The a ruffled silver haired young teen let out a breath as he stared out of the large study window. He eyed the various trinkets scattered on the mahogany table. Paperwork stacked the left upper edge, besides that everything was very neat. Almost too neat in his opinion.
The sun was probably at its peak by now without looking at the window, since both he and the minister left at around 11 am. It was a relief that the minister and the duke allowed him to be excused from eating. He absolutely didn't want to sit through the suffocating talk of engaement and other the ass-kissing that would no doubt happen.
He already knew why he was here, unfortunately. He was thankful that he was early for his meet up with the minister before coming to the Duke's estate. His father, the head of the First Platoon of Knights, consisting of the most talented knights across the country, most likely knew about the king and ministers decision and knew his negative reaction so he kept it from him.
That's why his father was tense recently, his mother probably knew too if her troubled expression earlier was to go by.
The silver haired young teen straightened when he heard the footsteps, he instinctively patted himself down to make sure he was not less than presentable.
Sometime it was very tiring being the son of a noble who is hailed as one of the most skilled knight in the country. But it was no less than an honor to his son.
He elegantly stood up from his seat in front of the table and turned to face the opening door.
The minister and the Duke Magnas strode inside talking about the Duke's eldest daughter.
He'd heard about it from his mother that the Duke's eldest qualified to be the crown princess. He heard at a passing that the daughter was a kind and bright beauty, who caught the Crown Prince's attention in her first day of being in the Academy. He didn't particularly remember the young lady in the Academy, most likely because he was busy studying and training his swordsmanship.
It was then he caught the attention of the two men.
"Greetings young knight." Duke Magnas said, ramrod straight and his inquisitive eyes observed the young knight in training.
Unperturbed by the mans eyes, he bowed shallowy, acknowledging the Duke as someone with higher standing than he and as a fellow noble. He could almost feel the man's superiority complex from their distance. Though it is a bit curious as to why the Minister was so quiet. The man never knew when to keep his loud mouth shut, even in front of the king and his advisers.
"Greeting to you, Duke Magnas, Minister Andreas. My name is Atlas Edmund Moreau, Son of Knight Edward Philip Moreau and Shiela Katarina Moreau." Greeted Atlas, before properly facing both men.
The minister seemed pleased with Atlas' greeting, a greedy glint caught in his eye when he eyed the young teen up and down. His walrus like beard twitched when he caught sight of the Moreau family crest.
"I'm sure you are wondering why you are here, the King and I have decided to assign each crown princess candidate one knight in training. It allows us to monitor the candidates individually, it also adds to each knight in trainings experience. Every knight shall have a meeting with the King and the Crown Prince every Sunday in the Kings personal Study." The minister explained, doning a wide smile. Before continuing to blabber about how he, specifically, thought of the idea.
Thankfully Atlas already overheard this earlier which made it easier to keep a straight face.
He would rather use this time to train his skill and balance, but since it was true that he would soon be meeting more insufferable nobles often he is officially knighted this is a great opportunity to test his patience.
The young teens eyes discreetly glanced at the father of the girl he would inevitably serve, for what he hoped, was a short time.
The Duke stood with impeccable posture, his face as cold as marble. But anyone observant enough could feel the prideful air he exuded.
Once he noticed that the room had gone quiet, he spoke.
"It would be an honor to serve the your daughter, but may I inquire how long will I be of service to her?" He asked stoically. This time however, the Duke answered his question.
"You, young knight, will be protecting my daughter until the Crown Princess is chosen. If, my daughter does get picked you will be relieved of your duty and a Older and more experienced knights will replace you." It seems that the Duke was very confident that his daughter would be chosen.
"I see, and what is the young lady's name?" He asked, not really wanting to know but for the sake of not offending the Duke he asked.
But it would look like that that effort was wasted since the Duke's stoic face twitched, his lips dipping into a frown for a moment. The man caught himself and finally said the girl's name.
"My daughter's name is Colette Amelia Magnas." He said her name with a kind of flourish that only pompous and proud people can do.
Atlas opened his mouth to say a stiffly polite answer, but the Duke was not finished yet.
"She is one of the most beautiful girls in the Academy's campus, her academic record is above average, and she is a wonderful and kind lady to her peers. My precious daughter is a social butterfly, making connections easily." He boasted, puffing his chest slightly.
Atlas coughed softly, cutting the Duke off. The older mans cheeks dusted a curious pink, and cleared his throat.
"I am sure she is a wonderful lady, fitting for the Dukedom."
"Yes, you shall start your duties now. My darling daughter is going to a tea party hosted by Marquis Vernons daughter. So I want you to stay at her side, and aide her if she so wishes." He borderline ordered the teen.
"And you better do your duties well young Moreau, you wouldn't want the your father or... heaven forbid the king! To find out that the offspring of the countries hero is such a disappointment, do we?" Both men mirrored shark like grins, though the Duke was more subtle than the ugly twist of the Ministers fat lips.
The words were opposing to the previous atmosphere, this made Atlas' posture went rigid and at his answering nod the atmosphere did another 180.
The Duke turned around and opened the door. He beckoned a passing butler to escort the teen.
