"I'm really thankful that you helped the kids when they got into trouble. Please tell me if there is some way I can repay your kindness." Mrs. Lewis expressed her deepest gratitude while bowing her head a little to Avy who was seated in front of her.

"It must be tough taking care of those children by yourself Mrs. Lewis. Do you have a husband?" Avy asked her to change the topic, looking at the direction of the noise where the kids were playing with Ares.

"My husband is long gone. I also don't have any family for I am raised in a brothel where I also worked until I was twenty-seven. My husband died seven years after we moved in this house, since I am unable to conceive a child, no one was left with me when he passed," the older woman answered, looking melancholy at her hands on top of the table.

"Those people who I worked with, in the brothel brought their child who they cannot take care of here in exchange for supporting the kids by sending money. Years passed and the number of kids being left in front of the door increased, and the parents also stopped sending support, but I didn't have the courage to give them away since I was making decent money to feed them," she continued

"How about now?" Avy knew how heavy the situation was, but pitying a strong woman who raised more than ten children on her own is not something she would be proud of doing. She just stared at her with serious eyes, waiting for her answer.

"We somehow get to survive by the money I get from repairing clothes. I don't want the kids to end up begging on the streets no matter what our circumstances would be," she said.

"I heard from ginger that you make dresses." Mrs. Lewis raised her head after hearing her statement and knew exactly what Avy was thinking the moment she saw her face.

"Yes. I used to make clothes for both lower nobles and commoners. But I am deeply sorry, I no longer accept offers." she gave her a closed-eyed smile and hid her hands under the table, but that didn't hide the fact that her whole body was slightly shaking.

"Figures. Since the owner of this territory opened her own boutique three months ago, they probably pulled some strings to make other shops close so they would face no competition. No wonder it was successful." Avy put her elbows on top of the table, making the tips of her fingers touch each other. With a wicked smile on her face and a dangerous glow in her eyes, she eyed the older woman like a business veteran.

"Make me some clothes, I'll make sure the kids would sleep and eat comfortably," she told her, but Mrs. Lewis could only shake her head.

"Marquis Heron is not the type of man to let go of trivial things easily. It may not only be dangerous for us, but they will also come after you, Young Lady. I don't want to risk your safety after you saved the lives of my children," she said with a compunctious look on her face.

"Oh. Didn't the kids tell you?" Avy stated, the older woman looked at her straight in the eye and witnessed how her golden-colored eyes turned into a beautiful shade of crimson blood.

