The next morning...
Early dawn, when the sun has yet to rise, I go through my usual everyday routine. I run at least 10 to 15 miles around the tracks at the back of the residence where the training grounds were located. After that, I do some strength exercises, and then proceed to my sword training. There was currently no war, but if I slacked in my training, my moves and techniques would get sloppy and that's not something I would want for myself. Then, at the break of day, I go back to my room and wash up.
The maids used to follow me to the bathroom to assist, just as they do with the children and women in the family, however, I told them from the day when I became conscious of my own body, that I wanted to bath by myself. Now, they only stay outside of my room instead of following in after me. I was truly grateful, really.
I went down to eat breakfast after getting prepped. My father, my mother, as well as my little sister, were already seated and talking amongst each other. I sat next to my father and saw my mother pause from chatting with my sister.
It was no surprise that my mother would have had already heard the news about my visit to the bar. No, it might have been that she had already sent a few knights my way last night to report on my company and whereabouts.
"Louise. I heard a rumor..." She trailed off, stealing glances at me. She definitely heard about it. "It seems a certain yellow-eyed man whose features are unknown due to the fact that he was wearing a cloak, was seen walking a rather beautiful man home last night. I wonder if you knew something about that, Louise?" She whispered to my sister's ear and looked at me knowingly.
Honestly, I can't win against her. I couldn't help but smile. "Mother, we are simply acquainted." I studied her expression and it looked like she didn't believe me one bit. I was about to refute when my father spoke up. "It's good that you are having fun, but the meal is ready to be served. My dear, Winona, please say Grace."
***
I hurried out of the dining room as soon as I finished my meal, excusing myself. I immediately walked to my study on the second floor hoping to at least get most of the work that Franc had newly stacked on my desk. Walking over to my table and sitting down, I reminded myself about how I got here.
My father thought, when I turned of age, that I should learn the ropes of managing a fief, and I gladly did as he suggested. Although, it wasn't as easy as simply signing a paper, it took me quite a while to adapt and handle situations occuring in the fief, but I don't regret ever learning from him.
I wanted to help with the fief as much as I could and learn everything I could that I pleaded my father to let me help with his work. And that's how, I am currently aiding him. I stopped reminiscing and started working on the documents and immersing myself in my work.
***
At a certain house...a week later
The boy woke up to the voice of a man yelling and a woman crying. He could vaguely hear the woman's sobs as the man flew into a fit of rage. Suddenly, the boy realized it was his own mother's voice. He rushed out of his room, his heart beating out of his chest, and found his mother being grabbed by the hair by a man he didn't know.
"You filthy piece of trash! Where the f*ck did you hide my money?!! Take it out, right now!!" The boy quickly grabbed the nearest object he could find and threw it at the man in an attempt to hit him so the tight grip on his mother's hair would loosen. His attempt succeeded when the man got hit in the head, freeing his mother from the man's grasp. The boy grabbed his mother's hand and they ran out of the house.
They ran and ran. And once they arrived at a crowded place, where no one would dare do anything to them, he stopped to catch his breath with his mom on his tail. He turned around to check on his mother who was beaten blue. Furious, he shouted, "Why are you always putting yourself in danger!! Did you already forget you still have a son to take care of?! Why..." Tears trickled down his cheeks as his cheeks flushed red from anger.
His mother cried at the sight of her son's pain, setting aside her own. She hugged him and whispered into his ear, "I'm sorry. I won't do it again" repeatedly.
Dropping his guard, the boy didn't notice the man from before, approaching their direction. He was sorely mistaken. The man had actually followed after them shortly after he was struck. The boy could not see this man walking towards them. However, while he was in the embrace of his mother, what he saw instead made him become more afraid. The man that had been cautiously approaching them was approached by a person in a cloak. The strange thing was, they suddenly disappeared from the crowd. Then, that would mean that they could be anywhere in the crowd. From the thought, the boy shuddered in fear and never let go of his mother.
A hand lightly grabbed the boy's shoulder. The boy jumped and slowly turned to see who it was. The boy gasped, his eyes wide from shock.