Let Me Hear You

CHAPTER 4

"Trouble in the Underworld?"

Callum cursed under his breath, "We knew something like this was going to happen. But we never knew it was at this scale."

Mallory didn't understand what was going on. The 'Underworld' was a term used by Stigma users for their concealed society. It's made up of families, with all kinds of Stigmas. Some families have ties and connections with one another and some, just hate one another.

Her idea of 'trouble' for Underworld standards, might be a spat between families over some bloody business or territories. For those kinds of problems, they either go to Mediators or settle things themselves through a 'blood feud'. It can be messy, but it's a good business opportunity.

"We've received reports about the Mediator families being attacked. Some were killed." Their grandfather laid it out on the open, something that Mallory didn't expect that he'd do with just anyone.

"We thought that it might just be 'blood feuds' gone too far and so we kept distant from them." Malcolm added, "But apparently, it might be way more than that."

Vanessa nodded, "My father's family is one of the Mediators. I was given information that someone outside the Underworld were causing these. They want to eradicate the Stigma lines."

"And they plan to do it starting from the bottom going up." Callum finished as he started getting the gist of things.

Things were a bit clearer to Mallory now, but she couldn't feel any sense of urgency nor danger from these threats. "I'm sorry, if this seems ignorant of me, but why can't we just fight back? We're obviously more powerful than some humans."

Vanessa looked at her with sadness in her eyes, "No matter how great the power difference is, we cannot allow ourselves to become slaves to our Stigmas. That's what the Seven Deadly Sins have decided ages ago when they signed the peace treaty to stop the purges."

"The Underworld is a society that lives off the normal society it stands on. Sure, we may have more power and wealth than they do considering the large cases of poverty from all corners of the world, but they are our foundation. If we take away the foundation we stand upon, even the Underworld will fall."

Mallory never thought of it that way. "I'm sorry, I guess I was being too ignorant. It won't happen again."

Vanessa smiled, "It's alright my dear. It doesn't change my view of you in the very least. I still think you'll make an excellent Regalia for my brother."

All eyes were on Mallory. Somehow, it was already decided that she'd take the position as the new Regalia. Vanessa must've seen her future, so there was no doubt about it now.

"Yes...Yes Milady. I'll do my very best."

"It's settled then!" Vanessa remarked happily, "I feel safer for my brother with you around. Of course we'll have to talk about the terms and how-"

"I am so sorry for interrupting," Malcolm suddenly piped up. "But how do you intend for us to do the 'binding' if your brother doesn't even know what it's for?"

Malcolm looked like he was unsure about the decision. It would make sense in a way; he is her mentor after all. He'd want to make sure that she would be handled accordingly.

"I am aware that for the binding to work, the owner must 'receive and accept' the regalia in a ceremony. But because of my brother's current situation, there might be a problem." Vanessa paused, "And so, I would like to suggest that the Regalia may somehow look after him covertly."

"In other words, you'd like Mallory here to babysit your brother without making it known, is that it?" Malcolm's words stung a bit, Mallory was sure of that. "I'm so sorry, but I think you're underestimating what it means to become a Regalia."