Chapter 20

The wind blew, and a few birds nestled with their hatchlings. Nature's way, shielding the young from any danger. Lai smiled, peaceful and yet he was ordered to retell his story. He looked at his Lady, "Then, I will answer to the best I could."

Cailina nodded, "I presume your family's habit of gambling doesn't concern wealth?"

"Yes. We gamble with information, my Lady," Lai said.

She raised her brow, the rumors indeed held some truth. The Count used fortunes as a front, a fitting action for gamblers. Cailina played with her ring, "The last gamble your family did before their downfall?"

A smile crept into his lips and said, "The Imperial Duke Grandis' dealings."

Those who wanted to dig up the Grandis would meet a frustrating end. Lai knew what his family would've become after poking the beast's tail.

Both laughed, "I suppose you bear no grudge to your master?" Cailina asked. Incorrect response, his head will be on display in front of the gates.

"Grudges are a dream for a weak man like me. From now on, I will be at my Lady's disposal." Lai placed his hand on his chest. He preferred to serve the little lady than any other masters, his life will be filled with interesting events.

The smile disappeared from Cailina's lips, "And here I thought you'd be at my command, how dare you hide a part of yourself?"

The amber eyes pierced through his heart as she stared, "What is your relationship with the dogs?"

He held his hand up and pleaded, "My Lady, I'm hurt by your tone. It's not like the only one who has relations with a dog."

A fork flew close enough to Lai's ear, "No need to be violent my Lady. You are to be the Crown Princess."

"Preposterous servant!" Cailina roared and threw another cutlery, "Indeed a gambler, never fearing anything."

He sighed and patted his chest. The little lady's temper was supposed to be calm and collected, why was he the one to incur the heaven's wrath. He smiled at Cailina while the other prepared another object to stab him, "The young Lord told things about me?"

"You're in a position not to ask questions."

"Alright, I'm indeed a part wolf. I won't have a lifemate as the usual dogs my Lady knows." He relaxed when Cailina put down the butter knife, "My great grandmother was a wolf, but her partner has a stronger bloodline hence, I, fortunately, have none of the wolves another half. Thank the Divine for that."

Cailina narrowed her eyes, why would Aris tell her that this insufferable yet obedient servant will bring harm. Lai laughed at his Lady's obvious expression, it seemed the events of last week's show rattled the icy heart of his master.

"I offer my whole being to my Lady's will. There's no need to be guarded, if I may say, the person we hold dear must be the one we need to be wary of."

The carriage rattled as Cailina waited for Aris. Moonlight spilled inside, she wanted to know who he really is, but another part of her wanted to keep her puppy uncorrupted.

They were the only ones inside, Fione gave privacy to her master as she knew something sinister must be known by her lady. The blood on Aris' clothes wasn't his, Cailina was aware he was capable.

"Aris, I will ask you again. Who are you?"

The puppy gulped, "My father taught me how to hunt. It's just, my… You were in danger so I…"

Cailina sighed, his dishonesty was the last straw of her patience, "If you still dare to keep it from me, I will have no choice but to send you to my father. I have no use for people who don't offer themselves fully."

Aris' sight blurred. Anything but being separated to his Lady, "I… I was part of some of my father's interests in finding the perfect offering…"

"What offering?" Cailina asked.

"I- I don't know, he would always blindfold me whenever I have to be examined."

Lai looked at Cailina with worry, he had been calling out his Lady, but she remained frozen. He sighed, "My Lady if you still won't answer, I will…"

A plate shattered near him, "Dare continue that thought and the next shattered thing would be you."

Cailina scowled at the smiling servant. She has, for a moment, doubted her puppy's words.

A knock calmed Cailina down. Fione returned with pastries and a newly brewed tea, "Visit our guest."

Lai bowed, and Cailina was left with her emotions raging inside her heart after they came back from the circus. Aris was still holed up in his room, denying any servants of their assistance. Cailina visited him but was pushed away.

She poured another drink from her blood box, and the hybrid's last words floated in her mind.

"... Your Father…"

She shook her head and left the rest of the worries to her father. Duke Grandis has more power and connections than her and her mother… All she did was make herself beautiful and attend endless tea parties and banquets. She has yet to return from her friend's wedding.

"How is he, doctor?" Cailina asked as she stood outside Aris' room.

