"I really hope Herbert can join our plan; he will be of considerable help to the plan," Audrey explained. "From some recent intelligence I gathered, I found that the real Ivan Baindite did not die of illness but rather poisoning, and there have been inquiries about his life and death status for the past six months.
"Fortunately, the steward is afraid of revealing that his young master is dead, fearing suspicion of neglecting his duties and potential investigation into Ivan's estate, which he has embezzled in various ways. This fear led to a cover-up of Ivan's death under the guise of illness. Even more fortunate, in his desperation, he came to us, providing us with a rare opportunity, which will be the biggest plan we have ever executed.
"However, it is evident that someone does not want Ivan to exist, or perhaps someone does not want Sether Castle to have a direct heir. Sether Castle has recently seen a series of changes in ownership; Count Old Medin accidentally fell off his horse and died while hunting. His two sons met tragic ends as well—one was killed by a falling chandelier on the day of inheriting the title, and the other fell seriously ill and died two months after taking office.
"It is said that before his death, the Count was planning to sign an important document that he claimed would help Sether Castle through its most difficult times. No one has ever heard of any crisis at Sether Castle; everything is running smoothly, and the lord has no outstanding debts. On the contrary, through trade between South Harbor, the lord earns a monthly income of twenty thousand gold francs, enough to equip a heavy cavalry squadron, not to mention investments in South Harbor.
"Although the exact figures are unknown, the Count's investments in South Harbor bring him an annual income of at least fifty thousand gold francs. With such income, it is hard to imagine Sether Castle facing any financial issues. The Count's death has made the situation even more mysterious, indicating that there are hidden motives at play.
"Therefore, I am confident that the death of the real Mr. Ivan was also due to unknown reasons. Hence, I hope Herbert can be a bodyguard for our young friend. At least until Ivan Baindite secures his inheritance, he must not die due to reasons like illness."
Audrey detailed her findings from the past few days.
"It's obvious. With the successive news of the lord's deaths at Sether Castle, I already had a hunch about what was happening. Do you think that steward came to us on his own? He was directed by someone else to find me. I can even guess who that person is and why they directed him to us. Herbert has been helping you all along, but he is not suitable for a public appearance. Herbert is most powerful when he operates in the shadows," the old man said.
"Yes, but do you think the person behind the scenes might betray us at a critical moment?" Audrey expressed her concern.
"Betraying us would not benefit him in any way; on the contrary, it would harm him more than us. That person just wants to maintain the current situation peacefully. Once Sether Castle loses a legitimate heir, someone can openly vie for the position. Any change is not beneficial to that person; the success or failure of this plan is of greater concern to him than us," the old man continued with a smile. "Audrey, what you lack now is a grasp of the practical situation. You have seen too little; although your mind holds more than mine, you do not know what is currently most important and useful. You need to understand human nature more; your knowledge is already vast."
"But I prefer to stay in the study," Audrey said.
"I hope you can take over my role. This plan may be my last action; I am getting old and want a more peaceful way of life, perhaps becoming a wealthy landowner like Pam, or maybe moving to South Harbor in the future." With that, the old man waved his hand, indicating that Audrey could leave.
Before leaving, the old man seemed to remember something and said, "The small task you want Herbert to do, I will instruct him to handle it."
Exiting the study, Audrey pondered over the words the boss had just spoken. In recent years, the boss had been revealing more and more secrets to her that she had been unaware of. She had guessed that the boss was planning to retire, but she wasn't particularly interested in that. If the boss were to give her the study without any conditions, she would be even happier.
After gathering her thoughts, Audrey returned to the "classroom."
Her student was sitting upright at the desk, diligently working on the test paper.
"Alright, Ivan, take a break," Audrey said.
The young boy looked at his teacher, puzzled.
"I know what you understand, and I have arranged a detailed study plan for you." Saying this, Audrey took out a paper from his pocket and unfolded it in front of the young boy.
"Every morning, wake up promptly at six, have breakfast at half-past six, and learn the etiquette and manners of the upper class at the dining table. Start equestrian or fencing lessons at half-past seven, and have morning tea at nine. You must master this elegant art, which will also serve as your language lesson. Can you speak West Bay, Ilerean, and Delsian?" Audrey asked.
"I can speak a little, count numbers, or greet someone briefly," the young boy replied.
"That won't do. You must be able to speak fluent West Bay, while Ilerean and Delsian can be a bit more casual. I will add an hour of language lessons before bedtime," Audrey said as he added an extra hour of language lessons at the end of the paper. "That should be enough. From ten to eleven is leisure time, but not for playing. You must learn everything popular in the upper social circles and the etiquette befitting your new identity.
