Upon hearing Luciel's question, Katherine did not answer immediately but instead took her time sipping her tea.
'She seemed to like it a lot, I believe it's her fourth cup now.' As he awaited Katherine's response, his thoughts started to wander. 'What was its name again, Black Currant?'
Luciel remembered that it was a blend of black tea and dried currants with an infusion of berry flavor, which gives it a strong aroma.
When Luciel extended his arm to pour one for himself, Katherine had beaten him to it as she lifted the teapot and fluidly poured enough into his empty cup.
"Have you learned of the four great noble families, yet?" she asked while handing Luciel his cup of tea.
"I've learned everything there is. Limited to lectures and books available in our library, of course." Luciel then placed his cup down after taking a sip and explained what he knew about the subject.
"Including our household, there are four great noble families who stand atop Rouveton's aristocratic hierarchy, only below that of Argus Royal lineage, the Kingdom's monarch.
"Each family had a long and arduous history that is at least two centuries old. The prestige and renown each great noble family relish are vastly incomparable to that of lesser nobles."
"Continue", Katherine urged Luciel as she felt his explanation was a bit lacking.
Luciel then explained further as per Katherine's urging, "Each conferred with the title of Duke, these four families have been presented with a vast domain to govern by the King. The Noble House of Irridon, their territory is at the eastern-most part of the continent where they've built the Mauve Cradle, a port city which is the center of trade and commerce.
The Noble House of Austin, their domain is situated in the mountainous region of Riledescent Range, known for their reticent and aloof temperament.
And in the middle between Gardiennage Plains and Rouveton, lies the domain of Littorrio. Primarily tasked to manage and supervise the strongholds which kept Sezburrgh at bay from invading our Mithril mines.
And finally, the famed great noble house of Mathias is located far north of the Kingdom, where the Wailing Tundra adjoins the vast and perilous Wilderness. "
Katherine subtly smiled upon hearing the word 'famed' which Luciel used to describe their family's name.
Luciel then added, sharing his views on the subject, "It seems that the king has put a considerable thought into balancing the power equilibrium given how he had shrewdly placed the four great nobles at 'strategic' locations. His reasons are obvious, no?"
"Quite the perceptive one, aren't you?" Katherine only complimented Luciel's insight as she brushed away a few strands of hair as it gently fluttered in the wind.
"Well, thanks to my mother's genes, I suppose?" Luciel shamelessly returned her praise with his own. He secretly admired how a small gesture of hers was so picturesque and worthy to be drawn on a canvass.
'If she were not my mother then I would have certainly fallen for her. Luckily, I won't ever feel that way knowing she is my biological parent in this world.'
Katherine did not comment on her son's praise but instead continued the conversation. "The King undoubtedly had hidden agenda in placing the four families far from each other. Fearing the prospect of rebellion or collusion against the throne, he made a pre-emptive countermeasure to undermine their mode of contact by situating them far from each other."
Thus, the monarch made a brilliant move. With the four families situated in every cardinal direction, Rouveton will also be alerted if any signs of invasion come to light. Plus, the four families being far apart, any suspicious movements will be under his scrutiny since traversing such sizable distance even for a small army would be suspicious enough."
Luciel then voiced his doubt, expectantly waiting for an answer. "Why is he even concerned about the possibility of treachery? Doesn't that mean he has failed to inculcate absolute fealty from his vassals which makes his regime flawed?"
In return, Katherine only replied as a matter of fact. Relaxed as ever. "There is no such thing as absolute fealty in this world, Luciel. Trust can only be gained in exchange for something of equal value."
With a pause, she gave Luciel a stern look. "I believe you of all people, is aware of this fact."
He only smiled to acknowledge Katherine's statement and responded, "Indeed. The Kingdom's stability solely depends on the cooperation of the Royal family and nobles which mutually benefits all parties. The King has to tread lightly unless he has what it takes to keep the tight leash on the nobles.
"Mother..." Luciel paused briefly as directly looked at Katherine with a serious expression.
"I want to know more about our family, the Mathias' lineage specifically. I've read all the documented records available in our library related to Mathias' history but from the information I have gathered, the truth seems to be shrouded in mystery, and nothing in depth is mentioned aside from what was already publicly known."
"What do you want to know, exactly?" Katherine asked calmly, her eyes half-closed.
Taking a deep breath, Luciel resolved himself to ask Katherine the perplexing observations he had since living in the manor.
"Why were there only less than a dozen members from our family who were conferred with Knighthood. Compared to other families like the Littorrio and Irridon, they have more than a hundred Knights if not a few hundred.
He then scanned his surroundings as if to emphasize his point, "Also, why does this place feel more like a morgue than a noble's mansion?"
"And most of all..." Luciel then swallowed a mouthful of saliva before continuing. "About Nathaniel, his death..seemed to be riddled with obscurity and intrigue."
Unexpectedly, Katherine did not have much reaction to the sensitive topic which Luciel brought to the table. "The truth comes with a price, son. You are too powerless at the moment that knowing the truth may cost your dearly. Also, being the sole remaining heir, our household cannot take such risk and endanger your life."
"So for now, be prudent and restrain your curiosity until the opportune time arrives."
Katherine then put an end to Luciel's unanswered questions by deliberately changing the subject.
"Concerning the four great noble houses, I believe you're familiar with their heraldic crest, no?" She asked Luciel with a knowing gaze.
Luciel instantly grasped what Katherine meant as he gave his answer after a second of pondering, "You mean the coat of arms or emblem which bore that family's name? I've familiarized each of the visual designs, at least."
He then succinctly narrated his description of the four great noble's family crest.
"The Mathias, a horned goat donning a mask that looked like a tower shield as its pair of horns extends up then backward. Austin's crest is symbolized by a timber wolf with a pair of daggers in its jaws. Irridon, represented with a lance pointing downward as a falcon sat atop its hilt. Lastly, Littorio's coat of arms is personified by a silverback gorilla holding a greatsword in one hand in a domineering manner."
Luciel then followed his statement with a question, hoping to clear his doubt. "Is there any special meaning behind it aside from its visual design which reflects a nobleman's heraldry?
However, Katherine just challenged him to answer his own query as she elegantly crossed her legs, exposing her luscious ivory skin to Luciel. "Think. I know you're smarter than that, Luciel."
In response to her action, Luciel quickly averted his gaze from Katherine's slender legs as he propped his chin up to look at the distant sky. 'Despite the unique differences between the Coat of Arms of the four great noble families, there's a self-evident characteristic which they all shared.'
He then directed back his gaze at Katherine to share his speculation, "Each crest is represented by a beast with its corresponding weapon. The weapon signifies the martial art or combat style, and the beast in the design attributes to the wielder's disposition."
"Exactly, such commendable insight." Katherine beamed a gentle yet captivating smile, praising Luciel. "Although I have something minor to add. The martial art can only be inherited by those who heir from the same lineage. In short, it's a legacy."
"Then how about our family's legacy? A goat and a shield, I can't seem to find a correlation between the two." Luciel voiced another question, intent on gaining in-depth knowledge about his family's history
Upon vocalizing his doubt, Katherine abruptly stopped whatever she was doing as she directed a meaningful and profound gaze at Luciel.
"A valid question. Then let me give you a glimpse of our family's heritage. Yes, a gleam into the yore. The tip of the iceberg. For any more would only arouse the madness within you."
Then, without much of a warning, a streak of lightning from a distance descended on the earthly soil as the ever-escalating sense of foreboding gripped his heart.