Story Hub: [link]
\\~~~\\ 0 //~~~//
In a possible future, in a world not unlike our own, one single kingdom rose as the dominant and only power. It was an ethereal realm with castles made of gemstone and technology so great it was indiscernible from magic. A land where humanity had advanced so far that to live in comfort and excess was the standard, and a life of hard labor and servitude was a rarity. It was known as the kingdom of Celene.
To be a worker, a servant, or a laborer in this kingdom was seen as a mark of honor. They were the 1% who slaved their lives away so others may prosper. Alas, to be a worker was not a simple choice but a burden granted at birth. Grand worker families spread their branches across the domain. To be born in one meant a life of hard work and labor, no matter your personal opinion.
However, their best and brightest were chosen for the highest of honors. To be personal servants for the eternal royal family that ruled this ethereal kingdom. Among those best and brightest exists one family, the Diane. For generations, the Diane has held the grandest honor of being the only ones allowed to attend the Queen and her daughters. However, such an exclusive honor can create odd results in exceptional circumstances. Such abnormal results greatly influenced the life of a certain young woman who knew naught of what her family history truly meant…
\\~~~\\
I //~~~//
Antherós 11th 758
Serena stared at several mountains of laundry before her as they towered over her with their filthiness. They were haphazardly sorted into a half-dozen piles of servant and noble clothing. It wasn’t all the palace’s laundry, but it was still an absurd amount of dirty clothing. Enough to fill the average laundromat three times over. Thankfully, the palace’s laundry room was basically a massive laundromat, with two rows of washers and dryers that stretched out for what seemed like forever. The maid tried not to cry as she imagined the long and tedious day ahead of her.
“Don’t worry,” a hand was placed on Serena’s shoulder. “It’s not nearly as bad as it looks.”
“Hm?” Serena almost jumped as she looked behind her. “Ah, Ms. Penth. I’m sorry, I just feel I’m in a little over my head.”
“Don’t apologize,” Penth smiled, “and there’s no need to be so formal with family.” Penth was a tall woman who looked to be in her mid-30s. Her long silver-blue hair was tied in a bun and complimented her deep blue eyes. The woman wore the same maid uniform as Serena, although the royal crest on her collar was far more ornate.
‘I still don’t know what to make of this woman,’ Serena thought. It was only a few days ago she learned the older woman even existed, while today would mark the first time they’ve worked together. As a result, for once, Serena was on her best behavior. She’d rather not make an enemy of the Queen’s personal maid, who just so happened to also be the head maid of the entire palace. ‘Anyone who can do both jobs at once is either crazy or the most well-rounded human in existence. Not someone I want to piss off, and unlike with Aré, I’m not beneath her notice. So, let’s tune the sass down for today.’
“I’m sure you’re intimidated by that absurd amount of laundry,” Penth commented. “Don’t be. I have a system that’ll make this quick and easy.” The head maid stepped forward. “Now watch closely, and don’t blink.”
‘What’s she-?’ Serena thought before a gust of air whipped through the room. When the dust settled, one of the piles of clothes was gone, and suddenly, a few dozen of the washers were running.
“I told you not to blink,” Penth chuckled. “Sorry, I sounded like I was joking, didn’t I?”
“No, I think I caught a quarter second of that,” Serena shrugged. “It was mostly a blur, but…”
“Don’t worry, I don’t expect you to do it in half a second like I do,” Penth shook her head. “It’ll probably take you that long just to gather and sort all the laundry.”
“Right,” Serena felt her heart sink.
“I’m just kidding,” Penth laughed. “At your skill level, it’s not a matter of time, but balancing such a large mass of loose items.”
“Yeah, haha,” the raven-haired girl let out a hollow chuckle. “Why are we doing this again?”
“Well, normally, I wouldn’t bother with such a task,” the older woman nodded. “But I promised the laundry maids I’d handle this on their day off. Besides, this will be good training for you. A Diane maid must be ready and able to handle all duties of the household…er, palace.”
“Right,” Serena sighed. “So, you let the entire laundry staff take the day off?”
