In a sect as vast as the Hephaestus, organization is paramount, particularly concerning their numerous servants. Each servant is entrusted with a specific part of the sect. For example, the asides of the youth manor. Each aside serves an heir of the Hephaestus sect, specifically tasked with overseeing the heirs' children. Each aside usually shares similar age with their designated charge. Trained from a young age, the asides are equipped with skills in business, accounting, forging, and combat, ensuring they will never hinder their charges.

A.X.E.( The Book of All: Structure of the Hephaestus sect)

Nestled on the outskirts of Emila's manor, atop a small hill, stood a quaint cottage surrounded by thick woods. Inside, modest furnishings and a warm fireplace provided comfort, though the interior was stark—with only a single bed occupying the space. On that bed, two children slept peacefully: a boy and a girl. The girl, adorned with luminous silver hair and tan skin, lay sprawled across the boy beside her. The boy, with hair as dark as midnight and skin pale enough to edge towards translucence, lay still. His name? Akio.

Akio's scarlet eyes slowly opened, taking a minute to adjust to the morning light. Turning to his side, he saw the sleeping face of Tala, his fellow aside. As soft sunlight seeped through the window, illuminating her tranquil features, a smile crept across Akio's lips. Carefully, he slid out of bed, to prepare the cottage and everything else they would need for their day's work. The cold wooden floors stung Akio's feet, but he still proceeded silently, making sure not to disturb Tala's slumber. After a while, the scent of breakfast began to fill the cottage.

Akio walked back towards the bed.

"Tala...get up it's time to go to work," Akio gently prodded.

"..."

"Tala, we both know how this ends," Akio said, exhaling patiently. "I'll remind you, we have duties to fulfill."

Tala groaned, rolling over in search of a few more moments of peaceful rest. Unyielding, Akio yanked the blanket off of her.

"By my estimate, we have about three sticks of incense before we need to wake the young masters. You'd best hurry."

Startled, Tala shot up.

"I've drawn warm water for your bath, and food is on the table. I'll meet you at the gate of the youth palace," Akio announced before stepping out of the cottage.

"What would I do without you..." Tala murmured, her voice soft.

"Probably sleep," Akio teased walking out of the cottage, A smile forming on his face.

----------------------------------------

After departing the cottage, Akio and Tala made their way to the aside service building, where the day's itinerary would be dispensed from the youth manor coordinator.

Walking through the ancient cobbled corners and aged bustling buildings of the Hephaestus was always arduous, but that day it was especially so. Wagons loaded with shiny metals and vibrant fabrics clogged the narrow walkways, and patrolling soldiers littered every avenue. Families and vendors littered the busy market streets, the busy atmosphere almost overwhelming.

"There," Akio said suddenly, "That smell"

"What smell, I don't smell anything unusual" Tala replied wrinkling her nose in confusion.

"Really? It smells like...iron and flowers. It's pretty strong," he insisted, glancing around as he tried to pinpoint the source.

"Oh, that...It always smells like that, You just noticed? "

Akio's brows furrowed, "Yeah, I presume so..."

Akio stared off into the distance, lost in thought.

Tala studied him.

"You ever wonder what's out there? You know. Beyond the Hephaestus." Tala suddenly spoke.

After a moment of silence, Akio spoke.

"...Yes and no..."

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"...I just cannot imagine leaving the Hephaestus"

"But don't you ever get tired? I mean, we spend all day serving some rich, pompous brats and sucking up to stupid, scheming adults, always plotting something."

Tala stopped walking.

"..."

"..."

"I understand that, but we have obligations"

"Well, what if I don't want these obligations!" Tala said from behind.

Akio turned back, walking towards Tala briskly, "I know it's frustrating, but ignoring them could lead to consequences we can't afford."

"For the ancient's sake, we're kids! Would it really ruin the entire sect for us to rebel a little, and see the outside world!" Tala argued.

Turning his head away from her, Akio spoke, "Don't even think like that... you know what happened to Jakob"

Tala fell quiet, and the weight of Akio's words hung in the air.

"You're right... I don't know what I was talking about."

They each wrestled with the other's words, a deft silence looming over them.

And like that, they walked side by side, each lost in their thoughts as they continued on their journey to the aside service building.

----------------------------------------

The aside service building was always hot, come winter or summer, stepping into that building always felt like a boiler. As they approached the building, they braced for the familiar heat.

Upon entering the building, sounds of commands and messages filled the air and workers could be seen shuttling back and forth carrying different things.

"For a sect that prides itself on crafting and repair, it sure is funny they can't fix the air conditioning in here," Tala commented, fanning her face.

"The clan forgers are probably busy."

"They couldn't have been busy for the past 13 years."

Before Akio could reply, a tall, stocky woman walked towards them.

Akio bowed and addressed the coordinator formally.

"We have arrived, Miss Clara."

"Good," Clara replied, handing Akio the schedule for the both of them.

"brief her on her itinerary."

"What, can't you trust me to go over it myself?" Tala pouted.

"No," Clara replied flatly.

"How hurtful."

"I don't think I have to tell you Akio, but as a precaution to both of you, things are changing within the Hephaestus. The twins are crucial to the legitimacy of Mistress Emila's authority and her connection to Lord Konstantin. It is of the utmost importance that they are presentable at all times. Is that understood?"

"Yes," Akio affirmed.

"And you, Tala?" Clara pressed.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever..." Tala replied dismissively, snatching her schedule from Akio before striding out.

"Akio, please take care of her," Clara added, her voice laced with concern. "Both of you are under scrutiny. There can be no mistakes—especially after last time."

Akio stood, his fist clenched to the point of turning his knuckles white.

"I...I understand."

----------------------------------------

It was a graceful room, exuding elegance. Pink satin drapes fluttered freely, framing the grand windows. A plush bed lay in the room's center, a mess of pillows, covers, and stuffed animals, anything but kempt.

"Young Miss, it is time to get up."

"5 minutes Akio, please." came the muffled response.

"No, Miss Clara has arranged your schedule, your dance instructor arrives within the hour. "

"..."

"Young Miss, you need to get up now."

"...Call me by my name."

"Young Miss?"

"Call. Me. By. My. Name"

"Young Miss, I cannot do that."

"And why not?"

"It goes against Miss Clara's orders."

"Well, I order you then."

"We don't have time for this; you need to get up and get ready for your dance instructor"

"Fine. I'll get up. If you call me by my name" she insisted with playful defiance.

"..."

"..."

"Don't make this difficult, Young Miss. I'd rather avoid repercussions from Lady Clara."

"..."

Akio relented, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly.

"...Fine...Lady Akina, your dance instructor arrives in an hour, you must get up."

With that, a graceful scarlet-haired figure arose from under the coverings of the bed, her hair tousled and clothes askew. As she pushed the sheets aside to stand, her tousled scarlet hair spilled around her like a halo.

"Was that so hard?" Akina smirked, finally rousing for the day.

Akio swore he could smell the scent of Dahlias permeate the room.