"At eleven is cultural studies; I will supplement your knowledge in areas where you lack. Lunch is at twelve, followed by a half-hour rest. Religious studies start at one, as I see you lack knowledge in this area. Drawing class is at two, followed by politics from three to four, and history from four to five. You have no understanding in these areas. Dinner is at five, along with a test to assess your daily learning.
"Mechanical class starts at seven in the evening, teaching you the principles of mechanics, how to assemble or dismantle it. Physical education is at eight, allowing you to digest your dinner properly. From nine to ten is the second language lesson I added earlier. After ten, you can sleep, but before that, there is a punishment lesson. I have strict rules for your daily studies; if you fail to complete them, you will receive a whipping before bedtime. Understand?" Audrey explained while pointing.
The young boy nodded repeatedly, especially when Audrey took a thick cane woven from rattan from the top of the bookshelf. The young boy nodded even more vigorously.
"Alright, it's almost nine o'clock. I will have the servants prepare morning tea," Audrey said as he pulled a long yellow silk ribbon in the room with a specific rhythm.
"But I just had breakfast not long ago, and I'm not hungry..." the young boy tried to explain.
Before he could finish, the cane in Audrey's hand landed on his left hip.
With a crisp sound, the young boy felt a sharp pain and jumped back, holding his buttocks in agony.
"Punishment time is not just before you go to bed; if you make a mistake, you will be punished anytime, anywhere, to remind you to pay attention. Understand?" Audrey asked expressionlessly.
Rubbing the painful area, the young boy nodded fearfully, not wanting the cane to strike him again.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Audrey opened it to find the butler pushing a small cart filled with various exquisite pastries, a set of silver tea sets, and a pot of unknown beverage in the center.
With graceful movements, Audrey picked up a stack of pastries and placed them in the young boy's hands, saying, "Morning tea and afternoon tea are essential components of the upper social circles. If someone invites you for morning tea, it means they have accepted you into their circle. An invitation for afternoon tea means they consider you one of their own or have an important task for you. Therefore, the tea ceremony will be your first formal test to enter the social circle. You must grasp the essentials. Now, pick up the pastries in your hands... Not so rudely. Follow my lead, observe my actions carefully."
"When pouring coffee, do it slowly, keep your back straight, you are not a servant... Maintain eye contact, don't focus too much on the cup, use your peripheral vision... When offering coffee to someone, speak with sincerity and strength, enunciate clearly... You are no longer a mere shop assistant; don't be overly deferential. Stand tall, look into my eyes... Don't stare at my chest; it's quite impolite, especially if it's a lady... When rising, do so gracefully, don't hold onto the chair; that's quite unreasonable, a privilege reserved for the elderly..."
Amidst a series of reprimands, the young boy finally finished his day's studies. He had never felt so exhausted before, not even when the hunchback had assigned him various strenuous tasks at the shop. He felt like his body was about to fall apart.
Throughout the day, he was in a highly tense state, his mind filled with various knowledge he had never heard of before. Any misstep would result in the cane striking down, making him even more nervous and unable to relax.
Lying on the bed, the young boy touched the sore spot on his buttocks, still feeling a fiery pain. He wondered if the next day's lessons would be even more challenging.
Despite the rigorous learning, the constant threat of the cane, and living in an extremely tense atmosphere all day, the young boy felt incredibly fulfilled. He had never been so immersed in the ocean of knowledge before.
It was evident that Audrey was a highly knowledgeable person, slightly surpassing Mr. Madeld in comparison. Many things Mr. Madeld could only explain roughly, but for Audrey, it seemed like common knowledge.
The young boy thought to himself, wondering when he could become as knowledgeable as Audrey. However, he understood that for him, the most important thing at the moment was to excel in the courses Audrey had prepared.
For the young boy, it would have been better if Audrey were as amiable as Mr. Madeld. The only regret the young boy felt was the pain the cane inflicted on his buttocks.
The courses on the second day were not as challenging as the young boy had imagined. In fact, because he was gradually adapting to the highly tense learning environment, the lessons on the second day were not as difficult as the first. The only punishment he received that day was for not controlling the horse well during equestrian training. However, the young boy felt it was unfair as he had never ridden a horse before, and achieving such results on his first attempt was quite commendable.
As he had anticipated, in the following days, horseback riding became easier for him, and the courses became simpler. He even had the energy to spare some time to study and read about topics he enjoyed.
The young boy had gradually grown accustomed to his new identity. When others called him Ivan Baindite, he naturally responded as if it were his name.
