Ruby Erilleian

"That... is not my daughter, Miss Zee."

My god.

"What do you mean?" Due to the sudden shock, I can't help but blurt out the words carelessly. I forgot that I was in the middle of a conversation with the guard and I just heard collective gasps before my face hit the rough floor.

"How insolent! Even young children would know about the past wars and the sacrifices of heroes for our sake! You stupid girl!" The maid's voice was filled with exasperation as she ranted to me. When I tried to take a glance to the lady, but my head was just pushed to the floor before I could even move it.

"Don't move, you impudent child!" Then he pressed my head harder. I am under the disguise of a 12 year-old girl, with jet black hair and eyes with a thin and small body.

"Miss Zee..." I glanced at Quezir who was looking at me with pity and terror. "Stay still." I silently muttered to him and he just nodded. I was in the middle of thinking of breaking the guard's leg to escape from this annoying position when I heard a familiar sassy voice from the front.

"Guard, stop stomping at her. It looks unsightly." Even if her voice held disgust, I was a little glad since the guard wasn't stepping on me anymore. I turned my head to the guard behind me and looked at him coldly.

Be grateful to the lady or you wouldn't have been able to work anymore.

"What are you looking at, kid?" He said with arrogance and as much as I wanted to answer him, I turned my sight to the lady who was looking at me with contempt.

"I am Ruby Erilleian, the only daughter of Duke Jasper Erilleian and Duchess Camellia Erilleian. I came from the ducal house that made big contributions in training the army soldiers for the great wars that have happened in the past generations. Now, tell me, who are you?" Despite hearing the pride from her cold voice, I could feel the anger that she wasn't able to completely hide.

Hmm... How should I answer this one?

"Miss Zee, she really isn't my daughter. Although she looks like her, my child has a small scar on the left side of her neck from an accident before. She might have grown but even if I took a closer look a while ago, there wasn't any sign of it even if there were traces of powder there." I inwardly sighed with what I heard.

So does that mean this is a wrong tail to follow? But... something feels weird.

"I asked you a question. Answer it, child." Her tone was stern and hard but that was nothing when something caught my eye.

Shit.

Her eyes.

For a split second, her brown eyes turned red.

I tried to suppress a gasp because I knew that once she'd realize that I found out her real identity, these people here wouldn't survive. Even if I don't like them, I'd rather not have people dying without any strong and justified reasons.

And if that's really the identity of the "Ruby Erilleian" in front of me, then there's a possibility that...

Well, shit. Here goes nothing.

I braced myself for an upcoming series of reactions.

"Ah! Ruby? Ruby's your name? Mine is Ruby too, pretty miss!" I almost wanted to puke when I heard my own voice and changed my demeanor.

Unusually high-pitched and cheery with a big smile and forced bright expression, which is so not me.

It also took them by surprise since I saw how their pupils dilated like they saw a madwoman going around the street.

Well, I think it's not wrong since I must say that I'm pretty mad myself.

"What the hell?" I tried to control my laughter when I heard the disbelief in the guard's voice behind me. Although it was quite unusual for me to do that, if my hunch is right then I should have a good reaction by now.

I saw how the lady's right eye twitch slightly, making me smirk inwardly.

Got you.

"Oh, is that so? You have quite an interesting name, child. Then, do you know why you are here?" The anger she was trying to conceal before was out in the open, although it seems that the others can't sense it since she's still using the same tone as before. I just knew about it when I heard slight changes in the way she spoke, like the way she said the words were a little bit longer.

Looks like her pride can't take having someone with the same name as her, huh?

"Ruby doesn't know why she's here, lady. Did Ruby perhaps do something wrong?" Heck, I want to vomit with the innocent tone and expression that I made. Not to mention the way I spoke in third person.

But it's not like I have any other choice. This is the only way I can help Mister Quezir.

Even from afar, I could see how her grip on her fan tightened, although she tried to maintain a calm face. The maid beside her was also looking at me with a dumbfounded expression, as if not believing with what she just witnessed.

"Is that so, child? You really don't know?" I shook my head slowly and I saw how a smile crept on her face. A smile that looked kind for others, but for me, I knew it was a menacing one. Her gaze went past me, which I assume that she is now looking at the guard behind me.

"If that is so, then I think we can just leave this from the record. Would that be possible, guard?" She then asked the guard behind me who immediately replied, "Yes, my lady. Anything you wish." The lady nodded and turned her gaze to my direction. I was then met with her brown eyes who did not have disgust anymore, rather, there was anger and menace there.

"In return, do you want to come with me to my house, child? There are a lot of delicious foods there." My face immediately brightened and I fervently nodded. "Food? Of course! Ruby will go wherever food is!" Though I sounded childish, I must admit that I was being honest with that answer.

Food is life.

Besides, I already got caught in her trap.

Though that doesn't matter since that was my purpose in the first place.

"Good." That's what she said and the hours passed by like a blur. I could only remember the lady talking to the guard before bringing me to her luxurious carriage. By the sundown, we were already in front of a huge mansion made up of white marble and gold pillars on the outside with adornments of red jewels on the walls . Upon entering, there were also red roses along the pathway and I can't help but think on how this family is too obsessed with red.

Just like the woman in front of me.

She was slightly smiling as her hair was swept away by the gentle night breeze. Although she may look fragile and kind in this state, I could see the hidden dangers lurking beneath her brown eyes.

"Welcome to the Erilleian mansion, child."