The Dravenhart Mansion was in complete chaos. Maids and butlers scurried around, their footsteps echoing through the grand halls as they rushed to clean every corner, dust every surface, and prepare lavish decorations. Chatter filled the corridors as fresh linens were laid out, and the scent of polished wood and fresh flowers lingered in the air.
"The First Lady is arriving!" one maid whispered excitedly to another as they polished the staircase railings.
"I heard she hasn't visited in years," replied the other, her hands scrubbing furiously.
Meanwhile, upstairs in the east wing, Elias made his way up the spiraling staircase, his footsteps light but swift. He reached the grand double doors of Axelius's room and gave a firm knock. "Young Master, it's time to wake up," he called, his voice smooth and patient.
No response.
Elias knocked again, slightly louder this time. "Young Master, you must wake up. All the Dravenhart children have been summoned. Lady Vivienne is arriving."
A muffled groan came from behind the door, followed by the unmistakable sound of something heavy being thrown. Elias stepped back just in time to catch a fluffy pillow that flew straight at his face. His reflexes were sharp, catching it effortlessly. He stood there, perfectly composed, the pillow still in his hands.
"Young Master," Elias called out again, his voice still gentle but firm, "you need to get up now."
Another groan. Then, the sound of rustling blankets. Axelius, his hair tangled and his eyes barely open, sat up on the bed. He yawned loudly, his mouth stretching wide as he rubbed his eyes, then stretched his arms high above his head. "Why so early…" he mumbled, his voice slurred with sleep.
Elias watched with a patient smile as Axelius scooted to the edge of the bed and waited. Without hesitation, Elias stepped forward and gently lifted Axelius down from the high mattress, setting him onto the cool wooden floor.
"Good morning, Young Master," Elias greeted him politely.
Axelius only grumbled in response, rubbing his eyes again. Elias waved his hand, and two maids entered, bowing before approaching Axelius. They moved with practiced grace, assisting him as he shrugged off his nightclothes. He was still half asleep, barely noticing as they led him toward the bath.
Steam rose from the warm water as Axelius was carefully bathed, the maids working swiftly but gently, ensuring he was spotless. Elias waited outside the bathing room patiently, his hands folded neatly in front of him.
When Axelius finally emerged, his cheeks were flushed from the warm water, and he padded over to a grand vanity with a tall mirror. He climbed up into the cushioned chair, his legs swinging slightly as he waited. Elias stepped forward, and without a word, Axelius picked up a comb from the table and tossed it behind him.
Elias caught it smoothly, unbothered by the sudden action. He moved around to stand behind Axelius and began running the comb through his long, crimson hair, carefully detangling it. His movements were precise, brushing it out smoothly before drying it with a soft cloth.
Finally, he gathered the hair at the back, tying it neatly. Axelius stared at his reflection in the mirror, his violet eyes bright with satisfaction. He grinned, turning his head slightly to admire his own image.
"Perfect, as always," Axelius declared proudly, his eyes sparkling with pride. He flashed a smile at Elias.
Elias only smiled back. "I'm pleased you are satisfied, Young Master."
Axelius jumped down from the chair, landing gracefully on his feet. He stretched his arms out, a wide grin on his face. "Ahh, this is life! Let's go, Elias!"
Elias bowed his head slightly. "As you wish, Young Master," he replied, moving to open the door as Axelius strode out confidently.
The grand hallways of Dravenhart Mansion gleamed under the morning light, casting reflections off the polished marble floors. Axelius walked with his hands tucked casually in his pockets, his steps smooth and unhurried. Elias followed closely behind, his expression unreadable, his hands clasped neatly behind his back.
As they passed by, a group of maids hurried along, heads bowed but whispers flitting between them like restless birds.
"Is that him?" one murmured behind her hand, her eyes flicking up for just a second before darting back to the floor.
"Shhh, lower your head. He's still a Dravenhart," another whispered back, though the contempt in her voice was unmistakable.
"It's unusual for him to get out, He's weird and too quiet."
A third, younger and braver, let out a short laugh. "His mother was just a commoner. If it weren't for those violet eyes, he wouldn't even be here," she sneered.
