After breakfast had ended and the last of those who were laid off had quietly left, the dining hall grew still. Only a small handful of people remained: Chef Hugh, Lady Mane, Bartlow, Ruth, Rebecca, Alex, and two of Bartlow's most trusted guards, who had served the Mane family faithfully for years.
The room felt emptier now, the absence of the other butlers and guards lingering like a heavy fog. Alex, seated between Ruth and Bartlow, glanced around the table. He could feel the weight of the morning's events hanging over everyone, a quiet tension settling into the air.
Lady Mane, who had remained composed throughout the meal, sighed softly, her fingers gently tracing the rim of her cup. Her usual regal poise seemed to falter, just for a moment, as she exchanged a glance with Bartlow.
"Thank you all for staying," Lady Mane said, her voice soft but steady. "I know this morning has been difficult, but I want to express my deepest gratitude to those of you who continue to stand by this household."
Bartlow nodded, his eyes scanning the room. "You are the core of the Mane family now," he said, his tone authoritative yet respectful. "What comes next will test us, but we will come out stronger."
Chef Hugh, who had been quiet during the announcement, let out a deep breath, breaking the silence. "Well, it's never easy losing good people," he said, his deep voice filled with both resignation and understanding. "But we make do with what we've got. We'll keep this household running, like we always have."
Ruth, seated next to Alex, offered a small smile. "It's a hard blow," she said, her voice soft, "but the fact that we're still here means something. We've got each other, at least."
Rebecca, the household healer, leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "We'll need to be cautious," she said thoughtfully. "With fewer hands, everyone's going to be stretched thin. If anyone overexerts themselves, I'll be dealing with more than a few injuries and illnesses."
Lady Mane acknowledged Rebecca's concern with a nod. "We'll adjust as needed," she said, her tone laced with quiet determination. "It will be difficult, but I trust all of you. I wouldn't have asked you to stay if I didn't."
Bartlow's two guards remained stoic, their expressions unchanging as they absorbed the situation. They had been through countless challenges by Bartlow's side and were no strangers to adversity. One of them, a tall man with a shaved head and a scar running down the side of his face, gave a curt nod. "We've weathered worse, my lady. We're not going anywhere."
Alex, still trying to process everything, felt a strange mix of emotions. He was grateful to still be part of the household, but he also couldn't shake the feeling of guilt for those who had been let go. He glanced at Ruth, who gave him a reassuring look, as if sensing his thoughts.
"We'll manage," she whispered to him. "It's just going to take some adjusting."
Lady Mane stood, signaling the end of the meeting. "For now, we continue forward. I appreciate all of your dedication. Let us make the most of what we have and do our best to keep the Mane household strong."
As Lady Mane exited the room, Alex finally felt the tension in his shoulders ease. The heavy weight of the earlier announcement lingered, but the air felt a bit lighter now that the formalities were over. He glanced over at Ruth and Chef Hugh, unsure of what to do next, and it seemed they had been waiting for just that moment.
Ruth gave Chef Hugh a nod, and he returned it with a quiet understanding. She turned to Alex, her expression soft but serious, as if she was about to share something important.
"Come with us, Alex," Ruth said, gesturing for him to follow her and Hugh. They walked together toward a quieter corner of the kitchen, away from the remaining dishes and the lingering smells of breakfast. Alex could sense that this was more than just a casual conversation; they were about to discuss something deeper—something about the inner workings of the household.
Ruth looked at Alex thoughtfully before starting. "You probably noticed by now that the Mane family isn't like other noble houses," she began. "They've always done their best to take care of the people under their rule. Lady Mane and the Baron have tried hard to avoid exploiting their citizens. But this year's harvest… it came up short. Too short."
Alex nodded, remembering Lady Mane's earlier words about the difficult decision between taxing the already burdened citizens or letting go of staff. He had felt the gravity of her choice but hadn't fully understood the depth of it until now.
"Lady Mane had to make a tough call," Ruth continued, her tone more serious now. "She couldn't keep everyone on the payroll. The crops failed, the economy's tight… she could either raise taxes on the people—who are already struggling—or cut back on household staff. She chose to protect the people of Gorin."
