Rade's Demon Elimination Service

Chapter 38: Back in Haeven Manor

The Haeven clan has two children, that was to say two children within the main branch of the family, and they were Carysia and Laurinette Haeven. Although the Haeven clan has many branches of families that broke off from the main clan by marriage or blood, the only ones that have the eligibility of being the head of the clan would be someone from the main branch.

And there were two options.

The first option was the eldest, Laurinette, who was called as the next Geneva Aldeia. No, actually she was the Geneva Aldeia of her own generation. She was one of the few of the hunters who practiced the Time Freezing Technique and was considered to be peerless amongst her contemporaries. It was a lot to say and meant a big deal for the Haeven clan which had been steadily declining over the past few years because of their lack of talents.

And because the first option was already promising and has many great potential, the Haeven clan put all of their hopes on Laurinette's little shoulders, a brilliant light in the midst of the younger generation and what could be considered as the dark age of her clan.

That was where they stopped, not looking back at the second option.

Admittedly, the second option was more of a nuisance than someone the Haeven clan could put their hopes and dreams on. His shoulders were too weak, the head of the Haeven clan would say and clicked his tongue in a manner that was distasteful. It would not even be under his breath, those words were something that could be heard from the very father of the child in a daily basis.

They say that the Lady Heaven, the wife of the current head (not to be confused with the birth mother of Laurinette Haeven and the first Lady Haeven), died because of her aggravation and disappointment on the second option of the Haeven clan.

What a shame, people would say as they remember the former Lady Haeven (the second, of course). And she had been really hopeful too yet she only gave birth to a pathetic weak ordinary human being who would always spend his time on his room, being all sick and pathetic.

The hope of the Haeven clan to have another tool that they could use to pin their hopes of regaining their former glory up vaporated and condesed into a form of distaste and hatred.

Carysia Haeven was the second option that they never wanted. Although his eyes could see demons and barriers, there wasn't any snuff, not even the slightest bit, of the hunter's ability within his bones. He could not even use any spiritual energy, another reason that make people shake their head in displeasure.

He was the only son of the main branch of the Haeven clan and, although their hopes have already been placed towards the thin shoulders of his older sister, there were still certain expectations that he should have been able to accomplish that he simply could not do.

They expected him to try on different areas and fields. If the boy could not fight as good as the girl then maybe he would be good on practicing magic, but he wasn't (as have already stated earlier). They expected him to try his hand on weaponry on the scalding workshop of the forge where the holy weapons were made, the Holy Īren Fortress where the Heil Īren Sisters resides. Of course, Carysia tried and tried. He tried every option the clan laid out to him until he failed and failed, and he became someone who should not even be an option any longer.

Instead of trying the boy's hand on governing, what the Haeven clan did was to shut him off to the Haeven clan's manor. He couldn't do anything, they say.

In other and simpler words, Carysia Haeven was useless in the eyes of his own family.

It was either to bend on the rules or break and Carys chose to bend.

"When the sky's clear and the water's blue,

let's play by the river in a canoe.

Spring arrived with the dew,

your lips found dandelions to blew.

Only at the end will we bid adieu."

Rade looked at the singing boy in front of her. He was somehow shorter than herself despite having such long legs and his lashed was like the snow. Pure and white, wanting to be touched by warmth. It was as if any moment, his lashes will melt right on his lids.

She knew everything there was with the Haeven clan, or specifically the main branch of the clan. Rade has been training for over three months before she was finally let inside the manor. She sleeps inside the toolshed and the caretaker would stuff her with books about this clan, stating that she should educate herself with the family that she be serving.

The books were typically about the prominent figures within the hunters' society. With every volume, the decline of the Haeven clan was evident to Rade. Fewer and fewer pages were dedicated to them while the editions became recent and up to date that their clan surname was never again mentioned, as though they have faded.

Until very recently that another Haeven child was indicated as a possible candidate of the highest position within the Huntsman Order of Demon Eradication which is the Order of Prince.

All her life, Rade has always been living under the shadows of a set of prejudices against the cursed bloodline that she came from so with the name of Laurinette Haeven's, Rade feels a certain kind of familiarity.

The girl, Rade thought, they were all riding on the girl's talent and to salvage the glorious days that the clan's forefathers have built and established.

Meanwhile, Rade's eyes focused on the the boy who was obviously Carys Haeven or Carysia Haeven as his formal name was stated on the information sheet she was given about the two children.

She just came from the office of the main house, just finished on talking with the head of the Haeven clan for her permission to enter the living wing of the manor.

The Haeven clan's head was a rather weak man in stature yet strict on those whom he considered as "below" him. That, of course, included Rade, an apparent and obvious sign that would indicate as such was when he repeatedly said that Rade was now indebted to the Haeven family and that she must do everything on her power to serve the whole family.

As she was instructed, Rade went to her own room and she was only basing her direction on the vague sketch that one of the servants provided to her because no one would like to guide her in fear that Rade would kill them.

