"Where should the wolfsbane be kept, Elden Von?"
The maids giggled as Yvonne corrected their pronunciation of her name for the fifteenth time. Apparently, special maids held titles along with other benefits. Yvonne's new subordinates didn't quite accept that, so they intentionally called her "Von."
This wouldn't have been an issue if "Von" wasn't a slur at Blue Raven—one whose meaning she didn't fully know, but was certain was nothing good.
"Keep it by His Lordship's desk—no, not there, just—"
Yvonne groaned silently, clenching her teeth as she moved to set the bowl of herbs down herself.
She had just placed the bowl when a loud crash to her right startled her. She turned, a hand pressed against her pounding chest.
A porcelain sculpture had shattered.
Lord Idano's favorite.
"Oh! Elden Von, I'm so sorry. It slipped." The maid closest to the sculpture covered her mouth in mock shock. Her eyes, however, gleamed with amusement.
Yvonne's left eye twitched. Her jaw tightened painfully. No—not in front of them.
She swallowed hard and didn't dare blink.
Just let me… let me handle this, good-for—
"It's okay, Nila. I'll take care of it. You're not harmed, are you?"
Yvonne walked toward her. She was only a few meters away when she suddenly pitched forward, crashing face-first onto the floor.
The metallic taste flooded her mouth—her teeth had torn into the inside of her cheek. Blood pooled and dripped onto the marble.
The maids burst into laughter. All thirteen of them.
They often behaved this way, using their low-level magic to torment her. It wasn't just a prank—it was a jab at her inability to wield Malo (Mage magic)
She pushed herself up, vision blurring.
"Elden Von, you're wounded," Nila gasped coyly, exchanging glances with the others before smirking. "It's alright. Just tend to it with your Malo."
The giggles grew louder.
"But she doesn't even have one," one of them sneered.
"You must be joking. Elden Von surely has Malo—she's just too humble to use it."
Suddenly, her ankle jerked sideways—as if seized by an invisible hand. She wobbled, struggling to regain her balance, but failed. She crashed down again, a pained groan escaping her lips.
"Iwonder what Lord Idano sees in her."
Whack.
Palm prints bloomed across her face, followed by sharp stinging scratches—thin, red lines like claw marks. Almost cat-like.
Dang, that scratch is nasty. I hate this girl.
That thing declared. Yvonne couldn't understand anything except 'hate' and she agreed on that.
"What a wastrel."
A burst of blue light flared above her.
Then came the memories.
Klaryna and Madame—headless. Their bodies mangled beyond recognition.
Her worst nightmare.
Cold sweat drenched her skin. The blood-soaked parade grounds. Twitching limbs. The one that plopped onto her skirts that day. Blasted bits and torn flesh.
She had wanted to forget.
Her body convulsed violently against the cold marble.
"Nila, isn't that too much?" one maid whispered, fear creeping into her voice.
"She needs to learn her place," Nila replied coldly. The blue light intensified.
Yvonne screamed.
Let me handle this… please…
It was the first time the voice had begged. It almost amused her—but she was still trapped under Nila's spell.
Do you want to die? Think of Madame.
The bloodied streets dissolved into darkness—the same suffocating void from the carriage. The decay of the Yukon anomaly overwhelmed her senses.
She retched. White foam gathered at her lips.
"Nila, that's enough. Please stop," another maid pleaded, tugging at her arm.
Nila slapped her hard, sending her stumbling back.
"She's going to die—please stop!" the maid cried, clutching her swelling cheek.
"Then so be it."
Don't you want to see Madame again?
"What is all this commotion?"
The voice thundered across the room.
Nila froze.
In an instant, she dropped beside Yvonne, pretending to tend to her.
"Greetings, Your Lordship," the maids chorused.
"If I may, my lord," Nila said, seeking permission.
Lord Idano's gaze had already fallen on the shattered sculpture. His expression darkened.
He nodded.
"Elden Yvonne felt unwell and accidentally knocked over your sculpture," Nila said, her tone soft with feigned concern as she looked down at Yvonne, tenderly wiping her forehead. "She didn't mean to offend you. I beg your forgiveness on her behalf."
You've got to be kidding me…
You know what? I'll handle this.
Yvonne gasped as a bone-chilling sensation swept through her.
Her body stilled. Her hands grew cold.
Then—
She sat up.
She wiped the blood and white foam from her lips.
The maids recoiled in horror.
Something that was not entirely Yvonne looked at them—its gaze lingering on Nila.
"You dare lie to the High Lord Idano?"
Her voice was cold. Even. Unfamiliar.
Nothing like the warm, gentle tone she was known for.
Lord Idano tilted his head, eyes narrowing at Nila.
"I wouldn't dare lie, my lord," Nila insisted quickly. "My fellow maids are witnesses."
Yvonne rose gracefully, hands clasped like a noblewoman.
Yeah, let me show them how to really aura-farm.
She cleared her throat.
"Fetch His Lordship a cushion. Water for his hands and feet. And refreshments," she instructed calmly.
She paused, turning to Nila.
"You should know better than to trouble him while he's recovering from training."
Then she faced Idano and bowed.
"This way, my lord, you may judge in comfort—and as you please. What do you say?"
Okay, so he's gotta agree after all the hyping, right?
Idano studied her, noting the shift in demeanor. Still, she spoke well.
As she should.
"Very well."
Three maids hurried to carry out her orders.
Soon, Idano sat comfortably, grapes in hand.
"My lord has just completed a rigorous training session," Yvonne continued smoothly, "and this maid has a suggestion for your entertainment."
He gestured for her to continue.
She stepped closer, leaned in, and whispered into his ear.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"You have my permission."
Yvonne curtsied and withdrew.
"His Lordship is truly gracious to forgive Elden Yvonne," Nila said sweetly, bowing again.
Idano laughed.
"When did I mention forgiveness?"
Nila stiffened.
"Then, if I may—"
"No, you may not," he cut in sharply. "You talk a lot. Do you ever keep quiet?"
Nila's face flushed red as a few maids struggled to suppress their laughter.
Ten minutes passed in absolute silence, save for Idano's munching.
Yvonne returned accompanied by a cloaked figure and two guards.
The guards wielded what seemed to be a rectangular platform on their shoulders.
"Forgive my tardiness, High Lord. I brought someone else who I believe to be of great assistance."
Everyone in the room stilled fearfully.
He had no shadow, none like the others anyway. A purple gas mist followed him, passing for his shadow.
It occasionally paused every now and then, leaving its owner.
It seemed to have taken an interest in Yvonne because it lingered near her shadow longer than necessary.
The cloaked figure walked towards the porcelain shards.
Hands outstretched, the shards started to float before settling back to the floor.
Then in a low voice, almost like a croak, he said...
To be continued.