Chef Hugh chimed in, his usual jovial expression now softened with understanding. "We all understood why she had to do it," he said, placing a comforting hand on Alex's shoulder. "I agreed to take a pay cut. I've been with this family a long time, and I'd rather help them weather the storm than see the people suffer. Besides, I've got no one depending on me."
Ruth gave Alex a small, sad smile. "It wasn't an easy decision, but I've been with the family for a long time too. My mother served here before me, and the Mane family has been good to us. I'm practically like an adopted daughter to them. So, when it came down to it, I also agreed to a pay cut."
Alex listened intently, absorbing each word. It was starting to make more sense now—why Ruth, Hugh, and the others were still here despite the financial strain.
"You see," Ruth went on, "Bartlow—Sir Bartlow—he's not paid by Lady Mane. He handles his own finances, and any staff under his direct command, like the guards, are paid by him. That's why the two guards you saw earlier are still here. Bartlow's personal loyalty to the Mane family runs deep, so he covers what the family can't."
Chef Hugh nodded in agreement before adding, "And Rebecca—well, she's irreplaceable. She's the only healer in the house, and you can't run a manor without someone like her. With the risks of cultivation and all the injuries that come with it, she's more important than ever."
Alex glanced at Ruth, feeling a sense of clarity wash over him. It was a lot to take in, but now he understood why only a few remained. "So, that's why we're the only ones left," he said, more to himself than to anyone else. "You, Chef Hugh, Sir Bartlow, the guards, and Rebecca… you all had reasons to stay, even when things got tough."
Ruth nodded. "Exactly. And as for you," she added, "Sir Bartlow's taken you under his wing. You'll be looked after personally by him, just like the guards. It's a rare privilege, but it also means you'll be expected to work hard—both as a butler and as his student."
Alex took a deep breath, realizing how fortunate he was to be in this position. He wasn't just another servant in the household—he was being given a chance to learn and grow under one of the most respected figures in the manor.
"I'm ready," Alex said, his voice steady with determination. "I'll do my best to live up to everyone's expectations."
Ruth smiled warmly. "That's all we can ask for."
Chef Hugh chuckled, his jovial spirit returning. "Well, lad, if you can survive Bartlow's training and make a decent cup of tea, I'd say you'll do just fine."
Alex couldn't help but smile at that, feeling more at ease despite the difficult morning. He had a long road ahead, but with people like Ruth, Hugh, and Bartlow by his side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges came his way.
As they all stood together, the unspoken bond between them solidified—a shared understanding that, no matter how hard things got, they would carry the weight of the Mane family together.
After hours of cleaning, washing dishes, folding clothes, and tending to the bedrooms—everything a butler should do—Alex was feeling the weight of the heavy workload. The sun stood high at its peak, casting down its rays, marking the mid-afternoon. He wiped the sweat from his brow, exhausted by the chores meant for a full staff now reduced to only four individuals: Ruth, Chef Hugh, Rebecca, and himself. The manor, now eerily quiet due to the earlier layoffs, still required their tireless dedication.
As Alex set down the last dish, Ruth approached him, giving him an encouraging smile. "Don't worry," she said with a laugh. "Not every day is going to be like this. Today was an exception because we had to clean up after the whole manor. Now that there's less to manage, thanks to the cutbacks, the workload is going to be lighter. Tomorrow should be far easier, and we might even find ourselves with more free time than we'll know what to do with."
Alex, surprised by this unexpected revelation, nodded slowly. "That's… good to hear. Is there anything else that needs to be done today?" he asked, still eager to be of use.
Ruth raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by his determination. "You've still got energy left?" she teased, then glanced at him knowingly. "I'm guessing you're excited to start your training with Sir Bartlow?"
Alex's eyes lit up, and he couldn't hide the eagerness in his voice. "Yes! I can't wait. I'm ready to learn everything I can."
Ruth chuckled, and Chef Hugh joined in, laughing as he patted Alex on the back. "Well, lad, we'll see if you're still standing after Bartlow's done with you!" Hugh's booming laughter filled the room as he started tidying up the kitchen. "You'll have to give me the details of your training later—over dinner, of course."
