Born into an aristocratic family where those with supernatural abilities were deemed worthy, Raiden is blessed with nothing but a sickly health. He was mocked, bullied and even given servants duties.
"Hurry up fellas. The master is not going to wait for you to put those furniture in place." A man in black t-shirt which clung to his sweaty body yelled at the men who were carrying wooden furniture into the exotic mansion before them. The furniture were the latest ones which the master had bought from the same trending company that the royal family had also purchased from.
The Griffins were a very prestigious aristocratic family that had held power alongside the Queen of Eritrea for centuries. They were greatly feared. Their abilities were unique and powerful, surpassing any other. It was for this same reason that the Queen had held onto them for a long time, refusing to let go despite the rumors flying around that the Griffins were after the throne.
Among the servants carrying the expensive items was the eldest son of Marcus Griffin, Raiden Griffin. He was made to live among the servants of the mansion as a punishment for being born into the family without any abilities. His pale blond hair stuck to his face as beads of sweat rolled down his cheeks.
He took a good look around the living room in awe, filling his eyes with the magnificent view before him. Only if he could live in a place like this. Despite being of the same blood as the Griffins, he was deprived of his birthright. He had never stepped foot into this part of the mansion. It was forbidden. When he was five years old, he had ventured out of the servant's quarter to join the young mistress's birthday party. Before he could sneak in to join the others, he was caught and flung aside with a stern warning from the guards.
Raiden's mother had passed away fourteen years ago during a cold winter night. She was terribly sick and his father, the master of the Griffin household, refused to help. Giving birth to a child without an ability was considered a taboo and incompetence on the mother's part. He had watched his mother's life slip away from her body before daybreak and couldn't save her. Only if he hadn't been born.
Servants trooped in and out, changing the furniture and repainting the walls which were still new. So was the life of influential families like the Griffins who held high status in the social standing. Unlike the wall in his room where the paints were old and peeling off the wall. He picked up a napkin and began cleaning the leather couch which pressed down upon his touch.
"Ohhhh? If it isn't the bastard son of Marcus. How dare you set your filthy legs in this mansion?" A sharp voice vibrated all over the room, disdain dripping and coating the air. Everyone quickly maintained themselves as they were scared of incurring the wrath of the mistress, Aurora Griffin.
Raiden's fist tightened in awkwardness as the lady slowly approached him. Her steps were menacing and deliberate, sending fear across his body. Lady Aurora. She was a force to be reckoned with. She was the mistress and second wife of Marcus Griffin. His so-called father had married her a few weeks after his mother's death without mourning his mother in a proper way. Life has become a living hell since she stepped foot in the mansion as she didn't give him breathing space.
Aurora's brow drew together as she stared at the lean figure who was now bowing to her. Her distaste for him was immeasurable and it gave her much joy to torture him. "Who had let this weakling into this mansion when it was clearly forbidden?" She seethed in anger as everyone drew back, wary of her. Her ability itself was dangerous.
Raiden's fingers sank into his skin as his face turned bright red. "It was me." He replied shallowly. He couldn't stand the fact that the other servants would get punished for his actions.
"I let myself in to help them. I apologize for intruding," he replied and went on his knees as he always does. He had become used to the embarrassment. He had endured it for fourteen years to the extent that it has become a part of him.
"Guards!" Aurora yelled in annoyance as two guards who were stationed at the entrance of the mansion rushed forward. "Take him to the storehouse. We'll continue our tea and cookies there," she replied angrily and sashayed away.
"Don't blame mother. Blame yourself for not having any abilities dear brother. Even Elise is learning how to light a candle. You're hopeless." A young man with black hair replied with a smug smile and walked away. He was the current young master of the mansion, Davis Griffin and second son of the Griffin household. The one who had secured his birthright because he was born with a very unique ability. Not just one but two.
Raiden was six years older than him. Their youngest, Elise Griffin is just six years old. She already possessed an ability at her young age. Tears stung his eyes as he grip his trousers in pain and bit his lip in frustration. He was worthless. A useless eldest son of the elite Griffin family.
Davis was now the one who took on the eldest son spot while he, Raiden hid in the shadows, scrubbing walls and washing dishes. He couldn't afford three square meals a day and most were fed from leftovers despite his lineage. The guards grabbed him and pulled his weak body towards the entrance of the mansion as everyone watched in silence. It was a scene that they have gotten used to.
The guards threw Raiden inside the dark storehouse which reeked of coal and dust, and slammed the door against his face. It was also a usual routine for them and he was beginning to wonder if they never got tired of it. It was cold and quiet in the storehouse. A place the mistress had always used as a hideout to her hideous deeds. Years ago, she had locked that little frail boy here for three days without food but water. It was a nightmare for Raiden.
He had prayed for a good family. He had hoped to unlock his abilities someday. Just like everyone else, he had wanted to live a good life. Now, his title as a servant was even lesser than those born of the lower class.
Four hours later, Aurora Griffin was yet to come and torment him. His eyelids were heavy as he forced himself not to sleep. His stomach growled, calling for food. The door suddenly creaked.
Raiden raised his head to see the door was left ajar and a small head poked inside. Brown curls bounced lightly as the worried face of a girl came into view. It was Isabelle Griffin. Youngest sister of Marcus Griffin and the only person who cared about him. Of course, Raiden was too proud to acknowledge her goodness to him.
"Why are you here?" He growled, trying to scare the young high class lady. Unlike ladies from the lower class who bow their heads when walking or around those of high social standing, high class ladies carried themselves with grace and elegance. Their heads are high up and their stare, condescending.
Isabelle never acted rude or harsh before him. She was the only one who perhaps had some humanity left in her. "Is that any way to greet your lifesaver Raiden? I had come to visit my brother who would be holding a tea party tomorrow morning when I heard from the servants that…" she arched an eyebrow with a smile, "... you have angered the mistress."
She pushed the door wider and stepped inside. She was dressed in a lilac evening dress with a handfan to match. Her brown hair was left unpacked and slightly rough.
Raiden refused to look her in the eyes. On a few occasions, she was his lifesaver indeed. "I'm fine. It's nothing you should be worried about," he replied with clenched teeth. This was very embarrassing.
"Come. You look thinner than the last time I was here. Did they give you a harder time than before?" She questioned and beckoned him to follow her.
It seems Aurora had lifted his punishment for the time being. If there was anyone she feared, it was Isabelle. He didn't know why but the tension between the two women was palpable.
Ashamed of himself, Raiden followed Isabelle out of the storehouse towards his room in the servants quarters. Her beautiful dress contrasted with the ugly dilapidated building called the servants quarters. "You shouldn't be here, Lady Isabelle. I can take care of myself. You should go to the mansion where you're needed," he replied tiredly.
"If there's anyone Aurora doesn't want to see during the preparation of the tea party, that person would be me. You have no idea how much trouble I could cause for her," Isabelle replied and chuckled as she marched on.
Raiden stepped inside his room that was so tiny to fit two people. It was the worst of the worst. Isabelle shook her head in pity and made herself at home on his little bed.
"This is gross," she replied, scanning the room with distaste.
Raiden stood, leaning against the wall. There was a class difference between them. If they're seen together, it would cause quite a stir for Isabelle. Sitting together would be worse. "Why are you here, Isabelle?" He asked without beating around the bush.
Isabelle pushed her hair away from her face. "Don't you want to unseal your abilities? I know you'll like that." She mouthed and grinned.
Raiden immediately pushed himself upright. "Unseal?"