STRIPPED OFF!

"Wait...FATHER!"

His cries fell on his father's ears which he ignored and left. Ravan had now felt what it was like being ignored.

But more so he still couldn't believe what was happening even though it had unfolded right before his very eyes.

The guards didn't look at Ravan either, even though they felt bad for the young boy, there was nothing they could do.

They all knew what the House Master was like once he's infuriated.

Small sweat drops rolled down their cheeks whilst still remaining still at their posts.

The Mansion door shut as Ravan fell in a slump.

'So what now?'

'Just like that?...what do you mean you never want to see me again?'

'All this...with no remorse...just cause I'm weak?'

'What about mom?'

'Huh?'

'What about her!'

"TELL ME OLD MAN!"

"YOU NEVER CARED ABOUT US...

No, you didn't....NOW DID YOU?!"

"ANSWER ME!"

All his cries that were filled with nothing but bitterness could be heard as he screamed from the top of his lungs.

Those in the mansion wondered what was happening and as nosy as they maids were they began peeping through the windows, slipping the curtains open one by one.

In the grand hall of House Zenith, young master Ravan's voice echoed off the marble walls, filled with frustration and anger.

"It's so unfair! the old man is always like this to noone but me!" he shouted, pacing back and forth with clenched fists.

"He treats me like a discarded child, while everyone else gets to make decisions and flaunt in his glory...

"I'm sick of it!"

Outside, a group of maids and male servants huddled near the windows, peering in with curiosity and concern.

The maids exchanged anxious glances, whispering among themselves.

"What do you think is happening?" one maid asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Another maid, slightly older, shrugged. "I don't know, but he sounds really upset."

A male servant leaned closer to the window, trying to catch more of the conversation inside.

"I heard he had a big argument with Lord Zenith earlier," he said, his tone serious.

"Do you think he's been kicked out of House Zenith?" a younger maid ventured, her eyes wide with worry.

The male servant shook his head thoughtfully. "It's possible. The young master has been challenging his father's authority more and more lately."

"Plus it is obvious he's been kicked out since the Entrance is shut..."

"Poor Ravan," the first maid murmured. "He always seems so troubled."

As Ravan's angry tirade continued inside, the servants outside fell silent, exchanging looks that conveyed a mix of sympathy and concern. They could only watch and wonder, their hearts heavy with the unfolding family drama.

'It's so fucking unfair,' Ravan said as he dropped to the ground in tears.

'It's not my fault I'm so frail...'

'It's not my fault...its not...its not...'

The young boy continued sobbing and then finally stopping as he looked up at the sky.

'I'm sorry mother...really, I am...'

As the skies opened up and rain began to pour, the mansion's courtyard quickly transformed into a landscape of glistening, wet stone.

The steady drumming of raindrops against the ground filled the air, creating a somber melody.

The guards, steadfast in their duty, remained at their posts, their cloaks pulled tightly around them to ward off the chill.

Outside the large wrought-iron gate, Ravan stood alone, leaning against its cold, unyielding surface.

His clothes were soaked through, clinging to his slender frame and accentuating his vulnerability.

His once bushy hair now hung in silky, wet strands, plastered against his pale skin.

Raindrops trickled down his face, mingling with his quiet tears, though it was impossible to distinguish one from the other.

Ravan's head was bowed, his gaze fixed on the ground as he mumbled to himself, his voice barely audible above the rain.

"It's not my fault I was born weak," he muttered, his words tinged with bitterness and resignation.

"The world is so unfair to those who are unfortunate... Why can't they see that I'm trying my best?"

"What the hell was I supposed to do...hold the gods by their necks and make threats to them while I was being born?"

"Should I have done that?"

He clenched his fists, the wet fabric of his sleeves sticking to his skin.

"Father doesn't understand. None of them do," he continued, his voice breaking with frustration.

"All I want is a chance to prove myself."

As the rain continued to fall, Ravan's solitary figure remained by the gate, a poignant image of youthful despair and defiance. The world around him seemed indifferent to his plight, the storm a mirror to the turmoil within his heart.

'Might as well just shut it, noone ever listens to me after all...'

'There's no good that will come in me complaining.'

Ravan thought to himself, he had used up his energy to complain and bang at the gate.

When he knew noone was coming to his rescue he let it go.

As the rain poured relentlessly, soaking everything in its path, a young maid named Loren approached the grand gate of House Zenith.

Her eyes were filled with concern as she spotted Ravan's forlorn figure leaning against the gate.

Determined to reach him, she hurried forward, only to be intercepted by the vigilant guards.

"Please, I need to see the young master!" Loren pleaded, trying to push past the guards.

One of the guards shook his head firmly. "I'm sorry, Loren. Lord Zenith has given strict orders. You can't go beyond this point."

Desperate, Loren called out from where she stood, her voice rising above the sound of the rain. "Ravan! Are you okay?"

Ravan looked up slowly, his eyes narrowing as he recognized Loren's voice.

"What do you want, Loren?" he shouted back, his tone laced with irritation.

"I'm worried about you," Loren called, her voice carrying both concern and desperation.

"Please, come inside. You'll catch a cold out here!"

Ravan's face twisted with bitterness.

"Why do you care?" he snapped, his voice harsh.

"You think just because you dress me every morning, you know me?"

Loren flinched at his words but didn't back down.

"It's not about that, Ravan. I care about you as a person. You're always so alone. Let me help."

Ravan's fists clenched, his anger bubbling to the surface.

"Help? You can't help me, Loren. No one can. Just go back inside and leave me alone!"

"But Ravan, I—" Loren began, only to be cut off by Ravan's furious shout.

"I said go away!" he yelled, his voice breaking.

"I don't need your pity or your help!"

Loren took a step back, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"I'm sorry, Ravan," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rain. "I just wanted to be there for you."

With that, Loren turned and walked back towards the mansion, her heart heavy with sorrow. The guards watched her go, their expressions somber.

Ravan watched her retreating figure, his anger slowly giving way to a deep, aching sadness.

He sank down to the ground, the cold rain mingling with the warmth of his tears, as he murmured to himself, "Why does everything have to be so unfair?"

"So what now? I've just been stripped off my title as a Zenith..."