Diane opened her eyes slightly. It was still twilight, and the sun had not risen yet. She lay on her back as she blinked, it was quite unusual for her to wake up this early. She frowned lightly, trying to recall what occasion it was that made her wake up as so, but no matter how hard she tried, the memory did not just come to her. 'Oh well, I will just go back to sleep again.' She thought, rolling over to the other side. What she did not expect though, was for a handsome face to come into her line of sight. Diego was still sleeping peacefully, perfectly unaware of all the naughty thoughts that ran through his mischief maker of a wife's head. Diane was pleasantly surprised, to think a day would come when she would actually still meet him in bed. But recalling a certain memory, she quickly placed the back of her hand to his forehead. "Whew." She exhaled, when she noticed that his Temperature was normal. Before Diane realized it, she began to trace his jawline out of sheer boredom. As if that was not enough, she placed her fingers to his soft and luscious lips. This action alone stimulate the memory of when he kissed her when she was unconscious, and the tip of her ears immediately turned red, although it didn't stop her actions from going on uninterrupted. "Mm" Diego frowned lightly in his sleep, subconsciously grabbing her arm, which put an end to her assault. He slowly opened his eyes, only for Diane's face to immediately come into view. She blinked at him innocently, her face looking close to seductive all that blushing, and the slightly opened mouth and soft eyes that gazed at him softly. "What are you up to this time?" He asked, as he intertwined her hand with his. "Am I not allowed to sleep without any interruptions, my dear wife?" He asked, his eyes still hazy from sleep. "I don't know what you are talking about." Diane said, wanting to turn her head from him, but he pulled her closer when he saw her resistance, holding her by her slender waist. "Is that so?" He asked, a naughty smirk on his lips. "Don't think I forgot how you kissed me without my consent." She stated, as she gazed up at him. "Oh, is that a threat?" He asked her incredulously. "It's not." Diane said averting her eyes. "I really didn't mean to do that, but circumstance forced me to." Diego said, as he released her, standing up. "And it wasn't a kiss, it's CPR." Diego added. "How much of a difference is it? It's not like your tongue won't go inside someone else's mouth." Diane said, as she crossed her hands in front of her chest. Diego just raised an eyebrow At her impossible attitude. "Rather than folding your arms and complaining, why don't you get ready, today is the day that Dorothy and Alice are going to swear the blood oath afterall." He added. "So that was what I forgot!" Diane said, as she bolted up from the bed. Diego ignored her, as he proceeded to take off his underwear. "Hang on a second, I am still here you know!" She exclaimed angrily, as she bolted for the door. "I hope you wouldn't be acting like this when we consummate our marraige." He said. "Did you forget the contract?" Diane asked him, with a smile. Diego's face darkened. "Stop bringing that up." He told her. "Whatever, Just let me excuse you first!" Diane said as she hurriedly stepped out, shutting the door behind her, an action which made Diego to chuckle to himself.
**************************************************************
"Would you slow down?" Diane called out impatiently, nearly running after the man ahead who was taking huge strides. "We haven't even had breakfast yet for goodness sake!" She added. Diego paused In his footsteps, turning around to look at his wife, whose hair was Pratically bouncing along with her. "We can have breakfast after the ceremony." Diego said, as she approached him. He hooked her hand to his. "Is this really necessary?" She asked him, feeling awkward. "You will slow us down with that dainty pace of yours. Afterall, the both of us doesn't wants to miss this event." He exhaustively explained. Diane pouted lightly, but she didn't argue with him. They want through the hallways, until Diego diverted to his right, a place where Diane had never been before. At the end of this passage stood a small but majestic door, but it wasn't that exuberant, so it couldn't be easily noticed. Diego quietly brought out his medallion, and inserted it inside a rectangular like space. Both the door and the medallion lit up for a brief moment, before the door swung open by itself. "The medallion serves as a key as well?" Diane inquired, after witnessing this sight. Diego nodded. "Even our most trusted servants have theirs, just that theirs Slightly varies from ours." Diego explained, as he stepped inside. "What if they lose it?" Diane inquired, as she followed her husband from behind. Diego lightly scoffed. "Losing it is completely out of the picture." He said. "But if they do, they will be severely punished- those that gave a status like headmaid, butler and the likes, might as well