(The Count's House)
In a hallway where the sunlight illuminated every corner, two maids walked side by side, whispering to each other.
– "What did you think of Baron Forts?" one asked boldly.
"Which one?" the other responded, somewhat embarrassed.
– "Well, I don't blame you. To be honest, he's very handsome, and I heard that his son is about to graduate from the academy," she said, with a hint of pride in her voice.
"Really? Well, let's change the subject, shall we?"
– "To what?" she asked, curious.
"Have you heard the rumors?"
– "No, what rumors?"
"Don't play dumb, about Sara's son."
– "Ah, that little bastard? Yes, I heard. I know he recently recovered from a fever."
"Yes, because of that, Sara hasn't been working for over a month," the maid replied with a hint of aggression.
– "First, she seduces the Count, then she has a child and doesn't work. What's next?"
"Yes, but I don't think the little one will get very far, considering he has that strange illness that prevents him from using mana."
At that moment, a shadow emerged. The two maids, who had been walking comfortably, suddenly felt a shiver run down their spines in the blink of an eye.
"What are you two doing? Get to work," Marta exclaimed.
– "Yes, ma'am!" the two maids responded, bowing slightly.
They quickly ran off, fear and embarrassment evident in their haste, while Marta watched them with a look of disgust.
– "Sir, may I come in?" she asked as she knocked on the door of a room. A voice responded from the other side.
– "Come in, Marta."
Inside, a man sat arrogantly behind his desk. He had brilliant golden hair, piercing blue eyes, and a haughty expression. He was dressed in an elegant red and white formal suit, exuding an air of superiority.
– "Sir, I have completed what you asked of me," Marta replied, closing the door to the room slowly.
– "Oh, and what did you discover about that child?"
– "Yes, sir. Just like his mother, he is incapable of using mana. He won't be an obstacle in the path of young master Leo," she answered with a voice full of satisfaction and calm.
– "That pleases me. You may leave."
– "With your permission, sir," Marta replied with a bow.
– "Pardon me, my lord, but Miss Sara said she would attend the party," she added.
The Count looked at Marta with displeasure, and with a sigh, he responded,
– "Let her do as she pleases."
– "Yes, my lord," Marta replied.
••••
– "Hello, Sara, how are you?" asked a middle-aged maid in the garden.
– "I'm well, ma'am."
– "And how's the little one doing?"
– "He's fine, thank you for asking."
– "Sara, don't tell me you're working with the child on your back..."
– "Don't worry about me. I'll leave Cain with Marta in the room and check on him regularly. After all, he fell asleep in the bath."
– "I see, but why are you working? The Count gives a year of leave to maids who have just had a child, and I say that from experience."
– "Yes, but I can't just sit here while everyone else is working."
– "Oh, I see," the maid replied with a tone of sadness and compassion.
••••
Sara walked through the hallways looking for Marta, who was busy organizing the servants in their respective positions.
"Oh, Marta, so this is where you were."
– "Sara! What are you doing here? You should just go and rest."
Sara felt the scornful and envious gazes of most of the maids directed at her.
"Yes, but I wanted to work today."
– "Oh, I see. Well, let me take the child then. I'll bring him to an unoccupied room. The Count already gave permission for such situations."
"I appreciate it very much, Marta."
Sara handed Cain, who was still asleep, over to Marta. Marta received the child with a show of gentleness, or at least she pretended to.
Sara quickly hurried off to attend to her duties, carrying plates and taking them to the party.
– "Well, I think I'll take you to room 29. If I'm not mistaken, that's the room for babies."
In the Count's house, more than ten rooms had been cleaned and decorated for the young master Leo. Most of them were empty since they had decided to keep their son in room number 17.
•••
Marta gently placed the sleeping Cain in the crib of the room. It was a finely crafted wooden crib with warm sheets.
– "Well, I'll leave you here," Marta said as she went to fetch a book and a small table from the corner of the room.
She settled down to read, choosing one from the many books available in the room. Meanwhile, Cain slowly opened his eyes. He looked around, not recognizing the room.
"Where am I?" Cain thought.
"Did I fall asleep? Well, that would make sense. After all, I'm in the body of an infant, not to mention that I gathered all my mana to create a star," Cain reflected.
He scanned the room again and noticed only Marta, delicately reading a book.
"For now, I have no mana left to gather. I'll have to wait and see what happens next..." he mused, while watching a flower bloom on a tree outside the window.
••••
(In the banquet hall)
Sara was attending to multiple guests, serving them well-prepared drinks and dishes. Most of the servants were relieved to have Sara's help, but some, especially the women, were not as pleased.
– "Hey, Sara, can you help me carry this to table three?"
"Sure, I'll help," Sara replied, taking the tray of appetizers. She needed to deliver it as quickly as possible since she still had to check on Cain.
As she hurried away, the maid who had asked for her help slyly stuck out her foot, causing Sara to trip. Sara fell, confused, spilling the tray onto the floor and creating a small mess.
But to most of the nobles, a clumsy maid is unnecessary.
"I'm sorry, I'll clean it up," she said immediately upon seeing the mess she had caused.
– "Don't worry about it, just leave," the Count responded, his cold and disdainful gaze fixed on her.
"Yes, sir!" she replied, her voice weak and full of regret.
– "Didn't I give you permission to take a month off? Or am I mistaken?"
"No, sir, I'm leaving now."
– "Come to my office later; I'll be expecting an explanation."
"At your service, sir," Sara replied with a bow. She could feel the contemptuous stares of most of the nobles and the satisfaction on the faces of the other maids. She couldn't cause any more of a scene or draw further attention.
She apologized to the guests and quietly left.
In the hallway, on her way to find Cain, Sara leaned against a corner. After wiping away her tears, she overheard a conversation between two maids.
– "Did you see the look on her face?"
– "Yes, it was satisfying to see her humiliated, wasn't it?"
– "I think so too. But Clarissa didn't even try to hide it when she tripped her."
– "And what does it matter? It's better that Sara pays for her insolence, don't you think?"
– "Haha, you're right…"
The two maids walked down the hallway where Sara was standing, but they didn't even glance at her, as if she didn't exist.
Sara's expression was a mixture of sadness, anger, frustration, and helplessness, unable to defend herself. She knew that if she drew more attention, the Count could endanger Cain.
After drying her tears again, she headed to the room where Cain was. After searching for a while, she encountered the Countess.
– "Tell me, Sara, what are you doing here?" the Countess asked, looking at her with disdain.
"I'm just looking for my son, my Lady," Sara replied, staring at the floor.
– "And what is your son doing in this house?"
"I just left him sleeping; he hasn't caused any trouble."
– "I hope not. Come, the Count wants to see you. Oh, and bring the child."
"Yes, my Lady," Sara replied, keeping her gaze on the floor so the Countess
wouldn't see her emotional state.
She walked away with a look of helplessness.
End of Chapter 4