"Aisha! Aisha! Where are you?" a little boy called out. He had been wandering the woods around his house for over an hour searching for his sister. Concern was evident on his face as he looked for her, he was told to look after her by his parents. Although he and his sister didn't always get along, that didn't mean that they hated each other.

Trudging his boots through the muddy ground, he looked under fallen trees, behind large bushes, and rocks. His breathing grew heavier, what if he couldn't find her? He was scared because it was also his fault that she ran away in the first place. Today was her birthday, her real one, not the fake one that their parents told everyone else. Their parents went out to get something special for her, and their older brother was out working. Being her fifth birthday, a special day for most humans, she put out her hand, "Do you have someting fo me?" she asked in a voice that sounded like she didn't care.

Being a child himself, and having to constantly put of with his younger sister, the boy slapped her hand away and pushed her to the ground. With the constant annoyance that was his sister, he finally grew tired of it, "I don't have anything for someone like you!" he shouted. Some of the surrounding kids laughed at her, it just rained the day before, she was all muddy.

With a red face, she stood up and ran into the forest. Her older brother looked on with almost perfect indifference, She'll be back later. he thought.

As the minutes ticked by he started getting worried, what if she was attacked? What if she got lost? With those kinds of thoughts inside of his little six year old head, he ran into the woods after her. So why did he go after her? Because he would get in trouble? Although he'd never admit it, he cared for his sister, even though she was annoying and bothersome, he remembers the time when she'd cling to him.

"Hic..." soft crying could be heard from where he stood.

"A-Aisha?" he called out timidly. He felt guilty for making her cry. "A-are you okay?" he asked approaching the noise. Upon turning the tree, he saw his little sister huddled into a ball crying with her head buried into her knees. "A-Aisha." he called out again. She slowly looked up, her mouth was twitching too much for her to speak. He slowly reached his hand out for her to grab, she took it.

While holding onto one hand he led her through the forest. She simply let herself be pulled along, her free hand wiping away the tears she still had. "S-sorry." he said. "Are you okay?"

She didn't answer him.

He reached into his pocket, groping for a rock he found earlier in the week. Unable to bear her crying anymore, he searched for it in hopes that it would cheer her up. It wasn't a special rock, it was just something almost anyone could find in the little stream. But he still wished it would work, that it would cheer her up.

"Here." he said holding it out in his fist. "This is my present for you. Happy Birthday."

She stopped wiping away her tears and quieted down. She reached out her hand and he dropped it. In her hand she held a shiny blueish green rock. Her tiny smooth fingers shakily closed in on it. He started pulling her again, she wasn't crying this time. Walking behind him, Aisha held the little stone close to her chest.

---------

"B-bye mishters!" Alice waves to us three as we walk away. We return the small gesture.

"Hope to see you guys again!" Zale yells.

"Let's spar next time!" Hector shouts back.

"Spar?" I ask.

He nods. "Yes. Zale used to be quite a fighter, or so he said." that explains it. I wonder if he was a traveling mercenary, he seems to still be very strong.

"So Rai." Axel says. "Are we going back to see your sister?"

"Yeah." I say.

"So~ how are we going to explain what happened yesterday to your granddad?"

I shrug my shoulders, "I can only go and say sorry. It got a little out of hand yesterday."

"But he started it!" Axel says.

"But I provoked him."

"He did the same to you." Hector adds. Axel and I glance over at him. He adverts his eyes from us, "I know it's none of my business but I'm on your side for this one. He was the instigator by saying those things."

"It's nice to know that you care." I say.

"Course, I'm not a machine."

We make our way back to my grandparent's estate. I'm thinking of what I should say to my grandfather. How will he react to seeing me again? I'm sure he's already heard about it yesterday so that's a plus, a whole day for him to cool down. But I don't think that's my real problem, that look that my sister gave me was worse than any punishment Frederick could give. Now it's even harder to discern why Aisha doesn't want me here.

Those are a few of my problems, not to mention that it seems my mother's siblings don't seem to like her much. A noble huh? I suppose it has something to do with my father, he was just a normal retired adventurer. I can guess it's because of him but I can't see why they'd hate my mother for something like that.

The formerly green leaves of the trees are flying around, being pushed by the winds. Their colors are a brilliant red, Winter will hit soon. Aisha's birthday will be coming soon. I've missed eight years, I won't this time. But the question is, what do I get her and when do I give it to her. It's still over a month away and I have to leave before then.

While pondering about the possible gifts a girl her age would want, we reach the gates of the estate. The guards recognize us and immediately let us through. We're  greeted by Joseph from yesterday, his face shows nothing but his stoic nature.

"This way. We will be restarting the tour. Hopefully there won't be any problems like yesterday." he starts through the door.

"Did my grandfather say anything?" I ask.

