Disclaimer: I own nothing, nada, zilch. 'Cept the twins, who I'd rather not.

A/N: Okie, first of all thanks to all whom reviewed!

I need to get a few things cleared up first, though:

This story was marked AU (Alternate Universe) and that means the concept of time is completely different from the original Mediator.

In fact, it doesn't even correlate to our human history. This 'land' and kingdom has completely a different history and culture, it never existed on Earth as we know it. So there is no time period; it's just the 'present', but not our present.

With that cleared up, I hope this lives up your expectations.

I wake up, and got dressed quickly.

I began thinking about what I would be doing with my time here. Back at home I had spent most of my time helping Mother around the farm; as a result I could ride a horse as well as any stable boy, and knew how to work a farm single-handedly if I had too.

Of course, I had gone to school…but it would be different here. The town kids would be rougher…

But of course my beloved twin sisters probably be above school; they probably went to finishing school, and learned how to become prim, proper and absolutely boring young ladies.

And then get married to some suitable toad-like bachelor.

Sigh that's how the life of a girl in these days goes….

As I brushed my obstinate curls, I wondered whom Michael would marry the twins off to.

It would be someone rich, and probably well connected to the king.

I cleaned up my room, staring in distaste at the furniture. It was pleasant enough, but absolutely dull in comparison to the bright room I had in Carmel.

I ran downstairs through the large house.

At the bottom of the stairs, I stopped dead in my tracks. Mother stood there, her bag in hand.

She was leaving.

'Mother! What…..why…aren't you…' Half completed sentences sprouted out.

She regarded me gently. 'Susannah, dearest, I have to go away for a while.'

What?

'Why? Where?' I asked, frantic.

Mother is a seamstress, and sometimes she has to go far to make dresses for fine you ladies. It's because of her I always had beautifully cut dresses, even though we were hard pressed for money sometimes.

'I'm really sorry,' she pleaded me with her eyes,' I know it's really hard for you, especially with this new family, but it's only three weeks and Michael will take good care of you. There is no need to be scared, dear,' she looked at me with concern.

Three weeks.

Three weeks alone with a family I had basically just met, and apart from the fact I knew next to nothing about them, I had never been alone from my mother.

'Take me with you', I whispered, knowing the answer.

'You know I can't. Please, don't make this harder then it is. I love you,' her eyes softened.

I stood up at my straightest.

I would not let her worry about me. I was Susannah Simon, not afraid of ghosts, of the sight of blood, of a strange new family, of anything!

I would be brave for Mother. I hugged her and said farewell.

'I'm only going to the castle, you know. The royal family needs me for their daughters' outfits for the upcoming ball, and all the royal cousins who are coming to visit, too. Maybe Michael will be able to take you and the girls with him too,' she winked at me, trying to make me feel better.

It didn't work.

After one last hug, she left.

I stood there for a while, watching the carriage take her away, till she was lost in the crowds.

I turned back inside, dreading living here, alone, without Mother.

I walked to the dining hall, and greeted the family softly, deciding to be a little more submissive till I found out more about them; after all we had only met for barely a day.

Michael was reading the newspaper, and Paul was just silently eating. The twins were watching me, or actually looking at my dress. Bridget wrinkled up her nose.

I scowled and took a seat, and my cup of tea.

The meal passes in silence. Just as I was finished, Michael said 'Please meet me in my study, Susannah. We have a lot to discuss.'

I nodded. It was to be expected; of course they wouldn't just let me live in peace, I would probably have follow the rules of the household.

Suddenly, someone's leg began to rub against mine, under the table. My eyes grew wide and bit my tongue to stop from exclaiming out loud.

I glared at Paul, who sat directly in front of me.

'Susannah, is something the matter?' He inquired innocently.

'Err…yes, I'm fine' I said through clenched teeth, glaring daggers at him. His leg had not stopped caressing my own, and it felt strange but for once, I didn't feel repulsed by a boy.

It actually felt kind of nice.

I blocked my train of thoughts and abruptly left the table.

I sat in front of Michael's study, staring back at his fathomless blue eyes.

'Tell me, Susannah. What do you want from us? Do you really be expected to be treated like one of my own just because I married your mother?' His voice said softly.

I was shocked; I hadn't expected him to be so blunt.

'I don't want anything from you that you don't want to give; I don't need you to be a father. I will do what my Mother has planned for me.'

I knew that if I didn't like what Mother had in mind for my future, I wouldn't do it. No one had forced me into anything, really.

So I wasn't prepared for Michael to say, 'be silent you silly girl! Do you see your mother anywhere? You will do as I say. You have no say, and like any properly brought up young lady; you will do so without questioning my authority.' He snarled at me.

'You wouldn't dare', I whispered. 'Mother says I'm going to go to finished school, and spend my days studying and helping round the house.' This was a lie.

Mother and I hadn't really discussed anything beforehand, but I knew that that was what she would have wanted.

'Mother wants, Mother says,' he mocked 'Your weak mother will do anything that I want. She left me in charge of you.' He smiled cruelly.

'I have no intention of letting you live like a fine young lady at my expense. Why should I? You, unlike my darling daughters, are a street rat, and that's where you belong. You are some wild, untamed thing that doesn't deserve such a fine home.'

I tried not to let him show how much his words affected me. This was much worse then I thought; if only Mother knew what kind of a man she had married!

I couldn't let her ruin her life by spending any more time with him. I REFUSE to let her!

