Pandemonium set in as all the staff lost their minds. Guards lining in and outside the estate walls, standing with murderous, blood thirsty aura's.
Few hours had passed, yet the young miss who had returned stained in blood, a hand print wrapped around her neck, was still unconscious in bed, wrought with fever.
It threw everyone into a state of chaos when Ash burst through the returning carriage, with Miss Alicia unconscious in the arms of a man sitting on his back.
The duke was furious at the sight of his disheveled daughter laying in bed.
"Who had the gall to dare touch my daughter?!" He roared loud with fury.
He walked off, blood dripping from his tongue, "He better hope I don't get my hands on him. Conveniently I'm in need of a new pair of thick skinned gloves in place of my normal gauntlet. Sounds like his would form a winning pair to any challenge."
By his side, Roy nodded his head, cracking his knuckles in agreement to Von's words.
Once the duke interrogated his guard, he marched out of the estate with a line of soldiers decked in armor and swords at their hips.
Their destination, the magistrate.
He wasn't the only one. His majesty, the emperor was the first to arrive. He'd been informed of the events this evening, becoming livid at the report.
"That pig dare touch our daughter?!" He roared as he stood from his throne.
"Let us go see to him. We'd like to test how thick his skin truly is. Perhaps we can reuse it as a cleansing cloth after the lota. We're sure those in the fields would appreciate the small comfort."
The men in the throne room visually cringed at the emperor's words. No one in their right mind would use such a cloth for their derrière.
Inadvertently, the emperor had arrived just in time to run into both commander Vision and the freed Baron Kiv.
The commander had wanted to release his confidant, but failed to do so, as even his sister the empress had followed, ready to strip the Baron of more than just his title.
How could she not? Her favorite niece, the child she wanted as her own was manhandled, strangled and assaulted by a pig who dared to hold the title of Baron!
Oh by the name of god Lumen, she was not happy at all!
"Brother you best not think of defending a pig that's destined for the slaughter house. If you are. Well," The empress laughed cheerfully, causing Vision to shiver. "This empress can guarantee you'll wish you still had two arms."
With the duke arriving with his army, commander Vision had to cut his losses, as there was nothing he could do. This trifecta of forces were too strong for anyone let alone him to fight.
Angry and fuming, with nowhere to direct the fires in his belly, Vision started a one way hatred towards Lady Alicia Cadarvic. A child who hasn't even lived a decade.
And so, as Baron Kiv had said not too long ago, he was indeed a dead man.
But in the words of many others, albeit words laced with poisonous disgust, "a dead pig."
* * *
"Won't you come with me sir, we should get your injuries looked at." Pepper urged after changing Alicia's rag, placing an elderberry sprig on top.
"I'm fine." He spoke robotically.
Pepper was at a loss, the man didn't want to listen, refusing to move and be treated. Of course she's grateful for him carrying little Alicia inside, yet didn't mean she should let him bleed all over the floor!
Pepper had just about had enough and grabbed his ear, when a knock sounded at the open door.
Tku Tku.
"Krad Dark." the man jolted at the name. "A former adjutant commander is ignoring the host's good intentions, making a mess of the floor. No wonder Vision let you go. Simply incapable of listening."
Looking back between the door and bed, Pepper held her breath at the tension sparking between the two men.
Tightening his fist, Krad stood up, bowing to Pepper. "Apologies madam, please show the way."
Pepper sighed in relief, looking over to Roy in gratitude.
Roy smiled at Pepper as she left. He walked inside, closing the door behind him as he made his way to the bed.
Looking down at Alicia sleeping, he narrowed his eyes at her bandaged neck, then flicked her nose.
"Alright Al, get up." Roy smiled when she stiffened.
Slowly Alicia opened her eyes, laughing awkwardly, "I can't hide anything from you now can I uncle Roy. What gave me away?"
Roy helped sit her up, fluffing the pillow behind her as he spoke, "Your eyes weren't moving nearly enough, your breathing was too quiet, and your posture was too stiff."
Alicia pouted, I wasn't that bad, she inwardly complained. Uncle Roy was too strict,
Fooling someone into thinking you were asleep wasn't too hard, at least if that person wasn't familiar with your sleeping habits.
Uncle Roy was like the final boss in this endeavor as he'd sat with her before sleeping on multiple occasions. Surprisingly this uncle of hers was an expert storyteller.
"Now then," Roy sat in the spot where Krad had been moments ago. "What happened?"
"I'm not quite sure what you're talking about." Alicia spoke innocently, batting her thick eyelashes.
Roy wasn't buying it as he glared at her unamused. Which caused Alicia to laugh awkwardly.
"Well as you can see I did a good deed, saved a man from his beating and sent a pig back to its pen." Alicia huffed in pride. "Then the guards and staff came and-"
"Alicia." She stiffened at his loud voice. She felt wronged by her uncle's accusing tone.
"I really didn't do anything, Uncle Roy. One moment I was talking with Mr. Krad and the next thing I knew, everything was dark and I woke up to Aunty Pepper's voice." She looked up with tears clinging to her eyes, grabbing his hand. "I've been good uncle Roy, I swear."
