The Crimson Blood of Influence

The outdrawn humming tunes of a mother whose daughter lies in her loving embrace soothe the fourteen-year-old to begin her slumber. Merissa snuggles comfortably, taking in her mother’s regular scent which she feels too often to be true. Since her recent attack on the mind and the swallowing of the mysterious pill have made her calm, calm as the present clear night sky.

As Celyssa’s humming lullaby eases her daughter into sleep, she gazes with emotional eyes, eyes of immense love yet pity, for her daughter will never escape from this agony. She remembers not when the last time she slept in her own bed for more than three days.

The constant care of a loving mother who had imprisoned her sweet baby girl to this nightmare of darkness.

Imprisoned she is, for the fault indeed lies in her mother because of a single disobedient act. An act of horror that she couldn’t truly fulfill. An act so malevolent that she actually fears its awakening into the light.

Would her husband gaze in utter disgust? Would he kill her immediately upon knowing what she has done? Done what her family ordered her to do?

She fears and fears for herself yet also for her daughter. Because who would calm her down if she wasn’t here? Maldoran? No, he has distanced himself from taking care of his daughter. He too fears. He feels the pain of her gazing eyes that stare into oblivion.

But what can she do, other than to obey if they would call upon her?

To aid them once more in genocide…

………

While lying beside her daughter in a sideways position, supporting her head with her hand, Celyssa too starts to snooze with eyes closing and opening. Only the slight illumination of candles lights up the main bedroom belonging to Celyssa and Maldoran. She brought her daughter to their chamber instead of Merissa’s, because she doesn’t want to leave her side at this moment. She wants to hold her daughter, to be consoled of the upcoming act which’ll be impending upon her sooner or later.

She’s alone with her daughter, neither servant nor handmaiden resides in this chamber, only the glorious sized bed on the far north side at the wall of the room do the mother and daughter lie as if they’re a pair of sleeping children. They’ve eaten and dressed in their nightgowns, one more revealing than the other while they exude the scent of newly washed bodies and hair.

Today when Celyssa had woken up, she wanted to be embraced by her husband later tonight, to enjoy themselves as they had the evening before, but, certain unforeseen events have now stirred everything to its complete rearrangement.

As Celyssa dazes in and out of sleep, she strokes Merissa’s loose hair which was in a braid before, exactly like Celyssa’s own hair, yet now, both has loose light brown hair resting on the bed’s sheet and pillows of the finest fabric.

“You are my everything, my baby girl. Know that I love you eternally. And I’m sorry that you have such a weak mother, a mother who can’t even help her own daughter,” Celyssa said sadly with her hand caressing Merissa’s forehead to remove the strings of hair. To neatly display her own young self in the reflection of her daughter’s face so she can brood over what life she could’ve had if her blindness didn’t exist.

As Celyssa continues to drift away into darkness, a knock on the double doors on the other side of the room resounds, yet quiet enough to not disturb the slumbering daughter who smiles happily in her dreams.

Celyssa eases herself up to crawl to the edge of the bed, then sets her bare feet on the regular carpeted floor of scarlet. As she comes to the door, she casually pulls down both of the handles on either door and opens them. Her eyes flicker in surprise. The head-handmaiden Linadra stands on the other side, holding forward a fine folded letter on a silver platter. But the fastening of the melted wax has been broken into.

Linadra’s face screams horror with her lowered gaze, not having the stomach to look into her Mistress’ eyes, which too reveal the terror that Celyssa so waited to come, the arrival of wicked news.

“Madam, oh Celyssa... This letter came from your family,” Linadra shuddered as she stretches forth her arms with a platter in her hands, bowing deeply. “I didn’t want to read it, but, but I couldn’t hold myself back… I’m sorry, do forgive me.”

“…You and your husband are bound as I am to the revulsion that we so did commit… For the sake of…” She grimaces with a lip rising in disgust, “Meaningless ambitions, which I don’t want to be a part of anymore…”

“Celyssa…” Linadra wailed silently as she straightens herself to put on her most brave yet unemotional expression, to then forward the letter with one hand while holding the platter on the other, “Here, you need to read what it says… It isn’t…good…”

Celyssa nervously takes the letter, but she doesn’t open it, she instead turns around to walk to the room’s table where three seats are for her, her husband, and her daughter, since on certain days they eat there as they did just moments ago, though only her daughter and her ate this time.

