"Your highness, we have arrived at our location."
Lawrence stared outside the window, his mind filled with excitement that he could not contain. Pushing himself off his place and excitingly opening the carriage door, he breathes the air from the exterior and stares vibrantly up-ahead.
"Your highness, Lawrence!" his enthusiasm and friendly-approach made him more similar from back when he was three. Gavin and his broad smile on his face neared the youngin.
Behind Gavin was the twelve escorts and the frowning face of Lillian. "Such insolence!" Emilia spouted. Before she could continue his speech, Lawrence showed his hand, signaling Emilia to stop.
Lawrence hugged Gavin. "For so long! We finally meet again, Gavin!" Lawrence smirked.
"Indeed, the time has passed, Lawrence! I couldn't detest the rumors going around the city about the emperor and granted marquess visiting your estate! You wouldn't even begin to imagine how much joy dwelled in my body!" Gavin remarked, his voice filled with sincerity.
"Of course! Let's head inside, shall we? We'll continue our chat later." Lawrence suggested, smiling sincerely.
"Yes! Of course! We have prepared a banquet for your visit, Lawrence." Gavin added.
"That's so much! Thank you, really~" Lawrence bursts into happiness.
"The escorts were bragging to everyone about your coming, but they can't act rationally at this time when Lillian is in their sight," Gavin whispered. Lawrence nodded and smiled sincerely at the escorts.
"We greet his highness." the escorts remarked.
"I warmly thank you for the tender welcome." giving a slight grin and a genuine smile, he gazed at the escorts. Each of them smiled, hiding their excitement at the sight of their young master.
The escorts waited for Lawrence to advance into the household, following him behind. Lawrence paused at the doorway when another maid came to meet him, offering her help to take his coat off. He continued his way towards the end of the hallway, meeting two doorways from the left and right.
"In the left, you will see the well organized 'Guest Waiting Room,' and on the right, you will find the 'Servant Room' continuing towards the end of the hallway, there will be two different paths leading different parts of the household. That includes the official rooms, valuable rooms, armory, dining room, living room, and many more. Would you like to be escorted directly towards the Valuable Rooms, your highness?" the lady asked.
"Please take me to my office room," Lawrence asked politely.
The lady paused, fabricating a smile. She spoke, "Please, there's no need to speak formally towards this mere servant, your highness." Before Lawrence was able to protest, she continued her utterance, "Please, proceed this way, your highness."
He silenced himself, noticing the distance between the two. How else could he have reacted to someone who isolated themself towards him? He had no right to pry on what others thought. He kept a straight, sedate face and continued forward.
The lady paused before a room, gesturing a welcome sign to Lawrence. "We have arrived, your highness."
"I see, thank you," Lawrence stated, examining the sturdy-looking doors in front of him.
"I am merely doing my duties as a maid." she bowed, "Would you like some refreshments, your highness?" she casually asked.
"That would be delightful. Please call in Gavin Pierson as well," he answered.
"I will, your highness," she said before leaving Lawrence alone, staring at the wide doors.
He opened the doors and as he sees the vast room behind the mysterious doors. It was clean, sorted, and had fancy furniture. It was a rectangular room, and upon entering the door, two sofas facing each other, and in between the sofas is a fancy coffee table.
Behind the sofas and the coffee table was the desk and the large window. The large window showed the mesmerizing view of the small forest and city. Lawrence smiled. He walked towards his desk, appreciating each corner of the room. He sat on the chair and caressed the desk with his fingers, running it from the left edge to the right.
"No dust." he chuckled. "They must've cleaned this room thoroughly." he sarcastically said to himself.
"Your highness," a sudden knock on the door with a lady's voice. "I've returned with your refreshments. May I come in?"
"You may," Lawrence answered.
The lady from before entered a room. She had a service cart filled with refreshments like cookies, tea, chocolates, and other sweets.
"May I ask your name?" Lawrence asked nonchalantly.
"Excuse my impudence, your highness. I'm Excia Juele," she answered.
"Nice to meet you, Excia. I'm Lawrence Sage, and I would like to ask you to refer to me as Mr. Sage, or casually- Lawrence." he smiled. Although he felt a little awkward towards the maid, Lawrence was still stubborn to give up.
Excia reluctantly looked at Lawrence, feigning another smile. "How could I, your highness?" she answered, her voice a little low.
Lawrence gave out a sigh, "I would've liked it if someone calls me Lawrence here."
