[EDWARD'S POV]
2 February, 1337
"How much longer, Ser Sigurd?" I inquired of the imposing, blonde knight adorned in the golden armor of the Regal Watch. He rode alongside the wagon, his horse matching our pace.
"One hour, more or less, Milord," replied the Colonel, his tone devoid of excessive deference. This was precisely how I preferred him – straightforward and devoid of sycophancy. There was little need for constant flattery.
I leaned back into the comfortable confines of the wagon and decided to close my eyes for the remaining hour of our journey. I was en route to Norwich in response to my father's persistent entreaties. While the matters of Wymondham still weighed on my mind, I had taken measures to delegate my administrative responsibilities to Boris, the steward, and entrusted the military command to Brigadier General Rufus. Additionally, I had set my educational project in motion, and I had every confidence it would make progress in my absence. I had allocated forty laborers along with fifty sacks of cement to commence the construction of a single-story building, which would serve as the foundation of our budding school.
Furthermore, I had tasked ten officials with the responsibility of conducting a baron-wide examination to identify the most qualified teachers. As far as I knew, these assessments were scheduled to take place at the end of the current month, covering four subjects: Language & Literature, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. I had meticulously crafted a set of rules and guidelines for the school, endeavoring to align them with aspects of the modern educational system. However, I understood that some elements, such as mandating uniforms, were beyond our current means, considering the potential financial burden it could impose on the peasants.
As my thoughts meandered, I discerned the distant sound of a horn. It was likely emanating from the city walls of Norwich, announcing our approach as our entourage drew nearer to the city.
In a matter of minutes, my wagon, accompanied by seven of my Regal Watch knights, passed through the wide-open gates of Norwich. I stole a brief glance outside the wagon's window and noticed a considerable crowd lining the newly paved road, a project initiated during my two-year stay in the city. Some children gazed wide-eyed at my knights from the Regal Watch, their golden armor drawing quite the attention. It seemed that news of my arrival had somehow leaked, leading to the gathering of this unexpected audience. It hardly mattered how they had come to know; all that mattered was that I had their attention.
Our entourage continued along the road, finally entering through the gates of the castle itself. As the wagon came to a halt, I seized the opportunity to open the door and disembark. A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I found myself back in the place where I had first taken possession of the body of a deceased boy, Edward of Norfolk.
My knights dismounted as well. Four out of the seven Regal Watch knights took charge of the horses and followed a stableboy to the stables. I, along with Sigurd, Gilbert, and Luthor, advanced toward the castle's central section entrance, and there, on the cusp of sight, stood my father, my sisters, and my stepmother. A warm smile played at the corners of my mouth as I approached them.
My father took several steps forward, standing before me, a tall figure as he always had been, towering over my more modest height of now 5'7". He remained a commanding 6'2". Just as I was contemplating this, a sudden embrace took me by surprise. The warmth of the gesture helped to soothe my tension.
"I am proud of you," his voice, firm and warm, whispered into my ears. I returned the embrace with equal strength. Then, he loosened his hold and grasped my biceps.
"You cannot possibly fathom the joy I've felt witnessing your achievements," he began. "You removed the treacherous baron, improved the lives of his impoverished peasants, organized events, forged a formidable army, and created the magic sand. A more exceptional heir and son one could not ask for. Nearly three years ago, you teetered on the brink of death, and my mind was shrouded in grief as the physician declared that my only son would not see the next day."
Tears welled in his eyes. "I could hardly sleep that night, staying by your bedside. When your breathing ceased, I lost control and wept profusely." Thomas' tears flowed freely as he continued. "I left the room to make preparations for your funeral, and by the time the sun had risen, a maid's scream pierced the air, announcing your miraculous recovery. It was as though the world regained its colors when I saw you alive that day. Ever since, you've dedicated yourself to being a capable heir. When you asked for permission to explore distant lands, even beyond the seas, I worried. The day you departed, I considered various ways to stop you, but none would have deterred you. So, I reluctantly held back for the time being. Only a few weeks later, I received news of the treacherous baron, and I immediately rallied my forces, sending them your way. By the following week, the baron and his family, along with the damning evidence, were at my feet. I acted swiftly and meted out appropriate punishments. I learned that you were acting as regent in his stead, and I devised a plan, hoping it would curb your wanderlust, and it did. Thank you, my son, for making me proud and for allowing me to stand tall among the various lords and ladies. Thank you for being my flesh and blood. I am truly grateful." He wiped away his tears. "Now, go and greet your sisters," he said, gesturing behind him.
