Two soft knocks were pick up by the translator from the door, Valerie slowly opened to greet Lang, who was already awake and dressed by the maid beforehand. As she walked up to her son who had gone back to laying on the bed Valerie bent over and lightly gripped Lang's hand. Lang who felt his mother's hand looked straight ahead, assuming that she was standing back Lang had quickly gotten up to greet her as her scent had already flown into the room. However, she was still bent over the bed, and an unfortunate hiccup occurred.

"Ow!... Lang you have to be gentle with your mom, she's getting old don't you know?"

Ow!

"Mom... sorry..."

"...Hahhhh...I can't be mad at you when you look so sad, sweetheart. Okay, you're forgiven so I'll expect you to be nice to Wilford while mother is away today okay?"

"Okay..."

Leading Lang up to stand on the floor, she walked with him a couple of paces to his desk where her fingers trailed against each book before pulling out a mapping of the world, and an etiquette book.

Three soft knocks sounded at the door indicating that this was one of the butlers or maids. Valerie who was clasping Lang's hand had released it as she stood up and readied herself she called out to the person behind the door.

”Come in”

Hearing the affirmation a slim man opened the door and walked in sporting a standard butler uniform, as he pushed up his spectacles he then bowed as he greeted the madam of the household all the while affirming the time for Lang's lesson as his grey silvery hair cascaded down gently. Valerie nodded and strode up to the old man whispering into his ear about today's lesson she grinned mischievously.

"Wilford...Two extra"

With the upcoming lesson now set in stone Valerie left as she bid Lang a fun study. The old butler could only smirk teasingly as he looked at Lang, enunciating his words slowly as to build the tension and dread.

”Young Master, the Madam has asked of me to start your lesson early and to extend the teachings by a few hours”

Mom... I swear you forgave me! I'll give you a hug! No, Two! Come back pleeassse!

Feeling his heart stifle as the morse made him realize his mom had goaded him into believing she had let him off, only to plan this last-second behind his back. Lang could only nod his head and let out a sigh as he straightened his posture before letting the butler continue on speaking.

” Today's lesson is geography.”

Huh?

Lang was perplexed on the lesson today, instead of English, Maths, History, or even physical education. Today's lesson was geography? His interpretation of the world was only the yellow sky and green land with some blue here and there for shade. How would he be about to locate or read his surroundings?

”??... Uncle... blind... Why... learn?”

”Young Master, you are still one of the Master's many children, you are bound to meet someone from another region at some point, you will have to know where they come from as to involve the proper etiquette.”

Thinking to himself he nodded, there would be more times when other families visited the household like yesterday. If an incident happened as him not showing proper respect to their culture or such would sully his mother's name, and with the thought of such he let Wilford start the lesson.

”In this region, we are in, we are known as the Green Cicada Region which your father is in charge of as you know, the other three big regions are known as, the Crimson Legion Monarchy, the. Yellow Blossom Republic, and the Blue Cloud Region...

Now the other three regions--..”

Seriousness covered Langs face as he noted down, each part of what Uncle Wilford was teaching about, committed to learning all he could as to imagine the world, as well as to learn the proper way with dealing with citizens of the opposite areas. Time ticked as Wilford was slowly explaining it to Lang, and him responding with clicks as to ask any questions he had.

"The Blue Cloud has highly trained assassins... Yes there are others known as mercenaries"

Seems rich...

...

"No Lang Yellow Blossom region has much more culture, the people celebrate festivals more often as well."

I want to go with Mom...

...

"Remember when you were eight? The harsh and formal old times nobility is strictly abided by in the Legion Monarchy."

Rude jerks! Talking to mom like that!

*****

Arriving at the destination, a beautiful woman had gotten out of the car standing proudly as she was being escorted by her aid, the woman blinked her gem-like green eyes as one of the approaching stationed maids welcomed her.

”Is Apollus here Rebecca?”

”Lady Im, Master is here, he is waiting for you.”

Nodding her head slowly, she gazed over to Alicia who wore a sorrowful expression, reluctant to see the lady leave as she knows once again what would happen here at the main house. A sad smile etched onto Valerie's lips as she spoke to Alicia, as she raised her hand and caressed the maid's cheek.

”Alicia please pick me up in a few hours.”

”Madam Im, I request to stay here an-”

”Leave, please!.. I don't want you to see the wretched state I'll be in”

Flinching at her madam's outburst Alicia could only nod and agree that later in the day she would return, as she started the car and pulled out of the estate, she could only see Valerie's lonely back and small frame. Alicia could only bite her lip harder, driving further and further away from the estate. Looking back over to the maid and sparing a glance at Rebecca she was escorted into the main mansion's living room where she saw Nina.

”Oh? Well if it isn't Mistress Valerie, don't be silent come here and have a chat”

”Mistress Nina, it's nice to see you again too, I take it that after our seventh time meeting you would've been a wife by now at least”

”Hmph, this bitc... I will be there soon, you should know our placements are only affected by how well our children do... As compared with yours haha”

”You, shut it.”

