Maxim could feel his master tense again. The yang lord waved his hand < you can talk in front of Maxim.. he is mute .. > < oh ..> There was a surprise on the other lord's face and the hate seemed to lesson < I see .. > he would never guess that a commener can read and write.  he sighed deeply < the rats came home recently .. and they brought good news ..> Maxim could see his master's eyes shine in anticipation as the other man continued to talk in riddles < it seems the big cat is in .. > 

< hah !> Maxim was surprised to see his lord clap his hand in happiness, he saw him  cover his mouth and try hard to suppress the grin off his face < so it started ..> 

< humm > The other Nobel man stood and continued walking closer gain, as if taking the chance now that Gilbert was in a good mood < but he needs time, this .. big move needed time but the fact he is willing to be part of it is confirmed ..> 

 Maxim was surprised when his master jumped off the bed and launched into the other man’s arms hugging him and laughing, but before Leopold got over the surprise and warp his arms around him Gilbert pulled away. 

He skillfully grabbed the other man’s Hand < this is the best news I heard In a while!  We should get the other into it too ..> he babbled in a happy cheerful voice < yes ..> the other man was completely charmed by the happy fairy holding his hand and dancing in a circle with him and didn’t notice when they reached the door. 

< now we just have to keep walking forward slowly .. and carefully .. > continued Gilbert as he reached the door and opened it slowly and gently pushing Leopold out < Gilbert .. > The other man called out the name in a begging tone.

 < Lepolod  .. you made me so happy tonight .. > he leaned in and softly kissed his cheek < good night ..> he smiled and closed the door. 

Maxim was beyond stunned. He wasn’t sure what was happening, but he just witnessed a new side to his master. 

As Gilbert's eyes settled on him he tensed. < don’t worry .. > his master said as he walked back to the bed and flopped on it < Leopold is all bark but no bite ..>  

Maxim wanted to nod to express his understanding but his master was lying on the bed with his eyes closed.

He stood there by the bed, the towel in hand, confused.

< maxim ..> came the master voice above a whisper < my hair is still wet ..>

Maxim breathed.

Dry the hair... 

Yes …

He can work on that .. 

But .. what the hell just happened?

------

After what felt like an eternity the soft golden hair was dry and well brushed. Maxim wanted to signal to his master but when he barely touched the shoulder of the smaller man sitting in front of him the other softly fell backward on his chest. 

Maxim froze for a second he glanced at the master’s face and saw his long lashes resting on his cheek and breathing softly ..

He .. he slept .. sitting? How? 

A humm of discomfort came and the lord's eyes flattered < sleep ..> he hummed like a child. Maxim got used to the master's undirect order slowly held the slender shoulders and adjusted the smaller man on the bed horizontally. 

He was quite small, felt sof in his arms and the exposed skin of his neck shone in the light reflecting a pale skin. 

Maximus was amazed by his self-control, but then again, he was no monster.

After the servant reached out to the blanket and covered the master he retreated his hand breathing in relief to have more distance from this enchanting creature.

 A hand reached out and grabbed his.

Maxim swallowed the unmanly yelp and stared at his master whose eyes slowly opened < you‘re sleeping here ..> 

Ah …

Maxim guessed as much, he had been after all staying with the master in his studio all this time.

He nodded obeying the command. And the slender finger loosened. Maxim stared as the tensed brow relaxed after getting the answer he wanted, the drowsiness made the almond-shaped eyes slowly close as the master fell asleep.

Maxim stood for a few seconds to make sure the master was asleep. He breathed out relaxing a bit and walked back to the connected bathroom to clean.

As his hand busied wiping the floors and cleaning the tub, Maxim's thoughts raced in his confused brain..

He never served nobles before, was it normal to be by the master's side every minute of the day? 

No, his master's situation was special after all …

situation .. what did that man mean? Rats? Cat? Join what? 

No. No. Maxim was 100 percent sure he did not want to know … he was not a curious man by nature, he knew when not to poke his nose.. he already knew a bit too much for a servant..

Or did he?

He didn’t get the chance to interact much with the other servants in this estate, but he was sure that most of them were aware of what happened behind closed doors. 

The way the servant would stop him from interfering earlier in the carriage incident as if he had seen this before ..

The way his master wholeheartedly hated the older butler.

They knew ..

Even so, what could a servant even do? 

People like themselves were livestock to the noble blood in this kingdom. They were bought and sold like cattle. 

They were killed like bugs..

Maxim’s eyes snapped to the rug that tore from being squeezed too hard. 

He breathed out. 

Sometimes his thoughts strayed and he could feel this darkness of hate and violence try to resurface.

Maxim finished his duties and walked back to the bedroom. He adjusted the mana stone as he was thought to make it dimmer and dimmer until only a soft light shone barely illuminating the room. 

Without realizing it Maxim walked to the side of the bed and sat on the ground like he did in the studio. 

“Don’t be a fool … “he remembered his old owner and master as he scolded himself for fighting against Lily's murder,  “You will only die if you go after him now... You’re weak boy, you couldn’t protect her and can’t avenge her >

Maxim's fist tightened 

Weak .. he had cried for days and his old master showed rare kindness in letting him mourn in peace.

He couldn’t protect her … maxim’s eyes drifted to the slender fragile figure on the bed. 

He couldn’t avenge her … right, he had something to live for, he had to gain power, find that murderer, and rip him to shreds .. 

A small smile appeared on a maxim poker face.

 it always made him smile. 

Thinking of ways to torture that monster and how to make him pay for what he did to sweet sister Lily.

The estate master’s face appeared in his mind and the thought of doing the same to that old leecher made the smile on his face widen.