ALL NOVEL Scene of a crime
We were still in the same room.
“Mistress, are we not going to watch?”
“No. We wait.”
If my thinking is correct, the culprits will return to the scene of the crime. They failed yesterday. It would be reasonable for them to make sure that she is still in the room after the announcement. It did not take a while until I could hear footsteps and chatter approaching the room.
“Melanie, hide.”
“Huh? Okay.”
Melanie entered my shadow as I meet face to face with them. To no surprise it is the same group of girls that tried to ask for my assistance.
“Oh, miss Eterna. Uh, um, how are you?”
“No need for pleasantries. If you are willing to confess to your crimes, I may be willing to reduce your sentence.”
“Crimes? Sentence? I do not know what you mean.”
“I take it that you will not be confessing to anything? I am already being lenient by taking my time to hear your side of the story.”
The five of them started discussing. I did not truly care for what they are talking about so I ignored their ramblings.
“We confined the commoner student in this room.”
“Commoner student? No, that is not what I am talking about.”
The girl looked at me with confusion.
“Truly? You do not realize what you have done? Let me ask you, why was this room locked?”
“It was to keep the commoner student inside.”
“Then why were all of the other doors locked as well?”
She stood there shocked.
“Do you not understand how tedious it was to unlock every single door? How do you plan on returning my time?”
It was Sylvia and Melanie who went around but they are both my tools. So, their work is my work.
“I-, I am sorry.”
“Then, do not get me started on everything else. Did you truly think it was a wise move to commit vandalism? Destroying school property? Do you not know who maintains this school?”
The girls lower their heads.
“Broken doors, broken windows, and defaced walls. Why are you so innate that you would risk such things just for a commoner? A commoner is not worth all this trouble. But now, this is my trouble. Emilia is still calculating the costs that she would need to expense due to your actions.
I could see the slight movement of her head when I mentioned Emilia’s name. Hmph, I already know what she is thinking. It is not time yet so I will let it be.
“Can you shoulder this expense? Or do I have to converse with each of your families just to reach a settlement?”
“No, please. Please do not tell my father, miss Eterna.”
The five of them proceed to beg to me.
“Is this what you call begging? Beg better.”
They were all still standing. Not enough. All of them get down on their knees.
“Is that it? Lower, beg more.
I stare at their eyes. I could see their reluctance but I am above them. They have no power here.
“Do I have to repeat myself? Or is this the extent of your remorse? Do we need to have meetings with your families? Maybe they will be more willing to beg for my forgiveness?
The girl who spoke bit her lip as she slowly lowers her head. I go near and crouch near her.
“Not low enough. Your head is still above the floor.”
I ignored the other four as I focused on her. She was the leader after all. Those fools will follow her example. I watch and stare as she slowly lowers her head down until it is finally touching the floor.
“Finally. This is the proper way of begging. Do remember this for the future. What about you four? Why are your heads still above the floor?”
The other four hurry and lower their heads as well. The floor was still slightly wet due to the water but that is also their fault.
“Now, listen to me. I care not for the commoner but you will respect school property. Is that understood?”
“Yes, miss Eterna”
“If this happens again, do not delude yourself into thinking that I will be as lenient as I am now. Do you understand?”
“Yes, miss Eterna.”
As I say that, another announcement happens.
“Attention to all students. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the finals will be delayed by an hour.”
An hour? Must have been because of the prince. Lyn did not mention anything but judging from how she looked, the prince must have understood partially what happened.”
“I will be leaving now. I expect all of you to stay in that position until I have left. Do you understand?”
“Yes, miss Eterna.”
Sylvia and I left. After some distance, Melanie exits my shadow.
“Woah. That was intense. It was scary.”
“That also serves as a warning to you Melanie. Do not destroy school property.”
“Of course I won’t!”
Even with this, those girls will not change. They will still harass Lyn. But that is fine. They will not direct their anger to me, not yet. They do not have anything they can use against me after all. Now, this will all depend on Lyn’s performance in the finals against the prince. I do hope she will not disappoint me. We returned to the arena and saw Juliet.
“Juliet, how is she?”
“Oh, hello miss Athena. She’s taking a nap. Kinda had to force her.”
“I see. Once she wakes up and the match starts, feel free to join us in our seats.”
“Really?”
“Of course. You are employed by me after all.”
“Okay!”
“If you get lost, feel free to ask Emilia for assistance. She already knows.”
“Got it!”
We went to our seats. It was somewhat private and there were no other students around us. It was similar special seats that royalty would have in arenas. Once again, Emilia truly outdid herself. After a while Juliet joins us and the fight between the prince and Lyn finally begins.