A MAZE OF GREED

Ruth could not take the scene that happened before out of her mind. The Edwin she saw then was someone who extruded power and dominance. He was lethal yet had a collected mind.

The way he treated that man-made her restless. Seven years of imprisonment was just too much, according to Ruth.

"Ida... Ida stop." Ruth saw Ida.

She had a serious face, unlike her usually smiling one.

"Yes?" She asked, forcing out a smile.

"Do you have a minute? I need to talk with you." Ruth said, glancing around.

"Of course, Ruth. I am listening."

"I... I wanted to talk about what... what happened some time ago."

Ida knew that Ruth would ask about it sooner or later. Before presenting her perspective, Ida was thoughtful of listening to Ruth's first.

"What do you want to talk about it?" Ida asked.

Ruth gave her a long look. "Are you not at all affected by that Ida? Or is it only me who is oversensitive to these things and violence?"

"Ruth, it is not about being affected. I know that you might think it was too much yet we all know that it was necessary." Ida tried explaining.

"Necessary? Seven years of imprisonment is necessary? Are you serious Ida? He might be the successor of the O'Dells but it does not give him any right of insulting his uncle that way. Did you see how rude he was with Lord Augustus?!" Ruth could not digest it.

"You are overthinking it, Ruth. Forget about it. Master knows better than anyone. If he thought he was right then he must be right. Do not think about it much." Ida sensed in which direction this conversation was leading. And to avoid it, she tried putting a full stop at the end.

"Master knows better than anyone?" Ruth scoffed, not believing Ida.

"He just said that the man's kids does not need a father like him. Do you think it was right? He insulted his uncle in front of the servants, you think that was right? He was rude and crossed his limits. At least someone like HIM is not expected to preach others about right and wrong!" Ruth said, anger bubbling inside her.

No matter how much she tried, she could not take the images of Edwin and Florence out of her mind. She could not forget about their fight, and he sided with Florence- well... indirectly.

"What do you mean like HIM?" Ida asked, her tone changed slightly.

"I meant a womanizer, a player, a selfish and arrogant spoiled man should not preach about what is right and wrong. Do not you think so Ida?" Ruth raised her brow.

But Ida did not like those insults for her leader. More than her human, her wolf was displeased.

"Enough Ruth! You are talking like you know everything. But trust me you do not!" Ida snapped.

She realised her raised voice and condemning tone when she saw the surprise on Ruth's face. Ida should not forget that more than her friend, Ruth was her future Luna. She should keep that in mind before hurting her in any way.

"I am sorry." Ida quickly apologised.

Ruth frowned.

"Okay, let me tell you what exactly happened." Ida said. Although, she was not sure how to explain it to Ruth.

But she had noticed that something was wrong between Ruth and Edwin. That resulted in his agitated wolf. The danger of rogues was on their tail, and if they wanted their leader to protect them, Edwin needed his mate by his side.

This was an opportunity where Ida could try to mend things between them.

"I am listening," Ruth responded half-heartedly.

"Ruth, I am not justifying Master's actions only because I am his loyal. But I am doing so because he was right. He acted that way because he cares for his people Ruth. He cares for all of us."

Ruth was confused. "What are you saying?"

"Ruth that was Lord Augustus's guard, and he was in charge of the security around the northern border of Vincardine. But he neglected his duty, and thus some ro- I mean people tried to cross our borders illegally.

When Master confronted Lord Augustus about it, he dismissed it, not regarding much attention to this issue. But that day... those... people attacked Rees and Lord Lester when they were returning from a neighbouring town."

Ruth's eyes widened in shock. She had no idea about any of these things.

"Wh-what are you saying Ida?"

Ida nodded her head, satisfied that she managed to make Ruth understand and also did not reveal anything particularly.

"Yes, Ruth. If those people can attack someone like Rees and Lord Lester then how hard it is for them to attack the common people of our town?"

Ruth's blood ran cold as she recalled Mr Payne's death. Were these same people who murdered Mr Payne? Her heart raced at that thought.

"For the O'Dells, the foremost priority is their people. They can die to protect them and also can take lives if it takes them there. I know that Master has a very bad reputation.

But is it fair for people to judge him on his past actions only? If he is willing to take his responsibilities, then is it fair to stop him or obstruct his path only because of his bad image?"

Suddenly Ruth felt guilty. She cringed inwardly at every bad word she said about Edwin. Now that she thinks of it, she realised that his anger and frustration were justified given the circumstances.

He was right when he said that the man's kids did not need a father like him. They did not need a father to look up to who was neglecting his duties by risking hundreds of lives, including his own kids and family.

Ruth should not have jumped to the conclusions so quickly. But that is what humans do. We believe only in what we see, we trust only in what we hear and we remain faithful only in what we believe.

"I... I..." Ruth could not find the right words to say.

Ida touched her shoulder gently. "Ruth, I am not blaming you here or trying to make you feel worse. I am only telling you the truth you did not know.

I agree that Master is a little difficult to understand. His actions do not make any sense at some times. But all you need to do is be patient with him. Try to understand his reasons.

There are many people who do not like him and consider him unworthy of his position. As much as this is true, nobody can deny the other side of the same coin where there are many people who are loyal to him. Who believes in him and respects him.

If he was wrong, then do you think that Lord Lester would not have stopped him? Do you think then Lord Augustus would have just walked away from there?"

Ida made sense. Ruth failed to think about this. She was too busy looking for his bad side due to her jealousy that she forgot to be rational.

"I... I am sorry Ida. I really am. I should not have said that about him without knowing the truth." Ruth apologised sincerely.

Who knew it better than Ruth when someone accused you of the things you have not done?!!

"I think it is somebody else you should apologise to. If... only you mean it." Ida walked away after a reassuring small smile.

Ruth kept thinking about what Ida said for the rest of the day till the sun began setting behind the horizon.

She was looking forward to a chance of speaking with Edwin. And as if her stars were at her side, she saw him coming out of his office. And surprisingly, he was alone.

That was the best opportunity that she could get, and she ran with intention of not wasting it.

"Wait... wait!" She called, trying to match his fast pace.

Edwin was in such a sour mood that he ignored her calls and kept walking, his brain set on the issue at hand.

"Please listen to me... please!" Ruth called again.

This time he abruptly stopped that caused her to crash into his hardback. She hit her nose against his rock-solid muscles. Her eyes watered instantly at the impact.

She stepped away quickly, holding her nose.

At least he stopped.

"I... I want to talk to you. Can we-"

"I do not have time." Came Edwin's cold reply she was not anticipating.

"But-"

"I said I do not have time!" Edwin hissed in irritation and walked out of there.

Ruth remained still on her spot.

Did he feel the same hurt whenever she ignored or avoided him in the past?

She was not sure what she wanted with him in the long run, but she felt the need to apologise to him for judging him too quickly and wrongly.

Theodora watched their interaction from a distance with a victorious smirk on her face. She did not need to do anything to create a rift between Ruth and Edwin.

Edwin was his own enemy. And Ruth was another opportunist who tried her luck but failed miserably like others.

Now, how pleasant it would feel to rub salt on her wounded ego?!!