Twins

"I swear, I didn't do it!" Audrey pleaded, her voice strained and her throat aching from the constant defense. She found herself confined in the council's prison cells in Achwold, trapped in the highest and darkest floor. The dampness and darkness only added to her despair.

The council official had confronted Audrey, presenting evidence of witnesses who claimed to have seen her talking to the maid. With no one willing to vouch for her, it seemed she would be stuck in this dreadful place for a long time. "You'll be interrogated further tomorrow," The official left, his departure barely making a sound against the moist ground.

Audrey scoffed bitterly, her mind replaying the events since Helen's arrival. She hadn't even known where the kitchen was, let alone have the means to poison Ezra. It made no sense. Who would want to harm a young child, barely five years old? The very thought of Ezra suffering brought a tear to her eye. She couldn't help but feel the pain and desperation from her past, as if the Morriston family was destined to always bring her down no matter how many times she lived.

The stench in the cell was suffocating, enough to make anyone sick. But the other inmates seemed unaffected, breathing in the putrid air as if it were fresh. Audrey resorted to breathing through her mouth, trying to avoid the foul odor that permeated the air.

No matter how many tears you shed, you're nothing but a criminal. Grasp that concept and move forward," someone jeered, and Audrey glanced up, finally noticing the dilapidated bunk bed attached to the wall. Before she could become intrigued, the person's head emerged, playfully examining her.

"Jade, it seems we have a newcomer!" The disheveled woman exclaimed, her face lighting up as if she had received a birthday gift. "Hello, I'm Pearl."

"Oh, really?" Jade sarcastically drawled, also peering at Audrey from the bed above Pearl's. The vacant bunk below was apparently Audrey's.

Audrey stared at both of them for a while, realizing something. "Are you two twins?"

"Took you long enough to figure it out, didn't it?" Jade lazily asked, sprawled on the bed like a lazy cat.

Audrey remained silent for a moment before inquiring, "Were you both detained on the same day?"

"Yes, we were," Pearl enthusiastically responded, sitting up on her bed, causing it to emit a creaky sound.

Audrey inquired about the crime, feeling a sense of hopelessness in her situation. She decided to engage with her fellow inmates. If the sun rose on Achwold, her name would forever be tarnished.

"Pearl didn't commit the crime, I did. She just followed me here. I killed my scumbag husband," Jade lazily confessed. To Audrey, Jade seemed at ease in the environment. Could she have killed Cedric instead of taking her own life? It was difficult to determine.

"He was a terrible person. He didn't deserve you," Pearl remarked, and Jade nodded in agreement. She then turned to Audrey, "What about you?"

"I'm innocent. It's a false accusation," Audrey defended herself.

"That's what they all say," Jade replied with a hum.

"But you admitted to the crime," Audrey pointed out.

"I still believe I'm innocent. Compared to the pain he caused me, his death was nothing," Jade declared, rolling over and causing the bed to creak once more.

After that, Audrey fell silent. Huddled in a corner, she felt the chill, with only a thin nightgown to shield her pale skin.

...

Meanwhile, Benjamin's carriage had not departed from Audrey's vicinity. Instead, it was stationed in front of the neighboring residence, adjacent to the grand Morriston mansion.

Benjamin reclined on the seat, his hand concealing his eyes. Though he appeared to be in slumber, his mind was consumed by thoughts of the bracelet adorning Audrey's wrist. He dismissed these musings with a flick and leisurely turned his head to the side, eyes shut. That woman was incredibly stubborn... forcing him to wait outside her gates just for her whimsical desires. Did she truly comprehend the sacrifices he made to be at her beck and call? She was far too naive for her own good... too naive to recognize the immense power she possessed...

Recalling the unwavering determination in her eyes as she spoke of seeking vengeance against her own kin, a faint smirk graced Benjamin's lips. He detested bursting her bubble, but someone of her caliber would never be capable of harming a fly... or was he underestimating her?

"Young master, Miss Audrey has been forcibly removed from the mansion, clad in her nightgown," Alfred's head appeared at the carriage entrance, having witnessed Audrey's expulsion. "I overheard rumors that she had poisoned her cousin."

Benjamin slowly sat upright, his countenance devoid of emotion despite the concealed smirk. He had been mistaken. She possessed the capability after all. Giving a command, he declared, "Commence the carriage."

With that, Benjamin's carriage embarked towards the council. Merely two hours had passed since his interaction with the human, yet she had managed to find herself in trouble with such haste. The carriage traversed the gates, eventually halting at a suitable location to park.

Benjamin's shoes touched the ground, his gaze disdainfully fixed upon the council...

"Young master, shall I summon the council head to this location?" Alfred proposed.

"No," Benjamin declined, "I shall proceed inside."

Alfred subconsciously nodded, failing to fully comprehend why the young master would deign to enter a place beneath his esteemed status...

The council head was taken aback as he witnessed the entrance of the esteemed noble into his office. Even a man of considerable size and stature like him dared not breathe properly in the presence of the noble. What could possibly be the reason for his unexpected visit at this hour?

"Your-" he started, only to be cut off.

"Silence. Where have you imprisoned Miss Morriston? Release her," Benjamin spoke directly and without hesitation, not bothering to take a seat.

"But your-"

"Do you wish for me to repeat myself?" he warned, causing the council head to swallow the fear that had formed in his throat.

"No... no... Of course not! I will have someone bring her to you promptly," the council head stammered, rising to call for a few guards.

Benjamin stood in the doorway, his narrowed eyes expressing his displeasure. "Bring her yourself," he instructed.

"Yes, yes, I will!" the council leader replied, about to move out of earshot when Benjamin added, "Do not lay a finger on her, or you will pay dearly with your own."

"Yes, your-"

"You are wasting my time," Benjamin grew increasingly irritated. The hefty man scurried away like a frightened kitten.

"Imbecile," Benjamin muttered hoarsely.