The remaining dishes lie on top of the table; half-eaten food, tiny pieces of meat, potatoes, and the leftover soup. Celyssa had relieved every handmaiden and servant so she could spend time alone with her. To feed her like she has many times before, but as she sits down on the fabric-covered seat, she simply stares at the letter before her.

A gulp declares from her throat as she slowly flaps open the letter, then she draws it out. Linadra has closed the doors as she now stands beside her Mistress. Awaiting eagerly. Yet her heart pounds heavily since she knows what kind of letter her family has sent Celyssa. A letter she had gotten years before this very moment. A letter she can’t disobey, for if she declines whatever demands they need of her, her daughter will be doomed forever in her miserable state of madness.

Celyssa then begins reading the letter, which may seem like a regular invitation from a gracious family member, but the hidden meanings that lie in the words will force Celyssa to obey, and obey she shall… For her precious daughter’s sake.

— “Our dear Honored sister Celyssa, we, your brother and your sisters, have so dearly missed you. We would like it, for you and your daughter, Merissa, oh, your unfortunate child, to come visit our estate, your past home. It would so gladden us to catch up, for we haven’t been in contact for over a month. We do sorely miss you, you know that, don’t you? Your daughter, our family’s damaged diamond that can’t be restored. Yet our dear sister has only birthed a single child since you married the Honored Lord Maldoran. Ah, Divine Queens! Let her daughter be healed from the darkness that binds her!”

“But back to the point at hand.”

“If this letter arrived as it should, then tomorrow morning at noon, we do hopes that you can find time to visit us because mother and father miss you also. And while you’re here, more medicine for your daughter will be given to you when you return home. We so look forward to your Honored arrival.”

“May the Divine Queens be with you,”

“Your blood family, Bradinox.” —

The letter slips off of Celyssa’s stunned hands as it lands silently onto the table’s surface. Her eyebrows furrow with clenched teeth, but her expression only shows her sudden extreme anxiety. To meet her family again after her last quarrel with them; she won’t enjoy it, not at all. She would rather walk into the Forest of Scarlet alone than to meet those heartless creatures called, siblings and parents.

“Celyssa…?” Linadra asked with a tilting body to witness her Mistress’ face of worry. “Madam…?”

“Ah, yes, I’m… I’m all right,” Celyssa replied as her daze breaks off, to shake her head to remove any unwanted emotions. “Tomorrow morning then… Prepare for the departure, and… yes, for Merissa also, she’ll be coming with me, no matter how much I dislike it. It’ll do her good, to visit her younger cousins…”

“As you wish… Madam. But, regarding the letter…” Linadra started but hesitates as she bites her lower lip. “It must be about Malinda’s lover; don’t you think so?”

“Most certainly is. It will be like that day… Another unfortunate soul must be put down for the sake of their ambitious ideals in becoming Honored Ones… Poor young man, and his mother too, well, at least, Malinda has known what love truly feels like, even though their union will be short-lived, very short-lived…” Celyssa said, standing up while taking a hold of the letter. Then she holds it over the candle on the table, to erase any evidence, no matter how trivial it may be.

For Celyssa and her family has mastered the arts of untraceable homicides…

As she gazes at the letter, it starts to shroud itself in fire, and with fingers letting go, the blaze eats up the entire paper to turn it into black flakes of death that flies through the air, directing themselves to where the slight breeze of breaths takes them.

“Linadra… Take care of everything for tonight. I am… I need to be rested for tomorrow… I do not want to be disturbed… You may leave now… And I’m sorry for…for bringing you into this again…” Celyssa emotionally said with pausing sentences escaping from her mouth, looking directly into her head-handmaiden’s eyes who stares affectionately back at her Mistress.

“I would sacrifice much more for you… But I will leave you in peace to be with your daughter. Sleep tight and do not let the nightmares of worry beat you to admit defeat—I’ll get this room cleaned up tomorrow so it’ll be spotless for your return after your meeting with…with them.” Linadra said with revulsion upon her furrowed eyebrows.

“Good,” Celyssa responded, turning around to walk back to her bed where the sleeping Merissa dreams away her worries. While Linadra has also moved to open the doors leading out to the magnificent corridor.

“Good night, Celyssa, my Mistress,” Linadra said with a bow, then closes the door without waiting for a response. Celyssa herself didn’t turn around, she only stares at her negligée-wearing daughter, not even being sheltered from the autumns air that flows throughout the citadel.

