Psyche: The Queen Villainess of Revenge

"You never really cared about me in the first place. You just used me as one of your tools for revenge, right Psyche?" a sad torn and broken man said in front of the lady who was drinking wine inside the library of the Killford dukedom.

Instead of answering, the Lady just smirked at the man's reflection from the large window she is facing. While the man faced her long-backless dress making him see her pale body.

"Shouldn't you worry more about your fiancée than just a mere stranger like me?" Psyche had finally said with a sigh with gorgeous features

His blonde hair shining brightly gold at the rays of the sun, striking his figure like a perfect piece in the in place. His ocean blue eyes seeking for an answer, pleading that the lady in front of her was just lying or angry for the moment.

"Stranger? Psyche we're family, you're my sister! Yet you made me fall in love with you!" the blonde-haired boy - who was Aiden Killford, the young master of the Killford dukedom as well as the younger stepbrother of Psyche, said with bursting anger looking at her with seriousness but immediately controlled himself seeing how determined Psyche looked for a moment.

She thought that for the first time her younger brother, who was an easy-going kid on the outside that has many friends, could not contain his emotions in front of her

Comparing herself with Aiden surely makes her remember how the Priori in the Killford household adopted her secretly. She was homeschooled, taught by a private tutor until the day of her introduction to the noble society. She never went to the academy after being adopted due to the trauma and her 'supposed to be illness' that made her gain some psychological issues

"Why did you think I made you fall in love with me, Aiden? Please stop with those delusions of yours. You knew from the very beginning I can't love" Psyche burst in anger right in front of him. Throwing the glass containing wine on the wall as it was shattered to pieces. Staining both the floor and wall while she breathes heavily making the window on her back as her support

'This day will be long enough for the both of us'

He thought as he tried to come near her to explain further but her expression says 'Stay a meter away from me or else you'll not like what I'll do next'. Even if breathing heavily, she still manages to portray that venomously gorgeous meaningful look on her face

'Why do you even look more gorgeous now that you're angry?' Aiden sighed with his thought. He gave up coming near her, staying unmoved in his previous position while intently looking at her gorgeous silhouette

"I knew it but I just can't help falling for you, you knew when I'm hurt, you say hurtful words to me but when I think about them they're your advice. You always protected me from the shadows. So tell me, who will not fall in love with those actions of yours?" Aiden confessed with a desperate look. The scenario only made Psyche put her hands on her temples massaging them gently. With the sudden words she heard, she was feeling a little bit off. Trying to calm her nerves, she sighed for a long minute while looking around to search for a chair inside the place

"What made you think I did that all for you? You just said it earlier. I just USED you," Psyche said, emphasizing the word 'used'. Finally finding a seat near the shelves, she looked at Aiden seriously. Though, the moment he said those words coming from her mouth, he felt useless. He felt himself being compared to a toy that was already used. He felt like that, useless to her with no more additional use.

"No, I won't give up. Even if you use me or anything as long as I'm on your side, I'm alright with that," Aiden said pleading his way towards Psyche

He continuously looked at the lady who was sitting like a goddess that had cascaded from a long time ago when he was just eleven years old.

Looking back on his past, he remembered how he was captivated by the sight of the lady who resembled so much like his father and him. She has golden blonde hair and ocean blue eyes making her part of the Killford household through a secret adoption.

He remembered the time when the lady was just 13 years old being adopted in the Killford household. There was no Duke or Duchess to assist her in the house only Aiden's guardian. Just like what had happened to Psyche, his family was also murdered disguising it as an accident.

In Ferius time, when he was still alive as the duke of Killford household, he proposed to the emperor about prosecuting the corrupt and greedy officials and nobles of the empire. However, because of this, his enemies grew bigger as they started to get nervous with the duke's sudden announcement. Yet, later on before it got to be passed as a law, Duke Killford together with his family were brutally assassinated in a nearby forest. On a snowy night that no one will expect them to be attacked

Even before proposing the said idea, the Duke already had many enemies that's why his death was never an accident, to begin with. Aiden Killford - being the child, who will succeed the throne, saved until the last breath of Duke Ferius and Duchess Romina - the only bloodline that survived the attack, unknowingly to the assassins

That night, everything seemed peaceful but not with the Killford family marking the night as the beginning of their demise.

