Right after Aurora slipped into her bath, both her maids started their tasks. Giselle massages her ladyship while Michelle would pay attention to the room temperature and scented herbs such as candles, flower petals, and the warmth of the water and arrange for those who wanted to meet with her lady. To be fair among the maids, they would have to follow a schedule that was prepared for them to serve the young lady.
It was ages since Aurora had to feel relaxed as she did right now. Being the only daughter of a great house, many kinds of responsibilities she's carrying. Hosting tea parties are known to be a huge task for young ladies her age as they will have to host and plan it by themselves but for Aurora, it was a walk in the park. She had started her first tea party when she was just a toddler at the age of 6. To be invited by the Claramays, the chances are rare.
While Aurora was taking her calm, relaxing bath to release her sore, she called out to Michelle.
' Michelle, can you bring in Dianne? I need to ask about my schedule for tomorrow, but if she's asleep then no need to wake her up. Then you'll have to ask Wayn for my wanted documents. '
' Very well, my lady. I'll be back soon. '
' Giselle, would you mind bringing some iced green tea? I'll be doing some of my work later. '
' W-What? Milady you can't!! You just got home plus young masters already told you to take a rest first and if they were to find out that you're still working, heads will be rolling in this mansion. '
' Wouldn't that be a sight? (chuckle) (chuckle) '
' EEK!!!! PLEASE DON'T MILADY!! I would rather smell thousands of poisons rather than smell blood splatter on the floor. '
' Hahaha, don't worry about that. '
' I'll be getting your tea then, milady. I'm still worried though. '
After Giselle had left, Aurora finally had the space to herself. Sometimes she just wished that she could go through her life peacefully but she knew those days won't ever be in her grasp. Being born into an influential family means that connections can easily be made with the correct individuals, deals, as well as benefits but that also included enemies from every corner. Many would like to bring down the Claramay family. Enemies joined hands, attempted murder, threatened warnings, were accused of bad deeds, and tried to steal Claramay's business.
As Aurora rested, she thought about the blood that was running through her veins as well as the rest of her family. She let her mind be at ease and slowly felt the energy and power that was flowing in her. She can feel her heart pumping at a faster rate and her blood boils. Aurora had practiced these several times whenever she was alone and never once told her family about it. Because she felt like she doesn't need to reveal anything that would worry her family.
' It's getting stronger by the day. I have to keep it under control, I have a feeling that it'll be something worse if I don't. '
And after that, Aurora came out of her bath, put on her robe, dries her hair, and waits for her maids. A few minutes later, the twins came back with the requested stuff.
' Here are the papers, my lady. However, when I went to Dianne's quarters, she wasn't to be seen. But the maid who saw her before said that she went for a walk so I went to the head butler as you instructed. '
' And here's your ice green tea, milady. '
' Ice green tea??? It was always milk before bed, so, why would my lady be drinking this at this time???? Unless... '
' Uh-ha, you got that right Mich. Another late night. '
' NOOOOOOOO MY LADY!!!!! YOU CAN'T!! I don't want to live that day again!! Don't my lady remember when my lady fell sick due to overwork and had to remain in bed for a week because before that you were having a slight fever and your body was injured? And then, all your work was handled by young masters, and those who were supposed to help my lady meet their consequences and maids, butlers, as well as servants were given harsher training. '
' Why would you two worry so much?? Even if my brothers found out, it'll be too late and I'll take charge of your punishments if brothers wanted to punish you. My brothers care about me, so they'll listen to my requests. '
' B-but milady... '
' No buts. These are just one of my responsibilities as a Claramay. I won't let my laziness be the cause of my family's ruin. Period. '
' As you wish, Lady Aurora. '
' You both might want to take a step further from the door unless you wanna take the ' Reattached Bone Potion ' from the physician later. '
Both Giselle and Michelle were puzzled but do what they were advised and were farther away from the door when someone came barging in.
' MY LADY!!! I'M SORRY I WAS LATE!!! '
........................................................................................................
