MISSING NECKLACE

The sharp, relentless knock on the door cut through the women's quarter, and every pair of eyes turned toward the source of the disturbance.

Wren paced like a wild animal, her brows arched dangerously high and lips twisted into a scornful line as she rapped on one door after another, demanding everyone rise from their beds. It was clear she was in a foul mood, and we were about to find out why.

We fell to our knees, heads bowed, as she towered over us. The morning sun still lingered beyond the horizon, birds chirping cheerfully, but the atmosphere was anything but tranquil. I blinked, fighting off the remnants of sleep.

"Early this morning, I was checking my cupboard for my necklace," Wren began, each word dripping with accusation. "I searched everywhere but it seems one of you decided to steal it." Her shoes clicked ominously against the cobblestone as our eyes remained glued to the ground, trapped under her towering demands.

"I expect whoever took it to return it immediately, or I will report this to the king, and believe me, there will be consequences," she continued with a fierce tone.

Emily spoke up, her voice steady. "If I may, my lady," she interjected, and with an approval from Wren, she rose to defend us.

"There's no reason for us to steal from you, my lady. We are all adults here; we understand right from wrong. None of us would risk the king's wrath for something so trivial," Emily asserted confidently.

"Then explain how my necklace has vanished!" Wren bellowed. "It doesn't just disappear! It's worth a fortune, something none of you could even dream of possessing!"

"Please, my lady, let us help you find it," Emily insisted, maintaining her composure under Wren's glare.

"You have ten minutes to find it, or I will bring this matter to the king!" Wren proclaimed, spinning on her heel and exiting with dramatic flair. Once she was gone, we all stood up, panic rising in us—this was unprecedented. Why would we steal from her when we knew the potential consequences?

"Let's search everyone's rooms," Emily proposed firmly, and the rest of us nodded, quickly returning to our quarter, rummaging through our belongings to find the necklace. After searching three rooms, we still had no luck.

"What if Madame Wren misplaced it and is trying to lay the blame on us?" I ventured, noticing Emily's surprising energy amidst the chaos. She had really taken a stand against Wren, something I hadn't expected.

"I doubt it," Emily replied with a dismissive click of her tongue. "She's too proud for that. To her, we're not even worth the consideration," she said, and I frowned at her words. It always bothered me when people dismissed our worth as omegas, even if there was some truth to it. We all had our roles, but who truly acknowledged them?

Sighing, I followed the others from room to room, but as we entered my space, the moment felt heavy. Emily rummaged through her suitcase, scattering belongings and revealing nothing. "You see?" she said, gesturing to her empty space. Two other girls came to inspect as I took my turn. As I opened my luggage and sifted through it, I found nothing.

Then we turned to my bed. After checking the pillows and mattress, one of the girls gasped, lifting a heavy golden necklace that could only belong to Wren.

Instantly, they all looked at me, horror etched on my face. "That's not mine," I stated firmly, the shock cutting through me.

"It's Madame Wren's obviously," one of them declared, pointing an accusing finger.

"I swear, I didn't take it," I insisted, my voice steady. But they fixated at me their curious gaze, filled with disappointment and yet annoyance for having brought this upon them.

"Oh dear, how could this happen?" Emily exclaimed, covering her mouth in disbelief and casting a worried glance at me.

"The evidence is clear. Hazel took the necklace. You're coming with us," one of the girls said decisively, grabbing my hand and pulling me forward. I fought against their grip, unwilling to be wrongly accused.

Emily stepped in front, arms raised. "Wait! We can resolve this without taking it to the king," she argued firmly, her brows furrowed with concern.

For a moment, they hesitated, giving me a sliver of hope. Thanks to Emily's defense, maybe we could turn this around.

"What should we do?" they demanded, their voices tense, the weight of their curiosity barely able to conceal the palpable anxiety that filled the air like a thick fog.

Emily took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders as she met their piercing gazes with resolute determination. "We need to agree that we found the necklace outside. It's the most possible option; it'll spare us from undue embarrassment," she urged, her voice steady despite the turmoil swirling around us.

Suddenly, a dissenting voice cut through the murmur of anxious whispers, firm and unwavering. It was the woman gripping my arm tightly, her gaze as sharp as the words she spoke.

"But if we lie, we're merely giving the thief another chance to strike! We cannot condone such behavior!" Her fervent protest surged forth, pushing me to the forefront of the unfolding chaos as they struggled for control over the situation.

"Let go of me! I can walk on my own!" I shot back defiantly, attempting to yank my hands free from her unyielding grasp. But her grip only tightened, a clear message that escape was not an option. Deep down, I comprehended that fleeing wasn't part of my plans; I was innocent and I would stand my ground.

Wren wasted no time weaving a narrative for the king, and almost instantly, we were summoned to his presence.

As we stepped into the grand hall, a sense of anxiety washed over me.

The king sat high atop his ornate throne draped in regal finery, exuding an aura of authority that filled every corner of the opulent room.

The extravagant adornments and rich tapestries that personalized the space seemed to fade into insignificance beneath the king's cold, piercing gaze.

In moments like this, we were taught to lower our heads, for the king was known for his iron-fisted responses to any hint of insubordination.

One of the ladies scurried forward, her expression urgent as she leaned in to whisper something in Wren's ear, her eyes darting nervously. Then, she held out the necklace triumphantly, offering it like a trophy before the king's scrutinizing gaze.

"Your Majesty," Wren proclaimed with unshakeable confidence, her voice echoing off the marble walls. "The thief has been identified: it is Hazel who took my necklace." Her accusation cut through the stillness like a sharpened blade, and the atmosphere grew dense with foreboding as she turned her glare upon me, her eyes radiating disapproval.

A cold chill of apprehension cascaded through my veins.

What would the king decide? I braced myself, attempting to fortify my resolve against the tightening grip of dread that coiled in my stomach.

Theft was a grave offense, never to be taken lightly. I understood my innocence, yet I was worried that he wouldn't believe me.