Eric woke up before the sun had risen. His eyes were still swollen from crying for a long time, so he hurried to wash and clean himself up.
When the young assistant finished all the work, it was already time to wake the master. The boy quietly opened the door to Richard's room, he was still sound asleep. Eric stopped at the threshold, his body completely unwilling to move, he was sure that he could stand like that for a thousand years, just looking at the peaceful face of his close friend.
— Eric… Is it time to get up already? — Richie's sleepy voice pulled him out of the cordon.
— Yes, I have already prepared water, take a bath while I go to get food.
The servants fussed suspiciously as Eric descended into the main hall. Rufus hissed at every unfortunate worker who dared to catch his eye, while the maids and junior butlers ran through the halls like scalded.
— What's going on here?
— Finally awake, — the old man snorted, continuing to throw stern glances at the employees.
— Rufus, I'm still higher in status than you, show me respect, — the boy sighed in annoyance, the attitude of this strict goat has not changed at all.
— Little brute, you should have remembered that Viscount Enric Gray was coming to visit us today. A close friend of the senior gentleman.
At that moment, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over Eric. The young man did not even pay attention to the angry man in front of him. How could he forget? Enric Gray has come to spy on Richard for the Duke of Aglarion. The Duke suspects that the master is involved in illegal activities.
— Crap. — The boy rushed to the young aristocrat's room, so fast that he almost knocked over several nervous maids on the way.
— Hey, what's up? — Rich was soaking in a hot bath when Eric abruptly opened the door to his quarters. Disheveled and out of breath, he slid down to the cold floor to catch his breath.
— I completely forgot, today... Today is coming... The viscount is coming... — the boy croaked, squeezing out every word.
— Right, how could I forget? — Richard asked indifferently, playing with a small wooden boat.
— You are too careless, he might be your father's spy…
— I know, but the duke probably thinks I'm running errands for someone. He thinks I'm too stupid to be the initiator. — The young man smiled coldly. — That will destroy him.
— I really hope so, — Eric's head was in a real mess. The pain in his temples got in the way of memories, no matter how hard he tried to remember, anything about the mysterious man seemed impossible.
— All we have to do is pretend to be stupid innocent kids.
***
Eric paced nervously around the central living room, his hands in a nest of black fluffy hair, he could not find a place for himself. All the chairs, sofas and armchairs in the room seemed completely uncomfortable to him. Richard sat on a small sofa, his face did not express any emotions, except for immense calmness. It was already past noon, their guest was due to arrive any minute.
— Eric, relax, just trust me.
— I'm worried about you, you know? Nervousness overwhelmed him, so he snapped without thinking. Not a single muscle trembled on the young duke's face, only his eyes softened and filled with immense sympathy.
— I know. Come here, please, — Rich held out his hand to him, urging him to take it.
— I know what you want to do… — Eric touched his fingers to the soft palms of the master. Before the senior assistant realized what had happened, he found himself pressed against the chest of the young aristocrat, lying on the sofa.
— Here, lay with me for a while, — Richard smiled, his slender fingers sliding through his best friend's tangled hair, trying to gently fix the plight of his hair.
— It's embarrassing, you know? — the senior assistant muttered sullenly into the master's shirt, but he could not deny how pleasant it was to feel someone else's warmth and heartbeat.
— I missed it so much. — Eric couldn't remember the last time he listened to Richie's heartbeat like this. For the first time in the mansion, the boy couldn't sleep without Richard.
— Sir, the viscount will be here soon! — Rufus yelled nervously so that the whole house could hear.
— It's time for us to get up, — Eric whispered, not looking up from his master's chest.
— That's a little annoying, — he sighs, carefully getting up from the couch, the first assistant follows suit and stands next to him.
They waited a few more minutes before Gustav knocked on the door. Eric couldn't get rid of the bad feeling, but he tried to ignore it.
— Come in. — Richard's voice remained soft and calm, as if nothing was happening.
— Viscount Enric Gray has arrived. — The head butler was also visibly nervous. The Viscount could certainly make an impression. Tall, even taller than Gustav, with long black hair tied with a ribbon and cold gray eyes. It seems he has never smiled in his entire life. The face is stone like that of a statue, no emotions, only indifference.
— Thanks, Gustav, you can be free, — Eri barely suppressed a smile. Terrible Gustav, a terrible dream of all the servants in the house, looked as if a heavy load had fallen from his shoulders. He bowed politely and left, along with several other servants.
— So, Viscount Grey, what brings you here? — Rich folded his arms in front of him. There was not a drop of interest in his voice, and his eyes coldly studied his opponent.
— Your father is worried about your education. — Gray sank into the leather chair across from Richard, arms folded across his chest.
"Liar, liar, liar." Anger bubbled up in Eric's chest, but he couldn't answer, otherwise it might hurt them all, especially the master.
— I assure you the duke has nothing to worry about.
— I believe you, but still I was hired as your new teacher, — a grin appeared on his face from which Eric twisted his stomach. — Although, if the results of the check within this month are to your father's satisfaction, I'd be happy to platinum the estate.
— It seemed to me that the viscount should have interesting things to do than to fulfill the role of the allotted servant. But since the duke sent you, I will not interfere with you.— Rich abruptly got up from his seat, strode to the door, and slowly turned the handle. — Gustaf, take our dear guest to his room.
Richard went to his quarters without another word. The chief mate walked beside him, immersed in his own unfavorable thoughts. Viscount Gray is a dangerous man, especially for a younger duke.
— Don't frown or you'll turn into an old man, you'll look like Gustav. — Aglarion's face softened as they got a good distance away.
— I'm still worried.
— I know, but we can only wait.
— These are the summaries of my mind, — Eric rubs the ends of his hair gently from the tension.
— The Blue Moon Festival is coming soon. — Richard changes the subject while looking out the window. Despite the fact that it is morning, the outlines of the moon can be seen in the sky.
— Ai! — the senior assistant cried out involuntarily, when his skull seemed to be squeezed, he slowly knelt down, unable to stay on his feet. Pictures from a past life flashed before my eyes.
— Are you okay? — Rich sat down next to him, concern in his eyes. Eric knew well that only at such moments did the gentleman lose his mask of calmness and composure.
— Yes, — the boy choked out, his voice trembling and his face pale to the color of the hallway walls. Now he knew that there would be an attack at the festival. Half of the city will be destroyed, many people will die, and the master will be seriously injured, after which he will remain lame for life.
— Alright, let's go, I'll take you to your room. — You should lie down and rest a bit, — Richard stood up and easily threw Eric's arm over his shoulder. The boy tried to walk on his own, but quickly realized that this was a disastrous business. His legs were trembling too much.
— Come on, Eri, it's okay, move slowly, — Richie's calm voice sounded right above his ear, but the senior assistant hardly listened, all his thoughts were occupied with the upcoming terrible event and possible ways to prevent it.