Aiden - the child who had the bloodline of the duke survived - saved by his parents. Until the last breathe of the two, they protected him. However, they left him in the dark forest, on a hard snowfall that night, until the duke's attendant – whom the assassins thought was dead – rescued him. The attendant miraculously survived the attack but he was all bloodied and wounded. Yet, he still managed to keep Aiden away from any danger returning him to the Killford household on that cold winter night

Aiden remembered the night that they were supposed to return to the Killford household. It was after going from their countryside estate but it became the reason for their family's tragedy. Maids and butlers were shocked on the news of the accident about the Duke and the Duchess. The news created 'pretend' grievance on the emperor but to the innocent people of the empire their grieve were real, regarding that it was the tragedy of the Killford family – about the righteous duke and gorgeous kind-hearted duchess

Knowing Aiden, the only successor of the Duke who had survived in the tragedy, the emperor appointed him his guardian. He appointed a Guardian who will assist Aiden and the Killford household for the time being. The guardian was no other than the attendant of the late duke, who also survived and rescued Aiden that night, had a name - Grindel. He was the one that became Aiden's close friend making him feel positive emotions than negative ones.

Upon arriving at eleven years old, Psyche came to his life. The young woman that made his heartbeat beats faster for the first time. He felt like she's the definition of a goddess. He felt paralyzed from their first meeting. He felt like his world suddenly stopped and they were the only two people in it. However, it was easily crush upon hearing Grindel say that she'll be officially his sister – especially the semblance she had with the duke

"You'll only be hurt in the end, Aiden. You have a fiancée who deeply loves you. I don't want to ruin that," with a calm voice, Psyche said observing the change from Aiden – her foster younger brother

She reminisced the time when they were still young when. The time she got adopted into the Killford household she became like someone else. She continuously hates the nobles and everything. She hated them because she knew they were the reason for her real family's demise. Another reason why she can't speak normally to Aiden was the reality that she always saw Grey - her real younger brother – on him.

She acted ironically with her hate on the nobles towards Aiden. Instead of being gentle, she is being rude with her advices. She always avoids him but watches from the shadows. She always stays silent even though she wanted to talk to him. These characteristics of her made Aiden more curious about her for a long period

Aiden at first when Psyche was introduced at him as his sister, he can't believe. He said words that he didn't meant and regretted the moment he knew about what she experienced. After knowing those, he became kind to her – but she's the opposite of that.

After becoming a young adult, Aiden had discovered that the tragedy of his family on that snowy night. The tragedy that was well-planned and not just a mere accident on the road. That discovery made him felt hatred for the first time to the noble society. He realized, being the successor of his father's title, they had many known enemies within the empire. He knew this the moment he understood how society works

"It's alright, Psyche. I just said those words to take out a piece of baggage in my heart. It's making me feel heavy so I blurted them without thinking. Please forgive me for saying those and acting impulsively sister," a calm relieve voice was heard inside the place. Sighing, he walked where Psyche was. Although, not knowing what she'll say or act he braced himself to walked towards her.

As soon as Aiden went near her, he knelt and took one of Psyche's hands gently kissing the back of it.

"You knew from the very start that we do have the same enemy. We do have the same plot of revenge. However we just kept it a secret until now," Aiden with his voice so softly said to her while looking intently after kissing the back of her hand. Yet, after his kiss, he never let go of her hand.

Psyche, instead of being angry to what Aiden did, it only made her smirk widely

'Finally, my plan to exact revenge is just around the corner. Even though I never expected this to happen, eventually time will still make it because of his unusual behavior I have been observing for a long time'

"So you already knew mine from the very beginning. Can you tell me more about yours?" Psyche asked curiously. She's now interested with the turn of events

Aiden instead of being shocked portrayed the same smirked Psyche had. The same venomous smirked that will bite each of their enemy's head.

"I should call you Psyche when we're alone," with a serious voice, Aiden intently looked at her. though, Psyche only nodded with a wide smirk

"Call me whatever you want as long as you want me to use you," the words were meaningful after she said those. Yet, Psyche wasn't even bothered about it.

Now, her hand Aiden was holding earlier sneaked to his face. Caressing his soft white cheeks but for a matter of seconds, Psyche's face went nearer. When her face was only few inches away from him, she immediately took the gap and kissed him.

