Temporary Crown

32 | String of words

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In the hall where the whole servants of the mansion gathered, everyone and every servant who was standing in line felt all nervous for they do not know what was happening. Never in their life they had expected something like this would happened.

Of course they know what had happened to the duke and the lady’s previous actions to a servant named Lora.

All of them were tense as they tried to think over and over again if they had wronged the lady in certain ways. All of them were tense and they kept thinking of ways in order to please the lady. In their minds, she was already the duchess herself. She had the full right and authority in this whole mansion. Even far more greater than the young lord himself. If they have done something unforgivable, then, they will be punished according to the law. They do not want that.

As they mulled over their thoughts, they saw the commander of the knights exit the office of the duke.

The servants stretches their neck in order to look hoping they would find something that can help them however, the knight did not even spare them a glance as though it was natural to see all the servants on the hall.

No none of this was natural at all!

“What do you think the lady will do to us, Ruby,?” One maid whispered to her friend. Her friend, who also worked as a maid in the duchy swallowed.

“Lily, I haven’t done anything wrong,” the maid named Ruby assured herself.

“I know the lady is kind and she punishes those people who deserve it. I just really hope that I won’t get fired. This is the highest paying job in the land of north and I am supporting my family. If I get fired without any recommendation letter how would I be able to work to any nobility.” The maid said in distress.

Her friend, Lily, can see how distorted, afraid, and anxious her expression were.

She was trying hard not to show her restlessness. However, deep inside her heart she was really scared. If ever she loses this job she doesn’t know what to do.

“So am I!” Lily whispered back. “We really hope that the lady is kind and benevolent. She had been full of grace. She is not the type of person who’ll punish us without knowing any of our sins. We must hope Ruby. We really must hope. The lady is kind. The lady is kind.”

“Hush your voices! If the lady wanted to fire servants those who had their mouths running wild will be the first one!” The head maid, whose name was Ellen, said with her voice reprimanding them. Her eyes were sharp and her tone held no gentleness.

She who wears her uniform with dignity and had her hair tied in a neat bun with her big rimmed glasses looked so strict that no one would dare oppose her in any way. Besides the duke and before the lady and the young master, the head maid had an authority over the servants that they cannot oppose.

However, the head maid was a person who was biased and disgusting. She punishes servants even without any sins in order to display her authority. None of the servants can oppose her besides the butler of the house, Ricardo.

Some of the maids who heard the head maid glanced at each other before looking down and shutting their mouths. They also do not want to be punished by the head maid.

Just as they all settled down, they heard the sound of foot steps from a far. All of them stood in their guard holding their skirts and thinking of their greetings. They were really afraid of what was about to happen next that they do not want to make any mistakes that can lead to the lady and the young master’s displeasure.

Just as their thoughts wondered, they saw the young master and the lady walking together. They were walking with gracefulness that some of the servants blinked doubting their own thoughts. They looked rather dumb standing there.

They even glanced at each other seeing how the young master treated the lady with care and escorting her right now.

Such sight made their resolve to respect the current lady even more. They do not want to make any mistakes!

As the young master and the lady stood above them, all the servants gave a bow full of respect. Some of them were shaking but they did their best not to make any mistakes.

“We greet the nobles of the Von Stein duchy. My lady, Nesta Claire Von Stein and the young lord, Lucien Anderson Von Stein”

Nesta smiled however, Lucien did not hold any emotions.

“All of you raise your heads.”

The moment she said that every servant followed without being told twice. Lucien was standing beside her obediently as the good little brother he always were. Nesta’s eyes traveled to the whole room looking at the face of the people. After a seconds of silence, she continued,

“As all of you know, the duke had fallen into coma. We my brother and I do not know when he will wake up. As this matter is known to everyone, I am trusting all of you to keep all of your mouth shuts honoring your elegance as the servants of this mansion. If ever I hear any words or rumors coming from your mouths, punishments and death is what awaits to those who dare.

At the same time, the duke had specifically gave me the authority to become the temporary duchess of the duchy of Von Stein hence, all of the commands will be given by me until the duke himself open his eyes. Is there any questions?”

Hearing the lady’s words to them, some of the servants who were thinking of the worse possible scenario had eased a bit thinking that the lady did not come here to punish them but to give warning and to tell them what the duke had commanded them to do.

“No my lady.” All of the servants answered respectfully. All the burdens and fears were starting to be lifted in their hearts. They cannot wait to be dismissed by the lady and start their days like nothing happened.

However, all of their relief come short when the lady added another word.

“Another,”

The servants paused as though they stopped breathing themselves. With all of their shoulders tensed up, they waited for the lady’s next words.