Chapter 10
When Aurora stood in the study, she instructed the knights to take positions along the walls.
The armoured men stood silently on either side of the room, their presence alone enough to make the servants nervous.
The servants and gardeners were gathered in the centre of the study, shifting uneasily under the watchful eyes of the knights.
Aurora took her seat behind her father's desk.
"Philip, Emily, stand beside me." Both immediately obeyed.
"Anne, please prepare a fresh pot of tea."
"Yes, My Lady."
The room was silent except for the crackling of the fireplace. Everyone felt the tension hanging in the air. No one knew exactly what Lady Aurora had discovered, but after the arrests in the kitchen, fear had spread throughout the estate. Aurora folded her hands neatly on the desk.
"I will call each person's name. You will step forward, state your duties, and tell me how long you have worked for the Duchy."
The Head Maid, Mrs. Olivia Scott, immediately stepped forward.
"My Lady, that will not be necessary. If you wish to know everyone's duties, I can simply explain them."
Aurora smiled politely. A smile that somehow made Olivia more nervous.
"That won't be necessary, Mrs. Scott." Aurora's voice remained calm.
"I wish to meet every servant personally."
Then she pointed toward Sir Turner, "Why don't you stand beside Sir Turner while we proceed?"
Olivia's face paled slightly. For a brief, moment, Aurora thought she saw panic flash across the woman's eyes.
"Of course, My Lady.", The Head Maid quietly moved to stand beside the knight.
Aurora made a mental note of her reaction. She picked up the list.
"Maria."
A young woman in her twenties stepped forward.
"My Lady, I am Maria. I have worked at the Duchy for ten years. My duties include cleaning the manor and assisting with guest rooms."
Aurora made a note beside her name, "You may return to your duties."
Relief washed over Maria's face, "Thank you, My Lady."
The process continued.
"Sarah."
A middle-aged woman stepped forward, "My Lady, I have worked here for fifteen years. I oversee the cleaning of the east wing."
Aurora noted her duties and dismissed her.
One by one, the servants came forward. Some were nervous. Some were confused.
Some appeared terrified. Aurora carefully watched every expression. She had learned from both- her lives that people often revealed the truth through their reactions long before they spoke.
Several names later, Aurora reached the next entry.
"Maggie Swirling."
Silence...No one stepped forward.
Aurora glanced up, "Maggie Swirling."
Again, no response. The servants exchanged confused looks.
Aurora slowly lowered the list.
"My Lady," Olivia suddenly said, "Maggie is ill today."
Aurora raised a hand, silencing her.
Then she turned to Philip, "Philip, do you recall ever meeting a maid named Maggie Swirling?"
Philip frowned. The name sounded familiar. But the more he thought about it, the less certain he became.
After a long pause, he shook his head, "No, My Lady."
Aurora's eyes narrowed, "No?"
"No. I know the senior maids and supervisors, but I cannot recall ever meeting anyone by that name but that name is on the register for payment."
A chill spread through the room. Aurora slowly looked down at the records. According to the documents, Maggie had been employed three years ago. Only two months after the duke had left for war. And she had been receiving a salary ever since.
Aurora looked back at Olivia. The Head Maid suddenly looked very uncomfortable.
"Interesting."
Aurora's voice was calm. Far too calm, "Because according to these records, Maggie has been employed and paid for almost three years."
The room fell silent. Several servants exchanged worried glances.
Aurora continued reading.
Then she froze. A second name. Another maid no one recognized. Then a third.
Aurora slowly looked up, "Philip."
"Yes, My Lady?"
"We appear to have a problem."
As Aurora prepared to continue, Olivia suddenly bolted toward the door. Gasps filled the room.
But Sir Turner reacted instantly. Within seconds, he grabbed Olivia's arm and restrained her.
"Let me go!", Her composure shattered, "You cannot do this!"
The servants stared in shock. The Head Maid they had trusted for years looked utterly panicked.
"You have no authority, Lady Aurora!" Olivia shouted. "Only the Duke and Duchess have authority here!"
Aurora slowly rose from her chair. The room grew deathly silent.
"No, Olivia.", Her voice was cold, "You are mistaken."
She turned toward Philip, "Philip, while my parents are absent, who holds authority over the Duchy?"
