Xarth quickly gazes upon the direction where the Duke's mansion was said to be on. He instantly noticed the large white mansion in front of him. from the outside, the mansion looks very elegant and magnificent. He noticed that it's been built with mismatched white stones, in addition, he also discerned the intricate patterns carve into the white stones. It was a sign left by the great builder who created this fine humble home.
The second floor is bigger than the first, which creates a stylish overhang around the entire house. This floor has a slightly different style than the floor below.
The roof is low and rounded and is covered with brown roof tiles. There are no chimneys. Many smaller windows let in plenty of light to the rooms below the roof.
The house itself is surrounded by a gorgeous garden, including hanging grapevines, a pagoda, a pond, a fountain, and many different flowers.
'It's really different here in the Capital. Like almost everywhere I look at is all very grand and fancy. Which is uncommon for an average civilian.' he thought this as the 'Lee Son' your average office worker that he originally is. He couldn't believe that he gets to see things like this in his life. It was like he was standing in front of the famous taj mahal from India though it was clearly not the same size as that fine structure.
'Art!' Soleis called out for his contactor.
Xarth glances at Soleis who was hovering on top of him. "What is it?" he asked.
'I need to go back to the village.' Soleis informed Xarth as he flies in circles.
"Are you going to meet some elves?" Xarth asked since he was curious about the word 'Elves' that Soleis mentioned before.
Soleis spins in circles ', Yes, I'm going to meet with the Elementals as well.'
"Alright, but how could I contact you if I needed help?"
'Just tap three times on the moonstone bracelet I gave you. As I've said before, that's our 'Bond Item' make sure to never let it go. Since our contract will break and you'll die.' Soleis strongly mentioned.
"Okay, don't worry. Off you go." Xarth gestured Soleis to go.
Soleis immediately understood it and disappeared to go to his other kin. Ernoul slowly advances towards Xarth, he then taps on Xarth's shoulders. "Hyung-nim, aren't we going in?" he asked as he gazes upon Xarth who was spacing out.
Xarth looks over at Ernoul. "Yeah." he shortly replied.
Xarth started to open his spatial bag and took some clothes that Bern had packed for him. While going through his stuff he saw a large blue gem the size of his fist. He was certainly bothered by it.
'Soleis, you surely didn't!!" Xarth believed that it was the real thing. He could see it stacked in the pile of maps and other items he had gotten before. A blue large gem that reflects his deep blue eyes as he gazes at it. A 'Summoner's Gem' he slams his hands on the nearby wall at the thought of the troublesome mess this item will bring to him.
'Soleis, when you come back. there be a hell of a price to pay!' Xarth..No Lee Son strongly promises himself to punish his nuisance bond.
Xarth just set that thought aside and picked one white shirt for him to change onto. Since he was wearing bloody clothes that can startle anybody that doesn't know the reason for it. He swiftly wore it by the side so no can see. Someone approached him while changing his bloodied clothes.
It was Ernoul he wore a disoriented look on his face. "By the way Hyung-nim what exactly happened to you?" He was genuinely worried for his Savior. Since he was covered with blood for an unknown reason.
Xarth looks over at him as closes up the buttons on his clean shirt. "Some unexpected things just happen once in a while," he replied as he finishes closing up all of the buttons of his white shirt and made his way towards the group of soldiers.
"That doesn't explain anything..." Ernoul quietly mumbled to himself since he thinks Xarth is keeping something important a secret.
Xarth signaled Cairo in his direction, Cairo saw this and immediately waltzed towards his Young master. "Yes, Young master Xarth?" he passionately asked as he bows his head. Xarth gently placed his hands on Cairo's shoulders."Take care of things," he instructed before retracting his hands as he signaled to Ernoul to come with him to the white manor in front of them.
Cairo just elegantly lowered his head once more. Before lifting them back up with a bright smile clearly showcasing on his face. He knew what the Young master meant and quickly commanded the soldiers on stand by to move to the Barrow's Mansion here in the Capital.
Ernoul and Xarth started to walk towards the mansion's gate that was currently opening for their arrival. Xarth noticed a man elegantly standing with the same clothes as Cairo waiting at the water fountain of the manor's area.
They made their way to the man standing by the fountain. "Welcome, Young master Xarth." he elegantly lowered his head.
Xarth noticed the man's white fizzy hair that was clearly the cause of getting older. The old man's hair was tied in a ponytail to reveal all the wrinkles all over his handsome profile. Wide amber eye set lowly on their pockets reflects the sun shining that morning. Whitebeard bearing elegantly on his upper lips connected to his chin gives a hint of kindness.
Xarth beamed at the old man in front of him. "Thank you for having us." he cheerfully replied. You may not know it but Lee Son respects all elderly people since it was a custom to their country.
"It's an honor. I'm Wilfred the head butler of the Lancaster Household. I'm sorry if I have not welcomed you at the Ischyrós Castle since I was here busy managing and preparing all the Duke's request for the upcoming banquet." Wilfred informed with a slightly bitter smile since he really felt bad not welcoming the Count's family members.
Xarth can clearly feel the old man's guilt of not welcoming them properly which Lee Son thought was thoughtful of him. "It quite alright, you are welcoming us now. Which makes me really happy." he beamed.
