After the harrowing events of the previous night, I found solace in the new nurse's arms, drifting into a deep sleep. The next morning, I was awakened by Mona. Her conflicted expression softened as she looked down at me, and I couldn't help but coo and reach for her. A smile tugged at her lips, though she seemed to struggle with whether it was appropriate.
Ding
By charming Mona, your charisma has increased by 1!
In the chaos of yesterday, I had nearly forgotten about the system.
Mona whispered, "It must be nice to have no idea what's going on; knowing how close you came to death." As she spoke, she took an amber vial out of her bosom. A sudden fear gripped me, but it vanished as she opened the vial and poured its contents onto the ground. "We won't ever let anything happen to you, young master." A tear fell from her eye. "Please have mercy on my son; he's not accustomed to serving the nobility." The stern, terse Mona from the fall was gone. The gentle and caring Mona had returned, her demeanor softer and more nurturing.
She dressed me for the day as we heard the second bell of the day ring out through the valley below. If I recall correctly, the ducal couple planned to depart shortly after sunrise, marked by the second bell, but before the third bell, which was halfway between sunrise and lunch. The estate, nestled in the lush valley, was alive with the sounds of morning. Birds sang, and the distant hum of servants beginning their day added a sense of normalcy amidst the tension.
We descended the grand staircase to the sitting room we had been in the previous night. Mona's son, Fazio, was already there. Getting a better look at him, I noticed his tanned skin, common to the region, contrasted with his lighter brown hair, a rarity. Duke Calo's hair, by comparison, was almost black. Fazio was a handsome boy, and it was clear he would grow up to have no issues in the romance department. He was dressed in a black-tailed suit, similar to Selahe's, though he fidgeted with it, clearly uncomfortable.
The sitting room itself showcased the Calo family's wealth and taste. Intricate wall hangings depicted historical battles and noble lineages. The furniture was of the finest craftsmanship, dark wood polished to a high shine. An ornate chandelier hung from the ceiling, its crystals catching the morning light and casting rainbows across the room.
Mona made a soft coughing sound to alert Fazio to our presence. His back straightened so fast, I half-expected to see a drill sergeant from my previous life calling him to attention. He paused for a moment, trying to recall the etiquette he had been hastily taught. His struggle to adapt was evident, yet there was determination in his eyes.
The weight of tradition and the expectations of noble service loomed large in the room, a reminder of the strict hierarchy and rigid customs that governed our lives. The air was thick with the scent of polished wood and fresh flowers, a blend that spoke of both luxury and careful maintenance.
He quickly approached and knelt on one knee, respectfully greeting, "Good morning, my Lord." I responded with a soft coo. Mona gently lowered me to his eye level. I reached out, lightly patting his face in what I hoped conveyed forgiveness. Surveying the room, I noticed Selahe and the ducal couple standing with warm smiles. Even Selahe, usually stoic, had a hint of amusement in his goatman eyes.
The Duke nodded to his wife, who stepped forward to declare, "It has been decided. You two will be soul bound to our son. You won't face execution if you agree to this fair exchange."
Mona nodded eagerly, but Fazio hesitated briefly before stating, "I agree to the procedure, though not necessarily the means by which my agreement was obtained." His words echoed a sentiment I vaguely remembered hearing during my own sentencing. Suppressing any reaction, I maintained my innocent baby façade. Mona shot her son a reproachful look, but the Duke dismissed it with a wave of his hand.
"Don't worry, Mona. The shock is understandable. If you both prove valuable to my son, he may consider releasing you from the binding in due time."
"Not likely," Fazio muttered softly, his words meant for my ears alone. Mona remained silent, her gaze fixed sternly on her son.
"This way," the Duchess directed, gesturing for us to follow. We proceeded through the villa until we reached a stairway leading downwards. For a moment, an unsettling thought of entering a secretive cult meeting crossed my mind, envisioning robed figures and masks. Yet, the room below was empty, much to my relief.
Duchess Calo took center stage. To her right stood a high chair with a small seat.
"Place my son here," she instructed, and Mona did so promptly. I was seated beside the Duchess on her right. She continued, "Please kneel before him. We've improvised this setup due to the circumstances." Both Mona and Fazio knelt before me.
I felt conflicted about this soul binding. Yet, as my fantasy-father had once said, I could potentially release them from it later. It felt peculiar to consider having my own vassals serving me, although Mona had been fulfilling most, if not all, of my needs for over a season now.
Mona appeared relieved to have avoided execution, her eyes now filled with affectionate warmth as she looked at me. Under different circumstances, I might have welcomed her as my surrogate mother in this fantasy world. Duchess Calo, on the other hand, exuded a commanding presence that could be intense at times. Fazio, however, seemed burdened by the weight of his fate. His head hung low, tears brimming in his eyes as he gazed at me pleadingly. I stared back at him, bewildered. What did he expect from me? I was just a baby, after all!
My irritation with Fazio's expression dissolved as I realized I was about to witness a significant magic spell. Duchess Calo's voice rang out, commanding authority filling the room.
"Mona, daughter of Cupido, do you swear to serve Damiano Calo? To protect him above all others? To ensure his success in all endeavors? To obey him, even if he is wrong?"
Mona's once bright and happy demeanor faded into a somber smile as she responded, "I swear."
Duchess Calo turned to Fazio, her voice louder and more intense than before.
"Fazio, son of Gordiano, do you swear to serve Damiano Calo? To protect him above all others? To ensure his success in all endeavors? To obey him, even if he is wrong?"
Tears streamed down Fazio's face as he managed to choke out, "I swear."
Duchess Calo proclaimed to all present, "It has been sworn. I will now bind your souls together. Should Damiano Calo perish, you will share his fate."
Wait, if I die, they die too? Uh, fantasy father, this option is just as intense as your wife! Anticipating the spell, I focused on comprehending its workings. Duchess Calo gathered mana, forming distinct clumps between Mona, Fazio, and me on my stool. It was a dual casting—quite an achievement!
Despite my basic level of mana sense, I could feel the magic's potency, a blend of void, life, and space. She gathered quite a bit of her mana between the pair and me on my stool. The mana condensed into two distinct clumps. Dual casting! It is possible! I could feel the change in the clumps as their ratios were set. Unfortunately, because my mana sense was still only at a basic level, I couldn't discern the details. If I had to guess, it was a mixture of void, life, and space. As the spell activated, the mana clumps transformed into imperceptible threads connecting our hearts. I knew if my heart stopped, theirs would too
You have obtained 2 pets!
System, they're not pets!
Congratulations! By witnessing a powerful spell, your understanding of magic has increased!
Magic Basics: Rank 3 > Rank 4. Mana Sense: Rank 3 > Rank 4.
Sweet! Despite the awkward situation, I was thrilled about leveling up my skills.
The Duke interrupted my thoughts, saying, "Now that we're done, let's return upstairs to discuss what happens next before we head back to Calo."
Wait, the city was also called Calo? How unimaginative!