I walked into the dining room and was greeted by a pile of documents that Reuben was buried under, going through one paper at a time. Reuben popped his head over the pile and looked in my direction and lifted a piece of paper towards me.
"This is all I could really find on everyone here, there are currently 50 of us including you, 12 children in section B, 24 in section C, and 14 in section A. They are only referred to by the name the director gave them, considering how our names are so similar to our full real names I'm guessing she did the same thing for them too." Reuben spoke while reading through another document.
"What are you reading? It's got all your attention." I asked curious.
"Some documents on magic that were locked behind a safe, surely if it was worth being inside the safe with all the money then this has to be important." Reuben started mumbling while returning all his attention back to the papers.
I walked over to where all the children were sitting talking amongst themselves wondering where the teachers were and why they weren't following the normal schedule.
"Okay everyone I want you to listen up, starting today there will be no more director or teachers, from now on we will live by ourselves. You have all been taken from your homes and families, denied the chance at life and I have decided to give that back to you."
"What are you talking about exactly? We're all orphans, we don't have a family that's why we ended up here in the first place." Sam spoke out amongst the crowd.
"Do any of you remember life before this orphanage? Isn't it strange how every single one of your memories started at this place?" The children started looking around and finally started questioning the facade that the director and teachers had put into their heads.
"How can we trust you? You came here with that dude, what was his name… Either way, you came here with that guy so I don't trust you." Sam retorted I could understand why he was suspicious, after all, he was almost killed by the people he trusted.
"The man I came here with was a fake, Chimera please show them how you faked the identity of Mr. John." I looked towards the Chimera that was sitting off to the side by Rein.
The chimera stood up and morphed into Mr John then into a fly and then back into his child form, the children all gasped at the sight, some looked terrified while others looked interested.
"That is so cool!" Tella spoke up infatuated with a twinkle in her eyes.
"You too might be able to create a Chimera one day just like me, from now on until we are able to find your family, I will teach you all, skills that will help you in life. You'll learn how to read, write, use the sword and magic but know that I will not force you to learn any one of these skills if you do not wish to."
"Why? Why are you doing all this for people you barely know?" asked Sam, still skeptical.
"I want to, once you leave this place you'll find out that there aren't many ways for commoners to survive and unfortunately most of you will be commoners," I spoke.
"How exactly would you find our families if we are all commoners?" asked Sam.
"I have a way all I ask is that you do your parts and trust in me even for a little while."
- - -
"Has the Empress returned to her palace?" The Emperor asked and I could instantly tell the atmosphere in the air had changed.
"Your majesty… We beg your pardon…" One of the knights that were ordered to bring the Empress and youngest Prince back was now on the floor begging for his life. The Emperor looked up from the documents he was looking over and the atmosphere in the air felt like it could strangle everyone with a single shake.
"I don't recall asking you to do something hard, so why have you come back asking for my pardon? Where is the butler, I would like a thorough explanation." He spoke putting his quill pen down and leaning backwards in his chair.
"The butler…" The leading knight tried to speak but another lower knight spoke out.
"The butler offended the Empress greatly thus angering the youngest Prince and we were ordered to imprison him. The Prince also sent a message for your majesty…" The knight hesitated, he was one of the few knights who respected the Empress greatly even with the fact that she was of common origins.
"What was his message?" The Emperor remained composed but I could tell he was beyond furious upon hearing his wife had been insulted.
'It's going to become bloody tonight… His majesty will probably kill the butler himself.' I thought as I mentally made a note to clear his schedule for tomorrow morning.
"He said If you wish for a family reunion then perhaps you ought to send a servant that knows his place before trying to threaten my Mother… Your majesty may I speak my mind?" the knight asked, I couldn't tell if he was brave or reckless. The Emperor nodded his head in approval.
"I believe the Empress and the Prince have made up their minds to stay in the Theodore duchy, would it not be best to simply await their return?"
"How dare you try to dictate what his Majesty should…"
"That's enough Baron Wendon… Keep the butler in the dungeons I'll deal with him later, everyone but the Baron is dismissed." He spoke in a low voice.
"Your majesty…" I hesitated.
"Lance… Baron Wendon… Has my trust in you been going to your head? Inform the Duchy of Theadore of my arrival tomorrow, I will go and bring the Empress and the Prince myself." He spoke as he stood up and walked past me.
"Your majesty, would it not be best to wait until the Prince's anger is quelled hast may make the situation worse." He whipped around and grabbed me by my collar, his golden eyes had a tint of red in them as they glowed. The pressure prevented me from keeping eye contact with the Emperor.
"Wait? I haven't been able to sleep since the night the Empress left, my wife and child want nothing to do with me and you want me to wait? I've said this before and I'll say it again, I am a husband and father before I am an Emperor." He shoved me out of the way roughly and I could tell he was making his way to the dungeons as he grabbed his sword.
- - -
The twins and I had started taking down every child's details starting from the color of their hair, and eyes, what sort of clothing they had on them when they arrived at the orphanage, and anything that would help us find their parents.
Rein had been counting how many gold coins were left in the safe while Reuben and I interviewed each child then Sam came up and I hesitated whether to tell him who his mother was or simply looking for his father.
"What?" He stared at me with his brows raised as I sat in silence.
"Nothing, I was thinking about something," I replied and continued with my questions.
By the time we had finished, the fairy came rushing into the dining room and I followed behind her, I whipped the door open and saw Carl and 2 other children sat up straight on the beds.
"Hey… Is it alright if I come in for a bit?" I said as softly as I could to make sure I didn't scare them and my eyes locked with Carl's.
"Vee? Ma… Master is that you?" He asked while his eyes welled up with tears, I blinked at myself wondering if I had heard him correctly.