Dianne, Aurora's aid. Who's in charge of helping and handling Aurora's task, managing her daily schedule, checks of every performance inside of the mansion, and an informant that notify the young masters who Aurora will be meeting with, especially if she's meeting with young nobles. Dianne began to work for the Claramay when she was 20 years old. But being a woman herself, it was hard to look for a job as society was looking down upon women who were unmarried and financially support themselves. It was the Duchess who brought back Dianne to the mansion when the Duchess was walking around in town. They ran to each other in a desert shop that only allowed women from all classes. The Duchess was enjoying her cake when she heard Dianne trying to apply for a job at the shop as an accountant. However, she was humiliated when the owner of the shop publicly rejected her in front of all the customers because Dianne commented about a cake with an unreasonable price. She calculated each ingredient as well as its costs. She stated that the owner was trying to trick his customers by putting on a high price for a cake that was stated by himself being imported from a foreign country. Seeing the abilities Dianne had, the Duchess herself proposes a proposition for her to become one of the Claramay's people.
........................................................................................................
' Dianne? What're you doing here at this hour? I was told that you were taking a breather, aren't you tired? '
' Never mind that, my lady. What I want to know is that... '
Aurora was feeling a sense of deja vu in that chilly atmosphere.
( here comes the nagging, again )
' WHAT DO YOU YOU'RE DOING, MY LADY??!! YOU CAN'T DO THAT WHEN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ASLEEP!! HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE YOUNG MASTERS HEARD ABOUT THIS!! '
Aurora got a handful of nagging for the last 30 minutes. And after explaining to Dianne, she had no choice but to let Aurora do what she intended in the first place.
' Michelle, Giselle, you may go back now. I'll call you if I needed assistance. '
' Very well, my lady. '
' My lady, why are you checking your schedule at this time? '
' I need to look into any appointments that need me to prepare beforehand. You never know, anything could go wrong in a lady's life. Even if you forgot a tiny detail or made a single mistake of etiquette, people are able to drag you down and hit rock bottom. Moreover, when you're from an influential family, a single flaw could get you killed. '
........................................................................................................
Dianne couldn't argue with that. She first came to the Claramay's mansion when the young lady was only 7 years old. When Dianne began her physical and magic practices, she heard countless rumors about Aurora, who's only a child, started taking stricter training. Learning ancient languages, understanding the world of power, taking up weapons, enhanced magic, and taking larger quantities of poison. At first, Dianne ignored those rumors and carry on with her duties until she saw it for herself. She came across young Aurora in a library one evening when she was about to borrow some books. She found her when Aurora was reading a book on herbs that are used in poisons and their effects a few vials of poison in her small hands. Dianne didn't say anything except greeted young Aurora. She continued to look out for young Aurora and every rumor she heard was true. Sometimes Dianne felt pity towards a child who had to endure such hardships since little when her peers were supposed to be spoiled but at the same time impressed with what young Aurora had achieved despite her age.
........................................................................................................
' Dianne tomorrow after my meeting with the Colemans ended, I'll be taking a tour around town so inform my parents and my brothers that I'll be returning late. Then, reschedule all training that I'll oversee to the day after tomorrow. Any meetings that were requested for me for that day, postpone them. I don't have any gathering to be on the same day for training. '
' All will be done, my lady. '
' Other than that, place new orders for both knights' training equipment, new uniforms for butlers, maids, servants, aides, and those who worked for the family, check all the food storage, that includes the number of quantities that were supposed to receive, send me the list of commoners and those who aren't able to support themselves fully. And don't forget to send me your father's and mother's medical checkups. '
' Very well then. Anything else, my lady? '
' That's it for now, you may resume back to your walk. Sorry that you had to come here, rush here to be precise. '
' Don't be, my lady. I'm at ease knowing that I'll be able to assist you even at night time. I will rather be working overtime with you than have to face the horror of the young masters. '
' Ehehe. I apologize for that. Then, you better go back to your walk but don't stay up too late. '
' Shouldn't you be saying that to yourself, my lady? '
Aurora felt her heart being pierced by Dianne's harsh words.
