Almost Caught

Vanessa did not notice this on time. And when she did, she quickly turned her face away.

And instead of leaving a mark on her face, the pin hooked on Vanessa's scarf, so that when Rosetta forcefully pulled it out, the scarf came off her head.

Her hair, which had nearly completely turned silver, loosened. Surprisingly, they had grown longer than before.

Everyone in the room gasped in surprise. Not only the servants were taken aback, Vanessa was caught up in the moment as well.

She had not expected that the scarf would come off in front of everyone.

Her eyes anxiously moved around, only to see the other servants step away from her as if they were intimidated by her.

"What happened to her hair?" a maid whispered.

In response to the first, another maid whispered, "I don't know. Her hair was a beautiful dark brown."

"No wonder she always covered her hair with that cloth." Another maid commented, eyeing the scarf that lay on the floor.

With a horrified expression on her face, one of the maids said, "I heard that only people who are possessed can change their hair colors." But it quickly changed to one of admiration. "Though it is a beautiful color."

Vanessa, hearing all these whispers, quickly picked up her scarf to hide her hair again. The desire to flee etched itself into her skin.

Rosetta, seeing this, smiled. She wanted to drag Vanessa down with her, knowing well that her time was up.

When a person starts seeking revenge, they become bloodthirsty.

'That day in the drawing room, it was not ash but her hair changing colors.' Rosetta recalled.

"What a beautiful color combination." Theodore complimented her, recapturing everyone's attention.

At this time, two guards had already made their way to Rosetta, taking her hostage.

She struggled to free herself. It is not me you should be taking, is her." She pointed an accusing finger at Vanessa. "She is a witch and has bewitched our king."

Theodore said, with his words directed at Ralph, "Find her a suitable punishment." His eyes shifted to look at the other maids, who had assisted her. "Including them. We wouldn't want them trying this again, do we?" his lips curled to a lopsided smile.

"No, your highness." Ralph replied.

Before they could all start pleading for mercy again, another guard had already come to take them away.

Turning to look at the other servants, Theodore said, "The culprits have been found, so you can all return to your normal duties." A bright smile on his face.

With everyone leaving, Theodore caught sight of Vanessa also hurriedly making her way to the exit.

"Where are you going, forest girl?" he questioned her, making her stop to look back at him. "I have not given you permission to leave yet."

She walked to stand in front of him. "Is there anything you want me to bring for you?" she asked politely. Not because she wanted to show gratitude but because she wanted to leave. As soon as possible.

Even a little action from her could be read by this king. She had to be careful about what she thought.

"You want to leave, so fast."

Vanessa lowered her head. 'This is exactly what she was talking about.'

"You know, you don't have to cover your hair anymore; it is a fine combination."

Vanessa raised her head to look at Theodore. She said, "Thank you for your tolerable view towards my hair color." Giving him a polite bow, she continued, "But I would like to keep it the same until I'm sure about it."

"Your choice."

She didn't say anything for a moment before finally opening her mouth to ask, "Did you already know?"

"Mm." His eyes settled on her hand, which was clenched into a fist.

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

His eyes shifted casually to meet her gaze. "What am I? Your messenger?" He asked, watching her, like what she just said was dumb.

Her eyes narrowing at him, she answered, "Informing me doesn't make you one. Unless–"

"If I had told you, then what would you have done with the information?"

"I-I–" She pressed her lips together, not sure what she would have done with it.

"Milord," A guard greeted him with a bow, standing at the entrance to the courtroom.

"What is it?" Theodore questioned the guard, his gaze not leaving Vanessa's narrowed ones.

"Master Myles has come with the reports you asked for."

"Bring him here." He ordered.

"Yes milord."

"Allow me to take my leave." Vanessa bowed, waiting for his approval. And when she got it, she did not stay for another moment.

Not too long after she exited the room, Myles entered. He showed his greeting to the king by going to kiss his hands.

Meanwhile, as Vanessa walked away from there, she crossed the sitting room to head to the servants' quarters, but she did not take notice of another visitor who sat in the room.

Sullivan, who sat in one of the couches in the sitting room of the castle, stared at the tasty wine remnants in his glass.

The wine had been served by a servant while they waited for the king to call them in.

His eyes shifted to look at his side, and that was when he saw the back of one of the maids, who had walked further away. But there was something peculiar about the maid compared to the others that had roamed the place before.

"Why does it feel like I know someone like that maid? Was it the way she walked?" He muttered to himself. His brows creased together as if in thought.

And when his eyes shifted away from the maid to return back to his glass, he immediately snapped to look back at the maid.

But she was no longer in sight, as she had taken a turn in the hallway.

Vanessa?

Sullivan quickly stood up, while placing his empty glass down on the table.

He tried to catch up with the maid when he saw her again. And when she took another turn, he prepared himself to confront her.

But he did not see the maid again. His eyes moved around searchingly until he caught sight of the maid talking to one of the guards, with only her back still in sight.

He could not tell if it was the same maid, but just like the first, the second also had something on her head. And seeing the guard leave, he walked to her.

When he came close enough, he placed his left hand on her shoulder and said, "Ms. Storm."

The maid turned around with her eyes wide in shock.