As Celyssa raises her one knee, she places it on the bed’s edge, then crawls while dragging the warm thick cover with her moving body, to shroud both of them in warmth. To be embraced as mother and daughter. To feel the warmness, that heat she needs so dearly right now.

While puffing the pillows with a slapping hand, she lifts Merissa gently to position her in a more comfortable sleeping position, and not in her current sprawled state.

With her daughter’s back against her front side, lying in a sideways position, Celyssa places her head right next to hers on the same pillow. To have her nose beside her daughter’s hair, to scent her exact similar aroma as hers. Then she drifts away into her own sleep in a complete serenity of kinship…

The few candles, alight; the sound around them, noiseless.

The flickering illumination on Celyssa and Merissa displays both of their expressions of relief; the curved smiles, the relaxed closed eyes, and the tightly embracing arms that go around Merissa under the moving cover, making her mother fall much easier asleep.

Sleep…

………

……

…

“Hahaha! Excellent, excellent, my boy!” Maldoran howled in celebration with a raised wine glass, which’s empty, yet he doesn’t realize it until he tries to drink from it. “Mm… Ha? Oh, it’s empty… Hahaha.”

“Here, Maldoran. Let me refill it for you,” Xe’Reth offered as he raises the wine bottle which has been brought out instead of a wine container since all three of them have drunk a lot, enough to almost fill three one and a half liter bottles.

“Ah, no, no. I think I’ve had my fill of wine. My head starts to get dizzy from all the drinking,” Maldoran said with a stopping hand raised up to decline Xe’Reth’s kind gesture.

“Yeah, it’s actually starting to get late, isn’t it? Hmm, around eleven o’clock I would guess,” Xe’Reth said, gazing around the dining hall, trying to find a grandfather clock, but no clock resides in here, surprisingly. “Oh, that reminds me, Maldoran, weren’t you going to go to the war-room after eating? As it’s getting very late, shouldn’t you be—.”

“AH! DEAR DIVINE QUEENS! I FORGOT ABOUT IT!” Maldoran startlingly shouted at the top of his lungs, raising himself off of his throne of a seat, but he certainly didn’t expect to fall back down on his chair. “Oh dear, my head… I… I shouldn’t have risen so fast, Xe’Reth my boy, do help me stand, as… Well, sister isn’t feeling so perky herself to aid me.”

Malinda, oh Malinda. Her drooping head tries to stay fully awake with eyes closing and opening. Her elbows have situated themselves on the table while she supports her head with two light-skinned palms.

She’s actually drunk out of her mind. Sure, in the beginning, she was happily drinking the wine while she boasted that she felt nothing, so she kept on drinking with Xe’Reth happily watching her in utter worry, but nonetheless he let her. She was enjoying it thankfully, but as she had no idea how the alcohol would affect her, she has now come to experience the agonizing dizziness of an influenced mind.

She gazes at the moving flame in front of her, a candleholder with several burning lights, yet one of them caught her fixated eyes. She has been staring at the movements of the candle for some time now, not hearing or noticing her surroundings. Only her newly tired body drains her of any will to look around the dining hall.

Even the servants stare in wide-eyed worry, shock, and joy since they’ll be able to tell every single servant in the citadel about Malinda’s weakness to wine or any other beverage that makes people drunk.

“I’ll take care of her, so don’t you worry because I’m still surprisingly sane, for the moment at least,” Xe’Reth smilingly said, placing his one hand on Malinda’s shoulder, to try to gain a response, but no such thing returns, only the snoozing breaths from Malinda’s sighs sounds out in exhaust. “Here, let me help you up.”

Xe’Reth stands up from Malinda’s grand seat with a slight grimacing expression of fakeness, to move right next to Maldoran’s throne-like chair. As he lifts Maldoran’s large arm around his shoulder, he carefully supports the big oaf while Maldoran raises himself much more slowly with Xe’Reth’s help, then as one hand of Maldoran’s touches his own temple, he groans out, “Oh, thank you, lad. I… I think I can take it from here. And by the way, that idea about the construction you mentioned which can aid the battles down by the Ebon Wall’s gates. I, I think I’ll steal that idea from you, if you don’t mind, that is. Hahaha…”

“No problem, you can use it to your advantage. Since you said that you didn’t have any ideas for the mission you were given today at the Ebon Wall’s meeting,” Xe’Reth said with a smirking nod of approval, while letting Maldoran stand by himself. “But I do wonder if you’ll even be able to convince them because… Well, it would need an immense amount of materials to build, so it surely will be frowned upon… if I know my nobles correctly. Though since I haven’t met any Honored Ones other than your family, I can’t say for sure how they will react. But either way, use it to gain respect from your Honored peers.”

