In the Mansion of Elder Fredricks…
Crash!
A glass cup smashed against the wall of the study.
The impact echoed through the room.
Shards of glass scattered across the floor, some sliding beneath the large wooden desk while others landed near the feet of the servants.
"Damn it!"
Elder Fredricks shouted.
He was dressed in his night robes, but there was nothing peaceful about his appearance.
His face had twisted with anger, and the veins along his neck and temples stood out as he paced back and forth.
The young maids inside the study trembled.
None dared to approach him.
They stood in a line near the wall, their hands clasped before them.
Every time Fredricks turned in their direction, several of them lowered their heads even further.
"How dare she?"
He gritted his teeth.
A few of the younger maids flinched at the sound of his voice.
One even took a small step backwards, only to realize that there was nowhere else to go.
Yet the eldest maid remained still.