"Well then, if you would excuse me gentlemen." Atlas strode out of the study, his arms tucked behind his back his red cape billowing behind him. He followed the servant, intenally sighing in resignation and relief.
As they walked through the lavish halls Atlas observed at 50 or so year old butler, grey hair slicked back neatly. . He examined the rich dark vest the other was wearing, the crisp white button up, wrinkle-free trousers, and polished dress shoes. Very extravagant, and expected from a Dukes family he mused distastefully.
His family was never for the rich and noble life, since his family had always been a knights family. Even some of the women carried the swords willingly, and presented them with pride. With the skills worthy of a knight in the capital.
Atlas eyes rove the passing decorations and embroidered curtains, bored because of the long walk to Lady Colette's room. This manor was both annoyingly and unnecessarily large, he grumbled mentally.
The butler glanced back at the young man behind him, he was probably the same age as their lady. He curiously wondered what a young knights, judging by the gleaming sword he wore, business was with lady Colette.
Both perked up at a rushing maid pass them by, Atlas was startled at the older maid's face. The woman looked absolutely terrified and panicked. He turned back to the butler as they suddely stopped to stare at the furiously sweating maid, he had meant to ask what was wrong with her but, unfortunately, the maid was apparently looking for the butler leading him.
"Head Butler!" The woman frantically yelled.
"Marian, what's wrong?"The butler, Head Butler he corrected, asked worriedly.
"M-my Lady is injured!"She rushed out, breathing erratically. It looked like the maid, Marian, had not noticed the young guest.
But injured? Is lady Colette being attacked because of her favorable position for Crown Princess already? Atlas' thought continued to trail.
"She had b-broken her an-ankle! Please call the family Docter!"She trembled in worry, clenching her fists in frustration.
"Alright! Where is Lady Alisha now?" He asked quickly, so quickly that his words almost slurred.
Alisha? Atlas pondered that name for a moment before his mind supplied a passing gossip the older knights said during one practice.
Ah, yes. He thought finally realizing that the Duke had two daughters. One whome he will now be serving for a certain time period and the other is still a child of seven years of age. He's heard of the very distasteful rumors surrounding the youngest Magnas. But he, like his father, preferred to leave his judgement when he eventually met them.
"Alright, but it will take at least 20 minuets for the docter to arrive." The head butler said.
"J-just tell him to hurry, Please Marcus." Marian begged helplessly.
Marcus nodded and ubruptly turned around and remembered the guest they had.
"I'm so-"Atlast cut him off, waving his hand dismissively.
"Just go, this is an emergency after all. Its alright I will ask this maid to help me." He said, the butler beamed and nodded, before running out of sight.
He caught the maid hurriedly made herself presentable for the guest, Atlas smiled slightly at the maids efforts.
Marian curtsied, bowing her head. Atlas again waved his hand, hoped to give a reassuring smile which he was sure came out as a grimace. But Marian likely got the gist of it when she smiled warmly at him.
"Hello young sir, how may I be of service?" She asked professionally.
"I was sent to be Lady Colette's guard for the duration of the Crown Princess selection, my duties will start today so can you lead me to when the lady is?" He blinked when Marian's whole demeanor soured, and a dark look covered he warm face.
"Yes, sir. Please follow me." She answered simply, turned around and lead him through the path where she had ran through earlier.
After a minuet or two they came across an ajar door. He narrowed his eyes at the maids suddenly jittery mood, albeit a bit somber.
As they came closer he faintly heard the agonied sobbing of a child. Atlas stopped when he found an angle to clearly see who was creating such an heart wrenching noise. Etiquette be damned.
His eyes darkened when he caught a girl crying her eyes out at the source pf her pain. He winced when he saw the bent ankle.
A child such as shouldn't be having such injuries so young, unless they were reckless and doing dangerous things.
She must be Alisha then, he summed up.
She looked so young for a 7 year old.
Marian had noticed his abrupt pause and she paled when glimped into her lady's room. Like all nobles she had met alongside Alisha, she didnt want him to ise this as leverage to either tear the girl's reputation down even more or to cause mayhem in the manor.
She turned to say something to the young guest and realized her worries were all for naught when she noticed the young sir's furrowed brows.
Thank Goddess she thought with a quiet sigh, he was one of the rare and smart ones that kept their judgment to themselves. Nobles were after all a hard group to convice once rumours had already spread.
Atlas flipped through the medicines he knew, training was after all a hard and grueling process. It was a requirement to know what to do on every injury that may take place, especially without a doctor.
Be turned to face the dumbstruck maid, to ask for permission to enter the young lady's room. It was rude to enter a young, unmarried, and underaged girls room, epecially without her concent. That thought had him blushing lightly, thankfully his dark skin covered it up.
"May I enter her room?" He asked determinedly.
The other jumped to protest before a realization struck her and she nodded in response a hopeful look blanketing her face.
"What do you need, young sir?" She asked resolutely.
"Please fetch me cloth, ice, extra pillows, and bandages if you have them." He listed quickly, but Marian had gotten it as she ran away to get the requested objects.
He exhaled to calm himself. Pushing his sleeves up to his elbows and pushed pass the door.