Fool

Julian had always been one of Megan’s favorites, a quiet but dependable presence in the estate. Megan had grown used to her chatter— random stories about her grandmother, soft humming as she worked, and the occasional gossip about the other maids. But today, Julian was eerily silent. The rhythmic tug and weave of Megan’s hair continued, but not a single word had been spoken.

Megan narrowed her eyes at the reflection of the young maid in the mirror. Her movements were precise, but her expression was strained. Something was off.

Megan tilted her head slightly, feigning indifference as she asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

Julian hesitated for a brief moment before replying, “Nothing, ma’am.” Her voice was soft, almost cautious. She averted her gaze from Megan’s reflection, focusing instead on the braid she was weaving.

Megan wasn’t convinced. Adjusting her posture, she leaned back slightly into the chair, her dark brown eyes sharp and probing. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Julian answered quickly, but Megan caught the way her fingers trembled slightly against her scalp before steadying again.

A slow smirk curved Megan’s lips. “So why are you all of a sudden so quiet? No stories about the superstitions your granny used to tell you when you were a child? No humming? No random bits of gossip about the other servants? Just complete silence?” She arched a perfectly shaped brow. “And you want me to believe everything is fine?”

Julian swallowed, her hesitation growing more apparent. She opened her mouth but then shut it again, clearly debating with herself.

Megan’s smirk faded as her patience thinned. “Well?”

Julian exhaled shakily. “It’s just that…I don’t want to upset you.”

Megan’s expression darkened instantly. Her grip on the armrest tightened slightly, but she kept her voice deceptively smooth. “If you know it’s going to piss me off, then don’t say it.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” Julian stuttered, eyes downcast. “It’s just…I was wondering what’s going to happen to Madam Cynthia.”

A sharp silence fell between them. The name alone was enough to send a chilling wave through the air.

Megan’s entire demeanor changed in an instant. Her body tensed, and in one swift motion, she yanked her head away from Julian’s hands, causing the maid to stumble back slightly. Then, Megan stood up, turning to face Julian fully, her piercing gaze locked onto the trembling woman before her.

“What did you just say?” Megan’s voice was dangerously low.

Julian’s eyes darted to the floor, panic flashing across her face. “I—I didn’t mean anything by it, ma’am. I just—”

“Happen to her?” Megan interrupted, stepping forward, forcing Julian to take a step back. “How is what happens to my sister any of your goddamn concern?”

Julian opened her mouth, then quickly shut it again, realizing too late that she had crossed an invisible line. The power dynamic was clear— Megan was the predator, and she was the prey.

“It’s just that…” Julian hesitated, but before she could form another excuse, Megan’s voice lashed out like a whip.

“It’s just what?”

Julian swallowed hard, realizing there was no way out of this now. “I just feel like Madam Cynthia isn’t the kind of person to do what you claimed she did to you.”

The words barely left Julian’s lips before Megan’s eyes flashed with fury. In an instant, she closed the distance between them, her manicured fingers curling into fists at her sides. “Are you calling me a liar?”

“No, ma’am! I didn’t mean—” Julian stumbled back, but Megan advanced, her presence alone suffocating.

“Then what exactly are you saying?” Megan’s voice was sharp as a blade, slicing through the air. “Because from where I’m standing, it sounds a hell of a lot like you’re questioning me.”

Julian’s breath came out in short, panicked bursts. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I—”

Megan’s lips curled into a slow, sinister smile, though her eyes were anything but amused. “You know what’s funny?” she mused, tilting her head. “You talk an awful lot for someone who should know when to shut the fuck up.”

Julian’s entire body stiffened.

“If you know what’s good for you,” Megan continued, her voice a dangerous purr, “you’ll stop running that mouth of yours before you end up somewhere worse than where Madam Cynthia is now.”

A shudder ran through Julian, and she immediately dropped her gaze, bowing her head in silent submission.

Megan held the moment for a few seconds longer before exhaling, turning away as if Julian had ceased to exist. With an air of finality, she sat back down on the chair, adjusting herself comfortably.

Through the mirror’s reflection, she locked eyes with Julian once again. “Well?” she drawled. “Are you going to finish my hair, or have you found a new job elsewhere?”

Julian hurried forward, hands trembling slightly as she resumed braiding Megan’s hair.

Megan smirked, her amusement returning as she felt Julian’s nervous touch against her scalp. “Fool,” she muttered under her breath, just loud enough for Julian to hear.

Silence returned to the room, thick and heavy. But this time, it wasn’t just Julian who felt its suffocating grip.

For the first time since Cynthia’s imprisonment, Megan found herself staring into the reflection in the ancient mirror— and wondering why, despite everything, she suddenly didn’t feel as victorious as she should.