As soon as he replied, he looked at William and said, "come with me."
"Yes, sir," and he followed Lucca.
They arrived at Lucca's room, and as soon as they entered, Lucca said, "enter and close the door."
Once William closed the door, Lucca asked, "if you're my bodyguard, you should know that the succession war has already begun, and some nobles have declared their support for one of my brothers."
"In fact, that's a lie, sir."
"Don't call me sir; it seems like I'm 100 years old."
"So, what should I call you?"
"Master or Lucca."
"OK, I'll call you Lucca."
"Works for me. Back to the topic, why do you say that's a lie?"
"In reality, only the Rose and Aideen families have declared their support for one of your brothers. Many other nobles remain in the neutral faction."
"I bet many are just watching to see who has more talent and who they think can manage the duchy better."
"Exactly."
"And your father declared his support for me, right?"
"In fact, no."
"What? How is that possible?"
"It was a surprise for my father and me, especially because I didn't know that my father proposed me to be one of the heirs' bodyguards."
"How is that possible? It's a decision that can change your life, and he didn't tell you?"
"He didn't tell me, but I also understand my father. He never thought a baron's son could be chosen by the Duke to be one of the bodyguards."
"Wait, are you saying that it's my father who selects the bodyguards?"
"Yes, that's right. Families send letters proposing their children to be bodyguards, and the Duke decides who should be."
"When did you show your status to my father, and how does that work?"
"It was just today, actually, before you entered the room. It's done with an orb, but the person placing their hand on the orb has to accept it. How do you know that I showed my status?"
"My mother told me that my father saw your status. What if my father isn't satisfied with your status?"
"In that case, the Duke would have to choose someone else."
"OK, I understand now. Let's get back to the main topic. I got sidetracked by my curiosity. I feel like the person who put you in that room is the same one who convinced my father to put me in there. I feel like a pawn in someone else's game!" He said, irritated.
"Let me see if I understand. Is there someone supporting you from the shadows?"
"Supporting? Maybe, maybe not. To me, that person has an interest in this dispute for personal gains, but it's just my opinion."
"So, you're saying I got this position because someone wanted me to be your bodyguard?"
"That's the only thing that makes sense. Like you said, you never imagined in your life that a baron's son would be chosen instead of a viscount's son, for example."
"That actually makes sense."
By the way, I apologize, but it seems like you'll have to give up your right to be the heir for your father's title, all because of me!" Lucca said.
"Don't worry about that. My father had already chosen my brother, so I didn't have a chance anyway."
"At least that's a relief.
Do you have a plan? Your chances of winning the succession dispute are almost nil!"
"Yeah, I know. I have two plans!" And Lucca shared his plans with him.
"I think the first plan is the best!"
"The selling plan also seems promising!"
"Why did you choose me instead of Carter? Maybe you could have gained the support of the Rose family if you had chosen him."
"Because he had already sworn loyalty to my brother Liam, and I figured getting the support of his family would be difficult. Besides, your talent doesn't compare to theirs, and you don't swear loyalty to anyone, so gaining your loyalty is much easier."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I have an ability that lets me see everything about the other person. Well, almost everything."
"What can't you see?"
"Your stats."
"Can you see my level? If so, tell me what it is."
"Your level is 190, and your bow is at level 8!"
William started to sweat. "Why are you telling me this? Don't you think I could expose your 'ability'?"
"If you're really going to do that, it's because you misjudged me."
"How do you know my personality when we've only known each other for a few minutes?"
"I'm not talking about personality but about being smart enough to understand what I can offer you for your own benefit."
"What kind of things can you offer me?"
"Being the bodyguard of the person who can gather the best talents in this world as subordinates."
"So, tell me what my talent level is, and I'll swear loyalty to you!"
"No."
"Don't you want my loyalty? Just tell me."
"If I tell you, you might become conceited, and it could inflate your ego."
"I'm not that kind of person!"
"As you said before, I don't know your personality, so maybe one day I'll tell you when I get to know you."
"I accept."
William was about to leave the room when Lucca said, "Oh, by the way, you'll have to serve as my bodyguard for a week!"
"But am I not already your bodyguard?"
"Ah, I explained it poorly. You'll stay with me for a week, and then you have to improve your Rank, to Rank 2, almost 3, over the next 10 years!"
"Why?"
"Because in a week, I'll start my training with my mother and father for the next 10 years, so I won't need you, and I think it's better to let you be free during these years."
"And is my goal to reach Rank 2 during that time?"
"Exactly!" William left the room.