The Red Hive
The sound of heels rang with military order on the gleaming floor of the Red Block. Veronika walked behind Anna, who moved through the corridors, describing each section with monotonous precision. The housekeeper's dull voice seemed to filter into deaf ears; Veronika barely paid attention.
When they reached a hall where several girls with red ribbons were gathered in a tense murmur, Veronika noticed how thick the tension hung in the air.
— They say they caught her with falsified documents… — whispered one, covering her mouth with her hand.
— The Master is furious… — added another.
— The blonde one, the secretary's assistant…
The name spread through the room like a poisonous echo. She recognized who it was. Veronika's muscles tightened at once and an unexpected heat rose to her cheeks. Without the slightest attempt to hide it, she turned to Anna, pinning her with a blazing stare.
— What on earth is happening with Eva? — she shot out without preamble.
Anna blinked, surprised, before regaining her usual coldness.
— I didn't expect you to memorize a name so quickly, Kensington. Did you manage to make a friend?
— Answer me, Anna. What happened to her? — she repeated, ignoring the provocation.
The woman adjusted her folder with annoyance, sighing softly.
— Oh, the assistant was caught altering important documents belonging to the Master. She swapped sensitive papers, and he noticed.
Veronika told herself that was impossible. Last night Eva had been with her until very late. She'd had no chance to do anything of the sort.
— Are you so sure about that? — Veronika murmured.
— As far as I know, that's what the reports indicate — Anna replied calmly. — Why? Do you have a complaint to make? I'm afraid you'll have to wait.
— No. Take me to the Master immediately. I want to clear this up.
Anna arched a brow, clearly irritated by Veronika's insistence.
— I believe I told you your request will have to wait. First you'll finish familiarizing yourself with your new duties.
Veronika huffed with contained anger, but she knew she would get nowhere by throwing a tantrum in front of Anna. She followed grudgingly as the tour continued through darker corridors, until they reached the farthest sector, where the lights dimmed and gray walls loomed, austere and oppressive.
The Block Lockup
As they passed a half-open door, Veronika heard muffled sobs. Without waiting for permission, she pushed it and stepped inside. Anna followed with resignation.
— And this is the lockup, where the less polite girls go. You were lucky not to end up here, Kensington — said Anna.
Ignoring her, Veronika saw Eva in a narrow cell, sitting on a basic bed, clutching only her violin case to her chest, tears rolling down her cheeks.
— Eva — Veronika whispered, hurrying closer. — What happened? What did they do to you?
Eva looked up, eyes reddened from crying.
— I don't know, Veronika… Lucille called me. She said the Master found an error in the documents he reviewed last night. They accused me of having switched the buyers' list. I didn't do any of that!
— Calm down — Veronika said, softening her tone. — I believe you. We were together last night, weren't we? What else did they tell you?
Eva was visibly trembling, clinging to her empty violin case.
— That there would be serious consequences… and that I'd receive an "appropriate" punishment. You have to believe me, I didn't…
— I understand. I'll try to get you out of here — Veronika promised.
Anna cleared her throat softly from the doorway, signaling the end of the visit. Veronika rose slowly, shooting her a glacial look.
— I need to speak with the Master right now — Veronika insisted, voice firm but controlled, already back in the corridor.
Anna regarded her impassively.
— Even though I told you after the tour, you'll have to give me a valid reason, not just your impulsiveness.
— The reason is to prevent someone from being punished unjustly and to avoid greater harm to the mansion — Veronika replied with cool certainty. — Or would you rather let this escalate even further?
Anna's lips tightened slightly. After a brief pause, she finally relented.
— Very well, if this could endanger the institution's integrity… But measure every word, Kensington. I won't tolerate another scene like this morning, much less in front of the Master.
Veronika gave a curt nod and followed with a steady stride.
The Office Antechamber
They crossed a silent inner courtyard lined with trees trimmed into geometric shapes. In front of the Master's office, silent guards blocked the way for a moment, but Anna made an authoritative gesture and the doors opened slowly.
Inside, seated behind his imposing desk covered in documents, was the Master. He looked up as Veronika crossed the threshold, surprise flickering in his expression.
The guards closed the door softly after Anna and Veronika entered.