Akiara opened her eyes. It was the same place - red sky and she was standing on the shallow pool of blood. She turned around and saw her parents and sister were standing faraway.

She kneeled down avoiding their eyes, "Mom Dad! Mitsuko! I'm sorry that I wasn't a daughter and good sister you all wanted. You can resent me from your heart because I deserve it. But please don't leave me and go! I beg you all."

They turned around walking away.

"Mom Dad! Mitsuko! Don't go! Please don't go!" She cried showing her hand trying to stop them.

She opened her eyes as tears streamed down. She kept her hand on the eyes. She sat up and noticed she was on the bed. Her jacket and cloak was on the chair and her sword rested near the nightstand. She got off the bed. She wore her jacket and cloak and took her sword. She noticed the clock hanging on the wall. It was 12:30 at noon. She walked out of her room and walked towards maindeck. Everyone were preparing as the land was shown in the distance. Brielle noticed her. She walked towards her.

"Akiara you woke up."

"..."

"We will be reaching the empire very soon." She spoke excitedly.

"I see." She turned her face away.

They reached the harbour after fifteen minutes. Then the beefy man released the anchor which anchored the ship. Then Zayden and the skinny man dropped off ship's stairs to get off the ship. Everyone got down the ship.

She slightly bowed, "Thank you for dropping me off to Vasilindro empire."

"Don't worry about it. We just helped a friend in need." Zayden replied hesitantly.

"I see. Well then farewell." She walked away.

Brielle also ran following her, "So where are you heading to?"

"Information guild."

"I can drop you off since it is on the way to imperial palace."

She stopped walking, "You will?"

"Yeah."

Brielle's carriage was waiting outside the dockyard. She talked with the coachman and then they went inside. Akiara stared the bustling city from the window.

"Friend huh?"

[Middle school

Akiara was getting beaten up by girls in girls washroom.

"Why are you hitting me? What did I ever do to you all?"

The girl smirked, "Well... you are so easy to pick that's why hahahaha!"

"Suki-san... I thought we were friends. Why did you trick me?"

Suki-san, her only friend in school stood there watching her getting bullied.

She hesitated as she spoke, "Be-because... you are worthless!" her eyes were misty but she held back her tears.

Akiara's eyes grew wide. She didn't feel hurt that much from the beatings but what Suki-san said felt like a knife stabbed her heart.

"Worth...less? So all this time you pretended to be my friend?"

Suki-san replied avoiding her eyes reading that she will see her tearful eyes, "Y-yes."

"Well that's quite a show. Thanks for your precious time, Suki-chan."

The girl walked away with her followers following her. Even Suki-san glanced at her for one last time and also walked away.]

"The word 'friend' itself sounds trash."

Brielle's carriage stopped in front the information guild. Coachman knocked on the small window.

"We have reached the place you wanted to go." Brielle spoke.

"Thank you. This is where we part our ways."

"I see. Do you think that we will meet again in the future?"

"I don't know. Take care."

She opened the carriage door and got off. Brielle smiled as she closed the door. She started walking towards the building entrance. She was amazed that there were so many people. She took off her hood as it was crowded and no one would notice her. She noticed a bulletin board and walked towards it. She looked at the papers - job applications. She overheard some young women conversing to each other.

"Grand Duke is already ready to give ten gold loures for becoming that sick daughter's servant."

"Well, if I was in your shoes I wouldn't apply for it."

"What makes you think that I will apply for it? I don't want to get caught to her contagious disease and die early."

"My? Aren't you being a bit harsh?"

"Who cares. Everyone knows that youngest daughter of Grand Duke was sick ever since she was born. Anyways, there are plenty of jobs available - for example becoming Viscount's daughter lady Amelia's personal maid." She took out the paper from the notice board.

She kept on looking at the papers while listening to their gossip. She noticed grand duke's name in one of the paper. She took it out and read it:

"PERSONAL MAID REQUIRED

Personal maid required for Grand Duke Verlice's youngest daughter.

Salary per month - 10 gold loures"

"This one seems suspicious. I will start from this one." She took out the paper and walked towards the reception desk. They noticed her black hair as it fluttered in air.

"Oh my, such beautiful hair."

"If Crown prince sees her then I won't even stand a chance to even become a concubine as well."

"She looks like she came from the another world."

"Why don't we talk to her and get to know her?" The women looked at her.

The receptionist smiled at her. She blushed as she saw her beautiful face.

"Hi-I mean Hello. How may I help you?"

She showed the paper, "I would like to apply for it."

The lady in other desk asked her looking serious, "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes. If there is any other way I would like to know more about her."

Another lady came from back office spoke, "In that case please wait for few minutes. We would like to make some necessary arrangements so that you can meet the headmaid." She showed her the way to VIP lounge.

A server entered with a food cart. He served her a cup of tea and a plate of sweets and cookies.

She sat there quietly. After ten minutes, the receptionist entered calling her.

"Excuse me Miss?"

"Yes?"

"I have contacted the headmaid from Verlice estate and they said they would like to meet you. I have arranged a carriage that will take you to Verlice estate."

"I see. Thank you. How much do I have to pay?"

"There's no need to pay because the expense is covered by Grand Duke."

"I see."

She showed her the way to the carriage. Before entering she glanced at the lady, "May I ask one last question?"

"Sure. What would you like to know?"

"Do you know someone who possess scarlet eyes?"

The lady's face was shocked whereas the coachman's face turned pale. The lady let out a small nervous chuckle.

"What's with that look?"

"I don't think there is anyone who possess scarlet eyes. Scarlet eyes are considered as cursed eyes because they symbolize Asmodians."

"I see. At this rate it will be impossible to find that person since they are considered as cursed." She entered the carriage which took her to grand duchy estate.

_______

A café opposite to information guild sat a mysterious man drinking tea and enjoying the sight of bustling street from the balcony. His hair was crimson color as well as he had elegant visage making him look like a handsome devil. His deep orange eyes reflected to Akiara's beauty. He got mesmerized by her black hair and blue eyes.

"Who is she?" He pointed Akiara entering Duke's carriage.

His aide standing behind, "I don't know Your Highness. But it seems like she is a new visitor."

"Haah... she's quite a beauty. Find out about her, what see likes and what are her preferences."

"Yes Your Highness." his aide walked away.

He smirked, "I don't know who you are my angel but I will definitely make you mine."