He rose early to ready the horses and carriage for the baron's departure. As the sun cast its orange glow over the horizon, they set off confidently down the brick road, leaving the estate behind.
He stood with the old butler and a housemaid, waiting for the baron to move out of sight before starting their day. "I hope you can keep up, young man. We have a lot to do and much for you to learn," the butler said raspingly, coughing before turning back to the mansion.
Ein observed the old man as he ambled away, his tall frame slightly hunched, suggesting a life filled with experience and weariness. The old man's neatly combed white hair shimmered in the sunlight, and his round glasses perched gently on the bridge of his nose, magnifying his wise, deep-set eyes. His tan skin, though weathered by the years, still held a hint of warmth, partially hidden beneath a soft, worn cardigan that seemed to carry the scent of nostalgia.
As he took each slow step, the man paused for a moment, turning toward the sun, its golden rays illuminating his face. In that brief moment, a flicker of hope crossed his features as he seemed to be embracing the possibility of a fresh start and a brand-new change in his life.
[2 days later…]
Ein carefully polished the silverware in the dining room, ensuring each piece glimmered brilliantly in the warm light. The day had proven challenging for him. The old butler, despite his frail appearance and weary demeanor, stood tall and robust, skillfully guiding Ein through the day's routine. Accustomed to the stables, Ein was unaware of the extensive preparation required before embarking on the day's tasks.
As the old man meticulously arranged everything the baron and his family required for the day, Ein watched in rapt admiration. The air was filled with the subtle scent of lavender as the old man carefully selected specific garments for each family member, paying attention to the nuances of their tastes and the significance of the day's events. He orchestrated the morning rituals with impressive precision, detailing how each family member should be gently awakened, their preferred methods of arousal tailored to ensure a smooth start.
For the young baroness, he chose an elegant pale blue dress made of silk, its delicate embroidery catching the light just right, reflecting the grandeur of her impending debut at court. For the barons' son himself, a finely tailored suit of deep forest green, perfect for the meetings ahead that demanded both authority and grace.
The old man also meticulously planned their bathing routines, selecting soothing oils and fragrant soaps to prepare them for the day's affairs, ensuring that each bathed figure emerged invigorated, their spirits lifted and ready to meet the challenges ahead. Ein marveled at the care and artistry with which the old man transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary, setting the tone for a day that would be steeped in tradition and formality.
This was just one of the many tasks that he had and executed. He also takes care of inventory for all household items and reviews all the work going on in the estate. As well as settle disputes with workers and house staff. From cooking and cleaning, gardening, and so forth. The old butler did it all.
"Clean it... again," the old man commanded, his voice raspy yet authoritative. As Ein was about to finish polishing the set of silverware, he hesitated. Following the directive, he diligently reworked the silverware while the butler observed intently from the side, ensuring that Ein met the high standards expected of him.
"Get up, boy. The madam and young master are coming. We need to prepare," he instructed, pointing to where the silverware should be placed. Ein quickly gathered the silverware and arranged it, leaving enough for the household.
The butler glided out of the room, only to return moments later, balancing a stack of crisp napkins and an array of elegant tableware. As Ein wrapped up his task, he skillfully arranged the gleaming silverware and cutlery in their designated places, transforming the table into a refined setting ready for an exquisite meal.
"Listen up, boy. Go stand by the door and keep quiet unless I tell you something," he commanded, not bothering to look at Ein as he scrutinized the long table, ensuring everything was just right.
"Yes, sir," Ein responded, taking his place.
"And stand up straight; slouching is unacceptable," he added firmly before striding through the double doors into the kitchen.
Ein straightened himself, determined not to make any mistakes.
"I'm starving!" Ivan bellowed as he stormed through the door, kicking it wide open. "Feed me at once!" He swaggered over to a chair that had been prepared, his confidence radiating from him like a king taking his throne.
Ein watched him with a mixture of annoyance and disbelief. What was it about Ivan that made him behave so recklessly? In a family that was the weakest of the barony houses, with little power or influence to their name, Ivan seemed to believe he was destined for royalty, as if he were the prince of the realm himself.
"Ein," Ivan said, his words dripping with clear hatred as he finally looked at him. They were in the large dining room, where the walls seemed to close in.
"Haha, look at this mutt," Ivan added, feeling relieved that Ein had finally entered the dining room to serve him his breakfast.
"I need a new spoon, dog," Ivan said, dropping the spoon on the ground beside him and waiting for Ein to pick it up.
Ein said nothing. He simply retrieved a new spoon and walked over to where Ivan sat. He placed the new spoon down and then started to pick up the old one.
{Thud}{Boom}{Crash}
Ein was violently kicked to the ground, crashing against the side of a chair at the table.
"HAHahaha!" Ivan laughed, relishing in Ein's humiliation, until a commanding voice cut through the laughter.
"IVAN, what's going on here?" she demanded, her tone sharp and authoritative.
Ivan froze when he heard the voice calling him. He turned to the door and saw a woman with auburn hair and emerald green eyes. "I, uh, I..." Ivan stuttered, finally looking down at the table.
"You're the son of a baron; act like it," she said firmly. She approached Ein and added, "I expected better." After a moment, she turned and walked to her seat, ringing a bell to signal that it was time to eat.
"Leave and clean yourself up; you're bleeding," she said, her tone lacking hatred or disgust, merely cold indifference.
