In Vivienne's spacious chamber, sunlight poured through tall windows draped with silk curtains, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden floors. She sat gracefully in front of her vanity, brushing her crimson hair with slow, practiced movements. Her superior maid, dressed impeccably in the Dravenhart family's colors, stood by her side, hands neatly folded in front of her.
Without turning her gaze from the mirror, Vivienne spoke, her voice smooth and controlled. "What happened to Axelius?" she asked,
The maid straightened, clearing her throat softly before responding. "Four days ago, young master Axelius lost his memories, my lady," she began, choosing her words carefully.
"Since then, his behavior has changed drastically. According to Elias, young master Axelius is...currently keeping the company of a 'friend' that only he can see and hear." The maid's voice wavered slightly, clearly uncertain how to phrase the situation delicately.
Vivienne paused mid-brush, her brow arching slightly as she processed the information. "An imaginary friend?" she murmured, almost to herself, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Without another word, she stood up from her vanity with a fluid grace, brushing down the creases in her dress before gliding over to the tall window.
Pushing aside the sheer curtains, she peered down into the gardens below. Her sharp gaze quickly found Axelius, just stepping out of the mansion's side door. He ran, clutching a crooked stick and chasing...nothing. His hands swiped at the air, his mouth moving as if in conversation with the breeze.
Vivienne's eyes softened for a brief moment before her expression hardened. "He created an imaginary friend...due to loneliness," she whispered, almost as if piecing the puzzle together. Her eyes never left his small form, watching as he laughed and jabbed at invisible things with the stick, his grin wide and carefree.
Straightening her posture, she turned back to her maid, her voice dropping into a tone of pure authority. "From now on, I want a close eye kept on my younger brother. Report to me anything unusual. If he gets hurt or if something happens to him again..." She stepped forward, her gaze sharp and unyielding. "You'll be dismissed from your position. Immediately."
The superior maid's eyes went wide, and she bowed deeply. "Y-Yes, my lady. I understand."
Vivienne turned back to the window, watching Axelius with a calculating gaze as he swung his stick wildly at the air, his laughter faintly echoing up to her room. Her expression softened just a touch before she let the curtain fall back into place, hiding the view of her younger brother.
Axelius was still lying comfortably on the grass, enjoying the breeze, when faint voices reached his ears. He frowned, sitting up slowly and brushing the stray blades of grass off his clothes. His eyes squinted as he saw a group approaching—the tall figure in the lead was unmistakably Cyrus, with Six maids trailing nervously behind him.
Axelius raised an eyebrow, noticing one of the maids hiding slightly behind Cyrus, her eyes darting nervously toward him. Recognition flickered in his eyes, and he tilted his head, a sly grin spreading across his face. "So you went and tattled, huh?" he said, his tone mocking.
The maid flinched but said nothing, gripping her skirt tightly. Cyrus's eyes narrowed, his footsteps heavy as he closed the distance between them. "What the hell do you think you're doing, huh?" Cyrus barked, his voice dripping with fury. "Laying your filthy hands on my maid? Who the hell do you think you are, Axelius?"
Axelius only shrugged, still seated on the grass. "I'm a Dravenhart," he said calmly, unbothered by Cyrus's anger. "She disrespected me, so I put her in her place. Maybe you should train your servants better," he added with a smirk.
That did it. Cyrus's fists clenched, and before Axelius could even blink, Cyrus shoved him—hard. Axelius tumbled back onto the grass, the impact rattling his bones.
"Tch," Axelius clicked his tongue, annoyance flashing in his eyes as he propped himself up on his elbows, glaring at his older brother. "You bastard—"
But before he could even finish, Cyrus stepped forward and planted his foot firmly on Axelius's stomach, pinning him to the ground. Axelius grunted, his eyes widening in shock and rage. He tried to sit up, but Cyrus only pressed down harder, a cruel grin spreading across his face.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Cyrus sneered, leaning forward slightly. "I don't know what kind of new attitude you've got going on, but you better remember your place, Axelius. You're nothing but the son of a commoner. Don't go thinking you're on our level just because you wear our name."
Axelius grit his teeth, his hands clenching the grass beneath him. His eyes blazed with fury, but for the moment, he was stuck. Owen's voice echoed whispering frantically, "Hey! Hey! Are you okay? Get him off you, come on!"
Cyrus smirked, his foot still pressed firmly on Axelius's stomach. He leaned in closer, his voice dripping with mockery. "Now, little brother," he sneered, "since you think you're so high and mighty, let's see you apologize to my maid. Go on, say you're sorry for your filthy behavior."
Axelius glared up at him, his eyes blazing with defiance. "Why the hell would I apologize? She deserved it," he spat,
Cyrus's eyes darkened, and he pressed his foot harder, causing Axelius to grunt in pain. "Deserved it?" Cyrus repeated, his tone laced with disbelief. He glanced back at the maid who was still cowering behind him.
"You hear that? The little runt thinks you deserved it." The other maids exchanged glances, their expressions shifting between fear and amusement.
One of the maids whispered just loud enough for Axelius to hear, "I guess a commoner's son doesn't know proper manners."
Another one snickered. "Maybe that head injury knocked something loose in his head."
Cyrus chuckled, his eyes flicking back down to Axelius. "You hear that, little brother? Even the servants know your place. Now, I won't ask again. Apologize, or I'll make sure you regret it." He crossed his arms, waiting smugly.
Axelius sneered up at him, his fists gripping the grass beneath him. "Get your damn foot off me first," he growled.
Cyrus raised an eyebrow, amused. "You're in no position to make demands," he said coolly. He looked back at his maid, jerking his head in her direction. "Go on, crawl over and beg for forgiveness. Maybe I'll let you go if I'm feeling generous."
The maids giggled, their hands covering their mouths as they watched. One of them whispered, "I can't believe he's still talking back...doesn't he know who he's up against?"
Another chimed in, "Maybe he really did lose his mind after that ceremony. The new attitude is just pathetic."
Cyrus sighed dramatically. "Come on, Axelius. Stop embarrassing yourself. Just say 'I'm sorry for acting above my station.' It's not that hard." He gave a cruel smile. "Or maybe you want me to make you say it?"
Axelius glared up at Cyrus, Despite the weight on his stomach and the mocking eyes around him, there wasn't a hint of surrender in his expression. Owen's voice whispered in his ear, "Hey...you got a plan? Because this looks bad, real bad."
Axelius only grinned slightly, his eyes still locked with Cyrus's. "Plan?" he muttered under his breath, too low for anyone else to hear. "I always have a plan."