However, the young boy remained puzzled about his studies. They didn't seem like they were meant to serve others but rather to be served by others. It seemed like Audrey was grooming him to be a refined and wealthy child from a respectable family, someone who could leisurely ride in carriages, be attended by numerous servants, and enjoy the luxuries of the wealthiest families in the world.
The young boy wondered what purpose it served for his employer to train him in this manner. He was filled with doubts.
As time passed, his doubts grew heavier. The swordsmanship and horsemanship courses had essentially concluded, and his performance at morning and afternoon teas and any banquet had left even his strict teacher with no faults to point out. In terms of conversation, under Audrey's training and the various peculiarities he had witnessed in South Harbor, he excelled, much to Audrey's satisfaction. Even if placed among the most noble aristocrats of the Francian Kingdom, the young boy's eloquence would undoubtedly set him apart.
To the young boy, Audrey was akin to a family tutor or a private secretary employed by wealthy noble families.
When in South Harbor, it was common to see the nobles from Seath Castle bringing their servants to the shops for shopping. They were always accompanied by someone who was clearly different from regular attendants but certainly not the master.
These individuals seemed to have a similar appearance - stern, serious, and meticulous. They all shared the characteristic of being knowledgeable scholars. Rather than being considered attendants of the nobles, they were more like advisors or counselors.
In the shops, whenever the nobles took a liking to a fine item, they would have these advisors carefully assess it. Only after receiving a positive response from these advisors would the nobles willingly open their purses. In the young boy's impression, these individuals never accepted bribes. He had seen the shopkeeper secretly slip money to maids or stewards, but never to these advisors who held a higher status than the maids and stewards.
The shopkeeper informed the young boy that these individuals were true scholars, with many even owning their own businesses. Just like the young master, Mr. Madeld, who was once a renowned noble's private secretary in Seath Castle. In South Harbor, many merchants established connections with nobles in this manner, as it was the quickest and most direct way to access the upper echelons of society.
The young boy was quite curious whether Audrey was also a successful merchant or of a more noble lineage. Audrey exuded a noble air, unlike Mr. Madeld. Audrey's expertise in horsemanship and swordsmanship was exceptional, skills that ordinary merchants wouldn't focus on. Merchants preferred traveling in carriages, as riding horses was not their preference. As for swordsmanship, it was reserved for duels, something merchants avoided by resolving issues with money.
Due to these observations, the young boy became increasingly convinced that Audrey was a descendant of a fallen noble family. The shopkeeper mentioned that these individuals, as noble private secretaries, were highly respected due to their noble lineage and often served as political advisors to the nobles. Their astute political guidance was something merchants lacked.
Audrey seemed intent on grooming herself as a noble offspring, evident from the difficulty and breadth of her history and politics courses. Seeing Audrey's satisfaction with his progress, the young boy finally mustered the courage to inquire about her intentions.
To the young boy's surprise, Audrey did not use the cane on him for asking. She revealed the organization's true nature - Mr. Hyde was the head of the Thieves' Guild in the sixteen southern provinces of Francia, known as the "Boss." Audrey was the orchestrator of the deceivers, known as the "Player," while Pam oversaw the city's thieves and Bazz was their leader.
Upon learning the organization's secrets, the young boy felt a chill, never expecting to fall into the hands of thieves. Despite his initial doubts about Bazz and the others, the sight of numerous books in Pam's room dispelled his suspicions. He realized he was caught in a tightly woven web.
Feeling overwhelmed, the young boy's training over the past month had ingrained most things deeply in his mind, making his actions almost instinctual and preventing major mistakes.
As he lay alone in bed at night, the young boy grew increasingly fearful. He knew he had to escape, feeling as though someone was watching him through the door crack or a knife-wielding figure was waiting by the window for him to fall asleep.
"I can't stay here any longer; I need to find a way to escape," the young boy thought to himself.
Quietly getting up, dressing, and opening the balcony window, he carefully climbed down the balcony railing. Upon nearing the ground, he made a silent landing. Contemplating whether to lead out the horse he had become familiar with from the stable first, he decided against it. Stealing Audrey's horse after all she had taught him would be unjust. Instead, he headed towards the back of the house, where a door was left ajar from the inside, eliminating the need to climb over the iron gate.
As he turned around, he suddenly saw Audrey and another middle-aged person standing expressionless behind him. They were dressed immaculately, indicating they had been waiting there for a while.
"Your patience is commendable; we've been waiting here for some time," Audrey said in a teasing tone.
With a creak, the door opened, and the butler emerged from inside wearing a nightgown.
"When the young apprentice makes such a loud noise, it seems he's treating this place like what? A retirement home? Most people must have been woken up by him," the butler chuckled.
