Unfavorable

Cailina looked at her mother as if she was a different person. It surprised her that Duchess Grandis understood her. She never thought that her mother would agree to keep Lai.

"I apologize for my rudeness," Fione stepped forward, "I request for my Lady to permit giving a mark to me."

Duchess Grandis melodic laughter floated in the air. She was amused that her daughter was able to capture her servants' loyalty by this much. Not that they have a choice to disobey, it warmed her heart to see that they are willing to serve her daughter even until death.

For people to sacrifice for you, one must show they are worthy of it.

Lai inwardly sighed. He truly had no choice, but to follow Fione's act of loyalty. He heard rumors about being marked, and some say that a being wouldn't be able to accept anyone else other than his master.

He would gladly follow Cailina wherever she goes, even if it would lead to his death. From the moment he begged for her to get her out of his cage, he swore that he would serve her with all his life even without knowing who she was.

There was something he needed to know, and Cailina was the only person that could show him.

The staff returned with the enchanter, he appeared as a wise old man with his ashen robe with clouds embroidered all over the fabric. 

He stepped forward and greeted the nobles. He has met countless of high statuses, but the mother and daughter carried a heavier air around them.

A pressure he could not take if he was easily frightened.

On his way here, he was informed by the staff that he would be meeting the Imperial Duchess. The highest and respected one.

The enchanter was beyond ecstatic. He collected himself before the joy in his heart was spilled before them.

"I have two beings that need to be marked," Duchess Grandis dropped the pleasantries and went straight to her intentions, "I believe it won't take much time."

Her supposed goal was to let Cailins pick the best tags and then shop for other things. Duchess Grandis patted her hand as she comforted herself, she could not help but spoil her only daughter.

The process was done swiftly before the tea could turn cold. They returned with marks on their hand; Lai's right and Fione's the opposite of his.

It was a decision that bound their lives to Cailina's wishes.

The enchanter placed the newly formed tags before Cailina. The tags were made from a small gold ingot carved with each of their blood.

Both of its gem glowed; Lai's tag radiated a forest-like hue, as for Fione it gave off an orange one.

Cailina's finger was pricked as her blood trickled on the two tags. The final step that sealed a thrall to his master.

She took Lai's tag and landed her gaze at him. It matches his eyes. When they met for the first time, it was his eyes that caught her attention. 

It was filled with greed for something.

"Now, choose a few more."

Her mother broke the silence as she spoke. The enchanter dismissed himself and the mother and daughter pair continued to look for the best tags.

Duchess Grandis explained to her daughter how to determine the quality ones.

The more intricate the markings of one, the talented a thrall was; and the brighter its gem glimmer, the ambitious the thrall.

Even if a thrall had the most unique markings, if its gem shone brighter than a candlelight, it would never find its master.

Cailina touched Fione's tag, it wasn't as detailed as Lai's but its luster was by far dim than him. His gem painted Cailina's fingers with an emerald color. 

Her lips formed into a smile, "You never seem to run out of surprises."

Lai bowed, "My heart rests."

Cailina scoffed and picked three more tags as they stood among the rest of what was presented to her. She felt a connection between the three.

"You picked the three siblings, my Lady."

The staff said as his lips widened in a grin. Although he felt bad for Cailina, he was happy to dispose of the three troublesome thralls.

They arrived much earlier than the rest and still none would pick them as their gems shone as bright as a candlelight.

Keeping them longer would only result in more loss of the shop.

The staff quickly left before he was commanded to. He needed to prepare the trio to be at their best behavior as it would be their only chance to serve master. 

He clicked his tongue as he headed towards them. He could not deny that they got lucky and caught the eye of the Imperial Duke's daughter. 

In a parlor, three beings sat around as the two would do their usual thing; be annoying. The second oldest among the three sat quietly as she drank her tea. 

It has been a few years since they came down, and decided to look for her. The one they followed around in their homeland, but then she disappeared.

"Would you two quit it?" She yelled.

The reason why no one wanted them was because of their luster. She doesn't even understand it, and the grumpy staff would repeat the same thing over again if they got called but weren't picked.

The only person who could tame her brothers was Estrell.

Her brothers stopped and she glanced at the grumpy staff who was now grinning from one ear to another. She never saw him with that expression when he was around them.

She narrowed her eyes as she crossed her arms.

"Finally, a master is willing to take you all three home." 

"No!" The youngest yelled and interrupted the staff, "You can't send us away, Bert!"

The youngest would never leave this place until Estrell would come and take them. He was the one that would always cause a scene if a noble wanted them, despite the brightness of their tags.

"For the last time, do not call me by that name."

The staff massaged his forehead and looked up in exhaustion, "Be on your best behavior."

He had enough of their rascality, but he had to endure it because of their tags quality.

He signaled for them to follow and the two brothers were reluctant to take a step out of the room. The eldest looked at his siblings, his eyes filled with worry.

"What if we never find her?" he whispered.

"We will."

His sister firmly said. She knew in her heart that they would find her, no matter how long it might be, they would meet her again.

"Let's go and be on our best behavior," she said as she emphasized the best.

It's another day for a noble to leave this place unsatisfied.