A MAZE OF GREED

I am asking you something, Edwin. From where these medicines came?" Theodora demanded again.

Edwin could sense the drama that was bound to happen. He wanted to avoid it, but when it came to his aunt, she always found her way with what she wanted.

"Mrs Payne gave them with Ruth." He answered truthfully and hoped his aunt would quit then and there.

But he had just paved the further way for her intentions.

"Mrs Payne? That old lady?" Theodora said as if she was speaking about something very useless and worthless.

"My Lady, I have heard that she has a good knowledge of medicines and herbs." Fannie quipped in.

The fact was she just wanted to get Edwin's attention and nothing else.

"Good knowledge my foot! How can you agree with some illiterate old woman's suggestion Edwin? Do not you trust the highly qualified physicians we have at our service? This might be a dung paste and you agreed to apply it on your body? God only knows what things might be in it!" Theodora spoke with such passion as if she had planned it all well in her mind beforehand.

"Aunt Theodora, you are over reacting." Edwin said bluntly.

"No Edwin. I am not letting you risk your health at anyone's words. Fannie throw this out." She ordered.

"Aunt Theodora, stop!" Edwin warned.

"What is wrong with you brother Edwin? If mother thinks that it's not right for you then you should trust her words. Or, are you getting habitual of trusting the outsiders instead of your family?" Eloise raised her brows at him.

"Enough!" Edwin's loud voice boomed in the chamber.

Theodora glared at Edwin. "Edwin, dear, do you think we are wrong here? We only want the best for you. What if someone has mixed something harmful in this medicine? You are the only heir of the O'Dell family. Please try to understand our concern, Edwin.

People these days are deceiving and can go to any extent for their selfish motives. We don't want you to get in trouble. Please listen to us."

Ruth could not believe this woman. She could beat the poor chameleon in a competition of changing colours. At least she did not deserve to talk so wisely about people.

Ruth had enough of them. They all acted as if only they cared about Edwin, and Ruth was his biggest enemy.

"May I speak my side, Master?" Ruth finally opened her mouth.

Edwin did not like her addressing him as Master. But he understood why Ruth used that title.

"Yes," He permitted.

"Lady Theodora, I am ecstatic to see your care for your nephew. I wish everybody had an aunt like you in their life."

Theodora clenched her jaw as she clearly understood Ruth's sarcastic tone. Edwin watched Ruth in amusement. He knew that when she decides to speak up her mind, then there was nothing that could stop her.

However, it was amusing for him to see someone who matches his aunt.

"But let me clear this to you that although Mrs Payne probably is not at par with the efficient physicians at your service, her knowledge about medicines and herbs is unquestionably authentic.

She has treated many people before, and I am sure this medicine will definitely help with his wounds."

Ruth then turned her attention to Eloise. "And Lady Eloise, I understand that the outsiders cannot replace the place one's family holds in his life. But family should also be present not only in good times but also at the worse times.

I think concern cannot be generated conveniently. It is there always irrespective of the time and situation. I think Lady Elsie and Lord Lester can explain it better because they were there for Master when nobody else was."

Edwin just stared at Ruth in complete astonishment. He knew why Ruth said that only Elsie and Lester were with him. Lester had already confessed that he locked up Ruth in the room so that she could not see Edwin's wounds. To which Edwin had promised a good punch to him when his hand would be healthier.

"Edwin! What kind of disrespect is this?! This woman knows no limits. How can you let a servant insult your family members like this?" Theodora was visibly fuming in anger.

But Ruth stood with her chin held high. She did not care if Edwin scolded her or threw her out of his chamber. She just could not let this woman walk all over her.

Edwin did not say anything as he kept watching in silence.

That only infuriated Theodora more. "Eloise I am sure this woman has mixed something harmful in this mixture."

"I completely agree with you moher!"

"You have to decide right now Edwin. Do you want to believe a servant and humiliate your family or trust your family and respect their feelings for you!" Theodora declared.

Eloise also did not expect that. Her head snapped in Theodora's direction in shock.

Fannie stood dumbfounded with the bowl of mixture in her hands.

When Edwin did not say anything for a minute, Theodora gave a victorious smirk to Ruth with a raised brow. As if she was declaring her win.

Instead of getting only angry, this time Ruth felt bad. She felt bad for the man she loved. How did he survive all these years surrounded by these fake people?

They did not care about him. All they care about was the benefits they would receive if they stayed in his good books.

Ruth looked in his way and their gazes collided. Edwin was surprised to see sadness instead of anger in her eyes.

"If you do not trust me, then there is no need to use this medicines. Fannie give it back to me. I will take it back home. I cannot let those ingredients to go waste." Ruth said in a steady voice.

All the other three ladies were surprised at Ruth's easily accepted defeat. But for Ruth, she realised that her revenge was inferior to the man who considered her as his world.

What was the use in playing the sick games when Ruth would get everything she deserved after marrying Edwin?!

Although he hadn't said anything in that direction, he had not even said that he loved her. Yet for Ruth, his actions were the validation of his feelings for her.

Edwin was stunned to hear that. He didn't know what he was expecting, but he was definitely not expecting that look on her face as if she was in pain.

His aunt and cousin's words must have hurt her a lot. He could not just sit and watch her getting hurt by his own people.

"Give that bowl to me." Edwin calmly ordered.

Fannie hurried close to him with a smile. Edwin did not even lift his eyes to see her face. His focus was solely on that bowl.

He took that bowl in his hand. He took a handful of paste from it and began rubbing it on his wounds. Ruth immediately ran to his side and stopped him.

"Apply it." He said.

Ruth was torn between the two feelings. On one side, she was happy that he chose her side against his family. But then, on the other hand, she felt bad, that he had to go through all this drama, just to prove his family.

"Are you sure?" Ruth whispered in his ear.

Only Eloise-being a werewolf- heard it clearly. Her eyes narrowed at Edwin when he nodded in agreement.

Ruth began applying the paste on his wounds. Edwin felt the coldness of the paste on his burning wounds. It was soothing.

But soon, his body turned stiff as he felt that something was not right. The previous calming coldness now turned into an unbearable burning sensation.

He felt like someone had rubbed salt on his open wounds. A hiss was about to leave his mouth when he realised that his aunt and cousin were still watching him.

If he let out his pain, then they would roast Ruth alive. No! He could not let that happen. He had to bore that pain.

Ruth's fingers ran on his hard body. She also sensed his discomfort but kept quiet as she did not understand what was happening.

Edwin had his jaw clenched tightly. His hands turned into tight fists under the shawl Ruth had put on him before.

He waited patiently, biting back the pain till Ruth was done applying that paste.

"Aunt Theodora and Eloise, see that I am perfectly fine! There is nothing harmful in that paste. Now if you both are done caring for me, I would like to have a nap."

It was hard for Edwin to keep his voice steady. The burn on his wounds intensified with every passing moment.

Theodora was throwing daggers at Ruth and Edwin. Without another word, she left from there while fuming. Eloise also left but not before giving a disappointed glare to her brother. Fannie lingered for a few seconds before Theodora barked her name.

Edwin waited till he was sure that they had walked away from his chamber.

As soon as he got the confirmation, he fell on the bed with a loud gasp. As if he was drowning in the water.

Ruth was alarmed seeing his state.

"Edwin! What is happening? Edwin?" She rushed to help him.

His all body was covered in sweat. His tan skin was now in red colour. His eyes turned teary as he gasped for air.

Ruth kept asking him what was wrong, but all she received in response were his grunts and hisses before he stopped moving abruptly.