The gate opened as Roderic drove the carriage inside. A lot of maids and butlers lined up together with the knights. The Carriage parked in front and at the same time, the people of the duke's household bowed in respect.
"Glory to the Welsh! Glory to the Moon!"
'This is so embarrassing…'
Roderic opened up the door. I slowly stepped outside and their shouts changed.
"Welcome home Young Master!"
I smiled back at them.
'Even on Austyn I never experience being welcomed like this. The war is all over the place that I would directly report to the King and leave at once because there's a lot of business and problems to attend to'
"BROTHER!"
Melissa and Niven ran towards me but the duchess got a hold of them.
"Nah-ah-ah. Your big brother arrived later than expected. He's tired now and won't be able to carry big babies like you." The Duchess laughed.
Melissa and Niven could only pout.
I walked towards them. Pat's Melissa and Nivens head and smiles.
"Sorry 'bout that. How about we go viewing tomorrow?"
Their face brightens as they smile at me. "SURE!"
'These guys' age never matched their appearances. Not that it's bad though, I never had siblings in the past so this experience is new for me, but they should mature soon to avoid those doubting gazes from the people'
"Now-now." The Duchess clapped her hands taking all attention from everyone.
"The young master is tired from all that traveling, prepare the supper earlier today." The Duchess ordered.
All the maids and butlers bowed as they followed the duchess's words.
"Go and rest for now baby, Louis will call you later for dinner. And you two! Come with me, I must watch over the both of you so you won't disturb your big brother!" The Duchess grabbed them both; Melissa and Niven towards the other side of the mansion.
'I am grateful but-'
"Please, don't call me a baby"
"ohohoho~" The duchess only laughed as she disappeared with the escorts and children.
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"I will call for you later when the supper is ready young master. For now, please rest well" Louis said.
I entered my room and locked the door.
"I'm so tired." I dropped into the bed.
Loosening my tie, I grab the book about Austyn.
"This… my only remembrance of my people, my life"
I close my eyes waiting for sleep to take over.
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"I heard about what happened"
The duke said as he brushed off the curtains of his office
"Lewis was discriminated against and called a low-ranking noble. Hmm… I guess I'll need to visit the Hejlsberg house next time." The duke said coldly.
Everyone in this room felt his rage.
"Forgive me, duke, for I failed to take care of the young master. I even let him go to a dangerous situation" Roderic bowed.
The duke then turns his glance to a small picture frame hanging in the room.
"It doesn't matter. I had the knights follow behind you because I knew something like this might happen" The duke walked near the frame and smiled.
"Lewis is my son" With a bright smile, the duke slightly laughed. "Look at that face, really a child of mine"
The room is filled with silence, no one dares to interrupt the duke.
"I heard that Lewis used some kind of magic?" The duke started another topic.
"Yes sir, the young master was casting magic without chants, and not only that, his magic circles appear to not have any elemental symbol," Roderic said as he handed over a crystal that recorded everything it saw.
It plays a video showing the young master battling spider monsters and turning them to ash.
"Hm… I need to talk with my son, call him for me. Roderic, you can go back now. Also, don't tell others about what happened today" The duke ordered.
Roderic and I bowed. We walk outside the room.
"Are you having fun being the young master coachman?" I ask
Roderic glances at me and smiles
"Yeah, Sir Lewis – I mean. Young Master Lewis is an honorable man." Roderic replied
I could see in his eyes that he was saying it all with his heart.
"Alright. You can remain with the young master side unless we call you"
"I'll do my best! Thank you, Sir Vaile" Roderic runs away smiling.
'He is the youngest of the knights after all. The enemies would never think that a coachman is a knight reserved and approved by none other than the duke.'
"Is the young master in his room?" I asked the maid beside the duke's door.
The maid bowed.
I walked towards the young master's chamber to accomplish the duke's order.
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*Knocks.
I opened my eyes as I heard knocks at the door.
"Speak"
"Young master, It's me. Sir Vaile, head of the Welsh knights."
'Head knight Vaile…'
"What do you need?"
"The duke asked for your presence"
I stood the moment I heard the word
'THE DUKE?!'
"I would be waiting for you here, young master," Vaile said.