"You're certainly different from any noblemen," Wilfred mumbled.
Xarth took a glimpse at him. "What?" he uttered.
"*Cough, Let us go, Young master Xarth your brother is waiting inside." Wilfred turned his back away from the two men and proceeds to saunter his way towards the main entryway of the mansion.
Xarth tilted his head sideways. 'Okay...'
"Hyung-nim, He seems nice," Ernoul quietly commented on the old man walking in front of them.
"Yeah." Xarth smiled before tapping Ernoul's side. "Let's go." he gone on ahead and followed behind Wilfred. Ernoul smiled at the smirk Xarth made before running towards him happily...
While walking down the hallway, they could certainly see large, triangular windows brighten up the mansion halls giving them a pleasant feeling as they walk down to go where the others are.
They could also spot some maids diligently cleaning the walls and sweeping the marbled floor since it was early in the morning. Some were even glancing at the two men accompanied by the head butler. Well, they are certainly good-looking people described in the novel. Ernoul was said to be idolized by both women and men for his eye-catching fiery red hair and also for his great swordsmanship.
Though, Xarth doesn't know what people view of him. Well in Lee Son's perspective he said that Xarth is really good-looking like a prince straight out of a fairy tale. But can those views apply to the women and men here inside the novel? Since Lee Son is from Korea there is a standard look in their country and Xarth's looks are way above standard than theirs. Since everybody has standards. Does it mean Xarth's looks are standard here and not that attractive the way Lee Son assumes?
Three of the maid lined up as they lowered their heads to the people accompanied by the Headbutler Wilfred who seems to be someone of importance. As Xarth and the other pass by he could hear them talking behind their backs.
"Are they guest?" The maid on the left questioned since she was curious to know who were these people. Considering earlier before their Young master, Ezekiel was accompanied by someone who they have never seen before.
The maid on the right replied. "Yes, noblemen perhaps?" she questioned back.
The maid in the middle quietly uttered. "I think so too. They are quite handsome," she added while covering her red face.
The maid in the middle shifts her gaze upon Xarth, who was wearing a white shirt aware of their actions. As she shifts her gaze they made eye contact since Xarth turned his back to see the maids gossiping behind them. Xarth just smiled before turning his back away from the maid and continued strolling down the hallway... "He's handsome!" she mentioned to her fellow maids while jumping up and down with a bright smile on her face.
'Why do I have a bad feeling...' Xarth for some reason felt like he'd done something that he shouldn't.
They made a right turn on the hallway that they were walking on. Xarth could see a large grand wooden door painted in white color with some interesting gold patterns engrave on it 5 steps away.
"Hyung-nim..." Ernoul started tugging on Xarth's shirt. "Should I really be here?" he was anxious he doesn't really have an excuse to go with Xarth to the Duke's mansion or to even meet such high ranking noblemen. Ernoul was thinking that Cairo should have been the one who accompanied Xarth since Cairo has a higher status than him.
Xarth didn't head his gaze on Ernoul and just maintained walking behind Wilfred. Ernoul notice this and just lowered his head, he felt like he was a nuisance to Xarth who didn't reply to his question. He also felt bad earlier before because Ernoul swore to himself that he would be a good knight for Xarth so he can protect and see a satisfied look on his Savior's face. Yet, he wasn't there when he was in danger. He didn't have the rights to stand next to him since he deemed himself to be unworthy of someone as noble and as kind as Xarth.
Xarth quickly notices the gloomy expression on Ernoul's face. 'This kid, he's not confident enough or perhaps he's nervous...Why should you? You would be a very respectable person in the future. Why the long face? Should I comfort him?' he felt bad since he knew for a fact that he was the perpetrator of changing Ernoul's path of being the Vice Captain Knight of the Messiah Kingdom.
Xarth let out a sigh and looked back at Ernoul. "What are you saying?" He replied. Ernoul quickly lifted his head back and looked towards Xarth. "Aren't you my personal knight? It's only natural for you to go with me. I mean, you did promise to protect me, right?" Xarth slowly patted Ernoul's back. "Didn't I told you that I would wait for you so you can stand proud beside me." Ernoul's eyes started to shake, he could feel different kinds of emotion rushing over to his body. As he saw the warm gaze from his Savior, who gave him a second chance to live a decent life. He could also feel those sincere words and actions touch his heart as Xarth shows his trust in him.
"...." Ernoul just stayed silent as he can't express into words what he was feeling at that very moment. "Let's go, or we'll be left behind." Xarth intrudes before he saunters his way with his hands on Ernoul's shoulder pushing him forward.
They resumed waltzing their way to the wooden door. Wilfred stops and looked over at the two-man he was escorting. "Please have a nice chat. I'll head back in shortly after I brew some tea for refreshment." Wilfred smiled before opening the door for Xarth and Ernoul to enter.
Xarth nodded his head and headed in the white grand wooden door. He stops at his track as he saw something unsettling that he could only explain.
"Hyung-nim, Why did you stop?" Ernoul asked as he shakes Xarth's arm that was stiff.
'Hahaha, How do I say this. Everything that I wouldn't want to happen seems to happen. Why do I have to go through sh*t like this!? Is it because I met him?.' Xarth fell into silence as he can't believe what he was seeing in front of him.
To be continued...