5 - Dinner Drama

In the opulent dining room adorned with antique furniture, the DeLacroix family gathered for their evening meal. Paul and Elvira, parents to Victoria and Emma, engaged in lively conversation about their respective days, the clinking of silverware and the murmur of voices creating a cozy familial atmosphere.

Emma, excitement bubbling within her, eagerly shared news of her newfound friend, Madeline "Mama, papa, I made a new friend at the garden today, she's quite lovely and I can't wait to introduce you to her!".

Victoria was preoccupied with her meal,  seeming utterly disinterested.Emma's father, engrossed in his meal, barely glanced up from his plate, his attention solely focused on the food in front of him.

Elvira however, leaned forward eagerly, her eyes alight with curiosity. "Tell me more about this new friend of yours, dear," she urged, her voice filled with genuine interest. "What's her name? And what family does she come from?"

Emma beamed at her mother's enthusiasm, grateful for someone who cared about her stories. "Her name is Madeline Miller" she began, excitement bubbling in her voice. "And her mother works as a maid here in the mansion."

Elvira's expression shifted, her features contorting into a frown of distaste. "A maid's daughter?" she exclaimed, her tone bordering on disdain. "Emma, you must be careful about the company you keep. It's not appropriate for you to associate with someone from such a different background."

But Emma's eyes sparkled with defiance as she shook her head resolutely. "But Papa always says that everyone is equal in the eyes of the council," she protested, her voice unwavering.

Elvera's shock was palpable as she turned to look at her husband, expecting him to intervene. But to her dismay, he remained oblivious, lost in his own world of culinary delight.

Frustration mounting, Elvera shot a swift kick under the table, jolting her husband out of his food-induced trance. Startled, he looked up, confusion clouding his features as he tried to the gravity of the situation.

Caught off guard, Emma's father stumbled over his words, struggling to find a response. But before he could speak, Elvera fixed him with a steely gaze, silently demanding his support in reining in their daughter's rebellious streak.

Caught between his daughter's fervent belief in equality and his wife's traditional sensibilities, Emma's father knew that a delicate balance needed to be struck. As the tension lingered in the air , Sighing to himself he spoke gently to Emma 

" Emma dear your mother is right, listen to her" ,Emma simply frowned at him and turned her attention to her food.

Victoria spoke about her unease regarding Mandeline but Emma nonchalantly waved it off. "Vi you're just being paranoid She's nice."

Their discussion was interrupted as the butler approached, holding a sealed letter. Paul accepted it, breaking the seal and scanning its contents. A solemn expression crossed his face, and he whispered something to Elvira. The parents promptly excused themselves, leaving the dining room in a hushed manner.

Emma and Victoria stared at each other in confusion, wondering what had happened.

Later in the day, Victoria wandered through the mansion, searching for Emma. The staff informed her that Emma was out playing with Mandeline instead of attending her lessons. A subtle tension filled the air as Victoria knew that Emma was never the type to miss her lessons.

Strolling towards the apple orchard she heard some music ,intrigued and slightly concerned, Victoria followed the sound of gentle music echoing through the estate. As she approached, she discovered Madeline teaching Emma to play the mandolin. The scene was oddly enchanting, yet Victoria couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

"Emma, why are you playing the mandolin with Madeline instead of going to your lessons?" Victoria questioned, her brow furrowed.

Emma, under Madeline's influence, replied with an unsettling calmness, "Lessons are dull, Vi. Madeline teaches me more exciting things."

Curiosity mixed with suspicion, Victoria observed as Mandeline continued the lesson. The music took an eerie turn, the notes resonating with an otherworldly quality. Madeline's instructions seemed to transcend the ordinary, delving into something that felt both enchanting and unsettling.

Unsettled, Victoria hesitated before asking, "What kind of things is she teaching you, Emma?"

Emma's gaze locked onto Victoria, and a cryptic smile played on Mandeline's lips. "Secrets, Victoria. Mysteries of music and more. You should join us."

As the mandolin continued its haunting melody, Victoria felt a growing sense of unease, frowning her brows she turned around and left the orchard.

With purpose in her stride, she returned to the grand mansion, her mind fixed on a particular task. As she made her way through the halls, she descended to the servants' headquarters, where the meticulous orchestration of the household unfolded daily. There, amidst the flurry of activity, she found the butler issuing directives to the maids.

The butler, his attention momentarily diverted, turned to acknowledge Victoria's presence, inquiring about her unexpected appearance in their domain " What brings you down here Miss Victoria" .

With quiet determination, Victoria conveyed her need for assistance "I need your help with something Alfred and it's urgent" prompting the butler to speculate on the nature of her request. His mind wandered, considering the possibility of her desire for attire befitting the upcoming hallows' ball.

With a calm yet resolute tone, Victoria directed her inquiry towards the butler's records, specifically inquiring about the documentation pertaining to recently hired maids. The butler, ever obliging, led her to the repository of such documents, retrieving the parchments with practiced ease.

As Victoria meticulously scanned the lists, her brow furrowed in concentration, her search yielded no trace of the surname "Miller."

Perplexed, Victoria turned to the butler once more, her determination unyielding. She pressed him further, " Alfred by any chance do you know of a recently hired maid with a daughter?" her heart quickening with each passing moment.

The butler's response was unequivocal "None of the recently hired maids are married or with children as they need to concentrate on their duties here". He continued " Is anything the matter Miss?.

Victoria shook her head, eith this revelation, her thoughts churned, a sense of urgency gnawing at her resolve. The mystery deepened, and she realized that her quest for answers had only just begun.