The halls of Greythorne Manor were vast and ancient, their stone walls etched with the history of countless generations.
Heavy tapestries hung from the ceilings, bearing the sigil of a silver griffon soaring over a field of stormy gray—a symbol of House Greythorne's noble lineage and strength.
It was within these halls that Luke, formerly Sgt. Ryan Mitchell, now Lord Luke Greythorne, spent his childhood.
But this childhood was unlike any other.
Luke had been given a second chance at life.
Though he couldn't recall the final moments of his last life—blurry flashes of gunfire, explosions, and the cold embrace of death—his soul remembers the discipline, the instincts, the hard-earned skills of a soldier, even if his mind doesn't.
And from the very beginning, it set him apart.
At the age of four, Luke was already demonstrating a level of intelligence and strategic thinking that astonished his tutors.
While most children his age were still grappling with basic reading and writing, Luke was fluent in not only the language of Eldoria, but also in complex arithmetic and history.
His father, Lord Cedric, a man known for his stern demeanor and pride in the family's martial history, often stood in silent awe as he watched his son navigate through his studies with ease.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and the manor was bathed in a golden glow, Luke sat in the family's private library with his tutor.
His mother, Lady Selene, watched from a distance.
Her gentle presence was a constant comfort to him, a contrast to the imposing figure of Lord Cedric.
Lady Selene, with her flowing auburn hair and soft, kind eyes, often marveled at her son's sharp mind but worried for him as well.
He was no ordinary child.
They had struggled to find a fitting tutor for him, but had finally found one for the time being that will satisfy Luke's hunger for knowledge.
Lord Cedric comes strolling into the library and stands behind his wife.
He gives her a gentle kiss on her cheek and eyes Luke.
"He's still going?"
Lady Selene sighs.
"Yes, I know his tutor is tired but Luke won't let him go until get can get the entirety of basic economy."
"Basic as in how?"
"The tutor is giving him a small budget and then is taking him through scenarios where Luke needs to properly subtract from a purchase or add if he sells something."
Cedric grunts at hearing this.
"Darling I worry about him, he's only a boy, he should being doing child things, not studies that are for twice his age."
Cedric scratches his dark beard lightly in thought.
"Yes, it's curious, I wasn't even this far along when I was his age, and I was considered gifted and very intelligent."
"Do you think it's to do with that mark?"
Cedric looks down to see the worried expression of his wife looking at him.
"Selene dear, we saw what we saw. And according to what the priest said, it is a mark of a god, so our son and family have been blessed."
He looks up to look at his son.
"We can only imagine that this is it at work."
He puts a reassuring hand on Selene's shoulder.
"I'll go speak with him."
Cedric calmly walks past his wife and into the library.
He strolls up to the tutor and Luke.
"Ah my Lord," the tutor says, bowing his head.
"How's he coming along," Cedric asks.
"Quite well actually, we still got a ways to go though."
Cedric studies the tutor's face and can see the energy had been drained from his eyes.
"You may go, and take tomorrow off."
The tutor's eyes light up at this.
"But Father! I'm not finished with this problem yet. I need to be able to under-"
Cedric holds his hand up to silence his son.
"Luke, how do you expect our brilliant tutor to be able to effectively teach you if he can't rest."
Luke's eyes drop knowing his father is right.
"Additionally, I have something for us to do tomorrow."
Luke looks up at his father curiously.
The tutor bows his head and takes his leave.
"I will be going into Oakendale in the morning and you will be coming with me."
Luke's eyes light up.
This will be his first time ever visiting the town that his father governs.
The House of Greythorne governs a piece of the northern province of Eldoria.
It is surrounded by much fertile land and is primarily used for agriculture.
The neighboring noble house, that shares the other part of the northern province, they focus mainly on livestock, so they and the Greythorne's do business together often.
"You really mean it!"
Luke jumps from his chair.
"As long as you continue your studies later, for now you need to go play with your sister outside before dinner."
With a smile, Luke nodded.
"Alright I will."
Luke then scurries off to go find his sister.
Outside, the gardens bloomed with autumn flowers.
The crisp air carried the scent of pine and freshly fallen leaves.
Luke's little sister, Arielle, was already out there playing.
She had been born a year prior, so we was 3 years old.
She was the light of the manor, a bright-eyed girl with an infectious laugh that softened even the harshest moods of their father.
Luke and everyone adored her.
As much as he was driven by the need to understand his new world and hone the skills he carried from his old life, he never failed to take time for her.
Arielle was seen giggling as she chased after a butterfly.
Her laughter filled the air, and for a moment, Luke allowed himself to step away from the burdens of his mind and simply enjoy the innocence of childhood.
He ran after her, lifting her in his arms and twirling her around as she squealed with joy.
"I've got you!" Luke said with a laugh.
"No! A monster's got me," Arielle squealed out, laughing and sticking her tongue out at him.
For all his strategic brilliance and prodigious learning, Luke cherished these moments with his sister.
Dusk soon fell and their mother called for them for dinner.
The dining room was filled with the soft glow of candlelight as the Greythorne family gathered for their evening meal.
The long oak table was set with steaming dishes of roasted meats, fresh vegetables, and warm bread.
Lord Cedric sat at the head of the table, his usual stoic expression in place, while Lady Selene sat opposite, her delicate hands resting on her lap as she smiled warmly at her children.
Luke sat next to his father, his mind already buzzing with thoughts of tomorrow's trip to Oakendale.
Arielle sat across from him, fidgeting in her seat as she tried to balance a spoon on the tip of her finger, giggling softly to herself.
"Luke," Cedric said suddenly, breaking the quiet.
His deep voice commanded the room.
"Tomorrow will be your first time accompanying me to the village. You are to observe and learn. Enjoy your time but do not speak out of turn, and do not make promises lightly to the commoners. You are only a boy and they'll be curious of you and will try to take advantage of you."
Luke nodded, already aware of the gravity of the visit.
"Yes, Father. I understand."
Selene's soft voice chimed in.
"It will be a good experience for you, Luke," she said, her smile kind but knowing.
"You'll see the people we govern, their struggles, and their needs. Remember, they rely on us."
Arielle, her eyes wide with curiosity, interrupted.
"Can I come too?" she asked, her voice hopeful.
Lord Cedric chuckled—a rare sound—and shook his head.
"Not yet, little one. When you're older."
Arielle pouted but quickly returned to playing with her spoon.
"I'll go next year," she said asked, causing Selene and Cedric to laugh softly.
The family continued their meal, the atmosphere warm yet underscored by the adventure of tomorrow.
Luke couldn't help but glance at his father every few moments, trying to absorb his calm strength.
Tomorrow, he would begin learning what it truly meant to be a lord of Greythorne.