "Lock all of them up until they decide to talk."
One of the maids spoke up, "I saw Aria with Nina. They were together, talking."
Nina snapped at the maid, "How does being together with her mean anything?"
I moved closer to Nina, my eyes narrowing. "You said you saw her with Aria," I repeated to the maid.
The maid nodded fearfully, "Yes, they were together."
Another maid spoke up, "I remember when I accidentally poured water on Aria's food, and Nina was angry. I don't know if she poisoned Aria, expecting her to eat it."
My gaze turned to Nina, who denied the accusations. "It's a lie, my Lord. That's a big lie. I didn't know such a thing, my Lord."
The maids seemed relieved that my attention was focused on Nina, grateful that they wouldn't lose their heads...
"I'm done for, I'm done for," Nina whispered to herself, panic setting in. "Who can I turn to? Where can I run? How can I escape? Why did I agree to do this? Now I'll die before even receiving the reward..."
Nina's mind racing with desperation and regret, she realized she was trapped, with no clear way out.
Lord Nigel's anger boiled over as he moved closer to Nina, his eyes blazing with fury. "Who sent you?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.
Nina, still trying to deny any involvement, shook her head, but Lord Nigel's grip on her neck tightened, his fingers digging deep into her skin. He lifted her off the ground, suspending her in mid-air.
The maids cowered, giving them a wide berth, fearful of Lord Nigeel's wrath. His eyes had turned a dark, foreboding red, a sign that his anger had reached a boiling point.
"Who sent you?" Lord Nigel repeated, his voice dripping with malice.
Nina remembered Lady Davina's warning not to mention her name if caught. She sealed her lips, refusing to betray her mistress.
Lord Nigel's anger erupted, and he flung Nina across the corridor, slamming her into the stone wall. She groaned in pain.
In a swift motion, Lord Nigeel closed the distance between them, his grip on Nina's throat tightening once more. "Who sent you? I won't repeat myself again" he snarled.
Nina's vision began to blur, but with her last ounce of strength, she whispered, "Lady Davina."
The name had a profound effect on Lord Nigel.. He dropped Nina to the ground, his expression twisted in a mixture of anger and shock. "Lock her up," he barked at his guards who were nearby. "I'll deal with her later. First, I have a score to settle with Davina."
The guards hastened to obey, and Lord Nigeel stormed out of the corridor, his speed and agility awe-inspiring. The maids breathed a collective sigh of relief, but their respite was short-lived. They exchanged fearful glances, whispering among themselves.
"He's truly the King of Terror," one of them whispered.
As they dispersed, they couldn't shake off the feeling that they had just witnessed something sinister, something that would have a far reaching consequences.
****************************
The minister and his wife, Clara, were laughing together in the luxirious sitting room at only the heavens knew what,but their merriment was short-lived. A male servant burst into the room, looking flustered.
"My Lord, there's a commotion outside," he announced.
Before he could elaborate, the minister asked, "What commotion could be happening?"
The servant hesitated before answering, "My Lord, the Lord of Ashwood is here."
Clara's expression changed instantly. She trembled and quickly excused herself, hurrying to lock herself away. She knew that the Lord of Ashwood's unexpected visit could only mean trouble.
The minister, slightly shaken, called out for his night guard.
Meanwhile, Davina was outside on the balcony, sipping wine and celebrating her recent success. She spotted Lord Nigeel approaching from a distance and smiled slyly to herself.
"Ah, he's come to see me," she thought, pleased. "Let's go and meet him."
Davina quickly searched for something suitable to wear.
Lord Nigeel, meanwhile, had arrived at the minister's estate with incredible speed, his movements almost imperceptible. He didn't bother using a horse, instead relying on his extraordinary speed.
As he approached the gate, the guards saw him and tried to block and deny him acess,before they could do so,lord nigel in swift motion zoomed past them,faster than the eye could see. His speed was breathtaking, leaving the guards stunned and struggling to keep up,as they ran after him.
Lord Nigeel swiftly ran past the guards and made his way to the minister's mansion, his destination unclear.
Lord Nigel came to an abrupt stop in front of the minister, his eyes blazing with fury. "Where is that wretched daughter of yours?" he thundered.
The minister stood tall, his face pale but resolute. "I will not have you insult my daughter," he warned.
Lord Nigel's expression twisted in disgust. "Do you know what that daughter of yours has done?" he spat.
Just then, Davina appeared, looking elegant and poised. "Lord Nigeel, you came for me?" she asked, a hint of innocence in her voice.
But Lord Nigel was unforgiving. With a swift, almost unpredicted movement, he flikered his hand, and Davina found herself flying across the room, her elegant dress fluttering behind her.