The trio giggled, their voices hushed but not enough to escape Axelius's ears. He stopped in his tracks, and Elias, ever watchful, halted alongside him.
Axelius raised his hand, his fingers snapping with a crisp snap! that cut through the hallway. The sound was sharp and demanding, like a whip cracking through the air.
The maids froze instantly, their smiles vanishing as if wiped clean from their faces. "You three," Elias called out, his voice carrying authority. "Come here. Now."
The maids exchanged nervous glances, but protocol was protocol. They straightened their skirts, smoothed their aprons, and walked stiffly toward him, their eyes fixed firmly on the floor.
"Y-yes, Young Master Axelius?" the one in the right stammered, her voice shaking slightly.
They bowed deeply, standing before him with their heads lowered in perfect submission. Axelius tilted his head, violet eyes glimmering with an unsettling calmness.
"How long have you been working here?" he asked smoothly, his voice devoid of emotion.
The maid on the left, older with streaks of silver in her hair, spoke up first. "Ten years, Young Master," she said, her voice steady.
The maid on the right, slightly younger but still seasoned, followed. "Ten years as well, Young Master."
Axelius's gaze slid to the one in the middle. She swallowed before responding, "Three years, Young Master."
A small smile played on Axelius's lips. "Three years?" He stepped forward, hands still in his pockets. "Lower your head," he commanded, his voice sharper now.
The maid hesitated, but Elias's hard gaze made her obey. She bowed her head obediently, her hands clasped tightly.
Without warning—Slap!
The crack of his palm meeting her cheek echoed through the hallway, sharp and final. The maid stumbled, gasping softly as she caught herself. Her eyes were wide with shock, her cheek flaring bright red. She raised a trembling hand to touch it, disbelief written all over her face.
Axelius's smile widened, almost friendly. "Did I say you could speak about me like that?" His tone was calm—too calm.
The two other maids were frozen, eyes wide and hands shaking slightly. But when Axelius's gaze slid to them, they snapped out of their daze, bowing their heads frantically.
"W-we apologize, Young Master!" the maid on the left stammered, her voice cracking. "W-we deeply apologize for her rudeness. It was uncalled for!"
"Yes! We are deeply sorry, Young Master Axelius!" the maid on the right chimed in, nearly stumbling over her own words. "It won't happen again, I swear it!"
Axelius raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by their panic. He stepped forward, hands still tucked in his pockets, his eyes gleaming with a predatory glint. He leaned in just slightly, voice dropping to a whisper that felt far more dangerous than any shout.
"My mother may have been a commoner," he began, his tone smooth and slow, each word deliberate, "but my father is a Dravenhart. Not just any Dravenhart—a Duke. You seem to forget what that means."
The maids kept their heads bowed, their hands trembling.
Axelius straightened, his grin widening. "You think you can erase Dravenhart blood just because you don't like who it came from?" He chuckled darkly, the sound low and sharp. "You can't change the fact that it's in my veins. So, let me make this clear: Not greeting, respecting and talk about me like that again, and your time in this mansion will end...abruptly."
The maid on the left was nearly in tears, bowing lower. "Y-young Master, please forgive us. We—we spoke out of turn. It won't happen again."
The middle maid, still clutching her cheek, nodded shakily. "P-please, Young Master... I'm sorry."
Axelius tilted his head, considering them for a long, tense moment. Then, with a casual shrug, he turned away. "Elias," he called out, already taking a step forward.
"Yes, Young Master?"
"Make sure they learn some manners," he said, not even bothering to look back.
Elias bowed respectfully. "As you wish, Young Master."
The maids shrank back, dread pooling in their eyes as Elias's gaze turned to them, his expression blank but somehow even more terrifying than Axelius's grin.
Axelius stuffed his hands back into his pockets and walked on, his stride smooth and unbothered. His violet eyes gleamed with amusement as he heard the quiet scurrying of feet behind him, the maids rushing away as fast as dignity would allow.
He let out a small chuckle, whispering under his breath, "Tsk. Commoner, I guess they forget who runs this place."