My new staff consisted of Alina Whitaker and four new maids who were very cautious when taking care of me. They didn't dare do anything wrong and end up like my old maids who now worked at the stables cleaning up after horses with horrible scars on their backs.
My room was still quite bare and the Duke never visited me, but under the care of my new staff things were looking brighter.
Alina was even better than I thought. She was sharp eyed and supervised the other servants like a head maid. She was particularly focused on my food. My meals were no longer bowls of porridge but nutritious foods consisting of protein and vegetables.
After every meal she made sure to watch me eat a whole Quilm fruit, a very expensive fruit that was proven to help awaken magic within children.
Of course my magic was already awakened so the fruit only stimulated my third eye for a moment before the effects wore off. But I was waiting to reveal my power so I continued to eat the fruit under Alina's watchful eyes.
"Milday." Alina said as she stood by my cupboard sifting through my frocks. "I will dress you very well today and you must be on your best behaviour. You must socialise with the other children and make friends. This is your chance to rise up."
She turned to give me a meaningful look. "You might not understand because you are so young. But this is a great opportunity to make connections."
I understood and agreed with what she said. As an undesirable child in a noble family. I needed all the help I could get.
"What's so special about today, Alina?" I asked even though I already knew from the whispering of the maids but I needed to act as childish as possible from now on since Alina was watching me like a hawk.
"Today is your cousin's naming ceremony." She said.
"Cyprian Kantheus is only nine years old but today he will be signed into the registry as an official member of the main family, and as the son of his lordship Ahren Kantheus." She picked up two similar frocks and compared them before tossing one to the side.
I frowned a little wondering why the boy had to be signed in if he was already Ahren's son. When Alina saw my puzzled look she explained further.
"You're still young so you don't know this yet, but It's a tradition of the Kantheus family to earn your place in the main family through some sort of accomplishment." Alina elaborated as she sifted through boxes of dainty children's shoes.
"Your cousin Cyprian has a accomplished a great academic feat." She stopped her task of picking out my outfit and turned to look at me. "At only nine years old Cyprian placed first on the Imperial Academy's entrance exam."
I clenched my fists in order to stop myself from gasping out loud.
The imperial academy was a place where talented young men and women from across the continent came to be nurtured to a high degree in different disciplines.
I remembered staying up all night and barely passing the imperial academy exam. I gained admittance when I was seventeen and was a student for a few years before returning to Belsante.
There were no age restrictions to when I person could take the entrance exam, but no one younger than 15 years old had ever passed the exam.
The fact that a nine year old boy had somehow come first was gobsmacking. He would become famous across the empire when this news was printed in the newspapers. Cyprian was a monster if that was true. It would be even harder for me than I thought to gain the approval of the family.
"The young master is truly remarkable." Tinsley, the maid brushing my hair said as her eyes sparkled a little.
Tinsley was almost the opposite of Alina. She was sweet and childish but motherly and nurturing at the same time. Tinsley was the one to tuck me in at night and also sneak me sweet treats when Alina wasn't looking.
"Yes." Alina said grimly. "Young master Cyprian is making all the other nannies and mistresses very anxious."
I could only imagine… If being accepted as part of Kantheus was dependent on a great accomplishment, the other grandchildren of the duke must have been very eager to prove themselves and raise their status. But with the son of the first child being so exceptional, the competition would grow very fierce. Even I was feeling the pressure.
Alina's eyes grew dark and weary. "He has proven his intelligence certainly. But we will have to wait and see if he is mature enough to handle all the attention."
I frowned, feeling a little worried for the boy. "Even if he's really smart. He's still only a child…"
"Children of Kantheus have no time to be children." Alina blurted out and I could hear the stress in her voice.
"Bearing the surname means excelling beyond others at any cost. You must be like that too milady." She leaned forward and took hold of both my hands. The look of desperation and fear in her eyes startled to me. She didn't just want me to succeed. She needed me to.
"I must find what you excel at and convince the duke to have you properly educated." She relaxed slightly and let go of my hands but the anxiety that had gripped her a moment ago was still there simmering under the surface.
There was definitely more to Alina's personal history that I didn't know about. There had to be a reason for why she was so determined to raise my status. I would find out one day.
