A MAZE OF GREED

On one fine morning, the day started as usual. The people in 'the great manor' gathered in the dining room for breakfast. The large room, which was rectangular had windows with arches. The window glasses were of different colour with designs of flowers around the rim. White curtains were pulled aside to let the bright sunlight enter the room.

A large chandelier was hung at the centre that captivated one's attention as soon as they stepped inside. The dark stone walls were decorated with beautiful paintings painted by famous artists of the era.

A long rectangular wooden table with curved edges was placed in the middle of the room. Ten wooden chairs, five to each length of the table and two chairs at the two ends were enough to accommodate not only the family members but also their guests. The table was long enough to add more chairs if needed.

Augustus was the first one to arrive followed by his wife Theodora. As usual, both of them were dressed in rich clothes along with their valuable accessories. Agustus pulled out his pocket watch to see the time and a frown appeared on his face.

He took his seat at the head of the table while Theodora sat to his left.

"They are late again." He said distastefully.

Theodora glanced at the door of the room to find no one entering through it any time soon.

"They might have slept till late." She reasoned.

"Don't you think they are growing indisciplined as they are aging. They should learn the importance of punctuality, shouldn't they?" Agustus asked as his frown intensified.

This was the common thing to happen in 'the great manor'.

"It's ok, darling. They are young, let them live their life the way they want." She said while touching her husband's shoulder.

Augustus scoffed. "Young? Sometimes I think that you act immaturely than them. Open your eyes, Theodora. They are not five and have grown up into adults who are in a age to get married. Is this how they are going to take responisbilities of their spouses and new life?"

Theodora didn't like her husband's comment about her acting immaturely. She opened her mouth to give a befitting reply to him when they heard footsteps approaching them.

They watched as Elsie and Eloise entered the room. Elsie ran to her father to greet him with a wide smile on her innocent face.

"Good morning, father! Good morning mother!" She said as she hugged her father with her hands around his shoulder. She didn't miss to greet her stepmother as it had become her habit over the years.

"Good morning, dear!" Theodora replied with a small smile.

"Elsie is this how you are going to act like a grown-up woman? You know that you have to be present for breakfast on time and yet you come late every day." Augustus chided her. His sharp silver-grey eyes flickered to Eloise for a moment who took her seat on the third chair on the right side of him.

The elder sister didn't took any efforts to wish her parents good morning. She never did.

"I am sorry father. How long you have been waiting for us?" Elsie asked as she took her seat on the second chair to Agustus's right leaving an empty seat to the immediate right of him for her brother.

"Long enough to get your father angry." Theodora answered.

"And where is that your dear brother prince? Doesn't he want to have breakfast?" Augustus asked Elsie.

Elsie was worried about the same thing. She didn't want her father to get mad at her elder cousin as she knew how strained their relationship had become. She had tried to talk sense to her brother but he was too stubborn and got some kind of satisfaction by getting on her father's nerves.

Her eyes shifted to Theodora, asking silently to come to an aide. Everyone was aware of the power and effect Theodora held on her husband.

"Let's order the maid to bring the food. I am sure Edwin must be on his way here." She said in an attempt to cool down her husband.

"Yeah, if only he has not spent the whole night with one of his flavours of the week." Came Eloise's sarcastic comment which didn't go well with any family member present there.

They only glared at her as they knew that even though what she said was unpleasant to listen to, it was sadly true. Elsie was most affected by her comment as she shared a good bond with Edwin. Her nose crinkled at the thought that it was used to be 'flavour of a month' and now it had become 'flavour of a week'.

Before anyone could say something, the man in the discussion walked in the room with a white shirt covering his muscular body and broad shoulders and ochre-coloured pants. His coffee-brown hairs were not styled implacably like Augustus but were left tousled as they were damp from the shower he took. They shone a shade lighter in the sunlight giving a honey golden colour.

He didn't bother to look at anyone as he came and took his seat beside his uncle. His face was set in a void mask. The tension in the room only grew while Augustus glared at the young man for his lack of mannerisms. Before he could open his mouth and start another dirty banter, Theodora was quick to act.

"Good morning, Edwin? Did you sleep well?" She asked in a sweet voice.

Edwin lazily lifted his cerulean blue eyes to look at her face. "Good morning. Yes, I did. Why do you ask that?"

Theodora smiled a little, her eyes flickered to her husband's displeased figure. "You came late for the breakfast. I thought you slept late in the night and that is why you were late."

"No. I came when I felt like coming." With that said he turned his plate up.

"good morning brother!" Elsie said slowly, afraid of her brother's sour mood. She didn't want to worsen it more.

Edwin's face softened after looking at her face and worried eyes. Elsie was the only person he could tolerate in the family. Though she was not as confident and bold as Eloise, she had always made sure to let him know that he was not alone.

His lips broke into a genuine smile showing off his dimple on the right side. "Good morning, Elsie!"

That smile on her brother's face brought a smile on Elsie's face.

"Fannie! Bring the food now." Theodora ordered her servant.

A woman of the age of nineteen walked into the room with trays of food followed by two more maids. The woman named Fannie was short with narrow, sunken sky-blue eyes. Her face had a pointed chin and narrow lips. She was Theodora's most trusted maid.

Fannie began serving the food but her sky-blue eyes flickered to Edwin who looked insanely handsome while listening to Elsie with a small smile on his sculpted face. She was about to go to fill his plate when another maid snatched that opportunity from her.

Fannie narrowed her eyes at the maid but maintained her neutral face. She couldn't let anyone know about her feelings for Edwin, not now. She hoped that he would spare at least one glance in her way but her heart sank when he didn't.

After the food was served members of the O'Dell family began eating. Few minutes passed in silence as no one bothered to converse with others when a sound of a carriage caught their attention. It was not rare to have visitors in 'the great manor' but Augustus had allotted a particular time for visitors.

Then who was it that couldn't wait till that allotted time?