When Théoden was done, he had simply gotten things he needed from the merchant that he couldn't find anywhere else. Thus, his initial plan to get accessories or fabrics was thrown out the window. However, after spending his day using his skill, carefully reading each one's descriptions, and analyzing its grade and all other factors, his mental fatigue had built up quite a bit.
He had not come across so many items that exceeded the common grade. Thus, he needed to understand what grades meant and their order. He simply picked up anything that wasn't common grade. All while trying to understand the grade difference.
'After considering things, there should be a set order. Why doesn't the system come with a manual? Ghaaah!!'
Théoden was frustrated but he was too tired to grumble on it for too long.
This is what caused him to fall asleep while thinking about a few things on the sofa on which he was seated. Mer was the first to take notice of this when the Duchess walked in. She stopped when she noticed the sleeping Théoden on the sofa. With a flick of her finger, a blanket appeared in her hand. She walked to Théoden and gently covered him. Mer watched this and simply left.
She knew her master and also knew how to read the room. This was a time when requested privacy. The basic skill of a Duchy maid was to tell these things without being told.
The Duchess then walked around and viewed the items Théoden bought with an interested gaze. They were left untouched from their display positions. Her golden eyes seemed to shimmer as a slight smile crept on her lips before it was pushed down. She could tell at a glance that some of the items were worth more than money could buy, but their value was yet to be discovered.
She was about to leave when she was shocked motionless.
"Mnh…Is that you, Mom? What are you doing here?"
Théoden muttered in his sleep, his eyes half open. A shocked face was on Marianne's face as she seemed terrified when she turned around and met his eyes. She became suddenly very pale as her expression froze over. Her heart was fluctuating with uneasiness while hammering hard against her chest. Her breath was paused as she seemed to be trying to make her existence less and negligible.
She blinked to find it was only sleep talk when her face turned melancholic. She was sad and helpless and at that moment she looked so vulnerable as her body softly trembled. Anyone would want to be protective of her in this image.
After a long stare, Marrianne left the room her face stoic as before as if her former emotion was nothing but a mirage, leaving Mer with more instructions.
'I'm sorry…but not now.'
Marrianne walked away with conviction and a steeled will as her eyes seemed determined to achieve something more significant. The sound of her heels rang across the hall as she disappeared towards the exit of the mansion.
The day ended with contrasting feelings for several people.
By the time Théoden woke the next morning he noticed his closet was full. His closet room was filled with clothes bought from the finest tailor in the capital. It dawned on Théoden once more the gravity of his position.
'It's a bit excessive.'
He openly welcomed it but it came with some responsibilities. Either his behavior or speaking habits, he had to maintain his nobility everywhere. His clothes were of high importance as well thus the sight in front of him. Just from the material alone, one was able to understand that the attires arranged were more valuable than gems. The designs were superb and the little details were even more refined.
He was dressed by Mer who he had gotten used to. She was professional with her work and not a single time had she touched his skin. Her emotionless face was even more a factor in Théoden opening up to the idea of being dressed and showered.
She would not waver at the sight of his naked body which he was not too proud of either. He looked like a child regardless of whether or not his muscles had been restructured by the system. His immature body could not surpass the limits of age. He was still a sixteen-year-old, physically. He was an extremely adorable boy with a slightly chubby face and extremely silky soft hair and milky skin. He was ashamed of his current self but he was glad that his good looks didn't degrade with the change of bodies. It was only a matter of time.
Maybe it was. Mer was also a middle-aged woman with no sign of youth. Expect, her wrinkle-free face showed no sign of it. It just gave Théoden a sense of security assuming she was middle-aged no matter how young and fair she looked.
"What is the schedule today Mer?" Théoden asked the same question he always asked of Mer.
"Today you will meet your candidate tutors. You will choose who you would like if you want but I could recommend some of the best. Of course, all those gathered here are qualified." Mer responded.
"Then I will leave it up to you. Choose the best. I will wait to see them after they have been decided." Théoden lazily fell back on the bed on his back. Choosing tutors wasn't something he needed to attend to personally.
It was hard to determine who was a good tutor by face value so he threw the responsibility back to Mer. She would do her job splendidly anyway.
"Certainly, young master." Mer looked at her lazy young master and inwardly sighed.
She was happy to be of service but she was unable to understand how Théoden could simply just show his laziness as such. Mer left the room and went to her task.
Théoden had fallen in love with the feeling of his bed. He would take every chance he got to lay on it. It wasn't because he was lazy, but because he wanted to feel comfortable. A gentle wafting scent always filled his senses and completely embraced him when he lay on the bed. It felt very comfortable all over. It had an extremely effective calming effect on his newfound habits.
His mind would always remain in a stable state even when cooking up schemes. Although he had no idea what made his bed special, he was simply addicted to it. Like being in the embrace of something sweet, warm, and…
"Young master, it is done." Théoden's line of thought was broken by Mer's report.
Mer was staring at him without an expression but the fact that she was staring meant she had something more to say. Théoden rose.
"Great work, Mer. Anything else?" asked Théoden when he had straightened his posture.
"The task you gave me last time. We have a lead," responded Mer.
She watched Théoden to see she had his attention before continuing. "Young master, there is news. We got a lead on their branch base within the capital. However, their influence spreads far and wide. There is no accurate location of their main base. However, the organization leader has been rumored to be in the capital so this is a good time to find the one pulling the strings." Mer summarized her findings.
"How can we trust this rumor?" asked Théoden.
"It is information from within the organization. Nothing had been leaked." Mer commented.
Théoden raised a brow. Mer's stoic face made it evident she had no idea how contradicting those words were.
'If there was no leak then how would you know this?'
Mer picked up his confusion and further elaborated.
"We have a few moles in the organization. They don't normally act as a spy but just to keep them in check. It isn't too hard to infiltrate young Lord."
"I'll take your word for it, Mer." Théoden chuckled as he fell back on the bed. He thought for a while and all things considered, he concluded that he would have to meet them sooner or later.
"When can we meet set out?" Théoden asked softly. Mer picked up the faint voice.
She had not thought that Théoden would have wanted to participate in the search.
"Now is a good time, Young master."
"Perfect."
Théoden stood up and went to his storage area to pick out some items.
"Let's go, Mer." Théoden's voice sounded a bit excited.
A smile was blooming on his face seemingly very innocent. Mer was a bit taken aback and her expression was frozen for a second. It was rare to see a genuine smile from her young master. It was hard to tell whether she was frozen by the fact that it was such an innocent smile on such an occasion or the blinding light the smile was radiating.