He doesn't stop walking but answers my question, "Yes but he wasn't mad at you." that's good to hear. "He's more angry that young master Dain spoke so carelessly around you. Unlike his children and his children's children, he has no ill will towards your mother."

"Did you know her?" I ask.

"Your mother? Yes, I did. Only for a short while. I must say that your sister, Miss Aisha, is very much like her when she was younger. That's probably why she's disdained by Lady Millicent and the others."

"That's a dumb reason." Axel says.

"Yes, it truly is." he says without stopping.

"H-hey Joseph." I say.

"Yes?"

"Do you perhaps have an idea as to why I'm being avoided by her?" I ask. If he was here when my mother was, then he should have seen my sister come to live here. He should have some idea, he already knows her enough to say she's like my mother.

"...Sorry." he gives a delayed response. "I do not. Miss Aisha hasn't been very open since she first came here."

"I see... thank you." he nods at my thanks.

He continues to do his assigned job dutifully and shows us around the mansion. The further we travel, the more amazed I am at the sheer size of this place. From the outside it already looks large but touring the inside really adds another level. The work force here is no joke either. Dozens of maids and butlers constantly rush down the hallways only stopping to bow to us, a few guards also patrol the inside.

Upon the walls, there are many needless paintings. It isn't until a larger room when we finally see a painting of the Yurfray family. My mother stands obediently by my grandmother's side, her red hair's long and reaches past her shoulders. Five other kids are up there, two boys and three girls.

"Which one is my aunt Millicent?" I ask.

"The one who has your mother's hands placed on her shoulders." he says.

"Did they pose for this painting?"

"Yes."

They must've stood still for quite some time. Millicent doesn't seem to hate my mother according to this picture. The problem is most likely because of my mother's marriage to my dad.

"Shall we continue?"

"Yeah."

I spend the rest of the time we wander around trying to spot my sister. No luck. I should've ran after her yesterday when I saw her. Seeing as how we've covered a lot of the mansion I doubt I'll be seeing her anytime soon. We're being led down another long hallway, there are not windows to look out this time so I'm stuck seeing the same white walls and ceiling. That little thought doesn't last long. Turning the corner, my cousin freezes as he sees us.

"Master Dylan." unlike yesterday, Joseph bows. Is he giving me his name so I don't have to ask him later?

"H-hello Joseph." Dylan gives a quick greeting. His face is red.

"Dylan!" a firm voice calls out. I turn to see who it is. It's my aunt. "Come over here, now."

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His eyes flash between us, "Y-yes mother." he stammers. Judging from his looks, he's a few years older than me. She must have quite the power over him. He rushes back the way he came, his mother looks displeased with him. As soon as he reaches her, she pulls him into a room and shuts the door.

We walk past the door and hear an angry voice.

"They don't get along." Axel says.

"Is he the youngest?" Hector asks Joseph.

"Yes."

"And the least accomplished?"

"...Yes."

"But isn't he a knight?" Axel asks.

"In name only. He has skill with the sword but his position was boosted because of his mother pulling some strings. He should've still had a few more years before he could officially become one."

"You know a lot." I say.

He smiles. "Yes. We, who work under nobles, have quite the network of information. One person overhears something and by the next day everyone who works in the same household knows."

"But you know to keep quiet." I say.

"That's correct. If we told the secrets of our masters to anyone we'd be fired, or worse, killed."

"That's..." I was going to say extreme but I understand that they're secrets for a reason.

"It's harsh, yes. But everyone here knows to keep their mouths shut." he says. He inclines his head slightly as he passes a maid. She returns his gesture. "We'll be nearing your sister's room shortly." he informs us.

"She lives on this side of the house?"

"Yes. This has been her room for eight years."

"How many other of my mother's siblings live here?" I ask. If there are others than my aunt Millicent then she must be put through a lot. I'm sure that with the support of my grandparents she's been doing just fine, but if there are more than just one Millicent like person here, other than her son, then she must stay in her room a lot. That's what I did when I lived with my uncle for a while, let's say it didn't work. But it should be different here, they won't force themselves into her room, they're not like that.

"Only Lady Millicent and Master Gregory. Gregory is the second son, thus he chose to become a knight, much like young Master Dylan. He's out of the house quite a bit, he should be visiting the capital right now, training others in being knights."

"He doesn't go to Renard Academy?" Axel asks.

"Yes, that's correct. Many nobles who go to the academy there are more focused on mixing magic with swordsmanship. Although having graduated from there shows that the person is capable, become a knight needs the person to go to the capital. That's where he trains the up and coming." he stops in front of a door. "We're here. This is Miss Aisha's room. I believe she is out today."

"May I enter?" I ask.

"It is not my permission to give." Joseph says. Hector walks up to him.

"Where may I use the restroom?"

