A MAZE OF GREED

This morning, when Ruth came into 'the grea manor', she was surprised to see Thea there.

"Good morning Sunshine!" She hugged Ruth as soon as she saw her coming her way.

"Good morning Mrs Welby. I see someone is in a great mood today. May I know the reason?" Ruth asked, pulling away from her.

Thea had a mischievous smile on her face. "That is a surprise for you!" She winked.

"Come now." Thea dragged Ruth towards the parlour where everyone was already present.

Ruth was confused, but by the way Thea was bouncing in joy, she hoped that it was a piece of good news.

Her eyes then finally met with a pair of cerulean blue orbs. He was already staring at her. As usual, his face did not give away his thoughts.

Unlike before, Ruth smiled this time. He replied with a subtle nod of his head, that she would have found arrogant of him if she did not know him well. The man lack in the department of expressing himself.

Thea left Ruth's side and walked to stand beside Rees. Ruth gave a questioning look to him when their eyes met. And this time, Rees also winked at her.

Since when did he learn to do that?

It must be Thea's influence rubbing on him, Ruth thought with a mental eye roll.

"Thea we seriously did not need such a grand show." Lester taunted.

She only narrowed her eyes at him. Elsie elbowed him. "This is a great moment for her. Let her live it, Lester."

"Huh! Women!" Lester sighed with a bored face.

Everyone ignored his comment and pivoted their attention on Edwin.

He did not know how to begin in the small group that was huddled in the parlour. Addressing the sea of warriors, students or, people was a different thing and, addressing a bunch of people who had gathered to see a simple occasion, was a different thing.

Edwin had not forgotten how Thea disobeyed his order and went to see Ruth. And now she made him wait for about twenty minutes till everyone gathered at the same place.

If only she was not Rees's wife and Ruth's best friend, he would have scathed her with only his sharp tongue.

If not that Edwin had other ways to teach her a lesson.

He picked up a scroll and put it in her hands while he sat leisurely in the chair.

"Congratulations Mrs Thea Welby, you are appointed as my head maid!" He declared as if he was making a general statement without any flicker of emotions.

A minute of silence later, the group erupted in cheers and claps, except Thea.

She narrowed her eyes and yelled at the group. "Stop it! Silence... silence!"

Everyone has instantly shut up but Lester. He was still laughing, clutching his stomach.

"I said silence!" Thea glared at him.

"You... you know Mrs Welby that you can not give me any order," Lester said in between his laugh.

"Master! This is not fair!" She complained, her corners of the mouth pulled downwards.

"What is not fair Thea? Do not you like to get the position of my headmaid? Now you are hurting my sentiments here." Edwin's face held not even a trace of hurt.

Instead, he was smirking tauntingly.

"No! I mean, we decided that you will give a speech and offer me this position with smile and... I... Rees!" Thea pleaded her case to Rees.

He only shrugged helplessly.

Thea had imagined this occasion in a very different way.

"YOU decided all that to which I never agreed!" Edwin raised his brows.

"Come on Thea! You just got a job and not a medal for bravery in a war. Besides we all are here to congratulate you. What else do you need?" Lester finally stopped laughing.

Ruth was watching Edwin's playful side, which was not an often scenario.

"Yes, Thea! Congratulations! Let me make it up to you by lunch. Will you smile now, please?!" Ruth smiled, walking her way.

"Come on Thea! Say yes! We will have great fun! We can even go the 'Baker's Delight!" Ida suggested excitedly.

The three of them obviously included Rees and began discussing the options they had available for them.

During the conversation, Ruth noticed how Elsie's smile disappeared from her face. She felt bad that she felt left out.

"Erm... can I suggest something?"

The group paused to hear Ruth.

"We can go to some place around Vincardine for a small picnic. We all have been through a hectic patch and I think I am tired of human contact. Lets enjoy the nature, what do you all think?"

"That is a great idea, Ruth! I know a perfect place where we can go." Rees was excited about the plan.

When Thea and Ida also nodded in agreement, Ruth turned to Elsie with a smile.

"Lady Elsie, I know that you are not expected to socialise with your servants. But we would like if you also join us. There will be no people to know about it." Ruth asked.

Elsie's face brightened after hearing that. She had no friends. She did not even remember the last time she went out of 'the great manor' other than attending the tea parties of the elites.

Unlike Eloise, Elsie never enjoyed them. Her heart always desired to fly like a free bird in the open sky. And after years, she finally got such an opportunity.

She turned to Edwin for his permission. Asking her father was out of the question, but with Edwin's permission, she knew he would not say anything.

"Please, brother Edwin. Can I go? I really want to go, please!"

Edwin had his lips sealed together with a frown on his face. With the danger of rogues, he did not want any one of them to wander in the outskirts of the town.

He glared at Rees, that he agreed with their plan even after knowing the risk. And what place he was talking about?

~"Master, I know you are angry at me and worried for Lady Elsie's safety."~ Rees said.

~"I am also worried for my mate's safety."~

~"Your mate is the one who came up with this idea."~ Lester intersected their conversation.

~"Do not worry Master. I will be there with them. Their safety is my responsibility."~ Rees told determinedly.

"Well, if Elsie is going then I also want to go. I can not live without my love even for an hour!" Lester said dramatically, making Elsie flush in shyness.

"If only you promise to not make fun of me Lord Lester." Thea put her condition by crossing her arms.

"As you say, My Lady!" Lester bowed, but they knew not to trust him on that.

Seeing Edwin falling into the trap, Ruth contemplated throwing her dice for the next round. Surprisingly Elsie saved her efforts.

"Brother Edwin, why do not you also join us?" Elsie eyed Thea and Rees with a meaningful look.

"Did I say that you can go?" Edwin grumbled although he knew it was futile because his cousin had already seen his yes in his eyes.

"Yes, Master. Please join us." Rees supported Elsie.

Edwin passed a hard glare in his way. "You know how... busy I am these days." He stressed the word 'busy'.

"But My dear friend, one needs peace of mind to handle tricky situations. Besides you NEED this."

~"Stop acting clueless Edwin. You know what I mean. You need this. You need Ruth."~

Something shifted in Edwin's features at her name. This was a good chance for him to get close to her. She had finally begun taking a step towards him and, now he needed to try harder than ever.

"Please Master!" Ida requested.

"Besides, I know you can not stay away from me my first love!" Lester singsonged, batting his eyelashes while smiling greedily.

His action made everyone burst out laughing. Edwin was so embarrassed that he forgot that his mask of seriousness fell down. The tip of his ears turned red as he murdered Lester with his eyes.

When would this man grow up?

He was about to lash at Lester but, was stopped by someone clearing their throat.

Ruth had a golden opportunity that she would not miss at any cost.

"Please, come. I would like if you do!" She said with such a sweet smile that firecrackers explode in his mind after hearing her words.

As Edwin and Ruth engaged in the staring match, everyone else had a wide smile on their faces.

Thea was the most surprised one of them. She wondered what made Ruth so positive towards Edwin. Maybe she finally realised that he was not a bad person altogether.

Perhaps, saving her life and taking care of her by him ultimately pushed luck to his side.

Whatever the case was, Thea was happy that finally, they were making some progress. She hoped that this picnic would provide them with the opportunity of getting closer that they needed.

Lester cleared his throat with a sly smile on his face.

"If you are too busy then we can go without you, Edwin. After all, work comes first, right Rees?"

"Of course, Lord Lester! You can never be wrong!"

Edwin's jaw ticked in irritation. He stood up and walked out of the parlour without sparing a glance to anyone.. But not before saying, "Be ready tomorrow morning."