A Beastial Form Of Affection.

At the time Diane had regained consciousness once more, she noticed herself lying on the floor. Half of the kitchen was almost nearly engulfed in the flames, and the thick smoke rendered it impossible for her to see anything. "Thalia.." She called out the name of the lady that laid beside her, but her attempts were thwarted by a fit of coughing. Without delaying further, she quickly picked at the scarf which laid across her neck, using it as a covering for her nose and mouth. Some of the cooks were still conscious though, and tried to pitifully drag their half-burnt bodies out of the scene of chaos. If the fire failed to kill them, the heat and the smoke would most surely will. "Thalia." She called out to the maiden in a slightly muffled voice. That is when she noticed it- The soft blue glow which enveloped her hands at the moment she reached out to her comrade. 'This is..' Her eyes widened in astonishment. Not only was the blue glow on her hands alone, it also acted as a shield, protecting her from the flames and heat, which was the reason she was able to recover so quickly despite being in proximity to the site of the explosion. The same could not be said for the damsel who laid on the floor though- she was covered with superficial burns and Bruises, mostly around her hands and feet. "As for this Power, I do not know how it was activated- neither did I realize that I was capable of such a thing.' Diane thought, as she looked on helplessly, at the raging flames that sought to devour the kitchen. "And I doubt highly if my powers are strong enough to put off a fire of this magnitude- I can barely even concentrate to summon so much as a droplet of water.' A sharp tap on the shoulder brought her out of her Daze. "What do you find so mesmerizing about this scene, my lady?" It was the cook whose guidance she was under- although she clutched onto her left hand. "We ought to leave this instant- lest these obnoxious flames incinerate our being" She stated, seizing the maiden with her other arm. "But Thalia.." Diane muttered, as she glanced towards her side. The cook only cast a gaze at the unconscious lady, before sighing. "I shall require your assistance, Lady Diane." The older woman said, as she struggled to place Thalia in a sitting position. "Take hold of the lady by her other hand, so we may succeed in causing her to rise to her feet." The woman instructed. Diane did as she was told, and they both managed to bring Thalia to stand erect, her hands resting upon the shoulders of either women. Only then did Diane notice the cook's left hand dangling uselessly by her side- the force by which she collided into the hard floor of the kitchen may have led to its fracture. "Your.." Diane began, as she noticed this. "It is alright, my lady." The woman responded, as they dragged the unconscious Thalia along with them. "Let us focus on escaping this dreaded place first- I am certain the lord would have been notified of this incident." She pressed on, as she struggled to leave the kitchen area. No sooner had the three women left, than there was a spark, causing the flames to become even more intense.

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Diego awoke with a start. He was panting for some reason, and the sheets were drenched with sweat. "How come I fell asleep?" He pondered, as he seated himself upright. The last thing he recalled doing was reading a paragraph memoir, as he sat on the bed, of which the article still lay at his side. Although he tried to calm himself down, he was still unable to fight the feeling of unease that was etched in the chambers of his heart. "My lord!" Lisa cried out, as she knocked on the door. "You may come in, Lisa." Diego responded, but the latter had already swung the door ajar, and hastened into the room. "My lord, a fire has been reported to have occured in the kitchen area!" The maid stated, in an highly agitated voice. Diego frowned- this was rather surprising; a fire outbreak had never once been recorded to happen since the period of which the Raymonds manor was established. "And.. Lady Diane alongside Lady Thalia were in its vicinity at that very moment!" No sooner had Diego heard this, than he sprinted out of the room.