She wasn't kidding, what she said really did happen. She was having a nice conversation with the big bear, then lights out.
Roy felt guilty and softened his tone as he cupped her hand. "Did you use any lightning magic today?"
Alicia sighed, it seemed her uncle believed her. She thought about it and nodded. "I did, but only a spark on Mr. Krad's skull."
The silence was deafening as Alicia waited for Roy's response. Was almost like being back in school, sitting in front of the teacher as they graded your finals. Keeping you in suspense with changing expressions.
It's torture I tell you! I swear they enjoyed it too. All teachers are sadists!
Finally the silence was broken with Roy's sigh. "Okay, stay in bed. Once your father returns, we'll see about a visitation with Head Cleric Balbazar."
She visually cringed, shrinking into her sheets. "Must I?"
Roy bellowed loudly. "I know you don't like him, but his knowledge is vast. More so than the healers who can only give out comfort."
And a creep. You forgot to say creep, uncle Roy! She inwardly added as she nodded, turning over in bed.
Roy shook his head at the sight of her pouting. Walking to the door Roy soothed, "Alright, sleep well Al."
"Mmm, see you later uncle Roy." Closing the door quietly, the lights dimmed and starlight danced around.
In the corners of the room, plants bloomed, twisting out of their buds, engulfing the room into a paradise lost within the grove.
Truly, the wonders magic can bring.
Turning around, Alicia hopped out of bed, running to the door, cracking it slightly as she looked left and right.
Uncle Roy, has become muddleheaded if he thinks she'll sleep like a good girl when it's still light out.
"Now where did they take my ginger?" Sparks lit up on her fingertips prompting her to turn right, "Aha! The kitchen. Perfect."
Alicia left tiny, microscopic strips of electricity inside the ginger just in case of such an occurrence. How would she be willing to lose something so precious?
The answer? Of course she wasn't.
Opening the doors to the kitchen, Alicia walked right in as she passed the staff. Upon finding her ginger in one of the bottom cabinets, she took a few pieces, and walked over to a station.
"Peeler and knife please," Alicia thanked the staff and sat in the specially designed chair for her. Still in the process of growling, Alicia couldn't quite reach the countertops.
"What are you making with gaff root miss? Isn't his particular herb used only for injuries?" All the kitchen staff nodded as their eyes lit up with curiosity.
They've learned many things from their miss who's been dabbling in herbs and meats since young. If you she wasn't out exploring the woods, she was here, in the kitchen with them as she experimented with different things.
At first they weren't willing to let the miss hurt herself in the kitchen. What would a noble lady do in the kitchen besides play around?
After a while, she grew on them. Proving with her actions that she wasn't there simply to play.
"Gaff? What an awful name. From now on it's called ginger." Alicia huffed as she began teaching her willing students.
"We are making Ginger tea. First you peel the root, cut it into many pieces, then place those pieces into boiling water until a yellow tent forms. You can also use the leaves and flowers of the plant too. Since the whole plant is edible."
"Ginger tea? What are the uses Miss?"
"It's good for a lot of things including injuries. Like upset tummies, helps stop the feeling of saying hello to what's in your stomach, and it's good for the skin, hair and nails." Also helps with menstrual discomfort, but that would be weird coming out of an seven year old's mouth.
"Oh!" The cook chuckled in realization. "Is that for the Duchess then?"
Giggling, Alicia glanced to the left at the older man standing to the side. "Can't keep anything from you now can I, head chef Lao."
This well groomed old man dressed in white, his salt and pepper hair tied back and out of the way is the estate's head cook.
It was this man that had the authority here. His words were law, and he was the one who ultimately decided on her access to the kitchen.
Working hard, Alicia and the staff prepared the ginger. Some dishes were even made with ginger.
Head Chef Lao was a genius in his trade, once he got a hold of a new ingredient, magic flowed and dishes were crafted.
It was always a sight to behold.
At last, the tea was done, some simple soup was made, all sent off to the madam. Some dishes remained as they were too heavy for the weak Duchess to consume so soon.
Sitting around, unable to taste anymore of Head Chef Lao's creations, the staff prayed. Prayed for a positive outcome.
That was until someone entered the kitchen, tensing the nerves of all the staff.
"Duchess ate the soup and drank the tea." Sweating and eager for the result, the woman smiled with a thumbs up. "She kept it down and is now fast asleep."
Cheers and roars echoed in the pristine marble, black wood kitchen. Pots rinsed clean in the drainer, the open window lighting the space with birds perched on the sills.
"Did you hear that miss?"
"Shhhh."
"Oh."
Releasing the jacket from his shoulders, Head Chef Lao covered Alicia who had fallen asleep on the counter. Smiling in comfort, fatigue had hit her with drool escaping down the arm she used as a pillow.
Indeed, today was a long, long day.
»»————- ✼ ————-««
Author's note: In case of theft. This is an original -English- novel done by yours truly [MyKataren]. This author will state here and now, oh ye thief of old, thanks for the free advertisement!
Original : www.tinyurl.com/MVPGAwebnovel