“Yes, they went skiing. Why, is that a problem?” Penth looked back at the younger woman curiously.
“No, but how many of them are there normally?” Serena inquired.
“About twenty, give or take,” the head maid answered.
“Of course,” Serena desperately tried not to roll her eyes. “Alright, let’s get this over with.”
“That’s the spirit,” Penth patted the younger woman’s shoulder. “I have neglected my duty to provide your training for too long. I have desperately wished to take you under my wing since you began here, but for some reason, Lady Aphros insisted that she would train you personally.”
“Oh, really?” Serena was genuinely surprised. “Why? Not the Lady Aphros part, but why me?”
“I heard such great things about you from Lady Ze. You see, we have a long history, and she’s spoken volumes of your quick progress in her training,” Penth explained.
‘Oh boy, I finally see how Lady Ze set the bar for her training regiment,’ Serena could feel a comically large sweat drop forming.
“Alright, show me what you can do,” Penth gestured to the massive laundry piles.
“Right,” Serena stepped forward and reached towards the still massive pile of servant’s clothing. She did her best to imitate Penth’s lightning-fast washing method but wisely took only a quarter of what the more experienced maid did. In a blur of about twenty seconds, Serena completed her first attempt at the laundry. “How was that?”
“Not bad, but a little slower than I would have liked. Next time, you should…” Penth’s voice trailed off as her gaze suddenly laser-focused on Serena.
“Is something wro-?” The maid tried to reply.
“You’ve got some detergent on your uniform!” Penth boomed but did not yell. Suddenly, the older woman was all over Serena, wiping her down with a handkerchief. “You have some on your cheek, too! That just won’t do!”
“Waaaaah!” Serena instinctively tried to scramble away. However, Penth’s grip on her was iron, like a smothering mother with vises for hands.
“There, much better,” Penth let out a prideful huff.
“Yes, ma’am,” Serena’s head was spinning.
“What did I say about being formal?” Penth put her hands on her hips.
\\~~~\\
//~~~//
Serena sighed as she and Penth exited the laundry room. Their job was complete at the cost of one of the longest hours of Serena’s life. They would have gotten done sooner if Penth hadn’t stopped every five minutes to clean Serena’s uniform. Serena was thinking about how to best excuse herself for a few minutes of sanctuary away from the smothering woman when she spotted Orion coming down the hall. The butler seemed to have gotten a more menial job than her today. He carried a small bucket with bathroom cleaning utensils and looked positively filthy.
“Good day, ma’am,” Orion bowed as he passed the head maid.
“Orion,” Penth replied with a formal nod, her eyes scanning his person. “You’ve got some grime on your uniform. Be sure to clean it before you walk into the eyesight of any nobles.”
“Sorry, ma’am,” the blonde apologized. “Since the Princess has locked herself in her room – again – I’ve been tasked with alternative duties. Which includes scrubbing the palace toilets in Jace’s steed.”
“And why are you doing his job?” Serena asked.
“Because no one can find him today, for some reason,” Orion shrugged.
“Alright then,” Penth accepted his explanation. “However, do not allow being forced to perform such an unpleasant job let you forget your duty or position. You represent the Diane at all times, even when scrubbing toilets on your hands and knees. Understand?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Orion bowed and continued with his work.
“Hmm?” Serena watched her friend go on his merry way while trying to shake off an uncomfortable sensation she got from the conversation.
\\~~~\\ //~~~//
Antherós 12th 758
The next day, Serena was assigned another unusual task: retrieving a vehicle from the royal family’s garage. The sprawling complex was located half-underground on the far side of the palace. The maid thought her day would consist of being hopelessly lost until she encountered another unusual member of her extended family.
He was a man in his late thirties who wore the same uniform Orion did, but it was colored red. His hair was a sandy brown, and he had the same sky-blue eyes all the Diane family seemed to share. An ornate flute was sheathed at his side like a sword.
“You must be Orpheo,” Serena assumed.
“Tis my name indeed,” Orpheo said as he whipped his hair to the side. “Then you must be Serena. Lady Aphros has told me all about you.”