She was blinded by her need for someone to stop the loneliness; she would one day find the right man, but Michael Slater wasn't him.

I looked at him with loathing, but said nothing.

'From now on, you will earn your keep. You will move to the attic, your room is much too fine. And you will eat with the servants, now that you will be one of them.' He smirked.

'You will be the personal maid to my children, especially my daughters .Anything they want you must help them with, do you understand?' He glared at me, daring me to speak.

I felt a small spark of rage boiling inside me. How dare he? How dare he?

I would never let myself sink that low and be a servant! I didn't care what he did, but I'd be damned if I let anyone treat me like filth. I was worth more then that.

I stood up, and stuck my hand out for him to shake.' Thank you very much, Mr. Slater, but I will never, never serve you! You must be mad! I'm going tell Mother at once what a-a bastard you really are!' I said, trying to keep an icy composure.

'Stupid girl. Do you really think that she will believe you?' He asked.

'Of...course, of course she will' I said uncertainly.

'You're mother loves me way too much; unfortunately for you, she loves me more then she does you. And just think how heartbroken she would be when I will tell her…that you started a disagreement with me and then ran away in shame?' He said silkily, and his words hit his mark.

I turned, holding the tears in. My back still facing him, I whispered, 'I hope you go to hell', and ran out of the room.

I sat on my bed in the dusty attic. It wasn't too bad; it was just very old and rather crammed. It was obviously used for storage.

I didn't mind so much about my treatment, but it was what he said about Mother that hurt the most. It killed me to see the only person I truly loved hurt in such a way, and I knew that even if I managed to find her in some way and warn her….she would never believe me.

What was the worst he could do to me? Surely when Mother came back, she would see how I was treated and help me…right?

I spent the rest of my day unpacking and setting up my room.

Well, sulk around is more like it.

I went down for dinner, my stomach growling because I hadn't eaten since the morning.

In the hallway I met Stella.

'Susannah, darling. I haven't seen you all day. What have you been up to? Father has informed me of your new…duties, of course.' She simpered.

'I think it's so sweet of you to be a dear and help out around the house….well, I think this would be a perfect time to remind you that I'd like you to press all my dresses, patch up some stockings, and set my hair for tomorrow's dinner party.'

Without waiting for my answer she sauntered away, leaving me feel like a complete idiot.

I hate the way she said it like she was doing me a favor by making me work.

I understood all too well; she would pretend, like the rest of them, that I was doing this for them, while I got all the dirtiest tasks.

I was about to enter the dining hall when one of the maids, Rebecca, I think she was called, stopped me.

'Miss, I'm sorry, but the Master's orders were clear. You're-you're to eat with the servants, Ma'am.

I clenched my fists, but followed her into the kitchen. She seemed uncomfortable around me, like she didn't know how to act.

The cook and other maids avoided me in the kitchen, where I started doing simple jobs.

It got later, and finally, the Slaters were finished. I entered the hall through the servant's entrance and cleared up the tables.

I thought it was empty, but then looked up and saw Paul.

He was lounging in the shadows, watching me, waiting.

I ignored him and cleared up the plates.

I was about to leave when he barred my way.

'Suze listen – can I call you that? It's shorter,' He started saying. I nodded mutely.

'Look, I'm sorry about….all this. I didn't know. I'm not taking responsibility for my father's actions but I'll try and do anything I can to help.'

His smile looked sincere, but his smile remained cold.

Just like his father.

'Look, what do you want from me, Paul?' I snapped, my patience wearing thin. 'And what's all this nonsense of you touching me under the tables? It's freaking me out.'

He moved closer to me, and I impulsively backed into the wall.

'Why? Would you mind if I did it again? I really wanted to get to know you better, Suze. What do you say?' He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

I twisted away from him, my mind screaming with fury at him, the conniving rat, the egoistical bastard…

How dare he assume that I would…that I would like to engage in…?

'Stay away from me,' I whispered, suddenly very aware of how alone I was, and how much stronger he looked.

'Oh don't be stupid,' He said impatiently. 'You and I both know how much comfortable things would be if you were with me. You wouldn't have to live like this. Just think of the better good, my father would welcome you with open arms if –', I cut him off by slapping him as hard as could round the face.

He looked stunned, and touched his cheek where a flaming handprint was emerging.

I backed away.

'Don't you dare come near me! I'm going to say this once, once only. I don't know who you think I am but I, unlike all the other girls you've met, have some self-respect and dignity. I will not…well, you know, ever be with you,' I almost screamed the last part out.

His eyes flashing, he said 'You'll regret this, Susannah.'

With that, he turned on his heel and left.

I finished clearing up and went to my room.

I lay bed, awake for a long time.

I hated this place; I hated how tomorrow I would be expected to be on my best behavior, and act as though I loved being a servant, and that I was just being sweet by 'helping out' as they put it.

Helping out my arse!

Since when does a daughter of the house eat with the servants!

But there was nothing I could do; I couldn't count on Paul helping me out, not after I had blown him off.

Paul. Even as I thought over the scene in the dark, my cheeks blushed with shame.

Did he really think that any girl he asked would be interested?

And ok, there was no denying that he was very attractive.

But he was technically my step-brother!

I had met him, like a day ago? Was I just another pretty face?

I slept after a while, my thoughts churning and I dreamt the strangest dreams of all.

A/N: I'd love to know any ideas you would for the story to contain; I'm not promising they will occur, but I'll try and work them in! Please let me know!