Asher watched silently as Jude walked away. He looked at the ground. Jude had been like this ever since he could remember. It was like he was born to hate Asher. After taking a deep breath, Asher turn on his heel before heading in the opposite direction. He walked through the halls of the manor wondering what he was going to do about Jude. Jude's inferiority complex kept getting worse. Asher worried about what he might do in the future if his hatred doesn't end soon. Asher remember countless stories about betrayal among the upper class from his past life.
When you are a person in power, the rules seem to change. That was the rule of nobility. It was like playing a game without knowing the full rules, and the loser loses his life. That was the way a noble had to live his life. You survived any way you could, and, most of the time, it meant your family could just be your most dangerous enemy. Asher's train of thought was broke by a message appearing in front of him.
[Daily mission]
Work out for 3 hour today.
Reward: +1 STR, EXP
He would randomly get these messages like he was in some kind of game. Some time he thought he was in one. He decided to complete this quickly. He head to his room and retrieved his personal sword.
[Scan complete]
Name: Singing Silver
Type: weapon (short sword)
Quality: B
[The favorite blade of the son of the Duke. Gifted to him on his fifth birthday. It cares his hope of being a strong warrior and leader. It is so sharp that it creates a ringing sound.]
Stats: +2 STR/ +1 AGI, slashing or stabbing damage.
[Effect]
[Battle song]
[When attacking, there is a 5% chance the blade will cause confusion. This chance increase if the target is affected by other debuffs.]
Sing silver was encased in a beautiful blue sheath. It was clearly the sword of a noble. He remembered how he got this sword. He had begged his father for one till he relented say a noble shouldn't need a sword. This was because magic is much more reliable than common steel but he would always practice. Asher felt relax when he would practice.
He ran through the halls at top speed. He rushed by Grace with extreme speed. She got so scared she dropped the table cloths she was going to wash. "Sorry, Grace," Asher called out as he rushed around the corner.
"Be carefully young master." Grace was only 18 years old and a maid for the Richt family. If it wasn't for the layer of dirt and dust on her face she would be quite beautiful. She let out a defeated sigh as she kneeled down and picked up the fallen cloths. She met Asher three years ago when she became a maid at the manor, and the boy acts in such an odd way. He acts nothing like a noble child would act. She had to admit that she found his nonchalance rather amusing. If only, he didn't cause so much trouble like when he decide to turn the dining hall into a pig rodeo. Though he had many redeeming qualities like he help clean up his messes afterwards.
"Ms. Grace why are the table cloths on the floor?" A stern and dignified voice spoke out. Grace turned to find an older woman with a dignified air about her.
'Crap, it is Lady Marlene.' Marlene was the lady-in-waiting to the mistress. She was responsible for all the maids like grace. "One of young master came running through here. It gave me quite the start."
Marlene rubbed her eyes in annoyance. "It was Asher again." She didn't even need to be told which one it was. "At least tell me, whatever he is doing won't get some one killed."
"No, he was carrying his sword, I think. That means he is on his way to the courtyard to train." Grace was thankful lady Marlene did not get angry at her. Marlene knelt by her, and together they quickly picked up the cloths.
"Now hurry girl. We need everything for tomorrow." Lady Marlene practically pushed Grace down the hall as she hurried her away.
"I don't understand. Why are doing all this for the young masters' birthday?" Grace was baffled. To her knowledge, birthdays were celebrated, but they were usually smaller more intimate affairs. The amount of preparation that was done was similar to if the young masters were getting married.
Lady Marlene looked at the girl like she was crazy. "Are you daft, girl?" She thought for a moment. "I suppose this is your first event of this nature so I can't blame you. Tomorrow is the day that the young masters will awaken their magic." Grace nodded. Every child goes through the awakening the day they turn ten.
"The nobles have a tradition on the day of the awakening. In the morning, the lord, mistress, and the young masters will set out for the cathedral in town. Once they return, they will have a party for themselves, nobles, and other important figures in the dukedom." Grace followed Marlene's explanation closely. "This event will be considered the young nobles entree into noble society. So the young masters must be presentable and everything carefully prepared." Grace hurried down the hallway and turned into a small door that was used by servants.
"Really. It most be important if there is this much fuss." Grace replied as Marlene finished her explanation.
"Important," Marlene scoffed, "Bathing is important. This is monumental. It will affect everything from marriage proposals to their chances to do business with merchants. Even the king's favor is on the line."
"THE KING!!!" Grace was shocked. The King rarely left the capital. "Will the king really be in attendance?"
"Perhaps. I am not sure if he himself will be in attendance, but the princes and princess definitely will. And if they make a good showing it will be that much easier to get in the highness's good graces." Marlene rushed behind Grace as they continue to travel down the stairs. "There could not be a bigger event for them."
"I cannot believe we will see part of the royal family. I heard that they are majestically beautiful."
"Hey now, you keep that dress closed? This is not an event for you to trap a noble gentleman. This is for the young masters. And I will not tolerate a reckless girl who think she can climb up by laying down. Now off with you and make sure those cloths are washed and cleaned." Marlene shewed her away to continue her work. Grace wanted to ask her one more thing, but when she turned around Marlene was gone. For an old lady, she knows how to move.