Temporary Crown

21 | A moment of Unexpected Collapse

Nesta was in the lower part of this society’s hierarchy before. She lived in a job that pays her per day hoping that she won’t die. She often steals and hope not to be caught. She eats dirt and trash people throw if she can’t find something to eat. She was one of them before, even lower that them before.

Nesta understood how their mind works. They craved for money, wealth and fame like normal people. These three things were the most important right now in order to live a life different from their birth however, achieving these things wasn’t easy. Nesta was just rather really lucky. However, she also understood that such luck would soon be taken away from her.

She was afraid of the future now that she knows half of it, however, she will continue to persist hoping to stir fate in the right direction.

Still, no matter how Nesta sympathize at these servants for she understands, she just can’t just stand idly without making them known and realize that she was a noble now. Someone they cannot easily offend. She was part of the Von Stein family and their mockery towards her would also be a mockery to the family.

In order to prevent the future of gossips and rumors, Nesta knew she needed to take charge. Hence she turned around looking for a stick. This was their punishment.

As Nesta contemplated life in her mind, the servants were still kneeling at the floor. They were really afraid that the mistress would punish them. She was new here and they did not know how she punishes a servant.

Lora who was the one trembling too much glanced up hoping to see their mistress and beg for her forgiveness. In her heart she was still harboring feelings of envy and greed towards a woman who just came out of no where and was adopted.

She had never been this lucky before and people who doesn’t experience grace tend to covet other people and drag them down. Although she was apologizing, she her feelings of rage, jealously, and greed were eating every bits of her soul.

Just the moment she glanced up, she saw the mistress holding a stick. The servant Lora, immediately shuddered and begged for more.

“My lady, please have mercy! Please spare me!”

However, no matter how she begged the lady kept looking down at her with her sinister and vicious eyes. It was a lot different when she was talking to the duke and the young master. Perhaps this was the side of her that many people do not know.

“Hold her,” Nesta gave a command. The two servants who were also kneeling moved in an instant holding the arms of Lora. They obviously have the same thoughts in their mind. They lady won’t punish them. They were sure and they were quite confident but it doesn’t mean that Lora would be spared.

However, they would rather betray their friend rather than their master. No matter how Lora moved both of the servants did not flinched.

Nesta took a step forward. “Spread her hands.”

“Yes my lady.”

“Clench your teeth for this will hurt.”

“Please! Please my lady I was wrong! I was wrong- Arghh!”

“This is for the sin daring to bare fangs to your master”

The thin wooden stick hit Lora’s palm creating a thin red line. She shuddered feeling all the chills crawled up to her body, hair, mind, and bones. It hurts so much she wanted to cry but the beatings did not stop.

The lady raised her hands and struck her palms with so much force the skin already tore. The servants who kept their eyes away was even aware the blood flowing on Lora’s hands but they did not moved.

Lora’s eyes burned and tears started to fall but the lady won’t stop.

“I’m sorry my lady!” she begged even more. “I’m sorry please forgive me.”

This time, Nesta stopped. The hands of the servant almost turned purple as the blood flowed. She doubt that she can even do the household chores in such hands but this was always the way of the nobles. No mercy to those to dare to cross her.

Nesta took her stand again. “I won’t be hearing any slander about me or this family. I hope that you all understand. If the duke was the one who hears this, I bet that you are now a cold corpse waiting for the crows to feast upon. A servant should shut their mouths.”

All of them nodded. Their breathing were heavy but Lora wanted to faint at that moment. Nesta observed their faces and expression. She can see that there had been a fear starting to crawl and take shelter in their hearts.

No matter what happens in the future, they will always remember this.

She waved her hands. “You are all dismissed!”

All of them gave a bow again. “Thank you for your grace my lady.” Nesta watched them leave the room in fear. Although she felt a little uncomfortable with what she did she knew that it was only the right thing.

Heaving her breath, Nesta turned and head towards her room.

She forgotten all her previous feelings and she only wanted to rest and take a bath. Without asking for the servants help she moved and took her own bath. She stayed inside the bath for a long while easing all the tension built up in her muscles. Hoping for a peaceful sleep.

--

Just as Nesta finished taking a bath, she dried her hair with the towel and put on her robe. She readily prepared her bed and was ready to laid down when she heard a knock. She turned to the door frowning.

“What is it?” she demand.

She later on heard the butler’s voice. He sounded so distress, nervous, and there was obviously fear coated in his voice. “I am sorry my lady but the duke! Duke Charles collapse and he lost consciousness!”

“We need to make haste my lady!”

In that very same moment, Nesta’s world suddenly turned dark and void. Her hands trembled as she wished deep inside her heart that it was not what she was expecting.

Please let the duke be spared!

--