Rebecca, who had been quietly listening in, sighed and crossed her arms. "Ruth," she said in a mock-serious tone, "why don't you take him to Lady Mane for the official permission to start his training? I'll head to the infirmary and get everything ready for… the aftermath." She glanced at Alex, mentally preparing herself for the potential injuries she'd likely be treating after the intense session. She had seen Bartlow's training methods before, and though effective, they weren't easy on the body.
Chef Hugh nodded in agreement, still chuckling. "And I'll handle dinner by myself. With the shortage of people to cook for, it's not going to be a problem. Plus, we can all relax afterward."
Before Rebecca could leave, Ruth called after her. "Rebecca, do you mind if I join you in the infirmary later? I'd love to learn some healing skills from you, if you have the time."
Rebecca's serious expression softened, and a proud smile tugged at her lips. "I'd be more than happy to teach you, Ruth. Come by after you've finished with Lady Mane. I'll be waiting."
Ruth beamed at Rebecca's approval before turning back to Alex. "Alright, let's get going, Alex. It's time to see Lady Mane and get everything in order for your training. I'm sure Bartlow's eager to test you."
With a mix of excitement and nerves swirling inside him, Alex followed Ruth out of the kitchen. Though the work had been tough, and the manor was quieter than he had ever imagined, there was still a sense of anticipation building within him. Today had been about proving himself as a butler, but tonight, he'd be proving himself as a cultivator under Sir Bartlow's intense training. Whatever came next, Alex was ready.
As Alex and Ruth made their way down the long corridor toward Lady Mane's office, the faint sound of Bartlow and Lady Mane's voices drifted through the air. Their words were too muffled to make out, but the tone was serious. Ruth slowed her pace, Alex following her lead as they neared the door, unsure if they should interrupt.
Just as Ruth raised her hand to knock, Bartlow's voice, clear and commanding, rang out from behind the door. "Come in, Ruth. Alex."
Ruth froze, her hand still in the air, clearly startled. Alex blinked in surprise, exchanging a glance with Ruth. How could Bartlow know they were there? He hadn't seen them approach. Ruth, trying to shake off the surprise, reluctantly opened the door and stepped inside, her expression polite yet hesitant.
"Good afternoon, Lady Mane, Sir Bartlow," Ruth greeted respectfully, bowing slightly. Alex, taking her cue, followed suit, bowing as he murmured his greetings.
Lady Mane, seated behind her elegant desk, appeared calm and collected, though there was a subtle tension in the air. She offered them a small smile, clearly having just finished a more serious conversation with Bartlow. "Ruth, Alex," she said with a nod, acknowledging their presence.
Ruth, ever the professional, quickly explained their reason for the visit. "We've finished the chores regarding the manor, and we wanted to know if there was anything else before we're released for the day."
Lady Mane took a moment, situating herself and smoothing out the hem of her gown as she gathered her composure. After a brief pause, she nodded in agreement. "If everything is in order, you are both released for the day. Thank you for your hard work."
Bartlow, standing near the corner of the room, smiled at Ruth, clearly impressed by her efficiency. "Thank you, Ruth. You've done well," he said, his tone appreciative.
Then, his gaze shifted to Alex, his smile turning from one of gratitude to one of mischief. A devious glint sparkled in Bartlow's eyes as he stepped forward. "Now, Alex," he said, his voice taking on a more challenging tone, "are you ready to begin your training?"
Alex, sensing the shift in atmosphere, straightened up, feeling the weight of Bartlow's gaze. He could feel his pulse quicken with both excitement and nerves. He had been waiting for this moment all day, but now that it was here, the anticipation made his stomach flutter.
"Yes, Sir Bartlow," Alex replied, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his chest. "I'm ready."
Bartlow's grin widened. "Good. Let's see what you're made of."
Lady Mane watched the exchange with mild interest, but said nothing, allowing Bartlow to take charge of the situation. Ruth gave Alex a quick, reassuring glance before stepping back, clearly aware of what kind of training Bartlow had in mind.