“I’m sure she has,” Serena chuckled. “Speaking of Lady Aphros, she sent me here to find something called the Moon Machine. She wants me to practice driving it in case of emergency or something.”
“Ah, yes,” Orpheo stared wistfully off into space. “A Diane servant must be trained in all matters of the household, ahem, palace.”
‘Where have I heard that before?’ Serena thought.
“Allow me,” Orpheo pulled out his flute and played a little tune. After a moment, a large automobile built like a tank and covered in the royal family’s crest rolled into their vicinity on its own.
“That’s an impressive trick,” Serena gaped.
“If I could not do something that simple, then I wouldn’t be worthy enough to be the royal valet,” Orpheo bowed.
“I guess,” Serena stared at the vehicle, uncertain how to enter it. “I’m still surprised they only have one person down here.”
“It is my duty, or rather replacement duty, and I’ll do it with gusto,” Orpheo revealed a small key fob that opened the Moon Machine with the press of a button.
“Wait, this isn’t your usual job?” Serena asked.
“Well, my true position is as the King’s personal valet,” Orpheo explained. “Alas, the King has become something of a phantom these days, leaving me without a master to attend. Then Lady Aphros recalled being a valet has had multiple definitions over the years, and I’ve been down here ever since.”
“Oh, yeah, that sounds like Lady Aphros,” Serena nodded.
“Do not be concerned for me. I’ve grown to enjoy my new work,” Orpheo assured. “Now, would you like a crash course on operating the Moon Machine before I hand you and it off to Lady Aphros?”
“Sure,” Serena agreed.
\\~~~\\
//~~~//
After a harrowing ride, to say the least, Serena took her first few clumsy steps onto the sweet, stationary asphalt of the palace’s circular driveway. The maid stabilized herself on the Moon Machine and took some well-needed breaths of fresh air. She looked back at Orpheo, who casually stepped out of the tank-like vehicle no worse for wear.
‘Aphros wants me to learn how to drive like that?’ Serena wondered. As the young woman waited for the ground to stop shaking, she spotted Orion biking toward them.
“Good morning, Serena,” Orion waved before spotting Orpheo and stopping. “Oh, good morning, Sir.”
“Orion,” Orpheo returned the greeting. “Where did you acquire that bike?”
“It’s a long story,” Orion rubbed the back of his head. “The princess wanted a bicycle. Not to ride but for some other reason. She requested that I acquire it in a manner that did not involve borrowing one from you, Sir.”
“Very well,” Orpheo closed his eyes and seemed slightly annoyed. “Just remember to represent the Diane family with duty and honor.”
“Of course, Sir,” Orion bowed his head. “I must be on my way,” he biked off.
‘Twice is a coincidence, right?’ Serena thought to herself about the scene.
\\~~~\\ //~~~//
Antherós 13th 758
As another day came and went, Serena found herself with Irene back in her care. Thankfully, this time, she would not be alone. The maid was now situated in the royal nursery. A much more homely and modest room than the rest of the palace. It was barely bigger than a small apartment, with wooden floors and basic rugs. The furniture was also a little odd, being more at home in the 1900s than a futuristic, fantasy palace.
At the center of it all was the royal nanny, Dusa. Her sea-green hair was incredibly long, while her bright blue eyes were covered with a small pair of glasses. She dressed like a Victorian-era nanny in her 70s, complete with a plain white apron, bonnet, and long dress. However, the woman looked no older than her 30s, yet her careful and shaky movements implied she was far older.
“How is the little princess, Serena?” Dusa inquired. The nanny’s smile and voice had a grandmotherly charm. While she was taller than Serena, the older woman stood hunched, making their eye levels the same.
“She’s,” Serena clutched the princess, who wriggled like a small dog, “the same as she always has been.” The young woman didn’t even know where to start with Dusa. The old nanny was a walking contradiction in her eyes. ‘How could anyone be so kindly after putting up with Irene for years? And heaven knows what Atlanta was like when she was a kid.’
“Ah, rambunctious as usual,” Dusa laughed softly. “And how are you, Little Princess?”
“Hi, Old Lady,” Irene replied.
