"Shouldn't some adult take care of you? I mean... you are still a kid..."

"Everything I need is provided to me by servants. Other than that, I can function on my own. I have the full power of this house and everything else. I get everything I need."

"Uhmm... Sorry for bothering you."

Then he was quiet, like being in deep thought about something. Did he really get everything he needed? It must be hard for such a young person to function on its own. But he had a point. He had loads of staff at this huge house, who was taking care of every single task given them. Just one flick of his fingers and there was always someone to aid Edmund. I, on the other hand, would perish if left alone. I had been lucky to have people, who at least helped me to survive in this world. My mother died giving me birth and soon after that, I was switched from one home to another. As soon as I could walk and understand the world, my slave life began. Up until now, I felt a little bit of gratitude for those few people, but after experiencing this hard life I have grown to hate it. Sometimes I wished to have been taken away along with my mother when she died.

"Come, I will take you to servants quarters, stables and will show you the garden."

We walked downstairs. The hallway ahead was getting darker and it started to look less posh than the rest of the house. I could see a field of green grass ahead and other buildings made of grey looking bricks. They were not as tall as the rest of the house, but nevertheless the height was impressive. A couple of servants were making the way alongside the wall. Upon seeing Edmund, some of them scurried away, their heads low. They seemed to be relaxing before or taking the rest on the bench. Edmund's presence sent them back to work, I suppose. For this enormous house there must be hundreds of servants and in this building... hundreds of rooms only for them.

We were nearing one particular door - brown, made of dark wood or it was just old-looking, heavy metal hinges hold them together. For a taller person, it looked too low and I could imagine every time going through them you would have to duck slightly.

Edmund opened it with ease. Few steps were ascending to a lower level. It looked like a storage room for food and similar things. Two archway corridors lead to each side and we took the left. I could hear metal pots clanging and shuffling of servant's feet around. The place was rather dark as the small windows barely let in any light.

"Ah! Good morning young Lordship!" a woman's voice came from behind us. "What do we have here? A young face?" She said sweetly, but I could tell it was a forced act.

She was eyeing me from head to toe. Her green eyes looked pale of aging, wrinkles on her face showed her true state of life. Her outfit was more luxurious than those of other servants - black dress reaching to her toes with heavy accented lacing on her wrists and around her neck area. Set of dozens of keys were attached to her waist. She looked somewhat important.

"I was looking for you, Adele. I am just showing my slave a house." Edmund stared at Adele for a while until continuing. "Don't even look at her. Thea will not be the one under your command. I am in charge of her. ... Adele? ... I want you to keep this in mind... She is only to do what I want. Thea does not need to do anything, what someone else says, understand? If so... that person will have to deal with me after that... personally." Edmund's words sounded like a threat to her.

He looked very serious, like a grown man with a child's face. Adele was a little bit taken aback by his words. She smiled.

"Fine, my Lordship. As you wish. I shall inform others then." she shot a last glance at me and left, as Edmund continued keeping an eye on her.

"Did you hear me?" He said calmly, but his sight was set away from me. In seconds he turned around and was looking straight in my face. I nodded with my lips shut tight. I felt tense by his side. For such a kid, his dominating energy was overwhelming. "Good. You remember it too. Don't listen to anybody, except me. ... This is a kitchen, where you will be coming to get my food. Just ask the servants for it and bring it for me upstairs. You don't have to worry about anything else. "

I saw some servants by the stove giving us quiet looks. Young and older maids were busy working around. Edmund walked passed them like they did not exist like they were not worth his attention.

We got through all the rooms and halls in servants quarters and were back on a green patch of grass separating the main house. Edmund held his hands in pockets of his pants as he was watching the clouds passing high up in the sky.

"Do you want to go to see stables?" it sounded like an invitation.

"Hmm m ..." I nodded.

"Do... you... want... to... see... the... stables?" Edmund asked again, his eyes locked with mine.

Did he not hear me or what?

"I want to hear a clear answer from you, not just some mumbles. Learn to talk properly."

Edmund was scaring me by how serious he looked. Just a minute ago he was so carefree and now back in his usual mood.

"So... what is your answer?"

"Y...yes." I stuttered.

"Again!" Edmund persisted.

Again?

"Yes! I want to go to stables."

"That's better." he smiled and his face relaxed. "I will introduce you to someone. It is very important for me to know, what he thinks of you. And also I want to know, what will be your thoughts on him."

"Who is he?"

Edmund did not answer, he just gave me a mischievous smile. I did not like how he was 'playing' with me.

***

The way to the fields was longer than I expected. It almost felt like you need a horse to get there. How a rich person like Edmund could stand a thought of taking so long trips to get there?

"Aren't you bothered to walk all the way there on your foot?"

"Not at all. I don't care how much work I have to put in if I know that somebody is waiting for me on another side." he smiled dreamily.

Then it must be someone very special to him if he felt so happy just about that thought alone.

I noticed a young boy on the hill where a huge oak tree stood. Under it, a big black horse was going crazy in a hold of this boy. It was a very massive animal. Its mane was long and thick swaying wild in the light wind and by the motion of its crazed moves. The horse was pulling strongly on its reins, clearly putting a strain on the boy's weak arms. He looked panicked and defeated, while the animal was showing its tantrum.

Edmund stopped and whistled loudly by my ear.

Their heads snapped back in our direction - horse's as well as the boy's defeated one. On a momentum of surprise, the black animal pulled out of its handler's grasp and wildly galloped in our way. I could feel land under my feet shake by its heavy beating steps. Horse closed in on us and I saw Edmund stepping aside leaving me exposed in a direct way of this wild creature. My heart was beating louder than the hooves of an animal heading straight at me. It did not seem to be willing to stop. Fear grasped my form, but I could do nothing. I will be trampled over just in seconds if a miracle does not occur.

I fell on the ground when a horse came just inches from my small form. It had stopped just in time. It's breathing was erratic and his nostrils flared in excitement. The animal was watching me as well as Edmund. But on my master's lips, a wide grin was playing.

Did he want this animal to kill me?

I knew it is not a case, but the scene must have looked that way from afar.