The whip came down with another crack and the boy writhed in pain and tears.

Em threw herself at the person wielding the whip. Trying to grab his arm and hold on. Trying to get it to stop.

She might as well have been made of air for all the good she did.

“Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!”

It was only ten lashes, but what kind of monsters would whip a human being like that?! And this was a dream, darn it! A dream! A lucid dream. She should be able to do something! Like in the other dreams! She should!

As a last ditch effort, she threw herself over the boy. Felt the whip flash right through her.

Air. That was all she was.

“Enough.”

Em kept her arms protectively around the boy and glared at the woman. Unaware of Em’s glare, the woman languidly stood up from where she’d been watching.

She looked like a noblewoman.

Dressed in a fine gown, it made a soft swooshing noise when she walked toward them. Her lips turned up in a smirk as she reached down and grabbed the boy by the chin. Em tried to swat her and was furious when her hand when right through.

“What’s this?” She rubbed a thumb under his eye. Em snarled at her. “You actually made the arrogant whelp cry. How did you do that?”

“I infused the whip with a dor poison.”

“Really? Can you use it on my other slaves? None need as much retraining as this one, but I have several that could use a reminder of their place.”

“I’m afraid the poison would kill any but a lycanthrope. And even then,” the trainer threw a look over the young prince. “I wouldn’t try it on a prey animal. What kind of beast is he? I’ve never seen one stay on their knees after three lashes.”

“Unfortunately, by the time I bought him someone had already sealed his other form away. I would have loved to know myself. Will you tell us, little puppy?”

She stroked the boy’s cheek, and he tried to yank himself back.

“Good gods! How is he still-?”

The woman slapped Prince, eyes hardening as she straightened up. “Keep going,” she told the trainer coldly. “Until the wretch passes out.”

Em cried, begging them to stop as she clung to the boy’s shoulders.

Unable to do anything. Unable to help.

Unable to stop them.

The boy finally collapsed, and she opened her eyes.

She sat up quickly, wildly looking around her pink and white room. Ready to beat that wretched woman to death!

Cheeks still wet with her tears.

Her wild gaze stopped on someone watching her. The man was sitting in a chair beside the bed, arms crossed, leaning back. Saying nothing as they met each other’s eyes.

She wiped away more tears.

“Hello,” she whispered timidly. Her throat sore.

“I couldn’t wake you.”

His voice was as gruff as his gaze was cold. Did he even try to wake her? He’d seemed too relaxed in his seat.

“Are you alright now?”

She nodded and looked down at her lap. Clutching the blanket. Fighting tears.

Crap, why? Why won’t these dreams just end? Were her good dreams worth the horrible Prince dreams?

I want Maddie.

She wiped away more tears and was startled to realize someone was holding a folded white cloth close to her face.

Hesitantly, she took the handkerchief.

“I’ll send someone with some food,” said Flint stiffly as he stood up. “Rest today. And tomorrow. I’ll check on you at supper.”

Em watched him leave.

Why had he come in the first place?

Too tired to think about it any longer, Em curled up in a ball and played with the handkerchief between dozing.

Only to sit up with a gasp.

Her face, already pale from exhaustion, turned sallow.

Flint Grimshaw knew.

There was no way he didn’t know!

What had she done?! All she had to do was nothing. Then no one would know about her talent with healing!

And if no one knew, her guardian wouldn’t sell her off to the Emperor. And she wouldn’t live a miserable life being used and trapped. She’d remain free until she found a way out of the family and on her own.

But, no! She’d gone and saved the other brother instead. The one who already had a track record for being a bad brother.

A scary, bad brother.

Crap!

Just crap!

She groaned and wriggled her way under the covers, pulling them over her head.

What was she supposed to do now?!

***

While Em recovered from overusing her mana, the rest of the manor was unexpectedly busy.

The new Baron had made a decision that turned everything on its head.

Most of the staff cleaned and closed up rooms. Putting sheets over furniture. Packing some things up and putting them in the attic. Other things they prepared to be sent to the Baron’s new March lands.

And sorting through goods that would spoil if not taken by them or sold.

All while waiting for recommendation letters, news of alternative employment, and severance pays.

The only relief to this sudden turn of events was the reception food.

Since the guests never got to enjoy it, the staff got their hands on treats they otherwise wouldn’t dare touch.

Em was unaware of most of this activity as she slept for nearly three days. Waking only to eat and talk to Tracy.

She noticed Tracy looked stressed but didn’t dig.

Even if she could stay awake for long, she had her own problems.

Prince kept coming back to her dreams the whole time. Unlike the time skips from before, he remained about fifteen and with the injuries from the other night. Recovering from his mess like she was recovering from her’s.

On the second day, she started singing modern pop songs to him. He couldn’t hear her, of course, but she imagined he seemed a lot calmer when she sang.

The fourth morning, though, she finally felt like she could get out of bed.

“Don’t I have to wear black again?” she asked. Confused when Tracy brought out the yellow dress after her bath.

Tracy hesitated.

“The master ordered that there’d be no mourning for-” She stumbled. Her orders were to show no respect for the other young master, but she didn’t know what else to call him.

“But what about the death spirits?”

Tracy shrugged. Then put the pile of clothes she’d been carrying on a chair before helping Em into her chemise.

“He’s having priests come by tomorrow to put up mourning wreaths. Then he’ll return in a year to complete the ceremony. Or send someone in his stead if he can’t come.”

Em didn’t think it was a good sign that no one suggested she do it.

Would she still be part of the family by then? Flint may not sell her off to the Crown Prince (soon to be Emperor) or the pedophile Marquis, but...

She shivered.

About a half hour later, when she was dressed and her hair done, she left her room for the first time.

And didn’t miss the first set of dust cloths in the main hallway. Covering paintings and other ornaments on pedestals.

Tracy had to leave again to help the others, so Em wandered around. Her mouth falling more and more open in distress the more she saw.

Then she closed her lips tightly.

That’s it! She had to know what was going on.

She straightened her shoulders and marched up to the office.

Three men came out, and another went in just as she reached the hallway. She vaguely recognized them as being vessels of the barony. None of them were nobles (at least, not by title), but all of them worked for the house in one way or another.

Since the door was open, she marched in and folded her arms. Waiting in line while the man in front of her spoke with her brother.

Flint saw her. She knew he did. But he continued talking about, what was it? Rental agreements?

As she waited, she bounced on her toes. Her stomach twisting with nerves as she looked around. She noticed another man standing on the far right wall. Hands behind his back, standing straight, purple hair pulled out of his face.

A knight, she realized. Recognizing the cut of his uniform, though she didn’t know the insignia.

When their eyes met, he surprised her by smiling warmly and bowing his head in a respectful gesture.

Finally, the current person talking to Flint ended the conversation. Looking thrilled with the results of the interview as he strode from the room. (He should be happy, Em thought. He’d just gotten all the rental agreements cut down to half for the next two years.)

He did pause, though, upon seeing Em. Also giving her a small head bow before disappearing through the door.

“Yes?”

She turned back to her brother. He stood up and leaned on the desk, eyebrow raised.

There was no use beating around the bush.

“I want to know where I’m going.”

She raised her chin defiantly, though her knees knocked. What was so different between Felix and Flint?! She’d faced Felix with no fear. But now, all she wanted to do was dash away.

When Flint didn’t answer right away, she plowed on.

“I know I’m going somewhere. Unless you’re going to only keep my room and the kitchen open.” She paused. Struck by a horrible thought. “You wouldn’t leave me here without food, right?!”