Tupp!!!

Olivia’s eyes opened wide, seeing the white ceiling decorated with flower patterns,

Ophilia’s room?

Immediately she sat up and looked around, still in the same place and the same position. Quickly, she looked at both of her wrists.

Fuhhhhh.....

She sighed in relief. Her heartbeat, which was fast just now, was now more stable. Then she looked at Olivia’s arm that was beside her. The thread was still visible, steady and glowing. She was shocked. She covered her face slowly while slowly calming herself down.

But strangely, her face was still cold with sweat. She wiped it slowly.

"Haaahhhh...." she said softly. The room was quiet and cold as usual. However, her memory about the basement did not disappear from her mind. It felt like that incident really happened. She clenched her hands.

Then,

She took a deep breath and looked at the window. Outside the residence, it was bright, the sun was starting to rise. The sound of footsteps walking back and forth in front of the room could be heard. Olivia slowly tied her hair and walked out.

Preparing herself to do her work.

______________________

Not long after that,

"Olivia... Olivia..."

A voice called her. Olivia turned around.

Oh, Celine?

Celine ran toward her while gasping for breath and holding her chest.

"Why?"

She said softly while gently patting Celine’s back. Her face was slightly red from the cold weather. She pointed outside.

"Hey, slow down... breathe..." Olivia said while giving instructions. Celine shook her head while looking behind her.

"Madam... Irene..." Olivia looked at her sharply. While nodding.

"She wants to come see me?" Olivia said. Her heartbeat became faster. Her eyebrows furrowed.

"No, someone..." while catching her breath.

"Huh, am I getting fired?" she said, blinking in confusion.

Celine pouted. Her eyes looked at Olivia sharply.

"The maid said you are suspicious..." she said softly while holding her knees. Olivia froze and stayed silent.

"Huh?" She looked at Celine. Her face was confused, not understanding what Celine said. Then,

Her hand was pulled by Celine while they ran down to where many people were gathering. Her heartbeat became faster. There, many senior and junior maids were gathered. They looked at Olivia with sharp eyes while whispering to each other.

Olivia stayed silent. Her legs felt stiff. But in front of her, Celine pulled her gently.

Then they stopped right in front of all the maids. Olivia stayed silent, her eyes glancing at Celine. Her face was as calm as usual.

"Celine, what is actually happening" she whispered to Celine’s ear. Celine patted her shoulder while shaking her head.

"We wait for Her Highness Ophilia and Madam Irene" she whispered back while calming Olivia. Her hand rubbed Olivia’s back who looked confused.

"Ugh, what else is happening now..." she said in her heart.

A maid in her twenties whispered softly to another maid.

"True... I and Delia saw it with our own eyes and hands" the woman whispered softly. They exchanged looks toward Olivia standing there.

"Really?"

"Yes... but she was wearing a black robe..."

"Hm... that’s suspicious..."

They whispered among themselves, small laughs slipping out as they looked at Olivia. Some of them even smirked openly.

Olivia frowned slightly, listening in silence. Their eyes kept cutting into her like knives, sharp and judging.

In the middle of the group, Delia stood there, staring at her with a cold, mocking gaze.

Olivia met her eyes.

A faint smile appeared on Olivia’s face, but her eyes narrowed slightly in return, a silent challenge.

Delia’s expression changed instantly. A flicker of irritation passed through her face, like she didn’t like that reaction at all. Her lips tightened, and she subtly bit her tongue in annoyance.

If not for the hierarchy here...

I would’ve already dealt with her...

Olivia thought silently, her hands slowly clenching at her sides as she kept eye contact with Delia.

They stayed like that for a moment. Neither of them backing down.

"Cis!"

Olivia pouted. Celine nudged her.

Tap tap tap

The sound of footsteps could be heard coming toward them.

"Madam Irene is coming" she whispered, all the gossiping maids quickly ran back into their lines. Then they lowered their heads and stayed silent. So did Olivia.

When she passed by Olivia, her eyes looked directly at her. Then she stood right beside her.

Hick!

Olivia flinched. She could feel Madam Irene’s aura burning strongly.

"I’m done for this time" Olivia said while crying, looking at the floor. Madam Irene cleared her throat. Then she opened her mouth.