"And there's one more condition to that, make the daughter of the Maxwell family or your fiancée fall deeper in love with you" that being said Psyche's soft lips had brushed against Aiden's for a second time. However, she immediately moved away after doing that

Aiden can't process what just happened. His sister - his secretly adopted sister - whom he thought had no feelings towards her, suddenly brushed her soft sweet lips to his. For a moment, he felt thrilled about it

'I can't believe this will happen, my heart's beating faster than before just like the first time I met her. Psyche, what are you trying to do to me? You said you can't love but you made me want you more'

"That's just to seal our deal, no more no less," Psyche said standing up from her seat and was about to take a step forward when Aiden's other hand stopped her. He holds her wrist gently as he stands in front of her seriously while breathing heavily for the moment

"And this is the seal for my contract as well," Aiden said and in just a swift movement, his lips were already on hers. He kissed her gently and possessively

Psyche was about to hit him, struggling with the kiss but before she could even do that, he already stopped her. Her hands that were ready for the move were already at her back. Their kiss lasted for a while as Aiden was savoring the tastes of their lips

After a long while, Aiden finally breaks their kiss. Both of them were breathing heavily as the heat was about to warm their bodies, if he hadn't immediately break away from his hungry action. Upon doing so, Psyche had lost her balance and was about to hit the floor if Aiden hadn't caught her in time. His hands on her waist, their faces became near for the second time, their eyes were both wide. Those were their expressions

Psyche didn't know what she's feeling for the moment. What happened had surprised her whole being. She now realizes Aiden's feelings were deep. So deep, that she can no longer consider him as her younger brother - like he's Grey

"You also need to learn more self-defense and training if you wanted to defend yourself first, sister," Aiden whispered to her ears making her hot. However with slow breathes, she calmed herself and fiercely glare at him. Yet, seconds later she smirked and returned the same force of tease after hearing him say, 'sister'

"Would you mind teaching me how, brother?" with a teasing voice, Psyche began moving her hands thatwere clinging to his neck a while ago to his chest. Creating circular shapes while smirking her way to him

"But first things first, care to explain your plans before I leave, Aiden?" Psyche said stopping what she's been doing earlier and moved aside breaking Aiden's hug.

"With pleasure, Psyche," a glad and dangerous voice came out from Aiden's mouth, an irony to his expressions.

After saying those wards, he started walking to the large table with books behind. He started drafting his plans on the paper while Psyche followed from behind.

'The start of revenge will soon be tasted by those disgusting greedy nobles'

"These apples seem nice, Mary! I'm going to buy them for my little brother!" Iris, who was turning thirteen for a few days, said to Mary - the daughter of the fruit vendor as well as her best friend – happily.

They were in Laufer's street, the street where vendors sell goods. It is part of the market in the empire.

She knew that her brother loves apples so much and so, after working part-time in cleaning the bakery that hired her, she always bought food for her family especially for her younger brother – Grey. While her father and mother are also working on their mini-farm.

"You're always happy, Iris! I hope you can stay that way!" with a smiling face, Mary said to her best friend who was handling the apples that she bought. In response, she smiled and winked at Mary.

"That's just my personality, Mary! Trust this girl will never change. I will always be the girl you'll see buying apples for her little brother and parents!" a cheerful voice was all that Mary wanted to hear from Iris. Through it, seeing Iris' smile afterward captivates her view for a while.

However, the moment she saw her golden blonde hair shone brightly – Mary thought that Iris was a goddess with a rare beauty that had descended on the place – her thin red lips like cherry, her pale rosy beautiful skin. Everything speaks about gorgeousness.

She's one of the beautiful rare young woman the empire could ever ask for. Only if she wasn't hiding it. She knew that if she was exposed like that, everyone will think of her as a lost noble disguising as a commoner. However, those thoughts, that will be created, were not even true.

If she knew better, Mary could have thought she's an illegitimate child of a Duke or someone from nobility. Yet, she sure is someone from her family because she exactly looked like her father - whom everyone in the commoner's village - thought of as their friend. However the only difference with them is the hair color, as she thought.

"For a moment I thought you were a no---" before Mary, her best friend, could even finish her words Iris flew immediately where she was and covered her mouth, expressing a worried face.