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 "Careful." Diane mumbled, as the two women's both placed Thalia on the ground. Upon seeing state Thalia was in, Diane could not Help but to blame herself. If she had left when Thalia demanded for them to, if only she had never visited the kitchen area in the first place.. She glanced upwards, only to behold the despondent faces of those who just stared at the blazing fury with melancholic eyes. The flames were already spiraling out of control- if care was not taken, it would gradually spread towards the corridor of which they stood. Without a doubt, some people would have lost their lives to the flames. Those who were at the core of the explosion, as well as those who were slow to react. As the half-charred bodies came into her line of sight, Diane could not Help but to clench her fists. She was the only one who possessed abilities among those were present at the moment, but yet.. "And what would I gain by the information you divulged to me just now?" A voice rang among the corridors, loud and clear. Diane, along with some others, turned towards the source of the noise- The scene was that of a man, who stood with his hand placed on the bridge of his nose, while a younger male stood before him, his head bowed, fidgeting slightly. "Well..when I called upon his office- I was only graced by his absence.." The man's eyes shot open in an instant. "You could have very well informed the young Masters or anyone of a higher caliber, if that be the case, rather than to come running here with your tail tucked between your legs, like the cowardly imbecile that you are!" The older man said, as he grabbed his subordinate by the collar. Diane was a bit unsure, but she was certain that both men were butlers. And given how the uniform of the taller man varied lightly from that of the younger, his status was most likely to be- "..The head of the butlers." Diane mumbled. The man gripped his subordinate tighter by the neck, causing the latter to cough, a vein bulging slightly around his skull. "You have done enough." Diane stated. The damsel did not want to intervene, but the other man would have most certainly deprived of his life, given how the other servants stood around idly, as though they were watching a play. The addressed gazed at Diane, the look of contempt visible in his eyes. "You shall end up murdering him, at this rate- and his death shall not bring an end to the fire." She added, as she walked up towards him. "And who delegated to you, the authority to order me around as you Deem fit?" The man said, as he gazed suspiciously at the maiden, who walked up to him. The lower half of her face was concealed In a purple shawl, so her feautures remained indiscriminate to him. Although one thing that was alluring- or captivating, were those blue eyes of hers. Those eyes that did not falter as she issued out her commands, as though she had every right to do so, and derive obedience in return. "Did you not hear what her Ladyship asked of you?" A feminine voice began. Diane turned, only to see a Familiar face next to Thalia- it was she who spoke. "What Ladyship? The last time I checked, Lord Tegan was yet to be engaged." The chief butler mused, as he finally dropped the pitiful man he rendered captive to floor. The poor man coughed and wheezed, his almost pallid skin regaining some of their colors, as oxygen coursed through his lungs once more. "I do not speak of the would be mistress of this household." The woman pressed on. "I can only hope that Lord Jasper has not been blotched out of your memory. The damsel which stands before you, at this moment, is none other than his daughter-in-law" The lady stated. The chief butler turned to Diane with unbelievable eyes. If not for her elaborate dressing, he would Have thought the lowly cook was spewing up lies. "Would you dare to defile her authority, Weisz, knowing how radical Master Diego is?" The woman continued. It would be, the only opportunity she could ever get, to bring this arrogant man down to his knees. "I know my place and I know where I stand." Weisz began, before turning to the damsel. "I shall hearken unto your words, my lady." Diane simply nodded her head at the statement. "I shall be in dire need of your collaboration." Diane said, as she turned towards the man, who had already risen to his feet. "You shall do as he has assigned of you, try to contact Die.. See if you can contact the two young Masters." Diane ordered. "Without delay, my lady." The male made a hasty response, as he bolted down the corridors. "Weisz, try and see if you could get external assistance- lest both Masters take too long to respond." "Of course, My lady." Wiesz responded, with a low bow. As soon as her dispatchees departed from the scene, A terrifying sound emerged from the kitchen area, causing the cooks to shriek like little children. Diane whipped around, to ascertain what It was that casted such great distress unto the souls of the women. She was, however not prepared mentally for the scene she was about to witness. On the floor, creeping slowly towards the group of surviviors, was an individual with skin so charred into blackness that it was difficult to identify what she actually looked like. All the hair had been burnt off from her head, leaving in its place, withered skin that revealed a piece of white. Her skin, which would have been formerly porcelain, was burnt even up to the third layer, exposing some of her blood vessels to the outside world. She dragged along with her, a pair of legs which were completely deformed- mangled, as though a predator had gnawed upon them. Her emergence was accompanied by a putrid odor- of burnt skin and charred bones. Her clothes- whatever was left of it, rather flapped around her fraily. So much did she resemble the messenger of death, that some of the women- the younger ones, took a step or two backwards. "The child.. is trapped inside." The entity spoke, as it casted Its hollow eyes upon the group of women. One of the girls present, eventually burst into tears. "What child?" Diane interrogated, as she walked up to it. Its eyes rolled about Its hollow sockets, as it attempted to behold the figure of Diane. "The child.." It repeated, before it stiffened suddenly. Its charred lungs could no longer supply it with oxygen, it was incredible that It managed to survive for so long. Diane sighed, before glancing towards the raging flames. "If Weisz ever returns, tell him that I wish for Lady Thalia to be taken up to her room." She commanded, as she tightened the scarf that laid about her face. "Where do you intend to go, my lady?" One of the womans asked. Diane did not comprehend why, but she felt a rage from the bottom of her heart. "Did you not here what she said?" She inquired, giving the woman a sharp glare. "My lady, this is highly foolish of you." Another of them quipped, as she cast a glance towards the corpse on the ground. "How do you know that you do not walk to your death? She could have been in a state of delirium, for all I know." "And you expect me to let the child perish?" Diane asked. "May her soul haunt me, if that be so." None of the women persisted to put a stop to her ambition, after that. For all they knew, she was as good as a dead person. Diane glanced at the woman who was next to Thalia, and gave her a small smile. "I will vouch for your safety, my lady." The latter mumbled, as the flames devoured Diane's silhouette.

