Unknown 03

Cailina stared at her father with doubt flowing from her eyes. The thoughts about the young man who she grew interested in vanished, and was replaced by the swirling worry. Her world flowed around her father's approval. It has always been like this.

Her father would present her choices but never the right to choose what she wanted.

It became a shackle on her neck ever since the moment she asked about what happened to Aris after the night of her seventh birthday. She clearly remembered how her father carried the stern look and the words he uttered that broke her young heart.

~

"He had disobeyed your orders. Aris will be dealt with accordingly," Duke Grandis said. His eyes locked on his daughter. 

Cailina's small fists clenched. She wanted to shout, scream, drop all the manners she had learned. The fault wasn't completely Aris'. Lai played a part that almost another noble discovered that a dog resides in the Grandis' mansion. 

It was Odessa's fault! She left the party to stroll around. Cailina blamed everyone, she suspected that each of them had thought of one thing. To get rid of her puppy.

The sunlight seeped out of the window of her father's office. It was warm and welcoming, but to her young heart, it was nothing but dread and fear. 

How was Aris? Was he sleeping fine? The place he was sent to, was it nice enough to roam around? 

The questions repeated and piled over the other. She wanted to run to her puppy. Embrace him and protect him from any harm. The fear in his eyes broke her heart over and over.

She bit her lip to stop them from shaking and took a breath of courage. Aris was hers.

"Father, I always follow whatever you say," Cailina paused, "Must you take away the thing that makes me happy?" 

Duke Grandis sighed. It was the first time his daughter showed such pleading eyes. His daughter was becoming outspoken about her true emotions. It wasn't a bad thing, at least in an early age, Cailina was aware of what she wanted and despised. 

He was only worried that it might affect her work as she grows into a lady. 

Emotions brought no good to anyone, especially to nobles. He nodded in his heart that this was the best course of action. Keep Aris and Cailina separated. 

Few days had passed. Lai looked at the shattered teacups and teary-eyed maids at Cailina's feet. He held back the urge to let out a sigh. The puppy's absence caused his Lady's temperance to change for the worst.

A new tea set was order everyday by the Grandis'. 

The maids endured their Lady's outbursts. In their hearts, they were glad that the little lady was capable of expressing her feelings as a child. They pity the noble children; they were forced to grow at such a quick pace. Rarely experiencing how to be carefree.

"My Lady, if you keep throwing everything off the table, I'm afraid you would be sipping tea from the footman's cup."

Lai sighed as he picked up the pieces. His actions broke the maids' frozen state and began to clean the mess. If not for Lai's interference, they would either lose their post or their lives.

Cailina landed her burning gaze on Lai, "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you not to show your face?" 

She grabbed a saucer and aimed for Lai's head, "It's your fault Aris was sent away!" 

Before the deadly weapon bruised Lai's forehead. He quickly sidestepped and a shattering sound was heard behind him. He was at fault. He admitted to it in front of the Duke. 

He kneeled and begged for forgiveness. Whatever the Duke's reason for giving him a chance never mattered. As long as he was alive and well, and by Cailina's side, all other things were insignificant.

He tried gambling for Aris' information. Despite his best efforts, the mansion's servants were tightlipped. He wanted to comfort Cailina that her dear puppy was doing well, and she has nothing to worry about.

The maids lowered their heads. If it were possible to bury their heads under the ground, they would've, just to avoid the wrath of the favored one. 

Lai's lips tugged into a small smile. His words halted at the sight of Cailina's glistening eyes. 

They were as clear as the peaceful lake and as innocent as the first bloom of spring. It was a great contrast to the season's coldness. 

Cailina stormed out of the room, "I will go see my father!"

She had enough of this. It was lonely and her day wasn't the same without Aris. The thought of her father going out and returning late again caused her to quicken her steps. She must persuade her father to let Aris return. 

Who knows what danger her puppy would be in…

Fione was the only one following the young Lady. The rest of the servants chose to distance themselves from the angered Cailina. They wouldn't risk their heads being cut off for the reason of following behind the young Lady.

No one bothered to stop the young Lady from barging in the Duke's office. The knights guarding the door gave way. The only problem with noble houses was it was difficult to serve one master. It's a matter of luck to not displease anyone and stay alive. 

Duke Grandis furrowed his brows. He clicked his tongue at Cailina's puffed-up cheeks. He placed down the documents and rested his chin on his hand.

"Yes?" 

Cailina was taken aback by her father's welcoming tone. She was prepared for another round of reprimanding. Duke Grandis' unbothered look assured her that her father was willing to listen to whatever rambling she has to say.

"I beg to let Aris return to me," she bowed, "Please."

Duke Grandis waved at his attendant and said, "Escort Cailina back to her room. She isn't allowed to leave until I say so." 

Bowing for the sake of a dog. He needed to correct Aris' behavior around his daughter. Cailina seemed to forget the protocol every noble must follow. If she showed this kind of attitude at the capital, it would be their family's social death and a great embarrassment to the legacy of their ancestors. 

Cailina flicked the attendant's hand away and approached her father's deck, "No! Give back Aris, father!"

Duke Grandis signaled to have his daughter taken away. The childishness that Cailina displayed gave him a painful headache.

Her screams echoed through the hallways as the attendant respectfully dragged the young Lady away.

It was a sight none had imagined.

"Raising a daughter might cause my early death," Duke Grandis sighed, "Prepare the carriage."

-

The sun shone brightly outside. It was the scenery for beings that enjoy the beautiful things that the surroundings could offer. And in everything, one must always have something opposing their light.

The carriage entered a tunnel and descended into a dimly lit road. Duke Grandis peeked through the curtains. It was another day of inspection.

He had long been used to the stench of the place. The great traitor emperor almost destroyed the heart of the empire. This place existed even before his birth, and its foundations should never shake because of a mere lovestruck ruler.

The beings that were granted permission to trade around here were chosen by the monarch himself or his close aides. Those who entered illegally were dealt with swiftly. Disappearing from the records.

The existence of this place was a myth to those who believed in the right process of everything.

He could only hope for his daughter to take interest in these dealings. After all, this was for the greater good of the empire.

Duke Grandis knocked for the carriage to stop. It was best to be on foot, avoiding the suspicion that he came from a good House. Some nobles want to show off their status and would display their carriages, but what happens next to them was a mystery.

He alighted from the carriage and looked around. Many down cloaked beings roamed around, no one showed their real faces. He never liked going to this Divine-forsaken place.

Business must always be kept alive.

"Should we accompany you, Your Grace?"

He dismissed the knights and walked towards a shop and saw a frail man sitting at the end corner.

Duke Grandis' tall frame caught everyone's attention. The chattering halted as they observed the man who entered.

Beings with the countenance as he was immediately thought of someone who has a high status and not to be messed with.

"I assumed there is progress?" Duke Grandis sat down opposite the man.

"I—" the man stuttered, "As you are aware, my Grace… The work needs more helpers."

The work's progress was slow and unsure. It was risky to even start. Duke Grandis deserved great respect from their kind. He was able to produce such results. The only being capable of replacing the current monarch.

The man shook his head. Overthrowing the Emperor must never again cross his mind. Duke Grandis hated beings who rebel.

"How many?" Duke Grandis knocked his fist on the table, "State what you need now. Letters are unreliable."

He nodded and signaled his fingers, "Five… no… seven. Yes, preferably dogs." 

The man kept his head lowered, avoiding the piercing gaze of the Crown's serpent. Duke Grandis nodded,

"Do the job well, Dr. Karl."