Imperial Palace, Vasilindro empire

Crown Prince's study room

Crown prince, Orson Von Aldair was working with papers. He stretched as he got exhausted from working.

"Sigh... where is Drake? Once he comes back, I'll shove all these work to him." he checked time from his pocket watch, "I must go as today I was invited by ladies to their tea party."

Just then Drake entered with more files and papers. He kept it on the bureau.

He smiled, "Speak of the devil."

"Drake why don't you finish the rest of these documents?" Orson spoke looking at him.

"I apologize your Highness but His Majesty prohibited me to finish these documents related to foundation day." Drake replied coldly.

"Come on please. I will increase your pay. Please?"

"I apologize I cannot do that. You are going to be the future emperor. How will you complete your work at that time?"

"Oh yeah. That's right." He nodded. He stood up from his seat and approached towards him. He came near his ear. His eyes glinted dangerously as he whispered, "What will His Majesty do when he finds out that crown prince's aide, Baron Drake's little sister was raped and tarnished the baron's name....?"

He flinched and took few steps back looking down. Orson smirked showing his smug face. He clenched his fist and silently holding back his anger. He kneeled down, "I apologize Your Highness for being impertinent towards you."

"That's right. You were rude to me my aide. So..... are you gonna finish it or not?" He asked tightly gripping his shoulder.

"Y-yes I will finish it as soon as possible Your Highness."

"Good then. I am going. See you at evening." with that he left the room.

Drake stood up and walked towards the bureau. He sat down and started working. Suddenly he stopped writing and looked at the ceiling, "Just you wait Orson. You will pay your price for destroying my sister's and other women's lives. At that time I will watch you from afar laughing at your misery."

Orson came back to his room and he glanced at the door to see who it was. He stood up and bowed, "Your Highness, is there anything you need?"

"Yeah. I want you to arrange flying carriage that will depart to Verde. Because I am going to spent my last two days with my angel."

"But Your Highness.... His Majesty will be angry when he finds out that you are not present to take care of other countries ambassadors-"

"Who's superior to you?" He changed his attitude and tone, glaring at him coldly.

He looked down, "You Your Highness."

"Then?"

"I shall arrange it as soon as possible."

"Good. Then tell my small brother to handle other countries ambassadors." He waved his hand and walked out of the room.

"Sigh. How long do I have to endure it?" He sat down and continued working with papers.

___________

Its been one month since Cordelia joined to work as a maid in Verlice mansion. Akiara and Teivel were sparring with swords. Arrow was moping the floor at the entrance hall. At that time Head maid along with two escorts arrived at the mansion unannounced. She walked towards the main door and opened it. Arrow glanced at the door to see who it was.

He bowed, "We apologize but we are not receiving any guests today."

Head maid replied, "I am May, head maid of the Verlice estate. I have come here to meet lady Teivel. Who are you?"

"I am Arrow, butler of lady Teivel." Arrow introduced himself.

"That commoner knows how to hire kids to work at the mansion. Where is Akiara?"

"Big sis is sparring with lady Teivel. Please wait at the reception room. I will call them."

He showed them the way to reception room. Then he walked away. After a few moments, Cordelia arrived with a food cart. She served tea and snacks to May.

"And who might you be?" May asked sipping on tea.

She bowed, "I am Cordelia working as a maid."

"I see." She took a macaroon and bit it. Her eyes slightly grew wide and nodded, taking another bite.

Akiara and Teivel arrived in their training attire as they didn't had time to change. Akiara bowed in respect. May stood up and walked towards them. She looked Teivel's face closely.

"Hmm... seems like you are healthy and eating good food, monster." May gave half-smile.

"..." Teivel glared at her.

"Please don't insult M'lady." Akiara stood in front of Teivel.

May shoved her aside,"Did you ask His Grace about learning swordfight? Did you send me any messages on keeping more servants in this mansion?"

Akiara kneeled down avoiding her look and pleaded, "Head maid, I apologize instead of M'lady for not informing you beforehand. I will gladly accept any punishment."

"Very well then as you wish." She smiled.

