~A/N~

Okay, so I'm so sorry for not updating this for a little while now... My internet is down and I'm actually uploading this from a library. Anyway, it has come to my attention that I have given a quite different explanation to Nikolai's looks... They differ from the official one. I deeply apologize. Though I will continue to write his looks as I have only to keep consistency to the story. Again, I apologize. Though please enjoy :) If you would like, you may dismiss my wrong information.

September 27th 1863

"Madeline get up right now! You keep breaking things, but in enlightenment, that only makes you work harder! Will you ever learn?" Nikolai hissed.

Madeline wobbled to her feet but managed to keep balance. She sighed loudly for she hated what he'd become. It truly bothered her.

"S-sir, I am s-"

"Do not even start! Sorry this, sorry that! Can you just shut your mouth?" He raised his voice.

"Yes sir." Madeline's strawberry blond head bobbed in a slight nod.

"You have two minutes to clean yourself before you have to clean the entire house. Do you understand?" Nikolai hissed in her face.

"Yes sir." She repeated- as a whisper this time- and hurried back to the kitchen. Mentally slapping herself for talking back to her master as she cleaned her cuts. If it weren't for her idiotic pride, she wouldn't have been slapped across the face- which was the real reason to dropping the dinnerware.

Cleaning her cuts rapidly, she raced to the equipment closet. She was not going to finish this house by sunset...nor sunrise-in that matter. It was going to take more than a week. In addition, considering his attributes nowadays, he would most definitely make her work non-stop.

Madeline cursed under her breath as she thought about working for a noble. In addition, he was a rude, non-gentlemanly, abusive, cruel -and anything horrid- male. Rage could only build inside her as she began to scrub the granite floor.

"Miss Williams..." The gentle voice of her Master's sister came from the door.

Immediately Madeline stood. She gave a courtesy and smiled. "Ms. Braginskaya, you're back from your stay in Ukraine already?" She smiled weakly.

"Oh Madeline, I've asked you a million times for the past three years to call me Katerina. We are friends after all." Katerina's sweet smile was brought to her cherry lips and she walked towards Madeline- her lilac dress following after her. Her chest was rather big but, the dress suit her perfectly. As it fanned from her slim waist it brought delight to all her sweet curves, also bringing attention to all the right places. The dress, in deed, had plenty of lace- having a flirtatious twist to it. Of course it had lovely sleeves that reached her elbows- leaving her slender forearms uncovered. Not to mention her golden blond hair fell perfectly straight to her jaw, a simple lilac ribbon holding it in place.

"Yes of course, forgive me Katerina. How was your trip?" Madeline questioned as she took notice of Katerina's long black curvy eyelashes.

"Lovely indeed. I finally acquired a break from this traumatic household. I met a lovely man there as well. A sweet 'Sadiq', as he called himself. Oh but he was sweet. Quite the gentleman and his looks were just an extra." Katerina winked. "Tell me Madeline, dear, why don't you go on a little vacation of your own? You do quite deserve one."

"O-oui... I do deserve one...but Nikolai does need me." Madeline sighed in return.

"Oh darling, personally, I think you should take one. Even if it is just for a few days. Besides Toris, Ravis and Eduard, you're the only one here."

"Yes but that's another reason why I need to stay."

"I can take care of him, trust me."

"But-"

"No excuses. You are going on a vacation and that is final. You're the only one that keeps this household sane and thus you need to be sane too." Katerina insisted.

"Williams! Did I not tell you to begin on your chores? Why are you not doing so?" Nikolai hissed upon seeing that Madeline was not cleaning.

"I'm s-sorry-"

"Nikolai! Can you not see that I am speaking to her? Did I not teach you any manners?" Ms. Braginskaya asked with a rather venomous tone.

"Yes of course, my dear sister." Nikolai rolled his amethyst eyes.

"Now, do let her sit and talk with me. I really would like that." She calmed down, her voice sounding as sweet as ever.

"I will allow that, only for my dear sister...Katerina." Nikolai gave a fake smile. "But please do let her get on top of her chores. She does need to clean the whole estate." He added then pivoted on his right foot only to leave.

Katerina and Madeline sat still and quiet for a little while, just staring at one another.

"Well, Nikolai is right, I do need to start on my duties." Madeline broke the silence first.

"Ah, that is quite true..." Katerina drifted off. "But, I do want to speak with you about certain matters...concerning Nikolai..." She began once more.

"Madeline nodded as if signaling for approval. "Yes, do go on." She said.

"After the certain...even-if you may call it such- he... Well...He changed quite a bit... And well..." Katerina was not sure how to word it. "He has become quite abusive towards you and I would like to apologize for his actions on his behalf."

"Why would you? Please do not apologize." Madeline gave a courtesy. "Now, if you would kindly excuse me, I do need to complete the tasks that are required of me." She then hurried off to continue her chores, leaving