"It's time to get dressed." She said, my chosen outfit hanging from her arms.
Tinsley and my other maids helped me into a a frilly white frock made splendid with dark blue floral embroidery and pretty little blue bows sewn into the waist and hem. The dress paired with a bonnet hat decorated with a long ribbon that trailed behind me.
Seraphine Kantheus was a very cute child, the prettiest I had ever seen. She was made even more adorable by the lovely dress. Furthermore, her dark blue hair and bright blue eyes definitely gave off the Kantheus feel.
If she had been born as Ahren's daughter she would have surely been cherished.
"You look marvellous, Milady." Tinsley gushed as she fixed my bow.
"Yes." Alina nodded scanning over my appearance. "It's very fitting. It's a little understated so that no one will accuse you of dressing above your rank, but its still suits you very well."
Before long three knocks were heard against the dressing room door.
"Remember, you must be on your best behaviour. If someone teases you don't respond. Don't make a scene. Be sure to act appropriately. Don't eat too many sweets. Get to know your cousins and try make a few friends from the invited guests." Alina said as she held my shoulders firmly.
I nodded with a smile. "Yes."
"Are you nervous? Don't be nervous." Alina sounded the most nervous to me.
"It's just a short ceremony and then a garden tea party." She said trying to calm herself down. "You've memorised all the etiquette and know all the rules. You will be fine."
"Don't worry, Alina. I'll be good." I squeezed her hand to help her calm down.
A butler came to a stop beside us. Alina looked up at him and smiled politely. "Milady, this man will take you to your seat."
With that, Tinsley and Alina waved me goodbye as I followed behind the butler. He made several stops at other rooms collecting children my age or older to walk behind him.
I got to see different versions of the same seen as nervous nannies departed their children to the escorting butler until a line of fancily dressed noble children had formed behind me.
We finally arrived at the chapel where a priest took over for the butler. The priest in his white garb lead me and the children in a single file line to the front row of the chapel benches.
I took my seat quietly just as Alina told me to. While people where being lead into the private Kantheus chapel I took the chance to look around at the gorgeous space.
Kantheus was filthy rich if they could afford a private chapel and priests to work here full time.
My eyes studied the gorgeous stained glass windows that depicted images of the god Honos, the god of Honor and strict virtues who was the idol worshiped by the Kantheus family.
Honos was a stern god who looked down on those disgraceful beings who did not uphold high standards and values. I felt that Kantheus truly embodied that doctrine of thought.
A little boy seated next to me yawned with his mouth wide open and declared a little too loudly for the quiet chapel that he was hungry.
A beautiful silk fan promptly descended onto his head giving him a hard whack on his crown. The boy looked behind him in horror to see his mother glaring at him.
"Sit still." She ordered him strictly.
The child puckered his bottom lip and turned around with a defiant 'hmph!' crossing his arms.
I held in my laughs for my own sake in case the fan came crashing down on me if I made a peep.
Other than the boy's outbursts, all the youngest children had been seated in the front row, a few seemed even younger than me. Most of them couldn't take the hard cold bench and boring silence for too long and started wriggling about in their chairs or mumbling to themselves much to the horror of the parents who sat behind them.
It took some effort as bribes of candies to calm them down but the hall was silent again.
Finally the last of the guests were seated. A small orchestra of silver instruments began to play a solemn but hauntingly beautiful tune as Lord Ahren and his wife Lady Verona walked down the isle.
The pair of man and wife matched the music very well, solemn but hauntingly attractive indeed.
Lord Ahren was stoic and stern but undeniably handsome with his chiselled features and stern gaze.
Lady Verona held a similar dignified air with posture even better than Alina's and a gaze as strong as her husband's. He blonde hair was silky and tied up into a neat feminine style. They were the noblest noble couple I had ever seen.
After they took their seats, their celebrated son walked down the isle after them.
Cyprian Kantheus was the image of a perfect noble child. His hair was slicked back and he wore a magnificent dark blue suit decorated with silver Kantheus symbols as well as an imperial scholar's sash. The imperial acknowledgment of him placing first in the exam.
I couldn't help but stare at the boy in awe even though I was technically much older than him. Any person who could place first on that wretched exam was like a god to me.
