Liviane peered at Elaine with a frosty intensity, causing shivers to crawl down her spine. Elaine's hands curled into fists, forcing herself to maintain eye contact. No matter the pressure Estella's mother exerted, she would not succumb. Estella's role in strengthening Liviane's son's succession provided Elaine an edge in the current negotiation. Thus, she leveraged the advantage to achieve her objective. Despite the accelerated beating in her chest, she reminded herself to stay firm. If Elaine could not even handle the Duchess, how could she deal with the much more terrifying Duke in the future?
"I hope you will carefully consider, mother—a mere servant or your precious Armes' succession," she pushed.
"And if I don't agree?" Liviane questioned.
"I will admit defeat and return to my manor," Elaine sighed. "Pity neither my little brother nor I will obtain our desired titles."
"What are you implying?" The Duchess' eyes narrowed. She released Armes and stalked toward Elaine, her grim figure looming over her daughter. "What do you know?"
"Enough." Elaine rose from the seat, her face only inches away from Estella's mother. "I am no longer your obedient puppet, mother. Either we work together to achieve our goals, or I will cease to play my role." She leaned closer, whispering in the Duchess' ear.
"How dare you?" Liviane's face flustered. She raised her right hand, no longer able to control her rage.
Here it comes. The corner of Elaine's lips curled. She expected the reaction. Her arm reached forward, waiting to catch Liviane's falling hand.
A loud bang exploded in the chamber, again drowning the atmosphere in silence. Elaine's eyes widened with bewilderment spreading across her expression. Before she could react, Cecil had slipped in front of her, receiving the Duchess' strike—a reddened handprint marred his left cheek.
"Please quell your anger, Your Grace." He lowered his head.
After a few seconds, Elaine regained her composure and pulled him behind her. "Do not interfere, Sir Ascania. This matter is between my mother and I," she ordered. Her sharpened gaze returned to the Duchess, enunciating each word. "Since you already expressed your answer, please allow me to excuse myself. I pray you will not regret your choice." She curtsied and turned toward the entrance. "You. Follow me and bring that child along," Elaine addressed the older maid restraining Azalea.
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"Y, yes. Lady Estella." The maid bobbed her head and climbed to her feet, trailing Elaine and pushing the girl along.
"Stop!" Liviane shouted before Elaine reached the double door.
"Is there anything else you need, mother?" Elaine paused, still facing the entrance. Even without looking, she felt the Duchess' potent gaze behind her.
"Do you vow by the words spoken today?"
"Of course, mother. What benefits would I reap by betraying you?" She tilted her head, glancing back at Estella's mother. "Our purposes are mutual, and we both desired the same ending. I am simply requesting more support."
"I hope you will keep your promise," Liviane stated solemnly—eyes obscured by dense, heavy fog. "Tasha," she called.
"Yes, milady." The maid inclined her body.
"You will serve my daughter from now on. She is your new master."
"As you wish, Your Grace." Tasha removed herself from the Duchess' entourage and proceeded toward Elaine. "I will dedicate my life to serve you, milady." She bowed.
"Good." Elaine nodded, then twirled around, curtsying to Liviane. "I am truly grateful, mother."
Estella's mother did not respond. She again grasped her son's hand and glided past Elaine, exiting the threshold. The Duchess retained her elegant stride despite the violent anger burning inside.
After Liviane's and her servants' figures disappeared behind the double door, Elaine returned her attention to Laeticia's daughter. "Lock the child in her room and feed her like normal. Do not allow anyone near her. And I will return tomorrow." She pinned her gaze on the older maid, staring holes into her head. "If anything happens to my toy before then, I will ask for your head."
Cold sweat drenched the older maid's entire body. She dropped to the ground and bowed. "Y, yes, milady. I, I will guard Miss Azalea with my life."
"Good. I trust you," Elaine smiled, then pivoted to the door and departed the chamber, followed by Cecil and her new maid, Tasha. She halted at the main hall and again relayed her message. "I will revisit tomorrow. If anything happens to my new toy before then, the walls within these halls will dye a different color." Her voice was neither harsh nor reverberant. Yet, it was enough to reach all the Summer Manor residents. Satisfied, she traversed the entrance and entered her carriage. "Bring me to the dungeon," she commanded.
"As you wish, Princess." The coachman whipped and steered his horses to the estate's dungeon.
When they arrived a few minutes later, the guarding knights greeted Elaine. She acknowledged them and stepped down from the carriage with Cecil's assistance. Similar to the Isolation Tower, the dungeon was a tall and gloomy structure. However, instead of only one room built at the top for a sole prisoner, it contained twenty-seven floors, with a unique punishment crafted on each level.
"Take me to the head maid," Elaine ordered.
"Please follow me, milady." A guarding knight complied and motioned her to follow him.
Elaine nodded, trailing after him along with Cecil and Tasha. They passed through several prison cells before reaching the head maid's location on the first floor.
The woman no longer possessed her familiar collected and neat appearance. She lay on the ground, her white dress uniform blemished by a deep red liquid and her face covered by disheveled hair.
"Wake up. Lady Estella is here to see you." The knight thumped on the cell's bars.
"La, Lady Estella?" The head maid opened her eyes, parting her chapped, bloodied lips, and took several quick, labored breaths. She climbed to her knees and crawled toward Elaine. "Milady. Ple, please forgive me. I, I…" The woman did not finish her sentence before her expression suddenly changed, directing her gaze behind Elaine.
"T, Tasha!" she cried. "Please save, save me!"