Chapter 2

  Aaron is not a levelheaded person. So, when he goes off the deep end, there is no stopping him. I should have known that the reaction Hadley gave when we heard something breaking meant she was the one who did something wrong. The problem is that Hadley doesn’t have the privilege to do anything wrong. She’s also a Blood Servant, and she’s on her third strike with Lady Blackwood. What did she do so bad that Aaron is so pissed off?

  “Of course, sir. I am sorry to ask but do you want me to bring her right here to you or do you want me to bring her to the offices.” His face tightened but he remained as calm as possible.

  “Right here! Exactly where I stand, Scarlett.” His body shook in rage. Hadley could be sentenced to death if she is found in the wrong, as well as her husband and her sister.

  I turned around and started to speed-walk back to where Hadley had been earlier. When I rounded the corner, Hadley was not there. However, the clothes she was folding were still on the stool and not finished.

  “No Hadley, don’t run.” I said to myself. I ran into the maid’s changing room; there was at least 6 women in there. No Hadley in sight.

  “Have any of you seen Hadley Aria?” Everyone shook their heads. Hadley is not allowed to run and if I don’t get her in front of Aaron soon, we’re both in huge trouble.

  I ran up to the counting room, where most of the little kids find themselves doing homework or playing. Usually this is the messiest place, and Hadley is always the one who is sent to clean up. I moved past some of the workers that were sweeping and mopping the second floor’s main hallway, and I dashed around the last corner to the counting room.

  I slammed open the door and found she was not in there. I shook my head, I didn’t understand where she would go. I turned to walk out when I felt a breeze on my shoulder, there should be no breeze coming through because it’s too early to have the window open. I looked over at the window, and it was wide open. I walked over to close it, when I saw Hadley climbing on the fence from the bottom of the window.

  “Hadley, Stop! You can’t go over there! Hadley, please think about what you are about to do. Hadley Aria, Look at me!” Hadley stopped climbing the fence, I knew other people had heard me by now. If she comes down and comes back to the mansion she will still at least get a trial. She may be spared and so will her family. Hadley started to climb down from the fence slowly like she was contemplating if she should even listen to me or not.

  Hadley has had an unfortunate life. Her sister was brutely murdered when she was around the age of 18. Her sister was engaged to marry to one of the neighboring towns. The mayor of the town was giving her family an out and wanting to become partners from a marriage contract. However, because of the death of Hadley’s sister the family scrambled to figure out arrangements for the sister’s funeral. As well as keeping the friendship with the neighboring towns.

  They decided to move around roles in the family where the second eldest brother would take over the company, Hadley would be married to the mayor’s son, and the 2 younger sisters would take over few other businesses the family owned. The day Hadley was to marry Colden Aria; her second eldest brother was murdered. Hadley had found out right after her honeymoon; it was not even a week before she had to bury another sibling. Also, she is using up her own savings to help her family with the funeral. The murders of the two siblings were completely different from each other. Nothing was the same in any way, not the bruising, the way they were killed, the only thing that was noted was the person was right-handed.

  After two years of marriage, Hadley went to her family’s home for a little visit. She wanted to see how everyone was doing with the anniversary of the deaths of her siblings. She also wanted to escape from married life even if it was for a few hours. As Hadley approached her house, she decided to cross the street, so she was visible when she walked to the house. However, she finds her parents’ house surrounded by the governmental police. In her heart and mind, she knows her parents are gone. That the killer was coming for all of them. She froze on the opposite side of the street where her parents’ house stood, already in tears. She watched as the police dragged her family out of the house on stretchers. Three of them came out meaning one of her sister’s had died as well.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  One of the cops yelled to search for the house to make sure no one was hiding. Not even 3 minutes later, she heard a commotion coming from house. The cops were wrestling with someone; A man with fairly expensive hoodie jumped out the window and ran straight towards Hadley. He held a knife at his torso and screamed at her to die. Luckly an officer tackled him to the ground, the man laughed in an evil cynical way. When the police pulled him up right, she realized it was her older brother.

  His grin is still etched into her memory.

  I ran back downstairs to meet Hadley back at the entrance, but she was met first by the guards and Aaron himself. Aaron was fuming at the mouth; I can’t help her in any way, especially when the guards are around. I walked slowly towards everyone, just as a caution.

  “Scarlett!” Aaron yelled. If I wasn’t a blood servant, I would never let a man, especially a young man at the age of 23 yell at me like this. However, I am a blood servant and have less rights than a domestic animal, I have no right to defend myself.

  I walked over to him on a slow to medium walk. I didn’t want the guards to think I was doing anything intrusive, or anything that would look like I was trying to get revenge for Hadley. Nonetheless, I still needed to get to Aaron quickly.

  “Yes, Sir?” I stood about 3 steps back and one step to the side of where Aaron stood. He didn’t look at me; he just scowled at Hadley.

  “You are not going to be taking care of the kids today. Go with mother.” He turned to me, his eyes dark. Aaron doesn’t hate me, but he feels like his mother lets me have too much say in things that don’t concern me.

  “I’ve already informed mother about this situation. You will find yourself with your first strike, if I find that you have said anything to persuade mother in way for her to give Hadley lesser punishment. This is Hadley third strike, just because you saved her from being killed by the implant. Doesn’t mean you have saved her from a trial. Leave, before mother gets testy.” I nodded my head; I took a last glance at Hadley and walked away.

  * * * * *

  I want to cry, but crying is not allowed. Especially if it is for another blood servant. If we find sympathy in others like us, that shows “them” that we are not remorseful for their crimes and ours. Even though we were not the ones that were in the wrong.

  I walked to Lady Blackwood’s bedroom; I knew she was still getting ready it was only 7 am. Aaron usually accompanies the lady to the entertainment compound but when something comes up or he is indisposed he will have me attend with his mother. Lady Aubrey Seraphine Blackwood, wife of Harrison Dominic Jefferson. There are some rumors that have been going around since the day Lady Blackwood was married. People accused her of stealing her sister’s husband, if she wasn’t adopted Harrison would have married in the real family. Lady Blackwood was never supposed to be in the position that she is in now. Things like this, but Lady Blackwood seems to brush off all rumors and threats like it is a fly buzzing in her ear.

  The Lady’s bedroom was in the highest part of the mansion; this is one of the largest rooms as well. The room is a bedroom, office space, as well as a nursery for when she has more children. Lady Aubrey wants two kinds of legacy, a child’s legacy, where all her children will do something good in the world and maybe surpass her. As well as her own legacy where she will be more than what people think of her.

  I made it up the militant floor where the ladies bedroom lay. The doors to the room are the oldest doors in the mansion. This room used to be the ballroom, and the doors were custom made with copper and silver. The person wanted everything to be larger than life could ever fathom. The doors had pictures engraved in the infused copper and silver. I composed myself as much as possible, I don’t want her to think that I have a problem with any decision that is being made. I knock 3 times.

  “Scarlett, come in.” Lady Blackwood calls out. I opened the large double doors and walked into the room. The office is the first part of the room so no one can see the couples’ intimate items. I maneuvered around the desk and into the next room, which was the Lady’s room.

  Lady Aubrey stood in a long black dress with accents of red. The dress was tightly fitted to her body but flattered her in every way. Her blonde hair was thrown up into a messy bun, with one hair sticking out of it. She already had her shoulder bag packed, and she had her shoes at the edge of her bed. She was fully ready to leave, I wonder why she isn’t more impatient. Lady Blackwood is the type of women when she has a schedule she will stick to it. Being late is not an option or an excuse. Lady Blackwood turned away from the mirror and stared at me.

  “How are you doing with what happen this morning, Scarlett?”