Chapter 10: Misunderstanding.
Chapter 10: Misunderstanding.
The Roosevelt family courtyard, which was usually reserved for the training of knights and the occasional gathering of the household, had become unusually crowded as servants from every corner of the estate slowly gathered after hearing rumours that someone within the estate had somehow offended the Third and Fourth Young Misses, causing countless whispers to spread throughout the crowd as everyone tried guessing what sort of crime could have possibly led to such a public spectacle.
At the very centre of those curious gazes stood Osborne, whose arms were firmly restrained by two Roosevelt knights despite his repeated attempts to break free, because regardless of how much he twisted his body or struggled against their iron-like grips, neither knight moved even an inch, making it painfully obvious that resisting them with his current strength was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Everything had happened far too quickly.
After Rebecca had discovered him holding Rachael in the hallway while attempting to stop the troublesome girl from shouting outrageous accusations, she had immediately assumed the worst before striking him without allowing him the opportunity to explain himself, and after calling over several nearby knights, they had apprehended him without question before escorting him straight to the courtyard under the watchful eyes of the estate’s servants.
Standing only a few steps away from him were the two sisters responsible for his current predicament, because while Rebecca continued watching him with an expression as cold as ice, Rachael remained comfortably beside her with both hands folded behind her back, barely making any effort to hide the amused smile constantly tugging at the corners of her lips.
"For the last time, Lady Rebecca, would you please tell these men to release me because everything you’ve seen was simply one huge misunderstanding, and if you would only give me a chance to explain myself then I’m certain we can clear all of this up," Osborne pleaded once more while looking directly at the silver-haired girl, hoping that at the very least she would be willing to hear him out before passing judgement.
Rebecca’s expression hardened.
"Be silent," she rebuked without the slightest hesitation as she slowly walked towards him, her sharp blue eyes filled with disdain rather than anger while she continued speaking in a firm voice.
"How dare you continue denying what happened when I witnessed your disgraceful behaviour with my own eyes."
" No matter what excuse you intend to come up with, it will never erase the fact that I personally saw you laying your hands upon my younger sister."
Osborne couldn’t help staring at her in disbelief.
"You only saw the ending of it," he argued while desperately trying to pull one arm free from the knight restraining him, although the effort proved completely useless.
"She kept shouting things that weren’t true, so I only covered her mouth because I didn’t want everyone in the estate misunderstanding the situation."
Rachael immediately scoffed.
"Listen to him making excuses already," she muttered before looking towards Rebecca with obvious confidence. "I told you he couldn’t be trusted from the very beginning."
Osborne felt a headache coming on.
’...Damn you! you little brat, this is all your fault!’
Rebecca slowly raised one hand before giving another order.
"Do it!"
The knights immediately obeyed.
Before Osborne could protest any further, his crumpled shirt was ripped off, leaving him standing bare-backed before the countless servants gathered throughout the courtyard, while a wave of humiliation quickly washed over him as dozens upon dozens of unfamiliar eyes settled upon his exposed figure.
"What exactly are you trying to accomplish?" Osborne demanded angrily while glaring towards Rebecca, only for another thick rope to be wrapped securely around his bound wrists before it was thrown over the supporting beam of a sturdy wooden post.
Within moments, the rope tightened.
Osborne’s arms were pulled high above his head before being secured in place, leaving him suspended awkwardly upon the tips of his toes no matter how hard he tried planting his feet firmly against the ground.
Rebecca quietly looked at him for several long moments before finally speaking once again.
"For your repulsive actions towards my younger sister, I shall ensure that you remember today’s lesson for the rest of your life, because someone who dares commit such disgraceful acts beneath the roof of House Roosevelt must learn that their actions carry consequences."
She looked towards the two waiting knights.
"You may begin."
The two knights silently bowed before taking out the whips at their waists and stepping forward.
*******
The courtyard gradually fell silent.
Only the occasional sound of Osborne crying out broke the heavy atmosphere surrounding everyone present, causing several servants to lower their heads while others quietly looked away altogether, because regardless of whether they believed punishment had been warranted or not, very few amongst them possessed the heart to continue watching what unfolded before their eyes.