 Diane coughed as she proceeded on her journey. The faint blue glow, which had disappeared at the moment she left the kitchen, declared its reappearance once again, although it was not as effective- the kitchen was already an inferno at that point, and she could slowly feel the heat, and she began to laugh inwardly at herself. Was the woman not right in her assumptions? What If she brought from the blaze, not a child, but another living corpse? The kitchen was almost completely devoured by the fire by now- There was no place which was spared out, except for one. There was one area, of which the fire was yet to reach, and that was the furthest part of the room- the kitchen was rather huge, afterall. 'Could the child be?' Diane's eyes lit up at that thought. But she had to initially get pass through the rampaging flames, before she could get to that region. Diane smiled. In situations like this, abilities really came in handy. She proceeded to walk through the flames, although it proved to be quite a challenge. Navigating through the wooden tables, which made her feel as though she was in a maze, as well as the planks of wood which fell from above, was not a pleasant experience to say the least. They were even times, when the burning wood nearly made her shield to go out in an instant. Fortunately, it seemed to replenish itself. "If only I possessed the ice element." Diane mused, as she got closer to the table. She could hear faintly, a desperate cry for help. She glanced over to her left, only to see the child huddled into a corner, seating close to a table, her eyes shut. For some reason, the flames did not go near the child- perharps they found her to be too bothersome to deal with. "Child!" Diane Crouched next to the individual, who slowly opened her eyes. Maybe it was because the girl noticed that she was not alone- the water works began suddenly. "It is alright, I am here." Diane stated, as she cradled the girl, who appeared no other than twelve. "I do not know how she managed to survive for so long, but the heat shall kill her if I do not do anything."Diane said, as she she felt the temperature soar suddenly. "Come up to My back, so we may leave this place." Diane instructed. The girl did not hesitate, and Immediately did as she was bidded. Despite her fatigue, Diane was still able to walk through the inferno, with the companion she had saved. The blue halo noticed that someone else had made direct contact with her, for it proceeded to envelop that individual as well. "Ah!" The child suddenly exclaimed, followed by a hissing sound. Diane had, with a slight stroke of luck, narrowly escaped a burning plank which descended from above. The hissing was due to some of the flames coming into contact with Diane's protective covering. Diane gritted her teeth- the rejuvenation speed of the halo had become much slower than before, and the flames did sting her a bit. She was already at the verge of passing out, due to the increase in temperature, and the suffocation that made her feel faint. As though the complications was not enough, a stir emanated from the core of her soul. Her essence, was completely depleted. Fortunately, whatever strange ability the child weilded was sufficient to keep the flames at bay, for the now. 'Nearly there now.' The blonde encouraged herself, as the exit came into full view. Something, didn't feel right. It was as though.. Diane quickly cupped her hands to her mouth As she coughed. She felt something warm against her palm, but she could not see that clearly, the corner of her eyes were already beginning to darken. The temperature of the room on the contrary, began to cool, giving Diane the intuition that she was indeed dying. Perharps she was- she was not expecting a familiar figure to suddenly show at the exit. "Diego." She mumbled, as her body slowly began its descent.

