"I'm back…" Rest murmured as he pushed open the stable door, letting the faint creak of the hinges cut through the quiet night. "I guess."
Two horses greeted him, their soft whinnies echoing in the chilly air. Rest chuckled as one nuzzled his shoulder, its warm breath a welcome contrast to the cold. He ran a hand along the animal's neck, his fingers brushing against the coarse mane.
"Good to see you too, Jenny," he said, then turned his gaze toward the corner of the stable. "Ah… looks like there's another one today."
Tucked discreetly in the shadows was a small cloth bundle. Rest crouched down, unwrapping it carefully to reveal its contents: a loaf of bread, a wedge of cheese, strips of dried meat, and a small jar of ointment.
He sighed, his expression a mix of gratitude and guilt. "I always feel bad about this."
The care packages were left for him by the mansion's servants, who had known his mother during her years as a maid. Though they couldn't openly oppose Lucas or defend Rest from the abuse he endured, their quiet acts of kindness were a lifeline.
Rest's mother had been a maid in the Eberun household long before her untimely death. She had been betrayed by Lucas, the very man she served, who forced himself on her and discarded her once she became pregnant. Yet, among the staff, there had been those who saw her for who she truly was: kind, hardworking, and undeserving of her fate.
"They must have been good friends to her," Rest murmured, taking a bite of the bread. The simple taste was comforting, a far cry from the slop he was forced to eat during meals at the mansion. He nibbled on the cheese, savoring the rare treat as he leaned against the stable wall.
Outside the small window, the mansion stood illuminated, its golden light spilling out into the cold night. Rest's gaze lingered on the warm glow, a stark contrast to the dark, drafty stable he called home.
"They probably wouldn't care if I froze to death," he muttered.
The thought brought a bitter smile to his lips. He couldn't fathom how Lucas, his own father, could be so callous. While Rest didn't expect warmth or affection, the outright disdain and neglect were still hard to stomach.
Lucas Eberun, the court magician, was a man who commanded respect and admiration throughout the kingdom. His skill with magic had earned him the prestigious, albeit temporary, title of honorary viscount. Yet, for all his power, he showed no responsibility toward the son born of his own blood.
"An honorary noble," Rest said to himself, the words tinged with disdain. "Not even a real one."
The title Lucas held wasn't hereditary—it was tied to his position as the royal court magician. Once he retired or was dismissed, the title would disappear, and Lucas would be no different from a commoner.
But if Cedric, Lucas's legitimate son, followed in his father's footsteps and became the next court magician, the Eberun family would earn a hereditary title, cementing their place in the nobility.
"That's why they spoil Cedric," Rest thought bitterly. "He's their golden ticket. They let him get away with anything because he's talented."
Cedric had certainly inherited his father's magical prowess, but along with it came Lucas's arrogance and cruelty. The boy was a prodigy, no doubt, but he lacked any sense of virtue or decency. Rest had been on the receiving end of Cedric's "training" enough times to know that firsthand.
"They'll regret it," he muttered, brushing breadcrumbs from his lap. "One day, his lack of discipline will come back to haunt them. Not that it's my problem."
Rest finished the cheese and folded the cloth back over the remaining food. He would save the dried meat for later—it would keep longer. As he stood, he glanced back toward the mansion. The light in the windows still shone, a beacon of warmth and luxury he would never be part of.
"For now, I'll focus on my own path," he said softly.
At twelve years old, he was still three years away from adulthood. Until then, the law bound him to Lucas's household. But once he turned fifteen, he would leave and carve out a life of his own.
"Maybe I'll head to the forest tonight," he mused, brushing dust from his hands.
The forest on the outskirts of the estate was home to magical beasts, creatures that provided both danger and opportunity. Rest had been slipping away to the woods for months now, honing his skills in secret.
He had no access to formal training or books, but his magical abilities were exceptional. With an innate talent to absorb and replicate spells, he had learned far more than anyone in the Eberun household realized. Cedric's cruelty, in a twisted way, had been an education. Every spell Cedric used against him was another tool for Rest to master.
He stepped outside, the night air biting against his skin. The mansion stood silent behind him, its occupants oblivious to his plans.
"One day," he said, his voice firm with resolve, "I'll surpass them all. Lucas, Cedric, their entire line. I'll rise higher than they ever dreamed."
For now, he would endure. The stable, the slights, the abuse—they were temporary. Rest had patience, and he had a plan.
With a final glance toward the glowing windows, he disappeared into the shadows, heading toward the forest and the promise of freedom that lay beyond.