Morning arrived with a strange, ringing clarity.
The Mickelson estate had always awakened like a machine—predictable, cold, each part of the household grinding into motion at the same time every day. But today, a ripple of unease ran through the servants. Whispers filled the halls. Footsteps hurried more quickly than usual.
Because the Duke had summoned everyone.
And no one knew why.
Hyacinth was the first to hear the news. She had woken on the chaise in Selene's room, startled by a timid knock from a young maid.
"Please," the girl said breathlessly, "the Duke wants all senior and junior staff in the east foyer. Immediately."
Hyacinth stiffened. "Is it about last night?"
"I—I don't know," the girl whispered. "But his mood… it's bad."
Hyacinth thanked her, then hurried to wake Selene.
Selene blinked groggily. "What's happening?"
"The Duke is preparing something," Hyacinth said. "You should meet your brothers before he gathers everyone."
Selene nodded, dressing quickly, her hands trembling—not with fear, but resolve.
They met Hakeem and Vincent at the main stairway. Vincent whistled low when he saw the tension in Selene's shoulders.
"Let me guess," Vincent said. "Father has decided to redeclare war on us."
Hakeem frowned. "Whatever he's planning, we stand together. Just like last night."
Selene inhaled deeply. "Let's get this over with."
---
The east foyer had been cleared of furniture. Servants lined the walls in stiff rows. The Duchess stood off to the side, pale and silent.
Then the Duke entered.
His boots echoed sharply across the marble, and the entire room stiffened. His face was unreadable—controlled, but with cracks at the edges. A storm waiting for the right wind.
He raised a hand.
"Last night," the Duke began, "my family humiliated me."
Silence fell like a suffocating curtain.
Hakeem stepped slightly in front of Selene. Vincent's jaw clenched.
The Duke continued. "A noble household survives only when its members respect order. Without order, legacy collapses. Reputation collapses. Power collapses."
He turned toward the servants.
"Some of you," he said coldly, "enabled my children's rebellion."
A ripple of fear passed through the room.
Hyacinth instinctively moved behind Hakeem.
The Duke's gaze sharpened. "It has come to my attention that a former maid—Hyacinth Marlowe—returned to this estate without permission. That she interfered with the wedding ceremony. That she contributed to Selene's disgrace."
Hakeem's entire posture changed.
Selene's hands curled into fists.
Vincent muttered under his breath, "Here we go."
The Duke looked directly at Hyacinth. "You, girl. Step forward."
Hyacinth froze.
"She's not a servant here anymore," Hakeem said immediately.
"She is a trespasser," the Duke snapped.
"And she is under my protection," Hakeem replied, voice steady.
A murmur spread among the staff.
The Duke's eyes flared. "You forget yourself."
"No," Hakeem said. "For the first time, I don't."
---
The Duke advanced until he stood face-to-face with his eldest son.
"You think you can defy me in my own home?"
"This home doesn't survive without us," Hakeem replied. "Not anymore."
"You will remove that girl from the estate," the Duke commanded, pointing at Hyacinth. "Immediately. And you will apologize for last night's disgrace."
"I won't," Selene said suddenly.
Her voice was quiet—but it carried through the entire foyer.
The Duke turned, stunned.
"You?" he said. "You will address me properly."
"No," Selene said again, louder this time. "I won't apologize for choosing myself."
Vincent stepped forward too. "And I'm not removing anyone. Hyacinth helped save Selene's life. If you punish her, you punish all of us."
The Duke stared at his children—truly stared—as though seeing them for the first time.
"You are ungrateful," he said. "Spoiled. Blinded by your own emotions."
Hakeem shook his head. "No. We're tired of being afraid."
---
For the first time since the gathering began, the Duchess stepped forward.
"Enough," she said quietly.
The Duke looked at her sharply. "This is not the time—"
"It is exactly the time," she interrupted.
The foyer gasped.
She turned to the staff. "There will be no punishment for Hyacinth Marlowe. There will be no reprimand for Selene. And there will be no more threats."
The Duke's expression darkened. "You would undermine me?"
The Duchess straightened her posture, hands trembling but voice steady.
"You have ruled this household alone for too long," she said. "Look what it has turned our children into—strangers to us. And look what it has made of me."
Her voice cracked.
"I cannot lose another child to fear."
A heavy silence settled deeply into the room.
---
For a moment, the Duke seemed ready to unleash fury.
But then he looked around—at the servants watching him with wary eyes, at his wife standing against him, at his three children united in a single line.
He was outnumbered.
Outmatched.
And for the first time in years… out of control.
Without another word, the Duke turned sharply and strode out of the foyer, his cloak snapping behind him like a severed banner.
The tension broke all at once. Servants exhaled. Someone quietly sobbed with relief. Vincent stretched his shoulders dramatically.
"Well," he said. "That went better than expected."
Hakeem rubbed his forehead. "Debatable."
Selene let out a shaky laugh. "We survived, didn't we?"
Hyacinth remained silent.
Her hands were clasped tightly, knuckles white.
---
When the foyer began to disperse, Hakeem turned to her.
"You're safe," he said softly.
Hyacinth shook her head. "No. Not here. Not yet. Your father… he looked at me like I'd stolen something."
"You didn't steal anything."
She stepped back. "Hakeem, even with your mother standing up to him, he hates the idea of me being in this house. I don't want to be the reason he hurts your family."
"My family is already hurting," Hakeem said. "You didn't cause that."
"But I could make it worse," Hyacinth whispered.
Hakeem reached for her hand—then stopped himself, letting his hand drop respectfully instead.
"You won't leave," he said, "without telling me where you're going."
Hyacinth hesitated. "I'm not leaving yet. But… I need time to think."
"Then take it," Hakeem said. "I'm not going anywhere."
Vincent snorted. "Neither am I. Someone has to keep you both from dramatic emotional decisions."
Selene smiled gently at Hyacinth. "You saved me. Now let us protect you."
Hyacinth exhaled shakily.
For the first time since returning to the estate, she let herself believe she might not be alone.