He was only nine years old but he somehow carried the air of someone much older. Looking at him now I could already imagine the indomitable force he would grow up to be.
The priest at the alter began a long speech about the Kantheus lineage and explained the tradition of being named a true Kantheus. He complimented Cyprian for his incredible achievement that surpassed all the other scholarly achievements done for the naming ceremony considering his young age.
A large book with a back made of silver was brought to the alter. The book was opened on a page with a list of names of the previous Kantheus members.
The priest took up a quill and dipped it in an ink bed. He channeled magic into the pen and wrote down Cyrpian's name, age, hair and eye colour, and his father and mother's names. The ink sparkled as the magic stained the page permanently.
With that the book was closed and laid to rest on its rightful place at the alter.
The church clapped softly. I could see the pride on Lord Ahren and Lady Verona's faces, however I noticed some mildly hostile faces around the room.
Jealousy made their forced smiles twitch unnaturally. And the envy in their eyes turned their bright expressions to scowls. I could feel the heat directed at Cyprian from the safety of my bench. I could only imagine how exposed he felt.
Behind Lady Verona sat a woman with similar blonde hair to her but a particularly bad expression.
She stopped clapping sooner than the others and slinked her arm around the shoulder of a boy who I presumed to be her son. His blonde hair was the same as hers but he had pale blue almost grey eyes. I watched carefully as she leaned down to talk to him.
From her purse she pulled out what looked like a long thick needle and stealthily slid it into her son's breast pocket. I didn't like the expression on her face at all. I would need to keep an eye on both of them.
Cyprian stood tall at the alter and repeated after the priest to swear his vows.
"Loyalty to the name." He said in a clear voice. He was incredibly articulate for a nine year old boy.
"And loyalty to the principle. For honour and duty I persevere." His voice echoed pleasantly in the large church.
"I Cyprian Kantheus, son of Ahren Kantheus, grandson of Amaris Kantheus, swear to uphold the name of Kantheus to and beyond my last breath. I will live this life to leave behind a worthy legacy. Praise, Honos." He bowed his head toward the altar and statue of Honos.
At last it was done. The ceremony was over. After Cyprian and his parents walked out the people left their church benches and walked outside into the garden. A different garden than the one I had been exploring for the past few days.
The exhausted children who had already fallen asleep were shook awake by their grumpy mothers. Apparently the toddlers hadn't lived up to their parents expectations.
A large spring banquet had been prepared for the guests. Tables of exquisite delicacies I could only dream about eating in my previous life were on display. I was about to make my way over to the table to dish myself up a plate of everything when Alina rushed over to me and scooped me up in her arms.
"Well done, milady." She stroked my hair affectionately. "I heard that your Ladyship didn't make a peep and were the most well behaved of all the children." She sounded far too relieved, as if she was expecting me to do something.
"Yes." I nodded. "I'm a good child."
She giggled lightly before she saw all the other nannies ushering their children over to the banquet table.
"Blast!" She muttered under her breath. "The best seats have already been taken."
By best seats she meant the seats next to all the children from prominent families. I had only been living as a noble for a few weeks, but I was already worn out by the societal pressure.
By the time we reached the banquet table, the only seats left were the ones at the fee edge of the table. With no other choice Alina plopped me down into the last seat.
"Remember, only take small bites of food and you must leave something on your plate when you are finished eating." She whispered into my ear.
Rules and rules, unending rules… even for a five year old child.
I was plopped into a seat next to a rosy cheeked girl with pink hair. And I my other side was the rowdy red headed boy whose mother had whacked him on the head.
The pink haired girl leaned over to me and said, "I think you are really pretty."
Her eyes were brimming with childlike sincerity.
I was about to thank her for the compliment but then I remembered Alina's teachings. 'A noble lady cannot accept compliments about her appearance, only about her choices and accomplishments.'
"I think you're prettier." I replied with a smile, deflecting the complement back to her.
She giggled happily. "Thank you!"
She seemed unaware of the etiquette which made sense seeing as she was so young.
I heard a few of the nobles down the table mumble not so quietly under their breath.
"At least the girl has manors." Someone mumbled.
"Oh please." Someone groaned. "Even parrots can learn a little etiquette. She can be as well behaved as a Saint, it won't make up for the fact that she's a bastard."
