While wandering around the dimly lit hallway of the Welton Estate with Eliot, I couldn’t help but admire the artwork and antique sculptures spread throughout the place. If there was anything I respected about my grandfather, it was his love of art that he picked up from his father.

It was hard to believe that such a stuck-up man, devoured by tradition and obsessed with reputation, and I shared similar tastes. He even went as far as to build a private library filled with countless books, which included some of my favorites. He even acquired the personal journal written by Issac Serlasta, one of the world's most renowned authors and a man who happened to be there when the first expeditions set out toward the northern continent of Frostfield.

I swore an oath that if anything ever happened to the Welton Estate, I’d do everything within my power to save the prized piece. While copies of his journal existed, having the original was an honour as an avid reader.

“Hey.” Eliot broke the silence without lifting his gaze. “Do you think– you know. . . he had anything to do with the ambush?”

We left Penelope outside our parents’ bedroom, entrusting her to explain what she overheard at the auction. Naturally, the mood never improved as we all understood the consequences of being right and what it meant for our family and Eleron.

“If he did, then dark days await us once again.” It probably wasn’t what Eliot was hoping to hear from me, but the only other answer I had was a poorly timed joke. “Time will tell.”

“Obviously. . .” Eliot sighed.

Before Elena was born, Eliot, Penelope, and I got a taste of what it meant to be at war. The Notish Empire invaded Eleron, forcing us to endure a six-month-long siege. While we never witnessed fighting as our parents kept us safe, we still remembered the horror.

We severely lacked food, so much so that I remember our parents refusing to eat until we, the children, were fed. Civil unrest followed as we were like trapped animals, waiting to see if the enemy soldiers, who tirelessly charged at the wall day and night, were going to storm the city. Thousands were to be slaughtered and enslaved, but the worst of it was the sound of fighting that turned into a living nightmare with the use of magic. It was a miracle that I was stuck having to deal with only one reoccurring nightmare depicting war.

Noticing that Eliot wasn’t looking so good, I stepped closer and grabbed his shoulder.

“You’re worried. I know. But everything’s going to be fine.” I reassured him. “If there’s one person we can trust, it’s Father. Have you already forgotten how he saved our kingdom once?”

“Of course, I haven’t. . .” Eliot sighed.

“Yeah– Well. . . I’m sure he’ll do it again. And besides, what if we’re wrong?” I asked, letting go of him. ”Could just be personal vendetta or someone idiotically trying their luck when the opportunity presented itself.”

“But what if they go after Ellie or Mother?” His concern was valid. “I can’t bear the thought of something happening to them.”

He likely didn’t mention Penelope, believing she could defend herself. There was also the fact that she was attending the Academy, the safest place on the continent that thrived on its political neutrality.

“Father won’t let them out of his sight, so don’t worry as much.”

Honestly, I wish someone had told me the same, as I shared all the same worries, but at the same time, dwelling on them wasn’t going to do us any good. If we wanted to keep our family safe, we had to learn the truth and stop whatever was happening before it escalated.

“We should’ve gone in with her,” Eliot mumbled, clenching his fist.

I didn’t respond, awkwardly staring at the ground while trying not to overthink. Thankfully Ellie and the twins were up to no good, running around the house wildly without a care in the world, making us both chuckle until Damon nearly knocked over a porcelain vase saved only by Shelly’s quick thinking.

“Oops!” Damon yelled, running away with the girls.

“Better stop them before they cause a bigger mess,” I suggested, trying to give Eliot something to do so he stopped obsessing over what we learned.

“You’re right. . . I’ll talk to you later.”

“Take care.” I waved him off as he began chasing after them.

We both knew he wasn’t going to stop them, but seeing as I got to spend time with Ellie a few days longer than him, I thought giving them time to themselves could do Eliot some good.

Left all by myself, I started walking back to my old bedroom.

We left Raveryn when Mother married, but my hate for everyone residing in the Welton Estate never died out, as I remembered all the cruel things they did to me. Even the servants took pleasure in humiliating me, knowing I wouldn’t snitch or ask for help, as I was too afraid of what would happen to us if she got in trouble with her parents again.

“Well, well. . . Look who we have here.” My eyes rolled the moment I heard my aunt’s voice. “To think you came back to us after being kidnapped.”

“Aunt June,” I said, slowly turning around to meet the wicked woman who looked identical to my mother, only a few years younger. Such a tragic waste of beauty.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Don’t tell me they gave you back?” she asked, implying I was worthless.

“How did you know?” I asked, letting a sigh escape.

Aunt June was the youngest of the three, spoiled rotten by Grandfather, who at the time was disappointed with his failure of a daughter that gave birth to an illegitimate child. It was she who turned all the servants against me and had them treat me like crap, promising they would kick my mother onto the streets and disown us for good if I ever spoke up. Considering I was younger than Ellie, it was unsurprising that I had no idea how to deal with them, leaving me with trauma that made it hard to trust anyone the first few years when we moved to Dellion. It was when I learned that smiling toward everyone was the best way of going unnoticed, even if I didn’t trust them. It made it easier to figure out their motives.

“Sarcasm, huh? Every time I see you, I wonder what that sister of mine was thinking.” She sighed, stepping within arm's reach before messing with my hair.

