*Knock* *Knock*
Hearing the knocking sounds, the head of the Armsworth took his eyes off the mountain of documents stacked on top of his desk... only to glue them back to the paperwork a moment later.
"You may come in,"
Just by the sound alone, he seemed to have figured out the individual behind the door.
As such, scribbling sounds dominated the before silent luxurious office.
*Creak*
The door opened and what came out was the sole small figure of Eldric treading silently to his father.
Epine was no longer to be seen.
Eldric, properly dressed, momentarily looked around his father's office in a daze as it was his first time entering his father's office. The office was much bigger and much more outfitted than he thought it would be. What caught his attention most was a massive desk that withheld stacks of documents one towering over the other.
Light filtered out of the silky beige curtains, Alfred, the aged head-butler, stood to the right of his father unmoving like a statue.
On each side of the desk was a big bookshelf s
that held numerous books.
Too bad.
Eldric knew that his father was not that much of a fan of reading, so they had to be mostly for decoration.
"How are you doing, son? It's your first time in my office, right?" asked James letting his son's gaze wander about.
"Yes, father. That is indeed the case." subserviently answered Eldric, slightly bowing his head.
James sighed, grabbing his nose bridge in apparent frustration.
"You don't need to act like that when we are alone, son. Leave that stiff act for public occasions," said James taking off his monocle and fully moving up his eyes from the stack of papers sprawled all over the desk.
Sometimes, James wonders where did his son get this flare for etiquette… He certainly didn't get it from him, that's for sure.
Aria, his mother, wasn't that much of a fan as well...
Eldric smiled wryly at his father, with those monocles and the current outfit he had on. He looked like a stereotypical strict high noble.
"Whatever you want, dad." smiled Eldric.
James smiled back, he hummed, " I know I have been busy with the usual matters, but Alfred has informed me of your training regime."
Eldric tensed slightly and looked at the soft expression Alfred had. '… He's been spying on me…'
"While I am undoubtedly proud, I need you to understand something, son."
James shook his head and clasped his hands, "It saddens me to say this, but with the pressure of the Blackburnes, you stand not a good chance to inherit the head position."
Eldric looked at the regretful figure of his father, his neck bent down in sadness and his eyes squinted in frustration.
Eldric's heart panged at that scene. Yet, it felt good to be worried about.
"Do not worry, father. I hold no bitter feelings on that matter."
Surprised, James tilted his head. "You don't..."
Eldric shook his head, " Correct. I am not getting stronger to get the head position, father. I want to ... make something of my own."
James stopped smiling, and the air seemed to freeze. Nonetheless, Eldric maintained eye contact throughout the entire exchange.
"...."
"Do you understand what you are saying, Eldric? Are you planning on throwing the Armsworth name?"
"Are you planning to become a knight? Is that what you are saying?"
Eldric nodded, "Yes, father. I want to become a knight. I am sure it is going to be hard, but I would like to make my way up from the start of the ladder."
"...."
Small snickers escaped from the right of James.
James looked tiredly to his right. "What now, old man?"
The before silent Alfred put his hand on his chin. "Apologies, my lord. I seem to remember a certain child saying the exact same thing before in this very same room no less."
"... I was simply hit with a wave of nostalgia."
"Was this how my father felt…" sighed James as a wave of memories assaulted him.
Indeed, the child Alfred was talking about was James. In retrospect, James and Eldric are indeed similar and dissimilar at the same time.
First and foremost, Eldric was much more composed than James could ever be in his child phase. Although he wouldn't like to admit it, Eldric was also much more talented than him.
This naturally leads to the next topic in question.
"... We can talk about that later That is not what I called you here." paused James. " I called you because your fiancé will be coming in the next week."
For once, Eldric looked flustered. His eyes rapidly blinked almost as if to confirm whether what he heard was true or not.
"M-my what?"
"Dad, might I remind you that I am only seven years of age. It is still too early for something like that... Even by noble standards. Besides, how come I haven't been informed of this?"
This was a sucker punch for Eldric for sure. From his understanding, there would only be talks of engagements and such after reaching twelve years of age and attending the noble school.
