It has been around a year since the incident that befell the three maids resulting in the death of one. Arthur is now at the age of eleven and Rose has just turned eight. The day was like any other, Arthur was strolling through the main courtyard with Rose so that she could get some fresh air. Neither of them talked as they strolled the garden but the silence wasn't an uncomfortable one. On the contrary, the two felt at ease and comfortable just being in each other presence without the need for conversation. Arthur relished the sound that flooded the flower garden as his sister's wheelchair rolled against the pebble path. It was an odd sound, not too loud nor too quiet, it had a strangely calming effect.

Arthur always enjoyed taking Rose around the courtyard’s flower garden, it had become somewhat of a habit they would enjoy at the beginning of their day. They always travelled the path in silence so that they could let each other get lost in their thoughts.

The flower garden was grand in size and held a variety of flowers, from daisies to tulips and even roses. Arthur didn't care much for the flowers himself, but he still took her there every morning because she enjoyed it.

Though today was just like any other day for the siblings, it was quite different for another.

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Today I woke up earlier than I usually did. And just like any other morning, I woke with a splitting headache. I consulted doctors but none could figure out the cause of my ailment so there was nothing to be done.

I rang the bell at my bedside to alert my lady in waiting Cleo Parle. Soon after she would enter my chambers with my favourite tea set. “You know me better than my husband Cleo.”

“Hehe! I strive to do everything you need without you needing to ask!” Replied my ever so reliable lady in waiting.

“Set my table and tea next to my window. I would like to watch over the main courtyards' beautiful flower garden as I sip on my tea.” I asked Cleo.

“Of course, my lady!” She quickly did as I asked and I soon found myself watching the sunrise covering the garden in a beautiful glow as if gold flakes had been sprinkled over it. As I looked closer I saw a boy pushing what seemed to be a wheelchair through the garden. The little girl sitting in the wheelchair had snow-white hair that led into a crimson red colour. After looking closer I noticed that the boy pushing the wheelchair was non-other than my ver own son.

‘He’s smiling…’ When was the last time I saw Arthur smiling..? I don’t remember… no, more like I’ve never seen Arthur smile before. What have I been doing until now as to not even remember seeing my own son smiling?

What should I do Theo? Why did they have to take you from me?

As I looked down at Arthur old memories began to resurface…

======

‘Charlotte… it seems I’m leaving before you…’

‘Please, Theo! I love you! I need you! I can’t live without you!’ I pressed against the wound on his stomach but the blood kept escaping past my hands.

‘Y-You need to forget me, move on, love again… Well, maybe m-mourn a week or two heh… *cough* I-I don't want you to spend your life alone because of me…’ *cough* *cough* Blood splattered from his mouth as he coughed and all I could do was hold him in my arms weeping.

‘Promise me… -me you will be happy, find a fami…’ *thud* ‘Theo?’ His body went limp and his hand that was clasping my own fell to the floor.

‘Theo..? sniff no… hic T-Theo! Heuk aggghhh!’

======

‘What have I been doing?’ I thought to myself while watching over Arthur.

What am I doing… I’m neither happy nor a good mother. When did I start caring about things like reputation or pride? Why have I been neglecting my son? He's my own flesh and blood and I abandoned him! I’m so so so stupid!

“I can never be forgiven… What should I do Theo..?” I place my teacup down and groaned to myself at realizing the absolute idiocy I’ve shown over the years.

‘Yo… ca… ..ly try… m.. love…’

*clatter* I knocked over my tea and frantically looked around my room. “Theo..?”

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“Big Brother, I’m hungry.” Rose tugged on my sleeve while looking up at me whilst I pushed her wheelchair from behind. “Then we should go and get something to eat now shouldn't we?” Rose looks at me with a wide grin and asks “I want some pancakes!”

“All right, let's head to the kitchen then.” I turn Rose around and we head out of the courtyard, on my way out I see a glimpse of mother looking at us from her window. ‘That's rare, she usually isn't awake at this time.’

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We enter the main building and head towards the servants' wing, specifically the kitchen.

“Do you want to go in or wait out here?” I asked Rose as we were arriving at the kitchen door. “I want to go inside Big Brother.”

I push open the kitchen door while the latches creaked alerting the cooks of our arrival. The cooks who had seen us enter immediately bowed and greeted us frantically. They were probably wondering why we were in the kitchen, this is because nobles generally never enter the kitchen unless it's an emergency or to punish a servant.

“Which one of you is the head chef?” I asked the room of cooks, the ones who didn't see us enter looked our way and immediately bowed after seeing my ghostly white eyes and vermilion hair.

“That would be me. What can I help you with, Young Master?” An old man who seemed to be in his 60s stepped forward whilst still bowing. He wore a white cooking hat and a stained apron, he had grey hair and deep blue eyes. He had no eyebrows which seemed to have singed off from constantly cooking at a fire.

“Cook some pancakes and have them delivered to the room adjacent to my bed chambers.” The cook looked at me for a second, it seems he was under the impression that I was here to punish someone. “Yes?” The cook replied with a questionable tone. *growl* I and the cook looked at Rose who was covering her face but her beet red ears showed her embarrassment. “Of course, Young Master. I will get right on it.” The cook smiled before setting off to his station to begin preparing the food.

