Need One

When Elara woke up, she felt sore all over. Last night, Killian was crying and agitated. So, she laid with him and wrapped her arms around him to console him. The child complained till late until he slept.

But her posture was so bad that she felt stiff all over. She hardly slept and it was already morning. For a minute she considered ignoring the sun and sleeping. The place was hardly controlled and the maids were hardly checked. Many of them do a shoddy job and sleep or gossip.

No one would care if she did that too. Right? She decided to leave for her room and rest there. But when she exited the room and reached his receiving hall, she saw Killian sitting there. 

He was holding a portrait and she did not need to check it to know it belonged to her mother. The child worries so much about them. She sighed and walked to him.

Killian heard footsteps but did not turn back to look at her. 

"Killian.."

"I know. Would you accompany me for a walk?" Elara stopped. She was.. 

"Of course, young master." the man shook his head softly and smiled at her.

"Last night you were calling me, Killian and that also in a rude voice." Elara stiffened. She was.. The boy was shaking and not listening to her. She even remembered shaking him hard to gain his attention and more. What if he decided to punish her as a noble? She knew he was a prideful creature. "Now that we have slept together last night, I think we are past formalities. You can call me Killian whenever we are alone." 

Her eyes widened and her mouth agape as she stared at him in confusion. Was he showing affection to her?

"Are you going to follow me in this crumpled dress and what about washing your face? Do you even take a bath regularly?" no! Possibly not. She closed her mouth and nodded. "I will call maids with a new uniform for you and water to clean yourself." calling maids?

Elara knew better than anyone that maids did not listen to him anymore. A few of them follow his orders reluctantly but they would definitely not serve her if he ordered. The child would only lose the spirit he was showing. She shook her head hastily but he had already pressed the bell.

"There is no need for anyone to bring my dress. I will go and change my clothes and wash myself first in my room." She bowed with a look of worry in her eyes when he frowned.

"It would take you an hour if you did everything by yourself. Two maids would not be that bad." he repeated with a smile as if he was dealing with a child when she sighed.

Did he really forget how maids treat him? Last night, they were talking about survival but now they were back to square one. As if reading her thought, he shook his head and looked at her with pity, 

"If you are worried about their refusal, then do not be. In the morning, my aunt had called me and informed me she had taught a lesson to lazy maids. They will listen to my every command now." as if proving his point, the door of the study opened and a maid stood there with her head lowered.,

"Young master, how can I assist you?" normally the bell would have gone answered for minutes. The maid only serves Cedric properly and answers to him. Killian was often ignored to the limit of serving him food meant for maids or bathing him with cold water.

"Yes, i want water in the basin for washing and a clean dress for the lady.'' The maid paused and just when Elara thought that she would refuse, the maid nodded her head and left the room without uttering a complaint.

How did this happen?

"I have told you. Choosing my aunt was the best decision I have taken. We do not need to struggle anymore." he beamed with joy but for some reason, she did not feel better.

It felt like a rock had been thrown on her chest. The uneasy feeling did not leave her even when she took a quick bath and changed her clothes. She tried to talk to the maid who brought water for her. But the maid hardly replies except saying yes or no.

So, Elara was baffled when she stood in front of Killian in a new dress that did not look like it was meant for maids. It was not the wool dress but satin with lace work around her hem.

"Are you sure this dress is for me?" she felt strange wearing it. Her hands could not help but touch the fabric again. This was her most lavish dress. She felt like a princess while wearing it though she did not have any jewels.

Killian looked at her and laughed.

"What is so special about this dress? It is a plain dress with no embroidery or gems. Of course, you can wear it." Elara nodded when he spoke so nonchalantly. Her hands still caressed the hem of the dress as she followed him.

Maybe they have brought her the wrong dress. She could always leave later and ask the maid again. Killian walked to the west wing of the garden that was attached with guest chambers.

"Are we going to meet your aunt?" reality dawned on her. She was surprised that Killian wanted to take a walk and relax since he was mostly busy studying and training all the time. As if he was racing against time. The child never has any spare time to play or enjoy as he should.

"Yes, if things go well, Elara. I will not train anymore. My aunt will take care of me till I grow up. Even if she is here for wealth, I do not mind giving her some part if needed."