The Crimson Throne

Elaine leaned against the seat, heaving a deep sigh. She did not lie to Cecil. Spending the entire day wearing Estella's personality and calculating each step exhausted her.

Outside, the sun began its descent, casting a soft ember glow on the amorphous clouds and across the skies. Lights streamed through the antechamber's windows, bathing Elaine in its warmth and relaxing her body. She closed her eyes, momentarily escaping the scheming and infighting, the terrifying and unknown monsters hidden in the shadow, and the arduous path ahead. Elaine knew once her eyes reopened, all her dreads and worries would return, constantly poking her mind and whispering unpleasant thoughts in her ears. However, no matter how enticing the tranquility was, Elaine could not remain in the state forever. She forced herself to return to reality and rose from her seat.

Elaine ambled to the writing desk at the back of the antechamber and pulled a drawer. She traced the drawer's bottom to a secret compartment and removed a lone, small journal, placing it on the desk's surface, then sat down and turned its pages. Written on each page were details of the book's original events, its characters, and their traits—all transcribed in her world's language. She scanned through the journal. Though the middle section was blank, words again occupied the pages toward the end. She grabbed a pen, flipped to a clean sheet, and started recording the information she learned from today's interactions. 

Agnes Rossi's confession was flawed, and her words seemed to contradict her actions. Her accusation was nothing less than a death sentence for Azalea, yet she also appeared worried for the child's well-being. Why would she push Laeticia's daughter over the edge if she cared about her? Was she pressured? If so, who was her puppet master?

Only one mistress from the Summer Manor, Isabella de Valois, pleaded for the child's life after Liviane's verdict. What was her relationship with Laeticia? Why would she risk the Duchess' wrath to protect Azalea? Isabella's suggestion of exile would save the child from execution. However, someone was scheming to eliminate the little girl. Thus, sending Laeticia's daughter away would only further endanger her, creating more opportunities for assassination attempts. Because of that reason, Elaine disagreed with the mistress' proposal. Her investigation hinged on Azalea's survival—the child needed to remain in the Summer Manor as bait to lure out the culprit.

Elaine failed to notice at first. However, she recognized Tasha when the maid stepped out from behind Liviane. The original Estella had encountered Tasha several times since she was little. With high combat ability, the maid doubled as the Duchess' guard, always on standby and waiting for orders—a simple task or even to kill. She never interacted with other servants, nor did anyone dare to approach her. From Estella's memories, Elaine could not recall changes in the woman's expression—a twitch in the brows or a frown from the lips. Tasha resembled a hollow doll, devoided of emotions. It was as if her entire existence was only to serve her master.

Tasha's appearance provided Elaine with an opportunity—a perfect pawn to utilize in her next step. It was the primary motivation for her to covet the maid despite angering Estella's mother. Elaine exhaled and closed the journal, returning it to the drawer's secret compartment. She then departed from the writing desk and snapped her fingers, allowing the maids waiting outside to trickle in and prepare her for bed. 

Tomorrow will be another busy day.

It was a moonless night, and Elaine immediately succumbed to sleep the moment she touched the mattress. The following morning, a series of light, slow knocks awakened her. "Come in." Elaine sat on the bed, wiping the crusts from her eyes.

"Thank you, milady." The maids entered Elaine's bedchamber, ready to dress her for breakfast. She stood in awkward silence, still not used to having many people tending to her hygiene after waking up. Elaine's discomfort was the main reason she appointed Mariam as her only personal maid after arriving in the book's world almost a year ago. However, because of the young maid's current demotion, she had to return to Estella's previous routine.

After breakfast, Elaine tasked a servant to retrieve the head maid, then summoned the carriage back to Laeticia's former residence, accompanied by Cecil and Tasha. The Summer Manor's servants expected her visit, and many stood outside to welcome her. "Take me to the child," Elaine ordered while stepping down from the carriage.

Without her elaborating, all the servants understood. "Please follow me, milady." A maid bowed.

Elaine trailed the maid up the grand staircase, veered left through the gallery, and entered a long hallway, finally stopping before a door guarded by two men. "We have arrived, Lady Estella," the maid reported.

Elaine nodded and dismissed her. The guards inclined their bodies and opened the door, allowing Elaine and her servants inside. She entered the chamber and halted after only a few steps, absorbing the chaotic scene within—upturned furniture, shredded fabrics, and smeared food scattered everywhere. Her gaze panned the area and ended on the bed where Laeticia's daughter sat with ropes tying her hands and feet while a handkerchief secured her mouth. An intense resentment permeated the little girl's eyes, directed at Elaine. Beside her stood the older maid, tattered and out of breath. Minor scratches filled the old woman's face and body while her dress uniform was stained and crumbled—she reminded Elaine of a worn soldier emerging from the battlefield.

"Milady." The older maid bowed, greeting Elaine in a hoarse voice. 

"You may leave," Elaine said. "I will reward your efforts later."

"Thank you, milady." The older maid sighed in relief. At last, Lady Estella freed her from watching the little devil.