"Ugh" a groan escaped from Sebastian's mouth as he woke up.
Finding himself on the carriage floor he frowned.
He was from the slums but even then was not abused to this degree there.
"Huu...." a sigh escaped Sebastian's mouth as he stood up and sat on the carriage seat.
Sebastian's eyes widened in surprise.
The seat was so soft and comfortable that it felt like it was not there even the bed mattresses in the army were not soft to this degree.
Sebastian realised that nobles lived in a completely different world from them.
As he was having such thoughts the drapes on the carriage window came into his view.
He removed the drapes and looked outside to find a crowd of people.
Merchants doing business, vendors selling food and people going through the market.
The carriage was in the western district he was enjoying the view and decided to remove the drapes on the other window and can make out the Bell tower.
But as was he enjoying the view, the window connecting to the driver's seat opened.
" Hey cover the window "
The butler shouted through it.
Sebastian disliked being told around except when working but he knew noble families have a different set of rules to be followed.
He draped the windows and leaned on the seat and closed his eyes while feeling the jerking of the carriage but after a moment it stopped as if it was still.
He opened his eyes and peeked through the window to see the carriage was still moving but the scenario changed from a bustling market to gorgeous mansions.
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The mansions in the northern district were generally empty and used by the nobles when they have some business in the city.
Out of the few mansions in the northern district, only one was hosting his owner, the Clauver mansion.
But that doesn't mean that the other mansions were not maintained, they were full of servants and among them were many spies from other houses keeping the flow of information stable about the Routledge city. That's why only a few noble houses can afford a mansion out of their region.
As those were on high alert to collect more information about what was going on because the military was actively searching for something.
But what caught these spies off guard was the arrival of a carriage in the northern district with five horsemen guarding it, two from the army and three from the Hermengio family.
__________________________
The carriage stopped and Sebastian still didn't get out. The ride in the northern district was so smooth that he didn't realise that the carriage already stopped its movement.
"Hey get out already" an irritated voice of the butler was heard.
Sebastian opened the door and stepped out.
A grandiose mansion was in front of him with a fountain in the centre and a garden surrounding it.
He looked back to see he was already inside the mansion walls.
The butler moved forward saying," Follow me "
Sebastian did.
But all the servants working in the garden were looking at him.
He didn't feel so uncomfortable in his life.
People usually tend to ignore the slum people and not stare at them so intently. But he hid his discomfort and kept on moving.
The butler opened the door and a fresh set of eyes were fixed on him.
The servants inside the mansion were gossiping among themselves.
" Is he a new servant?"
"Maybe a messenger?"
"Idiot, why would a messenger where a hospital dress maybe someone seeking justice from Count"
"Sheesh, can't a messenger get injured maybe he was bringing some important news and got ambushed on his way"
Sebastian kept on moving behind the butler and before he could know he was in a room.
The room had two large sofas and decorative vases on the table and shelves.
A painting of a sly old man maybe their ancestor?
Sebastian didn't have the time to care as a cold faced with a piercing gaze looking at him.
The aura of the man was like a cold ruthless aristocrat.
" So you're the slum boy"
Despite knowing Sebastian's name Count Clauver didn't utter it as he was just a pawn, not a son.
Sebastian could feel the disdain in his voice but couldn't care less as he knew that they have some plan for him and he grabbed the opportunity to get out of the farce.
But if they force him into some kind of life-and-death situation he will run away.
Since he accepted the proposition to get out of the life-and-death situation.
" You know why you're here right?"
" To act as the second young master "
" Yes, but don't delude yourself with that you're one of us"
" I would never "
" Good"
The man looked at the butler and said,
" Trevor give him a place in the backyard room "
" Yes master"
"You" he looked towards Sebastian and said "as you have adopted you will have to learn the noble etiquettes and learn about the history and politics of the country "
" I don't know how to read "
" What?"
" I don't know how to read"
Count glared at Sebastian for a few seconds then said to the butler, " Trevor invite a teacher to teach him the alphabet"
Saying so, the count went out of the room.
Sebastian again was led by the butler to a shabby warehouse.
There was a bed and table.
It was being cleaned by the servants on being instructed by the butler.
It was very shabby compared to the mansion but was an upgrade compared to the military room or the slums.
He was happy with it.
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The next three days were the best.
Sebastian got three meals a day they were even more delicious than what was served in the army.
He could also see a few pieces of meat here and there.
He was enjoying his time and hoped this would last for eternity but what he feared would happen happened.
The butler knocked on his door and said," Second Young master come out we have to prepare you to meet your teacher "
Sebastian came out and immediately saw several servants looking at him with astonished eyes.
Never have they ever thought of the kid they thought as a low-level guest was their second young master.
They didn't cause any trouble or were discourteous to him but if they had known better they would have tried to earn some points for a chance at promotion or a salary hike.
Sebastian could see the calculating eyes of the servants but paid no heed.
He was led to a moderately sized room and in its centre was a large bathtub, there were two male servants' with a bucket having some mixture and a towel present.
The butler looked at those servants and said " Give him a good wash"
" Yes"
Sebastian panicked as he didn't want to be seen naked by these servants.
"I-I can do it myself. I don't need others to clean me"
" Don't worry young master here take this towel to cover your lower body we will wash your whole body and you can wash your lower body alone when we leave"
"O-Ok, then"
The servants handed him one towel.
Sebastian put on the towel and stripped his clothes.
The servants applied the solution in the bucket to his upper body and up to the knee in his lower body.
They even put it in his hair and started using another towel to wash his body vigorously to clean dirt from his body.
Sebastian was uncomfortable but didn't let it out.
The servants after finishing stood up and brought two buckets filled with water and said" Young master you can use this water to clean yourself of the solution applied, then we will take our leave "
The servants went outside.
Sebastian waited for a couple of minutes to see if someone was peeking.
Then let the towel go and applied the solution to his lower part.
After the bath ended, Sebastian got out of the door to see more servants with towels present.
They dried him while leaving the lower as Sebastian didn't let them and left an underdress.
Sebastian then completely dried himself after the departure of the servants and wore the white underdress. He thought it was it but soon all the servants again came back with a knock on the door and dressed him in a red tunic and trousers with a deep blue colour.
The tunic has designs in yellowish-golden threads and buttons of iron.
He looked pretty average in the dress.
One of the servants started brushing his hair and another took a paintbrush, dipped it inside a liquid and started applying it to the tunic and cloak. It started giving a floral smell.
After they were done one of them took a white powder and applied it to his face.
Sebastian gained a little colour to his face after much resting and having good food but he was still pale and the application of white powder made him look more ridiculous.
They were about to use a black goo to his eye lines but he refused.
And now he was ready to visit his teacher.
______________________________
Sebastian was led to the same room where he previously met the Count.
There was a blonde-haired man with brown eyes sitting while reading a book.
" Ahem, Mr Connack I have brought the young master"
The man got out of his trance and looked in the direction of the sound source.
The man stood up and went to greet Sebastian.
He bowed a little and said" Young master, nice to meet you, I'm Leth Connack, an imperial teacher"