A MAZE OF GREED

"Kneel in front of Mrs Linlithgow and Lady Theodora. Aplogise to them!" Augustus declared.

Ruth felt like the sky had parted, and the bolt of thunder directly aimed for her.

Ruth stood stunned while repeating Augustus's words in her mind over and over. The meaning of them and the humiliation they brought slowly seeped inside her.

And that was unacceptable to her.

"Pardon, My Lord. But I am not going to do that. If you want my apology then I will apologise even though I had no intention of hurting Lady Linlithgow. Because my mother has taught me that apologising does not make one small or less. One needs a brave heart to apologise by acknowledging the consequences of their actions." Ruth said confidently.

*** "Augustus please don't do this. Stop with your revenge, please. Apologise to your father, your brother and sister-in-law. They are your family. I am sure they will forgive you for your mistakes."

Agatha pleaded while holding his hands in hers. She had that tender and hopeful look in her eyes that always made Augustus uncomfortable. Because he knew he could never fulfil her expectations. Neither she could fulfil his.

"Apologise?!" Augustus scoffed, pushing her hands away. "I would prefer to embrace death before apologising to Walter!" He thundered with blazing eyes.

Agatha's lively eyes filled with tears. "Augustus, apology does not make any difference to a person's status or his authority. If anything, it only elevates one's value in others' eyes. It takes a lot of courage to accept our mistakes and face the consequences. An apology is the easiest way of salvation." ***

Augustus shook that memory from his head. This young woman challenging his order was just like Agatha in many terms. And she would get what Agatha got in her life for her righteousness and morals- suffering!

"How dare you defy my order?" Augustus bellowed in anger.

"I am not defying your order, My Lord. I would never dare that. You heard their side of the story and now I am only telling you my side of the story." Ruth told calmly.

She wondered from where this courage came to her. Perhaps her powers had instilled that self-confidence in her. Whatever it was, she was definitely enjoying it. She was done with tolerating the unfairness.

Augustus stalked towards her steadily. A thought of backing away crossed Ruth's mind for a split second, yet she held her ground and stood tall.

"You do not know who you are messing with woman! I can make you disappear with a flick of my wrist that no one can find even a trace of you!" Augustus's hissing voice resembled the deadly sound of a rattlesnake.

"Father!"

Elsie's voice made Augustus go still momentarily before he turned his head in her way.

"No need to threaten Ruth. She will apologise to mother and Lady Linlithgow but... she will not kneel in front of them." Elsie told boldly.

By this time Eloise, Ida and Thea had also gathered there. Fannie, who was enjoying the scene from the very beginning, was hidden behind the pillar on the opposite side. She was also taken by surprise by Ruth's bold defence.

"Elsie! Is this really you? You are humiliating your parents in front of the guest. And for what? For this leech who is sucking every good out of you?!!" Theodora glared at Elsie.

Elsie matched Theodora's gaze, then asked calmly. "Would you have done the same if it was Fannie in Ruth's place?"

Theodora clenched her jaw. Nobody except Eloise had ever dared to speak in such a way with her, especially Elsie. And now, the same Elsie is standing against her own parents.

Elsie then turned to her father. "Father, Ruth is my head maid and she is supposed to work for ME! There are many maids in the house and mother could have told any one of them to get their tea. She did not particularly need a HEADMAID to do that when it is not HER head maid."

If it was Eloise, then Augustus would not have given a second thought before slapping her to knock some sense into her. But this was Elsie. His sweet princess.

She reminded him of Agatha in many ways. Perhaps that was why he had a soft corner for her even though he had never admitted it loudly even to himself.

Elsie then caught Ruth's gaze. Ruth knew what that meant.

Even though she had no intention and will to apologise to those two women, she knew that the situation was already delicate. Her one wrong action could escalate it.

Ruth stepped ahead to stand in front of Theodora and Mrs Linlithgow.

"I apologise for spilling the tea on Lady Linlithgow's dress and handbag. I had no such intention. I hope you will forgive me!"

Ruth deliberately left out Theodora's mention. Now Augustus had no more to say. So he left but not before a glare at Ruth.

Elsie then walked out, taking Ruth with her before more drama unfolded.

*

*

*

Darius was again in his secret place with Hilton. He got Hilton's message saying it was an urgent matter. Darius rushed as fast as he could because it was related to his experiment.

He opened the door and walked in to see Hilton sitting around a table with a thick book open on it.

"What is it Mr Hilton?" Darius asked while sitting beside Hilton.

"Yes. I was looking through every available source on Painite. And guess what Darius. I might have found a way." Hilton broke the good news.

Darius's handsome face brightened at that news. "You have found Painite's location?! Where is it? Tell me. I will leave there right now." He was ecstatic at that thought.

"Calm down Darius. It is not what I have found." Hilton crushed his excitement within a second with his words.

"Read this." He told before Darius threw a tantrum.

Darius grumbled yet took the book and began reading the page Hilton had told him to read. The more Darius read, his expressions changed. And soon, he was reading with thorough interest.

When he was done reading the page, he took a minute to mull over it.

"Is it... is it possible?" He finally asked Hilton.

"You know how the witches liked to live in the background and not come out in front of the world unless they feel the need. We do not have any other way anyway.

If we trust what is given in there, then there are chances of increasing the efficiency of Painite. That way, we can achieve a great deal even with whatever quantity we are left with." Hilton explained.

It all made sense to Darius. He was never the kind of a person who hesitated to take risks. But in this case, he wanted to be sure before he touches the witches' land.

"But after the last time... do you think I can find the right place of the loop?" Darius then asked.

Hilton was silent for a moment before he said, "You have to try Darius. We do not have any other choice than that. And you may find more Painite from them if they still have some." Hilton pointed out another possibility.

"But"

"But what?" Darius asked.

"What are you going to do to handle your father? Marcus is closely watching you. He will not miss a chance to make you villain in your father's eyes.

After your last disappearance when you went to Crinudel, it has become a risky affair for you to leave Kinsville." Hilton concerned.

Darius's fingers clenched into fists. He was sick of that low life vampire Marcus. Lisa told Darius that this time he dared to threaten her when she said she did not know where Darius had gone.

Darius needed to have a face to face talk with him.

But then again, what about his father?

Darius did not know how to handle his parents.

"Why don't you tell your father about your plan? I am sure he will understand after initial hesitation." Hilton recommended.

Darius gave an incredulous look to him before scoffing unbelievingly. "You still believe that Mr Hilton?"

Darius stood up from the chair and began pacing around the room.

He was anxious, Hilton could tell.

"He would never trust me, Mr Hilton. He has no faith in my capapbilities. For him, I was, am and will always remain a brainless child who has to move and speak only on his command. I am only a puppet for him." Darius sounded lost and... disappointed.

Hilton had developed a soft spot for Darius after he lost the most precious thing in his life. He wished Ambrose also had the same feelings for his son.

More than the faith in Darius's capabilities, his loneliness and struggle to prove himself pushed Hilton to participate in his plan.

"Besides, he would never agree with it even though it is the best plan we can ever have. You know how he likes to play it all diplomatically. He is waiting for Edwin's mistake so he can declare a war against the werewolves and no one would blame him for it like the last time."

Hilton knew that Darius was right.

"Then what are you going to do?" He asked.

"I will get what we need to accomplish our goal.... no matter what!" Darius's eyes shone in red as he told with conviction.