It's been 3 months since I and my master Theodore started living here, our lives have been nothing short of taxing , at first it took master Theodore his all to tolerate his new surrounding being the hermit that he is and his work as a gardener ,Lord Rufus hasn't made it any easier as he continuously seeks out Master Theodore, he'd always show up in our cabin unannounced putting Master on edge.
"Master Theodre, I've come."
As usual Lord Rufus came knocking on the door unannounced, I look at Master Theodre as he panics shaking his head at me
"boy, don't tell him I'm here." Master Theodre tells me pleading
"He's right in the living room ,make yourself at home." I open the door pointing at my master as he directs hateful glares towards me.
"Tis such a good day for a game of cards don't you think master Theodre, and a good day to you Eric my angel Aida just asked for you don't keep her waiting now ." He says brandishing this world's equivalent of playing cards and in his other hand he holds what I'd assume is a bottle of wine
To which Master Theodre's responds
"Oho, say ya brought drinks from the get go. Oi brat go attend to the young mistres and leave us adults be."
"*sigh* , I'm off then. You better remember not drink off your socks before our training starts."
"who do you take me for brat, a bottle or 3 isn't knocking me to the ground " He says hitting
"Whatever, be careful around that grumpy old man your highness." I say before turning back and leaving
It just occured to me that the lord might be using Master to shirk off but thats a matter for his retainers to worry about, and as for me Aida has tasked me to keep her company, to not embarrass her I been taught the basics of tea serving to which I'm using right now. Aida has guests in fact they are 2.
A girl and a boy, the boy needed no introduction on my part, he is none other than Prince Joshua i.e the main love interest.
The girl Mistie was none too special, she wore an elegant turquoise frilly dress, her brown hair styled in buns her personality however and disregard for 'yours truly' is much to be desirable.
As for his excellency Joshua. I can't help but notice his gentle features, his long white hair tied in a ponytail style and his ridiculously approachable attitude it is no wonder that both Aida and her friend Mistie kept gushing over him.
I'm not JEALOUS for the record, I pour another round of tea passing by his majesty to fill his cup.
"Thank you uhh.." he scratches head to remember my name
"Its Eric." I say to him masking my annoyance.
"Eric, apologies I have trouble remembering names." He says embarrassingly
Does he mean to say that I'm too irrelevant for him to know on a name basis or was it just an honest mistake.
"You ought to remember my retainers name Prince Joshua , among commoners Eric stands above the masses as my butler!." Aida comes in beaming with confidence , i think she meant friend it makes me happy nonetheless for some odd reason.
"It is rare for Aida to speak so highly for a commoner , don't you agree Mistie?." He asks to the other girl
"Right!, Aida had troubles with commoners just how did Eric win her over." Mistie ponders
"H-he didn't win me over, I-I simply took pitty on his soul and brought him to my side." Aida flustered and beet red looks up to me before turning back to her guests
"Like she had said esteemed guests, I'm but a mere poor commoner. Don't mind my insignificant presence." I say to shoot down any speculation on Mistie's part(she's dangerous)
"Yes i-its just like what he said." She says hands shaking as she takes a sip of tea
"Sweets, Mistress Aida." I point to the freshly baked sweets plate in my hand to which she replies
"Thank you Eric." Aida takes the sweets appreciating my gesture
"Oh what impeccable manners!, Eric can I bother you by visiting sometimes. I never seen such elegant handling even among my retainers!." Says Joshua in complete delight
"Aida, you picked up a very strange boy. Not that its an issue with me." Added Mistie winking playfully in my direction
"Ufufufu, he's not just good with tea , you should see him with a sword he moves like a master swordsman!." Puffing out her chest
"Is what Aida says true Eric?." Joshua looks at me with obvious curiosity
"I'm not a master swordsman , far from it. It is my master who deserves awe." I deflect Aida's praise last thing I need is a prince and the main love interest prodding into me.
"And who's your Master?." Asks Mistie
"Low and behold!, my servant master is none other than Theodre!."