"You shouldn't mention any of that, Mary! Besides, I'm clear and for the hundredth and one time, I'm a commoner because I do look like my dad! Got it!" Iris said while Mary was struggling to free herself from her tight grips

"Sheeeesh, Iris I know, I know so you should calm down. I was just teasing you for a bit. Well, you know what they say! Don't judge a book by its cover" Mary said breathing heavily from what Iris did to her and laughs a second while later

"Good! So, I guess I'm going now! My brother was probably having a hungry stomach by now!" Iris exclaimed excitedly but Mary immediately pulled her gently fixing the loosened cloth from her hair.

"There! So that you'll not be confused as a noble," Mary said smiling at her best friend after fixing the cloth on her hair

"Thank you, Mary! You're my lifesaver every time I had problems and with this one!" Iris said pointing her hair smiling at Mary. Afterward, she started hugging her best friend gently.

"No worries, remember if you have any problems don't hesitate to come to me, okay?" Mary reassures her with warmth. Welcoming her, this made Iris hugs her more tightly.

"M'kay!" Iris said as she breaks their hug. Then, started walking away on the streets waving her left hand to Mary as her right hand is handling the apples that she bought for her family especially for her brother. Mary waved back with a smile, as Iris was now walking towards where their house at in the Seil Village, - the Village for commoners.

As Iris was heading towards their small house, she bumped into someone who was in the exact height as she is but was a young guy who's in a black coat as well as a black hat.

"I apologize, sir. I wasn't looking for my way as I was hurrying to go home," Iris said bowing respectfully at the young guy she had bumped about hurrying up. Though, the young guy had no time to entertain people in his current situation

However, when he started looking at the young woman who had bumped him earlier, he was surprised. For a sudden minute, he reminded her of someone in the noble society. Her features were someone that the young guy was familiar with.

'They had the same ocean blue eyes'

The young guy had thought for a second after he met her eyes. Though, he didn't thought that the young woman was gorgeous enough to be a noble because of her appearance. She was dressed like a commoner. Her hair was clothed with white one and she was handling a paper bag with no servants in her back.

He thought of the gorgeous young woman as a commoner

The young guy sighed at what he's thinking and immediately smiled at the young lady in front of him.

"No worries my lady. I was also at fault there. I would like to excuse myself now" the young guy said smiling at Iris which she found attractive. She couldn't help but look at the young guy's dark hair blue eyes, pale skin, pointed nose and thin red lips.

For a moment, she thought that she was captivated by the mysterious young guy.

'Goodness! How could I bump into a gorgeous man at this time of the day and in this street?!' She thought as she held herself up for a bit. However, knowing that the guy was hurrying to excused himself, she hadn't even replied to him. He immediately disappeared from her view after saying those words.

'He called me 'My Lady' even though I'm not a noble!'

Iris sighed as she touched her head if her hair was properly covered by Mary and it was.So, what made him think she's a lady?

He could have said girl or young woman but a lady? Maybe, it was just for courtesy. Yet, it's the first time she heard someone called her 'my lady'. It made her feel warm and nostalgic for some reason. She felt like her whole world was slowly moving, as if she was in a loop in time

Iris just shrugged those thoughts remembering how late it was to have dinner and to present her gift to her little brother.

***

"Damnit! Go find that brat now or else you'll never want to see me do something dangerous to your family!" an old man exclaimed angrily. The command he gives can make people around him cowardly shiver. Knowing that they've already been the preys to a predator

The old man was the Duke of the Maxwell family - Derius Maxwell - he's known for being a strict but righteous Duke on the outside. However, people never knew what he does behind the curtains. He's a manipulative bastard - who only cared about his direct bloodline and money. He never cared about those people below him unless for show

The two shadow knights of the duke kneeling in front of him respectfully were commanded by the Duke to find his illegitimate son that escaped the household earlier. The two were shivering from fear of the duke's wrath knowing that he might ultimately do something beyond their grasp. In the end, they immediately went to find Lucius to avoid angering the Duke more.

The duke was angry now. He knows that some of the documents from his office were missing. Those documents will prove to the public his sins for doing illegal activities - as well as killing commoners - that had disobeyed his orders

He knew one thing from the past, it was always someone – a mysterious person – who had sent him pieces of evidence. Yet, clever as he is he was making sure that the mysterious person shut his mouth by giving him money – continuously. He even investigated that person but to no avail, he didn't find any clues who that mysterious person could be

That person himself warned him about the duke's investigations, so he never did it again. He only continued sending the person money. Until one day, the person never bothered the Duke again. The pieces of evidences had stopped coming to him. Those days, the Duke thought that the mysterious person had died to some accident. However, beyond the Duke's knowledge, he was someone who was already living in the commoners' village. It's was no other than the very man – who was a former spy of the previous emperor for the nobles.