"I'm sorry for the late introductions. My name is Avy. Avy Arkwright."

~~~

"Ahh... All we do is study and train all day. Aside from being quiet, your Mansion is no different from the palace." Light breathed out while he was lying on the grounds after another exhausting training session with Ciel. Since most of the adults were busy, they were only told to study and train on their own for a couple of weeks.

"It's not too late for you to leave, we'll even lend you a carriage so you don't have to call the Imperial Palace to pick you up," Ciel replied and he wipe his sweat dripping down his chin, completely uninterested in the young Prince's complaints.

"Maybe the reason why it's so quiet here is that every member of your Family is boring like bricks., Light commented

"These bricks protect your Empire, Your highness." Ciel talked back. Unlike how they usually fight like five-year-old kids, after spending almost every moment of the day with each other for days, they learned that being agitated over one another's choice of words would just tire them out. And they realized that even if they fought their heads off, no one would come to stop them anyway.

"If these kids fought with each other again, don't bother paying attention. And if they make a mess because of their petty kiddie fight, they should be the one cleaning after it. I'm the owner of this house, for now, those who will disobey me would face the consequences. Got it?"

Avy was one of the main reasons why they no longer almost put their lives on the line just to prove who's stronger. She didn't even have to tell them to stop fighting, in fact, she did the opposite. At first, the servant was hesitant to ignore the actions of the two boys belonging to the most powerful families in the Empire, but nevertheless, believed in the lady's words and chose to turn a blind eye to their childishness.

"Hey." Light said, calling Ciel's attention. "Let's burn the training grounds and have a match in the middle of it," he suggested.

Ciel just stared at him as if he was not believing what he was saying. "Stop spouting nonsense."

"Oh. Right." Light's face twitched after recalling some unpleasant memories from days ago. "Sister would probably throw alcohol in the fire and make us put it out with our hands."

"Why would you even start a duel in the middle of the dining hall? We had to clean up the mess afterward without anything but our bare hands and spent six hours." Ciel added, shivers running down his spine, remembering how Avy locked them in the dining hall after causing a ruckus after they talked in the garden.

"Well. We would've finished the job within two hours if sister hadn't taken all the old plates and broken them for us to clean up. I have never been treated so harshly my whole life." Light muttered in response while staring blankly at the clear blue sky when an idea suddenly popped up in his head.

"Hey Arkwright," he said

"What?"

"Let's drag sister out of her room today."

Ciel just stared at him in exasperation and sighed in defeat. He doesn't want to start a ruckus again and get scolded by his sister, but he knows all too well that he wouldn't be able to stop the Prince's crazy shenanigans, besides, the idea of spending time with Avy is not that bad. Maybe he'll tag along with his little game for now.

Meanwhile, inside the mansion was as quiet and peaceful as ever. The servants were doing their job diligently and some were fixated on working on the tasks they were meant to do. Take Mariel as an example.

"What are you gonna do with those books? Did the Lady ask you to bring them again?" Clara asked her colleague after seeing her coming out of the Estate library with a couple of books stacked in her hands.

"Ah. Yes. The lady seems to be interested in books nowadays. How about you? I thought you're doing the laundry today?" Mariel answered.

"I was just about to go to the Lady's room and fetch her laundries. Let me help you carry those books, I'm going to the same room as you anyways." Clara stepped closer, Mariel remembered that she was carrying the books for teaching Magic for beginners and it would be really suspicious for the lady to read them when she's known to not even have an ounce of interest in it, she panicked.

"Oh no no! It's okay. I'll also get the laundry for you. Lady Avy doesn't want to get disturbed while she's studying so you can go ahead, I'll take the dirty clothes to you after this," she told her, trying her best to look natural as possible.

"Oh. Is that really fine? It would be a big help, Gina and I still have to prepare the room where Sir Clerivan will stay." Clara said which her co-worker responded with a nod. Only a few people have the qualifications to enter the estate, which means, it is also hard for the servants because they had to work extra hard to fill up the lack of staff. It is more than worth it though, their wage is far better than normal servants working for other noble families, and aside from that, they aren't treated badly, although it's really not easy to be around people who are said to be the most intimidating blood in the Empire.

"Of course."

"Then I'll get going. Thanks a lot! Good luck with your work!" Clara thanked her with a smile before tapping her shoulder and leaving to go back to her post.

As soon as Clara was already out of earshot, Mariel breathed deeply in guilt. Of all the other people she had worked with, Clara was one of the first ones she met and became her friend. She had known her for years and lying to her really weighed in her mind. But even so, her Lady Avy entrusted her a very important role. Blowing it up will be the last thing she wants to happen.

"I won't fail you again, My Mistress," she mumbled to herself.

"Isn't that sister's personal maid?"

She flinched when she heard the voice of the Prince coming from behind her, and she was pretty sure he was with the young master. She tried to stay composed and walk away as if she did not hear anything but it was too late.

"Hey, you!! The maid over there!!" the Prince shouted.

"Keep it down, will you? You're too loud," Ciel told him in irritation. Light just ignored his comment and sprinted towards where Mariel was standing, leaving him no choice but to follow behind.

"May I help you, Your highness?" Mariel lowered her head as the Prince stood in front of her.

"I apologize for the interruption, Mariel. We just want to ask if sister is busy." Ciel butted in before Light could say any more words.

"It is fine. Young Master. The Lady is studying in her room." she answered while looking down to hide the nervousness on her face.

"See? She's just studying. She can do that next time, let's go and save her from the books!" Light stated enthusiastically causing Mariel to panic once more.

"Y-your highness–" in an attempt to stop him, she instinctively dropped the books, scattering them on the floor.

'Oh Goddess of Mercy...'

She watched as Ciel picked up one of the books lying on the ground, she was glued on the spot.

"Isn't a book starting Mages use to practice magic?" Light commented when he saw the book in the young Arkwright's hands.

"... how intriguing." Ciel stared at Mariel who was already sweating bullets.

She messed up.

'I'm so sorry My Lady.'

~~~

"Don't be afraid. Our relationship is good as long as you don't do anything that will harm it," Avy told the older woman who was still in shock after learning her identity.

"I would never do such thing, My Lady." she bowed her head, lower this time.

"Raise your head now. I know you're aware that ruining our ties will give you more harm than me." Avy said with a small smile plastered on her face. "Let's go back to business, shall we?"

She opened the bag she brought with her and took out a bunch of sheets of paper with drawings on them and laid it down on the table for Mrs. Lewis to see.

"I want you to make these clothes for me. Of course, I'll give you the money to buy the materials, the payment after you give the finished product to me is still not included."

Mrs. Lewis picked two sheets, one on her right hand and one on the other, studying the unusual designs of the clothes drawn on the paper.

"These indeed look easier to make. And this is the first time I've seen such designs," the woman stated.

"Make it as simple as possible. And about the money..." she then put two bags of coins on the table. "Will this be enough?" she asked.

