"Agh... We weren't lying! You are so cruel and look nothing like the Duke, but you always have your head up in the air."
Then she pointed toward the two maids who were bowing. "Look! How frightened you made them. If it had been Miss Alicia this wouldn't have happened."
Celestira took a step forward. A chilling aura surrounded her as she said, "Oh my! I never asked them to fall at my feet; they did it themselves because they knew what they were doing was wrong—unlike someone."
So you went head on. You are so predictable, Anna.
Without giving Anna a chance to speak, Celestira announced, "You are fired!"
The maids gasped at the words.
"A commoner insulting a noble so shamelessly can be punished by having their tongues cut out and being thrown from the house. I am being merciful. So before my mercy ends, get out of this house."
"YOU CAN DO THAT?!" Anna screamed hysterically. "I—I WORK FOR MISS ALICIA!!"
"The Duke prefers quiet mornings. Would he be happy to learn about this commotion? A commoner insulting the daughter of the Duke and still keeping her job simply because she works for the second daughter, Alicia?"
Anna collapsed against the wall, muttering, "No... You can't do this."
Celestira called out, "Guards! Throw her out of the mansion and make sure she never sets foot here again."
The guards nodded and dragged Anna away. Her screams echoed down the hallways.
Celestira then looked at the two maids still kneeling.
What should I do with these two foolish maids? Celestira smirked. Aha.
She knelt and placed her hands on the maids' shoulders. "It's fine. The two of you, don't be scared; I won't punish you. I know it was all Anna's fault that you are in this state."
They tremulously looked into Celestira's eyes before bursting into tears and repeating, "Yes! It was all Anna's fault… hic!"
Celestira glared inwardly. They are shameless. I needed someone to spread my good reputation in the West Wing and keep me in the loop about what's happening there. Had it not been for that, they would have been thrown out too.
Emerging from her thoughts, she put on a gentle smile and called another maid. "Take these two to their room; they must be tired."
Their eyes sparkled — Celestira knew she had won them over.
After everything was over, she stretched a bit and started to walk toward her room.
Haaa... I got two of Alicia's maids fired. Not bad for the first day — but not enough. This is just the start. I am going to take everything away from her.
She gazed at the garden. Then I will kill her with my own hands.
To be continued...