Troubles

Today, once again I will go to that library. But, this time, I'm not alone. It's still early and the morning air is really cold in the morning. Birds are chirping and the sun is rising. The scenery looks really pretty from this mansion.

I used to live in the city and this kind of sight is rare... Maybe there aren't any at all. I can't help but stop at one of the many windows that have good views of the beautiful scenery from this mansion.

"Lady... Viollete..." A meek voice calls me from behind. I turn around and look at Rita's face. She is a pretty girl with long black hair tied to a ponytail, older than me by 5 years. I am twelve and she is 17. That's why she is taller than me around 10 cm. I'm 152 cm... That's pretty tall for girls my age.

That old man told me that she has a little sister and a sick mother, that's why she needs to work here to support her family. I remembered his warning last night.

"Violet! I want you to treat her kindly and not push her too much. If you dare to hurt her... I will make you clean and sleep in the horse stables!! You don't want that right....?"

"No No No No No way!!!!" I shake my head and refuse right away.

I shudders when I thought about it.

"Lady Viollete..." Rita calls again.

"Ah.. sorry, I was lost in thought. What is it..?" I reply in a tired voice. I don't get much sleep yesterday as I was still thinking of that mysterious man.

"Aren't you going to eat breakfast first?" She asked.

"Have you eaten yet?" I asked her back. Rita flinched when I suddenly ask her not expecting I will do that maybe.

"Err... Not yet... I woke up early today because You told me to wake you up first". She looks down at her feet and pinches the side of her dress tightly while biting her lips.

"Sigh... You should have eaten first... Good things you remind me..or else people will think I bully you if they found out you are not eating properly". I push my hair that falls on my face to the back of my head with a frown.

"Err.. ahh... I'm sorry..." Rita bows down her head a few times while apologizing.

"You don't need to do that..." I rub my eyes as I let out a sigh. " Let's eat first". After that, we walk to the dining room.

Unlike yesterday, there's only a woman, the beautiful one from yesterday's breakfast.

She must be this body's stepmother. She also has long white hair, just like her children. I've already realized that white hair is more common in this world. I just don't know, what're the differences between hair colors and magical abilities.

'Is there even a difference?' I shrug. I walk to the dining table that's also changed. 'was it because that boy hit this table yesterday? How strong is he!!??' I feel the cold air on my back when I think of his angry face yesterday.

That woman or should I call my stepmother? Smiles when she sees me. "You are early today..." I was stunned when her body emits a gentle aura, Literally...

I just hum and nod at her. After a few seconds, I choose to sit at the same spot I sat yesterday. I was about to pull the chair when my stepmother speaks.

"How about you sit closer to me?" She smiles and gestures for me to sit in front of her. I don't see anything wrong with that and choose to sit in front of her.

"How are you these days?" She asks.

I look at her blankly. "I....am fine?" I reply, but not sure whether the answer is good enough.

"I heard you passed out yesterday. Good thing your grandfather found you... In the library." She let out a sigh. "That library is on the secluded place in this mansion, you shouldn't go there alone. Bring at least one capable maid with you". She tells me with a worried tone. And her brows furrowed with eyes full of concern.

"I know.. Rita is with me". I give her a short reply.

"Your father, Charlotte, and Silas is training, so they left early this morning. Your grandfather has also gone to work, so, It's only you and me..." She smiles again, but this time, I can feel sadness from her tones.

I don't know what to say, so I just nodded showing that I understand.

Not long after that, four servants come and put the foods in front of us. I stare at the servants. Somehow, I can see a black aura from each one of them. Two are beside me, while the other two are beside my stepmother.

"???" What is that? I don't know how to explain this new feeling, but, I can feel their hostility is leaking out...? When I look at the food in front of me, there's nothing wrong with it, but the utensils are... Different.

I also look at the situation of my stepmother. It's the same. The utensils are leaking out some dangerous aura! I can feel it. I glance at my stepmother, her aura has also turned a different color. The gentleness aura has disappeared replaced with hostility, but her face still has the same gentleness as before.