I heard his strong stomp outside.
'That's a lot of pressure!'
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The door creaks as the young master steps outside his room.
"I greet the young master of the Welsh dukedom, may the blessing of the moon shine on you." I bowed to show my deepest respect to him.
He smiled as he tapped my shoulder.
"All good. Show me the way"
I walk the young master to the duke's office.
"Please, help yourself."
I opened the door.
The young master looks at me as if he's asking 'You're not going?' so I can only shake my head in reply.
He coughs as he enters the place.
Closing the door, I could feel the presence of two highly known people in the kingdom.
'Damn chills'
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'Eueueueueueueueueueu-'
I can feel the duke's menacing presence as he stands looking outside the window. His tall figure and broad shoulders made him more intimidating.
'My father—King Austyn also had this kind of presence but I have never been intimidated. But the duke… Is the benefactor scared of his father and it's affecting me? But why though?'
I glanced at the duke again and he suddenly destroyed the whole window.
'I MEAN—WHO WOULD NOT BE SCARED THOUGH?!'
"*HICC!"
As fast as I can cover my mouth. I didn't expect to get hiccups just because I was surprised.
The duke looked back surprised as he saw me standing in front of him.
"My son you're here! I didn't notice you, my bad."
He smiled as if nothing just happened.
"You should speak earlier ^^"
"I'm sorry fath—Hicc"
I can feel the silence all over the room after I loudly hiccupped in front of the duke.
'Please kill me'
"Oh—were you surprised about the window? My bad, I saw a mosquito flying and I thought it would be bad if it bites you so I killed it as neatly as possible"
The window was crushed as if it was hit by bricks but it was hit by the duke's fist.
'What part is the neatly done???'
"Louis! Bring a tea for my son to drink." The duke ordered and I saw a shadow move from outside of the window.
'Louis got it hard in life'
"Come sit son."
I glanced toward the duke and he was already sitting on the couch. I walked and sat opposite of him to fully face him even though I could feel my hair's skin stand.
'I think I would eventually forget I have hiccups because of how much I'm scared of the duke'
"Are you alright?" The duke asks.
"I'm alright Father" I smiled.
The duke smiles back at me.
We heard knocks.
Louis came inside carrying tea.
'Actually, I am quite surprised at how the duke treats the benefactor—Lewis. The duke indeed has this intimidating image but I could tell that he is lowering his guard and trying to be considerate when it comes to his children, especially to the benefactor'
I took the teacup and sipped
"Son." The duke called so I glanced at him
"Yes?"
"You are deep in your thoughts. Is there something wrong?"
"AH— NOTHING. Nothing."
I could feel the duke's doubting gaze piercing me.
"If…"
I put down my tea and look at him
"If someone is making you uncomfortable, tell me. I'll deal with them" The duke's eyes turn dark
'You're the one making me uncomfortable though…'
The duke's deadly stare still going as if it were waiting for me to say a name.
'I need to be careful with my words. The duke would kill anyone for me'
"No one father, who would dare make me uncomfortable though? I'm the heir of Welsh."
I brag with him.
His serious face still won't change so I smiled and spoke.
"Don't worry Dad."
His face changes faster than the wind.
"Alright!" He smiled
'I guess, he likes being called dad.'
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"The duke's with the young master?"
"Yes duchess"
"That's great! It's nice that they're talking once in a while"
The duchess sips her tea gracefully, she then giggles.
"Nah-ah-ah. It's your father and big brothers' conversation, you guys can't join"
The princess and prince; Melissa and Niven could only pout holding the door knob.
"But—"
"No buts. Take a seat here and drink your tea."
The duchess points at the empty chair beside her.
They walked and sat beside her, took their tea then sipped.
"Your brother promised to take you both out tomorrow, wait for him"
The prince and princess smiled; their mood got better and had fun conversing with the duchess.
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"Come to think of it! Lewis you still haven't talked with the Marquis?"
"Marquis?"
"Yes, Marquis Harvey. About the lamp incident at the castle," The duke smiled
"Ah—yes! I haven't had time to visit and talk to the Marquis"
The duke nodded.
