Chapter Twenty-six

Chapter Twenty-six

Ulric

I had never done what I did before, never had I looked into Madam Fiona’s eyes to talk back to her, never had I mustered the courage to speak up for someone, not even myself.

When I saw her storm away in fear, a pang of pain shot through my chest, and I knew I had to step in. If I didn’t do anything, it would haunt me forever. In some way, I felt responsible for what happened to her. She could have helped herself if I hadn’t brought her to the library, and she wouldn’t even have bumped into Lucia if I had just agreed to her joining us for breakfast like Mother suggested. If Lucia had stayed back, she wouldn’t have encountered her and would have just gone on the errand she was sent on. I felt responsible and wanted to take responsibility for it; at least I wouldn’t be killed for standing up for someone.

I knew it could ruin my chances of trying to impress Father if it got to him in the wrong way that I tried to save a maid from getting punished because Father w