A Nobless.

"And that is all, Rodney," Nyx said giving Rodney a file.

Rodney taking the file looked as if he wanted to say something, but, he hesitated.

"Yes, My lady..."

"Is there anything you want to say, Rodney?" Nyx asked seeing Rodney hesitating.

There was a moment of silence before Rodney spoke up.

"My lady, Max won't like these arrangements for your security. Your return to the Prince family is near, there are many people after your life. Even I think-"

Interrupting Rodney, Nyx started speaking.

"Rodney, when I needed you people the most, you people treated me like a child. I don't have anyone, I'm all alone. We have talked about this in the past, haven't we? I have changed a lot in the past couple years, Rodney! You people have lost my trust. So why should I trust my safety to you? Give me one good reason, why should I! These people, I have chosen are loyal to me, they will never betray me. If I tell them to die, they will happily comply with my wishes. More importantly, these people I have chosen are much more PROFESSIONAL than you people. Tell, me then?"

Nyx waited for Rodney to reply but there was only silence.

Rodney didn't dare to look eye to eye with Nyx.

"I'm grateful and indebted to you three for raising me but that's as far we can go, Rodney. You were like a father to me and Kira was like a mother. Max was my guardian angel protected me from everything but that's all in the past."

"I don't care what Max will think, either he listens to me or tell him to give me his contract token so I can set him free."

Rodney flinched hearing Nyx.

The contract token is something that binds Max with Nyx.

If Nyx sets Max free, he will not be bound to Nyx anymore nor the Prince family.

Unlike Rodney, Max is part of the Prince family.

He is not considered a person but a slave to the Prince family.

There was never a case for a servant born inside the Prince family to be free from their contract.

"I need people who listen to my orders, not people who disregard my orders and thinks WHAT IS BEST FOR ME! Max will be in charge of my aunt's security. Jasper Eden will replace, Max as my head of security. Things will get tense in the coming months and from next year, Lyle will do his utmost best to get rid of me. I need people I trust with me by my side, that is all." After finish saying what she wanted to, Nyx walked passed Rodney who was standing there like a statue.

Rodney didn't move until Nyx left the study.

~~~

"Well, it kind of hurt but I guess I can live with that." Nyx muttered as she sat on a bench at the garden.

'Can you?' Aurora's voice said in Nyx's mind.

"Yeah... Anyway, where are you, by the way, sis?" Nyx asked Aurora.

Aurora didn't reply straightway, a minute later in a soft voice as a whisper Aurora replied to Nyx.

'A date...'

"!!!" Nyx/Aaron were shocked hearing Aurora.

"With WHO!!!" They both inquired at the same time through the telepathic channel.

'It's with Takashi, it's not a DATE date but we are only hanging out together. We watched a movie and are going shopping now, will go to one of his restaurants in the evening where he will treat me to a delicious dinner. It's just a friendly outing.' Aurora said replying to the two of them.

"How is that not a DATE!!!" Nyx/Aaron.

'I don't have any feeling for him, just letting you know in case you have forgotten that fact.'

"Well, whatever it is, sis. Don't play with peoples feelings, in the end, you are the one who will end up getting hurt the most. Karma likes to play with love a lot!" Nyx/Aaron sighed before replying to Aurora.

'I know, don't worry. You will be the first to know when I fall for someone, okay?' Aurora said before closing up the telepathic channel.

Feeling the channel shut off, the two rolled their eyes.

Nyx them sent a message to Aurora saying 'You don't have to be afraid of any lectures so don't shut off the channel.'

Soon the telepathic connection with Aurora opened up again.

Seeing how childish Aurora is acting, Nyx/Aaron chuckled.

Nyx caught a glimpse of someone coming her way from the corner of her eyes.

"Julian."

Julian took a seat in front of Nyx on the opposite side of the table.

"Mistress..."

"Is there anything you like to say?" Nyx asked seeing Julian nervous.

"Yes, it is regarding the Grace family." Julian replied looking down.

He doesn't know how to tell Nyx about the Grace family.

"Then go on, speak."

Hesitating, Julian spoke up.

"The Grace family want me to join the main branch, they want me to be the 'First Grace of Winter' and serve the 'Nobless' of Aurier."

Nyx's face darkened.

Her face became emotionless.

"Tell me about the 'Nobless' and the 'rule of Aurier', Julian! I remember Rodney telling me that The First Grace of Winter is the leader of the four seasons, who serves the leader of the Grace family. Why would they ask you, a branch family orphan to be the successor to such honourable and respected position? You are in your early 20s, your academic records are 'average'. So what is special about you that they want an orphan of 'dirty blood' to be someone of status just below the leader of the Grace family?" Nyx narrowed her eyes as she focussed murderous intent on Julian.

(A/N: Julian's academic record compared to the geniuses like Nyx, Sabastian, Aurora, Aaron, Kieran and Takashi is quite average. But he is still a genius, just below them.)

Julian flinched hearing Nyx's cruel words but he stayed silent.

Seeing that Julian was not speaking up, she was disappointed in Julian.

"Why have you not inform me about this sooner? Julian Mathew Grace! WHO DO YOU SERVE!!!" Nyx raised her voice as she stood up and looked down on Julian.

Julian sitting up, quickly kneeled in front of Nyx.

"I serve, Nyx Aurelia-Rose Prince. The Noble rule of Grace. The future Nobless of Grace." Julian said as he cut his left palm before extending his hand towards Nyx.

"Julian, you have greatly disappointed me... You have taken 2 months to tell me this?" Nyx said in a disappointed tone.

"You shall be punished accordingly, 10 lashes to your back. Confine yourself in the dungeons, and reflect on your actions for three weeks."

"Erina has already submitted her reports. You were too late, Julian." Nyx said turning back leaving Julian kneeling on the ground.

As Julian watched Nyx leave, he made a silent vow to never make Nyx disappointed in him again.

"Yes, Mistress." Julian muttered as he stood up.

~~~

Nyx sighed as she leaned her head against the window.

She felt suffocating inside Prince Manor.

She can't wait to go back to the apartment in Starfall city.

As she looked outside the car window, the outside scenery.

The sun was setting, the sky looked beautiful in yellowish-orange colour.

Nyx's heart felt heavy, as she went through everything that happened today in her mind.

"I feel s*it!" Nyx muttered softly.

Taking a deep breath she shouted on top of her lungs.

"I FEEL SH*T!!!"

"Uhm, Princess, do you want ice cream? It kinda helps when feeling sh*t... Trust me it will help big time!" Belford who was driving said awkwardly looking at Nyx through the rear-view mirror.

"Thank you, uncle Belford. That is an excellent idea!" Nyx replied to Belford, her eyes started sparkling after Belford mentioned ice cream.

Suddenly, Nyx's phone vibrated.

Seeing the caller-ID Nyx smiled.

Picking up the call, Nyx whined to the caller.

"Ana!!! I feel sh*t, give me your love. Cheer me up, please!"

Forgetting all the depressing stuff that happened today, Nyx's heart cheered up by ice cream and Ana's phone call.