In truth, the previous emperor never really trusted the nobles in the first place. He thought that they're like hungry predators - who wanted to claim the throne for themselves.

So, he set a spy and that is his illegitimate son, for the nobles. That is the 'mysterious person's job' only to be allowed to stay in the imperial family though unknown by the public. The previous emperor legitimately had three children who was known by the whole empire - two princesses and one prince - but the truth is, there is also another prince that was just an illegitimate child of the emperor.

The empress first can't accept the truth so the young child was sent to different rooms of the palace. Not to be treated like a prince but to be treated like a slave. When he grew up to be an adult, the previous emperor made him a spy. That was the purpose of his existence inside the imperial household. Never did the emperor, or any of the children, help the young guy. He was treated worse like an animal by the empress, like who grew up in a cage.

The only thing that made him sane from his insane world was the locket that his mother gave him before she was executed by the previous emperor himself. He vowed revenge by that time but he thought to himself, he's helpless in that very kind of situation. He needed something powerful to accomplish by ruining the imperial family that's built with lies, pretense, and greed.

But he never accomplish it because one day, upon completing his mission to spy on a family, he fell in love with a lady of the noble house of Williams. Unfortunately, that lady was the only child of the Duke and Duchess of the Williams family.

That's until things happened and they lived in a commoner area happily not thinking back on their past anymore.

Going back to reality, Duke Maxwell searched and searched for the other documents that were related to his illegal activities sent by the mysterious person a long time ago but all were seemed to be gone. All were gone, as well as the one that truly holds the evidence of destroying their family.

'This will not be the end for my family that I've built through any means'

***

"Sister!" Iris' little brother happily said while looking at her older sister. He immediately appeared from the door of their little cozy house.

"I'm back! Oh, Grey! Oh, my little brother is so cute!" Iris said hugging her little brother as he went near her cheerfully and hugged her back

"Mother said, father will be late for tonight because of his extra part-time job on the market," Grey said exclaiming his sadness because they're not complete as the usual days that they were.

"Oh right, father did have an extra part-time job that he got this week. Don't worry Grey we all know he's doing this for our family. Besides, I have a present!" Iris said while hugging her little brother who was being sad for a minute but lightened up with a smile because of the apples that he saw.

"Yes! Sister is the best! This is my favorite food!" Grey said while taking the apples on the paper bag from Iris' hand and went to their mini table for eating.

As Grey was about to eat the little apples that her sister bought, their mother suddenly interrupted Grey as she smilingly said "These apples still needed to be washed properly before eating, Grey" the little boy nodded and smiled at her mother

A while later, Grey was now eating the apples happily as Iris went towards her mom who continued washing the dishes after washing the apples

"Mom, I'm home!" Iris said while hugging her mother from her back

"Welcome home honey!" Iris's mother who was Olivia said sweetly to her daughter while washing the dishes.

"How's your day today Hon," Olivia asks her daughter which only made her smile while still hugging her mother on the back

"It was great just like any other usual day, mom! I'm grateful that even if I was born a commoner, I'm happily living in this place together with you, father, and my cute little brother!" Iris happily said to her mother as she had stopped washing the dishes for a while and faced Iris while drying her hands with her aprons, touching her daughter's face

"Remember Iris, you and your little brother are our deepest treasures and we will never replace you with anything," Olivia said seriously to Iris

For a moment, Iris felt confused for a bit but immediately shrugged the thought as they hugged each other in the kitchen. Grey, the little boy of the family, did the same as he saw them. The three hugged again for many times as they usually did.

'I could never ask for any other things to replace my happiness. This very moment is my happiness with my father - of course, who was so busy, with his part-time jobs'

"So have you finally thought about my proposal?" the sister of the emperor - who was formerly known, as Princess Analize was now a Duchess in the empire - said curiously to Arthur in the imperial palace.

