Her crying grew heavier. Her hands gripped her own clothes. Tears poured down freely. And what hurt even more her father's eyes were empty. Looking at nothing at all.
--------------------------------
After the funeral, everything changed.
The mansion no longer felt like home.
Wherever Ophla walked... eyes followed.
Not warm. Not kind.
Sharp.
Like she had done something unforgivable.
"That's her..."
"The one who saw it..."
"Didn't you hear? The Duchess collapsed right after that day..."
"They said... it started because of her."
She heard the same words almost every day.
But that afternoon ....
Madam Irene can't stand anymore, she who was
"Do you want to lose your jobs?!" Madam Irene's voice cut through the corridor, sharp as fire, walking beside Ophla. Her eyes blazed.
The servants who had been whispering immediately scattered back to their work.