“Now, now, Princess, what have we said about calling people such things?” Dusa gave the young girl a stern but warm reminder.
“That I shouldn’t do it,” Irene relented.
“Exactly,” Dusa patted the girl’s head. She looked back at Serena, “I see you’ve done an excellent job keeping the princess’s behavior in line. Child-rearing may seem like a strange skill to master at your age, but as they say, a Diane servant…”
“Must be trained in all aspects of the household, I mean palace,” Serena replied. ‘Lord, now they have me doing it.’
“Precisely,” Dusa beamed, “you are a quick learner.”
“Yeah, except,” Serena sighed, “we just took our eyes off her, didn’t we?” The two looked down, and Irene had vanished from Serena’s grip and was already halfway out a nearby window. “That figures,” Serena prepared for their usual chase.
“Allow me,” Dusa stopped her. “Princess…One…” Irene froze in her tracks. “…Two…” The princess turned around with the fear of God in her eyes. “…Th-”
“I’ll be good,” Irene returned to Serena’s side immediately.
“That’s nothing short of a miracle,” Serena gripped Irene’s hand extra tight.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Dusa waved her hand.
“But I’ve never seen Irene listen to anyone,” Serena explained.
“Ah, don’t you worry. You’re not too far from that point yourself,” Dusa assured. “Most servants don’t even make it to the end of the first hour with her, and here you are half a year later.”
“You give me too much credit,” Serena blushed. However, in her moment of weakness, Irene slipped away again. “Oh, come on,” the maid exclaimed as she grasped the open air where Irene’s hand was. The princess had already made it out the door and into the hall.
“Oh, little princess,” Dusa shook her head. Her ridiculously long hair began to move and flow on its own. A single long braid of her hair snaked its way across the floor, and out the door, and after but a moment, it came back, tied around Irene. “Must we do this every time?” The nanny scolded as Irene was held in front of her.
“No,” Irene looked away innocently.
“Tsk, tsk,” Dusa shook her head. “At this rate, you’ll only get two treats with lunch instead of three. I know it’s harsh, but that’s why it’s a punishment.”
“Ah, you’re no fun,” Irene pouted.
“Serena,” Dusa looked at the younger girl and whispered. “Now’s your chance to learn something. I want you to send Irene to the corner for the next hour. Remember to be stern, and don’t let her puppy dog eyes get you.”
“I can send her wherever you want. I’m more worried about her staying,” Serena replied.
“It’s the tone, Serena. Make her understand she’s in trouble,” Dusa said before she leaned over to Serena. “Irene is a simple child. She sees all punishments as equal. Which means she’ll accept any punishment. The key is getting her to understand she’s in trouble. It’s all in the tone.”
“Alright,” Serena nodded. She put one hand on her hip, and the other wagged in front of her as she scolded the princess. “Princess Irene, you must stay in the corner for an hour. You will not move from that spot until I say so, young lady. Understand?”
“Hmm,” Irene puffed out her cheeks. For once, she had heard Serena clearly and realized that she might be in actual trouble. As Dusa let her down, the young princess walked over to the corner without complaint and stayed there.
“Wow, that actually worked,” Serena was shocked by her own success.
“An excellent start,” Dusa smiled. “Now, you must prepare yourself for when she plugs her ears. By her logic, she’s not in trouble if she can’t hear you.”
“Of course,” Serena sighed.
\\~~~\\
//~~~//
After a rather educational day, Serena, Dusa, and Irene exited the nursery and headed towards the princess’s room. After only a few hours, Serena had grown fond of the royal nanny and was eager to learn more. However, in keeping with previously established patterns, the three ran into Orion. The young butler was walking with care, clutching a metal case that constantly rattled as though something very lively and very angry was inside.
“Good day, Princess, Ma’am, Serena,” Orion greeted the three.
“Orion,” Dusa greeted the young man in turn. Her lips trembled as though she nearly stumbled over her words. “You know I must ask why you’ve brought such a strange thing into the palace?”
“Oh, this? It was at Princess-” The crate violently rattled in Orion’s hands, interrupting him for a moment before he could regain his grip. “-Atlanta’s request. I promise to keep it contained. Whatever ‘it’ is.”
