Master of Fools

"You think so evil of me." Theodore said. 'But I did worse than that.'

There was nothing more she could expect from a person who could go on a killing spree.

"It seems you have lots of input to give; mind sharing it?" tilting his head in question, and Vanessa shook her head. "You could have answered them back, but instead you had to run away to hide."

Her mouth opened to say something, but no words came out, and she pursed her lips instead.

Theodore stood up straight, his eyes staring back at her. He said, "Clean yourself up and come to the courtroom." He ordered, turning around to leave.

"If you did not kill the little girl, where is she? And what happened to her?" Vanessa's eyes were fixated on Theodore's back, with a look of curiosity in them.

Her words made Theodore stop. Turning only halfway, just enough for her to see part of his face.

"I don't know." Theodore replied before walking away.

When he was out of sight, a grim expression took over his face.

It was true when he said he did not know what happened to the girl or where she was.

The friendly gesture of a little girl towards the young Theodore was something the king could not forget. Even if he tried.

Vanessa had stepped out of hiding and now washed her face with water, drying it with a towel.

"Vanessa, are you okay?" A familiar voice asked, and soon Rosetta came to stand with her.

Vanessa offered her a reassuring smile.

"I heard the rumors. And if you'd like to know, I don't believe them." Her gaze shifted to the side, away from Vanessa. "If only they knew you are not such a person," she scoffed.

"You are too nice with your words." Vanessa replied softly. She was happy that at least there is someone who doesn't believe the false rumors.

"Some of the castle's maids have been summoned to the courtroom; are you going there as well?" Rosetta inquired, because, just like the others, she too had been summoned.

And a little bit of worry tickled in her mind, but then the fact that the king never cared for such mundane things always cleared her doubts.

Vanessa huffed out some air from between her lips. "Yes, I have also been summoned," she said.

When Theodore had told her to appear in the courtroom, she had not given it much thought, as her mind was occupied by the little girl.

But now that the message had fallen on her, she knew she would have to face them. Those lying maids.

She gritted her teeth in annoyance. 'What could he have to say?'

"Let's go together." Rosetta offered.

In the courtroom, three maids were separated from the other servants. They shook in fear, with their faces cast down.

Rosetta's eyes narrowed at the sight. 'What are they doing there?' she questioned.

Vanessa recognized the maids as the same ones who had spoken out about the rumors enough for her to hear.

"When you spread rumors, you should at least do it right." Theodore sat relaxed, watching every one of them. "It seems I will have to punish you. You don't just mention my name along with such rumors." His eyes held a serious expression, making them know that they were in big trouble.

"Milord, please forgive me." One of the maids said as she knelt and lowered her head to the ground.

And soon the others also followed her lead, pleading to be spared.

"You did not think twice before splattering mud on another's face, then why should I spare you?"

This question rang in their minds, but they had no answer for it. They had easily agreed on playing their roles because of a tiny prize that was going to be shared and their new-found dislike towards Vanessa.

The other servants in the courtroom held a relieved expression, thankful that they had not confronted the new maid.

"I can tell you all are someone else's pawn. If you tell me who it is, I might give a second thought to your punishment."

Without a second thought, one of the maids pointed her finger slowly at Rosetta. She didn't need the money any longer.

Death was the punishment Theodore always gave, but if now he was going to have a second thought on their punishment, then he might probably keep them alive.

Theodore's eyes moved to look at Rosetta, who held a baffled look. Though it looked as if he was just finding out who it was like everyone else, he wasn't.

During the morning, when Vanessa left, Theodore also followed behind. When she could have come to meet her friend, the maid only hid herself and watched.

Vanessa's eyebrows rose in surprise as she turned to Rosetta.

"What a dirty trick to pull." Theodore's words, which were directed at Rosetta, made her angry. "Master of Fools."

"I had my reasons. You must have forgotten, but I haven't." She fumed.

Vanessa watched as the same person she had earlier called kind and nice was revealed as the one who orchestrated the rumors.

She couldn't believe it. Her eyes met Theodore's before looking away. 'Was this what he meant by being too naïve? He knew who it was, all along.'

Vanessa took two steps away from Rosetta, who didn't seem the least bothered by her action.

"Enlighten me." Theodore answered.

"My sister loved you, but you killed her after using her."

"And why would I have used your sister?" he asked, tilting his head in question. "You must at least be special to lie on my bed or sleep with me, isn't it darling?" A sly smile crept onto his lips.

Feeling Theodore's gaze on her, Vanessa looked up to meet his question, and she swallowed hard.

'I thought he was clearing my name, then what was he aiming at by bringing me back into the spotlight?' Her eyes narrowed slightly at him.

Theodore continued, "Your sister was only spreading rumors, just like yourself. But the difference is that someone actually piqued my interest with their action, which is why you're still breathing." The smile on his face lowered, returning to its grim look.

Rosetta glared at the new maid while clenching on to something in her hand. 'Not even she nor her sister were special to him, but this skinny thing..."

She charged at Vanessa with a small, sharp pin in her hand, intending to scratch her face.