Chapter 9
Aurora sat quietly in the kitchen, sketching designs for several dresses she planned to have made.
To anyone watching, she appeared completely relaxed. Yet behind her calm expression, her mind was working relentlessly. She was no longer simply investigating missing food supplies. She was trying to determine how deep the corruption within the Duchy truly went.
Every now and then, she glanced toward the storeroom where Philip and Anne were conducting their inventory. The longer they took, the more suspicious she became.
Two hours later, Philip finally emerged. The butler looked unusually pale. His hands trembled slightly as he approached.
"My Lady..." he began.
Aurora immediately set down her pencil, "What is it?"
Philip swallowed hard. "I... I don't know what to say. There appears to be—"
"Just give me the list.", Aurora extended her hand.
Without argument, Philip handed over the inventory records. The kitchen staff watched nervously as Aurora carefully compared the numbers.
The silence in the room became unbearable.
One by one, beads of sweat appeared on several foreheads. Aurora's expression remained unreadable. Yet with every line she read, her eyes grew colder. Most of the items listed on the purchasing records were present. However, the quantities were drastically different.
Several barrels were nearly empty. Flour sacks were missing. Sugar, tea leaves, dried fruit, spices, and meat supplies had all been reduced far beyond what should have been possible.
Aurora slowly lowered the documents. Her gaze settled on Head Cook Alfred. The man immediately turned pale.
"Cook."
"My Lady.", His voice shook.
"Explain to me how a full sack of flour can be used in two days."
Alfred opened his mouth. No words came out.
Aurora continued, "The manor currently houses only a fraction of the people it once did. My father is away at war. My mother is traveling."
She tapped the ledger, "Yet according to these records, the kitchen consumes enough supplies to feed a small army."
The cook's face lost all colour, "My Lady... there must be some mistake."
Aurora's eyes narrowed, "A mistake?"
"Y-Yes, My Lady."
"You are responsible for preparing supply requests, are you not?"
"I am, but—"
"And you submit those requests to Butler Philip?"
"Yes, but—"
"So, explain the missing supplies."
The cook remained silent. The silence itself was an answer.
Aurora slowly stood. The movement alone caused several servants to flinch. Fear spread through the room like wildfire. Some servants lowered their heads. Others looked close to tears.
A young kitchen maid began trembling uncontrollably.
Aurora noticed everything.
Far too many people looked frightened. This was no longer a simple case of a dishonest cook.
"Sir Turner."
The knight stepped forward immediately, "My Lady."
"Escort every member of the kitchen staff to the dungeons."
The room exploded into panic.
"My Lady!"
"I did nothing wrong!"
"There must be a misunderstanding!"
"Please have mercy!"
Several servants fell to their knees. Others began crying. One maid fainted from fear.
Aurora remained unmoved.
"I am not accusing anyone yet." Her voice was calm.
Dangerously calm, "But until this investigation is complete, no one leaves."
The kitchen staff looked at her as though seeing her for the first time. Gone was the spoiled young lady they believed her to be. Standing before them was the future ruler of the Grand Emberforge Duchy. And she was terrifying.
"Take them away."
The knights immediately obeyed. One by one, the kitchen staff were escorted out.
Their cries echoed through the manor halls. As the doors closed behind them, an uneasy silence settled over the kitchen.
"Philip ", The old butler straightened immediately.
"Yes, My Lady."
"I want the Head Maid, all senior maids, and the gardening supervisors brought to my father's study."
Philip's eyes widened. The realization finally struck him. Aurora was not investigating the kitchen. She was investigating the entire estate.
A chill ran down his spine, "At once, My Lady."
This time he offered no objections. The evidence had been undeniable. The kitchen had been stealing from the Duchy. The only question remaining was how many others were involved.
A few minutes later, Sir Turner returned, "My Lady."
Aurora turned toward him.
"We have separated the staff. They are secured in different cells."
"Good.", She nodded thoughtfully.
"Sir Turner, I require additional guards posted outside and inside my father's study."
"Yes, My Lady."
"And tell me, who among the knights is skilled at interrogations?"
Turner immediately answered, "Sir Alistair Rowan."
Aurora smiled faintly, "Bring him to me."
The knight bowed before departing. As she waited, Aurora gazed out the kitchen window. The young Duchess had always believed corruption began when her father returned wounded from the war.
But Aurora now discovered that the theft had already begun when her father was dispatched 3 years ago. She had simply arrived early enough to stop it from bankrupting the duchy.
A short while later, Sir Turner returned with a tall knight, Sir Alistair Rowan.
The man bowed respectfully, "My Lady. You requested my presence?"
By now, news of the arrests had spread throughout the manor. Every servant was whispering. No one knew what Lady Aurora had discovered and why she has taken an interest in the duchy. Only that something significant had happened.
Aurora folded her hands, "I want every member of the kitchen staff questioned separately."
Sir Alistair's expression became serious, "Understood."
"I want written statements."
"Yes, My Lady."
"I want names."
"Of course."
"I want every servant, supplier, merchant, manager, and tax collector connected to this theft identified."
For the first time, Sir Alistair looked genuinely surprised. This was far larger than missing flour, what has the young duchess discovered to make them start investigating the events and running of the duchy.
Aurora leaned forward slightly. Her eyes were sharp. Focused. Determined.
"Someone has been stealing from the Grand Emberforge Duchy."
The room fell silent.
"And I intend to uncover every last person involved."
A chill settled over everyone present. Because for the first time, they understood.
Lady Aurora was not throwing a tantrum. She was conducting a purge. And somewhere within the manor, the true culprits had just realized they were in danger.
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