Chapter 3: Accused
"What took you so long?" Lady Olive asked, annoyed. "And where's my money?" She snatched the purse away from me, anxiously looking inside. "This is all she gave you?" She looked disgusted.
"Yeah," I responded, "That was all."
"Well, I'll just have to go talk to Mummy about this." Lady Olive stormed out of the room.
Ellie, my older sister, pulled a small bag out of her purse.
"Here," she said giving it to me. "When you go with Lady Olive to get her a new gown, try to get something for the boys. Nancy gave this to me. I don't know how we are ever going to repay her."
Nancy was the cook at Dame Olga's ever since Hattie took Mandy with her to the palace. Nancy was very nice to us because she and my mother worked for Dame Olga together when they were younger. Nancy always gave us a little money to help feed our brothers, because they weren't as well fed as we were.
"Yes, Ellie, I will." At age 10, I adored Ellie and did everything she told me to.
"And stay out of trouble. Mama's not here to save you anymore and Dame Olga will never listen to me."
"Don't worry."
She smiled weakly at me and then left to answer Darla's calls.
I looked around the room, wondering what it would be like to have a room like this. I walked over to Lady Olive's jewelry box. Opening the huge thing, I looked around for the black velvet box I knew so well.
When I finally found it, I softly opened it, delighted at what I saw inside. I lifted the delicate diamond necklace and examined it. It had belonged to my grandmother, and then my mother, before Queen Hattie and taken it away from her. It was exquisite.
Suddenly the door jerked open and I quickly scrambled to put the necklace back in its proper place. I was not quick enough, however.
Through the door came Dame Olga, followed by Lady Olive and Darla. Ellie nervously slipped in behind them.
"What is the meaning of this?" cried Dame Olga. "Are you trying to steal my precious Ollie's jewelry too?"
"I'm, s-s-sorry ma'am," I stuttered. "I was just l-l-l-looking." I burst into tears and ran to Ellie.
"Ellie," Dame Olga said in a cold tone, "Leave her."
Ellie pushed me away with a pained look on her face.
"Now," Dame Olga announced, "where is the money, Cora?"
"W-w-what money?" I managed to ask. "I g-g-gave it all to L-l-lady Olive."
"Don't tell lies, Cora. We know you have it. Olive, search her."
Lady Olive came towards me, and ripped off my apron. She hastily looked through the pockets. When she found nothing, she tossed my apron aside and reached into my dress pockets. She came out with the money for my brothers.
"Here it is, Mum," she said greedily. "Is this all that was missing?"
Ellie suddenly interrupted. "I gave that money to her."
"You?" Dame Olga asked spitefully. "You don't have a cent to your name. Be quiet, Ellie. I'll deal with you later."
Ellie quickly quit speaking. Dame Olga turned to me.
"And, you! You brat! You insolent little brat! I should have had you killed when I learned you were no use to me. Well, you will now suffer the consequences." She paused and looked around the room, thinking of a suitable punishment. "Go to your room, now."
"Mum," Lady Olive said, "she doesn't have to go to her room, like Ella and Ellie. She could just run off."
"Your right, Ollie, clever girl," Dame Olga said. "I shall have to take her myself." She roughly grabbed me and dragged me, sobbing, from the room. "Oh, and Ellie, stay away from her."
She pulled my down the hall and several flights of floors until we arrived at my room in the basement. She pushed me into the small room.
"Stay here until I have decided what to do with you. I assure you, you shall regret stealing from my household." She slammed the door, locking it behind her.
A/N: Still don't know where I'm going, I'm just kind of making up things as no suggestions from y'all are coming, so please, please, please give me some, I desperately need them! Anyway... Hope you liked the chapter, I can't really say I did. Love y'allCurly Q