Side Story 1 The boy and his maid

The clouds blotting out the sun casting shadows over the world below. The weather is gloomy and downcast. The current weather perfectly reflecting Andres turmoil. He bit his lips hard trying to ride the waves of pain washing through his entire body. His muscles spasmed and convulsed. He was sweating, his back wet and radiated extreme heat. There would be days like this. This strange illness that latched onto him one day when he was only four years old has been making his life hell.

Rumours around the estate that his illness is contagious has been spreading amongst the servants and maids alike. Making them avoid him like the plague, even neglecting his room and it would be covered in dust and filth if it wasn't for a certain young maid. Iris.

"Young master.. have you taken your medicine yet.." she called softly. Worry etched on her beautiful unblemished face.

Andres flutters his eyes open briefly but the sudden onset of pain caused him to shut his eyes painfully again.

"I told you before Iris. The medicine doesn't help." He said weakly, his voice strained. He coughs violently, causing him to vomit a tiny bit of blood.

"Young master!!" Iris called out in alarm.

She rushed to his side cupping his face and with a handkerchief in hand, she wiped the blood off his mouth tenderly.

"Leave!!" Screamed the duke's successor.

"Aren't you scared that you will be infected!" He said with bitterness in his voice.

"No! You know that's not true young master! If it was I would have had the symptoms weeks ago!" she protested stubbornly.

Andres glared at her but she stood her ground, her face twisted to a grimace but the worry in her eyes stayed, transfixed on the very pale face of her young master.

"We should call for the doctor, we need to tell you're parents!"

Andres scoffed at this. Since when have his parents ever cared, he was born to a loveless marriage between two people who were forced to be together by both their respective family. When he was diagnosed with this disease, he was kicked out of the main house away from the family and to live in the adjacent house next to the main building. As far as they were concerned they be better off birthing another heir to be the successor to the Grant family.

All his life Andres did not know the warmth of another person, for 12 years, he pushed anyone and everyone away. It certainly helps that no one wanted to be near him and his parent's cold attitude towards him has allowed some maids and servant to be easy going and lax in doing their job. By the time Iris came into his life a few months ago as a newly hired maid, only then was his room actually cleaned regularly instead of it being cleaned only twice a year. This cleaning schedule was only established because those would be days that my doctor would visit to check up on my situation.

"Put your hands on my head, Iris."

Iris did as her master commanded and placed her dainty hand on top of his warm and sweat-filled forehead. He was shivering but his skin radiated unnatural heat. With her free hand she doused a towel with cold water then ringing the excess water out of the towel and washing his face with it, she repeated it again but this time she left the towel to sit on her young master's forehead while she gently stroke his hair.

"Hmm..." he moaned softly in contentment, his breathing now even instead of haggard.

"Your hand feels nice and warm.." he said with a sigh.

After a few moments of silence while Iris stokes the soft brown locks of her master, she began to hum a melody to help his mind and body relaxed, he loves it when she hums a tune for him and strokes his hair, his like a spoiled child sometimes.

"Iris.." he whispered sleepily with a small yawn leaving his lips.

"Yes, young master."

"Never leave my side.."