“Oh, Orion,” Dusa muttered quietly enough that only Serena heard her. “Do you intend to stake your honor on all the Princess’s whims?”
“It’s nothing,” Orion shook his head. “It’s hardly the most difficult task I’ve been assigned.”
“That’s not…” Dusa started before sighing. “Never mind, just remember.”
“I represent the Diane family at all times,” Orion saluted before quickly realizing his folly and regripping the steel case. “I’ll be off before this becomes an issue,” he bowed and left with haste.
“Poor boy,” Dusa shook her head. “If only he wasn’t…No, I must not,” Dusa mumbled.
“Is something wrong?” Serena inquired.
“Nothing you need worry yourself with, deary,” Dusa shook her head.
‘Alright, three’s a pattern,’ Serena thought to herself. ‘There’s some touchy subject floating around here, and I doubt any of the servants will tell me anything. But I know someone who can’t shut up to save her life.’
\\~~~\\ II //~~~//
That night, Serena went to find the one person who’d blow the lid on the Orion situation. The maid had always suspected the Orion wasn’t a particularly well-respected person, considering he once complained that rumors about him would be spread in earshot. Serena had always assumed that had something to do with his connection to Aphros and her reputation to court everything that moves. However, the maid quickly realized that the same was true of her, and she wasn’t being treated so coldly. Speaking of Aphros…
“I request an audience with Lady Aphros,” Serena curtsied to one of the guards standing before the noblewoman’s room.
“Oh, it’s you,” the man recognized her. “Go on in.”
‘I don’t know how to feel about his casual reaction,’ Serena thought as she entered the room. Aphros’s quarters were as gaudy as ever. The chandelier was new, and so was the collection of different colored domino masks on the wall. The woman herself was lying lazily on her bed in a loud yellow nightgown, reading some trashy magazine. ‘The second most powerful woman in the world, everyone,’ Serena rolled her eyes.
“Lady Aphros,” the maid called out.
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll get to it,” Aphros didn’t even look up. “Ah, it’ll never last. Everyone knows she’s a shapeshifter,” the noble laughed at some celebrity article.
“Lady Aphros,” the raven-haired girl grew a little annoyed.
“I promise I’ll do it later,” Aphros rolled to the side. “Ha, I remember that photo. Lord, I look so fat in that dress.”
“Lady Aphros!” Serena snapped.
“Come on, Aré, chill out I’ll…Oh, hi Serena,” the blonde became sheepish. “How long have you been here?”
“About five minutes,” Serena replied.
“What brings you to my quarters so late at night?” Aphros chucked the magazine behind her bedframe, leaped out of bed, and straightened her hair.
“I have a question concerning Orion,” Serena explained.
“Well, you see,” Aphros began, “young men his age have certain needs. Now, it’s up to you if you feel the need to help him fulfill those needs. You are fairly distant cousins, so it should be okay. But, at least wear some-.”
“Stop, stop, no,” Serena interrupted the noble. “I don’t want to know what gross thing you’re talking about, but my question has nothing to do with…whatever that is.”
“O-oh,” Aphros blushed. “Ahem, what is your question?”
“Well, I’ve noticed the other servants are rather cold towards Orion, especially the Diane family,” Serena pointed out. “They trip over themselves to help me, but they act so detached with him. Then there are all the nasty rumors they spread about him while he’s in earshot. Oh, and the fact Jace and Medy have some kind of violent hatred towards him.”
“Oh, that,” Aphros laughed. “I was wondering when you’d bring that up.”
‘Heaven forbid I avoid an obviously touchy subject,’ Serena resisted the urge to roll her eyes again.
“You should have had your suspicions from the start, Serena,” Aphros leaned towards her smugly. “Remember when I first introduced you two?[1] I said he was your distant cousin, but that’s the simple version. It’s a bit of a complicated narrative, but long story short, his parentage is…mixed.”
“What do you mean?” Serena leveled her gaze at the noble. She was in no mood for Aphros’s games today.