He was currently sitting on the large chair as the emperor, while the duchess sat on the guest's seat

"Are you sure you want this? I think Duke Maxwell's eldest son Damon was against the idea of tying him up with my daughter. Knowing how he always reacts when my daughter gets overly obsessive towards him," Arthur, the emperor, said worrying about his daughter's behavior

"Oh please let her be, Damon was just playing hard to get. What I want you to understand is about the proposal of the Morgan family, about their mining business," Duchess Analize cleared what she was saying earlier. By those words, the emperor's worried face disappeared to form a large grin

"Yes and consequently, because of the said evidences, they've been stripped out of their titles. We are currently claiming their properties through the process. I planned to put those to a charity foundation that does not exist in the first place. So, just call Julius to forge the evidences so the business will be on our family" a greedy deep dangerous voice came out of Arthur's mouth. Knowing Arthur's attitude, the duchess only responded with a smirk

"Just remember my shares on it," she said fanning herself elegantly to have some fresh air

'Just the thought of acquiring properties made my whole body thrill again. Another family in the nobles that came into ruins by my own hands'

"Let's now talk about what you're saying earlier, on Damon being engaged with Princess Monique," Analize said with a teasing voice to the emperor. She is curious to what he will be reacting afterward.

The emperor sighed and the smirk that was in his lips earlier had turned to worry again.

"Yeah, probably," Arthur said, putting his hands to his chin thinking about her spoiled daughter's obsession with duke Maxwell's son.

***

"Okay sister! Please be careful and don't try to mess things up there again for the 100th time," Grey, who's Iris' little brother, said seriously to her while waving his hands on Iris. She was already walking into the town to do her part-time job at the bakery while she waves back

"Yes! You also have to behave and help mom in doing the house chores! I'll teach you something later!" Iris said smiling brightly continuously waving her hand to her mother and little brother. Her father had already went to work earlier than his family so he wasn't present at the moment to bid Iris goodbye.

"Mom I'm off! Take care of my little brother, okay!" Iris said stopping for a while to wave back again and smile at their mother.

"Yes, come home on time!" Olivia said to her child while waving at her left hand and holding his little son on the other

"Mmm," Iris replied with the same expression turning ahead to walk towards the town.

As Iris went to the market with her bag, she immediately entered the bakery and greets the owner – Selby, as well as her best friend – the owner's son

She had started her job at cleaning and helping the people, like her usual routine every day. Assisting their orders of their customers again

***

Meanwhile, on the Maxwell household

"Damon, aren't you going to the imperial palace now? The princess had requested you to come again. She even invited you to the tea party!" Thesia, Damon's sister as well as Lucius half-sister said. Instead of immediately replying back, Damon shrugged the thought

"I have a sword training today sister, besides I'm always on her afternoon tea in her long lists making me go to the palace every single day! It is already exhausting enough to learn my lesson on the house and another exhausting event? Won't she just give me a break?!" Damon exclaimed enough to make her sister sigh with that thought

"Alright, just send her a letter then, saying you're not feeling better this day and for the next time that she'll invite you again. Just make excuses if you feel so, no need to shout at me! You're so short-tempered you know that, Damon?" Thesia said, glaring at her brother that has been rude to her this morning. Because of a certain someone

Thesia immediately went out of his room and go to hers holding the letters that were meant for her

After that scenario, Damon sighed just thinking about the Princess who was crazily in love with him.

Just because he's gorgeous that's why the Princess wanted him for herself. He had red hair that was very evident, his ocean blue eyes, pointed nose, pale skin, and thin red lips. Having slim but muscular body that every girl's dream of, besides the crown prince that was also gorgeous and his other friends

Who wouldn't even fantasize about him, right? The princess of the empire was adoring and proclaiming her love for the guy just because of his looks. It all started when they first met in the garden when they were still little kids

He just can't believe how he's that gorgeous but in reality, when Lucius only had red hair like him, they can be considered identical twins. They will looked alike If Lucius hair wasn't dark. He immediately made a letter and rang the bell on his table. Immediately after, one of their family's butlers entered

"Send this to the imperial palace right now addressed to Princess Monique. It's urgent and it should be sent now," Damon said seriously. Although the butler seemed surprised, he respectfully nodded afterward.

