Song recommendation for this chapter - "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", by Lorde.
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The three guests who had arrived at the Warburton mansion a while ago were seated in the drawing room. The blonde man sat cross-legged on the floor, playing with Oreo—Lord Theodore's pet panther—while the other two occupied the sofa, sipping tea.
Amyra entered quietly through the back door, hoping to avoid the Lord's guests. She even took the stairs through the west wing instead of the main staircase to reach the guest room. Being introverted, Myra usually felt awkward making conversation with strangers, so she decided to avoid them for now.
Once in her room, she gently shut the door and picked up the book resting on the bedside table. Curling up in the armchair, she resumed reading from where she had left off the night before.
Downstairs, Lord Theodore stepped into the mansion after returning from the Ministry.
"Theo!" the blonde man called out, waving from the main staircase.
"When did you get here?" asked the Lord casually, removing his overcoat. He strolled over to the chaise lounge and dropped into it.
"About an hour ago," replied the blonde man, settling beside him.
"Hmm." Theodore stayed quiet for a moment before asking, "I don't see Noah and Georgina around?" As he spoke, he unbuttoned his shirt sleeves and rolled them up.
"Ah! George went upstairs to freshen up, and Noah is—"
"I'm here," chimed in another voice.
A man with wet, tousled brown hair walked toward them, now dressed in casual clothes. Extending his hand to the Lord, he greeted, "Theodore."
Theo took the offered hand and gave it a firm shake with a nod. "Noah."
Noah took a seat opposite him.
"How did it go?" Theodore asked, eyes scanning the two of them, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer — and merely wanted to hear it confirmed.
The three of them were his most trusted allies,
Who had just returned from a two-week mission in Stonefort, where they'd been negotiating a secret deal.
"Actually, great," said the blond man enthusiastically. "That old geezer Qui—"
"Not now, Devon," Noah cut in warningly, shifting his gaze toward a maid who was cleaning the windowpane nearby.
Theodore followed Noah's line of sight and frowned slightly. His jaw twitched in irritation.
"ALVIN!" he called out sharply.
Within seconds, the butler appeared and stood before him.
"Prepare a cup of tea and some refreshments. Send them up to my chambers—with her," Theodore said plainly, pointing to the maid.
The maid, newly assigned to the Warburtons, turned slightly when she heard his command. Seeing him point at her, she smiled shyly and fluttered her lashes.
"Woman? Is something wrong with your eyes?" asked Devon, sounding concerned.
The maid frowned, her face turning bright red. "N-No, sir."
Noah tried to stifle a chuckle, while Alvin's expression darkened at the maid's behavior.
Servants in noble households were typically trained to remain expressionless and reserved—but this one was clearly different.
Theodore, however, remained impassive. Alvin gave a short bow and gestured for the maid to follow him.
"Come to my study in exactly one hour. We'll discuss the details then," Theo said to his companions as he stood and made his way upstairs.
In his room, Theodore undressed and took a long, soothing shower. Once done, he slipped into a black bathrobe and stepped out of the bath chamber.
The maid was standing by the bed, holding a tray.
"My Lord," she said, giving a low bow.
Theo nodded and walked past her, drying his wet hair with a towel.
The maid remained where she was, silently watching the Lord's back. Sensing her gaze, Theodore turned with a slight frown.
"What are you doing just standing there?" he asked, sounding annoyed. "Put the snacks on the table and get out."
She hesitated, then placed the tray on the mahogany table. Before leaving, she cast one last lingering glance at him.
Theodore picked up the teacup, brought it to his lips—but paused.
"Wait," he called out, stopping the maid in her tracks.
"What's your name?" he asked, setting the cup back down.
"Judy, my Lord," she answered with a flirtatious smile.
Theo's eyes drifted over her, noting the two unfastened buttons on her blouse that exposed the curve of her chest. He arched a brow. Subtlety wasn't everyone's strength, clearly.
She bit her lower lip, eyes brimming with lust.
Theo smirked. Of course. Another one who thought she was clever.
"Well, Judy?"
He stepped closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over her smaller one.
Judy smirked internally. She knew it—her charms were already working. It was only a matter of time.
"Who do you work for?" the Lord asked.
Her smile faltered slightly.
"You, my Lord," she replied, forcing confidence into her voice.
Theodore tilted his head, studying her with quiet amusement. "Really?"
"Y-Yes, my Lord."
"You know what?" he said calmly, leaning in until his lips were near her ear. His warm breath brushed against her skin.
Judy's cheeks reddened. She closed her eyes, expecting his next move.
"I hate liars," he whispered.
Her eyes snapped open.
Theodore stepped back, an arrogant smirk still playing on his lips.
"So be a good girl and answer truthfully," he said, voice turning cold. "That is… if you wish to live."
Judy looked down at her feet, silent.
"No answer?" he asked, still calm.
"Alright then," he said, picking up the cup again. "At least tell me this—what did you put in the tea?"
Her eyes widened.
How did he know?
"I know everything," he said, his smirk deepening. "You should've done your homework, love."
Judy stepped back, horror written across her face.
Her plan had failed. She had laced the tea with a sedative and a drop of truth potion. If everything had gone accordingly, the Lord would be groggy and easier to manipulate—perfect for extracting confidential information about the Ministry and the dark witches' massacre plan. She had planned to relay everything to her mistress.
"Should I call you brave or foolish?" Theodore asked darkly. "Did you really think I'd fall for such cheap tricks?"
Judy fidgeted, then suddenly bolted for the door.
Theodore took three swift strides and grabbed her upper arm, yanking her back.
"Trying to escape, are we?" he asked coldly.
"Let go!" she snapped.
In one swift motion, Theodore splashed the hot tea across her face. Judy gasped in pain.
He released her arm and seized her throat. "WHO SENT YOU?" he roared, no longer hiding his fury.
Judy gulped, choking. "N-No one!"
He slammed her against the wall, tightening his grip.
"ANSWER!"
"N-No O..ne!" said Judy, struggling for breath beneath the Lord's death grip, refusing to answer his question. The Lord exhaled, his patience thinning.
"P-l-leas-ee," Judy begged, tears springing to her eyes. "L-let me go...! I-I'm So-Sorry! I won't d-do it aga-in..."
Theo tutted. "Too late," he said coldly, grabbing her hair violently with his other hand.
Just as he moved to finish her off, Judy gasped out, her eyes rolling upwards, glowing green, "Y-you'll never stop her... The Mistress is—"
Crack.
Her words were cut short as Theodore twisted her neck, her body collapsing lifelessly to the floor.
"Should've spoken sooner," he muttered darkly, adjusting the collar of his bathrobe with a flick of annoyance, as though the entire encounter had simply inconvenienced his evening.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in, Alvin."
The butler entered, bowed, then turned his eyes to the corpse on the floor. He didn't flinch— he had expected something like this to happen, the moment Lord Theodore insisted on having this particular maid bring his tea.
"Clean this mess," Theo ordered, walking through the door that led to his private study.
Alvin bowed once more and got to work.
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