“Well, I could just tell you, but I’d rather add the dramatic flair the story deserves,” Aphros whipped her hair for emphasis. “Let me tell you a story of love, agony, and horrible tragedy, but enough about my honeymoon.”
“You’re married?” The maid’s eyes went wide.
“Nope,” the noble smiled. “Now, this is the story of how Orion was born…”
<~\\~~~\\
III //~~~//~>
Decades prior, there came a young butler
Agemen he was, the king’s attendant be
Tis’ he and Orpheo, the king’s two hands
An eager boy, Agemen he was, yes he
A life duty bound, his everything
Until one day, his eyes met a young maid’s
Twas’ the palace’s other side she, Ria, came
Their love was at first sight, unmatched by others
Before long, a romance blossomed right there
Butler and maid, together in secret
Agemen, Ria, every moment of free
In the other’s company spent
Their work, they switched til’ times synched
At one another’s side, they’d always be
The palace watched in awe of their love
But for reasons not good nor pure
Envy and jealously, their two families
To tear the couple apart, they sought
For no other reason than resentment…
And mayhaps, something else, something worse…
The two in love, they would not falter
When their own blood barred their way as one
Secret meetings returned as their way
Beneath the palace, those halls they loved
Twas’ their secret love ground, their sanctuary
They met until proof their love produced
This act Agemen’s family could not deny
Ria was reluctantly welcomed
For Ria’s family, the greatest affront
Ria’s sister, most offended of all
Swore did she, her own child, would be greater
The newly-minted couple did not care
They were together, they were finally wed
Their new child they named Orion
After the constellation in the sky
\\~~~\\
//~~~//
“Alright, alright,” Serena interrupted. “Please stop for a moment.”
“But I was just getting to the good part,” Aphros whined. She had retrieved a small harp from somewhere and was preparing a serenade for the next leg of the tale.
“First off, what’s with the…everything?” Serena gestured wildly. “Why are you reciting it like that?”
“It’s in iambic pentameter,” Aphros beamed.
‘No, it wasn’t,’[2] Serena thought, but her glare said everything. “That’s lovely. It really is,” Serena lied. “But I feel like I’m missing some important details.”
“Fine, ruin all my fun,” Aphros sighed and discarded her harp. “I was trying to find a fancy way of saying this, but the other family was the Regas. That’s why their relationship was a problem. A Diane and Regas in love, while not unheard of, it was never believed to last.”
“That’s,” Serena was taken aback. “Well, I get that they’re rivals, but why do they have to vent their frustration on Orion? He didn’t ask to be-!”
“Ah,” Aphros held her finger to Serena’s lips, shushing the younger girl. “Let’s not go there. I know it’s unfair to him, Serena, but I don’t think the Regas care. And the Diane…well, we’ll get to that.”
“Fine,” Serena huffed. She hated it when Aphros treated her like this, but the noble did have a point. A stupid point that’s ridiculous and unfair, but a point nonetheless. “What about the sister? What was the point of that bit?”
“Oh, she was Jace’s mother,” Aphros explained as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“What!” Serena was floored for a moment until she took a second to think. “You know, I can actually see the resemblance. So those two are cousins, huh? What about Medy?”
“Second cousin,” Aphros replied.
“Okay, that answers that. Please continue,” Serena nodded. But, as Aphros began to open her mouth. “Without poetry, please.”
“Fine,” Aphros rolled her eyes. “But I’m still going to make it dramatic.”
<~\\~~~\\ //~~~//~>
Orion, for that was the boy’s name, grew up among the rest of the palace’s future staff, as all Diane’s are expected to. Alas, shunned he was by his own peers. The Regas gave him nothing but hatred, and the Diane had little sympathy for his plight. Tried as he might, to fit among the others. Rejection was all he faced for daring to be born of two feuding families.
His parents were there, in the early years at least. Alas, as one of the king’s own hands, Agemen was often called away. Ria did her best, as much as one could without the support of their family. That was until duty called. Agemen had to leave for a long-term venture, twas part of working so closely with a phantom-like king. He would be gone for years and many more. Ria was left at a crossroad herself. Go with this man, her love, and her life, or stay with her boy, who was not even six. Orion could not come. Where they would be was no place for a child. Decisions had to be made, and irreversible they’d be.