What's going on!!?? I feel weird in my head. I was about to pick up the spoons to examine it when suddenly—

"Wait!!!"

"Stop!!!"

My hand is grabbed by Rita and both of them shouts to stop me.

"WHA—" Rita pulls me away from the table and when I glance at my stepmother, her hands are glowing!!??

"You pick the wrong day to hurt my family..." She smiles and blasts a strong explosion towards those servants.

My eyes went wide with the sudden turns of event. I can't believe my eyes and Rita suddenly picks me up and left the dining room. She runs so fast even though she is holding me.

"What is going on!!!???" I ask Rita while looking at the direction of the dining room. The noise of fighting is loud, and a few explosion appears. I am stunned.

Rita didn't answer me. When I look at her running directions, I gape at the fact that she is running towards the balcony!!

"Wha!!! Rita!! Where do you think you are going!!! Turn around! Turn around! That's the wrong directio— DON'T JUMPAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!" Tears fell from my eyes as we fall from the fourth floor.

I quickly hug Rita's body and hide my face in her embrace as I feel the gravity pulls us down. My stomach feels uncomfortable as we fall and my hugs become tighter.

I don't know what happens, but the pain didn't appear as I thought. When I take a peek at my surrounding, we are already on the ground and Rita is still running.

I was dumbfounded. When I look up to see her face, I see how serious Rita is right now. There is no longer the girl with a cowardly look the first time I saw her.

I don't know what to say anymore. It was at this moment I realized how alone I am. "I don't even know the true face of the people here. They are different from the people I used to deal with. 'Where is this? Why am I here? Who are they? Who are these people?" I bit my lips as I look at the ground. ' what is this sadness?"

Rita's POV- a few minutes earlier

'Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!! That was dangerous!!!!' I run as fast as I could when her grace starts to fight those assassins!!!

'Good thing her grace realized that there was something wrong with those servants and gave me a signal'.

'To think that those trash were brave enough to attack a duke mansion when the Duke is not at home... Are they stupid? ' I scoff.

Lady Viollete almost got injured. ' Luckily she doesn't thrash around when I lift her to run away. '

"Rita!! What is going on!!??" Lady Viollete sounds confused.

'I don't have time to answer her... Where is the fastest route to the safest location?' I look left and right, and when I see the balcony...

'Sorry, Lady Viollete...'

"Wha!!! Rita!! Where do you think you are going!!! Turn around! Turn around! That's the wrong directio— DON'T JUMPAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

I grit my teeth and jump, ignoring lady Viollete's screams. She hugs me tightly, It hurts a little.

Before I reach the ground, I create a small whirlwind from my legs to reduce the impact of falling, then, not wasting any time, I continue to run towards the secret hiding place near the mansion.

After a few minutes of running, I finally reached my destination. A barrier has been placed on this spot whenever trouble like today arises. There are other places like this too, but, this is the nearest to our location.

I go inside the safe room quickly. "Don't worry, Lady Viollete, we are safe now". There is no response. I look down at the person in my embrace, she is burying her face in my chest. "lady Viollete...?" I call again but this time I gape at the fact that her shoulder is shaking.

'Is Lady Viollete crying!!!??' I don't know what to say in this situation. She is still hugging me tightly, but her sobs can be heard clearly.

"Lady Viollete...." I call her in a softer tone this time.

There is a bed in this room and some basic medical equipment. I put lady Viollete on the bed but she still doesn't release her hand around my waist.

"It's fine lady Viollete, your mother will be fine! She is really strong!! I've seen her fighting before! No need to worry about anything!!" I try to comfort her as I pat her head. Still, her body is still shaking.

" Don't worry!! " I panicked. How do I convince her It's fine!!!??? " This room has a barrier around it, only trusted person know this location!!! They won't find us!!!!"

"I'm scared....."

When I hear she says she is scared, my whole mind become blank. I look at her with wide eyes, speechless.