They knew her and, as expected, there will a lot of people inside the Haeven manor that would like to avoid her because of prejudices and certain rumors about her.

While in the exterior the head of the clan's move to accept the last descendant of the cursed bloodline of the Aldam clan was an act of kindness in the eyes of everyone and basically all of the hunters' society, it was actually quite the complete opposite. She was taken it exactly because of her cursed bloodline and it got nothing to do with any sort of kindness.

"A fine and great weapon you are," the man, who was referred to as the Lord Haeven, said to her earlier. "You'll be able to match my precious Laurinette, but you won't ever be capable of defeating her. You'll be a great practice dummy."

And that was exactly the main and only reason why she was accepted into this family. To cross swords and moves with the future Lady Haeven, but never to exceed her.

To be someone who would endure the sword slashes of their prized golden child. It was not out of kindness but of selfish reasons.

Getting out of her reverie, Rade focuses again on the boy, her eyes were slowly narrowing as sh scrutinized him. The boy was very beautiful, seemingly like an angel straight from the skies. Very fair in contrast of Rade's already pale complexion, but unlike her, there was a healthy glow on his skin thay she didn't have due to malnutrition.

"Hi," Carys greeted her with a wave on his bandaged hand. On his lap were more bandages waiting to be used and a first aid kit.

There was blood on his hands, the metallic scent was very familiar to Rade who just lost her whole family, but there wasn't any trace of pain in his face which puzzled Rade. She was only six years old and despite her best attempts, she would still winced upon calling forth her new weapon, the Aíma.

Rade consciously tried to cover the markings on her skin which was where hher cursed holy weapon resides on. It was very obvious since Rade was not wearing a long sleeve blouse. She was not yet used on having the holy weapon that has passed on to her using the death of her father.

"What happened?" Rade asked the boy, still holding her arm with her hands awkwardly. "To your hands."

He was sitting on the floor and he looked like he was struggling on his bandages. Even his only successfully bandaged hand was askew and doesn't look good as if it would unravel by itself in the slightest movement. Upon being asked by a question, Carys looked down on his bloody hands. His head was bent and he looked so forlorn with that kind of pose.

"I just came back from the Īren Fortress," Carys explained, his voice was innocent and hoarse as though he just cried. Rade was able to notice that fact too, as her eyes were sweeping on the edge of the red-rimmed eyes of the boy. "It's so hot there." Carys looked down on his hands again, the blood was already spilling from his little hand which soaked his bandages already. "And I always felt like burning."

Rade nodded and walked over to where he sat. She sat down and get the bandages, she was no good with anything related to medicine. Usually, Rade would let the Aíma heal any major injuries on her body and the rest of the minor injuries, she would let the time heal but she was able to familiarize herself with basic things like this since she was also not an i***t.

"You spent time with the Īren Sisters?" Rade asked and started to bandaged his hands properly, not caring about the certain markings on her skin which would typically cause her to be conscious of herself. She was already aware of the answer of her own question, but it was to create a casual conversation so he would be distracted enough to let her deal with his wounds.

They were wounds indeed and the skin of his palm was ugly peeling off. It reeked, Rade has to admit. The smell was like raw meat that one could find on a wet market. Because of the peeling of the skin, Rade could see the the flesh on the boy's hands, it created a disgusting sight but Rade was able to dab at it with some medicine and sprinkled some powdered herbals while Carys talked about the Holy Īren Fortress and the famous Heil Īren Sisters who were tthe main blacksmiths of the hunters' society, forging the most incredible holy weapons.

"They're really kind to me," he told Rade with enthusiasm though both of his nose and eyes were still flushed from his crying. "But everywhere I sit was hot. The Fortress is close to an active volcano, you know. I learned sewing over there and I learned a few moves with a sword. And it's so much fun there!"

Rade's gaze at the wound on the boy's hand. She asked permission if Carys would mind to take off the other askew bandaged so she could reapply thhe bandages. He shook his head and smiled with the same energy, not minding that Rade was holding hihs hand. Rade's suspicion was proven true when she saw the other hand.

There were long slashes and they were definitely not "burns" just as the boy implied to her.

Three months with the Haeven clan members taught Rade of their different methods of disciplining. The very tip of the ice berg was the whip. Maybe she should not have been so surprised when she saw these but Rade could not help it. To hurt someone as innocent as this kid who seemed not harbor any anger or resentment about his ruined hands, it was simply too cruel. Of course, a kid like this boy won't know how to even defend himself.

"These are not burns," she announced indifferently while still applying medicine on each of the wounds. Carys didn't even flinch as Rade treat his wound, gently dabbing at the whip lashes on his hands. "Whip lashes," she stated, finding it hard to restrain herself form doing so.

