His Property: Alaric Helios, Ezekiel

Chapter 1

" Niah! "

Hearing a familiar voice Zephaniah turns her head to confirm if it is the person she has been waiting for.

She saw a young man running towards her direction with a bright smile on his face. Zephaniah was stunned for some seconds when she saw the young man, she put down the basket full of washed clothes she's holding and welcomed the young man and hugged him tightly.

" Welcome back. " She quietly whispered with teary eyes.

" Yes, I'm back. " The young man responded while tightening his arms around her waist.

" We should go inside, Mother Isa will be glad if she knows that you are back. And the kids also miss you so much that they keep asking when you'll be coming back."

Zephaniah said while wiping the tears in the corner of her eyes, pick up the basket and pulled the young man inside the orphanage.

" Mother Isa! Samuel is back! "

Zephaniah shouted after they entered the orphanage.

" Brother Samuel! "

All the kids who heard her voice ran out happily and shouted when they saw that Samuel was really back.

" Samuel you're back! How have you been working at the Viscount mansion? "

The nun mother Isa ask after coming down the stairs.

" Mother Isa! I am fine the viscount family is kind to us. " he smiled and responded after seeing the nun.

Mother Isa is the head nun of the orphanage she have watched Zephaniah and Samuel grow up, that's why both of them are really close to her.

" Brother Samuel, where's our gift? Did you bring it with you? "

A kid in 7 years old asked and after hearing their friends' questions all the kids looked at Samuel eagerly and stared into his eyes.

" Yes of course, I have brought all of your gift. It is just outside of the orphanage."

" Yay!!! " All the kids excitedly shout and run outside to get their gifts.

" You keep spoiling them. " Mother Isa said disapprovingly but if you look at her face you will see a bright smile on her face.

Samuel always buys gifts for the kids whenever he gets a chance to go back to the orphanage or if he can't go back he will send all gifts he bought for the kids.

" Oh! right Niah the Viscount family needs a few maids if you want when i go back to the Viscount mansion you can come with me."

Samuel excitedly said to Zephaniah who's standing at the side and keep smiling as she watched Samuel talk to Mother Isa and the kids in the orphanage.

" Really! Niah, why don't you go with Samuel when he go back, you are already an adult years ago so it is ok if you go to the viscount house and work there. "

Mother Isa happily said to Zephaniah, she have been telling her year ago that if she wants to leave the orphanage and work at the city she just has to inform her so she can prepare all things that she will be needing. but Zephaniah keeps on telling her that she doesn't want to leave and that she will tell her if she wants too.

" Yes I will think about it, Mother Isa." Niah said.

" Oh! You two should talk. I'll be going outside to keep an eye with the kids. as I see that you two have a lot to talk about." Mother Isa said, teasing both of them, when she saw the two keep looking at each other.

" Mother Isa! " Zephaniah said, feeling hot on both of her cheeks.

After the two were left alone there's an awkward silence for a few minutes until Samuel speak first.

" Should we go for a walk and talk outside? "

" Yes! sure." Niah blushingly said.

The two walk outside using the backdoor. that leads to a small lake near the orphanage. Their orphanage was located outside of the South city. It would take one full day to reach the Viscount mansion.

The Alarie Empire has four cities other than the capital, which are the North, South, East, and West cities. all cities are quite far with each other and to the capital, each city has some lords ruling them. The south being the smallest city of the four and the north being the second largest city as the capital city was the largest. Almost all noble families lived in the capital.

The South City was ruled by Duke Arne, while the Viscount Bail family was one of the families that lived in the south. And Samuel is working at the Bail family as a caretaker of the viscount horses. The Viscount family is also one of the families who annually donated a big amount of money to the orphanage. They also allowed children who grow up in the orphanage to work with them.

------

Zephaniah and Samuel reached the lake and decided to sit down near the water. there's a silence between the two as if not knowing what to talk about. Not until Samuel move his head to look at niah side profile and reached out her left hand to hold as he whispered lovingly

" I miss you so much! Niah. "

hearing the words Niah looked at Samuel with tears in her eyes as she slowly smiled at him and said.

