A few minutes later, Julie and Rose found themselves standing with the rest of the servants in the grand dining room. It was the sort of space that made you instinctively stand up straighter, with ceilings that soared, chandeliers that glittered extravagantly, and paintings that gazed down with dignified disapproval. The servants, there were ten in all, stood in neat rows at one end of the room.

  Suddenly, the door swung open. In walked a Zylari woman with such an aura of authority that even the chandeliers seemed to stop twinkling, out of respect or perhaps fear. This was none other than Madam Nerivana, the formidable matriarch of the household.

  Like her daughter, Madam Nerivana was a tall and elegant figure. But while Mrs. Lyrana had a certain graceful quality about her, Madam Nerivana exuded power and strength with every step. Her face was angular, with high cheekbones and a sharp chin, softened only by the faintest curve of her lips, which rarely troubled themselves with smiling.

  She stopped before the servants with a look that promised interesting developments, none of them pleasant.

  “It has come to my attention that a certain object has inexplicably vanished from my room,” she said. “A most unfortunate occurrence. One does not tolerate thievery in a household such as this. I trust the individual responsible understands the gravity of their actions. I am inclined to believe it was a momentary lapse in judgment. Therefore, I shall give them a chance to rectify their mistake. However, should my property not be returned promptly, let me assure you, the consequences will be most unpleasant.”

  The room was filled with a silent chorus of ‘not me’ as eyes met and flickered away. But nobody confessed. The whole thing left Julie perplexed - who would be reckless enough to try their luck stealing from Madam Nerivana? Surely there must be some mistake. Or was there?

  “Silence, then. So be it,” Madam Nerivana said. “Since the guilty party refuses to confess, I shall reveal them. And they will regret their decision to remain silent.”

  Her eyes swept across the room before landing on… Rose.

  “Rose,” Madam Nerivana said. “I am profoundly disappointed. Of all the staff in this household, you were one of the few I considered truly trustworthy. To find that my faith was so misplaced is...galling. However, the evidence is irrefutable. Return the stolen object at once, Rose, and prepare to face the consequences of this grievous betrayal.”

  The accusation struck Julie in such a way that for a moment, she seemed to be searching for the ground beneath her feet. Rose? The idea was absurd, ridiculous, and altogether impossible.

  And it had thrown Rose off balance, too. She stood utterly still, her posture stiff, as though bracing herself against a sudden gust of wind that was not there. Something was not quite right about this whole situation.

  “Madam, I think there’s been a misunderstanding,” Rose said. “I would never take something that doesn’t belong to me. Could you tell me what you believe is missing?”

  “Misunderstanding?! Don't insult my intelligence with such pathetic fabrications, Rose,” Madam Nerivana said. “The Nerivana Star, a priceless heirloom that has graced this family for centuries, has vanished! And you, Rose, were the only person with access to my room this morning. These are the facts, stark and undeniable. Return the Star immediately, and spare us both this tedious charade of innocence.”

  “I swear to you, I didn’t take anything. Yes, I cleaned your room this morning, but I would never do something like that. It’s just not who I am.”

  “This is your last chance, Rose. Your continued denials are an insult to my intelligence. Return the stolen object now, or face the full consequences of your actions. Do not test my patience further.”

  Julie’s eyes sharpened, and a flush rose to her cheeks, the kind that spoke of a simmering sense of wrong too keen to ignore. Before she quite realized it, her voice had broken free.

  “Madam, Rose is one of the most trustworthy persons I know,” she said. “If she’s telling you she’s innocent, then that’s the truth. And I’ll stake everything on that.”

  Madam Nerivana turned to Julie. Her face took on the look that had sent three housemaids and a butler seeking employment elsewhere that week.

  “Your opinion on the matter, child, is of no consequence,” she said. “It is not for you to vouch for the integrity of servants in this household. If Rose's innocence is genuine, it will be revealed in due course. In the meantime, she will remain confined to her quarters. And you would do well to learn your place and cease meddling in affairs that do not concern you.”

  Julie’s eyes met Rose’s in a fleeting moment of silent solidarity before two servants guided Rose gently but firmly away.

  §

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  The day resumed its regular rhythm. Julie dusted the corridors and cleaned the windows to a shine. But she could not focus. Thoughts of Rose and the unfair repercussions looming ahead swirled in her mind, making each task feel ten times heavier and twice as dull.

  She tried to speak to the other servants, to find support and empathy. But all she was met with was “keep your nose out of it” and “don’t get in the crossfire, girl.” In the end, it felt like sending a message in a bottle from a deserted island—lonely and hopeless.

  Julie’s spirits were at an all-time low when, from her vantage point by a window, she spotted a transport pod pulling up to the mansion.