Ein stayed silent as he got up from the ground and headed to the kitchen. He could feel his nose bleeding, blood trickling down and staining his shirt. Quiet anger flared within him as he replayed the situation in his mind..
He was fed up with the disrespect from this family. He wasn't their servant or butler; he was the son of the late baroness who had gone missing.
What he was most tired of was feeling weak and being pushed around. But that was in the past; he was determined to take control, but first he needed to clean him self up.
Ein stepped out of the bustling kitchen, where the servers gracefully moved about, balancing plates piled high with a sumptuous breakfast. The warm, inviting aroma of freshly cooked eggs, crispy bacon, and golden pastries wafted through the air, wrapping around him like a comforting embrace. Yet, lost in his thoughts, he did not linger; instead, he continued on his path toward his humble shack, a solitary figure retreating from the vibrant scene behind him.
The melodious chirping of birds filled the air as the sun ascended to its zenith, casting a warm, golden light that danced on the drifting white clouds scattered across the azure sky. Yet, Ein remained undistracted by the beauty of the day. His determination drove him forward, single-mindedly focused on completing the next task before him.
"Why do you look like that?" a little girl asked boldly, her green eyes fixed on Ein with a piercing curiosity. Her short, curly, blondish-brown hair was styled high like a bunny tail, making her question even more impactful as she curiously questioned.
"Ivan," he muttered, the taste of dill lingering in his mouth, his expression twisting into one of unmistakable revulsion as he spoke.
"Why does he treat you like that? It's so unfair!" she exclaimed, her lips forming a cute pout as she looked at her friend with concern.
"Yeah, tell me about it," Ein said, wiping his sleeve across his nose. The blood had dried, and he felt a sense of finality wash over him, ready to move on from the whole ordeal.
"Are you ok?" the little girl said.
"Of course, I can handle it, little Mai," he said, offering her a reassuring smile as he playfully ruffled her hair. This was a familiar routine for him; he had done it countless times when her mother was busy making her rounds to deliver goods throughout the town.
"Did you come here by yourself, or is your mom nearby?" he asked, his curiosity piqued as he noticed she was alone.
"No, I'm a big girl now! I can handle everything on my own," she declared, her eyes sparkling with confidence as she beamed and flexed her arms to showcase her strength. Ein, however, just smirked and rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by her bravado.
"Well, since I've already dropped off your things, I've got to head out," she said, giving a cheerful wave. "Momma wants me back before dinner, and I've still got a ton to do. Catch you later!" With that, she turned and started the journey back toward the house, her footsteps light as they had wandered quite far, nearly reaching Eins' shack.
Ein waved back, a small smile dancing on his lips, before turning away and striding towards his shack. He felt a spark of anticipation as he hoped for a fresh set of clothes, ready to embrace whatever the day had in store.
[Eins Shack 9 pm…]
As twilight fell, Ein entered his shack, the air thick with shadows. But tonight was different; he had a purpose. He approached an old wooden chest and opened it to reveal a dusty lamp and a box of matches. Striking a match, he lit the lamp's wick, and the room exploded into warm light. Shadows flickered across the walls, swirling like forgotten memories, surrounding him in a comforting embrace.
He turns to place the lamp on the table, finding a pie sitting there. He was now surprised, as this morning nothing was there, and now a delectable dessert was placed on his table.
Ein remained silent as he slid into the chair at the table, his gaze locked on the pie before him. He lifted it closer, allowing the intoxicating aroma of fresh apples to envelop him. The scent was nothing short of heavenly, stirring something deep within him—a bittersweet ecstasy he hadn't experienced in ages.
Reluctantly, he placed the pie back on the table, but not before a tear trickled down his cheek. It was the first of many, each one a testament to the swell of emotions rising in him. In that moment, a profound sadness washed over him; this simple pie was a rare glimmer of kindness in a world that had offered him so little for far too long.
He noticed a small note that was now placed on the table. It was from little Mai, as her childish handwriting was apparent. As colors of small flowers and crude drawings of animals were placed on the outside of the paper.
He opened the note and read.
"Happy Birthday, Auran," the note said, as he remembered his given name from his mother. As only Ivan, the baron, and the staff call him that, or just make other crude remarks.
After eating a slice of pie, Ein, once done, moved to his bed before sleeping. Ein kissed the pendant that lay on his neck. Hoping it will give him good luck, and as a reminder of his mother. [
[Midnight…]
{DUH}{DUN}{DUH}{DUN}
The moon stood up in the sky, as a crimson glow oozed out of Eins' shack, leaving an eerie feeling to the night.
As the pendant, an ethereal gem of deep azure and shimmering silver, glowed softly in the dim light, it floated effortlessly in the air, as if a ghost were cradling it gently in its translucent hands. The surrounding atmosphere hummed with an otherworldly energy, and faint wisps of mist curled around the gem, enhancing its mystical presence. Dark energy slithered and swirled around Ein as he lay in slumber, enveloping him like a delicate, shadowy shroud. It embraced him softly, reminiscent of a caterpillar retreating into its chrysalis, surrendering to the transformative darkness for its final metamorphosis.
Finally, the dark energy enveloped him completely, swirling around him like a thick mist before solidifying into a sleek, obsidian shell. It confined him, leaving no escape—as if he were encased in a hardened egg. The most unsettling aspect was the persistent, eerie thumping resonating from within the shell, like a heartbeat echoing in a void, an ominous reminder of his entrapment.
{DUH}{DUN}{DUH}{DUN}