At night, Carseain was preparing for the exam the next day with Rovenin. Carseain was subconsciously spinning his quill like a pen but failed to do so and spilled over a little. This broke his concentration and he started wiping the following ink drops with a paper. Rovenin had a maid enter and clean it for him. As she left, Carseain glanced at his poker face.
" Hey, don't you think that you want a little too hard earlier this afternoon? We had to end the work before expected because they were literally shaking because of you. "
Carseain asked .
Rovenin sighed.
" Well, I do agree with you on that. I am surprised at how I let my emotions get the better of me while I was on duty. "
Carseain silently listened to him. He felt that he should listen to him .
" It is also partially thanks to a certain someone and his sudden change of heart which left a lot of people confused."
Carseain like a rock hit him.
" Well, let us say that I have changed but I did not cause any trouble did I ?"
" How gracious of you to accept that yourself."
"Yeah..Yeah... " He said in a lackluster voice.
Carseain glanced at Rovenin's sneaky smile.
"But I suppose the change of heart did not leave you confused, How so?"
Rovenin tilted his head and answered with a smile, " Because for me it just feels like you have reverted back to your 10 year old self..."
Carseain narrowed his eyes.
' Wow, I don't know if it is because this guy's a genius that his level of maturity works at a different scale.
I should have seemed much more mature now that I have my memories as a 30 year old man yet he compares me with a kid who knew nothing but caused trouble...'
Carseain is talking about himself when he was 10.
He sighed as he could not shake off the feeling that something was off with Rovenin.
" Hey, was there a particular reason that you snapped when they were talking about 'that' type of nobles?"
He asked with a serious voice.
----------
Rovenin was the youngest of the five genius magicians recruited by The Magic Tower in the empire.
Despite being under the Esselgarde name, many people coveted him and his talent but the one who most aggressively showed his interest was the Ducal prince of Lacard.
Miguel Nathan Von Lacard.
He was two years older than Carseain but of the same peerage. He himself was a skilled magician who lived up to the name of Lacard Magicians. He had long pale white hair and mysteriously violet eyes. His family belonged to the Aristocratic faction. In order to gain more influence, he already managed to get one of the five genius magicians in the empire, "Samuel"
However, he alone did not suffice the extent of the power and influence that Miguel wished for.
As soon as the rumours about Rovenin being the fifth genius of the Empire spread he went and met him in person.
The first meeting was a simple informal conversation with tea and nothing more. However, Rovenin realised his true intentions.
Thus, before he left he made his intentions clear with a few words.
" Young Duke of Lacard, I am honoured to have met you in person. If you ever wish to meet me again please relay it to The Esselgarde household, for I shall always be serving there. "
At that moment, Miguel felt that it would be a little difficult but he would get his hands on him sooner or later.
However, as time passed Rovenin proved himself to have much more potential than Samuel which made Miguel more aggressive.
Soon, he found out that Rovenin graduated early from the Academy and became a butler at the Esselgarde household.
This time, he was confident.
At the Lacard Manor.
Rovenin was guided by a butler . As he entered the designated place, there he found Miguel waiting for him on a couch with Samuel. Miguel greeted him with a smile but Samuel was not that receptive.
"Rovenin, my friend! It's been so long! Do you know how much I have missed you?"
He said as he stood up and made a teary face.
" Oh dear, do you have any idea how heartbroken I was when I found out that the Esselgarde's made you a mere butler.
Really! That troublesome child aside, I believed at least Lord Johann would recognise your worth properly."
He said as he shook his head.
Rovenin tried to interrupt, " Uh, My Lord--"
"Serving at a prestigious noble house is indeed a great honour but not one which is befitting you."
Rovenin : ' Will this punk let me speak?'
"However, worry not! For I am always here for your aid given our wonderful friendship."
'Yeah, the friendship which one sidedly proclaimed and acknowledged.'
Rovenin thought as he rolled his eyes.
Miguel took out a bunch of papers and handed it to Rovenin.
" Here, it is a small gift for which I do not expect anything in return. Baron of Yorik, that is the noble title that I have prepared for you. Although it is a Baron title, it has much influence and I am sure you will be able to grow it on your own.
Also, the land and the jewels are a small complimentary gift.
Oh, that's right ..."
Samuel saw all this with a frown. It was clear as a day that he was green with envy.
Miguel ran around near his desk to get something while Rovenin watched over him like a kid running around.
' When will this be over ? I need to get back before Young Master Carseain returns from his hunt....'
Miguel gave him a golden plate with the Ducal family's insignia on it.
" This is the pass to the royal library . You may have it already but this can give you access to the forbidden books as well."
Rovenin sighed.
" Young Duke of Lacard, I am flattered with your treatment for a mere servant like me-"
" Oh please, I consider you my-"
" However, I would like to humbly decline your offer. "
Miguel could not maintain his smile any longer and had a speechless expression on him as if he was looking at a creature with no logic.
" Also, the Esselgarde family gave me a title even before I was born but I became a butler out of my own free will.
So, I request you not to disparage The Lord's name for not being able to see 'my worth'. "
With those words, Rovenin bowed and returned the papers he was give, as he whispered,
"Although no one will believe you..."
It is a well known fact that Marquis Johann Esselgarde is a man known for the way he cultivates the diamonds in the rough.
Samuel tried to compose himself but I could not help but feel inferior. Despite being called a genius he could only reach where Rovenin was after years of hard work. All the he was silent, his jealousy wasn't.
Miguel gritted his teeth and his anger showed up in a twisted form on his face.
"Haa, Rovenin... I REALLY ABSOLUTELY DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU. "
He said, covering his face with a palm .
" I'm really pissed right now....
Let's talk again later..."
Rovenin bowed with a smile.
" Well then. Young Duke of Lacard, I am honoured. If you ever wish to meet me again please relay it to The Esselgarde household, FOR I SHALL ALWAYS BE SERVING THERE. "
He said the exact same words he said to him on their first meeting.
"How consistent!"
He chuckled sarcastically.
As Rovenin left, he could hear someone screaming and shattering glass pieces.
Rovenin : ' Ah, I am sure that Young Master hunted a bunch this time too. I will have to prepare a store room to have them preserved before it could actually be put to some use.'
As soon as he reached home, he ran into Johann and Ron who found him tiptoeing his way around.
Johann : " Oh, you're back?"
Rovenin : " Oh , Master! Is Sian.... I mean Young Master back?!"
Ron shook his head.
" This brat, you forgot to greet him first! "
He scolded as he hit Rovenin.
"Ouch."
"Hahaha.. it's fine , Ron. Suddenly having him act like a butler after so many years of treating him like a son feels awkward to me as well."
Johann smiled.
" Carseain is still not back. Ron told him about the rumour of a monster sneaking in the hunting grounds. I think he is still looking for it."
" Why did you?!! What if he gets hurt?"
Rovenin exclaimed and Ron sighed.
" For someone that everyone calls a genius, you are quite slow-witted."
Ron grimaced.
Rovenin : "Ah, so it's just an excuse to keep him at the hunting grounds longer , I see...
I'll go get him!"
Rovenin dashed off as soon as he heard that.
Ron : " He forgot the greetings again..."
He mumbled.
" He's more like Carseain's babysitter than a butler. His reason to become one was also the same. It's a shame to see a talent like him go to drown..."
Ron sighed.
" I believe that we both agreed not to talk about this topic again. My son made the decision which was for the best. "
Johann could only watch Rovenin's back sadly with a feeling of loss.