"Me too! I miss you so much Sam!"

Samuel pulled her in his embrace, only Gods know how much he yearn to see Niah in those years he couldn't see her. They grow up together and rely on each other since they were kids, And when Niah reach 18 years old. Samuel confess to her, ask Niah to his girlfriend, she happily said yes to him at that time.

But few months after they started dating, Samuel had to leave and work at the Viscount Bail family since he is already 19 which is the legal age and can start working outside.

The empire didn't allow any children to work not until they reach 19 years old. Niah was heartbroken at that time, She didn't even talk to Samuel for a few days and the night before Samuel leaving, Niah cried at him asking Samuel to not leave and just stay at the orphanage. Samuel doesn't know what to do and say to make her stop.

That night Samuel stays at Niah's side and promise her that he will always come back to the orphanage and will also write letters to her. It was only hearing that promise that Niah stopped crying and went to sleep. And Samuel can leave at peace.

At first Samuel fulfilled his promise but 6 months after, Samuel can't come back to the orphanage as the Viscount mansion is always busy and he can't take a day off. What Samuel can do is to send letters to Niah asking how is she and telling things that happened to him everyday. And time flies 1 year after Samuel left, but he still didn't comeback at the orphanage. It was until 2 years and a half after his last visit to the orphanage, that he managed to have tine and went back.

He even said to himself that he wouldn't leave Zephaniah in the orphanage anymore, and planned to ask her if she wanted to work at the Viscount family, not be separated anymore. But little did he know that this time they wouldn't just be separated for a few years but a lifetime, but it would happen at the latter part of the story.

" Would you marry me after you have adjusted working at the Bail family? " Samuel ask breaking the silence

Hearing the words Niah was stunned, her beautiful green eyes were full of shock as she looked at Samuel's smiling face.

Hearing no response Samuel didn't ask again but patiently waited and kept staring lovingly at Niah.

After registering what Samuel said, Niah comes back to her senses throwing herself at Samuel arms as she responds to his proposal with eyes full of tears, and happily said.

" Yes! I will marry you! I Love You So Much Sam! "

" Me too, I Love You So Much Niah. "

The two stayed at the lake hugging, and talking about things that happened to them during the past few years without the company of each other.

When the two comeback to the orphanage the sun is setting already, they announced to mother Isa and to the other nun their plan to get married after Niah have adjusted at the Bail family, As she have decided to work at the Viscount family so the two won't be separated anymore. They plan to leave two weeks after.

Mother Isa and the other nuns in the orphanage express their happiness for the both of them as they all know that the two were in an intimate relationship. After knowing the news all the kids in the orphanage cried as they'll miss Zephaniah and knowing that they won't be seeing her after she leaves the orphanage.

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Time flies. It's already the day the two will be leaving the orphanage, Niah bids goodbyes to all the nuns and kids in the orphanage as she doesn't know how long she could visit them again.

It was hard for her to bear to leave the orphanage as she have live in the orphanage from the day she's born.

" Niah we should leave now, so we can arrive before the sunset." Samuel said who is standing near the carriage as he waits for Zephaniah to finish saying her goodbyes.

" Right! You should leave now as it's a long journey to reach the Viscount house. '' Mother Isa said pushing Niah in the direction of the carriage.

After getting in the carriage Zephaniah looked at Mother Isa and said " Always take care of yourself mother Isa! "

hearing her mother Isa Smile at Zephaniah as a response. And keep looking at the carriage until it's no longer in view.

—--------

During the trip to the Viscount family Zephaniah just looked at the carriage window the whole time not knowing what she's thinking.

when they arrived at the Bail Mansion, Zephaniah was introduced by Samuel to the head maid of the Viscount family. The head maid introduced Zephaniah to other maids and workers of the mansion, the head maid told her that she should rest today and she will be meeting the Viscount and her family tomorrow morning.

Zephaniah lay down to her bed that night thinking a lot of things until she fell asleep.