The doctor sighed and shook his head. He has never encountered such a critical state of fever, "The young Lord has his fever for a week now, and I…"

"Alright. Fione will lead you to settle the accounts," She entered the room and saw her puppy gasping for air. The basin fell onto the floor as the maid continuously apologized. She gripped her fists, this would've never happened if she kept Aris away from the crowd.

"What are you still doing here? Leave before I'll kill you!" Aris roared. His chest rose and fell as he heaved. The pitiful sight of Aris made Cailina feel uneasy, she approached the end of the bed.

"I said, leave!" She caught the pillow aimed at her head and gently placed it near her puppy's feet. His tantrums grew worse with each passing day.

"Aris, your medicines will lessen the pain." Cailina said and sat down next to Aris, "Be good. You'll get better soon."

Aris whimpered and buried himself deeper under the thick blankets. If he had known that eating low grade hearts would cause him unable to be with his Lady, he would've just played with them.

"I will attend to some matters. Rest well."

Cailina's footsteps echoed in the dungeon, instilling terror to those on the other side of the bars. The locks clanged as Fione opened the cold bars. Cailina stepped inside, a woman laced with chains greeted her. Lai stood smiling like a kid waiting for a reward. She took a deep breath to calm her raging heart.

"How's the progress?" Cailina asked, turning her attention to Lai. He squatted and grabbed the woman's face.

"None, my Lady." He slapped her cheek that woke her up, "Lady, I'm being nice because you're too weak."

The chained woman remained silent, a living whose light had been extinguished.

Cailina snatched the whip from Fione, "Tell me who is it that paid you?" The lashing tore the woman's skin, "Still not speaking?"

Lai looked away, life might be lost if his Lady continued flogging with her emotions attached. The woman coughed out her blood, and it splattered unto Cailina's clothes, but the torture didn't stop. The other captives blocked out the gruesome treatment of the little lady.

For someone so young, and yet so merciless.

"My Lady…"

She turned her attention to Lai, eyes glowed as her shoulders rose and fell. Her gaze terrified Lai, he could only purse his lips. Cailina tossed the whip, which made a thunderous sound for the woman.

"Go and report to my father, it seems that this woman's family held no importance to her." She stepped out of the dreadful cell, "Don't spare anyone, even the baby."

The bars banged as the woman's shouts rang into Lai's ears, "I'm sorry, my Lady! I will talk! Please spare the child! End me- end my life!"

Cailina smirked, "Speak."

She wasn't generous. Maybe this woman's words might entertain her. The uneasiness she felt was stronger than her father's assurance. It happened on their land. What if the people that wanted to sully their family name moved sooner than her father's expected?

"Eli… The man that suddenly became our boss- he said, he promised us that we'll receive good pay after that night's show," Swan trembled as she bowed.

The information the woman gave was no longer of use for Cailina, she sneered and turned her back. It greatly annoyed her by the woman's refusal to talk.

Fione snapped the woman's arm as she tried to reach out to her Lady. Her shrill screams were unheard of by the little lady.

"No, wait! He said something about the kid they're going to take was a part of an experiment… an- and that their employer wants the product untouched!" The woman shouted, "My Lady! Please spare the children! This is all I know! Please…"

Lai shook his head, even to this day she chose to be dishonest. Eternal slumber awaits the foolish.

Inside Cailina's room, porcelains smashed onto the floor and the maids kept their heads low, "I will obliterate the one behind this mockery!"

Cailina roared as she threw another cup and shattered against the wall. How dare they harm the favored one's things? She had enough of this and if she caught a whiff of those scoundrels, death's door will welcome them.

Whoever master that woman served must've trained her until none could break her will. Cailina scoffed, there's no family for people with absolute obedience.

Fione cleaned up the mess and silently retreated for the night. Her Lady's mood has become worse by each day that the young Lord lay sick in bed. She sighed and went up to Ria's room.

Ria was still the original personal maid, and she was still a substitute. If only...

Shuffles sounded on the other side of the door. She furrowed her brows.

"Ria?" Fione knocked, yet none answered. She took the silence as Ria's confirmation and opened the room.

The messed up furnishings welcomed Fione, Ria sat on the floor with her disheveled hair. She looked around and Ria seemed to be in a daze, not minding someone had just walked into her room. Fione tapped her shoulder, and the latter remained stiff.

"Ria?"