Scarlet pov.
It has been two days since the incident. I looked at the seven people standing in front of me.
"You have wasted my two days. Do you have any idea how much loss the whole empire has experienced due to this?" I asked as I looked at the culprits of this incident.
"My lady, I beg you for mercy. We were just serving the new lord of the estate. We did not know that he had planned your death or any other trap set for the empire. We were just doing our work dutifully.'' Both maids said who was serving him.
"I never knew that serving the new lord includes badmouthing your mistress and accepting another mistress in just a day. Or being loyal refers to mixing something in my food." I asked and they shook their heads.
"Enough! I have proof. And I have taken enough time in checking all the mana stones of the palace. If you have doubts I can show your images and your recorded wordings.`` I replied, raising a hand in the air. Soon the wall of the front changed into a screen of the front and both maids could be seen there.
"Finally we are free from the grasp of the cruel lady."
"Yes, thank god you helped the lord in mixing the powder in her drink, now we will have a new lady that seems to be very gentle!" said the other.
"Not, only that! He had also offered the post of head maid and the main lady in waiting to both of us. Mark my words, Shennel, our better days will start after tomorrow.`` The sound of their chuckling as they hugged each other was so vivid and clear that there was no doubt left.
I eyed them as they started crying badly.
"We have been manipulated, my lady. We did not want to do that. We were forced!" I rubbed my forehead as I heard them crying even when the proof was in front of everyone.
"Just drag them out of here and do not give them an easy death! I need to hear their cries up to my room or else you will be punished!" I ordered the knights who were looking awkwardly at the drama!
"Yes, my lady!" They bowed and then held the girls by their hair and dragged them out.
Now I looked at the five other people on the left who were shaking like dry leaves on a stormy night.
"Do you have any excuses or reasoning too?" I asked , tilting my head.
They shook their heads and bowed,
"We just have a request, my lady. Give us an easy death." their faces were full of remorse yet they did not try to defend themselves.
I nodded, "very well. I am giving you a choice, do you want to eat the poison that will kill you in five seconds or you would like to be hanged?"
Though it may sound cruel to choose your way of death. That was the only thing I could do! To give them a death they find easy for them.
"We.. we will prefer to be hanged, my lady." one replied and others nodded.
I nodded back and looked at the knight standing behind them.
"Yes, my lady." he bowed his head. And held them to drag when I raised my hand in the air.
"They do not need to be dragged like criminals. They will follow you on their feet." I instructed and they all looked at me with surprise.
Their eyes were filled with gratitude as they stood up and followed the knights.
"My lady."
"Yes, Caleb? Where were you?" I asked the young boy who walked with peers in his hands.
"I went forth to search for the woods below the cliff. Since we thought you were in the carriage. I apologize for not being able to protect you well." he bowed and I shook my head.
"That was all an incident, and time has passed. So, there is no benefit in talking about it. What is it in your hand?" I asked as I looked at the papers.
These are the parchments of nobles my lady. The upper society is talking about how you cruelly killed your own husband gruesomely in front of everyone. A few have even petitioned the emperor to take a strict action against you. They want to send you to prison." His voice was full of worry and I chuckled.
"Do you think that old man has that much power? I am the duchess of this empire. The richest estate is mine and no one has the courage to go against me. Much less sent me to the prison.'' I shook my head though he was still looking at me with worry and I sighed.
"Is there anything else?"
He looked at me and then at his hands and I raised a brow! He sighed as he forwarded a small book of parchments.
"This is the invitation of the auction of slaves. I was about to reject it, but then i thought about asking you once before rejecting." he replied with some hesitation.
"Because the scum was a slave bought from auction?" I asked with a chuckle.
"Yyesss, my lady" I shook my head as he was feeling sorry for me.
"I never loved him, Caleb. He was like a pet to me at the start and then an investment. A puppet whom I could control in the marriage. You know that I could not marry a dominant person. Anyways, as I said, it is already past now.`` I replied as I forwarded my hand.
It has a list of all the items. There were a lot of girls and boys with portraits of their nude bodies. I was just flipping the pages randomly when my eyes stilled on a man's portrait.
"I think we need to replace the boy, Caleb. Reserve my favorite number for me in the auction."
"Yes, my lady."