Episode 5

After having a luxurious nap, I decided to ask Adela about the houses. I really don't know why but the houses just piqued my curiosity.

"Adela? Can I ask you something?" I asked as I looked at her innocently.

"Yes, what is it, milady?" she asked as she continued brushing my hair.

"Who is living in the houses at the back of the estate?" I asked.

She suddenly stopped brushing.

"Why the interest, milady?" she asked as she went back to brushing my hair.

"Mychaell got mad at me for asking him that," I pouted. "And Ben said if I wanted to ask something I'd rather ask him or you."

"Well, Butler Ben is not wrong. Your brothers would be angry if you ask them. Especially 1st young master Mychaell," she sighed.

"Why is that?" I asked as I turned towards her.

"Milady, the 1st young master came from one of those houses. 1st young master Mychaell was born in one of those houses, together with all the other children. The master didn't know of his existence until 1st young master ran into him one day while playing in the backfield. The master would have ignored him if he was just a half-bred," she said.

"Half-bred?"

"Yes, a child who only has 1 of the many features of an Arkanoth. You have them all, the golden hair and golden eyes, your intelligence and the Arkanoth birthmark which is the 8-ray sun behind your shoulder. It was fortunate for your big brothers to have all those features," she explained. "All the other young masters were born there."

"But why do they hate there?" I asked as I turned back to the mirror so Adela could continue brushing my hair.

"They didn't want to be reminded of their past. Living in those houses means being forgotten. They are not considered under the House of Arkanoth and are considered to be failures. You are very lucky, milady. And you almost look like the master which adds to why you live in the main house, here," she said.

"But...But they are just children like me," I said as I started to tear up.

"Now, now... your father will be coming home this evening. You shouldn't cry so you won't have puffy eyes when you meet him," she said as she embraced me warmly.

Ah, I almost forgot. Father's arrival was moved to today. And I will be dining with him and my brothers for the first time. I'm pretty nervous. I don't know what to do.

"Milady, if possible, I would like you to avoid the children from those houses. They may be your siblings but they hold grudges to the Arkanoth children, that means you. When the 4th and 5th masters were still children, they tried to play with the children from those houses, the 2 young masters almost drowned. It enraged the Lord Arkanoth and disowned any half-breds. I am saying this for your own safety, milady. I know you might want to befriend and think they maybe pitiful but you should avoid them at all cost, am I understood?" Adela said as if it was life and death situation.

I only nodded in response.

"Now, let us go. Your 2nd brother is waiting for you at the entrance," she said.

I was to go with 2nd brother in the Ironbane Knights Headquarters. He said he wanted to take me there. He said that my 3rd brother would possible there. 1st brother went to have an audience with the Emperor that was the reason why he left me to Adela.

"Now, 2nd young master, take care of the little lady. Your father would be enraged if he knows she is put in danger," Butler Ben reminded. But Valentyne disregarded him.

"She's my sister. Why do you think I would let anything bad happen to her?" he said as he held me tighter in his arms.

As we rode the carriage, he let me sit on his lap while he read some more paperwork.

"2nd brother? I should sit beside you instead of on your lap. You're having a hard time reading," I said as I tugged on his coat.

He looked at me and smiled as he fixed his glasses.

"I'm not having a hard time. This is the 3rd time I get to carry you. Mychaell's always the one to carry you. He became quite greedy when it comes to you. So, don't worry. I'm working fine with you in my lap," he said.

I stayed in his lap until I fell asleep and when I woke up, we were already at the headquarters.

"We're here," he smiled at me as I rubbed my eyes.

I looked outside the window and a lot of people were outside to greet us.

"Who are they, 2nd brother?" I asked as I pointed to the people who were watching our carriage.

"Oh them? They wanted to see the full-bloodied Lady Arkanoth that the rumors say. Don't mind them," he said as he carried me in his arms as he got out of the carriage.

As I looked at the crowd, some auras were yellow, some were red and some were awfully dark that I had to clutch 2nd brother's coat.

"Don't be scared. I'm here with you. I won't let anyone touch or look at you," 2nd brother said as he held me tighter. I nodded and buried my face on his shoulder.

He paused for a moment and in a blink of an eye, the crowd started disappearing one by one.

"There... not even one of them was worthy of your presence," he said as we silently entered the headquarters.

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