Lucien walked out of the room, closely following Marigold. The dining room itself was filled with luxury, it had ornate paintings all around the room and had silver and gold plates decorating a long rectangular table.
In the past, When Lucien was still a toddler, the maids used to eat after the mother-son pair had eaten, causing them to eat cold food.
Noticing this, Marigold asked them to eat with them, "There are only two of us, and we both don't mind you sitting with us."
But the maids didn't accept by saying, "It would be too disrespectful for us to sit with the Lady and the young master."
"Nonsense, we all are family there is no need for all that noble etiquette." Marigold insisted. Finally, after a lot of pressure from Marigold, they caved.
"Hello ladies" Lucien said as he walked in the room.
The maids, noticing a new figure walking with Marigold rather than their young master, frowned.
Helen, the personal maid of Marigold asked, "Madam, Who is this?"
At her question, Lucien's smile turned into a mischievous grin, "Oh! I am the new heir of the duchy. I am here to take my little brother back home and take reeeaaal care of him." He said, emphasizing on the 'real'.
The maids' faces paled when they heard him, but before they could get ahead of themselves. Marigold hit Lucien on the back of his head, "Don't do that. Look at their faces; they've turned pale"
"Alright, alright. Let me reintroduce myself ladies, I am your young master Lucien." He said while bowing a little, a playful smile adorned his face as his eyes glinted in mischief.
"Y-Young master?" Anna stuttered, not believing that the one looking like a fourteen year old is actually a ten year old.
"Yes, Anna. It's me, your Lucien. I thought you of all people would recognize me but, Tsk Tsk" He snorted while turning his head to the side.
"Enough teasing, Lucien. Come sit." Marigold ordered, not giving him a chance to make more fun of the maids.
*SIGH*
"Alright." Lucien said, raising his hands in defeat. He ast in his chair and began to plate his food.
The maids remained frozen staring at Lucien with their mouths agape.
'How did the young master change so drastically in an evening?' Helen thought.
'How did he become Rank 2?' wondered another one.'
'Why is he so handsome?' Thought another one.
Lucien, who was about to eat his food, felt someone staring at him.
He raised his head only to see the maids staring at him intensely, "Girls, don't look at me like that. You might fall in love."
Lucien smirked as he muttered those words, his deep blue eyes shone in amusement as he looked at the maids blushing furiously.
'The young master is so cool!' One of the maids thought as she hid her face in between her hands.
Marigold, looking at the scene, fumed in jealousy, she pouted her lips and her emerald green eyes glared at her son, who is openly flirting with the maids.
*AHEM*
She cleared her throat, killing the mood, "The food's getting cold, so eat." she said irritably.
""Y-Yes"" The maids replied, fearing their madam's wrath and began eating.
Lucien, amused by his mother's jealousy turned to her and mumbled, "Someone's jealous"
To which Marigold replied him with a *SNORT*
"Hmph"
Lucien chuckled at his mother and began eating.
The dinner went on with conversations about their day. The maids asked Lucien how he had grown so much and how he had become Rank 2, Marigold had also returned to normal and conversed with the maids about the mansion.
*AHEM*
Lucien cleared his throat, grabbing everyone's attention. "I have something to say."
"We are here since the main residence is not safe. But that doesn't mean we are secure here either. In a few days, the duke will send our location details to the royal family."
Everyone's face had now turned serious. They knew how important Lucien's safety was.
Marigold, too, had turned her expression resolute, she clenched her fists in determination. Ready to face the troubles coming their way.
"They will send some people to keep an eye on me. They might, no, they will put pressure on you to gather more information about me."
"We will absolutely never tell them anything, young master." Anna said, clenching her fists. Her innocent and adorable face turned ruthless and killing intent started to ooze out of her.
The rest of the maids had similar reactions, they looked like they were ready to go to war.
Lucien nodded his head, satisfied, 'I have good people around me.'
"I know you won't," Lucien stated, but then a frown developed on his face and his gaze turned deadly as he continued, "And that's the problem."
The maids gulped at Lucien's glare, they have never seen their young master look at them like that.
"Why?" Marigold asked, confused. 'Isn't this a good thing?'
Lucien, however, shook his head and said, "Right now, I am weak. If you take action against the royal family, even with my influence within the family, neither I nor the duke would be able to help you."
Marigold's eyes widened as she realized what her son meant. 'That's right—despite being the heir, he can't protect them from the royal family, especially since they're just maids.'
The maids too, understood his reason but, "We can't bring ourselves to betray you, young master." Helen muttered.
"Yes, young master, we would rather die than betray you," One of them added.
"It's not betrayal if I allow it." Lucien replied,"And I don't want you to just sit back and endure whatever they throw at you. If you believe they've crossed the line, then kill them."
"Bu-" Just as one of the maids was about speak, Lucien cut her off and continued,
"I know what I have said, but that doesn't mean I will play it to their wishes" He added.
"Won't it cause the royal family to be angry at us?" Helen asked, not understanding how he was so confident.
"They will be upset, but I also have the imperial family looking for me. If they pry too much I can just call the academy and they will intervene." Lucien said, while smiling.
'Just wait a few years, I will kill any of those bastards who try to hurt what's mine!'
"Listen." Lucien muttered as he stood up from his chair. His expression was serious and he clenched his jaws tightly. His eyes emitted a cold glare as Greed and possessiveness oozed out of him as he uttered his next words.
"You all belong to me! Only me! If someone else dares to lay a finger on what's mine, I will not only kill him but eradicate his entire bloodline"