"Delia... step forward" she said firmly. Both of her hands were folded elegantly. Then Delia stepped forward with an unreadable face. No smile.

She stood confidently beside Madam Ivy.

"What exactly happened?" Madam Irene asked while looking straight ahead, occasionally glancing at Olivia who looked calm.

"Before that, why are so many people gathered here?" Madam Irene said firmly.

"I only called those who are witnesses?" she said in a raised tone.

"It seems there are quite many witnesses here," she said again with a slightly cold expression. The maids became scared and looked at each other. Then one of them answered.

"Madam, weren’t we told to gather here?" she said with a confused face.

"Who said that?" she said, looking at each of their faces one by one. They looked fearfully toward Delia.

"Speak!" she said again while walking forward. Olivia stayed frozen, looking at Delia.

Delia took a breath and raised her hand.

"I was the one who told them to come here" she said calmly. Madam Irene turned toward her, not believing her subordinate’s behavior, as if trying to confirm whether she heard it correctly or not.

Delia looked into Madam Irene’s eyes confidently, not showing any fear even though the atmosphere around them became tense.

"I’m sorry" she said softly while bowing. She looked guilty, but at the same time, there was something still too calm in her expression, like she was fully controlling the situation.

"Madam, I saw it with my own eyes, this maid is suspicious" she said. She lifted her head again while looking at Madam Irene, more confidently, as if she would not take back her words.

Madam Irene did not respond, she only stared at Delia silently.

"My friend Changi and I went to the kitchen at that time... I saw her walking straight into... that abandoned garden!!" she said strongly until her calm behavior earlier seemed out of control. Her pupils widened. She explained everything to Madam Irene. However, Madam Irene did not respond.

Delia then approached Olivia while taking her hand and lifting it slightly higher so everyone could see clearly.

"Look!! This is what I saw yesterday... her hands must be injured because of the bushes and that dirty area!!" she said.

Olivia flinched.

Eh? How does she know about the basement??

Her thoughts ran fast, trying to find answers but everything felt impossible. That place should not be known by anyone.

She wondered in her mind. She felt suspicious about Delia’s behavior.

"What is her problem with me?" she thought. Fear spread in her heart. Her legs almost gave out but,

Not here, not her

She held herself steady. Celine beside her immediately pushed away Delia’s hand. Olivia was shocked.

"I dare to say, yesterday Olivia was with me and Her Highness Ophilia sleeping together in my lady’s room" she said loudly. Her eyes burned while looking at Delia.

Oh my god, Celineeee~

Olivia’s eyes sparkled looking at Celine. Smiling happily.

"I know Olivia very well. We lived together in an orphanage for many years... but I have never seen her do such things!" she said loudly. Delia stayed silent. Her face looked unbelieving.

Then Olivia’s eyes became teary listening to Celine’s explanation. She wiped her eyes and clenched her hands.

I must be strong... Celine is giving me encouragement..

Then she opened her mouth again.

"I will never do anything suspicious" she said calmly but firmly.

"This residence is already my second home... I would never do anything against the rules here... besides..."

Before Olivia finished, Delia interrupted.

"Maybe to protect something?" she said while smiling down. Her eyes looked at Olivia’s arm. Olivia flinched. She froze... her mind processed Delia’s meaning.

What do you mean? Olivia said while slowly approaching and whispering right beside her ear.

"Hmm... let me guess... Javien?"

Olivia stayed silent. She looked at Delia who smiled slyly at her.

"I don’t understand what you mean" Olivia said while clenching her hands, forcing herself not to act rashly.

Delia stepped closer to Olivia, looking at her clenched hands.

You are the one who admitted it without realizing it...

Olivia~

She smiled slyly and looked at the maids in front of her, making a guilty expression.

"Oh! Looks like I got the wrong person..." she said softly while bowing apologetically. The maids started getting annoyed.

"Such a waste of time"

"Just watching drama"

Madam Irene looked at Delia and whispered to her.

"Meet me later" she said coldly. Then she walked away. All maids dispersed after Madam Irene left.

Olivia blinked in confusion...

Huh?...?

Then looked at Celine who sighed in relief.

Delia lifted her head and looked at Olivia. She had a calm face then walked past her. Before leaving she said something that made Olivia’s eyes widen. Her face turned pale.

"Did you enjoy last night?"