“Don’t worry lad, I’ll throw in your name too, so when you’re ready to take up the mantle of General, you’ll be looked upon with respect,” Maldoran said with a wide grin and raised eyebrows.

“What…? Maldoran, what do you mean by that?” Xe’Reth startlingly asked, furrowing his brows as he witnesses Maldoran’s sudden happy expression on his grinning mouth.

“Oh…? You didn’t know? All male Tertin heirs to the family are forced to become soldiers in our city’s army for a certain period of time. It’s an unabated rule that had been set in stone since our glorious founder, Tertania Tertin set that rule upon us males those many years ago. I know, it’s unfair, but rules are rules, after all, but… I guess some rules have been dismissed as of late, like the head of the family must be a female. A lot of bickering came of that, but both of my sisters didn’t want to take up the mantle of being the head of the family,” Maldoran said with a shake of his head in dismay, but continues as he places his big hand on Xe’Reth’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, lad. You don’t need to do it yet, I’ll give you… hmm, two years before you need to join the middle gate’s squadron.”

‘Dammit, I would’ve never thought that they had such conditions, but oh well, I’ll have changed some rules in two years, maybe even convincing Malinda to take up her position as head again? Hmm…’ Xe’Reth pondered with lowered eyebrows, making Maldoran slap Xe’Reth’s shoulder as he begins to walk towards the door leading out to the ballroom.

“Hahaha! Don’t worry lad, we’ll talk about it some other day!” Maldoran jokingly laughed but stops as he gazes at his drunk sister. Then asks with peering eyes, “Oh, by the way, Xe’Reth. You won’t be doing, you know what, today, right?”

Xe’Reth shakes his head, “No, I wouldn’t do something that dreadful to Malinda in her current state. You can be at ease. For I want her to… *Cough* Well, you know, to feel a somewhat pleasure for our first time, hehe.”

“Mm. Good, very good, you’ve a fine head there, Xe’Reth, don’t forget to use it for the upcoming years to aid our small family. But, I’m getting too ahead of myself. Until next time, lad,” Maldoran waved his goodbye as he strides by his droopy sister without saying anything to her. And as Maldoran reaches the door, he gives a smiling nod to Xe’Reth, his acceptance of giving over his precious beautiful sister to an another man.

Ah, the pain he feels yet he counts his blessings, for it gives only advantages to make their family bigger. Maybe he’ll even be alive long enough to see his Madelyn also finding a man for herself. But as he remembers about what happened at the breakfast table, that Madelyn had also found someone, though she wasn’t ready to confess yet, turns Maldoran’s smile even wider as he stomps with his swaying influenced feet out the door and into the small corridor that leads to the ballroom.

With a sigh of relief, Xe’Reth turns around to the servers who doesn’t dare make eye contact with him, not even the older ones because his abyssal eyes stare intently at them. Though the big chested one does have the courage to gaze at him. But as one of their stomachs nervously resounds with a gurgling noise, one gapes with an opened mouth as the servant’s head whips downwards to look at her own covered belly.

“I… I am so sorry, Sir… I haven’t eaten anything yet, so please forgive my rudeness,” the servant pleaded with a bowing upper body, gripping onto her dress tightly while her eyes shut themselves to wait for his words of punishment. Because though he was kind to the servant who currently stares at him with a grateful smile, doesn’t mean he’ll return the kindness now that he’s alone. Maybe he changes to a complete monster when none catches him but the lowly servants?

“Hehe, no worries, no need to act so scared around me, I may look a little frightening, but I’m not that bad once you get to know me. Now please, don’t bow because of something as natural as a growling stomach, since I’ve known my fair share of starvation...” Xe’Reth kindly assured them, but the hint of sadness on his down-looking eyes tells the tale of a young man who has experienced true hunger.

With that, the servants slowly but steadily raise their heads to innocently stare at his magnificent posture of hands behind his back, a smile on his lips, and his now closed eyes.