"Ah. I see, I will lead you there." Joseph starts walking in the opposite direction, his attitude shows that he knows what we're doing.

"Thanks Hector." I say. He nods. "Let's go Axel." I twist the knob and the door opens without making a sound. The room's big, a large bed, fitting for this room, lays pushed up against the wall with two nightstands on each side. Candles stand above both nightstands, a large dresser is pressed up close next to the door. The rug laid on the floor is a square pattern, it's dull colors contrast with the white walls and bed.

"Feels too big for only one person. I'd feel a bit lonely in here." Axel says.

"Let's take a look around, we should look for a diary or something." I tell him.

"Alright. But I won't be the one reading it."

"That's fine. As the brother, I think I have a right to snoop around."

We being searching the room for a dairy. Everything we touch we immediately return it to its original state so as to not give ourselves away. I checked under the pillows and under the bed. Axel spent his time looking through the closet opposite to the bed. With nothing found so far, I make my way to the dresser.

"..."

Voices. They're faint but they're coming this way. I turn to Axel to see if he's noticed it. He furrows his brows as I look at him.

"What's up?" he asks unaware of the approaching people.

"Someone's coming. I think we should leave."

"Why? We haven't even found it yet. I doubt it's your sister."

As if Jinxing us, a voice comes from the other side of the door.

"Who's there?" the door flings open and my sister walks in. Her eyes are wide when she notices us inside. "Get out!" she screams.

"Ais-"

"I don't want to talk to you. You snuck into my room. Leave!" I slump my shoulders and make for the door.

"Hey!" Axel yells. "Why are you acting like this? He came to see you! After eight years he came to see you. Aren't you glad to see him? Do you even care for him?"

"Exactly." she says. "Now get out of my room." Axel stands looking hard at her.

"Sir-" the maid started.

"I'm leaving." Axel grabs my arm. "Let's go Rainen." I catch a glimpse of Axel's angry face. That pushes my resolve.

"Aisha." I say. "I'll be back." her body stiffens a little after I say that.

"..." I think I hear a word but it's most likely my imagination.

Axel drags me down back through the hallway. This is the second time I've been led around by him. His attitude doesn't change until his face collides with Hector. His ferocious speed and the impact sends all the energy back, throwing him to the ground. He gently rubs his nose.

"Owww."

"Sorry Axel. Want me to cast some healing magic?" Hector asks.

"Nah. I'm fine, unless it starts bleeding that is." he says the last line with a hint of worry.

"So~, did you two... find anything helpful from the tour?" Joseph asks. I understand the hidden meaning behind his words.

"It was interesting but sadly, no." I say.

"I see. Well, please do not give up. I'm sure you will be able to reconnect with your sister soon." he says encouragingly.

"I hope so."

Sudden yelling comes from a nearby room. It sounds like things are being thrown. A loud female voice is screaming, is it an attack? We rush over to the scene. When we make it there, it's the room where my cousin and my aunt went into. Certainly, the screaming is a lot louder over here.

"What's happening?" Hector asks.

"I believe Lady Millicent is scolding young Master Dylan again." Joseph says. A troubled look appears on his face. His stance grows unsteady and he puts his hands behind his back, locking them together. Does this happen often? It's often enough that no one's going to stop it.

"This is scolding?" I say. He nods.

"Yes. Lady Millicent has always been very strict with her children." I wouldn't say that this is strict. The words I hear coming from the other side is pure abuse. It irritates me. Someone who said such things about my sister was getting yelled at and I felt a little bit sorry for him. Words like, "You need to work harder! You're nothing like your elder brothers!" come from the other side.

I get an urge to bust open the door but restrain myself. There's no point in getting involved, I won't gain anything by it.

"Let's go." Joseph says.

"You're worthless!" she yells. The sound echos around the halls and all of us stop moving. Every hair on my body stands up. She's still yelling but I ignore her other words. I clench my fists and open the door.

"Wait!" Joseph calls after me but it's too late. I'm already inside.

"Wha-what are you doing here?" she asks bewildered at my entrance. "Get out."

"Don't yell at him like that." I say. Dylan glances over to me.

"Huh? You have nothing to say in this matter. You're not apart of this. Get out, this is between mother and son."

I clench my fists harder, "What do you think you're doing? You're just yelling abuse at him!"

"I am helping-"

"Shut up!" I yell loudly. "You're not helping anyone! All you're doing is treating him like an idiot, you believe that you're helping him by giving him everything. Then you start to think that he can't actually can't do anything so you start to berate him. Of course he can't do anything if all you do is hand it to him! Even if he is your son, you shouldn't talk to him like that. No one should ever talk to anyone like that. I'll also tell you another thing, dear aunt. You fail in three aspects, as a lady, as a noble, and as a mother."

I turn around and shut the door behind me before she can say anything.