That was until a beautiful noblewoman came to the boy’s aide. She looked at the boy and the potential in his eyes that was stifled by his peers. To Agemen and Ria, she promised she’d care for their boy in their steed. The two joined hands and left, knowing their progeny was in the best of hands. The beautiful noble, with hair like the sun, took the boy under her wing to train him to be a butler worthy of a princess…oh and Jace too…
\\~~~\\
//~~~//
“Please hold up,” Serena held up her arms in an x. “You trained Jace, too?” The maid asked. ‘And was the emphasis on the beautiful noblewoman really necessary?’
“I mean, at first, but I’ll get to that in a minute,” Aphros assured.
“Okay, so where are Orion’s parents?” Serena inquired.
“Well, they’re still off on their special assignment,” the noble explained. “They’re probably helping General Chrona right now as we speak.”
“I thought you said Agemen was helping the king?” Serena was confused.
“I mean, he is…er, was,” Aphros scratched the back of her neck. “Ah, it’s a long story, and I don’t want to bore you with the details.”
“Right,” Serena groaned.
“You see, normally, workers are raised and trained collectively by their family, leading to strong familial bonds. However, Orion was in a tight spot because neither family wanted to aid in his upbringing. Even the Diane only provided those two lovebirds safe harbor. That’s where I came in,” Aphros explained. “My goal was to heal the rift between the two families by raising those boys side by side. Even the bitter rivalry between the two families could dissolve through their eventual brotherhood, and the palace would be a much more peaceful and cooperative place.”
“But,” Serena raised an eyebrow.
“If you hadn’t noticed, Jace is kind of a pompous dork,” the blonde shrugged. “He did some things he shouldn’t have, and I dumped his ass to focus on Orion. Jace has had it out for him ever since. Well, he already did, because of his mom, but more so.”
‘So much for healing the rift,’ Serena discovered a new way of looking disappointed. “What did Jace possibly do that was so terrible?” The maid asked. ‘Since attacking me in the middle of a crisis situation is apparently only worth a scolding and a few months of military-style punishments.’
“Jace did,” Aphros considered her next words. “Something incredibly stupid, foolish, and shortsighted that I will refrain from repeating here for the sake of the innocent (and Jace).”
“I see,” Serena reluctantly accepted the answer. ‘If Aphros doesn’t want to gossip about it and even abandoned her own long-term plans over it, he must have screwed up big time.’
“Have I answered all your questions, Serena?” Aphros leaned forward with a prideful smile.
“Not exactly,” Serena admitted, “but close enough. Just one thing.”
“Shoot,” Aphros nodded.
“Why are the families rivals again?” Serena asked.
“Did I never tell you that?” Aphros tapped her lip thoughtfully. “Well, it’s nothing special. The Regas had a chance to be the direct attendants to the royalty, but the Diane were chosen instead. That was the start of their grudge, and it’s only grown ever since.”
“Oh right, politics,” Serena remembered.
“Honestly, Jace attacking you was the first openly hostile action between the two families (against someone who wasn’t Orion) in quite a long time,” Aphros revealed. “But that’s mainly because Jace is an idiot, and Medy probably intended him to take the fall.”
“What was the about Orion?” Serena franticly inquired.
“But really, it’s nothing to worry about,” Aphros ignored her. “While the families are bitter rivals, it’s nothing more than passive-aggressive workplace politics. Sure, the Regas get a little snippy every time the Diane get yet another honor bestowed upon them, but they get over it quickly.”
“Yeah, but about them attacking Orion,” Serena tried to redirect the conversation.
“You look tired, Serena. Maybe you should turn in early,” Aphros grabbed the maid by her shoulders and began to push her out the door.
“But Aphros, Orion,” Serena insisted.
“Don’t worry about it. I have it completely under control,” Aphros assured. “Just…tell me if you see anyone making suspicious moves towards Orion. Kay, thanks.” The noble shoved Serena out of her room and shut the door.
