The dim light of the morning sun shined through the tiny gap between Arthur's curtains. It illuminates only a tiny part of the room, which just so happens to be Arthur's closed eyes before he opened them slowly and gazed up to the all too familiar white concrete. It seems just staring up at the same old ceiling made him sick. Perhaps if he was lucky, it'll make him really sick. However, such hopeless wishes like that do not come true at all. If he were to dread every day like this, ending his life doesn't sound like a bad idea. Of course Arthur wouldn't have the guts to consider something like that; it was just an average thought of teenage angst. All he had to do now was to think to himself whilst waiting for Owen to come wake him up like he usually does.

"Young master! It is time to wake up!" A tall figure wearing a black coattail burst through the large symmetrical doors. It's just as he suspected. Owen was never late for these routines.

"Yes, yes. I'm up…" Arthur sat up as he rubbed his eyes groggily. "I don't suppose I'm needed today?"

"It's as usual, young master. My lady is a busy woman, but she's not that busy that she needs all four of her sons to help her with her work. Please do try to bear with it for a while. You will be needed soon once you have developed into a fine young man like all your brothers." Owen said as he pulled the drapes apart and handed Arthur his clothes. 'Define fine' he thought sarcastically. "There will be a guest visiting tonight. My lady asks of you to avoid him of all costs. A dangerous man, he is."

Arthur took his clothes and sighed. "Of course. Just like the rest of the guests who posed as a threat?"

All that Owen could do in these common situations is shake his head and say what he always says. "I'm sure she has her reasons…" before bowing and exiting the room.

The young Kirkland made his way to the connected bathroom and washed up before changing into the clothes Owen handed him. He stood in front of his mirror, an oddly designed one he might add. The frames were wooden, and it was carved at the side with interesting swirls. At the bottom of the frame were the small shapes hearts, diamonds and clubs while at the top was one shape of a spade bigger than the rest. It wasn't affixed to the wall, it was removable. The mirror had gotten old and Owen suggested replacing it. However, Arthur refused to part with it as it was the only thing his mother left behind. Before she died, she had told Arthur that it was his and to take good care of it. He never understood why his mother would give him a mirror but he cherished it anyway. He checked the mirror on his grooming and faked a smile. A face that could fool anyone but him. This became a usual routine apparently, every morning smiling to the mirror as if it would change something, that maybe, just opposite his reflection is hope…but of course such a silly thing would never happen. His fairy tale doesn't have an ending. He would never be saved…

"Young master! Is something wrong? You're taking an awfully long to time to change!" A deep voice interrupted Arthur's thoughts.

Arthur jolted to reality. "Ah! N-nothing! I'm ready!"

Despite saying that, he took his time adjusting his hair and checking for anything that he missed. Arthur takes his morning grooming very seriously. His eyes shifted from the mirror to a photo frame that sat at the corner of the table. Picking it up, he gazed into the green eyes that held comfort and the smile that promises joy.

"Mum…" he whispered as if he only wanted the photo to hear what he said. "I'm going to school. Don't worry about me, I can handle things just fine from the way they are now…" As he heard another impatient knock on the door, he kissed the photo and sat it back on the table. "Bye, love you mum…" he said softly once more before opening the door.

"Alright, alright. I'm out…" Arthur muttered.

Owen looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry young master. I hope I didn't disturb anything important?"

Arthur shook his head. "No, it's fine. Nothing you should concern yourself with Owen."

"I'm glad to hear that. Breakfast, my lord?"

"Yes, with my brothers today."

Owen bowed and set off to prepare his food. Arthur went down the stairs and sat in his usual place at the dining table. He grimaced as he watched his brothers eat their breakfast, creating a big mess at the table. Food splattered everywhere and some stray chunks lying on the table. Their mouths dirtied and covered with sauces. Despite being older brothers to Arthur, they eat like a bunch of 5 year olds. Arthur sighed audibly and cleared his throat to declare his presence.

"You know, I bet girls would definitely be attracted to those charms that you all have…" he remarked. His brothers looked up at him and smirked.

"You know it!" Alistair laughed.

Arthur rolled his eyes but never failing to crack a smile. "Yes, very charming."

"I can't believe you've grown up from the baby Artie we all used to know to this!" Dylan stated, causing the two other brothers to erupt in fits of laughter.

"And what's wrong with this?" he replied, raising an eyebrow and sent them a death glare.

"Nothing! Uh…It's adorable?" Alistair so very cleverly came up with while Patrick and Dylan covered their mouths to prevent from laughing out loud.

Not soon till Owen arrived with his breakfast, scones and a cup of earl grey. Yes, how very typical. Arthur finished it quickly but leaving no crumbs on the table.

"I'm leaving for school now…" he said as he stood up. However, Arthur stopped in his tracks as he heard footsteps descending down the stairs.

"Good morning mother." His three brothers said in unison as Arthur's stepmother walked to the dining table.

"Y-yes, good morning mother…" Arthur followed.

His stepmother nodded at all of them and took her seat at the very end of the table.

"Yes, good morning. Arthur, headed out for school already?"

"Um, yes…"

"When you come home today, I want you in your room. Dinner will be served to you by Owen, is that clear?"

Arthur bit his lip but nodded eventually. He knew quite clearly why his stepmother wanted that of him. He wasn't supposed to show his face to the guests that visit their mansion, some kind of law his stepmother instilled ever since she took over the role as head of this family. Arthur's father died months after marrying her and that's when his life turned upside down. He had to oblige her…because, he's powerless against her when she holds all the power his father was supposed to have. That and he gained a few bruises over the years by learning he had to obey her the hard way. Someday, she might even throw him out into the streets. He's just grateful that she hasn't done that yet.

He took his things immediately and left the house just as quickly. 'Well…at least this day is about as normal as any other…' Arthur thought as his shoulders slouched a bit.

He never did suspect that normal wouldn't quite be the word.

Hello my dear readers! I'm very sorry that this chapter is a little short. I promise the next one would be longer! This is the first time I actually published a story, but of course not the first time attempting to write it. With that being said though, I do hope you'll go easy on me in the reviews? That is if you do review… Please review my story? Pretty please?...