**

“ARRGGHHHH!” Rose groaned the moment we entered her room which I assume she’s doing out of embarrassment. “It's fine. Being hungry isn't something to be embarrassed about.” I reassured her but I don't think it helped.

“It's not just that! They are gonna tell all the other servants!” She pouted while adorably looking up at me.”hmm… if it bothers you so much I could always erase their memories or cut off their tongues for you!“

“What! You can erase their memories with magic! That's so cool Big Brother!” I laughed and replied “Of course, I can’t. But I don't need magic to hit someone across the head with a frying pan.”

She stared at me blankly. It seems she wasn't amused. “I’m being serious here, Brother!” I leaned down and Rose reached her arms around my neck as I carried her to the tea table. “Yes yes, if anyone dares gossip about you I’ll be sure to punish them.”

*knock* *knock* “Young Master! Your food has arrived!” Amber lets the head cook into the room with the pancakes he prepared. “Name?” I ask the head cook as he places the pancakes on the tea table. “My name is Ivan, Young Master.”

“Hmm, okay you may leave now.” I usher Ivan away and Rose begins to immediately dig into her pancakes. She stuffed her cheeks till she began to resemble a cute hamster.

“Here have some, Big Brother!” Rose held her fork up in front of me with a big piece on the end. I leaned forward and the syrup covered cake entered my mouth. It was delicious, I could tell the cook had great skill. “Is it good, Big Brother?”

“It is Rose, now eat it before it gets cold.” She grinned at me and continued stuffing her mouth with her food but every now and then she would feed me some.

**

‘Master’

‘What is it Noire?’

‘I’ve been flying above and I can see Alexander heading in your direction.’

Alexander? I can already tell it would be annoying bumping into him. “Rose, let's head back.”

She looked up at me curiously “Why, Big Brother?”

“It’s just there's an annoying bug flying around.”

“Eh?!” Rose’s eyes began to dart around the garden, ‘Ah, I forgot she hates bugs.’

“It’s fine, I won't let the bug touch you. Now let's go, I’ll give you some chocolate when we get to my room.” This seemed to calm her down and now she was grinning happily at the thought of having chocolate. I push Rose out of the garden in hopes of not bumping into Alexander.

*snap* “Well well well, look who it is. The pair of rejects, the one father doesn't love and the one with dirty commoner blood.” Rose’s face seemed to twitch in anger at Alexander's remark. “Sigh If that is all, we will be leaving.” I wasn't in the mood to talk to Alexander nor was I going to let Rose listen to him. I pushed Rose in the opposite direction to try and avoid an argument.

“When I become the duke. I’m going to sell those two as slaves and then I’m going to move you to the farthest territory in the empire so that I never have to see your ugly face again!” I stopped. I turned to look at him, and plastered across his face was an arrogant and gloating smile. ‘Should I just kill him? If I make it look like an accident I can easily inherit the duke's title.’

“I wi-” “Hmph! Big Brother is handsome unlike you! You’re the ugly one!” Exclaimed Rose with an annoyed tone “pff haha!” I look down at Rose who managed to completely erase my anger with her cute outburst. “How dare yo-” *snap* I snapped my fingers and deployed my ever so favourite illusion array at Alexander.

“ARRGHH!!” He screamed and fell to the floor and began to crawl backwards. “What did you do, Big Brother?” Rose asked while curiously looking up at me. “Nothing, just made him see a bug.”

She looked at me with a face that said she didn't believe me. “A reeaaaally big bug.” I added with a slight grin. “Hehe” She giggled with a wide and mischievous smile on her face which prompted me to pat her soft hair that was warmed by the morning sun.

——————————————

*BANG* After Alexander got back to his room he immediately began throwing things against the wall in anger. “I’M GOING TO KILL HIM!” *BANG* “HIM AND THAT PATHETIC MIXED-BLOOD!”

Alexander exhausted and panting due to his outburst laid down on his bed. After calming down he calls a maid and orders her to fetch some water for him. As she's about to leave, he looks at her, she had lusciously long aqua blue hair and hazel coloured eyes accompanied by long eyelashes. Her maid outfit only emphasized her slender figure and well-endowed chest.

With his eyes burning with a lustful passion he called her back. “Is there anything else you need, Master?” Alexander licked his lips, used his mana to augment his strength, and then he grabbed her uniform and tore it completely off revealing her bare figure. “KYAAAA!” She collapsed only to be grabbed and dragged towards the bed as her screams echoed through the mansion halls.

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*creak* *thud* The door to master Alexander's chambers opened and what came out was a woman with dried tears staining her face. Her dead fish eyes seemed to stare at something far away as she walked. She covered herself in a ragged piece of cloth and carried her ripped clothing, her hair was a complete mess. As she disappeared around the corner I noticed droplets of blood that had trailed behind her.

I gritted my teeth in anger. Why did I have to guard this disgusting sorry excuse for a person? I can’t believe this person is going to be my future lord, the next duke!

To Be Continued.