Rachael, however, merely watched with folded arms while a satisfied smile remained upon her face.
"...That’s exactly what you deserve you rotten scammer." she quietly muttered beneath her breath while looking towards Osborne without the slightest trace of pity. "Someone like you actually believed you could trick Big Sister Roseline into marrying you, so perhaps now you’ll finally understand your place."
None of the gathered servants responded.
Although whispers still occasionally travelled throughout the crowd, the atmosphere had long since become far too heavy for anyone to openly discuss what they were witnessing.
******
Elsewhere within the servants’ quarters, Guinevere continued accompanying Anny around the estate while patiently explaining several matters concerning her new responsibilities, because now that Osborne had formally declared the young maid to be his personal attendant, there were naturally several household procedures she needed to understand before beginning her duties.
"As Lady Roseline remains stationed at the frontlines for the foreseeable future, should Young Master Osborne have any issues with his accommodation, meals or daily arrangements, you may report directly to me rather than troubling the other household staff, because those matters currently fall under my supervision," Guinevere explained calmly before suddenly pausing after noticing an unusual number of servants hurrying past them in the same direction.
Her brows slowly knitted together.
"...That’s unusual."
She raised one hand before stopping one of the passing maids, who immediately greeted her with a respectful bow.
"Lady Guinevere."
"What’s going on, where are you all going?" she asked.
The maid blinked before replying, "Forgive us ma’am, but we heard someone is currently being punished within the central courtyard under the orders of the Third and Fourth Young Misses, so everyone has been rushing over to see what happened."
Guinevere’s expression noticeably changed.
"...Young miss Rebecca and Young miss Rachael?"
"Yes, my lady."
Standing quietly beside her, Anny suddenly felt an uncomfortable feeling tighten around her chest, because although she desperately wanted to believe Osborne couldn’t possibly have anything to do with it, her heart stubbornly refused to accept that comforting thought.
"...Lady Guinevere," she called nervously while tightly clasping both hands together, "may... may I come with you?"
Guinevere looked towards the worried young maid before silently understanding the source of her concern.
"...Very well."
She returned her attention towards the maid.
"Take us there immediately."
The maid quickly nodded before leading the way, while Guinevere and Anny followed closely behind without wasting another moment.
******
By the time the three of them reached the courtyard, the bustling whispers filling the area had almost completely disappeared, because everyone present now stood quietly while staring towards the wooden post standing proudly at the centre of the open space.
Osborne hung there limply.
His wrists remained tightly bound above his head while his body barely retained enough strength to keep itself upright, his back had become stained with blood from numerous wounds, and his breathing had long since turned shallow and uneven as strands of blonde hair covered much of his face.
Every part of his body burned with pain.
At some point...
He had completely lost count.
He no longer knew how much time had passed, nor did he remember how many blows had landed upon his back, because his fading consciousness had gradually reduced everything into one endless blur of pain that refused to end.
A weak, almost helpless laugh escaped his mind.
’...To think I escaped that horrid job only to end up like this.’
Looking back now, Osborne couldn’t help wondering whether perhaps his tyrannical boss hadn’t actually been the worst thing life had thrown at him after all, because compared to what he was currently experiencing, endless overtime and constant scolding suddenly seemed almost pleasant.
A tired sigh escaped him before he slowly lowered his head.
"...At least... Mother and Father don’t have to suffer through this with me."
That single thought alone brought him a small measure of comfort.
A moment later, another familiar face entered his mind.
’...Anny.’
’ I wonder how she’s doing.’
’ I hope she’s settling in perfectly at least.’
’ She didn’t come here did she?’
With what little strength remained, Osborne weakly lifted his head before slowly scanning the gathered crowd, and after failing to find the cheerful brown-haired maid anywhere amongst the countless watching servants, a faint smile gradually appeared across his exhausted face because he truly was grateful she hadn’t been forced to witness him in such a miserable state.
"What is going on here?!"
Yet that small relief, however, lasted only a brief moment before an alarmed voice suddenly echoed throughout the courtyard with enough force to freeze everyone present where they stood.