Genesis sat on the floor of the cinema room, her back resting against a chair, eyes fixed on the screen. She watched the movie with such intensity, so fascinated, that the maids seated behind her exchanged surprised glances.
When they were first told there would be a new madame in the house, they had assumed it would be someone like Veronica—sharp, commanding, maybe even more cold. What they hadn't expected was her. A shy little thing with a childlike wonder for cartoons and movies, who couldn't speak and had a softness about her that tugged at them all.
And they adored her for it.
She was the reason they were even in the cinema room, lounging on plush chairs instead of doing their usual duties. After her classes ended—and with her dance class canceled—she had called one of them to help with the television.
Mia had nearly squealed with joy when she saw the note asking for help. It meant the young madam was opening up, finally asking for something. So she'd set up the movie Wednesday for her, expecting to leave her alone. But then, to everyone's surprise, the girl gestured to them, silently inviting them to join. She even tapped the seats gently, like a little hostess asking her guests to sit.
They'd hesitated. But Revelation had sat down first, prompting the others to follow.
Now, Revelation glanced down at Genesis, who sat between her legs as she slowly braided her hair. "So... do you like the movie?"
Genesis didn't respond.
Revelation smirked, amused. Genesis was so immersed she hadn't even heard her. She gently tapped her shoulder, and Genesis flinched slightly, turning with wide, startled eyes—so full of innocence, it made Revelation want to pull her into a hug. But that would be improper. No one could know how she felt about the young madame.
"I asked if you love the movie."
Genesis nodded, her cheeks turning pink.
Mia, seated on the loveseat, watched her with a warm smile. "She really likes it," she whispered.
"She hasn't blinked in five minutes," Cady added with a quiet laugh. "I think she's memorizing the entire film."
"She's so serious," Melody rested her chin on the armrest. "Like it's a training video to save the world."
Mia giggled. "Look at her face. She's trying to become Wednesday Addams."
"She could never," Cady chuckled. "She's too sweet. Maybe a soft version—a gentle Wednesday."
Genesis felt the attention shift to her. Her cheeks flushed deeper, but she didn't turn around.
Revelation smiled softly as she parted another section of hair. "Ignore them. They just like to talk."
But the teasing continued.
"I saw her smile earlier," Cady said with a grin. "She thinks we didn't notice."
"She's blushing now," Melody pointed out. "Look at her ears!"
Genesis quickly raised her hands to cover them.
"Aww," Mia said, voice tender. "Don't be shy, we're only playing."
"You're our favorite now, you know," Joy added. "You made us all stop working just to watch a movie. No one's ever done that."
"And you didn't even say a word," Mia said. "Now that's real power."
Genesis gave a tiny, shy smile. The girls returned it with fond ones of their own—their teasing melting into affection.
"Let's do this every week," Revelation said, tying off the final braid. "Movie time with our little missus."
Everyone nodded, and Genesis glanced up at them, her eyes bright. She didn't have to speak—her silence said enough.
But just as they settled into the moment, a loud bang echoed from outside—a door slamming hard against the wall.
The room shifted in an instant.
Everyone jumped to their feet. Genesis followed suit. Mia rushed to the large screen and tapped it, shutting off the movie. Revelation instinctively stepped in front of Genesis, shielding her. Mia and Cady crouched and pulled daggers from thigh holsters. Melody drew hers too, her movements swift and quiet.
Genesis stared, wide-eyed. She didn't understand what was happening, only that everything had changed in seconds.
Then, the door creaked open.
Veronica stepped inside with her two friends, a maid trailing behind them. Her gaze swept the room—then landed on Genesis, tucked safely behind Revelation.
She let out a laugh, halting in the doorway as her eyes flicked to the defensive stances. "What's all this? Has Kieran lost it so badly that his maids are now guarding the little wife?"
She took a step forward. The three maids relaxed a little when they saw it was just her, returning their daggers to their hiding places. But Revelation didn't move. She remained where she stood, eyes locked on Veronica, unreadable and unblinking.
Veronica's smile faltered slightly, though she masked it quickly. She moved forward again, slower this time.
What she didn't know—what she couldn't know—was that these were no ordinary maids.
They never had been.
There were many things about Kieran she didn't know, no matter how much she claimed to be his best friend. In truth, they were childhood friends, and when Kieran's father had sent him abroad, she had made sure she was sent along with him.
She stepped forward with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I just came to say hi to my best friend's wife. I didn't expect... all this." Her gaze swept over the maids. "Anyway, Genesis, how are you?"
Genesis stepped out from behind Revelation and gave a small nod, her hands clasped in front of her.
Veronica moved closer, reaching out as if to take Genesis's hand—but before she could touch her, Revelation's hand snapped out and caught her wrist.
Veronica stared at it like it was some kind of blood-sucking leech. "What do you think you're doing?" she asked coldly.
Revelation gave her a calm, measured smile and slowly released her hand. "The young master instructed that his wife is to be protected at all times. I'm simply following orders."
A muscle twitched in Veronica's jaw. "
Are you saying I'm a threat?"
Revelation's expression didn't change. "Of course not."
But the pause said everything the words didn't.
And Veronica read it loud and clear.