"If you want to go, you can ask Roderic to send you there"
"Thanks' Fathe—" the young master stopped when he saw the duke's face change
"—Dad." The young master followed.
The duke had a bright smile again.
'He likes being called dad. It's great that the young master can easily read the duke's mood like an open book.'
The young master sipped his tea and asked for another one.
"You like the taste?"
Young master looked at the Duke
"Hm? Y—yes."
"That's great!"
I poured another tea for them.
"Louis, tell the chef to buy all the stock for this tea"
"W-wait all?!" the young master shockingly looked at the duke
"Of course, it's a tea, my son like so I'd like to have all of it just for you."
The duke pampers his son so much but the young master's face looks like it's going to have a stomach ache.
"L-Louis, tell the chef to grab some milk too," the young master said so I bowed
"You like milk too? Louis order all—"
"JUST SOME MILK" The young master cut in
The duke laughed.
I bowed and walked outside the room to accomplish my task
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'Seriously? A whole stock of flavored lemon tea and Milk?! I don't want to be the reason why this empire starts to have financial and food problems!'
"Why just some, we can buy all if you want" The duke laughed
"I mean— we aren't that rich, Dad" I sip my tea again.
'This is the only thing making me sane at the moment. Look at that lemon leaves floating, so peaceful'
"We aren't? the last time I checked; we were richer than the three kingdoms."
I almost spit my tea to the duke
"W—what? Dad, we can't. If you are richer than the three kingdoms, then you are a walking emperor and this dukedom is an empire"
He smiled at me. "Well, that's true. But I can't deny the fact that we are richer than them"
The duke gave me a smug face.
"What's your occupation…" I randomly asked.
"I handle the dukedom."
"And?"
"Took care of some kingly duties"
"Like?"
"Hmm… Like watching over a whole mountain, writing some reports, being a convoy for the empire and I am also the General of the war"
'That's a lot of bragging'
"You earn your money with all that?"
"Ah, no. That's not even one-half of what I'm earning with my secret work"
'NOT EVEN HALF?'
My mind can't process a lot of information.
"Secret work?"
"Yes"
"What's that?"
"What's the point of being secret if everyone knows about it" he laughed.
I grabbed my tea and sipped again.
'The duke is right, that's why it is called secret but—'
"I'm telling Mom you're hiding something from me"
"—I'll speak"
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"The duke is talking with the young master so I'm afraid he can't meet you right now," Butler Louis said.
The unexpected guest didn't waiver. It just nodded and sat on the couch here in the drawing room. It's wearing a full cloak and mask so even with open lights I couldn't get a glimpse of its face.
"Can I wait here?" the guest asked.
The voice is kind of distorted so I'll assume he's a guy
The butler smiled
"Of course, a guest is a guest after all. We will serve you with all we can. Jannie, get some refreshments for our guest."
I bowed as I walked outside and followed butler Louis's words.
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'didn't expect the duke to be scared of the duchess. Just like what I guessed, better not be on the duchess's bad side'
"The Welsh have our own Mineral mine and waterways."
'Mineral mine is not that awesome because 'lots of nobles have these kinds of caves in the past. I remember even raiding a whole tunnel just to be lost for three hours straight. The most surprising was the waterways'
"There's a lot behind the word waterways, so I expect that you could be only using a façade word that has a double meaning" I spoke my opinion to the duke.
He then laughed.
"As expected of my son! Brilliant as ever. That is right, it is a word with a double meaning."
"But why hide the other meaning?"
"Just the same as what you said earlier. A dukedom could never be richer than a kingdom it was serving because it would be titled as—"
"Treason" I cut him.
"That's right, it's treason to be richer than a king. And the dukedom could be easily destroyed by others."
"I understand, but how can you hide the waterways you said to the king?"
"When there's a dukedom annual report to the king, I use the waterways that were created by the dukedom to the people of Welsh."
"Ah— you mean a waterfall up in the mountain?"
"Hm? How did you know that?"
"Just a guess, when I was traveling with Roderic earlier he told me that it's been raining at the upper part of the mountain so the road is a little bit slippery than any normal day but, then I thought that if it's just a normal rain the sun could dry the road fast. So, I guessed that there could be a dam or a waterfall that continuously pours water from above, making the road a lot more wet than usual."