“Is… is it true that you came from the slums of the city… S-Sir?” a servant bravely asked, while all of the other servants whips their head in her direction. How can she ask something like that?! Such nerve! Yet even if their eyes staring at her, she keeps on going. “And is it really true about what you said… t-those horrible events that happen on the outside?”

Xe’Reth’s scarred eyebrow raises in slight wonder, he chuckles while answering, “I’m unfortunate enough to have come from the slums, yes. And to answer your other question… There are dreadful happenings in the slums, even in other parts of the city, also outside the city can those occasions happen often. Hmm, but let me give you some advice if you were to go outside. Don’t trust anyone but those you actually know. Because People would do anything to trick pretty girls like… well, you all are beautiful in your own way.”

With such immense kindness yet slight flirtatious words, the servants smile happily at Xe’Reth, looking to their sides too, to watch their colleagues’ expressions which display their satisfaction of this new man. A man… As some of them realize that he’s actually a man, a real young man, they blush in delight to have met him. But before they get any other feelings, Xe’Reth warns gravely, “Remember that not everyone you meet will be as welcoming as I. They will try to take advantage of you if you let them, and whatever you do, do not let them do it. Oh well, enough about that for it would seem that Malinda isn’t feeling great, so I’ll take her to her room. It was a pleasure meeting you all.”

‘Such innocent girls, even the older ones, seriously… They probably haven’t left the citadel yet,’ Xe’Reth thought with hidden rolling eyes as he turns around to focus his attention to the gorgeous woman sitting there on the lesser chair, gazing with her eyes into the dazing candles, while her eyes flicker, trying to stay awake in her current drunken state.

The time has finally come, but yet not, because he must have sex with her to fulfill their true bond. Though one day of waiting wouldn’t hurt both of them. Even his headache takes a lot from him to control, to not make a sudden painful grimace.

He exerts himself too much in keeping a straight mask of gladdened smiles.

He so desires to rest his tired mind. But can he? He doesn’t like feeling so vulnerable at this moment in time. ‘Thankfully the wine didn’t affect me as much as I hoped it would. Swaying around with my constant headache…’ Xe’Reth shudders at the thought, then he leans forward, putting his hands on either shoulder of his beautifully dressed lady. Only two single straps holding her dress up. If he would cut them, her dress would fall to show her splendidness.

His captured pray, Malinda Tertin.

“Malinda, my love, how are you feeling? Do you feel ill?” Xe’Reth asked, speaking into her one ear in a soothing voice. But no response, nothing. Such a strong woman reduces to this kind of state. Truly marvelous. He won’t need to urge her into going to bed, to sleep together, to embrace in each other’s heat.

Xe’Reth needs her to become additive to him, to his body even, for a woman who desires her man is much more controllable to do actions outside of her normal element. But he’s too tired to do anything today. He just wants to go to sleep, then wake up early in the morning to take care of his mother’s painful awakening.

As he’s about to whisper into her ear again, Malinda beings to snivel, and since her face directs forward, Xe’Reth leans in more to witness her newly teary eyes. Has he done something to make her sad? Or has something surfaced in her mind? A memory, perhaps? He’s really taken aback by her sorrowful grimace.

What should he do? What can he do? With a shake of his head, he goes in. His arms encircle her body; the left hand going around her back so it places right beneath her right bosom, and the other on her right cheek, turning her weeping skull towards him yet again.

Her face when she gazes into his eyes, damaged. Her chin quakes terribly while she tries to keep her voice in check from letting out her hiccups and cries of a long lost feeling that she wants back, but those emotions will never return. They’re dead. Her parents who she loved with all her heart, dead, lying in their saddened graves. Built in the citadel’s graveyard by the hedged labyrinth of emerald leaves.

“I… I… I miss my parents, X-Xe’Reth… I miss them so much; I want them back… Why… why did they have to die…?” She asked with her now watery eyes, then she covers her grieving face before showing what becomes of it. Her weeping begins yet again, like those many times this day.

Upon seeing him, all tortured, lying with his back against the closed door, thinking that he was dead. Then seeing his damaged mother in her diseased state. The wonderful dance that they shared in front of the citizens of poverty, the whispering of words of her father’s brilliance on the glorious floor of movements.

She can’t even remember how many times she has cried today. For Xe’Reth, for herself. Emotions unlocked by the simple meeting of this caring lover who embraces her, who comforts her from the painful thoughts that cloud her current influenced mind.

