What Makes a Monster

♱Thirty-One♱

With the Day of Aberia nearly upon us, there is much work to be done at the estate. Admittedly, I was shocked to learn Lord Makai respects the common traditions for the celebration. Out of everyone, I suspected him to be the most likely person to curse the day, maybe even literally.

However, hanging from the stairways and ceilings are glittering gold stars and suns that reflect golden light through the halls like fireflies in the night. They are meant to represent the light gifted to us from Goddess Aena, how we came to be through light and how we will continue on through light.

On the doorways are wreaths made of silver and gold vines, a sign of welcoming and invitation for Aena to bless us, while table runners and carpets are replaced to match the color scheme. Confetti has been purchased, waiting to be popped and thrown on the blessed day. History books say that when the war ended, there was little ways to celebrate so the people snatched up the remnants of old, burned and ruined tapestries and books to throw in the only celebration they could. As a way to honor that, we continue to do so only we don't tear up books. Hael would probably hate this day if that were the case.

The kitchen staff is especially chaotic, preparing a great feast with fine wines and baked goods. Some of those goods will be offered to the temple, although many noble households give much more than that; like gold, silver and priceless gems.

Lord Makai specifically offers up an abundance of food for at risk families and orphaned children (and does so regularly throughout the year anyways), but everyone and their mother chooses to ignore. Ok, ok, let's not talk about the good. Aena forbid Lord Makai show any form of kindness! The world would end!

The halls and bedrooms are cleaned to perfection and Lord Makai's own ballroom is being decorated and prepared for a small concert to be held. There are a select few songs that are always played, many of which are now being continuously hummed amongst the staff. Some even dance, practicing for the night that is celebrated among the rich and the poor.

I can't help but wonder if all estates do so much though. Does every royal or aristocrat allow their workers such luxuries? I wish I could figure it out then rub it in everyone's face when they try to badmouth Lord Makai again.

I sigh at such a thought, which I've been getting more and more lately. It isn't my job to defend him, but lately it's been difficult to listen to others be so rude to him, even if he has been avoiding me since we saw Prince Baylor in town. That was two weeks ago.

At first I thought he was being more elusive to everyone, but when requesting to take his morning tea up I was informed that Layne was specifically told not to switch with me. That definitely was a shock. I'm not sure what I did but any time I see Lord Makai he doesn't so much as say hello, only locks himself in his office, his bedroom, or disappears entirely.

There's no denying my disappointment. After our day in town, I admit that I had some expectations; some of which I rather not think of or rather not admit to. I thought we'd speak more, not just about work but joking around like we were. Thinking that it hasn't happened, while continuing to hope that it will, has put quite a damper on my mood that others have noticed.

"You've been awfully blue lately," says Hael as he leans on his mop.

We're mopping the ballroom right now with me being less than enthusiastic and Hael putting in far more work.

"Something wrong?" He asks.

"Not really."

"Doesn't seem like it."

"Does Lord Makai always attend the celebrations at the castle?" I ask out of the blue.

Since Lord Makai is avoiding me, we haven't discussed the odd run in with Prince Baylor. Thinking on it sends a shiver down my spine. I haven't mentioned seeing him either. I don't know, just feels like something I should keep secret.

"That's quite the change of topic, but ok, I'll take it." Hael continues to work as he talks. "Not always, but when he does avoid it he gets punished, so it seems."

"Punished how?"

"When I first arrived it was a year he skipped and not even two weeks later His Majesty sent men to search for illegal contraband."

"Huh?"

"They claimed his books made no sense, that there had to be another way he was making money. They made a mess of the place while Lord Makai watched."

I want to roll my eyes because that has to be a bullshit lie. "Why did he let them?"

"Maybe he was feeling generous and didn't feel like slaughtering a bunch of men that were only following orders."

"That's ridiculous, uh, the searching part not the not killing people part."

"Got ya."

"So he doesn't have a good relationship with anyone from the royal family?"

Hael shrugs. "Not that I know of, but he doesn't seem to have a good relationship with anyone. Period."

I twist my hands around the handle of the broom. That hurt a bit, even if I understand why Hael said it. Part of me wants to argue that we have a good relationship, but that may not be true and it's probably not something I should share.

So I only nod and get back to work, continuing to ponder over the relationship between Lord Makai and the royal family.

Saying there's bad blood between them is an understatement. Lord Makai would have been an emperor if not for the Baylor's, although I doubt that is a title he wishes to possess. Then there's the fact that the royals have been pestering Lord Makai since the beginning. The hatred must only continue to grow, but at some point shouldn't there be someone that realizes it's useless to keep on fighting?

Lord Makai could be their greatest ally if they treated him like one. With such thoughts, maybe it's proof I'm not meant for politics.

Politics are about your own power, not others. Although all smile and shake hands with claims to be friends, in the back of their mind there's always a contingency plan. There's a loophole or another waiting to pounce should one grow even the least bit distrustful of others. Politics is all about being one step ahead of your opponent and with Lord Makai, no one would ever really be one step ahead. That makes him even more frightening.

Everyday I'm reminded just how unfortunate his circumstances are. And everyday I tell myself not to dwell on it yet here I am, dwelling on it again. Way to go, Wallie.

After the ballroom, I and a few other butlers are requested to bring down some extra chairs and tables from the attic. Passing through the second floor means that yes, I glance to Lord Makai's office a few times. Only once I catch him stepping out.

I raise my hand to wave like some kind of idiot, but he doesn't even look at me. He heads downstairs and I'm left feeling disappointed, again. So I go about my work as I'm meant to, trying to act like I'm not bothered when I definitely am.

Should I just storm into his office and hope he'll speak with me? Maybe I should threaten to toss the pocket watch out the window? I don't know, but if he could stop avoiding me that'd be great!

It's mid afternoon when the ballroom is finally ready for the celebration in only a few days time. It has been yet another long day of work and I'm finishing up my usual duties on the second floor when I notice a slightly open door at the far end of the east hallway, past Lord Makai's room.

To be honest, I've never gone past Lord Makai's room. The hall isn't off limits, but the rooms are so there's never been a point for me to go. That makes me more curious though. The doors that are left, the ones that are never open, what's in them?

So it's probably why I'm so fixated on that slightly ajar door. I don't know what's in there. Only Higra and Layne are permitted to clean them, even Hael has said he has never seen what's inside. There's no noise coming from them either so I step a little closer, calling for Higra or Layne and asking if they are in need of assistance.

Neither answer though as I finally step in front of the room.

♱♱♱

So fun to add bits and pieces of the world like The Day of Aberia and how they celebrate their goddess ^^ Hope you enjoyed that little tidbit! Hael is reinforcing that the royals and Soran are really not friendly. He seems to get some special treatment, huh? But not in a good way >.> And, uh oh, is Wallie about to get into something he shouldn't?