  Brought to the planet by the Zylari, these sleek and speedy little things were the go-to mode of transportation for anyone with credits to spare. They offered the efficiency of a taxi without the chatty driver, and the convenience of a bus without the inevitable delays due to someone’s grandmother searching for exact change.

  A distinguished-looking Zylari man stepped out of the pod. Unlike the Nerivanas, his skin was a soft green shade. He had a sharp sort of face, matched by eyes that seemed determined not to miss a thing. He wore the unofficial uniform of the professional mystery-solver, right down to the hat that seemed to tilt itself at exactly the angle most likely to unsettle guilty consciences.

  The man made his way towards the entrance, and Julie watched, caught between the urge to see what would happen next and the distinct feeling that she might not want to. What was his business here? Could it have something to do with Rose? Setting aside her duties, she tiptoed down the stairs to get a closer look and, hopefully, some answers.

  When she reached the upper landing of the entrance hall, a servant was already ushering the man inside. Julie ducked out of sight, hiding behind a nearby column.

  “Right this way,” the servant said. “Her ladyship is waiting for you in her study.”

  And with that, the servant led the way and the mysterious man followed suit. Julie trailed after them, careful to keep a safe distance and hide whenever the chance presented itself. She was nearly caught once when the man looked over his shoulder, but she managed to dive behind a conveniently placed sculpture in the nick of time.

  Finally, they reached Madam Nerivana’s study. The servant knocked on the door and from within came the sound of a stern voice granting permission to enter. The man stepped inside, and after excusing himself, the servant closed the door with a soft click.

  Once the coast was clear, Julie crept closer to the door and pressed her ear against it. Being caught in such a compromising position would mean certain doom. But in that moment, Julie’s curiosity overruled her common sense.

  “Ah, detective Kitturian,” Madam Nerivana said. “Thank you for coming on such short notice. This situation requires a particular brand of competence, and I knew you would be the right person to assist me.”

  “Don’t thank me,” the man said. “The highlight of my day so far has been watching paint dry - literally, for a case. Your message promised something more stimulating.”

  “Yes, Mr. Kitturian. The Nerivana Star, a treasured heirloom of immense value, has been stolen from my very home. You come highly recommended for your discretion and success in these matters.”

  “A family heirloom theft?” Kitturian said. “I was hoping for something more challenging. Surely the authorities could stumble their way through this one… given enough time.”

  “Whether the authorities could 'stumble' their way through this is entirely beside the point, Mr. Kitturian. The Nerivana name is not to be dragged through a public spectacle. Discretion is paramount. I trust you understand that.”

  “Oh yes, family scandals. Like bacteria - best kept contained before they multiply and infect everything.”

  “I assure you, Mr. Kitturian, the Nerivana family are not 'bacteria.' And the suggestion that any member of my family would stoop to petty theft is utterly preposterous and deeply offensive”

  “Your faith in them is noted. But I’m sure you understand why we must examine every detail… ACHOO!”

  The unexpected noise jolted Eily, and for a moment she froze, her ear hovering just off the door before she dared to lean in again.

  “Bless you,” Madam Nerivana said.

  “Thank you,” Kitturian said. “Now, where exactly was the Nerivana Star kept before its disappearance?”

  “In this very room. Where it has always been. On display, naturally, as befits an object of such importance.”

  “Interesting. And was it securely locked or hidden from view?”

  “In hindsight, perhaps it was foolish, but no, the Star was not kept under lock. It has been in my family for generations, and I never imagined such a theft could occur within these walls. However, the pool of suspects is exceedingly small, and I am quite certain I know the identity of the guilty party.”

  “Go on. Even the smallest insight could be the key to this.”

  “The culprit is obvious, Mr. Kitturian. Rose. A young maid. She was the one cleaning my quarters this morning. No one else had the opportunity.”

  “So the Nerivana Star was still present in your room before Miss Rose began her duties?”

  “It was almost certainly there,” Madam Nerivana said. “I would have noticed its absence. The girl, Rose, is the thief, of that I am certain. Find out where she has hidden the Star and if she had any accomplices. Her quarters have been searched, of course, but yielded nothing.”

  “Even the simplest cases can unravel into complex mysteries,” Kitturian said. “May I have a picture of the Star, please?”

  “Of course, here it is.”

  “I’ll get right on it, madam. But first… could you tell me where I might find Miss Rose?”

  “The girl, Rose, is currently confined to her quarters in the servants' wing. You will find it by taking a left at the end of the corridor. I must insist, Mr. Kitturian, that you are the only person to speak with her. I, of course, will grant you access..”

  “Appreciated. I’ll make my way there now.”

  At that, Julie took her cue to slip away and found a hiding spot behind a nearby pedestal. Kitturian stepped out of the study and made his way down the hallway.