AVELINE It is the weekend, a rare moment when father and his son, Henry found themselves less burdened by their ususal responsibilities. The family gathered around the dining table for a meal, filling the room with lively conversation and laughter. Viscountess Diana, mother is in good spirites, seated next to her cherished daughter, Emilia, who dazzled in her place of honor.

But I, as usual, am absent from the table. I have been instructed by the head maid to assist in the kitchen, working under the watchful eyes of the cooks to prepare the family's meal. Finally, once the food was served, I quietly took my seat at the dining table. The laughter and warmth dimmed as the family exchanged displeased looks, clearly unhappy with my presence. I do feel the sting of their unpleasant judgments but forced myself to remain seated. Emilia, noticing my discomfort, invite me to seat closer, a small gesture of kindness that seemed to ease the tension for a moment.

As we all begin to eat, a sudden horror unfold. Emilia's face twisted in pain, and she coughed, only to vomit blood onto the pristine white tablecloth. Panic seized the room. The mother's face paled, and she cried out, clutching Emilia in terror. Father immediately summoned the doctor, who arrived swiftly, his expression grave as he examined Emilia. A tense of silence, he confirmed the worst—Emilia had been poisoned.

In a fury, father called in the chefs, demanding answers. A trembling silence fell over the kitchen staff until one chef suddenly pointed at me, claiming she had seen me pouring strange powder into Emilia's drink before serving it. I was struck speechless, the accusation landing like a blow. I could hardly believe what I was hearing, my father's face contorted with rage. Without a word, he struck me across the face, the force of the slap echoing the room.

I dropped to my knees, desperately pleading with him, my voice shaking as I insisted she was innocent. I begged father to believe me, but his patience is gone. Without another word, he calls for the guards, ordering them to take me to the dungeons beneath the manor. The last glimpse I had of my family was a mix of fear and disdain, a memory that would linger in my mind as I am drag away, locked in the darkness and despair, alone with the knowledge that I had been framed.