Philip straightened immediately. For the first time that day, there was no hesitation.
"You do, My Lady."
Aurora nodded, "Thank you."
Then she faced Olivia, "Until my parents return, I speak with the authority of House Ambrose and the Grand Emberforge Dichy."
The Head Maid's face drained of colour.
Aurora continued reviewing the records. By the end of the investigation, they had uncovered:
Three phantom maids.
Two phantom laundry workers.
Two phantom gardeners.
Seven employees who did not exist. Seven salaries collected for years. Thousands of gold coins stolen from the Duchy.
Philip felt sick. How had he missed this?
For years he had trusted the reports placed before him. For years he had approved payments without verifying them. The guilt settled heavily on his shoulders.
He had failed the duke. Failed the Duchess. Failed the Duchy.
And now a fifteen-year-old girl had uncovered the truth within a single day.
"Sir Turner."
"Yes, My Lady."
"Arrest Olivia Scott."
The Head Maid's legs nearly gave out, "Please, My Lady—"
"No.", Aurora's voice remained firm, "You will have the opportunity to explain yourself during questioning."
Olivia was escorted from the room. Many servants looked shaken. Others looked relieved. Perhaps they had suspected something all along and just stayed silent.
"Sir Alistair."
The knight stepped forward.
"Interrogate her."
"Yes, My Lady."
"I want names. I want every person involved. And I want to know exactly where the money went."
"It will be done."
Once the remaining servants had been dismissed, only Philip, Emily, Anne, Sir Turner, and Sir Alistair remained.
Aurora finally allowed herself to lean back in her chair. The room was quiet. Everyone watched her...Waiting...
"I know many of you may believe I am acting rashly."
No one spoke.
"But what we discovered today proves that people have been stealing from the Duchy."
Her gaze swept across the room, "And I intend to uncover every one of them."
The determination in her voice sent a chill through the room. For the first time, they were no longer seeing a noble girl. They were seeing the future Duchess.
"I trust the five of you.", The words surprised them.
Aurora continued, "I need people I can rely on if we are to clean up this estate."
The group exchanged glances. Then, one by one, they nodded.
"Yes, My Lady."
Aurora smiled slightly, good, she would need allies.
"Sir Turner. Sir Alistair.", Both knights stood straighter.
"I want the tax collectors investigated.", The two men looked surprised.
Aurora's eyes hardened, "If servants are stealing from the manor, I suspect the tax collectors are stealing from the Duchy."
The room became silent once again. Neither knight had considered that possibility.
"Begin immediately."
"Yes, My Lady."
"Philip."
"Yes, My Lady?"
"Find us a new cook."
Philip nodded, "It shall be done."
Aurora then turned toward Anne, "How old are you?"
"Twenty, My Lady."
Aurora smiled, "Congratulations. Effective immediately, you are the new Head Maid."
Anne's eyes widened in shock, "M-My Lady?"
"You are honest, hardworking, and respected."
Tears nearly formed in Anne's eyes, "Thank you, My Lady."
"Philip will guide you."
Philip gave a small nod, "I would be honoured."
Aurora stood and walked toward the window, "My mother returns in two days."
Everyone immediately understood. The estate had two days to restore order.
"By the time she arrives, I want a functioning kitchen, honest staff, and this manor running properly."
"Yes, My Lady.", The response echoed through the study.
After dismissing everyone, Aurora remained behind.
Not long afterward, Emily returned carrying fresh tea and a plate of fruit.
"Emily."
"Yes, My Lady?"
"Send word to the tailor."
"The tailor, My Lady?"
"Yes. I want him here tomorrow morning."
"Of course."
As Emily left, Aurora picked up a slice of apple and sighed.
What a day, she had uncovered theft, arrested staff, and begun exposing corruption that had been hidden for years. Exhaustion tugged at her mind. Yet beneath it was a sense of satisfaction.
For the first time since returning to the past, she felt as though she was truly changing the future with one small move. And throughout the manor, servants whispered nervously behind closed doors.
Everyone had witnessed what happened today. Everyone knew Lady Aurora was watching. And everyone would think twice before stealing from House of Ambrose or The Grand Emberforge Duchy again.
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