' Then, I'll get going. Have a great rest, Lady Aurora. Good night. '
Aurora then looks over some documents before taking her time enjoying her tea and the night view. And finally, sleep awaits her. She slept through the night, silently enjoying the peaceful night. But only for 4 hours.
' (slip) (clack) '
Thanks to her sensitive hearing sense, Aurora could sense that she wasn't alone.
' (sigh) ( Guess that danger isn't able to leave my side even just for a while. GOD!!!! CAN'T I JUST RELAX??!! Urgh, it can't be helped. Let's see which insect came knocking on death's door. )
Aurora saw a glimpse of a shadow figure. Judging by how tall the figure is, Aurora concludes that it was an assassin. Guess he's a paid assassin.
' Time's up little lady. You shouldn't mess with someone with who you can't even be on the same level. '
' Such close-minded. '
' (whoosh) (slick) '
' Where are you?! '
' You should really pay attention to your surroundings. '
' Wha- '
' (slash) '
Aurora swing her sword mercilessly and ran towards the assassin in every direction. She felt something in her that she never felt before.
' Don't think I won't be able to escape this. My client paid me a huge amount for that pretty head of yours. '
' Do you even think that you're in the position to think such thoughts? Foolish. '
Even in that time, Aurora thought about her power, and she felt differently. She knew that her power are becoming a much more powerful force. None she ever sees. Her mind was blank and all she could think of is that she just want to slash this man's throat. Her power keeps driving her to taste the potentials that she had within her. Both of them continued to try to kill each other, the assassin was at his limit but that wasn't the case for her. Aurora couldn't get enough of her power. She wanted more. She craves blood killing. Aurora who's in that state thinks nothing else except that she could feel her power push her to be more.
' You really think that you, a mere pawn, could get rid of me? '
Aurora inserts her mana into her sword, and together as one, draws her final swing towards the assassin. Which end up with a hole in his body and his blood splattered everywhere. Even got into her nightgown and skin. Aurora was fully covered in red fluid from head to toe. A few seconds later, her family came rushing in when they heard the commotion.
Cullen who was the fastest reached Aurora's room first.
' Sis, are you okay?! '
Then came Keane.
' What happen?! '
Finally, Antoine came with their parents.
' Aurora, what were those sounds? '
Then, all of them were shocked to see what had happened to Aurora and her room. They were surprised to see a corpse lying down on the floor and a sword that was being held by Aurora. All of them knew that Aurora was about to be killed. But what surprised them the most is that Aurora wasn't herself. They could feel the power that had been woken inside of her. Powerful but terrifying. One could feel that the tension around them is from Aurora's power which is too powerful and dangerous if she couldn't control it, she could lose herself.
' Oh, my family's here. Why are all of you here? I got it covered, look, brothers, this thing can't even move. '
Antoine's trying to calm her sister down.
' Of course, Aurora. Because he's dead. '
Seeing his brother move forward, Keane hinted at Cullen to help as he showed him a gesture of magic that will make someone faint in just a few seconds. Aurora noticed how all her three brothers were acting weird.
' Brothers, you're not going to fight me right? '
All three of them stopped.
' Because if you are, then you're welcome to do so as I couldn't get enough of it. I don't care even if we're family. '
Both her parents and brothers couldn't believe what Aurora just said but they knew that that wasn't her. Aurora's power and magic are too powerful and it's taking over her.
Cullen's trying to get closer to her sister.
' Sis, of course not. We're just trying to help you with that little body. '
Keane too spoke up.
' Didn't he disturb you? Isn't that why he's dead? '
Antoine's closing in.
' Why didn't you call us, Aurora? You know that your brothers will take care of the mess. '
Aurora turned towards the soulless body.
' Because I don't wish to disturb brothers for such trifle things. He came to kill me, so I'll be the one who ends things. '
The three of them were getting closer to their younger sister and when they were about to cast the magic onto Aurora...
' Did you really think that I'll believe such lies, dear brothers? '