Erythro: The Prophecy Unveiled

The royal family was gathered in the opulent drawing room, a stark contrast to the growing unrest outside its gilded walls. King Alex, his face etched with irritation, was at the center of the discussion, focusing on the recent wolf attack. His sister, Princess Vivienne, known for her fiery temper, sat beside him, while her husband, Sir Roland Claudio, remained a silent observer.

A sharp knock at the door interrupted the tense atmosphere. "What is it?" the King demanded impatiently. The butler, accustomed to such outbursts, bowed low as he entered. "Your Majesty, a maid has been caught stealing," he reported softly. Princess Vivienne erupted. "You interrupt our discussion for a mere maid?" Her voice thundered through the room, filled with anger.

The King's eyes narrowed. "Bring the maid to the castle hall," he commanded coldly. "Execute her in the front courtyard. You know the procedure." The butler nodded, his face devoid of any emotions. "Yes, Your Majesty." "And if you interrupt us again," the King warned menacingly, "you will face the same fate. Understand?"

The butler swallowed nervously. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Suddenly, Sir Roland Claudio stood abruptly, breaking the oppressive silence. "I will accompany you," he said quietly to the butler. The room fell into a stunned hush as he moved toward the door. "Roland, what are you doing?" Princess Vivienne demanded, her temper flaring. "This is not your concern." "It is my concern when a life is at stake, Vivienne," Sir Roland replied firmly. He turned to the King. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, I believe in justice, not fear. Let me ensure this matter is handled fairly."

King Alex's eyes blazed with anger, but he gave a curt nod. "Very well, but do not think this leniency will extend to anyone else. We cannot afford mercy in these times." Sir Roland bowed slightly before following the butler out of the drawing room. 

The servants gathered in the servant hall for their meals, a space situated near the servant's quarters on the first floor of the castle. The hall was dimly lit, with only a few candles providing minimal illumination, casting flickering shadows on the cold stone walls. The absence of a fireplace made the air chilly, and the cold permeated the room. At the center stood a long, old wooden table, its surface worn from years of use, where the servants ate their meals. This table was a communal gathering place from lunch to dinner, the only times they had the opportunity to eat properly. Breakfast was a luxury they did not enjoy; instead, they subsisted on hot beverages like milk to stave off the morning hunger.

The servant hall was a place where all the castle's servants, both male and female, regardless of their rank, came together. The lack of warmth and light reflected their status within the castle hierarchy. Hidden conversations, whispers, and shared stories filled the air as they huddled around the table, seeking some comfort in each other's company. 

The castle servants had to complete their daily tasks and wait for the nobles, royals, and guests to finish their meals before they could gather in the servant hall. Miss Emilia Banes, the head servant, meticulously checked each servant to ensure everyone was present. Meanwhile, the butler roamed the castle, conducting his rounds to make sure everything was in order.

Madeline was eating a bowl of vegetable porridge with a piece of bread, her feet dangling from the chair as she swayed them back and forth while eating. Her mother, Theresa, sat beside her, while Sarah sat across from her. The servants were not allowed to talk while eating, creating an atmosphere filled only with the sounds of cutlery clinking and food being chewed.

Miss Emilia, the head servant, moved through the hall, holding a piece of paper with the list of servants in her hand, ensuring everyone was accounted for. The head cook, along with several maids, stood on the left side of the hall, facilitating the distribution of food. They carefully measured portions to ensure each servant received the same amount. The scene was a well-organized yet somber display of the rigid structure and discipline that governed the servants' daily lives.

"It's not enough," a male servant complained, staring discontentedly at his half-filled bowl of porridge. Miss Mary, the head cook, placed her hands on her hips and, in a commanding voice, declared, "You won't get another serving. Eat that or go hungry!" The male servant scratched his head, sighed in disappointment, and reluctantly walked away, still glancing at his inadequate portion.

"Do you want another serving?" Theresa asked her daughter, who sat beside her. Madeline shook her head and broke her bread in half, offering one piece to her mother. Theresa chuckled softly, saying, "I already have bread. You should eat that yourself." But Madeline insisted, shaking her head and saying, "I'm already full," as she placed the bread on her mother's plate.

A fellow servant seated at their table noticed the exchange and remarked, "You know, Theresa, you really look like a mother to Madeline. You two even look alike now." Theresa shifted in her seat and chuckled softly in response. "Is that so?" she asked in a lighthearted tone. Suddenly, the head servant's voice boomed through the hall, "Quiet!" Instantly, the hall fell silent.

Emily entered the hall, joining the line to get her food. As she surveyed the room, her eyes landed on Madeline, who was quietly eating. Emily made her way to their table, took a seat, and began to eat her meal alongside them. Miss Emilia shouted, "Who among you has seen Julia?" The servants stopped eating and glanced around, some muttering "No" while others mentioned they hadn't seen her. A few even asked, "Who's Julia?"

The head servant rolled her eyes in frustration and described the missing maid. "Julia, a low-level maid, is the only one not present. She will not receive any food!" she added sternly. The room buzzed with whispers as the servants exchanged puzzled glances, trying to recall if they had seen Julia earlier.

Emily paused with her spoon halfway to her mouth, narrowing her eyes. 'I have a bad feeling about this,' she thought. Suddenly, the butler entered the servant hall, flanked by two castle guards. He marched to the center of the room and announced, "All of you must gather in the castle hall. Right this instant!"

Without waiting for a response, the butler exited, and the guards began urging the servants to stand and move. Some of the servants grumbled, frustrated about their unfinished meals. Theresa quickly took Madeline's hand, and they joined the others in heading to the castle hall, leaving their half-eaten food behind. The tension in the air was palpable as they hurried along the dimly lit corridors, unsure of what awaited them.

A hush fell over the cavernous castle hall as the servants formed a tense, expectant line. The vast, echoing space was dominated by the imposing architecture, while a contingent of castle guards stood at vigilant posts. The grim reality of their situation was etched on the faces of many, smudges of bread and rice betraying the haste with which they'd been summoned. Amidst the crowd, Madeline stood beside her mother, their shared fear palpable. Sarah, her voice barely a whisper, turned to Theresa. "What's happening?" Her eyes were wide with apprehension. Theresa squeezed her daughter's hand reassuringly, but her own face mirrored the uncertainty in Sarah's. "I have no idea," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. A ripple of unease passed through the servants as Karina, another maid, voiced the dread that hung heavy in the air. "Are we getting executed?"

Madeline's gaze swept across the tense crowd, her eyes finally settling on Russel. He stood among the guards; a menacing spear gripped in his right hand. Their eyes met, and he offered her a reassuring smile. Madeline, her fear momentarily eclipsed by surprise, returned the gesture. A flicker of hope ignited within her, dispelling some of the growing dread.

A hush fell over the hall as Sir Roland Claudio stepped into the spotlight, flanked by other members of the royal family, including the visibly sleep-deprived Prince Sebastian and the stoic Lord Oscar. "What's happening?" the prince murmured to his uncle; his voice laced with confusion.

Sir Roland offered a sympathetic glance before replying softly, "Your father requires your presence here, Your Highness. I apologize for the late summons." The prince's brow furrowed as he struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation. His gaze swept across the assembled servants, searching for a familiar face. His eyes landed on Madeline, who stood nervously clutching another servant's hand. She seemed oblivious to his scrutiny. Sarah, standing beside Madeline, felt a prickle of unease as she noticed the prince's stare.