I cracked my door open slowly. I peeked my head out as naturally as possible, less like someone trying to sneak out, more like someone looking at both sides of the road before crossing. No one was keeping watch on me, I let out a small sigh of relief.
Well, that was to be expected, really. There wasn’t really any reason to keep watch on me. I might’ve worried too much.
But still, I walked down the hall, keeping my posture as natural as possible, passing by a few servants who were busy polishing vases and wiping down windows.
I just want to stretch my legs, that’s all. Act natural.
As I continued to walk, keeping up my neutral smile on show. Before I could get far, a recognizable face appeared before me.
“Ah! Sir Feyt!” A blonde-haired maid said in her usual energetic voice.
“Miss Ressa!” I didn’t expect to bump into her here. Wait, what was I thinking about? This is where she works.
I shook my head, clearing out the useless thoughts. “What are you doing here?” Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝕟𝕖𝕥
“Just cleaning duties, nothing new!” she said casually, resting a hand on her hip. “What about you, though? Grabbing something to eat?”
“No, not really,” I said, shaking my head. “Just wanted to stretch my legs, that’s all.” I stretched my back to sell the act a little bit.
“Ah, that so?” she tapped her finger on her chin. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she perked up. “Oh, right! How was the soup Eliza gave you today?”
She nodded eagerly. "Yep! I helped her with it! She said she wanted to make something that might remind you of home, so I—Ah, oops! Might've said too much!" She covered her mouth, averting her eyes.
Eliza care for me that much?
I found myself blinking. After what just happened earlier, I found Eliza’s thoughts to be a sense of comfort. I felt myself calming down a bit. I decided to thank her more deeply when I met her again.
I gave my best smile. “Thank you, Miss Ressa! The soup was delicious!”
“MmHmm~” Ressa nodded, clearly pleased with herself. But then, she gasped. “Ah! I need to get back to work before they start calling me a couch potato again!"
“Sorry, Sir Feyt! Gotta go!” Ressa hurried past me, patting my shoulders. “Enjoy your walk! Just don’t wander too far, got it?”
“Okay! Thank you!” I shouted.
Ressa disappeared from my sight soon after. I could still hear her lively step echoing slightly down the halls, though.
Sorry but… I’m gonna have to ignore your advice there, Ressa.
I turned my attention back to the central staircase.
Approaching it casually, I took a close look to my left and right. The halls remained rowdy, in my perspective, at least. There were still maids and butlers passing by. Some gave casual greetings, while others didn’t pay much mind. Waiting for the opportunity to come by, I pretended to enjoy looking at the gardens by the window.
Before long, I couldn’t hear any more steps approaching these halls. Seeing as this was as good of a chance as any, I hurriedly rushed to the stairs and quietly snuck up.
And here I was, on the floor where Father and Mother were conversing. How did I know that? Well, first of all, this is where their offices and rooms are. Secondly, I heard muffled conversations ever since I stepped out of my room.
I shouldn’t be here. I really shouldn’t.
If someone caught me eavesdropping on the heads of this household, I would be kicked out at best… disappear at worst.
But these hearts of mine would stay restless unless I do something about it.
All I needed to do was stay out of sight on this staircase, and I could hear both Mother and Father beyond the grand doors of Father’s office just fine. It was softened a little by the thick wood, but other than that, it was crystal clear.
Mother’s voice was the first I could make out. “Dear, this is different. I need you to understand.” Unlike her harsh tone earlier, it would seem that she had calmed down. It was the usual low and composed tone I expected, but I could still sense a hint of worry.
There was a pause, then Father’s voice echoed. “...Reyna, why are you so worked up about this?”
Mother scoffed, then sighed. I heard rustlings of fabric as if Mother turned away to face somewhere else.
“Of course I am. To think my dear Carine would be so foolish to walk around at night after everything that has happened.” I heard a click of a tongue before she continued, “I believe I taught her better than that.”
“Now, now,” Father replied with a small chuckle, his tone warm. “I’m sure Carine has her reasons. She’s on her day off from her schedule, is she not? What’s wrong with a little walk?”
A loud slam rang through the doors. I flinched.
“Of course it’s wrong!” Mother’s voice was sharp, cutting through the wooden doors like they weren’t there. “This is not the time for her to let her guard down! No, this is not the time for any of us to let our guard down!”
A heavy silence followed. I could even feel the suffocating atmosphere emanating from that room.
I had never heard Mother before, except tonight. Never had she snapped .
Father must’ve thought the same thing. I could clearly hear his hesitation all the way from over here.
“Reyna…” Father said, losing the casual tone. “I get that you’re worried. But the worst has already passed. Carine is safe now, and so is the capital.”
A brief absence of words followed. Mother let out another scoff.
“That line of thought is exactly why you failed to protect Carine.”
I heard an audible tap on a wood surface. Then, I heard wood creaking, as if Father was rising from his seat. “Reyna… What are you implying?”
Another silence, but this one was different. I felt an urge to just go down the stairs and leave this conversation immediately… But I shouldn’t.
When Mother finally spoke, her voice was as cold as ever.
“I am implying exactly what I said, dear.” The words dripped with frustration. “You were too complacent. You let your guard down. And because of that, Carine was—” She cut herself off with a sharp inhale.
Father exhaled slowly. “...Yes, I suppose that was my fault.”
A brief pause. Then, a wood creak, as if he was leaning forward on the desk. “But that doesn’t mean we should assume the worst without reason. You yourself should know of this.” His voice was steady and calm. “The city is calm. The worst is over. Carine might have been a little reckless, but she was with Leila, wasn’t she?”
Mother let out a quiet, humorless chuckle. “Hmph, you mean that useless maid?”
I found my breath hitching at that comment, and I believe Father did the same. The silence that followed was deafening.
A sharp scrape of wood against the floor reached my ear, making me flinch. It was a chair being pushed back.
“Reyna,” Father said, his voice no longer calm. “That is beneath you.”
Mother scoffed, her tone almost mocking. “Oh? Am I wrong? Tell me, where was she when Carine was kidnapped? Why is she out cold when it matters the most? How else could I possibly describe her other than—”
Another slam of the desk. I could hear Father’s breath, it was slow and rhythmic. But I could tell he was trying to calm himself down.
“You’re exhausted, Reyna. You’re letting it cloud your mind,” Father said, exhaling slowly. “You should rest. Immediately.”
“Are you dismissing me?” she asked, voice eerily quiet.
“No, I am telling you to rest,” Father corrected, his voice just as low. “You trust your instincts, and I trust mine. And right now, I believe I need to stop you from saying baseless things.”
A long, tense silence followed.
I heard Mother turn heel and approach the door.
This. This was my cue to leave.
I quickly but quietly took a step back, descending the stairs. It didn’t take me long to finally be in the safe confines of my room once more. Leaning against the wooden door, I let out a quiet, heavy sigh, hoping it would help calm my chest.
Again… it didn’t help.
I… regretted listening in on them.
I wanted answers. I needed conclusions. Instead… All I got were more questions to ask.
But, one thing was certain…
Mother is not herself tonight.