The Butler's Master

Retaliation - Part 2

[Retaliation – Part 2]

"My dear, if you continue crying, your tears are going to dry out." Louise comforted lightly, still holding the young girl against her chest. The front of her dress already had a wet patch and it seemed like it was only going to continue spreading with her daughter's distraught of being left behind by her elder brothers.

"What if something bad happened to my big brothers? There were bad men with guns and knives and big brother Kyvan and Kylar were injured! They cannot protect big brother Kyren if the bad men come again!" Kaylen wailed her heart out, seemingly unable to stop despite the comfort of the adults. The princess of the Household had not been exposed to too many attempts on her –or her family members' -life yet. Unfortunately, Louise sighed to know that this whole ordeal was going to be the first of many for Kaylen.

"Miss Kaylen, you don't have to worry about your big brothers. Kylar and Kyvan are strong young men; they will be able to protect Young Master Kyren and bring him home safely. They just had to do something before coming home first." Kiera stood close-by, doing her best to console the girl who had broken into tears the moment she woke up to realize that she had been brought to the safety of her home and her parents –but without her elder brothers.

Though it had been a disappointment, Louise could not say that she did not expect the actions of her son and his young butlers. She had heard a determination in Kyvan's voice through the phone –something that told her that he had only been planning to send his young mistress to safety while attempting something else. She could only hope that whatever 'something else' the three young men were planning would keep them in safety and bring them all safely home.

There were soft, polite knocks on the door and Louise called for the entrance of the visitor who turned out to be the Head Butler. Keyron was still dressed in his usual butler's uniform, but she could still clearly see the bandages peeking out from his collar and the stiff in the way he moved. The usual grace and composure of a capable butler was not present as Keyron carried a tray with a bowl full of porridge into the room, a gentle smile on his face.

"Miss Louise, I have brought dinner for Miss Kaylen." He reported subserviently, setting the meal a safe distance away.

"Keyron! Have you rescued big brothers Kyren, Kyvan and Kylar yet? Are they okay?" The little girl had turned her head to identify her visitor, and had spotted the butler through the tears, pulling away from her mother's chest immediately to turn to the approaching man.

"I'm sorry, Miss Kaylen. But I promise we are doing our best. Your big brothers are strong, powerful and capable. I'm sure they can come home safely." Keyron maintained his gentle smile at the little doll that he had rushed down to Town to pick up earlier in the day.

He had been expecting seeing the young ones again, but all he had seen was his young mistress nodding away sleepily underneath a tree beside the agreed safe spot. He knew that at least one of his sons had to have been nearby watching over their young mistress, and Keyron had spent a precious few minutes looking around –spying no one –before rushing to bring his fevered young mistress home to be nursed.

"Keyron, we have to talk." Louise's instruction was not unexpected, and he did his best to console the poor young mistress who was still leaking tears from the corner of her eyes, instructing his poor wife to coddle the young girl before excusing himself with his mistress. Louise was already halfway down the hallway towards her office by the time he closed the door to Kaylen's room behind him, and Keyron was not surprised to find his mistress sitting in her usual seat when he finally presented himself in front of her.

"Save me the attempts at secrets and lies and tell me straight. That man named Kay; do you trust him?" Miss Louise wasted no time for pleasantries –not that there was any required between the two of them anyway.