The embrace from my father was indeed a heartwarming experience. Pride swelled within me as he spoke. I then made my way toward my sisters. Alice, a short figure, no more than 5'2", leaped into my arms, briefly destabilizing my balance. Margaret, who was around my height, also approached, giving me a quick hug. Being over 16, she had likely reached her final height, and I couldn't help but marvel at her stature, which was quite remarkable for a woman in this era.
I exchanged an affectionate nod with my stepmother before heading into the castle. Most of the day was spent in the hall, where I shared the stories of my life in Wymondham with my family. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we all retired to our respective chambers, while my father made his way to his study. He had temporarily withdrawn from court to spend time with his family, leaving the chancellor to preside over the day's affairs, while he delved into the study to review the matters of the day.
There's nothing quite like a peaceful slumber in the comfort of your own bed at home.
—----------------
3 February, 1337
It had been a while since I last checked my status, and these days, it didn't play a crucial role in my life. It primarily tracked my progress, which was less relevant as I wasn't focused on strength or combat training. My daily routine consisted of a half-hour of morning exercises to maintain my physical fitness. After all, I had no intention of becoming a portly lord in a time when physical prowess was essential.
"Status," I whispered, activating the feature.
Status:
Name - Edward Plantagenet
Age - 13
Title - Heir of Norfolk, Baron of Wymondham
Martial - 12
Diplomacy - 10
Intelligence - 29
Reputation - B
Wealth - £ 84,581
Skills - Appraise (Lv. 8), Financial Literacy(Lv. 7), Oratory(Lv. 5), Alchemy(Lv. 3), Leadership(Lv. 3), Management (Lv.1)
Level - 12 [439/1200]
Spare Points - 2
Shop - 87 Pts
I noticed an increase in my diplomacy since the last time I checked my status, which was a positive sign. On the downside, my wealth had dwindled, a consequence of my recent endeavors in Wymondham. What truly surprised me, however, was the fact that I had gained a sixth skill. From what I had observed, most people had a maximum of five skills, and it was near impossible to see anyone even touch that limit. But there was no point in dwelling on this fact; I had more pressing matters to attend to. Additionally, I had accumulated a considerable number of Shop Points (SP), which held the potential to provide me with valuable resources.
A knock interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I calmly replied.
A young man, likely in his early twenties, entered and bowed to me. I nodded in acknowledgment.
"Lord has expressed his desire to meet you in his study," he informed me.
I waved him off, and as he closed the door, I changed into my formal attire, preparing to visit my father's study.
"You called for me, Father?" I inquired politely as I stood at the open door of his study.
"Yes, I did, Edward. Now, come. Sit," he replied, gesturing toward the chair opposite him in the study.
I accepted his invitation and took a seat facing him. The atmosphere in the room felt serious, as if it were a formal discussion, though not quite an interrogation.
"So," he began calmly, "You have broken your betrothal with Mortimer's daughter."
"With your approval," I added.
"Yes, yes, with my approval," Thomas confirmed.
"So, what's the matter?" I asked.
"Well, I've been thinking about a suitable match for you. It won't be long before you reach adulthood, and you will certainly need an alliance as well as a wife," he said in a determined tone.
"I think that's true, but don't you think it's quite early, Father?" I questioned.
"You'll be fourteen in a couple of months, and many competent matches will be gone forever if you wait too long," he replied, holding a bundle of parchments in his hands. "So, I suggest that you go through the prospects before choosing one," he added, handing the bundle to me.
I glanced at the parchments, which contained detailed information about various girls of suitable age and status who could potentially become my betrothed. My father then stood up and started walking toward the door.
"I must go to attend the court. Go through the parchments here, and I'll be back in an hour at most," he assured before leaving the room.
I began the process of going through the bundle of parchments one by one, and a few of them caught my attention, so I set them aside. After carefully examining what I estimated to be about thirty parchments, I had narrowed down my choices to four potential matches. These prospects varied in age, with the youngest being two years my junior, and the eldest four years my senior. That was as far as I could go before drowning my modern self into guilt. I had also taken into consideration their family backgrounds, as alliances formed through marriage in this era had far-reaching consequences. Families were not only bound for life but could be allied for generations, and this alliance could continue through any offspring, who carried the blood of both families. Therefore, I had chosen only those prospects with prestigious bloodlines, productive holdings, and substantial military strength.
Upon reevaluating the final four prospects, I made my decision, selecting the one parchment that seemed to offer the most advantageous alliance. The girl mentioned in this parchment appeared to be not only from a prestigious family but also intelligent, which was highly appealing to me.
As I pondered this choice, I was suddenly startled by a voice behind me.
"Hm…Interesting"
I turned to find my father had returned from court and was gazing intently at the parchment I held in my hand.