"No! You cannot do this! She's my maid! You cannot do it however you want!" Teivel shouted at head maid.

She slapped her hardly to make her quiet and then glanced at her two escorts, "Guards take this maid away and give her hundred lashes and beatings." May ordered the guards.

"You.....!"

Akiara shook her head when she was taken away. She clenched her fists holding back her anger.

She glared at her, "Let Akiara go."

"Pardon?"

"I said let Akiara go. Or else-"

"Or else what? Kill me?" she chuckled, "Anyways I didn't come here for chitchat. This time's foundation day.... are you going to Verlice estate to spend your time with your family or staying at Verde?" She smirked at her.

"Is this the reason you came here to ask?"

"Yes. Any problem?"

"I have no interest in going to that sh*tty estate to waste my time with those sh*tty people. I would rather spend my time with Akiara."

"What did you say about them?" she asked looking angry.

"You heard it right. I called them pieces of trash."

"You!?" May raised her hand to slap her again.

Arrow barged in with the door flung open, "M'lady! Big sis is bleeding as those bastards are beating her."

Without a second thought Teivel ran out the room. Even May also followed them. They reached the garden where Akiara was getting beaten up. May was astonished to see flowers blooming beautifully. Her eyes grew wide seeing Akiara's collapsed state from getting beaten up. She noticed she was holding back her pain with stoic expression. Her shirt was soaked in blood from those scar marks. Cordelia and Arrow was watching from corridors.

"Shall I curse them for hurting big sis?" Arrow spoke as his eyes were gleaming.

Cordelia tapped his shoulder, "Don't hastily take action against them."

"But.... big sis is getting hurt. I cannot just stand watch the sight." His eyes starting to tear.

Cordelia hugged him, "You think your big sis is weak?"

"*sniff*sniff* No." he hugged her back.

"STOP IT!!" Teivel ran towards them. She punched one of them and gave a spinning kick to other guard, throwing him to the rose bushes.

"You guys call yourselves human after hitting a human like this?" she glanced at May, "Can't you even see that a person is bleeding from the way you are beating her." she barked her gaze, "Or is it you are venting your anger on her?"

The guards flinched hearing her remark. She walked towards May. She slapped her hardly making her bleed at the corner of her lips, "Don't even think about coming back. If you come back then I won't guarantee you will return back to your place. Get it?"

May could feel that she was pressurized by her cold aura that she kneeled down avoiding her gaze, "I apologize for being rude M'lady. I will never come back.... ever again."

"Then screw off." She said walking back to Akiara.

May and her escorts left in hurry. She carried her in her arms walking back to the mansion.

"You are so light. Do you even eat food?" She asked while walking to her room.

"Why do you care.....?!" suddenly she realized, "wait, how did you.....?"

She winked, "Well I am training hard because I had a feeling that someday I have to carry you to my room." she noticed Cordelia and Arrow was standing there with worried look. She spoke, "Can you bring the balms?"

"Yes Teivel." She walked to kitchen.

She put her on the bed. She took out the first aid box from the drawer and walked towards her. Then Cordelia knocked on the door. She opened the door and took the balm, "Today you both can rest. And don't disturb us."

"Don't worry about it." She replied. She nodded and closed the door and locked it.

Arrow was leaning on the wall with worried look, "Do you think big sis will be alright?"

"Yes she will." She patted his back and walking downstairs, "Why don't we go to town to enjoy?"

"Sure!" They walked away.

________

"Strip off." Teivel demanded.

"I-I.... don't want to." Akiara hesitated.

"Ugh... I said strip off. How will I put medicine if you don't undress yourself."

"...." she clenched her shirt. Then she unbuttoned her shirt and got undressed.

Her eyes grew wide when she saw old scar marks along with new scar marks on her body. She jumped on the bed and straddled on her.

"Who did this to you?!"

"...." she hesitated.

"Goddamn it, I asked who did this to you?" she could see her anxiety lacing on her face.

She gathered up her courage, "My aunt. Whenever she is frustrated, she would hit me with things she finds until I start to cry. But why are you worrying about me?" she looked into her eyes.

Tears fell on her face as she said, "Because I love you!"