Skills To Survive

Killian had returned! Everyone was surprised to see him standing there on his own two feet. He was no less than a miracle for them.

Their wide eyes and continuous glance when they went to serve him a meal or ask him for a bath could not be any more evident.

"What are you staring at?" Penny shook when Elara called her suddenly.

"I was only making sure that the young master was served properly." Penny was there when Elara had put that stunt on the staircase. She was aware how the young maid had decided to show her superiority to them, the old servants of this palace. 

Her voice rose an octave to inform Elara that she was not someone Elara could mess with.

"That is enough, you can leave now!" Killian waved his hands making Penny frown. 

"But young lord!"

"What.."  Penny felt aggrieved but she did not know what to say when Killian looked at her coldly as if she was a pest, a hindrance in his peace.

She bit her lips and left feeling insulted. What did the new girl do to get so much attention? Why did the regent duke give her the right to choose punishment and even the young lord took her side?

She must need to inform others before it is too late. Soon, there was a private meeting of the staff in the kitchen.

—----

"They do not like you." Killian spoke, taking another bite of the stuffed bread. It had been a day since he had eaten last. Even before that, the kidnapper only offered dry moldy bread. 

"They are angry that I complained against them." Elara shrugged not a least bit worried about their petty acts now that Killian had assured her, her secret is safe with him and she could live here. "You should hold your authority against them." she added after a pause when Killian's hands paused for a second, but he resumed it.

"My father thought that I was young. He had made a will stating his brother would take care of me if he died before my coming of age. So even if I were fifteen, the properties would have ended in the hands of my uncle not to add that I am just…" he took another big bite of his bread. 

He did not look grim like he had lost his parents and might be living with their killer.

"He wanted me to have a happy childhood. He had told me many times he had had a happy childhood with his brother. I wish he knew that people change while growing up." Elara felt bad for the child when he shrugged as if it was nothing. As if he was only talking about how winter could freeze everything and how spring brought a new life.

He was so indifferent. Should a child be like that? 

"Killian.." she whispered softly when he turned to look at her. 

"The bread is warm, do you want to have some?" she shook her head. That was not what she was intending when she called him, "I know that I need to eat a lot to be strong. I need to learn to fight, I need to plan and I should be prepared for running. And you are going to teach me all that. So, it will be better that you eat a lot too. You should be strong to make me stronger, Elara. 

I do not need a nanny who tells me stories while I sleep. I need a soldier who will train me for the upcoming war. I am not going to accept that my uncle would be a duke." his eyes burning with fierce determination and his voice had steel.

He was ready to burn the world if needed but he was just a child!? Elara only felt pain for the child who should be laughing and enjoying himself. But then.. She didn't even have this kind of childhood.

Elara took a deep breath and smiled, 

"But he is already a duke. And he is going to stay as a duke for the next nine years. So, would it not be better that you take your time in learning things.

I am sure after the last incident, you would not be attacked again." his eyes trembled a bit and she knew that pain and fear of the accident flashed in his heart. But she did not move, she waited silently for him to gain his wits.

If he wants to be strong, he should be able to overcome his fears and his pain. 

"What made you so sure?" He asked after a moment looking composed again as if he had the power to control the world and bring a smirk on her face.

"Because everyone's eyes are on you now, Killian. You were attacked because you were hidden, unnoticed but now that you have returned, you are going to make appearances and stay in the limelight then, even a single scratch on your skin would be noticed and scrutinized." he furrowed his brows, confused when she sighed.

"I mean in these kinds of cases, uncle and aunts make the child isolated by not letting him meet his extended families or public saying the child is still mourning and does not want to meet anyone. Then they get the chance to sever the child's ties and gain all the attention.

And when they were sure that no one would care about the child, they staged an accident ending the story." her words were harsh and he flinched. All the facade of confidence was slowly crumbling down when he realized he had already refused to meet everyone thinking they were on his uncle's side. 

And accidents had started to happen. If it continued… 

  "Since you have already survived the starting stage, all you need is to meet other, improve your ties. Make appearances in the public. Try to gain glory or a merit. It will be hard but you need this kind of war not throwing daggers, my lord."