The young boy could easily guess that the butler was definitely not a real butler, and the servants here were not genuine servants either. With his head hung low, the young boy followed the butler into the house.
Back in the room, the middle-aged man walked to the bed and casually tapped the four solid wooden bedposts, producing a dull sound. Slowly returning to the desk, he pulled out three quill pens from the penholder. Suddenly, in a swift motion, the three quill pens shot like lightning towards one of the bed's posts.
With a crisp sound of "thud, thud, thud," the quill pens neatly embedded deep into the hard wood. The young boy, who had been using these quill pens all day, knew that their tips were not very sharp and quite soft, making them comfortable to use. The large bed was entirely made of hard sourwood, extremely sturdy.
The fact that these soft quill pen tips could pierce the hard sourwood, which even a sharp knife might struggle to cut through, indicated that the unfamiliar middle-aged man before him was an extremely dangerous individual.
As the young boy nervously watched the two expressionless middle-aged men, he silently speculated about his possible fate. In South Harbor, he had heard that thieves would tie a large stone to the feet of betrayers and throw them into the river to drown alive. Perhaps he was about to become fish food. The thought made the young boy tremble in fear.
Audrey remained silent, while the middle-aged man took out a necklace from his pocket. It was a cheap necklace commonly found in South Harbor.
"Do you recognize this?" the middle-aged man asked.
Terrified, the young boy took two steps back and nodded.
"I took this from your Aunt Jenny's neck during my visit to South Harbor. It was quite easy for me. I could just as easily take something else from your Aunt Jenny's neck, not just this necklace. Do you understand?" the middle-aged man said.
Seeing the young boy wide-eyed with fear, nodding vigorously with a pale face and trembling nostrils, Audrey was quite satisfied. She said, "Alright, I think you know what to do now. You can rest, but before that, I need to give you one final lesson."
Understanding Audrey's words, the young boy realized that the so-called final lesson was a punishment for his actions. However, this brought him some relief, knowing that at least his life was spared. The young boy obediently lay on the bed, but he never expected the punishment to be so painful. Each strike made him let out a hoarse cry, attempting to struggle to get up, but Audrey firmly held him down, and he had to endure the excruciating lashes until he passed out without feeling anything.
When the young boy regained consciousness, it was already noon on the third day. He had been unconscious for two full days, and his injuries left him extremely weak. Audrey graciously exempted him from the physically demanding courses like horsemanship and swordsmanship, as well as the final punishment lesson, which was a rare relief for the young boy.
A significant amount of time was now dedicated to studying book knowledge, especially languages. Throughout the day, Audrey conversed with him in different languages.
Since the young boy now knew this was a den of thieves, Audrey no longer concealed anything. The mechanical lessons naturally transformed into courses on lockpicking and using thief-specific tools.
Moreover, a new course was added for the young boy - heraldry. For him, this course was essentially about memorizing family pedigrees. Francia had over three hundred ancient noble families, with more than half tracing their history back to the reign of Emperor Leoduc, three hundred years before the founding of the Francian Kingdom.
During the days of reciting family pedigrees, the young boy gradually accepted his new identity. He was Ivan Baindite, a direct descendant of an unknown noble lineage. However, judging by the surname Baindite, it seemed to be from an ancient noble family lineage from West Bay. No wonder Audrey insisted on him learning the West Bay language.
In his thoughts, Ivan was relieved that he only needed to understand the noble lineages of Francia and not West Bay. On this continent, Francia was considered a relatively new country, while historical nations like West Bay had active families during the era of the ancient Loroleta Empire, making their family lineages as intricate as a silkworm cocoon.
After a month of recovery, Ivan had finally regained his strength. However, since that disastrous day, he had not seen the unfamiliar middle-aged man again. The man never appeared at the dining table, leading Ivan to believe he, like Pam, did not reside in this place.
It might be better if he never encountered that extremely dangerous stranger again. However, that was impossible. Ivan had to retrieve the necklace from him because it was the only heirloom left by his parents.
When his father succumbed to the plague, the house was set on fire by the sheriff's men, and whatever little property they had was taken away by the authorities. Among the few things that couldn't be burned, the slightly valuable items were confiscated, leaving behind this worthless necklace.
However, this necklace held great significance for Ivan. He had gifted the necklace to Aunt Jenny, who was closest to him, as a token of gratitude. Aunt Jenny understood his intentions and had never taken off this unassuming necklace.
Though the necklace held no monetary value, it symbolized the love and care of his parents and Aunt Jenny towards him. It was the most important, valuable, and meaningful possession in his life.
Ivan was determined to retrieve the necklace, even if it had fallen into the hands of a killer more dangerous than a devil, more terrifying than the Grim Reaper.