“Wh…why… I… I didn’t even get to say g-goodbye to them… I loved them with all my heart… And they loved meee! Why…! Tell me… I need to know; why did they have to die, Xe’Reth…? Why…aha… Uhhhuh… uuhh…” She weeps and weeps her heart out as she seeks answers with her hands covering her face. But what her drunken self doesn’t expect from Xe’Reth; he forcibly grabs her wrists and moves her sheltering hands away, to stare into his globes of darkness. “Xe’Reth… Noooo… Don’t look at me… D-Don’t… Pleeease… I am hideous… Please…”

He sighs in annoyance, but a sigh of a smile nonetheless as he witnesses this sniveling woman whose eyes, swollen red. Whose chin, spasms violently, and her mouth which gapes widely, shows her sparkling white teeth.

‘I guess the wine set off all of the switches to shield her from these kinds of emotions. So emotional she is… Though… somehow she’s prettier when she cries… Lucky that she can even cry, unlike myself…’ Xe’Reth thought without showing any defeat in his gripping hands, fighting back her own strength that earnestly tries to shield her face from his stare. She’s strong, very strong.

“I have had enough with your crying, Malinda! Come here, we’re going immediately to your room to put you to bed. You’re completely impossible to talk to when you’re sobbing like a little girl in your teens! For your mother and father’s sake, act like the woman that they wanted you to be, and not this child in front of myself! Grow up! Stand up! Do whatever it takes to be the woman that can bring out the good in people, rise up, my love! No?! I guess I need to use force then,” Xe’Reth scolded with glaring eyes as his headache got the better of him. With a violent tug upwards, he lifts Malinda straight up, making her surprisingly fly off of her chair. Her own grieving face doesn’t respond soon enough until her body moves by itself, and the servants’ stunned expressions only watch the demonstration of utter dominance.

As Malinda has a straightened body, he lets go of her wrists to hold her waist instead, then spins her a quarter of a circle, and tilts her backward to pick her up with an arm on her back while his other arm swings downwards to place behind her lower thighs.

He picks Malinda up to carry her in princess-style as her own startling arms swings around his neck to grab onto something.

While her dripping eyes continue to run down her face, she protests with a hitting hand on his chest, but she actually doesn’t use any strength, because she truly knows that he only cares about her. What else could it be but love?

Carrying Malinda, Xe’Reth steps out from between the gaps of the two different chairs, then he casually walks with the protesting Malinda who gives no voiced complaints, only her weak slaps on his finely dressed torso. But as he turns to the servants, he bobs happily, saying his goodbyes, “Until next time, ladies. Now then, time to put this little weeping girl to bed. Hmm, wouldn’t you agree, Malinda, my love?”

“No… put me down Xe’Reth… It… it isn’t—I’m not joking… Please… Xe’Reth…”

“What?! You do agree?! Then onwards! Towards the bedchamber to experience our first night of rest! Turn left half of a circle, Xe’Reth! And Forwaaard march!” Xe’Reth shouted nonchalantly, giving no aid or compliance to his crying woman.

“No…—*Hic*” Malinda hiccupped as Xe’Reth carries her away by marching on the carpeted floor; her arms and lower legs flail about, but in a more passive than in an aggressive way since she knows he only cares about her, even in her drunken state. As if a little spoiled princess has awoken inside Malinda’s mind, turning somewhat into her own younger sister. “*Hic* I… I miss mama and papa so much…”

“I know… I know,” Xe’Reth affectionately replied, holding her a little tighter to keep her nearer and completely secure. She even turns a bit to curl up as she cuddles her head on his shoulder, while her arms spiral tighter around his neck, tilting his head in the process. Then with watered lips, she kisses his bare neck in a loving daze, falling deeper into her drunken state.

Xe’Reth leaves her to her neck-kissing as he continues to walk, and when he reaches the double doors, he swings to his right side, then with his elbow, he forces the handle down.

As the servants gaze at him with various expressions, some waves goodbye to him excitedly, while he bobs one last nod before disappearing through the single opened door, leaving the dining hall in a sideway embrace since he’s holding the neck-kissing Malinda who has latched onto him with her dear life. Because the double doors aren’t the most extensive there is.

Then with the clicking of the closing door, the servants breathe out in relief since meeting with their first young man took a lot out of them. Even the large busted servant puffs out a breath who Xe’Reth kindly forgave without batting an eye at her clumsiness.

