Inside the Precept Hall, silence stretched as the Rashet heir reviewed the week's menus. In front of him, servants knelt on the cold ground.
"Madam Nox approves the list, young master," Mrs. Reinel, the head stewardess, said. "The one responsible for pouring the tea is Dane."
Dane was kneeling, pale and stricken.
She was maybe fifteen.
Levon held a contemptuous smile.
A pawn, for sure, he thought.
Yet after repeated questioning, the girl's answer stayed the same—she had nothing to do with it.
"All kitchen staff will receive twenty beatings each," Levon declared, then he looked at the young maid. "Since you're willing to sacrifice yourself, alright. Beat her to death."
Eyes widened in horror.
Without delay, the guards dragged the servants out to the backyard of Precept Hall. Moments later, groans and cries echoed with each smash of heavy wood. Dane, blood dripping from her mouth after the fiftieth blow, spoke.
"Y—young master, t—that person will kill my little brother if I—I say anything. He's been taken."
The guard stopped.
"Is this person so powerful you'd betray this manor and harm my sister?" Levon said coldly.
Dane's eyes trembled.
She hadn't expected the young master to find out. In fact, she thought the young lady would soon...
She gritted her teeth.
But the person's very close to the marquis.
"Do you think if you die today from this beating, that person won't harm your brother? If your brother lives, he becomes proof of this crime. You're not thinking," Levon said.
"Mrs. Reinel, as head stewardess, you should have seen all of this," he added without turning to her.
Mrs. Reinel's eyes fell.
"Y—young master, I don't hold such control."
She explained that she managed most household duties. Except the kitchen. That belonged to Madam Nox.
Just then, Mrs. Reniel saw a woman clad in a decorated dress in the backyard. A servant was trailing behind her. It was the marquis' half-sister. Divya Nox. She came to live at the manor five years ago when her merchant husband died suddenly.
"What is this, Levon?" she said, her face twisting with shock and pain as she took in the scene.
Levon didn't turn.
"Basil. Next time, keep out for anyone uninvolved. Unless they want to involve themselves—or let the household think their young master is a joke."
"Yes, Young Master."
"What are you saying, Levon?" Divya said, exasperated. "These people answer to me. I'll be responsible for them. Whatever they've done."
"We nobles interpret responsibility differently from ordinary people," he said, making Divya's face stiffen. "No kitchen staff is responsible for Nyasia's food or drink anymore. She's been suffering from suspected poisoning. Mrs. Reinel will handle it."
"Nyasia is hurt?" Divya said, eyes widening but her gaze stayed blank. "But should I at least be consulted on this? Or am I being suspected, Levon?"
"Based on my studies at the Academy, everyone is a suspect when a group is under investigation for a serious crime, Mrs. Nox," he said.
Divya flinched at the address.
Basil glanced at her. It was known throughout the manor: the young master never called her "aunt" or "madam."
"But this isn't just any group, Levon. We're all family here. Surely you don't think any of us would commit such a crime? Why would anyone hurt Nyasia?" she replied vehemently.
Levon smirked faintly.
"Throughout history, family members kill each other for many reasons, in case you don't know, Mrs. Nox." A pause. "But you're Father's family. Not mine. So, no need to worry."
He didn't look at her even as he walked past her. Then he stopped without looking back.
"Let that maid dwell on her choices tonight. But she must come to a decision by dawn. Else, all her family down to six generations will be killed."
*