Let the Guilty Tremble

I looked down at the pale-faced maids and pulled out a notebook that Livia had given me earlier. She had found even more information on our targets since this morning.

My hand reached to the sky while holding the evidence of their crimes. I wanted it to be known to all that I wasn't claiming anything without proof. Even though this is just hearsay, its authority was quite high because of who was delivering the words.

Also known as me!

"This," I said clearly with a provocative tone, "is the evidence of these three maids' betrayal."

I gave Livia a quick glance and nodded, impressed by how flawlessly she gathered everything I needed to know about the three of them.

Her expression, as always, remained neutral, but I caught the faintest flicker of relief on her face. She truly does care about me; I've come to notice it more the longer we're together.

I turned back to the three kneeling, ready to give my verdict. They were all trembling like leaves caught in a thunderstorm.

"These are your words," My voice was laced with venom and coldness that could rival Noah's. "Now let me read them aloud for all to hear."

I cleared my throat and read them line by line.

"This is what was said by the maid named Mirelle." My eyes landed on her, who was on the far left; she looked at me with pleading eyes. "She's a fake duchess and looks weak. I would be a much better option; she doesn't deserve such a title."

After I spoke her words, I just stayed silent and looked at her resentfully.

"So… You think you're better than me, why?"

"Of course not," Mirelle stammered out quickly. "I'm so sorry; I didn't know my place… Please just let me live."

My gaze held on her for a while without giving any affirmation to her plea. I look up and address all those here. "This individual is the exact reason why I refuse to let any maids into my personal space unless I know damn sure that I can trust you. Only one has earned that right; all of you are nothing to me but probable backstabbers."

"Next is Anise." I point at the girl who was in the middle of the three. "If something were to happen to her, the Archduke would come to his senses."

"Please tell me, what would happen?" You could hear the gasps from all those in the crowd knowing this one really messed up.

"I didn't mean any of it, just playful gossip between maids." She said with a little bit of confidence, as if it were just locker room talk. While I can't deny this isn't wrong, on the other hand, this was like talking about offing the president.

Noah and I rule these lands, and they talk about a possible incident that ends my life so casually.

"Oh, I see, so you think it's alright talking about someone having misfortune or possibly losing their life?" I looked over at Kellan and then back to the girl who was kneeling, holding her head up much too high for my liking. "Kick her in the face."

Before Anise could react, she was already airborne. Kellan's massive boot slammed into her, crushing bone and sending her flying nearly twenty feet before she hit the ground, unconscious.

"This is why you don't talk about people behind their backs, especially when you don't even understand the temperament of the one you've cursed with bad intentions." Turning to Kellan, I gave a nod. "Great kick," I said with a smile. He simply nodded in return, a satisfied expression on his face.

I saw Bor's excitement as I glanced his way because he knew what was happening next. The third maid was the vilest of the trio.

"The final maid, Corinne, you really have some nerve." I wanted to rip this girl apart with my bare hands. Looking back at the notebook, I read her words. "Maybe add a little poison in her drink; who would even care?"

There wasn't a sound in the room, everyone waiting for my response. To think this bitch was actually contemplating poisoning me.

"So… What do you have to say for yourself?" She just stayed silent and looked up at me defiantly. "Oh, I see, so you're a strong one. What did you think would happen if I died from your poisoning?"

I looked at Noah, who was fuming and completely destroying this girl with his killing intent. It was very hard for her to look up at me. She must have had some kind of combat experience to be able to hold on against Noah's pressure.

"Did you really think Noah would be like, Oh no, my wife's dead—guess I'll just marry someone else?" I burst into laughter. "Are you actually that stupid? Noah would burn this entire castle to the ground just to hunt down whoever killed me and then wipe out anyone even remotely connected to it."

This was exactly why I called maids evil. Who in their right mind would joke about killing someone in such a way as casual banter? No… I knew she was being genuine.

Noah came from behind and brought his arms around my midsection as if being my stable pillar to make sure I never fall.

"Bor's, it's time." He gave me a nod with a menacing smile.

The maid Corinne started to back up across the floor, scooting her butt up and down trying to flee. But she was far too slow, and Bor caught her in no time.

He picked her up in a strong hold where she was facing out from his body, but her feet didn't reach the ground. She was brought right in front of me, barely able to breathe from the pressure around her midsection.

I broke Noah's hold around me to walk towards her and pulled a vial out of my pocket. This was a slow-acting poison that would kill someone in about fifteen minutes of agonizing pain. After hearing these women's intentions towards me, I thought it was only right she got a taste of her own medicine.

"No!" The maid screamed, her eyes widening as she saw what I held. "Please don't, I'm sorry!"

I met her gaze with indifference, uncapped the vial, and pressed it firmly to her lips.

She gagged and convulsed until Bor gave her a real tight squeeze, sending the bottle out of her mouth and multiple feet away. The damage had been done, though; it all went down her throat.

I turned my back to her as Bor stood there silently while holding the struggling girl who had just been poisoned. We sat back down on the couch to watch the show as I snuggled into Noah.

The other maids' faces that were either innocent or not caught yet paled at the sight. This could be one of them in the future if they act on any bad intentions.

We watched for ten minutes as her body started changing and convulsing with different types of fluids being released all over her body. Her skin was turning weird shades much darker than her skin.

Finding it hard to watch any longer, I looked to Bors.

"Do your thing." I pointed towards the now pathetic maid covered in her own filth.

