" Are you sure you know her? " It was the guard this time around.
He had caught her brief change in expression.
" Liars will be severely punished—along with the girl " The captains chilly voice was loud for all to hear despite the rain.
The cheif court maid almost had an heart attack the moment she saw Maurice dash forward.
' That foolish child '
Maurice's eyes were still glued on the red haired that wasn't Ravenna.
How didn't she know ?
She should have checked properly before impulsively jumping in.
She bit her tongue in regret. Her gaze shifted to the frail girl before her —had she just made the biggest mistake of her life
Now that she had made a statement she had to stick to it else both she and the red head would lose their heads.
" I know her " she breathed not daring to look up at the captain. The rain wasn't as chilling as the captains piercing gaze.
Another's curious gaze was now on her—it was the red haired girl. Probably wondering why the girl had stepped in to help.
They definitely hadn't met before.
She had no idea why this stranger was standing up for her.....but for her it felt like a miracle.
At the other side where they stood the cheif court maid was at the verge of collapsing.
This impulsive girl would clearly be the death of her.
Her mother had written a letter begging her to take of Maurice but right at this moment the girl was making it hard for her.
Maurice shifted uncomfortably wondering if he had caught on but the captain just turned towards the other court maids lined up anxious and cold.
" Does anyone else know this court maid ? "
His eyes scanned for any sign of fear like a hawk while taking in their facial expression.
Nobody dared step forward to deny or admit anything.
They clearly didn't know this court maid but admitting that would be putting Maurice in trouble.
Yet lying.....and getting caught? That would cost them all their heads.
Everyone began glancing at each other, a slight murmur of panic filled the air. They clearly couldn't betray each other—it was something their cheif had thought them.
To always stick by together. The palace was a dangerous place.
Many of them survived this long because of that very teaching.
The captain wasn't buying it, they all seemed suspicious at this rate.
Nobody would deny neither admit yet there was whispering amongst themselves.
His hands were tied as the cheif was in charge of the court maids if not he would have ordered for all to be tortured until the truth came out.
" If only one court maid recognizes the lady in question then either of the party is definitely telling a lie. "
Everyone froze as he spoke and the cheif court maid just clenched her fist in controlled anger. She couldn't let Maurice be arrested.
"Seize the court maid " The captain commanded and they immediately proceeded to grab Maurice.
She froze. Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, the world around her blurred under the downpour.
" Wait ! "
The cheif court maid stepped forward slightly sending a glare towards Maurice.
she grabbed the red haired's chin, tilting it slightly —before turning it sideways as if trying to remember where she had seen her.
" Hmmm " She dropped her hands folding them back in place before turning towards the captain.
" We know her " She lied—Chin up, posture graceful, eyes boring into the his.
" Cheif Court Maid, i don't believe you " He glared back ready to debunk her claims.
Everyone except Maurice and the red haired knew :
That these two had bad blood between them.
She always had a way of sheilding her court maids from palace troubles no matter the cost.
He always found a reason to punish them.
But she knew the law inside out—and she knew how to work around it.
The law was already very lenient with the court maids— they were the core of the palace's healthy functioning after all.
But the captain wasn't the least bit pleased.
" Marie ! Bring me the list of registered court maids " She boldly commanded ready to once again do what she had always done.
As far as the commander wasn't involved then the battle was hers to win. Only the commander was powerful enough to bend the rules and no one could challenge his authority except the royal Family.
The captain already knew this was a game he was going to loose if the lady was proven to be a court maid.
" Here, " she pointed at the name of a dead court maid.
" Suma " She pronounced the name but the captain shook his head snatching the list from her hand.
" The red mark here means this court maid is dead. You can't just use dead people's names to cover for criminals " He accused already riled up.
The cheif court maid frowned
" Captain, please do not jump into conclusions. " She began, her voice chilly.
" The lady here is indeed Suma and we all thought she had died hence the reason why everyone hesitated and was in doubt " The chief court maid snatched the list back.
" I would appreciate it if the left district captain would apologize and release my court maids—we have a lot of task ahead of us. Isn't that right ? "
She turned towards her court maids and they all chorused aloud
" Indeed cheif "
The left district captain twisted his mouth in dissatisfaction. He couldn't let them slip from his grasp again —at this point they would start to grow wings and behave however they wanted without fear or reserve.
" I'm Afraid I'll have to refuse " He began much to the cheif's annoyance.
" Your court maid still needs to be deeply questioned and punished. Court maid Suma was caught last night in the woods very close to the palace walls "
At this information everyone glanced at the red haired in shock.
The cheif court maid was the most devastated.
She had just brought upon herself a terrible bad luck.
If this issue wasn't handled smartly they would all be in trouble.
Maurice's heart sank. The woods.....of all places. This wasn't just palace trouble—this was a death sentence.
The woods was a forbidden area for non royals and the fact that she had been caught there during the night.....
How would they get out of this mess?.....