I stared out the window of the manor. Looking at the steam carriages arriving one after another. Listening to the guest, poke and prod the feelings of the main family. Aiming at the neatly cut holes in the chain link fences for benefits they could scour out of the seemingly helpless members of my family. 

If we were members of the old system, aristocracies of yesterday, then we would be considered a family fallen from heights grandeur. Considering we lost key personnel and all the replacements were young and impressionable. Lucky, my family still had me to be sensible. Or the old dogs would leave nothing for the next generations.

People were like starved, wild dogs. They saw a wounded gazelle and attacked without any hint of remorse. Picking the bones clean, licking up the spilt blood, crooning at the fact that there wasn’t enough meat on the bones.

It was utterly disgusting. 

Sickening.

Curl my stomach the way these laughable friends of the family came with their nose stretched up as if sniffing the air. Their claws hidden behind beautiful veils of fabric. 

My father often reminded me of the hideous nature of humans. Reminding me constantly what a man was. Being that you could only call yourself a man when you were not blinded by the smile of a pretty Belle or the way her hips turned as she cast a charming smile your way.

He often told me that anything could be considered resources and anything that was owned could be taken. It did not matter if you were the owner of the dog that wanted what you had. As long as the dog was hungry, it would bite the hand that often fed it.

*

Just turning away from the dark cloudy sky and looking in at these animals dirtying up my marble floor is enough to leave me with stomach ache for days. There was not a hint of amusement in my eyes as I watched my lower kin work the floors like part time working women. Bending over backward just to appease someone trying to grapple at the same scraps you just won.

Dogs.

What other family would lower themselves to cater to these mutts? Did these clowns think that just because I am young and grieving, that I cannot run our business? Bring growth to our families? This lack of faith and this eagerness to seek friendships with starving dogs.. Truly disgusting.

I glanced back at my butler who brought a young lady up to me. It was clear that my Uncle asked my butler to do so. Otherwise, the man would ignore these lesser animals. Dragons do not mingle with livestock this was a lesson in any book.

Why would something that could put fear in villagers' hearts? Mingle with something used to keep weaker pests away? Why would something that could fly by and burn your village? Mingle with something that could gather fleas? Why would something that could dominate the skies and make men bow down at the sound of their roar? Mingle with beings domesticated out of pure leisure?

My Butler understood this logic. I am a dragon compared to these mundane animals. I could crush the life out of them with the simplest of commands. 

“Master Lloyd,” my butler spoke with utmost respect. Bowing and gesturing offhandedly at the young lady. “Master Phillip would like to introduce a young lady of Evelyn Summers from the Summer family of Goldenvalley city.”

The girl did a curtsy and smiled bright but her eyes were calculative. Besides, I never did like a red-head with blue eyes. Something about them always said they were up to no good. Snakes that awaited in the high grass for a chance to bite at your ankles.

“Pleasure to make your acquaintances, Master Lloyd. I hope I am not being too forward when I say that while I can’t feel your pain. Or know what you are going through, I hope that you can move past it to a brighter future.” She spoke well and clearly.

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An attempt to stand out among those giving off standard consolations. It was a good attempt but her family was merely considered beggars compared to mine. Besides, showing a bit of freckle chest and wearing a dress that emphasized her great birthing hips only worked on playboys. 

I am anything but a fool.

I spun the chalice in my hand before taking a sip, not breaking eye contact with her. I could see her lips twitching as it sag a little from the bright smile she held before. Her fingers clutching the small purse in her hands seemed to dance upon it. A nervous tick? 

I brought the chalice down and turned to look over the railing at the crowd of wild dogs. 

“Miss Summers, your family is currently doing well, yes?” I asked, my eyes tracking a number of people who had brought their daughters along. 

Only a few of them would even be able to meet my standards. As a family of the hidden world, the strongest impact to a marriage is how strong your spouse's ability is. It did not matter how useful it is to the relationship or the Husband’s business. It only helps to determine how useful their heir would be.

Thus I didn’t see a lot of the mundanes as humans worth mating. They were at most a fun time before you move on to something more pleasurable.

“Yes,” she looked confused but walked up to the railing. Placing her arms upon them as she leaned over. Half turned in my direction to provide me a view of her chest. 

“Our family business is doing well. It could be better if we…”

“What do you think of these people?” I interrupted, not even looking her in the face as I spoke. “These gentlemen and ladies who show up out of the blue to help me mourn my parents passing. Who come bearing all kinds of gifts in the form of verbal comfort. Yet, also picking this time to usher in an age of benefits through others' time of sorrow.”

I glance at her, “I wondered? Are you also the type of parasite that is bribing lowly dogs to feast upon the scraps they left behind? Or are you someone that is honestly trying to befriend me with the intention of pursuing a possible marriage alliance?”

Evelyn opened her mouth but then closed it to swallow down the words she had prepared. She studied me while I had turned away from her. Anyway, words she said now would have to be carefully picked over and it was easy to tell that she came with the thoughts of seducing benefits out of me.

Five awkwards minutes passed as she pondered what to say. Providing me with a pleasant companion of something that didn’t smell like men.

With a snap of my finger, a bell at the top of the mansion rung twice. Announcing the end of this show and tell. 

“I have to apologize for being overly blunt. The wine can’t take the blame but I don’t prefer red-heads or blue eyes. Light brown or black is acceptable.” I swirled the chalice while thinking. “Personality wise? I want someone smart but not too smart. I don’t want to have to compete in wits. Obedient? Do I like an obedient girl? Hard to say. Like any man, I am fine with my woman not causing too much trouble. Not being too noisy. However, that’s about as far as I can think. I never really thought about it before, the personality of someone I can put up with.”

I scrunched up my nose before laughing to myself. I passed the chalice to my Butler and walked away. His comforting presence followed as we walked to the front to send guests off. Shaking hands and providing lies, such as we will definitely meet up sometime in the future. I will definitely visit your restaurant or something as mundane as that.

When only family members were left, they began leaving while giving me those not so friendly smiles. The kind of smiles that said, we hope you are sensible and care about our needs. 

I only provided by the dead eyes stare that meant, ‘benefits? What benefits have you earned?’

Phillip stopped before me with his wife and daughter. A casual smile on his lips.

“Have you thought about what we discussed?” he had that smirk that said everything was going to his plans.

I laughed and looked at the door at the awaiting driver.

“Old dog, don’t try to elevate above your station. Just be a good dog and enjoy the little rank you acquired or else I'll have to put you down.” I look at him with a sad smile. “Understand, old dog?”

Phillip's face turned purple as he clenched his fist around his top hat. 

“Good. Very good.” He growled as he left.

I ignored an old fool like this. What could he hope to achieve when he was never in a position of authority. He is too narrow minded and that did not go well with any type of progressive business.

“That’s the last of them,” my Butler informed me.

I nodded and slunk off to take a shower and relaxed with a nice book. Hopefully able to drink away my nightmares.