-----

Morning came Zephaniah met Viscount Bail, and was introduced to Viscount Bail children. Viscount Bail. and her wife have 4 children, the oldest child which is the heir and the Viscount only son is currently in the capital studying with the Viscountess, while the second born Lady Amellia have already gotten married 3 years ago to the richest merchant family in the South. The 3rd born Lady Ella 21 years old the same age as Zephaniah just arrived from the capital. She's taking a vacation in the mansion as 5 months from now she'll get married to the son of the Earl in the capital. And lastly the 4th born Lady Lia is only 10 years old and staying with the Viscount here in the South.

After knowing the Viscount Bail family, the head maid assigned Zephaniah to the 2nd Lady, Lady Ella, as her personal maid as they were of the same age.

Lady Ella is a beautiful, kind and a sweet girl, it is also the reason why Zephaniah became close to the 2nd lady and immediately adjusted working at the Viscount mansion.

And just like that it's been 3 months since Zephaniah Started working as a personal maid of Lady Ella. During those 3 months Lady Ella would always dress her up as a noble lady and since she and the lady have similar build she can wear all the old dresses of the lady.

There was even a one time that Zephaniah questioned Lady Ella about the purpose of dressing her up as a noble lady, because it won't change the fact that she is a commoner. But the Lady only laughed at her after hearing her questions and only said

" Dressing you like this always make me relieved my boredom. As was even considering to bring you at the capital to let them know what beauty really is. Because even i wonder sometimes if are you really a commoner or just pretending to be one, Because if you have seen all the Ladies in the capital no one can even match your beauty, even the number one beauty in the empire can't match you, and it such a loss for your beauty if I don't dress you up sometimes. "

After hearing that answer Zephaniah never asked the Lady again and just followed what the lady wanted to do, and would thought that the Lady was joking with her.

But what Zephaniah didn't know is what Lady Ella said is really true as Zephaniah's appearance is so beautiful, so beautiful that she would even fit the saying

' A Beauty That Can Bring Down an Empire.'

Because Zephaniah is already beautiful without even dressing her up, and if she dress as one like a noble lady, no one would even doubt that she's not a daughter of a noble and a commoner.

Zephaniah's natural curly blonde hair complemented her small face and fair skin, together with her green eyes, and a small heart shaped lips. With her looks only she could pass as a daughter of some, and if she wear a make up and a nice dress she would look like a princess of some country, but just as fate is always not fair she was born as a commoner.

' tsk tsk god sure is still fair, he gave her a beauty without status, just like those women in the capital they have a status but aren't beautiful.'

Lady Ella couldn't help saying to herself as she looked at Zephaniah in the mirror.

—---

" I heard you'll getting married next month, what was his name again, Manuel, Neil, Sa-Sam.."

Lady Ella naughty said as she looked up at Zephaniah at her side as she was crunching at the tea table in the garden.

" It's Samuel, my lady, and yes we plan to get married next month." she said with cheeks tinted in red.

" How nice, you can marry the person you love. " Lady Ella said, sighing.

It is not a secret that lady Ella will get married 2 months from now, to young master Allen son of Earl Welsh in the capital it was a political marriage. 2 years ago young master Allen and lady Ella got engaged for the reason of connecting the two families. At first they said that lady Ella is really against with the engagement, but later on lady Ella accepted her fate.

" Young master Allen is a good man, my lady. " Zephaniah comfortingly said to lady Ella.

" I know, but Niah girl's always want someone extraordinary, A God's favorite. Just like someone who's cold but handsome, someone who's ruthless but sexy. " she said to Zephaniah while imagining that someone was in front of her.

" Yeah! Yeah! And that someone is no other than the Grand Duke's Alaric Helios Ezekiel, But my lady there's a rumor that he doesn't hesitate to kill someone even if it is his blood related." She said reminding the lady that Grand Duke Ezekiel is not a good choice as a husband .

" Yeah I know Niah, but if you have seen the Grand Duke you'll understand why all girls want him, even his like that. And maybe you'll have a second thought marrying Samuel, HaHaHa! " Lady Ella laughs naughtily.

