Chapter 2

In front of a mansion stood three figures, a woman, a pair of children, and a single suitcase. Based on their clothing alone it was apparent that they were unfit for the lavish exterior that the mansion exposed. The woman had a calm smile on her lips while maintaining a certain amount of poise and she exuded a charming aura that would make the average passerby's eyes linger a bit longer. Although both children seemed absolutely average in terms of appearance, their emotions were very noticeable, as one of the children seemed absolutely devoid of emotion while the other just radiated excitement.

The three were led into the mansion by a man wearing servants clothing, introducing himself as the butler of the man behind the giant mansion. As he walked, his pocket watch's chain, which led to his chest, clinked about. The woman and pair of children were led to a room where the butler allowed them to unpack their belongings. The butler soon left them and said that his master would soon be with them.

The woman checked herself in the mirror, something that had become a frequent occurrence throughout this particular day. The boy devoid of emotion sat down next to the bed while looking at the woman while the other boy, having suppressed his excitement up until that moment, released it and bounced on the couches.

"Mother, are you sure we can live here now?" the boy asked while jumping up and down on a couch. "As long as we're careful," the mother replied while trying to hide her own excitement. "What's our standing here?" the boy who sat down next to the bed asked with an apathetic voice.

"I am now the second wife of Darion the Baron, Louis," the woman said while visibly calming down. "So we're ranked third?" the boy asked again. "Precisely, although we may become second if we play our cards right. Arthur stop bouncing on those couches now."

The boy full of emotions, Arthur, stopped bouncing at once and soon after, the butler came back with a few maidservants. The butler checked his pocket watch before saying, "Madam Mallory, there isn't much time left until dinner, I'm obliged to ask you and the young sirs to change into these new sets of clothing." Mallory nodded and the butler bowed and left the room. The maidservants quickly helped both Mallory and the twins into their new clothes.

Mallory fit into her new clothes quite quickly, brushing her hair back with experienced hands. Arthur seemed uncomfortable with his new clothes, fidgeting a bit while touching his shirt that was tucked under his pants. Louis seemed indifferent to it all, quickly adapting to his restricted movement after having put on his clothes.

The butler knocked thrice before coming into the room once more, "I will now lead you to the dinner table." While walking in silence towards the dinner table, Arthur seemed a bit nervous and asked the butler, "What's your name mister?" After a slight stop in his steps, the butler replied, "My name is Edmund, young master, please feel free to ask me any other questions."

Seemingly bewildered in being called a young master Arthur looked for help towards his brother Louis. Louis looked back apathetically before asking, "So what type of children does Baron Darion like mister Edmund?" Edmund looked back once again, this time filled with a tinge of surprise, "Do you wish to be a child that the master likes?" Edmund answered with another question.

Louis gave a slight smile, finally showing emotion, "I'd just like to know." Edmund's surprise slowly faded away as he retreated into his mind. After a brief period of thought, Edward replied, "The master is a very magnanimous man, as he helps out the poor and elderly often." Louis replied with a slightly scrunched-up expression, "That doesn't answer my question." Edmund gave a slight chuckle as he stopped in front of a large door.