My Name is Drak Berklin and I am not a good child.

  Today was the third day of the vacation days for Luke and Katherine and the Carriage of them coming home is already visible. Even with Teleportation, it was not easy to go from the Central Domain to our Duchy it seems. For their return all of us are already waiting, even ‘Father’ and his Wife.

  Entering the Gate the Carriage stopped and after the Door was opened by the Coachman Elizabeth came out and hurried to her Mother to give her a hug.

  “Mom, I have missed you! I have to show you the newest fashion later, it should spread in a few Months even to our Kingdom and you would be one of the trendsetters if you were to wear it early!”

  “Ah yes, how nice of you dear daughter. I have missed you too and am happy you are fine. How are your studies?”

  “Mom? You sound a bit distant, are you ill?”

  “Not particularly, many things have happened and your Father and I are working hard to remedy some domestic errors.”

  “Oh, some agriculture or so? I can’t help there, I still don’t understand what that stuff has to do with Nobility.”

  “Silly girl, we need to know how to lead and this is one of the things we have to supervise or our people might starve.”

  “Yeah, no that is not good, then we would get less taxes and I can’t buy the new fashion. Still stupid, just hire someone who knows about dirt or whatever.”

  Luke slowly walked, after he had ordered the Servants to unload the Luggage, to the conversation and interjected.

  “We do, but… Nevermind you will understand in later classes.”

  “Welcome home Kids. The meal is already prepared, so let us eat first and afterwards you can tell us your Stories.”

  After ‘Father’ announced this the Family was walking to the Banquet room. Many things were already prepared, especially for the return of my two half siblings.

  “Huh?”

  Elizabeth exclaimed in wonder. I would have never thought she would be the first to notice it as Luke was the sharp one.

  “Mom, Dad, why is there another set of tableware at the end of the table?”

  “Ah, this? This is for Drak, as he is a part of the Family. It would be cruel to just let him out of it, don’t you think? Seeing how we appreciate you two, he might start working harder.”

  Hearing this Luke just said without emotion.

  “That will never happen. Trash stays trash even if it starts to polish itself.”

  Elizabeth laughed and did not notice the subtle face distortions of their Parents. Not that it means anything to me, but Claire was angry as I noticed her small fist being clenched hard.

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  Sitting down the first people to get something were obviously the ‘Head of the Family’ and his Wife. Afterwards came the two Children and with this the food was given out by the Servants and stood back. Elizabeth and Luke started eating, not noticing how their Parents were waiting a bit longer. From my side of the table Raja was taking my plate to put my portion on it.

  The first who saw her was my Brother Luke who just froze. Seeing how Luke suddenly stopped in shock Elizabeth looked too and got white before letting the cutlery fall onto the table.

  Raja was unperturbed and just carefully put the meal portioned onto the table. Her workmanship was not perfect but got better over the weeks, it was close to what the Servants could do and they had Years to learn, while Raja had only weeks.

  “Who… What is this Maid?! Father, you should throw her out immediately!”

  “No can do, she is Drak’s Maid.” ‘Father’ said with a flat tone. “While I understand your shock, you can just ignore her.”

  “Had Drak become perverted or something? Make him change the Maid, or I might die of shock if I see her at night!”

  While their Parents started to eat, her Mother also rejected the notion between bites.

  “To change the Maid, we need someone to change. Would you give one of your favourite Maids in exchange, dear Daughter?”

  “I… why would…”

  “Figures. Just ignore her then. Isn’t it better for Drak to have his own little Maids? Less problem for the Servants in the larger sense, as they have to not care so much about him.”

  Luke and Elizabeth were silent afterwards but glanced around like something was not right. This only increased my dedication to do it. They were too dangerous.

  —

  Hearing them in the halls Elizabeth, Luke, ‘Father’ and his wife were walking the corridors to the Study.

  “You have grown over the years. I am proud of both of you, but there were changes in the duchy we need to discuss. It is a private matter, so you have to swear to never tell anyone. Even our Servants have been put in the dark.”

  “This serious Father?”

  Luke’s voice was rather low. Elizabeth did not say a word and might be just listening carefully.

  “Sadly yes. It can make or break our whole Duchy. Maybe even the Kingdom, therefore you have to be ready and keep the Secret in your heart. I would have loved to hide it from you until the end of my life, but…”

  ‘Father’ sounds depressed, I can understand why, but somehow I feel not a tiny bit sorry for him.

  “Will we have financial issues?”

  This time it was Elizabeth asking. It was clear she was scared her spending Money would be deducted. She was a rather spendthrift as I was looking through the account Books.

  “This I can not say for sure, but there should not be a financial cut in any way. You just have to be strong and understand the standing of our Berklin Family, afterwards everything should be okay.”

  ‘Father’ explained as best as he could, but it was hard for him to not say anything in particular. I could imagine how hard he was trying to not say wrong things.

  The steps got louder but there were no more conversations before they reached the Study.

  “Everything will be clear afterwards. Now go into the Study first.”

  After their Mother said that the door opens and before Luke and Elizabeth could go in more than one step they noticed me sitting on the Chair in the Study. Claire and Raja were standing right next to me.

  When our eyes met I could see extreme confusion in both their faces, before they were shocked as they were pushed hard from behind.

  “We are so sorry, children.”

  With those Words the Doors were closed and locked behind them by their own Parents.