"Good quality textiles cost more than a hundred silver coins at most. But these much will cost more–"

"I think each bag has a hundred fifty gold coins at the least. I think that should be good for starters?"

The older woman's mouth gaped open.

"Doesn't matter. You can always ask me for more."

"M-my lady. I wouldn't even imagine earning that much money in a year. And that's more than enough to make dozens of luxury dresses! I-I can't accept that much!" she exclaimed, stuttering. That much could even build a big house or even let a family live comfortably for two years or so.

"Really?" Avy raised her brows, she knew that a gold coin is equivalent to a big amount of money, but she didn't think it would be so much.

"It's fine. I have plenty. I'll pay you a gold coin for every piece of clothing you finish. Besides, I'm also paying for your silence. I think it's worth at least that much," she told her and stood up, getting ready to leave.

"I'll get going. Just send a letter to our household if everything is ready. I'll send people to pick them up."

"Have you finished talking?" Ares showed up with the kids just exactly the time they had to leave.

"Let's go. Ares," she told him and started walking towards the door, but before she stepped out, she looked back and spoke.

"The colors I like are written on the paper. I won't accept anything else," she said before turning her back and leaving with Ares.

"Are we going back to the estate?" Ares asked her as they walked away from the house where the kids live.

"Not yet. I'll stop by the old man's shop today to buy some materials," Avy answered, they were both quietly walking when she stopped in her tracks, something caught her attention.

"What are they doing?" she stated, looking at a couple of men dragging kids to a carriage. The kids were crying and pleading but to no avail, the men didn't listen.

"Are they kidnapping kids in broad daylight?"

Ares shook his head in response. "That's not it. See those adults standing near them?" he said, referring to a couple watching the kids being taken away.

"Those are probably their parents. Commoners often use their kids to extend the time they have to pay off their debts, the kids are forced to be servants until their guardians have the money to take them back."

"That's basically slavery. Isn't that illegal?"

"Of course it is. But if no one reports it, it would go unnoticed by the authorities. In a case where they know a noble would come after them, they would stay quiet," Ares told her with a serious face, he has been living for hundreds of years, and he knows how dirty the world is. He's been with so many people with hidden mud in them, he's practically seen everything unfold before his eyes.

"What a fucked up place. Maybe I'll snitch to Grandfather and have them annihilated." Avy frowned.

"I'm glad you know you can't get involved in everything you see."

"I'm not a very righteous person, and I'm definitely not stupid. I can't go around telling people I'm a daughter of a powerful noble," she answered and continued walking.

"Besides. If you want to remove the grass, you have to go for the roots. Cutting it down will just give it an opportunity to grow bigger."

~~~

"Oh. Avy, you're here again." Esmour Warde greeted Avy as soon as she stepped inside the shop.

"Hey, Pops. How are you doing?" she greeted back as if she had known him for long.

"Better than last time. How about you? It seems like you were caught in trouble during the days you didn't come here." the old man pointed at her neck, referring to her wound that was covered in bandages.

"Nothing serious. Just a couple of assassins were sent to wipe out my household," she replied nonchalantly, looking through the glass where the items were displayed.

"Everyone in your estate is quite tight-lipped. The only thing known by outsiders is that the former Duke went home with the High Priest," Mr. Warde stated. "So, how did it go? Did you find out who's behind it?" he added.

"Nah. The bastards shit their pants in fear and killed themselves before Grandfather could even set his foot inside the estate."

The old man chuckled. "Alcasser is indeed someone worthy to be feared. He's scarier than death itself. I somehow feel what the assassins must've felt before they ended their lives."

"Well curse them. Now, I have to be followed around by an escort." she breathed out in annoyance when she suddenly heard Ares' voice echoed inside her head.

"Get out of that shop now. Hide your face!!"

She frowned, what's with him? She thought he went to buy cakes and desserts because he was craving some? Did something happen–

The sound of the bell indicating that someone entered the shop was heard, followed by a voice of a man that made Avy freeze.

"I'm back, Father."

She turned to look at the source of the voice and there she saw the face of the Knight that was supposed to be her personal guard. Right. He was the one managing that district and he was sent there to bid his goodbyes to his colleagues.

Wait. Did he just say father?

"I stopped by the headquarters to get my things. Lord Alcasser appointed me to be the Lady's..." Clerivan's word faded when he saw Avy staring at him, standing in front of the counter where his Father was.

"...knight," he said, unable to process what was happening.

Avy internally slapped herself, she saw Ares standing behind Clerivan, holding a couple of boxes with his food in them. He was staring at her straight before she heard his voice again

"You fucked up real bad. See you at the estate, I'm going first."

'You traitor...'

She shifted her attention to the Knight who looked like he saw a ghost. Right. She did fuck up.

"Oh fuck."

~~~