“See…? Appearances can be deceiving. For I always knew Lady Malinda would pick someone kind, I even told you girls about it…” one of the servants proudly said with chest raised high and mighty. “Maybe next choosing, spots will be open to join Lady Malinda’s and Sir Xe’Reth’s wing… I wouldn’t mind serving him, but, but you don’t think he’s that kind of man which I’ve heard of… You know, taking advantage of girls, to… to…—.”

“Hold your tongue! What would he think, no, Lady Malinda think of you, if she heard you say that about her lover?!” an older servant shouted who especially likes Malinda, for her beauty beats anyone in the citadel, so of course, girls of similar ages would turn to her as a role model.

The Lady of House Tertin.

Many servants want to join her wing, but only those who excelled in every area upon turning fourteen had even the slightest chance of joining and not those who lazed around, not taking their studies seriously. Being regular servants suited their lifestyles. Though when servants grow older, they regret not fighting harder for a spot in Malinda’s wing.

“I… I was only speculating you know… No need to… to become so angry…” the servant whimpered with head lowering to droop. “He was kind… that’s all, I didn’t mean anything by it—Oh please, don’t tell anyone about me saying what I said. Please? Everyone? Please, I beg of you! I don’t know how men thinks…! I will never say anything bad about him ever again!”

None of the servers responds, only the big chested one who starts to walk to the table to pick up Xe’Reth’s plate and silverware while smilingly saying, “Now, now, ladies. Time to clean up and go to bed, a big day tomorrow morning. And as I was the one who got Sir Xe’Reth’s attention the most, I declare that I become the new leader of our serving team from now on. Any objections?”

“What?” everyone asked with stun written upon their faces. “Hahahaha!”

“Look at her trying to be all cool for gaining simple clemency! All that you got going for you is those two mountains of fat, nothing more, hahaha,” a servant laughed at the now frowning server who stands in slight anger, but puffs out air as she strides with head held high right towards the kitchen.

But as she reaches the kitchen’s door, she grins with an upper body turning, “At least I got some fat on my chest instead of being a flat desert landscape!” Then she heads straight into the kitchen with a “Humph,” escaping from her mouth.

The servant who said the mean remark, looks down at her own flat chest. Her mouth curves down as she goes to the table in defeat, to carry the dirty dishes into the kitchen, just like the victorious girl whose laugh resounds from the opened door.

The rest of the servants too goes to the table to begin cleaning, while they begin to chat happily about the recent happening of the drunk Lady Malinda… To spread the gossip when they return to their own residences.

………

……

…

“Xe’Reth… I love you… You, you make me…all giddy inside…” Malinda said with smooches watering Xe’Reth’s cheek, imprinting it with lipstick. While he sighs exhaustingly, treading on the stairs leading up to Malinda’s wing. The exact same stairs that they walked down from before. But now only one steps as the other clings to her lover, giving him more and more kisses.

She has changed from her crying ways to a more aroused woman. She’s actually feeling Xe’Reth up with her one hand; stroking his chest while breathing heavily as kiss after kiss pecks his lipstick-colored cheek. “Haaa… Haaa… You’re so… I, I just want to eat you up, eat you whole. Mmm, and you smell so... so great.”

“Yes, yes, darling,” Xe’Reth calmly said, playing along with her sudden change into a lustful woman. A woman that has unlocked all of her hidden desires. But Xe’Reth knows it’s only an affect from drinking a high amount of wine.

Her eyes aren’t even focusing on one spot as if they spin, making her light-headed. They close and open as her tiredness grows.

‘I am never urging her to drink ever again if this is how she’ll act every time she’s drunk… But really, she did drink a lot for a beginner. I wonder if she’ll throw up, since I heard that if someone drinks too much they get immensely sick to their stomachs, even passing out,’ Xe’Reth thought, counting his mistakes of choice as he climbs the staircase, and when he reaches the top, he marches onwards down the same long corridor. The caged torches illuminate the way for him while he’s impressed by the upkeep of the citadel. Nothing out of order.

Then as he’s about to round the corner to head north, he stops dead in his tracks before reaching the turn because he hears voices of anger, “Taryna, you better hold your tongue, I’ve warned you before of these shameful acts. So stop it immediately, otherwise, I have to report what you say to Mistress.”

