"Father! Father! Father! Fa—"
"What is it, Mari?" Duke Saivelle asked, looking up from a stack of papers on his desk.
Marielle, out of breath, had to take a second before letting it out. When she did, though, her father listened intently.
"That girl! Liora! She's a... a... a monster! She's a Siaryn! They said it themselves, her and that boy! A monster! They've brought a monster into our home! And that wizard, too—he's definitely involved! He's teaching the cursed thing magic!"
She rambled further, but it was mostly repeating what she'd already said. Duke Saivelle nodded, understanding everything she was saying—only opening his mouth when she seemed to be done.
"I know."
"...Y-you know? Then why is it still alive? How long have you known?"
"Haah, Marielle, you're such a reactionary. Can't you calm down and analyze a situation for what it is? I've known about that girl since before the boy or even Sir Alwyn did. I'm well aware of who and what she is, and I can assure you there is nothing to be worried about."
"How? How is that possible?"
"You remember my old friend, Duke Canterbury?
"Yes, wasn't his son at my last birthday party? He was a real spoiled brat, so I bet his father is a real piece of work, too."
The duke raised an eyebrow, surely finding the girl's hypocrisy a little amusing. She was quite the spoiled child, after all.
"Ah, well, the man had his own faults, that is true. But he's dead, now."
Marielle frowned.
"How? Did he get sick?"
"No, the Canterbury estate burned down. Everyone inside died, including his wife and son."
"What... a tragedy. I almost can't believe it. How did I not hear about this? But, what does that have to do with Liora?"
"Liora, that girl, was a personal slave of the Canterburys. More specifically, she was a gift to the son—a common practice among us nobles. Of course, we don't own any slaves in our estate. You already know how barbaric your mother and I think it is. Nonetheless, when I'd heard what had happened, and how there was only one survivor, I offered to take in the poor slave girl. When I got more details, I... came to some conclusions."
"Like?"
"...It's a long story. Can't you just believe me when I tell you that there's nothing to worry about, my sweet daughter?"
"I want to hear the full story."
"Fine. But, I must warn you, it isn't like the stories I used to tell you before bed. This is a much darker, and very adult matter—one I'd never tell you if you weren't involved already."
"I haven't asked you to tell me bedtime stories in a very long time! I'm nearly an adult, now!"
"Yes, yes, I suppose you are. Then, sit down. I can put off this boring work a little while longer."
******
"Don't open your eyes, son. Not until we tell you to."
"I don't wanna wait! Ugh, what is it!?"
"Hold on, hold on. I'm getting it ready right now."
The young boy, Lord Roan, was bouncing up and down. Despite his father's best attempts to hide the present from him, he already knew exactly what it was. He had asked for it, and whatever he asked for, he got.
It was The Long Night, after all. The saints would surely send him the proper gift. Not that Roan still believed that the magical servants of the saints were the ones who actually put the gifts beneath the tree. It was still fun to get into the spirit, though.
"Okay, open your eyes."
Roan opened his eyes. In front of him was a large wrapped box. A rustling sound could be heard from within, and his heart started to race with excitement.
'It's really here!'
He rushed forwards, to the amusement of his father. His mother was yet to say a word, but that wasn't unusual for her. In fact, she looked less... cold than usual. Perhaps even she was excited to see the present her husband had procured for her son.
Roan grabbed the box and started tearing through the wrapping paper. Once through, he immediately tore open the box and peered inside.
"Mmmm?"
Inside, there was a small girl, gagged and bound. Roan smiled widely, barely keeping himself in control. The girl was incredibly pretty, even when she was bound and roughed up. No... even more so...! It seemed that young Roan had already developed the sick taste of a noble!
"You really got one! A slave! And she's a girl! Oh, thank you father!"
"Oho, of course. Hold on, now. Wait for me. She's quite the fresh one, so don't get ahead of yourself. I'll need to help you train her. You'll do most of the work, obviously, but I'll keep you on the right track. Just like you wanted."
Roan reached for the gag on her mouth, excited to hear his new slave's first words.
"Wait!" his father said, stopping him.
"What? Why?"
"Ahem, well... she'll keep the mouth binding on for now. Until she's trained, at least. You see, I got you a very special slave. She was incredibly expensive, and not for no reason."
"What are you saying?"
"How do I put this... she's a Siaryn."
"A what?"
"Haven't you been paying attention in your studies? She's a half-breed, born from a Siarath and a human."
"Huh? You got me a monster for a slave!? Seriously!? You didn't get her for me at all, did you? This came from your own obsession with monsters! Father, why!?"
"Calm down, calm down. You'll be thanking me, sooner or later."
"I'll be dead, sooner or later!"
"Siaryn slaves... they're expensive for a reason. It's not just people like me who want them, son. They're extra durable, so you don't ever have to worry about them breaking. They're a little harder to be trained, too, but once they are, they're more obedient than any normal slave. I promise, you'll learn soon enough."
"Tch, fine. But if she bites me, I'm putting her down, and you better get me another one!"
"Of course, of course. Now, hold on, I'll unbind her."