"The Legendary guild member?, that Theodore ??!!, and Lord Lumere managed to hire his dsiciple!!." Eric yelled out astonished
"O-ohoho, you're great at jesting Aida, I can't believe Eric is his student. I mean its Theodore !, he's a legend !, like in fairy tales my mother used to read!." Disbelief colored Mistie's face as she recounts
"Theodore and Chronos the dragon." Says Eric
"Long ago, it was said that Chronos had wreaked havoc across the land leveling the Eizenburg Kingdom into dust with his time control, he turned the children into elderly, the elderly into dust, the plantlife wilted as he walked through our fields. And entire villages laid in ruin, None dared to stand against Chronos that was until Theodore came into the picture , Chronos had murdered his wife before his eyes mocking and deriding human suffering. The enraged Theodore who had just arrived to witness the carnage unsheathed his sword and struck at Chronos heart. The dragon howled in pain as Theodore's sword jabbed at his heart, the power of time leaked from its heart and affected Theodore's body morphing him and granting him the power of a Chromata. The dragon noticed the change and slapped Theodore away from its body commending him and yielding defeat, and thus Theodore repelled Chronos and became a hero worthy of legend. " Eric recalls Theodore's tale
"Aida you just hired a legend!." Says Mistie in awe
"Mhmm, it is that Theodre that we hired along with Eric !." Aida puffs her chest as if proud of hiring me and master.
"Theodore as well!!. This is amazing." Joshua says before turning to face me
"Mr. Eric!, would you allow me the honor of sparring with you." Joshua says eyes lit in fierce determination
Facing his gaze, I can't help but wonder if all boys were the same regardless that shonen esque aspect of his , I find it endearing but I have to decline. I shudder to think what manner of royal shlick I'd be getting into if I beat him black and blue. I'm not saying this out of hubris as I'm quite certain the level I'm currently at isn't the norm for a 13 yearold, master had made a monstrosity out of me.
"I'm sorry Prince Joshua, I don't think I can fulfill your request. Master had strictly ordered me not to spar, if he caught wind of this. My chores would stack up." I sigh as I think of all the times he'd tormented me, the man's a spartan , A SPARTAN! YA HEAR!
"Such a shame right Joshue?." Mistie teased , for rural nobility shes quite close to the Prince
"Truly a shame, ah I'm suddenly remembering why I came here . The exquisite tea and Eric here have done more than distract me." Joshua clears his throat addressing Aida
"Its about our fathers formal agreement, we are to be married after our graduation from Astria's magic academy."
"W-what!? , J-Joshua are you sure you're not mistaken. I mean marriage is a bit!." Aida stares down while not so subtly glancing my way.
"I have reacted the very same way, you are excused to think so. I also would rather be with someone whom I love."
Such deep outlook between 13 yearolds, I mean you'd expect nobility to marry young right?, its an old European tradition albeit the game's very Eastern when you include relationships in the equation promiscuous shlick be damned, I still feel bad for Aida going through all the pain to have her one and only love taken away by some common lass, anyone would be miffed right!. Oh crap shes still staring at me does she want some more tea.
"Mistress Aida, do you require tea." I strode towards Aida teapot at the ready
Mistie facepalmed at my wellmannered gesture while Aida puffed her cheeks , slightly resembling a squirrel (how cute).
"He has no idea about how you feel , I'm sorry Aida this one's a lost cause." Mistie gives Aida a sincere condolence as for what reason is beyond me
"O-ohoho, what do you mean? I'm simply annoyed at his perfect etiquette!, my steward taught Eric too well and he's exceeded my expectations rather i wanted him hindered is all. I'm not thinking about him at all!."
"Must be hard for you Eric." Joshua gives me a silent prayer to which i'm thankful for.
"not thinking about him at all hmmm, hah."
Joshua and Mistie are polar opposites, while Joshua is sincere wearing his emotions on his sleeves, theres Mistie whom alarms in my head keep telling me that this girl is dangerous, i can't quite pinpoint where she lies on the spectrum.
"Not at all, *ahem* anyways about the engagement I look forward to it Joshua Von Eizenburg, I'm entrusting myself to you." She says glaring at me and Mistie while extending her hand to Joshua (why??!!)
"Likewise Aida." He says taking her hand.
According to the game's lore , Joshua and Aida engagement started 2 years before their admission to the academy, obviously I want nothing to do with the Prince and his love shenanigans. As much as I wish to see myself out of this drama I know I have no choice but to sit through this rollercoaster ride.
I dread to think about what's to come...
To be continued