There was silence and, finally, Carys showed signed of despair and pain. His face distorted into a wince and looked like his tears would flow down from his eyes, Rade realized that Carys has only been trying to sound enthusiastic and energized when hhe was gripped with pain.

"It's okay to cry," Rade said though she has never cried before. Not even when she killed her father for killing her mother. Not when she was persecuted by killing that bastard. Not when she was being discriminated by people who does not even know her history. "It's okay to feel pain."

"P-papa didn't like that I liked se-sewing," Carys sobbed, snot was already dripping from the hole of his nose. It should have been disgusting but Rade found this rather cute and comical. "Who are you?" he then asked after realizing that this stranger girl hasn't said anything about her own identity.

He looked at her with big round eyes, his cheeks were bouncing when he spoke, and his hair was golden with the light which only made this boy looking so ethereal.

"I am Lord Haeven's new servant," Rade introduced herself in the same chilling tone, "My name is Elora Isolde Aldam."

"Quite a mouthful name, Carys wouldn't be able to pronounce that or even remember. Why don't we shorten it?"

But it wasn't Carys who responded to Rade. On the middle of a hall, someone was standing. She had been so still, Rade could mistake her for a statue and she had been too quiet that Rade hasn't even heard her ever coming towards them. It made Rade stack the bricks of her walls against this person.

Someone who could easily sneak behind Rade was someone that has a potential to kill her. The kind of ability that could surpass Rade, who was regarded as one of the most talented children in the hunters' society (as much as everyone hates to admit that fact), could be considered as powerful itself. Even full grown adults can't do that withh Rade.

Very similar to Carys, the girl that was in the middle of the hallways has extremely fair and smooth complexion, her hair was also the color of sunlight and her lashes were very long that it almost touch her high cheekbones. Although she was pretty, it could be deduced that it was obvious she did not get the kind of beauty that Carysia has.

"My lady." Rade immediately picked herself up and stood, executing a curtsy in front of the girl.

The girl in question was wearing a onesie with colorful paints splattered all over it recklessly. Her hair was very short, almost all the way to her head, in contrast with Carys' gorgeous fair locks. But the thing that stood out was her blue blue eyes. They were bright and they were also full of tears, directed at the hands of Carys Haeven.

"I'm Lauri," Laurinette introduced herself the turned to her younger brother. "What are you doing bothering Miss Aldam for, Carys? I told you to come to me when my classes are done, didn't I? I'll do that myself."

"It hurts," Carys responded, "it hurts, Lauri."

Rade only kept quiet herself. It was very foreign on her eyes to see people like this. Affection was a thing in the past, but Laurinette Haeven sat down on the floor. She joined Carys and she herself bandaged the hands of her brother.

"I will tell Papa," Lauri said, a frown could be seen on her face. "This has to stop."

"No!" Carys screamed, shaking his head again and again until Lauri cupped his heart-shaped face.

"Okay, fine, I won't," Lauri finally said, deciding that would be better to prevent Carys from shaking his head so vigorously.

Rade felt uncomfortable and she wanted to get out as soon as possible, but she hasn't been dismissed by her new masters. After all, the main purpose of her stay was to make Laurinette Haeven the best version of a warrior she can be.

In a short term, Rade was her new punching bag.

Carys looked up to Rade and smiled when he found her looking awkward, not knowing where to put her hands. In his mind, she looked like someone pretending to be a soldier.

But what he wasn't aware that time was that Rade actually was a soldier.

"What do you think, Elora?" Lauri asked the girl behind her when she saw Carys looking at the newcomer.

There was a sound rustling clothes as Rade immediately stood properly and answered Lauri with a very stiff and formal tone.

"The Lord Haeven seemed to have quite a temper, it would be better not to tell the lord about Young Master's condition and not to appeal to my lord because it might cause him to be aggravated yet again."

Lauri then looked down again. Her hands were opened and when Rade saw clearly what was on those, there were none but the same scars. When Lauri stood up, pulling Carys carefully along with her with little strength and effort, there was a bitter smile on the edge of her lips.

"You are right," Lauri told Rade with a very dejected voice, "I was just hoping that it would be better this time." Lauri then focused her eyes on Rade's fidgeting hands, there were bandages all over them and blood has started to seeped through the white bandages. The bandages around the girl's hands were flimsy and pathetic. This was thheh reason why Rade was familiar with the 'methods' of discipline of the Haeven clan. "And I think we are just the same."

Lauri held her hand up, showing the cruel scars that the whip lashes left on the surface of her skin. Her hands became ugly with those but her eyes still smiled happily.

"Elora Isolde?" Lauri asked, her eyes were looking up and her hand that wasn't holding Carys on the should was touching her chin as though she was thinking extremely hard. "How about Rade? You're name is so long and Carys here won't be able to call you by any of those names. Would you mind?"

Rade shook her head at the girl's request.

"Then you can call me Lauri instead of my lady, and call Carysia as Carys instead of young master," she added.

On that day, Rade became Rade's name.