”Oh! I'm so sorry Valerie, I didn't see what I was doing please don't hear what I have to say I'll be quiet now hahaha.”

Valerie gritted her teeth, she would have been more than willing to slap the lady if not for the fact that she and her sons' livelihood would have been at risk considering the rankings. As she balled her fist tightly all she could do was regret about Lang. Regret the fact that this useless mother of his could do nothing to help him. As much as a home, the food, and the relationships their household share, they could not heal all the mental trauma the years of bullying by his step-siblings caused, or give him a normal relationship with his peers.

Lang your mother is sorry she can't vent out the angry for you. That science today cannot give you abilities without also making it feel like you're incapable of yourself. Mom is sorry Lang, she should hold you more often, shouldn't she...

After the self-reflection once again, Valerie had decided not to remain in the main living area any longer and instead go to the study hall to wait to be called on. The grey walls and ceiling coupled with the dark blue of the window drapes and the black of the linings had caused a depressive and downcast mood to float in the room. Before long she was called to meet the master and while putting her book away she could only laminated how much time was about to be wasted here instead of with her son. Making her way to the Chamber she knocked before being let in, a man as big as a bear, built and tanned, gazed at her body.

”...Apollus make this quick”

”...”

Giving out a snort and a low mocking laugh he stood up striding over to her with large steps and traced a finger on her collar bone, around her waist, and arching back before her perky assets.

”Valerie, I give you and our child home and more, what kind of tone is this”

”You have never been a father to him, Apollus, I have said it before, that you are not like the person who I used to love, I cherish my little Lang now”

”That child? Listen Valerie if bear me a good child, you might rank up to a wife”

”YOU!”

Valerie snapped as she gritted her teeth attempting to reach up to slap him only to be stopped and slapped back. Silence enveloped the room as darkness loomed over her face, as she closed her eyes she made her way to his bed steadily, she slowly stripped each piece of clothing on her way, her downcast could not hide her alluring figure, the tender white skin seemingly glowed in luminance against the afternoon light, space was seemingly only drawn toward her curves, and Apollus could not help but admire her body, nodding and savoring the sight before making his was towards her, as Valerie looked down as tears welled up, intense humiliation appeared.

The humiliation that she had ever thought that the confident, kind, bashful man, would be real, that she could not take Lang and run without any ability to protect him and as she wallowed a burst of deep laughter sounding out inquired.

”Where did you get these injuries? I'll hide them for you! My hands are big enough to hide them once again!"

My little sweetheart, mommy will be home soon... I will always do what I can for you... Stay strong!

Cries of pain sounded out masking the silent sobs followed, but it was only drowned out in a sadistic laugh that echoed throughout the hallways. As she thought out the last words, she did not know herself if that was meant to be for Lang... Or for her.

*****

Alicia had arrived back home long ago, by then the sun had already set and the light of the moon illuminated the lawn when finally a sedan with the family crest arrived. Alicia noticing the car quickly arrived at the passenger side door, solemnly opening it, and as she once again saw the pale sight of her miss, the glazed-over eyes, and the bruise on her neck Alicia could not help but shed a few tears.

”M-Madam Im you're home... Please let me help you!!”

With the burst of the familiar voice, Valerie quickly hastened up, her eyes regained color as she unbuckled herself and exited the vehicle, who upon noticing the distraught on Alicia's face had soon smile and put her worries back. In one gentle motion, Valerie was tightly hugging Alicia while rubbing her back, rhythmically swaying and rocking her hushedly. The silent assurance of a mother figure rang the heart of Alicia who was reminded again who this woman was. The small shivering figure that was currently rocking her had seemed all the more lonely.

”Please... Please... Don't... Hic.”

Calming Alicia down she headed up the steps to the house and informed the other attendants to not mention anything to Lang this week, as usual, each of them hugged her and angrily gritted their teeth, the house atmosphere on these days was palpable with murder and sorrow. As she bid them a good night she headed up to Lang's room, knocking twice to inform him it was her. Minutes passed as a soft clumsy thumping made its way to the door before pulling it open and flinging itself into her arms, with a delightful hoarse laugh she hugged Lang tight easing her tightened nerves and letting go of the wariness she felt, having the courage to truly smile once again. Asking Lang how his day was and how was the lesson her eyes twinkled in excitement and fulfillment to be blessed with the chance to converse with her son again.

*****

Lying in bed Lang's rage boiled once again this month under his happy and calm appearance, with each hand stroke that he ran along his mother’s arms and neck he felt a slight swelling area around the wrist and a tremor from his mother as his hand passed over it, with each inhale of his mothers familiar and comforting scent, the stinging stench of iron was barely peeking through. All the times he suffered those feelings he wanted to keep away from his mother had once again found their way to her as he knew them all too well. Clenching his fingers he dug his nails into his palm he lamented this powerlessness once again.

The color is.... Red, once again.