Excia hesitated at the "scripted" sadness that Lawrence expressed. "Y-your highness!" she called out, reluctantly nervous. "I will be punished by Madame Lillian if I acted rudely towards you, your highness." adding a hint of nervousness in his voice while looking down.
Lawrence smiled, "If that is what you are worried off, you can call me Lawrence when both of us are alone, okay?" he remarked in his most caring voice. Excia smiled under her breath and nodded happily at Lawrence.
"While I await Gavin Pierson's presence, can I ask you some questions, Excia?"
Excia nodded, her face beamed with joy, "Anything, L-Lawrence."
Lawrence smiled widely. May I know your age?" he asked.
Excia flinched at the remark of Lawrence and smiled, "I-I'm the youngest of this house's maids, Lawrence. I've turned fourteen years old last few days." she answered.
"I see. Please, don't feel pressured by a mere five-year-old."
"Your highness! You aren't just a mere five-year-old!" she said, her voice filled with determination and envy. You are a prince of this nation! Someone to be proud of, at that!"
"I get it, enough." he gave a faint smile, "Please be on your way. I'll meet the captain now." Lawrence uttered in dismay.
"I spoke too much, your highness. Please forgive." the maid said before rushing out the door.
Lawrence felt burdened and sad. Hearing the words of praise was an insult to him, a complete lie that shook his belief. A profound lie, made up to please his satisfaction. He knew he was a lowborn in high society, one of the lowly offspring. He shook his thoughts away, freeing his worry and expecting the presence of Gavin.
"Lawrence?" the voice of Gavin called Lawrence behind the door.
"Come in, Gavin." Lawrence casually said.
The door opened and came in Gavin with an eager smile. He hid two of his arms behind his body, hiding a present for Lawrence.
"Tada~!" he cheered as he shows a clothed material. It had a sword-like structure, giving Lawrence a grin.
"Let me guess, is this my sixth birthday gift?" he smiled.
"It's what you ordered, your highness," Gavin joked, mockingly bowing.
Lawrence gave out a laugh, "You are as cheerful as ever, Gavin."
"Please don't be offended, your highness," he said, smirking.
"Stop it..." Lawrence replied in between his laugh.
"Okay..., okay..., admit it, that was hilarious! I miss you, Lawrence! Finally! For almost four years! I finally get to see you, this time, you've grown a lot!" he said.
"I suppose I did grow a few inches," Lawrence smirked.
"4 feet, and what...? an inch? That isn't just a few, Lawrence. What are you eating!" he joked. "You certainly don't want to lose to your brothers, huh?" Gavin added.
"I guess this is just who I am," Lawrence answered.
"Yeah, you aren't an ordinary five-year-old. You were more matured than most adolescents at the age of three. How much more when you are five already. Although that cute tiny voice of yours does not suit your matured attitude." Gavin chuckled.
Lawrence gave out a pouty look, "Don't tease me, Gavin!"
"I-I'm sorry~!" Gavin said, bursting into laughter.
Lawrence smiled, "Anyways, you know what we need to discuss, correct?" Lawrence's face turned serious.
"Yes, your highness. As per the letter you sent me says, you requested my being to become your mentor." Gavin's face crumbled. "If this goes into the palace,
"Correct, and why do you think that?" Lawrence added.
"A chivalry captain or higher positions are not allowed anyone to take as their disciples without the emperor's consent. But now, I've already committed treason by accepting your request, your highness."
"Indeed. So I presume you haven't told anyone about my request, correct?"
Gavin looked straight into Lawrence's eyes, nodding. "I burnt your letters, your highness. But may I ask, why you want me as your mentor, your highness? And why do you not want to announce it?"
Lawrence stood from his desk and looked outside his balcony, "I'm but a lowly offspring of the Pierce. So people see me as the easiest key factor in destroying the Imperial Faction." he paused. "By people, I mean the aristocrats' party and other parties. Of course, the imperial had to move too, take me in as another one of theirs. To reinforce and stabilize their influence, they must take me, the flaw of imperial blood. With my background and status, I could shake the imperial faction. That's the reason why the emperor requested to mentor me himself. Although, I didn't think he would take me in as his not someone else's, now that I've told you about this, you must know what kind of trouble you're getting into, correct?" Lawrence turned to face Gavin.