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 'Why did I happen to be so far away at a crucial time such as this?' Diego cursed inwardly, as he continued his marathon down the corridors. As for Lisa, Diego had not the slightest inkling as to the whereabouts of the latter, nor did he care. There was only one thing that rendered him incapable of thinking of anything else. And that was-

"Diane!" He called out loudly, as he approached The area where the catastrophe occurred. The servants there just turned to him with pitiful looks In their eyes, neither of them wanting to speak about the affair. "Where is Diane?" Diego asked with even more fevour now, especially after he laid eyes on the scorched corpse on the ground. "Do I not pose a question?!" Diego yelled, when the atmosphere became even more solemn, after he inquired about the whereabouts of his wife. "Are you all seeking death?" Diego's tone became even more dangerous at that moment. He immediately grabbed one of the butlers that stood by idly, holding the man by the neck. "Where is she, I asked? Will you tell me, or will you rather die?" He interrogated, as he tightened his grip on the man's wind pipe. "I.. I don't know about her fate sir- or I am aware is that she went into the kitchen, but she is yet to return.." The man replied, before he entered into a fit of coughing. Diego clenched his grip even harder. "Diego, your aura contaminates the environment. Get a hold of yourself." A familiar voice called out, making Diego to loosen his grip. The man slid to the ground instantly, barely conscious. The other servants whimpered as they noticed this, but Diego seemed not to care. He immediately walked up to the man, who held the damsel in his arms in a careful manner. "Diane." He called out softly, not even bothering to spare a glance at him who held her. "Take her. Perhaps it may pacify you, for a bit." He commented, as he gave the damsel over to her husband. "She is alright, she just needs to rest, that is all." Targen stated. "Although I highly doubt that would have been the case, had I failed to show up on time." He explained. Diego peered over his cousin's shoulders, and so what Targen had Done to the kitchen. "And Thalia?" Diego mumured, as he gazed at the woman in his hands, Fearing that she would evaporate If he took his eyes off her. "She is currently in her room, at the moment." Targen simply replied, before glancing behind him, at the small hand, which had clung onto his jacket. "You can walk, I suppose?" He asked. The little girl nodded. Sighs could be heard as soon as the Girl came into view. The girl beamed slightly, and was about to hurry off to where her crew stood, before she shrieked suddenly, covering her face with her hands. "Wiesz." Targen called out coldly, drawing out the attention of the man who gazed at Diane in awe. "Is this some sculpture that ought to be advertised?" He inquired. "No, my lord." Weisz replied, with a low bow. "Then dispose of it, would you?" Targen began, as he glanced at the man. "Right away my lord." Wiesz replied, as he took hasty strides down the corridor. "Pardon me, my lord!" One of the cooks began, as she stood erect. "Although we have not identified her yet, we plead with you to let is arraign for a proper burial." She stated. Targen Ruffled his hair. "You all are so impossible." He muttered, through gritted teeth. "Do as you please- but remember to keep a clean slate." He said in reply. The maiden bowed herself down right away. "Thank you, my lord!" But Targen was not interested in the maid, with her heart full of gratitude; rather he stared down the corridor, gazing intently at the back of the receding man.

 "My lord." Lisa opened the Door for him when she saw her master approach the room from the corridors. She had waited patiently outside the room the entire time- she doubted if she would be of much help If she were to escort her master to the area of incidence, neither could she keep up with her master, who went and returned within a short duration of time. Diego simply nodded at her, as the door was opened. He treaded into the room with pampered steps, taking Care to ensure that his wife was comfortable as he placed her on the bed. "Her condition is nothing serious, I hope?" Lisa inquired, as she stared at the woman that was laid on the bed. "Externally, it is not." Diego stated, before the image of earlier resurfaced in his memory. 'Ought I to call upon Thaniel to check up on her?' Diego thought, as he glanced at the unconscious maiden. 'No, Thaniel also has his own problems to resolve- it would be selfish of me to bother him at all times.' Diego mused. "My lord?" Lisa called out from the background. Diego raised his head up. "This might turn out to be a misinformation, but I overheard rumors pertaining to the Duke's arrival." She told him. She had assumed him to be stressed, seeing as he sat there with a despondent gaze in his eyes. "Then, I believe I shall affirm that proposition myself." The man remarked, as he roused himself to his feet. "Keep a watch on her; and prohibit anyone from making an entrance, irregardless of who it may be." Diego commanded. "Understood, my lord." Lisa bowed, as her master made an exit.