"Understood young master," the butler said with such respectful voice. Then he immediately walked out of the room and does what he was told to do. Handing the letter to the courier of their family to send it to the imperial palace

Damon, on the other hand, as soon as he sent his letter to the butler thought of something while sitting on his seat inside his room

'What if only for today, I'll sneak out of the household and go to the market to see the swords they're selling? Besides, I don't have any sword training today either. So I have nothing to lose here'

With that thought, he immediately prepared himself to sneak out of the house observing the outside for the knights who were rounding inside the Maxwell's household. After looking that no one was in a certain spot that he's looking outside, he immediately sneaked out of his room through the window. He was wearing a coat that he had put on earlier after thing those thoughts. In case he'll be notice, he had already the right clothes to disguise

Pretending to be a lost cat imitating a cat's sound to avoid being suspicious. He had landed on that spot. There, Damon immediately made his way out of the household and went to the back of it. That made him easily started walking towards the market easily

'This time, I'll do whatever I want. I will not be restricted to something I want to do. Tsk, just because of that stupid Princess, I was not able to enjoy my freedom'

With that, he decided to head towards the swords shop and to buy some swords for his training for the next few days

***

"So you send another invitation on the Maxwell Duchy for their eldest son to attend your tea parties again, Monique?" Gretha, Monique's second sister – the youngest one - said worrying about Damon and not with her sister at all. She sat on Monique's bed in her room and looked seriously at her

"Why not? We're engaged anyway so it's only right. What's the problem with that, Gretha?" Monique said defensively to her sister. With that kind of attitude, Gretha only heaved a sigh thinking that her sister is truly obsess with Damon

'This sister of mine was dangerously in love with Duke Maxwell's eldest son. This can't be good but I can't do anything for now? She's always the favorite daughter unless Wilhelm talked to father but that won't be the case at all'

"Alright but let me just remind you that too much will never be good to other people too, remember that Monique," Gretha said, standing up from her sister's bed and walking out of the room

'Tsk, that's what you're saying because you haven't yet known how to love and experience it Gretha'

Monique thought proceeding with her usual routine of being a Princess in the empire that her father only stole to someone more worthy

***

"Iris, I have something for you to do. See, we're out of flour and other ingredients," Selby - the son of the bakery owner as well as her best friend - said to Iris making her nod and smile

"Anything for my besty, ey!" Iris said with a teasing voice to Selby making him slightly pat Iris' shoulder and chuckles in response

"Okay, okay. Here's the list and better be back early for today, I don't have anyone to tease here if you're that slow" Iris' best friend Selby said smiling with a following tease

Instead of answering back, Iris smirked at him in response. Then, she proceeded to buy the things she was ordered to buy walking out of the bakery immediately like a soldier who's on duty. That actions ofher always makes Selby laugh easily in his lonely life

'You've never failed to make me laugh every single time with your actions, Iris. I hope that attitude of yours never changes'

With a smile, Selby thought looking at Iris' back that had already disappeared from his sight

On the other hand, Iris was about to cross the street to buy the ingredients that she was handed when some carriages were about to bump into her. That was, until some mysterious guy behind her, who was wearing a black coat all over his body, pulled her into a narrow street covering her mouth

Nobody saw the scenario because they're too busy with the things they're doing

However, Iris was nervous and confused at the same time but that did not overrule her. She had strategies to escape from him so when she was about to bite the guy's hand, he immediately removed it from her lips. He immediately avoided her sudden bite though even if he didn't see this his sharp instincts always told him what to do. That is why he had saved her immediately from the moving carriages

"What are you doing and who are you?!" Iris exclaimed shocked about what had happened earlier. Instead of answering back, he looked at her for a moment then left her immediately just like that

Only for Iris to see the same pendant that the guy he bumped yesterday

'Could they be the same person or could they just have the same pendant? Either way, how could that guy be rude! Goodness! I was about to say thank you if he only answered my questions but he just left like that? Alright, Mr. Mystery guy. I couldn't even say thank you to him even though he was all covered in creepy black clothes'

Iris, instead of staying shocked at what had just happened decided to shrug those thoughts off. With that, she was about to get out of the narrow place where the mysterious guy had pulled her into. Until, she heard a crack of paper that she stepped on only to find a piece of crumpled paper lying in the ground

She hesitated to pick it but because of her cleanliness motto she had no choice but decided to pick it. Only to notice some familiar drawings or rather some familiar symbol that she had seen was all too familiar to her. Though, she can't remember where it was as she looked closely at the paper. All know was, she saw one thing that she's sure of

The symbol belongs to noble families she knew of it and she's sure of it

'But where did this paper come from? Don't tell me it's from him?!'