The duke was surprised by what I said.
"Oh—my son is bright!" he clapped his hands
'Seriously…'
"That's right, we have been using un-traceable magic to continuously pour rain in the upper part of the mountain and we call it a waterway for the nearby town of the Welsh."
"So, you are hiding the real waterway from the duke, with the use of waterfalls."
"Right. The real waterways are an untraceable route under the dukedom. It is a path near the mountain and could access the ocean in 5 minutes."
"You use it to trade?"
"Sometimes but I often use it to receive guests"
"Guest?"
"Right, from other kingdoms that don't want King Floyent to notice them"
"And that's where you get your money? To hide people"
"That's right."
He sips some tea and stares back at me.
"Then, I guess you better fix the road under the mountain range. The Sooner the better so you could hide your secret perfectly."
"Oh my, are you worried about me son?"
The duke smiled
'That's—'
[ I was worried that something might happen to you fath—…
Silence! Don't be petty and start doing what you need to do for the kingdom! If you have time to worry then use that to learn swordsmanship! You don't need emotions for others, in this world there would only be you!]
"Son?"
The duke tapped my shoulder. His expression shows that he's concerned.
"Yes. I am worried about your well-being Dad"
His expression changed and I could see that he was happy.
"Then I would do my best to take care of everything secretly and fast at the same time so my son won't worry!" he smiles.
I smiled back at him.
'Maybe this time, it's alright to show my feelings
"Ah by the way Dad. Why did you call for me?"
'I don't think he called me to just have a small talk and share some secrets…'
"Ah right, I almost forgot, my bad."
The duke walked over to his table and grabbed a piece of crystal.
"I need to talk to you about this"
"This?"
He threw the crystal at the table in front of me and it showed a recorded image of me using magic.
'—oh'
"Um…"
"This memory is quite fresh; don't you think so?"
I scratched my neck and laugh
"Y—yeah. Earlier before arriving, Roderic and I encountered a little bit of a problem"
I awkwardly tapped the crystal trying to stop it from playing images.
"Don't worry I'm not mad. But I do hope you'll refrain from using non-elemental circles"
"Refrain? Why dad?"
He looks at me with a worried expression again.
"I think I should bring you to the doctor"
'—eh?'
"Why?"
"I think that lamp damages your mind. How could you forget that the elemental symbol in magic circles represents a dukedom and if not dukedom then the person's elemental prowess. While the non-elemental circles represent boundless mana?"
"Wait non-elemental symbol is boundless mana?"
"Yes, it's a taboo to use non-elemental circles. You could have your head—"
The duke stabs the table with the pen and it creates a loud sound
"Die…"
"Right, people would be scared of you and they will think you are the reincarnation of the evil Prince of the Blight"
'Prince of the blight? –who?'
"Who's that?"
"You forgot? You like Austyn's story, right? It all started in that kingdom"
'—Austyn!'
"Dad! Can you tell me, why this Prince of blight has something to do with Austyn?"
He looked at me
"Very well"
He sat in front of me.
"500 years ago, there was a well-known kingdom. A Kingdom where the sun shines all of its blessings on the people. The Austyn kingdom. They said that if you look at the castle, your eyes would hurt because it sparkles all the time. The people are all friendly and you could stay as visitors and have fun without getting robbed and discriminated against by the nobles. All of that peace and freedom was thanks to the king of Austyn, King Rayford"
'My uncle… The former king before my father'
"But all that happiness ends faster than what they expected. King Rayford was slain by the enemy kingdom. Ever since his death, the kingdom become chaotic. The people lost faith, a war happened, and slavery and discrimination against the people started. Then finally the next king sat on the throne, King Maison, and that is when the kingdom started to function properly again."
'Father…'
"He poured all his life restoring the glory of the kingdom. He sent his only son to fight in the war to subdue evil. His son, Prince Clyne the so-called Prince of light, does all his best to protect the kingdom and the people but I guess life has always been unfair. The people looked at the prince as the mad son who wanted to kill his father and reclaim the throne it is because of his unique magic, the non-elemental prowess. One day war broke out, and it continued for 5 days it all happened in the forest of Dirac Mountain"
'—The forest…'
"The war was supervised by the prince as they set foot deeper in the forest. The next thing that happened is that. They said the prince lured his knights whom he considered friends and killed them one by one but thankfully, a knight stopped him. Knight Marcus… He captured the prince and brought him to the kingdom's execution grounds. The prince was about to be executed when he looked at the night sky and then spoke his last words, "A Moon that shines Bright—"
"Brighter than the sun"
I continued what the dukes going to say.
