The servants all lowered their heads, faces pale, and the atmosphere in the dining hall instantly grew tense and oppressive.
“Your Highness, according to palace rules, anyone who steals from the royal family should be demoted to a slave and sent to the lumber camp in the northwest for reformation,” Seban said cautiously as he stepped forward, carefully watching Sista’s expression.
“Would you like this maid to be…”
Everyone knew what this meant.
The work at the lumber camp was harsh and grueling — a girl like Tii wouldn’t last long before meeting a miserable end.
Seban saying this was clearly meant to condemn Tii.
Su Ling looked at Tii.
The red-haired girl stood silently with a lock of hair covering her face.
Her expression was ashen, hands tightly clenched into fists, eyes full of hopelessness.
The atmosphere was suffocating.
“Your Highness, please believe me… I really didn’t steal it! I can prove my innocence — I only ask that you give me a fair chance.”
Sista didn’t seem moved by Tii’s pleading.
She shot Tii a cold glance before turning back to Seban, her face impassive.
“Seban, you’re the steward — you know how to handle these kinds of matters. If you think Tii deserves to be punished, then follow the rules,” she said, casually waving her hand.
Su Ling’s heart lurched as she stared at Tii crying silently on her knees.
No — the cake couldn’t have been stolen by Tii.
She tried to recall the morning.
Tii had been with her the whole time, teaching her the duties of a maid, and hadn’t gone near the kitchen at all.
There was definitely something strange going on.
Su Ling couldn’t just stand by and watch Tii be punished for helping her.
What could she do? What was there she could do?
Clutching her skirt, Su Ling took a cautious step forward and glanced up at Sista’s cold, imposing figure.
If she stayed quiet, she’d lose this chance forever!
Taking a deep breath, Su Ling gathered up her courage and hurried over to Sista.
“Your Highness, please allow me to say something.”
Sista paused and arched a brow.
Just as she looked ready to grow angry, she recognized who was speaking — her new “toy” — and her expression shifted.
“Oh? You? Yesterday you were so defiant, and today you’re so proper,” she remarked, sounding mildly surprised at Su Ling’s boldness.
“Yesterday was my fault for not knowing my place. Please forgive me,” Su Ling replied humbly — anything to stay alive.
Sista’s gaze ran up and down her, her expression unreadable.
“Go on. What do you have to say?”
Su Ling swallowed nervously.
“This is my fault. I’m still unfamiliar with my duties,” she began carefully.
“This morning… Tii was with me the whole time, showing me what to do. I can vouch that she never went to the kitchen…”
Hearing this, Sista’s expression softened slightly.
She studied Su Ling in silence for a moment, seemingly weighing whether or not to believe her.
“Your Highness, I may be new here,” Su Ling continued cautiously, “but Tii has been working in the palace for so long. I don’t believe she’d make such a careless mistake. Please — at least give her a chance to explain herself.”
“You dare speak out of turn!” Seban cut in angrily.
“Do you have any idea what you’re saying? This is the royal court!”
“Seban,” Sista interjected coldly before he could finish, “since when do you speak for me?”
“But, Your Highness—”
“Silence.”
Her fierce glare shut the steward up immediately.
Sista fell silent, considering.
Finally, she glanced at Su Ling.
“Fine. Tii, get up.”
Tii slowly raised her head, her eyes still wet with tears.
“Although it was my order for Su Ling to be under your care,” Sista continued icily, “the fact that the cake went missing still counts as your fault.”
She gave Tii a sharp look before going on.
“I’ll make an exception this time and believe you — but starting today, you’re no longer my personal maid.”
“…I understand,” Tii answered quietly.
Sista then turned her attention to Su Ling with a sudden, teasing smile.
“And you,” she said, eyes glinting with amusement, “since you spoke up for her, you must pay a price too.
I’m sure you understand that much, don’t you?”
Hearing this, Tii’s face suddenly changed as if she already guessed what was coming.
She tried to say something, but Sista silenced her with a sharp glance.
“Ten days from now,” Sista purred, licking her lips as if savoring some delicious memory, “you’ll come serve me again.”
Su Ling’s heart sank — but she still forced herself to nod.
“Yes, Your Highness.”