"Oh stop!" Another giggled. "You're so naughty."
I thought about gripping the fork in my hand and lunging at the ugly woman who had said such things. But I held myself back for my futures sake.
When I was a great mage people wouldn't dare say things like this to my face even if they thought it. My power was what kept them in line. I was starting all over again, but I would regain everything and more with this new name. I would Make then eat their words. And I would start by not falling bait like this.
The children around me became entranced when little cakes and pastries were placed in the middle of our section of the table. I turned around to see Alina watching me like a hawk. Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to sneak anything with her around.
The little red headed boy energetically scooped up cakes and pastries into his plate.
"Yummy." He swooned after taking a bite of a cupcake.
Snide remarks and mean giggles came from the same nobles who had taunted me. They were among comments about the 'greedy little red head'. 'The mannerless little monster' stuffing his face with cakes. I felt awful hearing adults make fun of children as if it were a sport.
They were within earshot, so I knew the boy must have heard them but he continued eating.
"You know… They'll stop being mean if you stop acting like this." I tentatively whispered to him. I didn't want to hear them anymore so I kind of wanted him to stop too.
He turned to look at me while munching.
"Even if I behave like my mom wants me to. They'll find something else to be mean about." He said.
I was caught off guard by the firm confidence in his gaze. And he spoke the truth too…
Maybe I was the one going about this the wrong way. I behaved the best during the ceremony but all it got me was snickering behind my back about my parentage when we sat down to eat. Did it matter how hard I tried? Would they always find something else to criticise me for. Maybe I just needed to be me, and go with wherever that take me.
I poked the boys should and waited for him to look up at me again.
"I'm Seraphine." I said. "It's nice to meet you."
He paused. Gave me a once over. And then grinned showing off his teeth that had been blackened by chocolate cake.
"My Name's Roman. Can I have your biscuit if you're not gonna eat it." He pointed to the dessert on my plate.
"Sure." I said with a laugh. He was an interesting kid. I quite liked him.
Towards the middle of the table a teaspoon tapped against a glass drawing in everyone's attention.
Lord Ahren stood up and raised his glass to his son.
"Congratulations, Cyprian, my son. I am so proud to finally be able to call you Cyprian Kantheus." He said.
I gawked at Ahren. He was acting like a completely different man to the one I knew. Ahren Kantheus was a fearsome man who often reduced the Belsantian negotiators to tears at the peace talk tables. Yet here he was saying such sweet words to his son.
"As a reward for your hard work, your mother and I give you this." Ahren said and gestured towards the lawn in front of the banquet.
At the end of the lawn a servant was leading a brilliant black stallion towards the banquet. For the first time today, Cyprian's face lit up. It was refreshing to see the straight laced boy loosen up a bit after a day of putting on his poker face.
Cyprian looked to his father to ask for permission. With the gentlest expression I had ever seen on Ahren's face he stroked his son's head and smiled at him, giving him permission to go and play with the horse.
Cyprian tried to stifle his excitement but eagerly got up to go ride his new horse.
Suddenly the blond woman who had given her son a needle spoke up.
"Cyprian is still quite young and inexperienced with horses." She said with a worried look on her face. She turned to her son and patted his back. "Everard, go and help your cousin. Make sure he stays safe."
"Yes mother," the blonde haired boy stood and jogged after his younger cousin.
He was easily a couple of years older than Cyprian and stood at least a head taller than him. I eyed his pocket where I knew the needle was knowing that something bad was about to happen.
Lady Verona smiled happily at the woman who she shared the same hair colour with. "Thank you sister. If Everard watches over Cyprian, my heart will be at ease. I can't believe he's mature enough to handle such a creature all by himself."
They were sisters. It explained the similar features.
Everyone at the table laughed politely at Lady Verona's joke. They flattered her by telling her she had raised such a magnificent son and that she needn't worry. They were obviously trying to butter her up.
While everyone chatted I watched Everard carefully as he put on a show of patting down Cyprian's saddle and then helping him up.
Suddenly nannies swarmed the table and dished up some food for the younger kids. A piece of pie and some vegetables were dished up onto my plate. I pleaded Alina with my eyes. She finally relented and put a small cube of cake on a side plate for me.