get demoted." No sooner had he concluded his speech, than Lisa and Egiel walked up to him. Diane could also see Alice and Dorothy at the other end of the room, though they seemed not to have noticed her yet. "Good day, our lord and lady." Both Egiel and Lisa chorused, Lisa courtsied, while Egiel gave a low bow. Diane recognised Lisa- she was the one that helped her with her luggage at the time she initially arrived. Diego nodded at the both of them. "Are the plaques ready?" Diego asked, turning to Egiel. "The plaques are ready, but maybe, we should give them some more time to prepare." Egiel said, as he briefly glanced in Dorothy and Alice's direction. Diego turned to Diane. "You can go to them, you know." Diego said, as he noticed where Diane was staring at. "Egiel and I have to.. make some preparations. We will be back soon." Diego said, as he lightly patted her on the head. After that, he took his leave, but Diane still found herself staring at his broad back. "Don't worry my lady, he won't be gone for long." Lisa's voice brought her back to her senses. Diane glanced at the latter, who gave her a kind smile. "I am sorry, I don't know your name." Diane stated, her tone apologetic. "You can just call me Lisa, My lady." Lisa said, as she courtsied. "So long as you are okay with it." Diane said, returning the smile. Both ladies gradually walked over to where Alice and Dorothy were seated. Just by her manner of articulation and gait alone, Diane could tell that Lisa was competent and well mannered. It wasn't a surprise that she got Diego's attention. "My lady." Dorothy got up, and courtsied. Alice on the other hand, rammed towards her. "What happened?" She asked Dorothy, as she patted Alice's head. "Well, Lisa here so informed us that by at the moment we each have our own plaque, we are bound to the family for better for worse." Dorothy explained. "For better for worse? Meaning you guys can't leave?" She rephrased, as she unconsciously glanced at Lisa, who scratched her head awkwardly. "I don't want to stay here forever, I would rather be with you instead." Alice's voice came out all muffled, for her head was Still buried In Diane's dress. She finally raised her head. "I really don't want to leave you." She added, her eyes pleading. "I wasn't aware of this." Diane said with a frown, not too pleased upon the disclosure. "Maybe My lord simply forgot, I wouldn't think he wanted to keep my lady In the dark." Dorothy explained. "Of course you will always take his side." Diane said, glancing at Dorothy. "But I guess you are right. He isn't that kind of person." She added. "I guess my lady is worried about the contract." Lisa quipped In. "Alice, I don't think our Lady will be leaving this house just yet, so you can rest assured. Besides, I am sure Our lord can do something about your case." Lisa said. Alice's eyes brightened, while Dorothy and Lisa smiled at each other meaningfully. Diane was visibly confused at why both maids suddenly beamed each other. Just then, Diego and Egiel walked into the room, with Egiel holding two plaques of gold. "So, can we get started?" Diego asked.
Dorothy and Alice stared at the golden plaques laid before them, their names already inscribed into the plaques. "You know, when we first hire a servant into the family, we deliberately tell them about magic." Diego said, standing before them both. "Afterwards, we deliberately manifest our attributes before them, to test their loyalty. Egiel and Lisa typically keep a close watch on them, and they are also the ones to eliminate them should they show signs of wavering." Diego said. "Too brutal." Diane muttered. But she couldn't blame them- who was going to do all the work In thehome, if not for the servants? And at the same time, they still have to protect-ah forget it. Diane placed her hand to her head, feeling like a headache wasn't too far away. She might as well stop thinking about it, for the sake of her mental health. "Are you still sure you want to do this?" Diego asked them. Dorothy nodded instantly, but her daughter hesitated for a while before giving a slight nod. Egiel gave each of them a razor. "Just a slight incision, that would do. Let the blood drop directly on your names in the plaque." He added. Both Alice and Dorothy did as instructed, and instantaneously, the room flashed with a gold-white light, so bright that Diane had to shield her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, she was astonished to see that the the top of the plaque retained its golden hue, while the bottom became blood red. Although it wasn't that large, precisely the size of an adult's palm, it still looked elegant. "You are now bound by the plaque. If you break the oath, it will break into half, and the violation will lead to your death, but if you die a natural death, its centre will get severely fractured." Diego explained exhaustively. Dorothy and Alice nodded. "We hope our services please master." They both chorused. Diego nodded, before looking at Diane. "Shall we?"
