In the Fude household. A dim setting was cast open the complex of buildings.
"Stella, your grandfather is being benevolent enough to allow you to go to school again. Will you be going tomorrow?" An old man with grey hair and many wrinkles sat above others.
Such a position should look weird. But it was common here. The Fude family is known to be the 3rd power in the country. This family stayed true to traditions much more than others, who had modernized more.
So, with an old and frail elder sitting with a stern and angry face looking down on to a teenage male with disdain. This was a normal scene in the Fude house.
"This grandson understands." A slightly raspy and stiff voice replied from the male kneeling on the floor.
Everyone around the room gloated, even the maids turned to look at the male with a sneer.
"Stella Fude, make sure to not disregard my name any longer. Otherwise... I'm sure you know the consequences by now." The boy's grandfather said with utter disgust.
Stella slightly shivered. "Yes grandfather." He replied, he knew those consequences...
The old man smiled and waved Stella away. Then walked forward a few people.
One was the old man's daughter, Kiera Fude, she was close to her 50's but looked in her late 30's. She was spoiled terribly growing up and growing up her attitude shows. Anything the eldest miss of the Fude household wants, she will get. Her face was slightly wrinkled from frowning, while she had her trademark styled hair. She kept herself in top of the line fashion, and never bowed down to anybody...
Except for her husband, Ryan Wuork. He was the destined next head of the middle-class family when he suddenly gained affection with his wife, they married and he was put into the upper class of society. Yet he has thrived, his business empire was steadily growing as the Fude family grew in property. His hair was in the middle of greying and the man was handsome still, despite that he still had a frown on his face, making him look like an angry master of a family in his suit.
Then was the pair's son, his name was Yuon, he was a well known second-generation master. He had women lining up for him outside his door, he had an air of arrogance around him. And looking at most people with disdain. However, in the presence of his parents, he suddenly turned extremely sharp and he was secretly the brain of a growing business empire ripe for the taking.
Then was a youthful woman by the name Zou, she was the fiancee of Yuon, despite him flirting with countless women it was well-known these two had a very good relationship. Her air of purity and a good figure made her a prime target for a second-generation young master. Despite being from a common family she managed to get excellent grades to get into the most prestigious school in the country. And she got recognized by Yuon and he fell in love with her at first sight.
"Pft. Dad why do you keep that dirt around? He is just a waste of good food." Kiera said with hatred in her words.
Ryan, Yuon, and Zou all nodded with agreement. "No need to be too rash in getting rid of him. He's a male and naturally, males have a certain duty in life." The elder said with a glint in his eyes.
Ryan seemed to have noticed the idea first. "Father Ku, you mean? To use him as a milking cow?" He asked, his mind set on a brilliant idea.
Father Ku nodded. "Indeed, the kid was the child of one of my servants in the past. The fact he could still be here is his honor." Father Ku said with undisguised hatred.
"Yuon, when will you and Zou announced your engagement? You're already 22 and it should be about time to settle down a little." Kiera said with a slight smile.
Zou blushed and lowered her head from embarrassment. "No need to worry mother, I've chosen a good time to do it." Yuon replied, he understood his mother's words perfectly.
Kiera and Ryan smiled. "Good, just make sure to lure in that bastard." Ryan said with a glint in his eyes.
As the harmonious family continued their righteous plots. In the corner of the Fude family property was the servant rooms. And inside them, was that very same boy from before...
"Ha! Hasn't the bastard fallen!" One of the older servants shouted at Stella with glee.
A younger servant looked a bit confused. "What do you mean Senior Tu?" He asked innocently, he was new to the Fude household.
"Oh you're new aren't you? Well, this bastard here was originally seen as the jewel of the Fude family! His mother was the master's adopter daughter and his father was her wealthy husband. But who knew that 11 years ago the truth was revealed?" The older servant started to tell the story as Stella walked away.
"That wealthy husband was actually tested to be impotent! So the child couldn't be his... Master was so angry that he was spitting fire at that slut. That slut protected her son so much that... Ah, she died of a heart attack. The husband splits away from the family and the master does a DNA test to find out the true father... It was just a lowly servant! Even lower than you and me. He was just a janitor part-time and he even slept rough... That slut actually slept with a beggar!" The servant explained to the younger servant.
The younger servant's eyes then were filled with disdain. "So that bastard just leeches from the master? How dare he even live with us?" He asked outraged.
...
Stella walking into his room and closed the door. Dust falling on the top of his head, he looked around in the empty room and just walked to the wall and sat down.
His eyes were closed and his entire expression was like this was normal, which it was, he had nothing in his room. It was literally a concrete box. He could only change into clothes used by servants and could barely have the means to wash.
Stella looked like a relatively normal 16-year-old. He had some blonde hair that was a little long, his blue eyes were captivating, it looked like it could suck you in with only a glance. His figure was relatively skinny and he could be called shorter than average, no doubt due to lack of nutrition. His face was covered with dirt so people would just look away if they saw him. While the servant clothes with rips in described his position. Clearly, a boy is put into a tough position.
The boy looked up to look out of a solitary window. Only to see some stars twinkling in the sky, he seemed to have no interest as he looked down on the floor to see some markings.
"No more years to go." He said, his voice a little raspy. But no fear could be found, as the clock in the servant house struck for midnight.
For a boy on his birthday, it was a sad, sad night.