James nodded, "That is correct, son. Her father is a long friend of mine, we even went to the academy together. Your mother and I promised to marry our children."
"... Can I at least get her name…?"
"She's Udel Captious, the only daughter of Beothrice Captious. You may know him as the current head advisor."
James dropped such a bomb so casually that Eldric couldn't help but be stunned for a couple of seconds.
'What the actual fu—'
It was unexpected.
The only daughter of the Captiosus house: One of the three ducal houses was someone that was far above Eldric— the second son of a count household. Sadly, with the status of his mother, it might as well be worse than that.
'Right...'
Eldric smiled, maybe that would be a reason to convince his father. "Father, I am not sure that I would be worthy of her. Wouldn't my brother Cenric be a better option as the proper heir to the Armsworth household?"
James grimaced,
"It is a promise, son. It was between the four of us. It is not an engagement in politics if you are worried. I am not forcing you to do anything."
Eldric looked at the smile that tugged James' face. It seems there was no moving his father from his position.
Eldric knew that things worked like this in the noble world, but it was a different story to experience it first-hand. He was still seven years old for god's sake.
If he remembered correctly, Udel Captious, the only daughter to house Captious should be nine years old. Not that it made it that much better...
"May I leave, father?" briskly asked Eldric with an edged tone.
"Yes." James nodded to his son's inquiry.
Uncharacteristically angry, Eldric's steps were heavy as he slammed the door on his way out.
"Are you sure about this, my lord?" commented the aged butler with his gruff voice.
James hummed, "Yes, Alfred. You must have noticed it too… I thought the curse was something my father said only to scare me..."
The head sighed, "It's a bit early, but I think he should do well by finding a partner. Beothrice is someone that I can trust. With how proud he's acting, I think they are going to be a great match."
Alfred wanted to comment further but held it in. "As you wish, my lord."
Of course he noticed how the little lord was obsessed with the venture to power. He has been observing him ever since his sudden awakening. All Armsworths were like that. Or are supposed to be like that, at least. Eldric was the first true case he observed ever since he started serving the Armsworths.
The closest one was Arthur Armsworth, his lord's grandfather.
The first man that Alfred served.
'The little lord's composition is eerily similar to Arthur's...' thought Alfred in his mind.
No, It was even worse.
Despite Alfred's vast amount of life experiences, It was chilling sometimes to see the lengths little lord Eldric is willing to go to get stronger.
He would wake up as soon as dawn ticked and start training until the servants prepare the first meal of the day. Then comes the noble lessons. After lunch be would stay holed up in his chambers or the library studying.
As such, unlike his lord, he was nowhere near as surprised with his progress when he reported it. The little lord would simply push on whatever was in his way with pure gut and tears.
He chose to respect his little lord's privacy in his chambers. No that he could breach it...
'....'
Alfred looked at his lord's side. On the note, he had a question on his mind for a while now. Maybe it was time to ask it.
"Lord, forgive my rudeness, what do you know about the little lord's maid? She cannot be a simple servant."
The expertise showcased as she trained the little lord was simply marvelous, and he was sure that she was completely aware of his position the entire time he was observing the little lord.
Even at this moment, he felt ice sweat accumulating on his old back remembering her cold gaze whenever they would inevitably cross eyes. It was almost as if she dared him to make a move.
James tsked. Multiple expressions surfaced through his visage as he was violently thrust on a memory trip.
"Epine, huh?"
He sneered, "Of course, she isn't normal. That little lass is a monster in human skin…"
Alfred widened his eyes looking at his lord's expression. "Might I ask why you kept her as the little lord's maid if you appear so against it?"
James tussled, "... It's because she is trustworthy, Alfred."
"You might know her as 'Nightblade.' ' Trailed off James, no doubt expecting his butler to know about that name.
In fact, anyone that doesn't know about it in the noble society might as well be living under a rock.
"M-my lord! Surely you jest!" mumbled Alfred in an uncomposed tone.
Nightblade was a notorious name wanted throughout the entire world. From the Alabax kingdom to the Cryoza kingsom and even the Autocracy.
Especially the Autocracy...