A four-story Mansion with gold-decorated walls and a giant emblem with a big "O" in the middle, was before him.
The more one observed this mansion, the more it seemed like a castle. And with the long line of flowerbeds on both sides of the road that led from the gate to the mansion door,they made it even more majestic.
With gardeners tending to these exotic floors, one couldn't help but be caught in a trans as he observed the lovely scene.
Ruthven was one of these people, but as the excited voice of Nicholas sounded next to him, he drew his gaze away from the mansion and focused on the boy before him.
"I welcome you to my secondary Home!" Nicholas said.
Seeing this, Ruthven smiled lightly before speaking, "You sure are happy to be back in your 'secondary home' huh?"
Smiling awkwardly, Nicholas nodded before continuing. "You could say so. Anyways, if you don't mind following me once more, I'll give you a small tour of my home?"
"Lead the way, my dear friend." Were Ruthven's words.
More than a second later, Ruthven was following closely behind Nicholas as he was introduced to the various flowers in the flowerbeds, and sometimes the two would dive deeper into the topic when Ruthven showed even the slightest of interest to one of the flowers.
As the two neared the mansion's entrance, a row of maids came into view, and leading them was an old man dressed in formal attire.
Nicholas' pace slowed the moment he saw the group, and shortly after he turned to look at Ruthven.
"It looks like our tour is going to have to be cut short," he said, "but I promise to continue it on a much later date."
Noticing the change in pace as well as tone, Ruthven nodded with a small smile on his face.
Soon, the two were finally in front of the Mansion, walking past the bowing maids, only stopping when the butler was in front of them.
"Good afternoon, Young master!" was the hoarse voice of the butler as he slightly bowed to Nicholas.
"Afternoon to you too, Albert." the latter said, gesturing for the butler to stand up, and with a light chuckle, he stood up.
A questioning gaze appeared on Albert's face before words left his mouth, "Sire, I'm sorry to intrude, but might I ask who the gentleman next to you is?"
Nicholas only glanced at Ruthven for a while before responding...
"A guest as well as a dear friend of mine, His name is Ruthven."
With this slight introduction, Ruthven only smiled and continued to listen to the two's conversation.
"I see, well Sire, The head of the house has told me to guide you to him when you arrive, so if you would be so kind as to follow me." Said Albert as he gestured for Nicholas to follow him.
But once again, Nicholas looked at Ruthven as if seeking his approval. This action, however, caught the eyes of most of the people present, bringing shocked expressions to their faces.
Ruthven noticed the gazes around him but only focused on Nicholas's, and with a nod from him, the latter followed Albert inside the house.
Seeing the backs of the two as they entered the mansion, a sigh left Ruthven's mouth, "What a hassle." he thought.
Just as Ruthven finished releasing all the built-up tension, he suddenly realized...
What was going to happen to him now?
Where was he supposed to go?
He wasn't in the mood to just casually stroll around the mansion.
But before he could even think of anything, his gaze was drawn to one of the maids.
Without wasting another second, he moved towards the maid, "What is your name?"
"Y-Yes?" A nervous response was given by the maid.
The thing that had attracted Ruthven to the maid was a ring similar to the one Nicholas was wearing.
Smiling at this, Ruthven moved his face closer as he asked "What's your name?"
The Servant raised her head to look at Ruthven who was asking her this question, and her body immediately froze as she saw Ruthven's eyes.
"Hmm didn't you hear my question?"
The maid's actions became stiff as she answered "Ahhh... M- My name is Katherine."
"Katherine...huh? I'll remember that." Ruthven said, "If you don't mind, I would like to be shown to my room. "
The moment Katherine heard this, she froze as if she didn't know how to respond to the request.
"Right, this way, Mr. Ruthven." One of the maids said, noticing the flustered expression of her fellow maid.
Ruthven on the other hand was quite disappointed with Katherine's response, even so, he just shrugged his shoulders and followed the maid.
The two were soon walking inside the mansion hallway, and to say the place was fancy was an understatement.
Walls decorated with golden outlines stood on both sides of the two, and on each wall were different kinds of pictures mostly focusing on a single blonde-haired beautiful woman, and sometimes the pictures would show a white-haired old man.
Occasionally, Sculptures of Knights and the White-haired old man in armor could be found, just right next to the walls.
And on the red carpet, they walked on, golden drawings, mostly of dragons could be seen.
Ruthven was once again in a trans as he focused on the hallway decorations.
And before he knew it, he bumped into the maid who had been leading him as they'd already reached their destination.
The maid quickly bowed as she began apologizing as if it was her fault, Ruthven could only watch this happen with a low gaze.
"It's alright, it was my fault anyway." He interrupted the bowing maid, "So am guessing this is my room?"
As soon as the maid raised her head, she nodded..." This is the Quest room of the mansion, and since you're the young master's guest you'll be staying in here."
Ruthven looked at the door to his left and with a nod, he gestured for the maid to leave.
The maid once again bowed preparing to be excused, bu after taking only a few steps, she heard Ruthven's voice.
"You've yet to tell me your name."
The maid was momentarily stunned, but after a few seconds she responded, "Am sorry for my late introduction Mr. Ruthven, my name is Elizabeth."
"Elizabeth, huh?" After memorizing the name, Ruthven smiled and continued.."Nice to meet you, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth, the maid, seeing Ruthven's smile couldn't help but be shocked, and as his words properly sunk in her heart skipped a beat.
"N-Nice... To meet you too!" She hurriedly said as she ran away.
Ruthven smiled deeming her actions cute, and after shaking his head lightly he continued to open the door to his room.
And as to be expected by the mansion... The room Ruthven entered was far superior to anything he had ever experienced In his life.
A queen-sized bed was in the middle, with two side bed desks on each side, and at the far right of the room stood a small bookshelf filled with books while to the far left was a reading table with a table lamp.
Ruthven wasted no time in tasting his new bed, and as soon as his body fell to the bed...
A softness he had never felt drowned him to the point where he forgot everything and started dozing off.
A thousand years' worth of fatigue was nothing to joke about.