Tiffany lived a life of luxury at Ĉielarko Castle as the mistress of the new Duke of Fadeno, Blythe Valeborn.

Ĉielarko Castle was kept in pristine glory from when it was constructed eons ago. It floated among the clouds using an exorbitant amount of energy from a giant anti-gravity generator. The anti-gravity generator was at the top of a dam, at the end of a river, in the center of a valley underneath Ĉielarko Castle, all perfectly aligned. Surrounding the castle were other estates of the nobility who had the money to pay for the feeling of simply knowing they were above everyone else.

Tiffany's room sadly did not have a window to overlook the beauty of Ĉielarko Vale, it did not have any windows, but it was connected to a secret passageway inside the walk-in closet, perfect for her to conduct her business of being seen, but never heard. There was no explicit rule against the higher class of having mistresses, some thought it weird if you didn't have one, yet Tiffany was expected to pretend she didn't exist.

Tiffany never blended in anywhere in her life with her purple hair and sparkling green eyes until she came to Ĉielarko Castle, where everyone was a Nobli or a Kuraga, with their own genetically enhanced looks, making her look sometimes average in comparison.

It was not good for her self-confidence.

She woke up that morning, trying to pick a dress. She stood in front of a long mirror, trying to decide between the white or the pink summer dress, and getting irritated because her life had become so easy. So boring. She wanted the white dress because she thought it was prettier, but she knew Blythe preferred her to wear pink.

So she wore the pink one.

Her room was large, but still smaller than the others, and closer to the servant's quarters of Ĉielarko Castle. She would pass by many of them on her way about the halls, refusing to use the secret passageway behind the walls other mistresses had used before her. The other women of the house either abhorred her or were delighted by her, no in between, and Tiffany liked it that way.

That early morning, before the Duke was set to visit and poke her with his stick for a while, Tiffany went boldly down the creme and gold corridors to the servant's quarters, ready for her monthly meeting for all of those who were seen and never heard. The maids and butlers of Ĉielarko Castle were the perfect people to be her spies because many of them already were before she arrived. Their former leader died a few months after Tiffany arrived at the age of 89, and Tiffany took the chance to let them know that she had plenty of good contacts.

However recently, some of them have been acting strangely lately. She worried that maybe some of them were breaking rank but put her mind at ease because if one of them went down, all of them would, so no one was willing to say anything for now.

They wanted to avenge Princess Rhiannon.

At the meeting, Tiffany decided that they would stop the Nobli from spreading rumors that Duke Blythe was the one who tried to kill his older brother. She wanted to make sure that they controlled the narrative. Everyone became aware of the mole, and now the servants were willing to kill to save their skin, or else if caught their entire family would be killed for treason.

No one argued or questioned Tiffany much anymore because her sources were rarely wrong. They nodded and planned where to look, whom to ask, and who to call in favors for. They knew which Nobli they could control that thought with their crotches instead of their minds, and they had a list of those with blackmail, ready to call to order when necessary.

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"I know I'm not as powerful as your last leader, Mrs. Racia but I'm happy you allowed me to join. I didn't think any of you would want me," Tiffany said.

"When we saw what happened to Princess Rhiannon, none of us could stand for it," said Visto.

Visto was old, and like many others who believed in 'the old ways' and decided to age naturally, looking his age, with white hair, and wrinkles. He was the head butler, and his father was the head butler, and so on. He never would have imagined that he would betray his Lord, but the day had come when Emporer Valeborn's display of power turned many who had known Princess Rhiannon personally against him.

Aria had changed a lot in the past five years and everyone's allegiances.

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"These small women and their small minds, it has been a week of this strike nonsense," Emporer Valeborn said. "What is this!?"

He and Max were in his study, and Valeborn was again having another issue rear its ugly head when he least needed it. He leaned forward onto his brown wood desk and held his hand over his forehead, a stress headache coming on. Max felt somewhat sorry for him up until his sexist comments and then what little sympathy he had was gone.

"Why are they doing this," Valeborn asked. " Why are the servants on strike? You used to be one of them, tell me!?"

"A woman or a poor person, My Lord," Max asked sarcastically.

"Tell me."

"They want more pay."

"They live in a FLOATING CASTLE," Valeborn screamed. "What else could they want!?!"

"My Lord, when my parents were still living and I was able to, I sent them money. Many of the women support one or maybe multiple families," Max explained.

"That is not my problem, tell them to have fewer children," Valeborn lamented. "I need someone to help me..."

He laid his head on his desk, closed his eyes, and tried to stop the stress headache. Max noticed his shirt and pants were not ironed, nor was his shirt tucked in. His shoes were not as shiny anymore, and even though his hair was brushed it was not as styled and perfect as before. His stomach sometimes grumbled because he had not eaten, and his eyes looked dull from lack of sleep.

It was clear Emporer Valeborn would not survive without the servants but refused to admit it.

"My Lord some of them remain, and they are confused about the behavior of their friends."

"I'd be confused why anyone would whine about living in luxury as well," Valeborn replied.

"No, a few of the servants said their behavior has been erratic, sometimes violent. Sir Nash is investigating what could be the cause but has not found much."

Valeborn glared at Max.

"Why are you good at this," he asked.

"At what, My Lord?"

"Information?"

"I have many friends, My Lord," Max replied. "They-"

Emporer Valeborn laughed and Max's upper lip twitched. Valeborn got up from his desk and laid on his green couch, trying again to stave off the headache.

"When do you plan on killing me," Valeborn asked.

"I would never, My Lord," Max replied. "If it pleases you, I can investigate what is happening in your home, using the Ten Paths, with your permission."

Emporer Valeborn sat up and sighed.

"Fine. I miss the pastelakvo Nina makes..."

"My Lord, I think the strike is a cover for something nefarious."

"YES," Valeborn agreed. "I think some of them are spies and traitors! Very few of them I can trust, but Visto most of all."

"I will find someone to cover as your security, if you allow it, and return as soon as possible, My Lord."

"Bring me Nash," Valeborn commanded.

Max commanded his AIA, Aetheria to call Sir Nash, and in a few moments, he was heard before he was seen. The chandelier in the room swung slightly, and the side table next to the couch jerked a little. Sir Nash pushed open the door as gently as he could because he did not want to break another door in the Emporer's home.

As punishment, he would force him to repair it.

"Good afternoon, M'Lord," Sir Nash said. "How can I be of assistance?"

Sir Nash was a behemoth of a man, made of muscle and sweat. He had the same regalia as Max's but his was red, white, and black, instead of blue. His black hair was put into a buzzcut and his scraggly beard was only allowed to be kept because some of the higher-ranking knights were afraid to speak to him.

"Sir Nash, why are you so large," Valeborn asked. "It's quite...interesting."

"Mother said my ancestors were giants."

"Ah yes. Of course."

Emporer Valeborn was tired of Weaver's fairytales and told Max to find out why his servants revolted by the end of the day or he would be fired.

Max did not believe he would be fired but pretended he was worried to make Valeborn happy.