Lady Delphine ch.4
Following the long, empty corridor, I decided to check up on the next heir to House Elaclaire in order to ensure that no foul play had occured. His sister was fighting for her life, and he was completely vulnerable should the Regents decide upon eradicating House Elaclaire. The chanting was winding up to a fevered pitch, the ceremony had begun, it was up to my mistress to make her own destiny. I could not interfere. Walking briskly, I took a quick detour to look in on Principal Dio. The young boy was lost in his own world without any idea of the trial that awaited his sister and the impact it would have on his future. Although I was not conditioned to feel envy, I could not help but wonder why Delphine insisted on doting on the boy so much, it was unnatural.
The constant beat of the drumming and hymns echoed throughout the small chamber.
"What's that sound?" the young scion asked.
"What sound, Lord Dio?" his caretaker responded nervously.
"Tell me now or I'll tell Delphine that you made me cry." He retorted petulantly. "you don't want a repeat of last time, do you?"
"Lord Dio, you wouldn't." the other cried out.
I could not help but smile. It seemed that Delphine's sadistic nature ran strong within her younger sibling as well. He could see the young girl trembling in front of the young lord, her weakness exposed. He also remembered when his mistress had him whip the caretaker for allowing Lord Dio to accidentally get a scrape and cause a rip in his uniform. The girl could barely get up after the ordeal. Her blood from the whipping spattered all over the floor. He thought she was dead until Delphine kicked her with all her fury and smiled knowingly when she heard a low gurgling sound.
"You see, Cicada, she's perfectly fine. You were too kind in the punishment. This will serve as a warning should anything similar happen in the future. There will be no mercy then." She stated sweetly while cuddling Dio.
"Lord Dio, please," the caretaker pleaded,"the sounds from the trial are reaching us, that is all."
"Trial?…Where is my sister? She has not come today."
"My Lady is participating in the Trial. It is the day you become an adult and swear your life to the Guild." The caretaker responded reverently.
"Lord Dio, The Mistress, your sister will come to visit you shortly. I am certain she will wish to speak to you about a great many things." I interrupted, finally walking in.
"Cicada, I didn't see you." The caretaker nervously rattled.
"Isn't that the point?" I retorted sarcastically.
"yes, of course, how could I be so clumsy."
"make sure the Young Lord is well taken care of, you know what will happen if something should occur."
"Don't threaten me yet Cicada. The Regents are still in control of the Guild, until that changes, our young Mistress will have to control her tempestuous nature. After all, even she was reprimanded after occurred the last time."
"those are strong words you utter. Make sure they are not your last. My Lady will not be trifled with. Something even you should recognize."
"Oh Cicada, loyal up to the last syllable, I see. How quaint. Now if you don't mind, Lord Dio and I need to begin his lessons. Why don't you go skulk for your mistress elsewhere."
Within seconds I grabbed her neck within my hand. Her breath stilled quickly as her eyes were seized were fear. It would have been so easy to squeeze the life out of her.
"You really need to mind your manners, my dear. It seems your position has affected you. I will have to inform my Mistress to her great displeasure, I'm sure. I know she will not want her young, impressionable, sibling's mind poisoned in this atmosphere."
"Let me go, Cicada." She rattled while attempting to turn her head towards Dio.
"Cicada, release her. Sister will be very angry if she finds out that I got bored. This fighting is boring me. Go fight somewhere else if you want to continue. I want to play..play..play.." he cried out energetically as he threw a model starship at the caretaker who grimaced in pain.
"I have been very insensitive, My Lord. I apologize."
"Its okay, Cicada, Sister thinks highly of you. I do not want to see you punished by Delphine." He said in an airy manner.
"I am grateful to you Lord Dio." I said to the boy, well aware that Delphine would be seething if he told that he was made unhappy in some way and I was the cause of it.
I am her trusted servant but even I am not immune to her temper. The boy was shrewd and knew his sister well. He may have been young but he knew Delphine's affection for him had no boundaries. Lord Dio was her only equal in blood and birth.