" Lady Ella, I don't look at the appearance but what is inside him. " Zephaniah said disapprovingly to lady Ella.

" Oh! Right, I forgot that Samuel, your husband to be is the kindest and perfect man in you eyes." Lady Ella said to her as if she was remembered something really important.

" Lady Ella the lord wants to talk to you in the study " the head maid arrived in tge garden, and walked in their direction and said to lady Ella.

" Oh! right Niah don't forget to buy the 3rd copy of the book that we have brought last time."

Lady Ella said to Zephaniah before leaving the garden together with the head maid.

" Yes, Mg lady. " she said bowing to lady Ella to bid her goodbye.

After lady Ella is gone Niah went to her room and changed her clothes as she will be going to the town today.

Before going outside the mansion Niah went to Samuel place to have a chat and ask him if he had things that he wanted to buy in the town, she'll buy it for him so he won't need to go town.

Even though they work at the Bail family, they rarely talk to each other as they were assigned to a different place. her working inside the mansion and him working outside. The only time they can talk to each other is during their day off or sometimes when they are not that busy.

But if you're going to compare their situation before and now, it is much better because they can visit and see each other anytime.

—----

After talking to Samuel Niah decided to first go to the jewelry store to get lady Ella costume made earring. After getting the earrings Niah went to the bookstore to buy the books lady Ella was talking about. On her way to the bookstore Niah noticed a strange man crunching in the small alley, at first she decided to not mind the strange man but when she bypassed the alley. Niah heard the strange man talk in a small voice.

" s**t! What should I do, the lord would surely kill me if he knew that I broke his watch. " the strange man said, looking at the broken watch in his hands.

Niah went back and walked towards the strange man, bent down a little and said.

" Do you need some help? "

As if hearing someone talking to him the strange man wanted to shoo Niah away, but was stunned the moment he raised his head and saw Zephaniah face up close.

" Hello! " Niah said, waving her hand at the strange man's face after noticing that he was staring at her face for a long time without saying anything.

" oh! I'm sorry, Yes I need some help. " the strange man said while scratching her head awkwardly. As he noticed that he was staring at her which is quite rude to the lady.

" My watch broke after it fell on the ground when I was walking just now. Do you perhaps know a place where I can fix my watch? " The strange man said to Niah as he awkwardly scratch his head.

" I know some places, if you want i can go with you there." Niah said to the strange man after seeing the situation.

Is not that she doesn't consider her safety but because she know that nothing will happen to her as there's a lot of guard patrolling at the street.

" Really! Thank you so much! By the way, I'm Aiken." The strange man introduce and extends his hand to Niah.

Hearing his name Zephaniah reach out the extended hand and introduce herself.

" I'm Zephaniah."

After introducing herself to Aiken, Niah turned around and started to walk in the direction of the repair shop she's talking about.

Aiken followed Zephaniah and while walking he couldn't help but take another look at Zephaniah's face again. wondering if Zephaniah is a daughter of some fallen noble in the South, because he have never seen her face at the capital, and Zephaniah's face is hard to forget. It was also because she was wearing some cheap dresses. As you all know there's a lot of noble families in the empire some are living their life in luxury some is living poverty.

And because of that a lot of nobles ladies who still doesn't debut in the capital.

" This is the shop. '' Zephaniah stopped walking in front of the repair shop, turn around and said to Aiken.

" How do you want me to thank you, my lady? " Aiken politely said to Niah

" No! it's okay, then I'll be leaving." Niah said leaving the place after saying goodbye.

Seeing Zephaniah leave without asking him anything, Aiken couldn't help but think of the lord in the capital, because if the person Niah met was the lord and not him. it won't just end as her helping him. Because he is sure that Zephaniah face is the lord type. And just imagining it, Aiken couldn't help but shudder because it's too scary to imagine if it happen.

After Aiken can no longer saw Niah shadow anymore, he went inside to get the watch fix. without knowing that what his thinking would happen within a few day.