Six hours earlier ~ Cassie's POV
This sucks! How, did i end up with people like them, I will never know. Hi, my name is Cassandra Silver storm. or Cassie for short. And frankly, my life has hit rock bottom to some extent.
Why you may ask because the guardians that are supposed to take care of me since childhood are not very honest or goodwilled people.
I Have seen them swindle people time and time again, there is the old master Noir and old Madame Lucy. Who are supposed to be retired. And the position of count. Was supposed to go to their eldest And only son. The father of the two young masters, Jaden and Mason.
When I was a young child, maybe around four or five years old. I was told I was found alone deep in the woods by the cooking staff. While they were looking for wild fruits and vegetables across the estate grounds.
I was told I may have been abandoned or stolen by someone. With only a pendant around my neck that gave Me, my name and a dagger made of wood in my pocket. After they brought me back, I was given What they called mercy and was allowed to stay as long as I worked hard for the family as a maid.
The only people That were and still are kind to me besides, the servants are Jaden and Mason.
Jaden is the eldest of the two young masters and unlike, all the household staff, in all honesty were kind to me. I don't know why he kept me around. Jaden is five years older than me yet his younger brother Mason is only two years older than me.
Their mother, Aria, was a kind woman who loved her family and looked as beautiful and as dainty as a rose and whose heart was full of gold. The madam could not bear any more kids due to complications with her health and passed away from illness after giving birth to Mason. So Jaden and Mason saw me as their little sister sent by the gods, knowing we share no blood between us.
As for their father, Ambrose, he supposedly died on the battlefield and received a medal. Though I wouldn't be surprised if they lied about his death, since their father fell in love with their mother who was a mercenary commander's daughter, and was also a family of commoners. And their grandfather had enough money at the time to make people disappear. Even if, it was his own son.
They even made me call them big brother because they liked the sound of it but their Grandfather hated The idea of me being their sister to the extent of trying to kill me countless times.
Especially when I was introduced to weapon-wielding, by the young Masters. Mason and I like to train with swords in the garden, Though we were often yelled at. Well mostly just me. The master thinks it's inappropriate for any women let alone a maid; To train with a sword. With or without the young masters. The yelling matches would begin, but they never lasted very long.
Though I didn't Quite understand why, the old master Noir would often make the young masters call him and his wife lucy, mother and father, even though they were the young masters grandparents. But the young masters didn't seem to mind.
"Grandfather!, I don't care if she's a woman she's the only one on par with me and Jaden. The men who you hire, always hide after a few strikes!" Mason started to complain and yelled at his grandfather.
"She's a woman! She shouldn't Be training with you to begin with!" He says with his voice dripping venom. He stormed off with a huff and then turns to me.
"As for you. Get back to your post. I don't pay you to play with swords, so get your filthy ass Back into the kitchen!" Says the old master as he tries to grab my arm, but..
"No, father!, She may Stay." "You, on the other hand, Father, should leave Mason," said with a scowl.
Mason pulled me behind him while Jaden gave his father a glare asserting his dominance while making sure there was distance between us and his grandfather. Jaden always stops him before their grandfather can get physical though which I'm thankful for.
Before the master could leave, Jaden called out to him, "Remember father, she's coming with us as agreed. No questions asked."
To my surprise, the old master just gritted his teeth and stormed off, The three of us watched him leave until he was completely out of sight before all of us lets out a sigh in unison.
We chuckled. But then I remembered their words, and got confused.
"Ummmmm, Where exactly am I going again? More importantly, what did you get me into?" ,I looked at them skeptically.
They both look away sheepishly until Mason spoke.
"W-well~ ," He stammered. "You're accompanying us to the winter gala at the palace ,in the capital."
"What?!" I backed away and shock. As they both laugh at me.
"How?... How am I going without an invitation? I'm not exactly a member of your Noble families bloodline you know. Even though I call you both my older brothers we share no blood. And besides the point, it's the winter gala?! The same winter gala that is also the celebration of the elemental gods!" I said well, ranting.
Jaden Rolled his eyes and scoffed, "So? We consider you family. Besides, who else could we ask to be our secret guard?"
"Secret Guard? You're kidding, right. How about someone who won't or not get themselves killed by your Grandfather?" I said sarcastically.
"Hey, relax, as long as nothing happens like say… an assassination attempt or a big scary dragon raid there won't be anything you'd really have to worry about." Mason said jokingly.
Jaden smacked the back of Mason's head with his palm. "Don't scare her,you idiot."
"Ouch?! Jaden! That hurt. I'll tell mother." Mason pouted.
"Tell her! I'm only saying, you've been teasing Cassie long enough. We'll see who's actually in trouble then. Besides, we need to get Cassie fitted for the gala. Not to mention we have very little time to get dressed ourselves, so we need to hurry along. You know how Mother gets when people aren't on time..."
I roll my eyes and shake my head. "This is going to be a very long day..."