***************************************************************
It was noon, and a certain man whose hair color was a deep blue could be seen working profusely in his office. "The least you could do was to wait for your breakfast to digest, my Lord." Egiel who was by his side, said disapprovingly. "There are a lot of things that I have to do at the office today. If I don't get it done this instant, I will never be able to complete this at the end of the day." Diego explained. "Such a workaholic." Egiel muttered to himself, while clicking his tongue. "I am sorry, where you saying something?" Diego said, turning to him, as his silver-like eyes stared at him sharply, which made Egiel to jump. "Forgive my impertinence, my lord." Egiel said immediately, with his head bowed. "I don't quite get what you are apologizing for." Diego said, as he resumed his occupation. "Oh, and Egiel." He called out. "Yes my lord?" Egiel promptly responded. "Whenever Diane steps into the office, and you are around, I want you to leave, whether or not you are assisting me." Diego said with a Stern voice. "May I ask for the reason of such an obscure demand?" Egiel inquired, a bit flustered. "I would rather keep it to myself." Diego responded coldly. "You heard what I said." "I will take the words of my lord to heart." Egiel replied, though he was still a bit confused. Not soon afterwards, there was a knock on the door, followed by childish chatter. "Hush." A familiar voice said. "You can come in." Diego said, as if he was expecting the visit. In stepped Diane, and the children, whose hands were filled with plates of pastries. Diego's brow twitched, her coming was alright, but was it necessary to bring the children along? "Hello, brother." Leonia greeted. "We missed you, so we came to greet you." Morris explained. "Since all you do is to hole yourself up at the office, ah Egiel, you are here too." Diane said, when she noticed him. "Pardon me, my lady, but I have some urgent things to attend to." Egiel said, as he briskly left the office, like one who was being chased by ghouls. "Do have a good day, lady." He said as he slammed the door shut. Diane turned to Diego. "What happened to him, he seemed flustered." She said, as she turned to Diego. "How do you expect me to know... Urgh." He groaned, when Leonia suddenly placed a pastry on his table. "Leonia, take that thing away. They will ruin my files." He said, using his hand to push the plate away. "But, I thought you would like them." Leonia said. "Pastries are those sweet, they have a lot of sugar and calories and.." "Diego." Diane interrupted. "The children brought the pastries all the way from the kitchen for you, at least have a taste." Diane said, her eyes Stern. Diego sighed, and he took a bite, though the excess sugar somewhat nauseated him. "How is it?" Leonia asked, her eyes shining. "It's good." Digeo managed to say. Diane smiled warmly, while the children bickered about the sole unoccupied chair In the office. "Seat straight, you are hogging up all the space." Leonia said, nearly shoving Morris out of the chair. "Sit properly first." Morris retributed. "Kids, the chair is wide enough for you both." Diego observed. "Morris, scoot over a little. There. Is that better?" She asked the two, who were sitted more comfortably now. "Yes." Both of them chorused. Diego however, frowned at the sight of the crumbs of pastries which dropped on the floor. If this went on unchecked, the rats and roaches would be his second most frequent guests. "Anyway, Diego." Diane began. "You left out some vital information about that thing will did this morning." Diane began, not wanting the kids to know. "You didn't tell me that they would bound to you, for good." She said. "Care to explain?" She asked, seemingly upset. "I am sorry. I can adjust the oath, they will be bound by the plaque, but not to the family." Diego said. "But why didn't you tell me earlier." Diane asked. "It slipped my mind." Diego said, without batting an eyelid. "Are you sure? That doesn't sound like you." Diane said. The children however, were chasing each other around the table. "Children be careful. Sit down or you will go outside." Diego said, ignoring Diane. "No, we want to play!" Leonia said. "In your office!" Morris added. "The office is a place of work, not a playground." Diego said sternly. "Just let them be, they are enjoying themselves." Diane pleaded on their behalf. "And besides is the plaque made out of actual gold?" Diane asked. "It is." Diego told her frankly. "Isn't that too exuberant? It is just a plaque for goodness sake." Diane said. Diego laughed lightly. "You can tell him when you see him then. That is what the rest of the family members told him, but that man is too stubborn." He said. "Who?" Diane pressed. "You will find out when the time is right." Diego said. Both of then momentarily got distracted by a Loud crash. They both turned to the source of noise, only to discover a heap of documents on the ground, and the children in its midst, laughing heartily. "You see the reason why I didn't like the children coming to my office?" He said, turning to Diane. "Right, sorry about that." Diane awkwardly apologized. "Get up, you two. You are making an even bigger mess of things." Diego told them. "We are sorry." Leonia said, although she was still laughing. Morris walked up to Diego, beckoning for Digeo to lower his head. Diego did, and Morris whispered into his ears. "No, Morris." Diego said, raising his head back up. "But both you and Diane let Leonia sleep with you though." Morris said, pouting. "Maybe next time Morris, not now okay?" Diane told him, as she could roughly speculate on what it was about. "Fine." Morris, not fully satisfied, replied. A knock came on the door. "It's Dorothy." "Come in." Diego said. Dorothy came in, and courtsied as she greeted. "Sorry for the sudden intrusion, my lord, but I heard that the children were with... you?" Dorothy gaped. The second chair of the office was flipped over, the documents were disorganized and spread in each and every direction, and the children.. or rather their clothes, as well as their face, became multi colored with the pastries from earlier. Of all the times that Dorothy had been to Digeo's office, this was the one time she saw it so disorganized. "Okay, young master, little miss, we are leaving now." Dorothy said. The children reluctantly walked over to her. "I am not even going to ask if you both had a nice time, because the office is more than enough proof. Come, come. Let's get you both cleaned up." Dorothy commented, ushering both children outside. "I better go with them." Diane said, as she stood up as well. "Don't stress yourself too much, and don't forget to have lunch." Diane said. Diego nodded. "Will see you soon." "Hmm." Diane nodded, as she stepped outside. Diego gazed at his half-eaten pasty. "If only I could bind you to me as well." He murmured, as he took another bite.