"By the way, don't call me Duke Harrison. Call me Nicolas instead."
I am taking a bit of a risk because I have no idea if chess is a game in this world. But even if it isn't, I could lie and say it was a new strategy game that I recently came up with myself. Since I knew the rules, all I would have to do is set up a board and the pieces in a makeshift way to play the game.
Tyler took a moment to process my request to be called Nicolas and then started to complain about my suggestion to play chess, "Nicolas…chess is just a simple board game! It doesn't have any real bearing on someone's ability to be a military strategist. It is a mere child's game."
Tyler was frowning heavily and sweat was forming on his face. It was funny how he was going to be my new military strategist, yet the emotions on his face were so easy to read.
To be honest, I have no idea if chess was actually a good game to gauge someone's strategic ability. I had already decided to make him the military strategist once James suggested him. He was the one who wanted some kind of test to prove his ability. I just didn't want him to think that his ability to spar had any bearing on his ability to strategically lead troops. We can play a game or two of chess. Once we are done, regardless of the results, I'll let him know that he did enough to show his skill and I'll official accept him as the military strategist.
But it was starting to confuse me why everyone was ignoring something. "Before we start the challenge, who is that behind you?"
Tyler turned around and waved the girl over.
"This is Taylor. She is my twin sister."
Taylor looked me in the eyes and then silently bowed. I was a little confused why she didn't say anything to me, but then I realized since she was Tyler's sister, she was also a noble who could not speak to me unless I greeted them first.
"Hello Taylor, it is good to meet you."
"Hello Duke Harrison."
I had to sigh at the formality of it all. I quickly waved my hand and replied, "just like your brother, you can call me Nicolas."
"Ok, Nicolas."
Now that I was looking at the two twins, their resemblance was obvious. Their blonde hair and blue eyes were the exact same shade. Tyler was a standard handsome man and Taylor was a classic beauty. Of course, I have always had a preference for light brown hair, so Becca is still the most beautiful in my eyes. But I'm sure Taylor has a huge number of admirers herself.
Actually now that I think about it, I hope Becca prefers men with black hair or else she might be looking at Tyler and thinking he is better looking than me!! It was a pretty intrusive thought, so I had to put it to the back of my mind.
If I think about it rationally, Becca obviously doesn't care about someone's looks since she already told me she has never had feels for a guy before. I've already won the jackpot and became her husband. I can't get jealous every time a random good looking guy comes along. Plus, I think I'm pretty handsome myself, so I just need to show off my good looks to her.
'Crap, I got too sidetracked.'
Now that I looked back at the two standing in front of me, I realized there was actually one striking difference between them. While Tyler expressed all his emotions on his face and was happily smiling most of the time, Taylor had a straight expressionless face the entire time.
Time for me to get to the question that has been at the back of my mind since they arrived here.
"So why is she here?"
Tyler replied, "she is my assistant."
I rubbed my chin as I thought, "James didn't tell me about us also hiring a military strategist assistant. She is going to help you with your job? Does she know about military strategy?"
Tyler explained, "well, she would sit in during all of my academy classes, but since she is a girl, she could not official be a part of the classes. She could not take any of the tests and graduate. Do not worry, I will not be taking her advice on any military decisions. She will just do some menial tasks for me that do not require any military knowledge."
I shook my head in confusion, "if she is just going to do menial tasks, why does she want to be your assistant?"
Tyler released a small chuckle. "It's because she has loved military strategy since she was young. We are a strategist family after all. Even though she couldn't officially study military strategy, she still enjoys being around it and hearing others talk about it."
This sentiment irked me, so I turned to Taylor. "Hey Taylor, would you say you learned as much about military strategy as the average graduate at the academy?"
She answered with her usual poker face. "Yes, I took diligent notes during the classes and studied them in my free time because of my interest in the theory."
This time I turned to James, who was standing behind the twins. "James, what is the going rate for the average military strategist assistance?"
"It would be about 1 gold coin per week."
I turned back to Taylor. "Is that fine with you?"
"Of course."
"Ok James, Taylor will be payed 1 gold coin per week from now on."
"Ok my Lord, I will add it to the payroll."
Taylor still did not show any excitement on her face. "Thank you Nicolas. I will put in quality work worth my pay."
Tyler on the other hand was obviously reluctant. "Nicolas, you don't have to do this. She has not had any formal tests to show her ability."
"I think she deserves at least a chance. I want you to watch over her and see if the decisions she makes are up to the academy standards."
I reached over and patted Tyler on the shoulder.
"She is your sister after all. Have a little faith in her."
Tyler looked up at me with a fire in his eyes. "Okay Nicolas, I will take Taylor under my wing!"
I laughed at his enthusiasm. After I let go of his shoulder, I felt a sharp pinch on my side. I turned around and noticed that it was Becca.