Temporary Crown

20 | Mouth that caused trouble

Nesta stayed in the library for the whole afternoon until the clock strikes ten in the evening. Just like what she told to Lucien she did not need any dinner but she asked the servants to prepare her tea and snacks for her to keep company with.

Nesta was alone in the library reading books she could find. She also searched for books that can prove Lucien’s theory and thought that those books might have been true. It just needs guts and will for people to find it. But then, she only fine three books that talks about myths and legends of the unknown.

In the end, there was not even a single useful information. Nesta felt like she was wasting time. Heaving her breath, she stood up and placed the books on the table and decided to rest for the evening. Her eyes were tired and her shoulders were stiff. She wanted to take a nice hot bath and a massage.

Nesta walked and reach the door of the library carefully turning the door knob not wanting to make a noise. After she got out she closed the door very carefully. She would just ask the servants to tidy the library tomorrow since it was already late in the evening.

Nesta walked through the hallway passing each portrait of any famous painter she could name. The snow stopped falling earlier and now the sky looked too vast and dark. Lamps were situated in every corner and the fire flickered from time to time creating a moving shadows.

The serene and calm atmosphere in the hallway made Nesta felt like the time was frozen. Long before she was adopted, she never imagined living in such place furthermore, she came back from the dead. She was given the second chance of grace and miracle.

Thinking back of what really happened to her, maybe, Lucien’s theory and the witch in which those stories might have really exist. There were many places in this whole world that have not been discovered and perhaps, in those places, Nesta can find the answer.

However, time was the variable she was trying hard to fight right now. She really hoped in the bottom of her heart that time would be again by her side. Feeling all the pressure right now, Nesta just wanted a nice bath and some rest for tonight for she had been though a lot.

“The lady is spending her time in the library,” At the same time, Nesta heard a voice dragging her back to reality. She stopped walking for her to hear clearly. “She did not even bother asking for dinner. Is the lady alright?”

Hearing the worrisome remarks of the servant, Nesta can’t help but smile. Because of the snacks she have eaten, she was not hungry at all.

“Ha, maybe she’s just avoiding the lord and the young lord for she was not welcome in this whole household.” A haughty voice said. Nesta pasued and frowned.

“Hold your voices! What if the mistress hears! She’s our lady now!”

“She was just a nobody yesterday and now she’s asking and commanding us as though she earn this place. If I knew better, she might have been a mistress that the lord had brought to warm his bed at night. Perhaps she enticed the duke by having to sleep with him.” The mocking voice said. Her pitch was a little louder than before signifying how proud full the person was. Her voice traveled to the air and reached Nesta’s ears.

She chuckled mockingly. There were really servants who doesn’t know their places.

“Lora!” the servant tried to stop her but Nesta already heard it all and it’s too late for her.

Back in her previous life, she heard all of these remarks before. Of course she did not let it damage her however, if she won’t deal with it, the rumors would gradually spread like fire burning her reputation.

She won’t be stepped on like that ever again. Hence, Nesta turned to look for the voice. She twist the door on her left. The sound made the three people talking inside looked over and they all looked horrified when they saw their mistress taking a stepped inside.

Nesta smiled mockingly seeing their trembling faces. She gave a smile. “Lora was it?” she asked.

In that certain moment, all three servants eyes landed on the lady. For some reason, the calm and noble lady they all have met before looked domineering and terrifying. Even though there was a smile in her face, all of them knew that the mistress was not happy for she heard it.

In that very specific moment, two accusing gazes landed on the servant named Nora. This servant had black hair and brown eyes. She looked old enough to be in her thirties and she had freckles over her her whole face. Her lips were chapped and her hair was in disarray.

Nesta took a step forward. “Lora?” She said again. The servant shivered immediately. She was panting heavily as she tried to swallow several times. However, no matter how pathetic she looked, Nesta was not giving any care instead, she was already looking down at her.

In places like the nobility, it was not rare for servants to think highly of themselves for there were certain hierarchy with in the servants. However, such standing should not affect their lords nor they should create such malicious rumors about their lords.

A servants job not to be careless and to keep her mouth shut in which she failed to do so. Lora knew this so well that was why she was shuddering. She thought that she could get away and just open her mouth carelessly but she did not know that the lady was already there outside hearing all of what she heard.

She knew clearly that she was done for. But people sometimes who were desperate often cling to the rope of kindness even though it was not existent in this case. Hence, she immediately knelt down and beg.

“I’m sorry my lady! I was careless and I did not know my place! Please spare me!” The servant named Lora shuddered as she felt like hope was turning its back on her now.

“How odd I haven’t said anything yet.” Nesta’s dangerous voice resonated in their ears and made the two servants who were standing knelt down also.

“B-b-but, I’m wrong! I know I’m wrong my lady!”

“We are wrong my lady!”

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