The Return of the Luna Duchess

16 Teach Them a Lesson

I am not sure if Kieran will get what I'm trying to tell him.

So, I put a finger to my lips, hoping that Kieran can understand that he needs to be quiet so we can witness what is really happening without alerting the people and get their guards up.

To my surprise and delight, even though Kieran didn't babble anything or nod his head--he didn't even so much as blink at me, it seems that he still acknowledged what I asked of him.

How? Well, Kieran just suddenly stuffs his thumb into his mouth and starts sucking it.

I don't know if he would have done that anyway even without me motioning anything or...he did that because he understood that I want him to be silent.

Well, no matter the case, I'm glad that he seems to be cooperating quite well.

Whether it was intentional or not.

Giving my youngest a sweet and grateful smile, I glance in Keenan's direction and nod my head, silently telling him that we're going to be on the move.

Keenan grins at me, his face full of glee and his body seems to radiate with excitement as he lifts his hand and gives me a thumbs up.

And with that, I slowly make my way towards the bend where one of the hallways opens to the right. I can feel Keenan trail behind me, just as silently as I am.

I don't know why we're doing this.

I mean, I know that we're going to investigate what the commotion was about. But I just don't know why we are doing it in such a way. Like, sneak our way there when we can always just stride towards them like a normal person.

I noticed when I regressed to the past or woke from that futuristic dream, it seems that I also feel like I was my younger self. I can never imagine myself doing something like this back then.

And I mean, yeah, technically I AM my younger self now but somehow, I still retained the consciousness and behavior of my future self in my head.

Was that even possible if it was just a dream? Or...did it really happen and the theory that I went back in time was actually what happened to me?

Well, that realization only gave me more questions than answers.

But as I mentioned before, whether it was a dream or a regression, it doesn't matter. As long as I am going to start making some changes in the now, I can secure a better future for my sons.

Anyway, whatever it is we are doing right now, it seems to make Keenan happy AND it will also satisfy my curiosity along the way.

Therefore, I guess this isn't so bad. Especially when it's still a win-win situation for me and my Keenan.

As we draw near the corner of the hallway, where one can make a turn to the right that leads to a faster way from the kitchens to the Duchess's Wing, I halt in place and peek my head out of the corner.

I feel Keenan wriggling against me as he squeezes himself between me and the wall so he can also take a peek.

With an adoring smile, I shift to make room so he can easily spy on the commotion as I do.

When I finally refocused on the hullabaloo before me, I see three estate maids backing one maid on the wall and encircling her. I squint and even though I can't see the lone maid well enough, I can still see the side of her face.

And from where I am, even though I have the poorest Awakening state, I catch a hint of red on her cheek.

That must be the source of the slaps we've been hearing since we got out of my room.

Just how many times was this girl slapped before we got out?

I never encountered something like this happening in my wing before. But then again, normally the Duchess Wing is devoid of any presence, be it ghosts or not, save for me and occasionally, the Head butler whenever he summons me for business purposes.

But ever since my children started staying in my room with me, I noticed and heard that there have been more and more people walking up and down my usually empty hallway. I think the once abandoned hallway had become a bustling metropolis of various activities.

Either the children needed more attention and supplies than I ever did or the staff are going all out because of Keenan. My eldest whom they rever and respect the most second to the Duke because...well, he's the eldest and it's a no-brainer that he's going to be the next in line for the Dukedom.

Anyway, everything is new to me now.

My sons being with me, my wing being filled with people, and I know there are going to be plenty more changes that are waiting on the horizon for me.

I'm lying if I said that the changes don't make me feel worry and anxious. Not only that, but it sometimes scares me half to death.

However, after experiencing and enjoying the changes I made with my boys, I thought that maybe changes like these aren't so bad.

"How dare a lowly Human as you look us in the eye?" one of the maids declared in a loud and arrogant voice.

And that immediately rubbed me the wrong way.

It is no secret that the people in the Luna Kingdom have developed an arrogance like no other over the years. I mentioned how they are now turning up their noses to every other race, even the Luna Kingdom's long-time ally, the Arcana Kingdom.

Heck, the people here are looking down on their fellow Shifters if they are from the same category as me, Stunted Awakeners. How much more other races, especially the Humans who were already considered an inferior race?

"Do that again and you'll get more than just a slap across that cheek of yours," another one growls.

"Or what? You want something more?" the third one lifts a fist high in the air and smirks. "I doubt you'll survive one small punch from me with that weak body of yours."

To my surprise, the Human lifts her face and purposely looked everyone in the eye. I think she was even glaring at the three of them.

"Why would I bow my heads to you?" the Human said in a firm and resolute voice. "You are all my co-workers. And even though nobility can also work here in the duchy, I recall that none of you have noble blood running through your veins. Therefore, why would I bow my heads to my fellow peasants?"

Despite the situation, I find myself respecting this Human maid. She has spunk and grit and I like that.

If I recall correctly, there are no other Humans in the duchy's employ.

I barely even remember when I hired her before and since I was on a mission to not get attached, I do my best to keep my distance from everyone as much as possible.

And that's why I can't recall who she was other than being the only Human working on the estate.

The three maids gasps at the Human's words.

Then the third maid lifts her fist and attempts to strike the Human woman but then withdraws it quickly.

It was clear that she was just feinting to land a punch as is the case of most bullying. However, the Human woman didn't even flinch.

She must have known that the Shifter was just mocking her.

But...I guess that didn't enter Keenan's mind and didn't understand that that was only a bluff. Well, because I feel him struggling to wriggle out between me and the wall just to get to the Human woman's side.

I quickly reach down and grab hold of his shoulder before he can slip past me.

"Mommy! Let go!" he complains but was still whispering.

"And what are you planning to do, young man?" I ask him, making sure my hold on his shoulder is firm yet not enough to hurt him.

"I will go and save Adrianne from those mean maids! This is no time for me to sit here and wait, Mommy," he whispers urgently, trying to wriggle free from my hold.

This is not a good idea. Just rushing over there with no plans whatsoever...even if he's the Young Master of the house, it's risky.

I don't want the maids to take advantage of Keenan and believe that a couple of sweet words and some candies will let them off the hook for their abuse of their fellow workers.

Even when I was the Detestable Duchess and was known in and out of the Kingdom, there have never been rumors that I am a Master who hurts their employees.

At least not physically.

I've never slapped someone. I didn't even think about whipping them as a form of punishment whenever they make a real mistake.

Yet these maids have the audacity to act and do something even I, their Lady and Master, had ever done.

Since I am not going to be the Detestable Duchess anymore, I'm going to have to become a little more lenient in my scoldings.

"Besides," Keenan continues softly. "I like Adrianne. She's the only maid who doesn't treat Kieran badly and also gives him some candies when the others only give me some and ignore Kieran completely."

Okay, forget the lenient scoldings. Should I give them the biggest surprise of their life instead then?

Heh...maybe.

Squeezing Keenan's shoulder lightly, I give him a sweet smile when he looks up at me.

"Don't worry, baby. Mommy will handle this."

With a devious smile on my face, I heft Kieran in my arms, adjusting him in a more comfortable position before I start to head towards the group.

Forget about being lenient, I want to teach these maids a lesson for treating my Kieran wrong.