Branding her

Alexander's POV

I watched as Elara and the other maid entered, their trays laden with food. A flicker of satisfaction ran through me. The plan was simple but effective. All we needed now was to execute it perfectly.

Elara’s hands trembled slightly as she set the trays down on the table, and Cleo’s sharp gaze followed her every move. When Elara set the teacups before us, the room seemed to hold its breath.

“Thank you, Elara,” Cleo said, her voice icy. “You may leave now.”

Elara hesitated, her eyes darting to me for a split second. She knew the stakes, but she couldn’t defy Cleo’s direct order. This deviation could unravel everything.

“Actually, Elara, stay,” Cleo added suddenly, her eyes narrowing. “And take both Cole's and my tea away. We won’t be needing them.”

I felt a pang of frustration. Cleo was always too perceptive for her own good. Before I could intervene, Melissa spoke up, her voice laced with false sweetness.

“Cleo, dear, it’s rather rude to turn away food in the presence of guests. Especially when it’s been so thoughtfully prepared.”

I seized the opportunity. “Indeed, Cleo,” I said smoothly, forcing a smile. “Elara went to a great deal of effort to serve us. It would be a shame to waste it.”

Cleo’s eyes flicked between Melissa and me, suspicion clear in her gaze. I could see her weighing her options, trying to deduce our motives. Cole, ever the protector, kept a steady hand on her arm, his expression neutral but watchful.

“Fine,” Cleo relented, her voice tight. “But if anything happens, Alexander, the blame will fall squarely on you.”

“Of course,” I replied, my tone dripping with sincerity. “I would expect nothing less.”

Cleo picked up her tea and, with deliberate care, placed it in front of Melissa. Without missing a beat, she took Cole’s tea and set it before me.

“Drink up,” Cleo said with a cold smile.

Before I could react, Elara cried out, her voice trembling with panic. “Miss, what are you doing?”

Cleo’s gaze flicked to Elara, eyes icy. “What do you think I’m doing? Serving the poison to the ones who deserve to die.”

The room fell into a tense silence. Elara’s face drained of color, terror etched in every line. “Miss, no!” she pleaded. “There is no poison in the tea. It’s herb tea to strengthen our wolves’ stamina.”

Cleo’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Oh, really?” she hissed. “Then tell me, how is Napellus supposed to strengthen our wolves when it is Wolfsbane, a known toxin?”

Elara looked like she might faint. “I swear, Miss, there must be a mistake. I would never—”

“Enough!” Cleo’s voice was sharp, cutting through Elara’s protests. She turned her gaze to me and then to Melissa. “Drink theirs, Elara,” Cleo commanded. “If it’s just herb tea, there should be no problem, right?”

Cleo’s command hung in the air, thick with tension. Elara’s face went pale, and she shook her head slightly, trembling. “Miss, please,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I can’t…”

Cleo’s eyes narrowed, her suspicion sharpening into something more dangerous. She turned to me, her gaze piercing. “Alexander, as the head of this household, I trust you to ensure justice is served. Elara’s refusal only confirms my suspicions.”

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. Cleo had backed me into a corner, and I could see no way out that didn’t end badly for someone. The room was silent, everyone waiting for my decision. Even Cole’s steady presence beside Cleo couldn’t quell the rising tension.

Taking a deep breath, I made my choice. “You! Maid,” I said, my voice steady. “Fetch the gammas and bring them here. We need to get to the bottom of this immediately.”

The head maid, her face impassive, nodded and left the room. The silence that followed was oppressive, broken only by the sound of Elara’s quiet sobs.

I watched Cleo closely, trying to gauge her next move. She was too clever, too calculating, and I knew she would exploit any weakness she found.

Melissa’s smirk hadn’t faded, her eyes dancing with malicious glee. “Such drama,” she murmured with exaggerated calm. “Is this really necessary, Cleo? I’m sure Elara just made an honest mistake.”

But Cleo ignored her, focusing solely on Elara. “If it was a mistake, it’s one that could have cost lives,” she said coldly. “And that is something we cannot afford.”

Minutes later, the head maid returned, the gammas flanking her. Their presence added weight to the already heavy atmosphere, their expressions stern and unyielding, and I knew I needed to handle the situation discreetly before words got out.

“Alright, let’s get this sorted,” I said, my voice steady but firm. “Cleo, please explain your concerns to the gammas so we can address them properly.”

Cleo's eyes never left Elara as she began to explain the situation, "I sniffed out Napellus in my tea and I asked the maid to drink it since she's the want that served us and claimed that it's not poison..."

The gammas listened intently, their expressions growing darker with each word. Elara stood trembling, her face pale.

"You have heard this maid crime. Now take her away to the dungeon and punish her!" I commanded.

"Yes, Master Alex... We will investigate this matter thoroughly," he said, his voice deep and authoritative. "Elara, you will come with us. We need to ask you some questions."

Suddenly, Cleo wiggled her finger, and mumbled, "Tas-tas-tas... She either drinks the tea or I brand her."

The room immediately fell silent, and then, Elara's loud cry cut through the stillness. "No! No!" Her shrill cry echoed against the walls. "Please!"

Since Cleo went through her transformation, I know many things have changed about her. But her request to brand Elara made me realize just how far gone she was.

When Melissa looked at me, I could see a hint of fear in her eyes and then she turned to Cleo, saying, "You can't be serious?"

"Why not? The punishment is bound by our rules, isn't it?" Cleo asked, her eyes fixed on mine.