Wanting to get away as soon as possible, I allowed her to do whatever. It was a small price to pay if it meant avoiding trouble the following month, so biting my tongue was in my best interest. At least in private, Aunt June never pretended to like me, making it somewhat more bearable.

“Ah! You must be my soon to be nephew-in-law,” said someone with an unfamiliar voice as two men came from around the corner, one of them being my uncle.

“Great. . . A family reunion,” I muttered, but as it turned out, even my aunt wasn’t keen to see them.

“Oh! The joy I felt when I heard you came back to us.” He approached eagerly, wishing to shake my hand. “Such tragedy for a man to endure.”

His tone was innocent enough, and the smile on his face unlikely fake, making me wonder how they trapped such a man to marry my aunt.

“Thank you.” I shook his hand, letting out a short sigh. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

“Ah, please! Call me Teddy.” He began cackling uncontrollably.

“Honey, we talked about this. . . That nickname doesn’t suit you.” Aunt Jane sighed, annoyed with her future husband.

“No, no. I think it’s great,” I reassured Teddy, chuckling along as I got a chance to take a jab at my aunt.

“See? He gets it!” He tapped my shoulder a few times.

“That’s right.” The need to act out kicked in, but at the same time, it was best to leave as soon as possible, seeing as Uncle gave me the death stare. “I’m so glad to see Aunt Jane is in good hands, but Uncle Teddy, I must apologise, for I’m a bit too tired as we travelled far and attended the auction earlier today. I hope you won’t take offense if I excuse myself.”

“Oh. . . I–”

“It’s for the best,” Aunt June sided with me for once. “It’d be hard on his developing body if we were to deprive him of rest.”

“T–that’s right!” Teddy agreed, giving me an approving nod.

“Thank you, Uncle Teddy. I’ll make sure to find time for us to talk.” Turning to my aunt and uncle, I bowed and said, “Aunt. Uncle. If you’d excuse me.”

“Enjoy your rest,” Uncle Eugine said, seeing me off with a glare.

“Did you hear? He called me uncle!” Teddy was overjoyed.

“I’m proud of you, dear. . .” Aunt sighed just as I turned the corner.

Despite the interaction not lasting long, it still felt emotionally draining as I returned to my room.

It wasn’t as if I lied about being tired, but before I collapsed, I wanted to take a good look at the book Penelope told me to buy. Unsurprisingly, it made little sense as there were too many symbols I didn’t know, but the patterns weren’t all that hard to follow as I recognized some of them from seeing others cast spells.

“Thank you,” I said to the maid whom I asked to bring me tea before bedtime.

“You’re welcome, My Lord,” She said, taking a step back and waiting.

“Amm. . . You’re free to go?” I furrowed my brows, picking up the cup.

“Is there anything else you need, My Lord?” The young woman flirtatiously asked, her gaze filled with excitement.

“N– No, thank you. I have everything I need,” I said to the girl, who was barely in her twenties and admittedly cute. Not that I had any drive to pursue her, despite never being with a woman before.

Returning the smile, I took a sip of my tea before suddenly gagging uncontrollably. The disgusting earthy taste made me want to vomit, but I somehow managed not to spill the rest.

“My Lord! Are you alright?” She panicked, grabbing my shoulder.

Coughing up the last bit of whatever plagued my tea, I pushed her away.

“Fuck off. . .” I mumbled, glaring at her, regretting ever asking for a drink.

“My Lord?” She was shocked. “Please! You mustn’t blame me for the tea. I had no idea the taste wasn’t to your liking. I’ll ask for a new one down in the kitchen.”

“Get out,” I commanded.

“Please, let me help–” She took a step closer, gasping as I splashed her face with cold earthy tea. “W–w. . . what?”

“Is it to your liking?” I asked, fuming. “Now. Get. Out.”

When I stood up, I practically towered over her, and genuine fear showed on her face.

“M– My Lord. You– you’re scaring me.” Her lower lip trembled as I leaned in closer, staring her dead in the eye.

“Should I tell the Duke what just happened? I wonder if you’ll be executed or thrown in a dungeon to rot.” Staring her dead in the eye, I completely lost it. “Out!”

She turned and ran in tears, and had it not been for Mana Sense, I probably would have believed her act. However, the moment I wasn’t looking, her surprisingly innocent smile turned into a sadistic grin as she watched me choke on what I presumed was dirt or sand. At least her fear was genuine, as they must have told her I'd react differently.

After closing the door, I walked back to bed and collapsed. My focus was ruined for the night, and so was the mood. Letting out a sigh, I glanced out the window, remembering all the shit they put me through in the past.

It wasn’t the first time someone messed with my drink, nor was it the worst they’d done. Failing to warm up the bath water, opening the window during cold nights, and over or undercooking the food were just some of the things on the endless list that they pulled on me. I was a fool for believing she would treat me differently since I didn’t know her. At least now, I was old enough to know how to react better, even though I wasn’t exactly how I wanted it.

Closing my eyes, still dressed in what I wore outside, I imagined a future where tomorrow was going to be better.

“Alex!” Hearing the voice of my angered uncle, I soon realized some things were simply meant to be dreams. “What is the meaning of this?” he asked after storming into the room with the maid standing behind him.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.