‘She could just order me to stop asking questions,’ Serena murmured and returned to her room.
\\~~~\\ IV //~~~//
Serena returned to her room, but before stepping inside, she walked next door and threw open Orion’s door. The young man was patching a hole in his uniform, completely unbothered by Serena’s intrusion.
“Good evening, Serena,” Orion didn’t even look up but still managed to jab his finger with a needle. “Ow.”
“Orion, I have some questions about your family situation,” Serena stated.
“What did Lady Aphros tell you?” Orion looked up at her.
“Everything, I guess,” Serena shrugged. “I’ve always known you to be a fairly positive guy, but how can you when everyone treats you so coldly or worse?”
“It never really bothered me,” the blonde admitted. “Sure, both sets of my grandparents don’t talk to me. I’m never invited to anything, and I’ve had to work on my own for the most part. But, I still have Aphros and, more recently, the princess and you, so I’ve managed.”
“O-oh,” Serena felt a little warm and fuzzy inside. Hiding her blush, she continued, “I’m just concerned. After a childhood like that, you don’t have anything eating at you? No grudges or trauma?”
“It’s in the past, and Lady Aphros said I should rise above such things,” the butler explained. “I never really think about it that much. That’s just how things were.”
“That’s incredibly mature of you,” Serena relented. “Have a good night, Orion.” The maid excused herself and returned to her room. As she changed and laid in bed, her thoughts still refused to settle.
‘I hate getting so invested in situations like this, but dammit, Orion is my best friend. And, honestly, my only real friend around here,’ Serena admitted to herself. ‘He did try to save my life once, too, despite his other screwups at the time. Besides, this family rivalry is stupid, and the only thing more stupid is that they’re taking it out on poor Orion. If this goes on any longer or gets any worse, I’ll have to do something about it.’ After that last thought of conviction, the raven-haired girl slipped right into sleep.
\\~~~\\ V //~~~//
Unknown to all, deep within the palace’s halls, the Regas family’s innermost circle met. The gathered group held all their prominent members. Even Jace and Medy found themselves there. At the head of the table sat a single woman, perhaps a little too young to be the head of an entire family, but here she was. With a passion in her eyes and carrying decades of grudges on her back, she made a furious declaration.
“The Diane will finally know our humiliation. By the end of the month, we will stand at the Queen’s side, not they,” she slammed a poster on the table. A grand event approached, one where all hands would be on deck, and all the greatest eyes of the palace would be upon a single place.
“But how?” One voice raised an inquiry.
“That’s simple. We use the bastard they so carelessly invited into their ranks,” the woman smiled. “Jace, you’ll be on point to ensure this is all achieved. Think of it as a way to redeem yourself, not just in our eyes, but the entire palace, nay the kingdom.”
“It will be done,” Jace grinned smugly, “Mother.”
May This Fantasy Continue A Little Longer…
Next Time: Chapter XVII: Maid
for Family Part 1
>>>~~~~<<<
Navigating around long-standing workplace rivalries is an important
skill. It would be poor form to trigger a moment of hostility through
lack of awareness of the situation, so always work to prevent such
moments by studying the underlying politics of your office. Better yet,
work with management to address such tensions and come to a peaceful
resolution, thus improving morale and output.
Author's Note: Another chapter down, and another one I didn't change too much. Honestly, the biggest thing I changed between this and the following chapters was the timescale, having hard and fast dates rather than vague ones. Other than that I've been mostly pretty happy with what I've written before and just adjusted it to be in line with the current continuity.
I like this chapter, if only for Aphros's bit in the middle, because who doesn't love an excuse to write all fancy. When I first wrote it I did try to write in iambic pentameter, but I realized I couldn't quite get it well...right. So I just made that part of the punchline.
You know despite this chapter ostensibly being about Orion, I feel this and the following two chapters are more relevant for Serena's development. We'll see how she operates outside of the rules and what lengths she's willing to go for a friend. But we also find out that despite being the straight man of this comedy, she's not a super genius or some clever mastermind, she's a teenager who can make rash decisions.
Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy.
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