"Your highness, I feel as though I have not fulfilled my duties to protect you from dangers," Gavin spoke. His voice echoed the tone of concern, "I did not realize you knew of this wicked world this way. You must have had a hard time, your highness..., that's why, I would like to apologize for my lackings." Gavin tilted his head downwards.
"Raise your head, Gavin. You should be proud to be a mentor of an amazing child," Lawrence joked.
Gavin faints a smile, and raised his chin. "You are indeed remarkable, your highness. May I ask if some 'parties' were trying to get your attention, your highness?"
Lawrence smiled, "Call me Lawrence, Gavin. And as per your question, yes, there were already people trying to divert my attention to theirs." Lawrence paused, "Anyways, I will be staying here for three months."
"I understand, Lawrence." Gavin smiled.
Lawrence walked towards the couch and sat, "Are the twelve histories here?"
"Yes, the histories are in the valuables room. Should I ask a maid to bring them up here?" Gavin asked casually.
"It's fine. I will go there myself. For now, let's decide on how we can successfully train me." Lawrence remarked.
Gavin smirked at the remark and stood eagerly, "I've prepared all the things we need, your highness!" he smiled.
"Is that so?" Lawrence replied excitingly.
"Yes! I have already prepared all the equipment needed and the excuses to cover its true intentions. This mansion has a training ground for Chivalry Knights to train. Sir Lewis helped buy the equipment necessary for deceiving and hiding the private training ground. It's an underground for training and is deep in the earth to avoid noises running up on the surface. I have also prepared materials that will help you train your endurance, strength, and defense." Gavin grins at his accomplishment.
"Thank you, Gavin. I can see how much you prepared for this."
"Of course, I couldn't stop some knights going in and out at that place they'd often train, and sir Lewis allowed them." Gavin shrugged in disappointment.
"Then I guess it isn't a secret training ground then? Let them do so. It would be nice to have some associates. I might be weaker than them, so it's better to have them train with me. It'll help me cultivate faster." Lawrence downright told Gavin. "Right? And it would erase any assumptions of you being my mentor. It'll be like I will teach myself, right?" he suggested.
Gavin grins, "Genius!" he cheered for a moment before realizing something, "But, chivalry knights were station here to protect the replicas of the histories. What do you suggest we do, Lawrence?"
"Then it would be best to have all the replicas in the training grounds," Lawrence said.
The safety of it would be secured, and there won't be any issues because all the knights will be training there. The problem that stood between their plans was someone, Lillian. Lawrence and Gavin cringed at the thought of Lillian.
"I can't handle her," Gavin abruptly spoke.
"Well, I have no power against her," Lawrence shrugged.
They both stopped, when suddenly the door behind them opened. "Does that mean you need my help?" a voice interrupted the two.
"Lewis?" Lawrence and Gavin said in unison at the sight of the grinning Lewis.
Lewis happily walked to a one-person couch and sat, "Correct?" he asked once again. This time, he smiled broader.
Lawrence sighs. Meanwhile, Gavin clicked his tongue. Gavin disliked Lewis for some reason. That was why he did not like the idea of him helping the two. "What can you do?" Lawrence asked in his serious tone.
Lewis smirked, "Before I tell you. Shouldn't you tell me first what you're scheming?"
Lawrence gave out a sigh of defeat and looked at Lewis straight in the eyes, "I ought to train with the chivalry knights."
Lewis paused, scanning each corner of Lawrence's face for any indifferences. Lawrence gulped at the intense gaze and stood abruptly. He turned around and sat on his desk, calming his anxiety. He shot another look on Lewis with a straight/poker face. Lewis was surprised by what Lawrence had done and smirked.
'My retrospect; As I was on my way to Lawrence's office, I hear both of them discussing a plan to rid of Lillian's presence. To be able to bring the replicas beneath the underground training ground and to practice with no worries. And so, they need someone like me, who can distract or divert the attention of Lillian. For some reason, Lawrence lied at my question earlier. Thus they are trying to hide something that is either planned in secrecy or..., forbidden.' Lewis thought, his face shrank into worry.
He took a glimpse of the Lawrence once again only to stiffen. Lawrence stared intently at Lewis as if he was waiting for a response, eyes piercing through Lewis's self-esteem. Lewis avoided Lawrence's gaze and sighs, 'He sure does give an atmosphere.'
He sighed, "In one condition," Lewis spoke out of the blue.
Lawrence paused to look at Lewis and spoke, "That is?"