Second Life's Revenge

"You…what is the maid of Tine doing in my room?" Laura sneered.

"I…I'm just here to deliver a letter from Mary," Vivan fidget and held out the letter but Laura did not take the paper, leaving her hanging.

"How can I believe you that it's from her?" Laura asked as she crossed her arms. The estate is full of enemies and so she put up the coldest look she could muster despite having a fragile look.

Vivan was at a loss for words and panicked as her eyes looked everywhere as if the answers were going to be there. Laura sighed out loud and snatched the paper away. She nodded her head, reading what Mary wrote.

There was no doubt that this neat writing came from Mary. Not only that, there was proof this letter was written by Mary because there is a mark that Laura and she only knew about. Something like a secret code? Also, Mary is one of those who knew how to read and write.

Understanding the situation, Laura folded the letter and shredded them into pieces. She looked at Vivan, still did not give a welcoming look to her. A maid of Tine is not to be trusted was something we always took note of.

According to Mary, Count Harrison has not been out of the estate and found something unusual with the way he acts. Gloomy, unresponsive, and uninterested. This is not him at all and Laura knew it. 

Not only that but he hasn't gone out of his room for a day.

Then this leaves her to believe one thing. For sure Tine did something to manipulate the Count and this is one thing she needed to applaud Tine for. Having full control of the family.

Laura kept thinking about what was written in the paper and something caught her attention. It stated that she asked for someone else's help but nothing was written furthermore. It's fine if nothing were written because who knows if the guards were to check the contents of the letter.

"Relay this to Mary, thank you for informing me. I am doing fine and please do not do anything rash next time."

"Y-yes, I-I will take my leave now," Vivan stuttered while lowering her head and left the room.

Vivan softly shrieked when she felt the pair of eyes looking down at her. She kept lowering her head until the sight of the two guards were gone. Her shoulders relaxed as she exhaled. It made Vivan nervous because it was her first time doing such a thing. Doing something against her master.

The thought of helping Mary scared her but she did not regret it all. That's because she wanted to repay Mary's kindness. Somehow it made Vivan jealous of seeing a relationship that is more of friends than a master and servant.

One day it would be nice to form that kind of relationship.

Vivan continued walking to the break room not until she was called out by another maid saying, Tine was asking for her. She felt her stomach drop and internally panicked what if she found out I helped Mary. It would be bad, very bad.

In front of the doors of Tine, Vivan took deep breaths entering and took the idea of helping Mary out of her head. She did not want to blurt things by accident about what she did earlier because she did not want to be punished.

"Miss Tine, it's Vivan may I enter?"

"Enter," Tine answered.

Once Vivan entered the room she did not meet the eyes of Tine. That's because Tine looked frightening. Though she always looked frightening it was different this time. Vivan felt something heavy and dark surrounding Tine.

"Y-you called for me?" Vivan stuttered, clenching onto her dress.

"Where have you been?" Tine asked in a low tone.

"I'm sorry I was resting in my own room because I felt tired."

"I see."

"Is there anything you need?" Vivan asked still keeping her head low.

"Hmm, your wounds are they alright?" Tine asked, looking at her arms but was covered because her sleeves were rolled down.

"I tended them earlier, it's alright," Vivan said, putting on an assuring smile.

To tell you the truth Vivan wanted to get out of the room but it didn't seem like she will be freed anytime. It was night and Vivan felt tired. But still, she acted as if she wasn't tired at all. After all, she made up a lie earlier.

"Miss do you want me to brew some tea? To let you have a good night's sleep?" Vivan asked, for an excuse to get out of the room.

"Alright. After you send me the tea go back to your chambers and rest."

"Yes, Miss," Vivan bowed.

Laura looked at her hand, holding the shredded papers, and immediately went to burn them in the fireplace. She watched the shredded paper burn into crisps and rubbed her hands after. The night was starting to turn colder and it was a sign, winter was coming.

Winter. It reminded her about him. Silver hair, light blue eyes but he was not cold but warm. She shook her head realizing she was thinking about him. There was no time to be thinking about someone else while she was stuck in this kind of situation.

But it would be nice if he was here.

The next day arrived and it was the same day as the past three days. Nothing to do, confined and the food was disgusting as ever. She thought it was like any other day except when she looked out the garden there was an unexpected visitor.

"Prince Winston…" Laura muttered.

On his side was none other than Tine, laughing and smiling but her partner did not look like he was having fun at all. His face stayed straight, not laughing, and did not look interested in whatever topic they were talking about at all.

Anyway, who would be interested in the talk Tine brings? It was always full of mockery and gossips of other nobles. But there is nothing to stop the gossips because they are unstoppable. Sometimes people should just shut their mouths and stop spouting nonsense.

Laura kept looking out the window, eyeing at the two. It was an eyesore but actions are meant to be observed. Now you think about it Prince Winston for sure was suffering from all the chattering Tine was doing. Let's just hope he lasts longer.

"Your Highness, is it alright if I call you by your name?" Tine asked taking a smell of the flower.

"It is not alright," He answered sternly.

"May I ask why I cannot?" Tine pouted and tiptoed to reach the ears of Prince Winston. "While Se-re-na can?"

"You..." Prince Winston hissed and kept his cool down. He cleared his throat and answered, "That's because I still do not acknowledge you as my fiancée."

Tine put a smile on her face but on the inside, she was angered. But kept acting like she didn't mind since there were servants around her.

There was something weird going on around the estate and Prince Winston felt it. Now you think about it Laura still hasn't come down to greet him and it was an hour since he arrived here. It was bad timing when he needed to discuss some important matters with her.

Not only that but Count Harrison usually would be here greeting him. According to his attendant, the Count should be free from work but there were no signs of him at all. It's as if Tine was the only person at home.

He felt someone looking at him from afar and it made him wary. He looked at the windows of the estate and he was sure that amongst the windows lead was Laura's room. Prince Winston kept searching and searching and finally he found a lady, looking out the window but only half of her face was seen.

Even if half of her face was seen. The purple eyes and the black hair were recognizable it was definitely Laura. His mouth opened slightly but he closed it as he did not want Tine to know that he saw something.

While Tine was busy looking at the flowers he glanced towards Laura's direction and did not understand why she was just staying in the position. He was sure that their eyes met but all Laura did was shook her head.

She shook her head but so what about it? There must be something, something that this estate only knows but he knew that the servants in this estate won't open their mouth especially if it's about Laura.

Laura stopped shaking her head and mouthed a word to him but he did not understand what she was trying to tell him. After two more repeats, Prince Winston somehow understood what she meant. 

But it was only four words he understood which was lock which didn't make any sense at all.