Gladys

A carriage pulled to a halt beside a large mansion, the coachman hurriedly got down and went to open the carriage door for his mistress who sat patiently inside.

He opened the door and stretched out his open hand for her to take. She got up from the seat and placed her left hand in his right before carefully placing a foot on that carriage step to get down.

She gave him a grateful smile once she was out of the carriage and he let go of her hand with a bow.

She climbed the wide stairs leading to the entrance, the hem of her long dress glided over the stairs as she climbed higher with her head held high and her hands folded together.

When she reached the entrance, the guards positioned on each side greeted her and opened the gigantic doors for her with a bow.

She smiled and found her way in. The butler came almost immediately to guide her to the dinning room and she followed.

They walked through a quiet corridor with glorious designs on the body of each pillar. The butler was in front of her, walking at a good pace.

Soon he stopped in front of two large door with beautiful embroidery made of gold. Two guards stationed there quickly opened the doors, making way for them to enter.

The butler stepped aside and made way for her before following.

"Your highness, I present to you lady Gladys."

He announced with a loud and clear voice and the people present in the room turned to face the dinning rooms entrance.

"Gladys!"

They all called her name at the same time and she laughed sweetly at their fondness of her. The three mature men along with their king stood up from their seats and went to welcome her warmly.

"Come here, you." One of them with blonde hair happily said and she walked into his embrace with stretched smile.

"Oh Gladys." Another with dark brown hair just like hers pulled her out of the blonde man's embrace and embraced her tightly.

"You'll suffocate her Celeste, be gently."

A dark purple haired man with an irritated look warned his brother. Gladys laughed and went to hug the purple haired man.

"How have you been Humphrey?"

She asked after giving him a warm hug. He stared down at her affectionately with a smirk on his lips.

"Awful."

"Don't buy it Gladys, he's lying." The blonde haired man interjected and Humphrey glared at him.

She shook her head slightly and faced the clam looking king who leaned against the table waiting for her.

"Now its my turn to shine." He teased and she laughed.

She went up to him and embraced him as well, but briefly. When she broke the hug she stared at him.

"Always graceful," she complimented him and he smiled.

"Why don't you have a seat Gladys, you must be famished." The blonde haired man pulled out a chair for her.

"I guess I am Nero."

She told him. Accepting his offer, she sat down and he sat beside her.

"Aren't you too eager to be beside her Nero? Give some space will you." Humphrey spoke out his mind and Nero only arched a brow at him.

"She's not complaining." Theon bailed Nero out and went to sit on Gladys left side where his chair was situated.

"How are you Gladys?...I miss...sorry...we all missed you." Celeste corrected himself when Humphrey gave him a knowing look.

The table had already been set so Gladys helped herself. She was about to scoop the rice but Nero beat her to it. He scooped a suitable amount of it and poured it on her plate.

She smiled while shaking her head, they had always treated her this way ever since she was little.

"I've been good thank you." She answered Celeste's question.

"Did you get the materials you need?"

Humphrey inquired while watching her intently. She lifted her eyes and her lashes fluttered perfectly at him, her hand hung midair with a spoon full of rice near her slightly parted lips.

"I did," came her short reply before she took in the spoonful of rice, chewing carefully. She had returned from her little trip to get some materials for her designs for two days.

Last night when Theon heard she was back, he informed his brothers and they invited her for breakfast the next day...which was the very day they where in.

"Gladys?" Nero called her name.

"Mm!" She hummed because her mouth was stuffed with food.

"Tomorrow night my recent artwork will be publicised at the town hall and everyone will be present, so I don't want you to miss it."

"Really? I'd love to see your new creation Nero, you know I'd skip anything to be there for you."

Theon narrowed his eyes at her last line while Humphrey simply just focused on his meal, Celeste had a blank expression but Nero was the happiest...he was smiling from ear to ear like a small child.

"So if I should ask you to skip that night for my sake, will you?" Theon suddenly questioned and his brothers eyed him. Gladys had a look of 'are you for real' and she snickered.

"I can't do that milord," she bluntly refused and everyone had a satisfied smile at her answer except Theon.

"You know you shouldn't refuse the king, its a dangerous move." He taunted her and she smirked.

"And what's that? Will you put this adorable little sister of your behind bars?" She watched him with narrowed eyes, daring him.

"Seems like you copied a habit from him." Humphrey pointed out the obvious and she grinned.

"That's an achievement don't you think." Theon wriggled an eyebrow at Humphrey.

Humphrey simply just sighed and concentrated on his meal. But after a second passed he lifted his eyes stealthily and watched the only pretty lady on the room eating happily and chatting with his brothers.

Every time Humphrey watched her or catch glimpses of her, he always felt proud of himself for saving her. If he had left her she would've been long dead by now.

His mind slowly drifted to the past when they were all still young but close to their adulthood age...

4 YEARS BACK

Deep scars caused by the werewolves on their skin had slowly healed up due to the spell Theon casted on them.

Humphrey felt the girl's pulse to be sure she was still alive and she was, though her breathing wasn't strong but she looked like she was having a little nap, so Humphrey didn't bother much.

"What are we to do with these cruel men?" Nero questioned while glaring hard at the hunters who struggled to free themselves from Celeste's roots.

"We burn 'em alive," came Theon's strong and emotionless tone.

"You wouldn't dare!" The leader screamed in both anger and fright as he put more energy in freeing himself.

"Says the animal who burned down our homes without any ounce of remorse," Celeste spat out those words filled with pure hatred.

Nero's hands lit up in flames and he stood up, he was consumed in anger and revenge. His eyes sparkled due to the unshed tears in his eyes.

"Don't! Please don't do it!"

The other four men cried out, pleading helplessly towards the young boy who wasn't willing to change his mind.

"Don't hesitate Nero, they are not worth the wait."

Theon pushed Nero on with his strict and emotionless tone. He had had enough of these cruel and wicked men who had no heart.

The men begged and their pleas filled the thick woods, echoing all round. Rage built up in his heart and the flames covering his hands blazed like an inferno and he threw them at the men.

"NOOOOO!!!"

"Ahhhh!!!!"

"PUT IT OFF! PUT IT OFF!!!"

The fire engulfed them quickly and they slowly began to roast in an excruciatingly slow manner.

"You hurt my roots brother."

Celeste complained while watching the men burn along with his dear roots. Their screams where painful and annoying to listen to, it reminded them of the people that died.

"Let's go."

Theon instructed, he stood up and hung the bag carrying their wands and his book. Nero helped Celeste to his feet and they began to move.

Humphrey effortlessly lifted the girl in his arms, making her head to lean against his chest and his right hand supported her back while his left hand went beneath her thighs. The burn at her left foot had already healed up, thanks to Theon.

"Its shocking she knows how to make use of her ability at this very age." Theon spoke up while watching her in Humphrey's arms.

"You said you've seen her, brother, do you know who her mother might be?" Nero asked.

"She's a sorceress."

"That's her mother?!" Humphrey's eyes went wide in awe.

"That explains why." Nero nodded in understanding.

"A pity her mother is no more." Celeste shook his head in sadness.

Theon gritted his teeth and looked away, tears clouded his eyes and he tried to blink them back.

"We all feel it Theon, there's nothing we can do...it hurts to know that they're gone."

Humphrey tried to console his brother with words. They had not just only lost their parents but also their unborn sister who was still in their mother's womb.

"Some things happen for a reason..."

"Don't tell me that crap Celeste, we lost a lot of people for absolutely no reason! Absolutely NONE!"

Theon's body shook violently, tears flooded out of his eyes and he wept bitterly.

Nero and Celeste had to console him, his emotions also affected them greatly.