“Oh shut it you big brute. Say what you will, but I will not go along with your dutiful ways of looking the other way when our Mistress has gotten a betrayer as a lover,” Taryna scoffed at Recina’s threat, gesturing with her whipping hand in annoyance. “He is but a THING our Mistress will tire of, then…—.”

“Ah, Mistress, what’s the matter?! Is she feeling sick, Xe’Reth?!” Tanya’s voice shouted from the corridor leading towards the sanctuary where Xe’Reth and Malinda had come from when they first arrived, while Xe’Reth rolls his eyes at the convenience of the meeting with the wide-eyed Tanya, her sister Taryna, Recina, and the shorty Cerinn who follows diligently behind the flame-haired handmaiden.

But the face on Taryna completely screams her own undoing because she hasn’t caught her Mistress’ deadly gaze of utter disappointment yet. Her own voice must’ve reached Malinda’s ears, which would get her into even more trouble than she already is, for she was rude to Xe’Reth before.

Recina though has a confident smile on her lips as she strides with her plated legs to the crossroad of corridors, one leading to the sanctuary, one to the ballroom, one to Recina’s office and holding, and one leading to Xe’Reth’s and Malinda’s bedchamber.

As all individuals meet at the intersection, every handmaidens’ eyes gawk at the drunken lady who still kisses Xe’Reth on his cheek, not minding her faithful women of servitude.

“Wha… wha… wha, what are you doing, Miss?” Taryna painstakingly said with grimacing narrowed eyes. The disgust of her Miss’s lips touching his cheek displays fully on her expression. But before Taryna says any other sentence, Recina puts her hand on her shoulder, then grips ahold of it, tightly.

“Sir Xe’Reth, good evening. I heard that you two went to dinner, went everything all right?” Recina asked curiously with a grateful smile. For Malinda truly appear happy as her lips lock and unlock from his cheek, watering it immensely.

“Good evening everyone, you too little one,” Xe’Reth greeted with a stylish bob, though as his head moves, Malinda grabs ahold of it, to keep it entirely still so she can continue to be uninterrupted. “Well, as you can see, she has had a little bit too much to drink I’m afraid. Though it was an interesting meeting with Lord Maldoran, Madam Celyssa, and Lady Merissa. But… a quarrel was unfortunately had between Malinda and Madam Celyssa, which sadly brought forth Merissa’s illness.”

“What…? What did Miss and Madam Celyssa argue about? It’s weird, they’ve never been in a fight before. Xe’Reth, can you tell us—?” Tanya worriedly asked but is interrupted by Recina.

“Tanya…” Recina said frowningly with squinting eyes glaring at her boldness. “Can’t you see? Our Honored Mistress is in need of rest, yet you want to ask questions which you’ll get an answer to soon enough?”

“I…”

“Go and prepare for her rest… Wait a moment, who’s she?” Recina flickeringly asked in surprise since the shorty Cerinn, stands behind Tanya being a tad afraid of this plate-clad woman who has sweat running down her forehead; the training of the servants has taken its toll even on Recina.

“Ah, yes. Tanya, did you take care of the procedures?” Xe’Reth smilingly responded instead of letting Tanya return the reply about the frantic shorty behind her.

“Ah… Yes, of course, Sir Xe’Reth,” Tanya startlingly replied as she straightens herself to step to the side so all the attention focuses on the short girl who’s dressed in a different outfit than the one she was given before. Probably Tanya’s influence since Cerinn has newly setup hair that’s formed as a bun. And with a hand placing on her shoulder, Tanya urges Cerinn by whispering into her ear, “Say and do what I taught you, understand? Be proud and poised, now go on and introduce yourself to your male master.”

As nervous as she can be, Cerinn steps into the middle of the crossroad where everyone witnesses with their eyes, the girl who now takes ahold of her handmaiden’s dress, then curtsies while putting on her most fake gladdened smile at her disposal as she utters with stumbling words, “I… I, Cerinn Jeyver, g-g-greets Master Xe’Reth. I hope I will be of assistance for the upcoming years when I serve you faithfully. I have learned from my past mistakes...”

“And… thank you, for if it wasn’t for you… I… I would’ve been thrown out by Lady Madelyn…”

“So from the bottom of my heart, I solemnly thank you… M-Master Xe’Reth.”

………

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Thanks for reading!

Soon, soon a lot will be happening in the story, so be ready these upcoming weeks! ;D

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