Miseries To Her

Elle felt like a thief caught red handed. She had planned to see her father on her own but now regretted it. She is after all, a stranger to the rest of the family members in the manor. If she had sneaked in late at night and venture all over the manor, she was no different than a thief. Although she "is" a thief, she wasn't someone who would steal from people who had treated her welcomely, especially those who hadn't hurt others.

Carol's eyes burned with anger which then turned into a smirk, "Well, you can tell him yourself."

Count Arthur looked at the tongue tied Elle and Carol who had played naive, "Tell what, Elle? Is there something wrong? And why are you two in this room?" The once soft eyes then narrowed down to his orange haired daughter.

"No, papa. Listen," Carol said in a hurry. She knew just how her father hated the idea of someone visiting this particular room, a room that her mother tried to burn to no avail before her birth. Suddenly she appeared nervous which Elle noticed even though she was more nervous for being caught in the night sneaking like a rat.

Carol gulped and pointed her hand to Elle, "I saw her. I saw her suspiciously entering rooms. I wanted to know what she was doing and followed her inside. I know, she is my sister, but she was brought up in a terrible place which maybe explain why she had tried to steal."

Elle knew it. She knew Carol was going to call her out for being a thief but was still somewhat surprised as the girl clearly hated her presence even more than her mother.

Upon feeling count Arthur's gaze, Elle furrowed her eyebrows, "No, I didn't steal anything. I was simply lost on my way to search for your study room."

"My study room?" Count Arthur asked for her to nod.

"I saw maids around here before but all of them were gone when I walked outside," reasoned Elle for her rude entry to the unknown room.

"Hah." Carol scoffed loudly and grabbed Elle by her wrist.

The hold wasn't too tight but it was quite rude, regardless, Elle followed her outside the room only to find four maids walking back and forward on the once empty hallway. Seeing the servants, Elle's golden eyes widened. She was sure! She was sure there was no one there earlier!

"They had been here for a long time! Also, the servants have night shifts which allows them to stand in every room around the manor. They wouldn't leave the room for the fear of missing any guests' requests. Let us call the maid stationed in front of your room to see if you are actually lying!" Carol pointed out and smirked, she looked extremely happy to find out her missing sister was actually a thief with a hand that couldn't stop itself from stealing the things she found near her.

"But I didn't saw anyone! No one saw me either," Elle remarked as if they had seen her, they would have stopped her, wouldn't they?

"Carol," Count Arthur said with a look of disapproval, "Let us not point on Elle, I'm sure this is a misunderstanding."

"It's guilty until proven innocent, papa. I'll ask the maids around her room and we could see if this liar would find another lie to utter now," with a wide grin, Carol seemed the happiest, almost making Elle to suspect she was the one behind the sudden disappearance of the maids around the manor. Even if they did hide all this time from Coral's instruction, would they state anything that would favor her?

"Carol." Count Arthur's eyes seemed to have slightly widened in sternness as he saw his daughter couldn't stop herself from doubting her own sister. "There is no need for that, I trust Elle. Just because she comes from the slums, doesn't mean that she is a thief, Carol. I will tolerate anything but fight between sisters. You are family, a family protect each other."

Elle's golden eyes stared at Count Arthur's face, slightly surprised at the haggard looking man for saying that family was more important regardless if she comes from the slums. It was something she didn't expect as he was also a capable to think as most nobles wouldn't want to call someone from the slums as their family, hell, even those people who aren't nobles would rather be stepped over by horses than calling her their friends.

"B- But!"

"Leave this room now, Carol." Count Arthur cut Carol short and the girl fumingly stared at Elle before she rushed out of the room before leaving Elle one more furious gaze. As Carol left, Count Arthur's eyes stared at the red curtain which was very close to Elle. His eyes were studying, as if to make sure she hadn't opened what was behind the curtain.

Even if Elle tried not to notice it, she couldn't as the silence was piercing and his eyes stared at the room. She recalled Carol saying how he hated anyone to enter the room, perhaps because it stored his wealth?

"I am sorry for suddenly intruding. When I walked by, no one was there I hope you can believe me," she whispered quietly as if she wants Count Arthur to believe her, it would also mean calling his believed daughter as a liar.

"I am sure it's a misunderstanding," Count Arthur pulled a smile, "Did you look around this room?"

"No, I didn't," she said at once, "I only just entered. I'm sorry if there is anything you wish me not to see."

"No, there is no such thing," the man smiled and somewhere he appeared to be relieved. "You said that there is something you wanted to talk with me?"

"Oh yes, it's about my siblings in the slums. They are not blood related to me but I think of them as my dearest family," She struggled to let her words spill from her mouth as deep down she isn't a beggar. She didn't want to beg for food but after seeing the luxuries in this house, she thought that it wouldn't hurt them the slightest to share some of the breads to the slums. Breathing in, she said, "I was wondering if I could ask you to share some of your food, it doesn't have to be much just enough. There are young children, orphans all over the slums. It might sound weird coming from me who had just met you but…"

"Of course, I will," Count Arthur agreed without any hesitation, surprising her as she expected his frown or a look of disapproval as helping the slums wouldn't be a benefit to him.

"Really?" She asked, still surprised and careful.

"Of course, if it is what my daughter wants," Count Arthur smiled. "But in exchange could I ask you to visit me? Just every weekend, so we could have supper or dinner together? I just… wish I had spent more time with you when you were younger.."