Stolen ring

"It's good to see that you are okay. I was worried when I heard you were brought in as part of a truce exchange. It must have been devastating to be all alone in an unfamiliar environment," Marion said, extending his worried gaze at her.

She gave him a reassuring smile.

"I'm doing fine. You don't have to be worried," she said. Marion noticed the sadness in her eyes, and he wished he could wipe it away.

"Princess Amira!" Nora called, running towards her.

"Is anything wrong?" Amira asked.

Nora shook her head but then nodded again while trying to catch her breath.

"It... It..." Nora tried to say, "Catch your breath, Nora. Don't rush," Amira urged.

"It Consort Leyla she.... she's furious"

"What why?"

"I don't know but I heard her diamond ring is missing"

"Missing?"

Amira turned to Marion, bowed, and exited the stable she made her way back to the building.

"Search all their belonging am sure you will find them there," consort Leyla said furiously.

In the cramped maid's quarter, a thorough search was underway, with the guards turning the place upside down.

The maid's belongings were being searched thoroughly, Amira walked in on the search.

She was quickly pulled aside by Novalie, who stood tensely at the side.

Next to them stood Katia, her expression mirroring the grave tension in the air.

"What's happening?" Amira inquired, bewildered by the commotion.

"I'm not entirely sure, but Consort Leyla's diamond has gone missing. She's been in a foul mood all morning, and now this," Novalie replied, casting a worried glance at the line of maids being questioned.

Nora made her way to the gathering.

Queen Miranda approached with her attendants trailing behind her.

"What's happening here, Leyla?"

A maid was forcefully brought forward from one of the quarters, emitting a terrified shriek as she was pushed ahead. Novalie's eyes widened in surprise as she realized it was her maid.

"What is the meaning of this?" Novalie demanded.

"The diamond ring was discovered in her room," the guards announced as they presented the stolen ring to Consort Leyla.

"Please, Consort Leyla, I swear I didn't do anything. I don't know how that got into my room," pleaded Avery, her eyes wide with fear.

Novalie defended her maid.

"That's not possible, Avery would never commit such an act, she was with me the entire day."

The queen's voice cut through the room.

"Quiet Novalie."

"But mother_," Novalie attempted to speak once more but was quickly silenced by the queen's firm warning gaze.

"Such impudent what made you think you can get away with stealing, just because I have them plenty doesn't mean I wouldn't notice if one is missing," Consort Leyla accused, her voice laced with anger.

"Please, Consort Leyla, I have done nothing wrong. I didn't steal your ring. I have never stepped into your room. I dare not without permission," Avery pleaded,

"She has been teaching Novalie to be bad—both of them impudent. I wouldn't be surprised if her bad character is rubbing off on Novalie. Novalie has been reckless lately and hasn't been acting princess-like. She's even imposing on Amira." Katia's words injected tension, making matters worse.

Novalie remained silent, her face reflecting sadness. She felt powerless to speak up in defense of her maid. Even if she did, it would only make things worse for her. Pleading for a maid was considered a sin.

"Please, Princess Novalie, I swear I would never do it again. Spare me, please," begged Avery, tears flowing down her face.

The other maids watched, some feeling sorry for Avery, while others seemed satisfied that the thief had finally been caught.

"You shall pay with your life then take her away and behead her hang her head beside the maid quarters for others to see and learn never to take things that never belong to them," Consort Leyla said without blinking.

Amira's heart dropped to her stomach, how could they even think of taking another life just because of a little matter?

The maid was dragged away.

"Come with me Novalie," the queen said walking away, Amira bowed as she walked past her.

Novalie turned and Left.

Consort Leyla followed the guards behind to ensure her task was well taken care of.

The maids disperse getting back to duty.

Amira noticed the grin on Katia's face as she also turned to leave.

"You did this didn't you?" Amira said confronting Katia who stopped to look at her.

"What?"

"You did this to get back at Novalie didn't, am sure Novalie wasn't wrong. Her maid couldn't have stolen the ring, she was with her since this morning"

"Are you accusing me of a lowly act?" Katia said her nose flaring as she glared at Amira.

"You shouldn't be offended if this has nothing to do with you"