He sighs
"Right, when his head was cut off. The night sky turns black as if there was no life, and the sun never shined again. It was all moon. No day, just night, as if the sun cursed the people about what happened. The king didn't even bother showing himself and no one saw him again since the death of the prince. The Blights— Monsters that are much more powerful than what they fought conquered the whole kingdom within hours, their theory is that the moon and darkness double the strength of the monsters. A lot of people died. Some of those who successfully escaped said that the non-elemental prince was the cause of it that it was his revenge and that his soul was still alive lurking somewhere. Because of that, the prince of light becomes the prince of blights"
I remained silent for I don't know what to say to the duke.
'What to even react… I— I did all I could. For the people, for the kingdom.'
Even though I know that's not how it ended, still the part when the kingdom fell hurt my heart.
'The story might differ, but it all ended the same way… now I am, a prince of blights'
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He remained silent and I could see on his face that he didn't enjoy the story.
'Lewis liked this history so much that he even bought a copy from the floyent kingdom's library as his father, I am ashamed for I don't know what to do'
Suddenly, tears started to fall from his face.
"W—why son? Are you in pain? LOUIS COME THIS INSTA—"
He suddenly grabbed my hand.
"I—I'm fine dad, I got upset over nothing."
He smiled as he wiped his tears.
'Then why… do you look like you are suffering…'
"Duke? Did you call for me?"
Louis's voice came from the door.
I wiped my son's tears and patted his head.
"You are already 21 years old and still crying because of a story… but it isn't bad. It expresses that you have a good heart and sympathy for others. You can return to your room now, rest before supper"
He finally calmed down.
"Thanks, Dad"
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"How's Lewis?"
The duke asked as he stood looking outside his window
"He safely returned to his room, Duke"
'The window is destroyed again; I need to ask the people to fix it tonight'
"Louis, do you know where and who is the author of Austyn?"
"I heard he came from the other country, but he's already a decade-dead duke."
"I see, it's a shame, I couldn't kill a person who dared make my son suffer"
'—suffer?'
"Do you have something to say, Louis?"
The duke turns around.
'He's really mad. He looks like he could end the world today'
"You received a guest. He's waiting in the drawing room, Duke"
"I see. I guess we should not make him wait more"
I bowed and opened the door for him.
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"—SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!"
'No matter how sad I was, I should haven't cried in front of the duke!'
"So embarrassing!"
I've been screaming in my chamber for 3 hours straight because my mind keeps repeating the same scenario in my head!
"But…"
The memory of the duke patting my head flashes in my mind.
"—the duke is a good father"
Suddenly, I heard knocks on the door
"Y—yes?"
"Young master, the supper would be ready in 5 minutes. The duchess and the duke would be waiting in the dining hall"
"O—ok, I mean, Alright. I'll follow"
'How I'm going to face the duke!'
"—AAAH!"
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"Lewis 's still not here"
"He said he would follow so let's wait for him" The duke replied to the duchess.
Second, the door opened and the young duke came inside wearing…
'—glasses…?'
"Oh! What a fashion, why suddenly wear glasses son?" the duke looks like he was teasing his son.
"Mother, Father is teasing me"
The duchess stared at the duke.
"W—wait that's unfair!"
Everyone laughed.
The young duke sat on the chair
"—I forgot, Lewis, come see me tomorrow morning, we need to meet someone"
The duke said. The young master nodded as he ate his food.
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'Earlier the duke came later than expected and his face looks like he's going to kill someone.'
"Why thought…?"
I entered the room where the duke told me to stay for the night.
'His mood is bad, so I guess it should be fine to continue the talk tomorrow…'
I glance outside the window to the black rose garden of the duke's mansion.
'Wait for me, I'll be there soon…'
"—chess"