Transferred to another life

**Chapter Nine: A Time of Tension**

Olivia woke with the first light of dawn, the golden rays filtering through the heavy drapes of her chamber. She had become accustomed to these early mornings, a ritual of solitude and anticipation before the day truly began. The clock ticked on, and as the hours passed, Olivia's patience wore thin. Her handmaid, who was supposed to arrive promptly at the crack of dawn, was still absent.

By the time the clock struck five hours past the expected arrival, Olivia's frustration had reached its peak. She paced the room, the click of her heels echoing ominously. The handmaid finally entered, disheveled and breathing heavily.

"Where have you been?" Olivia's voice cut through the silence, sharp and unforgiving.

The handmaid, avoiding eye contact, stammered, "I... I was busy, Lady Olivia."

"Busy with what?" Olivia pressed, her eyes narrowing. The other two maids, who had accompanied the handmaid, exchanged furtive glances and stifled snickers.

The handmaid hesitated, then mumbled, "Just busy. I had... things to attend to."

Olivia's anger flared. The audacity of the handmaid's nonchalance was infuriating. Without a word, Olivia's hand shot out, delivering a swift, stinging slap across the handmaid's cheek. The room fell silent, the slap echoing like a gunshot.

"Do not disrespect me again," Olivia said, her voice icy and commanding. The handmaid's face flushed with shock and embarrassment, her hand flying to her stinging cheek.

The other two maids froze, their amusement instantly quelled by the sudden turn of events. Olivia's eyes swept over them, cold and unyielding. "You," she pointed at the handmaid, "are dismissed. Leave this place and never return."

The handmaid's eyes widened in disbelief, but she made no move to protest. With a resigned nod, she turned and walked out, her footsteps heavy with shame. The remaining maids remained eerily silent, their eyes lowered.

"Prepare me," Olivia instructed the two girls, her voice clipped and firm. The maids, now subdued, sprang into action without a word. Their earlier levity was replaced by a tense, almost reverent diligence. Olivia could feel the weight of their silent obedience, the room's atmosphere thick with unspoken acknowledgment of her authority.

As the maids worked in silence, Olivia's mind churned with the implications of the morning's events. The respect she demanded was clear, but the cost of maintaining such authority weighed heavily on her. Yet, she knew there was no room for leniency. Her position required strength and control, and she would not falter.

The day ahead loomed large, a canvas of potential conflicts and decisions. Olivia steeled herself, her gaze resolute in the mirror as the maids finished their tasks. The events of the morning were a stark reminder: in her world, respect was earned through power and unwavering command.