"As you wish, consider her erased," he said, thick with anticipation and cruel delight.

It only took two cuts: one to her stomach, splitting her in half, and the other to the neck, decapitating her. Just like that, she was gone, as if her life had no meaning. In the grand scheme of things, it most likely didn't. I hope this one cruel act will implant fear into these maids not to mess with me.

I glanced at the first one, a sobbing mess curled up on the floor. I hadn't even touched her. She had narrowly escaped punishment, mostly because her words hadn't crossed the line into anything life-threatening.

The other was still unconscious from the kick, possibly dead?

"For suggesting I should be poisoned, she was put to death, obviously. The other two will be stripped of everything, including their clothes. Take it as a mercy. You'll be thrown into the wilderness, naked and alone. Survive, and you'll earn a pardon. Good luck."

I glance at the rest of the staff.

"This is your only warning: I am not your toy, prey, or any other messed-up image you have of me in your heads. I am the archduchess of these lands, and my husband supports me wholeheartedly. Don't throw away your lives and talk about evil behind my back because, as you can see, I don't take it very well."

After my words I leaned against Noah, who held me closely. We walked out of there without any more words; everything was already spoken.

Noah and I led Livia, Bors, and Kellan out of the grand hall who was trailing behind us.

"Stupid people," I muttered under my breath the moment we left. Why are maids so cocky that their words won't ever come back to bite them in the ass?

I ran a hand through my hair, irritation evident on my face. "If they didn't treat me like trash or whisper about assassinating me behind my back, I'd show them some respect. I still wouldn't trust them, though," I added, gesturing toward the blood-soaked room we'd just left. "But no… their inferiority complexes are too deep and out of control."

There will probably be more in the future, and the thought of that greatly annoys me. I let out a tired sigh. "Did this scene help at all to control their dirty thoughts, I wonder?"

"My axe is always ready, your grace." Bors rumbled from behind me with a wicked grin as I turned back to him. His voice was like gravel grinding under a boot.

I gave him a thumbs-up. "Good job, executioner. You made cutting through a human look way too easy." I was amazed and fearful at the same time.

He beamed like a loyal hound that just caught a deer with his teeth.

I couldn't help but giggle at the thought of the maids having to clean up that mess. It serves them right because, let's be honest, they definitely heard those kinds of conversations. At best, they just walked away without getting involved and told no one.

On the other hand, they would join in and bash me for sure when no eyes were on them.

Noah chuckled beside me and then whispered something just for me to hear.

"You've turned into something else entirely, Seraphina."

I smirked at him, knowing he really meant it and wasn't joking, using my full name instead of Sera.

"I know." In a world filled with so much cruelty, changing like this feels necessary. Maybe not everyone is like that, but based on the people I've met and the things I've faced, it certainly feels that way.

"Do you not like the new me?" I asked, unable to resist, even though I knew he was probably speaking with a hint of admiration.

He looked puzzled by my words, so I clarified, "I mean, it's still me—there's just a bit more confidence building up in this tiny frame. Being surrounded by so many powerful people, especially my husband, might be turning me into a bit of a tyrant," I mused, glancing over at Noah.

I kept rambling on trying to explain myself as I normally do until he simply pressed a finger to my lips.

Noah gave me that annoyingly calm, devastatingly handsome smile that always made my chest twist.

"I don't hate it at all. Honestly… it's an even better version than the one before it."

My mind stopped as I soaked in his words.

"I prefer my woman to stand tall," he paused, "especially in front of those who'd dare to look down on her. Watching you speak for yourself like that? It gives me peace of mind."

His voice lowered as he stepped closer, his hand trailing down my arm.

"No matter what you do… I'll always have your back. I won't let anyone tear you down the way your family did before, ever. My wife should be just like this."

Then he leaned in and stole a kiss from my lips like a vow sealed with our mutual affection for each other.

I just smiled after that like a fool in love. My arms slipped around him, pulling myself into his body.

"Then I guess you're stuck with your slightly tyrannical, but very lovable, wife."

He chuckled. "I can accept it completely, no regrets at all."

"Noah," I said as we entered our room for the night, kicking off my shoes and pulling my hair free from its pins. "Let's throw a banquet."

He nearly stumbled in surprise at my words, "You? The same woman who loathes formal events and etiquette actually wants to mingle with them?"

I waved him off with a grin. "This one isn't about politeness or making friends. I just want to see who my enemies are and maybe put on a good show. Aren't you at least a bit excited by that?"

After Noah tried hard to keep that stern face, it melted into one of a bright smile, understanding I had intentions.

"I really love it when you take control like this," he said, crossing the room towards me.

My head couldn't help but tilt as I gave him a once-over. "Hmph… but at night," I whispered, "who's the one that really takes control?"

Noah didn't miss a beat; he leaned in with a smirk that was pure wickedness.

"You don't seem to complain at all. I see exactly how much you enjoy it."

I huffed dramatically, "Obviously! Letting your man take complete control in bed is such a thrilling experience, and I can't get enough of it." To think I'd say something like that out loud so confidently.

But I can't lie, it's exhilarating. I stepped closer and traced my finger down the front of his shirt, my grin turning devilish.

"I think the… climaxes I had last night were even better than our first time. You might be turning me into a little bit of a pervert."

He caught the look on my face and just shook his head, laughing.

"Well… you know tonight's going to be long, Sera."

I just laughed, completely willing to accept his whims.

After Noah closed the door, I looked at the predator stalking his prey, fully willing to be eaten.