Diego passed through the bustling corridors, which was yet to be cleared from the tension of earlier. "Weisz." He called out, having recognized a familiar figure in the midst of the commotion that occured. The man bounded up to him in an Instant. "You summoned Me, my lord?" He inquired, after rendering an obligatory bow. "Is it indeed true that the Duke has arrived?" He inquired. "That.." Weisz began, as he looked away. "Do not even harbour the thought of fabricating a lie." Diego stated, as he grabbed the latter by his collar. 'This man is most surely not sane at the moment.' Weisz observed, as he gazed into Diego's eyes. 'Forgive me your grace, but I value my life more than loyalty- I still have goals which I am yet to accomplish.' He sighed, before gazing at Diego once more. "My lord is correct in his presumptions." Weisz quipped. 'It is probable that I will be dismissed by the morrow.' Weiz thought, as he dusted himself.

 Diego on the other hand, had already swung open the office doors. Nardock glanced upwards, squinting hard at Diego through his spectacles, as though he could not see clearly, before a small smile formed on his face. "There are only a select few that have knowledge about my return." Nardock began, as he gazed at the youngam with all posed and dignity. "I wonder who It was that divulged this information to you?" Nardock inquired. "It does no matter who it was, Uncle." Diego replied, as he seated himself in the office, locking eyes with the older man. "It had been within my intentions to converse with you for quite some time now." Diego admitted, as he crossed his legs. "You do realize that it shall be quite discourteous now that I am already present, don't you?" Diego pressed on, as he noticed the silent of the older man. "By all means, feel free." Nardock stated, as he leant back on his chair. "The fire that broke out In the kitchen today.." "Are you of the opinion that it was instigated by me?" Nardock interrupted instantly. "I was not even present at the manor when that occurred- afterall, I doubt such a situation would have graduated into such a pandemonium." He elaborated. Diego narrowed his eyes. "How certain am I to be to your claim?" He stated. "You are capable of fulfilling the impossible." Nardock laughed as he heard that statement. "I know not if should take your remark as a compliment or sarcasm." He stated, as he took his spectacles off his face. "You need not fret over such an issue; I have already begun the investigation." Nardock assured him. "But the damsel is not too hurt, is she?" He inquired. "Fortunately, no." Diego curtly replied. The duke nodded his head. "That is already good- I am already wanting to release the compensation of those who died to the flames, As well as to arrange for new employees to full the gap of those who were lost. Or.." He glanced up at his nephew. "Will you demand compensation from me as well, for the harm done to your beloved?" "I am not that shameless, Uncle." Diego refuted, a slight scowl On his face. "If ever anything, I would reveal my intentions to leave." Diego stated. "So sudden?" The duke asked, both his eyebrows upraised, making him to appear comical. "Will you not tarry until your maiden recovers?" "We have tarried enough, I believe." Diego said. "Diane is also beginning to experience a slight bout of homesickness, and I am of the view that she shall recover even more steadily, In the presence of those she cherishes." "Very well then." Nardock commented, knowing fully well that there was nothing more to be said. "When do you wish to depart, so I shall prepare the necessary arrangements?" "Perharps tommorow, or the day after tomorrow." Diego replied. "Alright then. My regards to Regis."

"Lisa, Is Diane yet to regain consciousness?" Diego stated immediately, as he walked into the room. He was taken aback when he saw the figure that was seated by Diane's side, gently caressing the back of her palm. "I-Forgive me my lord, but he insisted- I was left with no other alternatives." Lisa stuttered, upon noticing the grave expression on her master's face. "You ought not to fault the maiden for my conduct." Targen quipped in, as he rose to his feet. He lightly placed his hand on the shoulder of the individual, who was yet to depart from the entrance. "Outside, for a few moments- I have to speak with you." The man mumured into Diego's hearing, as he made his presence less known to the occupants of the room.