At the sound of that voice, Raven paused, then straightened up. Her gaze turned to the side, eyeing the set of people approaching her under the guidance of Jane.
'Ah...' Raven's signature smile appeared on her lips. Her peaceful world was about to get noisy again.
That's right. She was getting quite bored of her training with Kieran. Ever since the family dinner, nothing interesting had happened and Raven who loved unexpected and interesting surprises was not happy.
From the memories of the original owner, females tend to hold tea parties and outdoor events, including girls of her young age.
The original owner had been invited to a tea party only once. After that, no one bothered to invite her again. Even if she wanted to organize one, who would bother to attend when she had never received an invitation from anyone?
''Fourth brother….'' After Kieran collected the small knives from her hands, Raven greeted the owner of the voice. Her eyes then moved to the side, where another set of her siblings stood beside her cute elder brother.
''Second sister and Third sister, your rare visits means to this younger sister.'' Raven greeted, obviously knowing that her siblings came to her with ill intent.
*snort*
''Fourth sister, your servant really needs to know its place. It's evident the lowly thing learned how to be insolent from the master.'' Edwin pointed out his displeasure. At the same time, he did not forget to throw jabs at Raven, displaying an arrogant smirk on his lips.
''...'' Still with the same smile on her lips, Raven did not show any discontentment despite being ignored by these siblings of hers after greeting them and showing her goodwill.
'That explains it….' She noticed one of Jane's cheeks that was red and visibly swollen. She didn't need a minute to guess that this was Edwin's handwork.
*Pang*
Raven felt her heart stung by the sight. She didn't know why it was so, she was just uncomfortable….and irritated?
Yes. She felt irritated that Jane, her own personal maid was being man-handled by her cute elder brother, an unruly brat.
''Fourth brother is always right. I will speak to my mother and her excellency about Jane.'' Raven said with a sweet smile. However, that smile had a certain chill to it, and Kieran was the first to notice that minority with a glance.
''W-When did I say that you should mention this to her excellency?!'' Edwin, who did not expect his weakling fourth sister to talk back, reacted a bit violently at the mention of the Grand duchess.
His mother had warned him to be vigilant around the Grand duchess after the last family dinner. She explained that his action had caused Grand duchess to be angry at himself and his mother.
''But fourth brother, it was her excellency who chose the servants for this manor. Jane was also included, and I have always been grateful to her excellency for choosing such faithful servant to serve me.'' All these words were uttered by Raven in her angelic voice. Even if it was a little lie on her part, Raven still put forth her tearful story.
''If fourth elder brother is not pleased with Jane, then I will tell mother to have an audience with her excellency....''
''When did I say that you should mention this with her excellency?!'' Edwin angrily repeated his question. His fourth sister truly wished the worst for him.
Still dwelling in anger, Edwin noticed a person behind Raven in the corner of his eye. Seeing the new face, he quickly changed the topic.
''Th-This should be fourth sister's elite slave.'' In an instant all eyes apart Raven fell on the scrawny elite slave in a training uniform with a small presence.
''Yes…the slave is, fourth brother.'' Raven took her time to give a reply after confirming something from Edwin's words. For him to know that Kieran was her elite slave meant he and his mother had their eyes in the manor.
Or perhaps Kieran's presence was that obvious as an elite slave. However, why hadn't Edwin suspect that Kieran was a new manservant or butler?
Rumors might have spread about her choosing an elite slave, but no one would have known his face since she had rarely allowed Kieran to step out of the manor.
The mother and son were obviously not the only with eyes in the sixth madam's manor.
What is the possibility that all the few servants in the entire manor were spies for others? A hundred possibility.
Now Raven began rethink the little lie she narrated to Edwin. Perhaps the Grand duchess wasn't the only one with her spy. Other wives would have surely found a way to include their own.
Lily might be the only exception since she loyally belonged to the sixth madam. But Jane…..
'All the more reason to remove her from my sight.' Raven was more firm with her decision to replace Jane.
''Fourth sister really knows how to choose an elite slave.'' Edwin snickered. ''He's a weakling just like you.''
''The slave does seem familiar.'' An unfamiliar voice joined the conversation between Edwin and Raven. One the two sisters with same face spoke with a soft voice.
''What do you think, elder sister?''
''You're right, Estella. The slave does look familiar.'' Dark emerald eyes narrowed at Kieran who kept his head lowered with all attention on him. ''The slave resembles one of the elite slaves that were given to us when it was time for our selection. The commander said he was the weakest and I had no use for the weak. Younger sister was the same, I assume.''
''Brother Edwin, I wonder if father included this slave among the elite slaves during your selection?'' Estelle directed her question to Edwin.
Raven watched the interaction between the twin sisters. Her eyes briefly landed on the quiet one with less dark emerald eyes and a mole underneath her right eyelid.
''Now that you mention it, the slave seems familiar to me, Estelle. I didn't expect fourth sister to choose a weak elite slave. I heard this slave is your new training tutor and not the sixth madam's personal maid. From a maid to a slave, fourth sister really has a way of getting amazing trainers.'' Edwin laughed, sarcastically, not knowing that he just affirmed Raven's guess of the spies in the sixth madam's manor.
''Since he's your training tutor, why don't I test him out as your elder brother, fourth sister?'' Edwin offered with a malicious smirk. ''It's the least I can do, since I don't want you putting on such a disappointing battle on our day, fourth sister.'' It was obvious to everyone, including Raven that his words were fake. If anything, Edwin would surely want to make sure that Kieran wouldn't be able to tutor her.
''...'' Raven did not answer at first. She looked at the twin sisters, particularly Estella, who gazed on with an innocence and naïve countenance. Their gazes briefly met until Raven took away hers.
'So this is what you wanted….' Raven's eyes flickered with a knowing glint. As expected, none of her siblings were truly innocent. Perhaps one was….but someone who did not stop her twin from rejoicing in her misery was definitely not innocent.
''Why does fourth brother need to ask? You are allowed to battle with my elite slave, brother Edwin.'' Even if Raven accepted with her angelic voice and smile, her vibrant eyes sharpened with a fleeting murderous intent.
If possible, she would love to end Edwin's life, but that would not be too good on her side.
If Kieran killed Edwin, that would automatically be her killing him. The Grand duke might not be happy about that, since he had promised them about the life-and-death battle.
''I believe fourth would go on easy on Kieran since this is just a spar.'' Raven beckoned to Kieran who went on his knee at her call.
In other words, allow him to win, and don't do anything.
Kieran silently understood.
''Hmph! stop dawdling and let's battle!'' Edwin ignored Raven's words, releasing an arrogant snort. He then stood amid the battle grounds.
''What are you waiting for? Don't make this young master lose patience!''
Since his master had spoken, Kieran stood up and walked to where Edwin waited though his position was opposite his opponent.
Facing the arrogant boy, Kieran lowered his gaze to the ground. Since his master did not want him to truly fight, then he did not need to look at the latter in the eye.
His master wanted him to give a weak impression.
Staring at the action of the elite slave, Edwin sneered in disdain. The elite slave was just like his fourth sister. A weakling thorough and thorough. Indeed, birds of the same feathers flocked together.
Anyway, he would use this opportunity to teach his fourth sister a lesson.