A MAZE OF GREED

And finally, it was the day of Rees and Thea's wedding. The wedding was planned in the afternoon, and everyone was in a frenzy of getting everything done perfectly.

Ruth woke up early that day and returned to 'the great manor' from the Green's home to get Thea's wedding dress. She was too adamant about not showing anyone the dress earlier. She also needed to meet Elsie before leaving for the wedding destination.

After the bath, Ruth excitedly opened the bag, which had her bridesmaid dress. Even though she wanted to be with everyone in the Green's home, she was, in fact, glad that she was alone in her home as Mrs Payne was also at the bride's house.

Now she could admire how beautiful she looked in that blue dress that the blue-eyed monster had given his green signal to. Her heart leapt in her chest at the thought of him.

With a blush on her face, Ruth slipped into the stunning gown. She braided the front of her hair and pinned them at the back of her head. She let some curls free around her face. The lower half of her hair cascaded down on her back in soft curls.

Ruth had no makeup and jewellery to go with the dress and, that was why Elsie had asked her to meet her. She insisted on getting Ruth ready so that she could aim at least a dozen of male hearts at the wedding.

Hurrying up, as Ruth also needed to give Thea her wedding dress before the time, she rushed into the residential building complex of 'the Great manor'. With hurrying steps, she reached Elsie's chamber.

The moment Elsie saw her, her mouth left open agape. Ida was also invited and was ready in her dress, which was also of a different shade of blue according to the theme.

Not wasting much time, Elsie done some minor changes to Ruth's hairstyle. She put a pretty and elegant clip in her hair which had small flowers as design. Elsie had chosen dark blue coloured earrings that matched Ruth's dress.

Ruth recalled the earrings Edwin had bought for her. She sucked a long breath, masking her emotions.

Ruth did not know nor did she understand what kind of lotions and powders, Elsie used on her face and neck, but she trusted her better judgement and knowledge of the makeup.

"Ruth, I have selected this necklace. Do you like it? I think it will look good on you."Elsie said, showing her a simple necklace that she had chosen for her.

But Ruth's eyes moved to the necklace that hung around her neck for months now. The gift that Rees had given her.

"Thank you Lady Elsie, but... I like this one better and want to wear this only." Ruth told with a smile.

Elsie and Ida shared a look with satisfying smiles on their faces. Ruth could not understand the meaning behind it, and she did not need to yet.

Elsie then gave her a pair of shoes that made her look a little taller. Ruth stood up, ready for attending the wedding after Elsie gave her a thumbs up.

"Lady Elsie, you are also invited." Ruth said.

Elsie glanced at Ida, then smiled. "Yes. But you know how our lives are Ruth. We can not attend most of public functions and we also do not want to make things awkward for the guests. But you both enjoy and fill me with all the details. Alright?"

Elsie wanted to attend the wedding, but she knew asking her father for permission was futile as he did not like his family associating in their servants' private functions. She could have asked Theodora, and she might have given her permission only if it was not Rees's wedding.

Although Elsie always defended her father and stepmother, she knew their special reservations against Rees, and the only reason was that he was Edwin's favourite and loyal.

As she could not attend the wedding, Lester decided to stay back with her. Edwin told them to arrange all the preparations for the rituals that the newlywed had to go through after the wedding.

Elsie's sadness replaced with excitement suddenly as she had never been to those rituals as the mating of a human and a werewolf was not something that happened every day.

Ruth nodded in understanding. Waving at Elsie, Ida and her walked out of Elsie's chamber. They still had some time left, but they needed to hurry up.

Suddenly Ida halted in her steps. "Oh no, Ruth! I forgot Thea's gift. I left it in the room I was working previously."

"It is okay, Ida. Let's get it fast."

They were about to return when a maid stopped them.

"Thank god, Ida I found you here. I thought you have already left." She sounded relieved.

"Yes, I am about to leave. Do you want something?" Ida asked.

"Yes. You need to come with me for five minutes. It is urgent."

Ida looked at Ruth, then tried, "Actually we are getting late."

"I am sorry, Ida. If it was not urgent then I would have not asked you to come with me. It will not take too long trust me."

Ida was in dilemma.

"Ida, I think you should go and help her. Tell me where you left the gift and I will get it."

"Are you sure Ruth? I do not think it is a good idea." Ida said in hesitation.

"Why?"

"Because... because I was in Lady Theodora's chamber to give her flowers that she had asked for and I left the gift there."

Great! The one day Ruth expected to go "smooth" had to begin with this!

Ruth saw the urgency on the maid's face.

"That is fine! I will get it. Meet me near the fountain."

With a hesitant nod, Ida walked away with the maid. Sighing, Ruth started walking towards Lady Theodora's chamber.

*

*

*

The same morning a carriage came to halt in front of 'the great manor' after travelling miles of distance. A man in his late early sixties with platinum blonde hair and hazel coloured eyes stepped down the carriage, clad in an expensive suit and a black hat on his head.

Adjusting his glasses on his nose, he walked towards the entrance. Before he entered inside, the news of his arrival had reached Augustus.

That was the last thing he needed, yet he could not do much in this particular situation other than only hope that this time the guest's visit would not disturb the air in the O'Dell family.

He instructed the servants to treat this guest with utmost respect and hospitability. They should not leave a chance for complaint. He himself started getting ready faster than every day.

Then he thought of informing this news to Theodora, although he was already sure of her possible reaction. He asked for Fannie.

Fannie stood in front of Augustus after five minutes.

"Fannie, inform Lady Theodora that a special guest from Warthford Island is visiting us and she should come to meet him."

Fannie, after years of experience, immediately knew who this guest was. Her face reflected the same reaction as Augustus. She nodded obligingly nonetheless and left.

Fifteen minutes later, Augustus walked into the parlour where the guest was already served tea and some snacks.

As soon as Augustus entered, he smiled genuinely and stopped near the man. The guest stood up to greet him.

"Lord Augustus! It is nice to meet you after years!"

"Same here!" Augustus then hugged the man, which always surprised him.

"Please sit!"

Both men sat and, Augustus was also served tea. He noticed that the man had aged much than the last time he saw him. Of course, he had!

What was the last time they met? Almost seven years ago?

"You could have informed me of your visit. I would have made some preparations. I hope your journey was pleasant?" Augustus said sincerely.

The man sipped the tea before replying.

"I did not want to bother you Lord Augustus. And yes, the journey was just fine! I can see many things have changed over the past seven years in Vincardine. I am glad to see them."

"Thank you! I am working hard to provide a better life to every citizen of Vincardine." Augustus replied with a smile.

The man responded with a proud look in his eyes.

"How is everything in Warthford Isalnd?" Augustus asked.

They got engaged in the general discussion, that the men were interested in politics, administration, agriculture, trade and whatnot.

Sometime later, The guest asked about the young O'Dells. "How are Elsie and Eloise? They were very young the last time I saw them."

"Elsie is good. And Eloise... well she is just... Eloise!" Augustus replied with a frown.

"Eloise is young Lord Augustus. She is a child without her mother. I am sure she will learn with time." The guest tried consoling Augustus.

"And... how is Edwin?" He then asked.

He did not fail to notice, the twitch of Augustus's jaw.

"He is fine." He replied dryly.

The man gave Agustus a long look, wondering when Augustus's and Edwin's relation would turn healthy. He chose to not push that topic and asked instead, "And how is Lady Theodora?"

Now that made Augustus tenser than before.