At dawn, the old butler, Hill, personally wheeled a breakfast cart into the study. Upon entering, he saw the eldest young master of the family standing on the library ladder, engrossed in a thick tome on astrology.
It appeared the young master had not slept all night. Although there was a trace of weariness on his face, his spirit seemed unflagging. However, his clothes were notably dirty… Had he spent the entire night rolling in the account books?
Additionally, a short sword once mounted on the wall now lay on the desk—a family heirloom, once wielded by an ancestor. Hill sighed deeply and immediately summoned servants to assist the young master in cleaning up.
After breakfast, Du Wei stretched languidly. "Have the people who came with me from the imperial capital been settled?"
"Certainly," Hill replied. "They are housed in the rear of the castle. Your knightly guards have been integrated into the castle's garrison under family management. Pardon me for saying so, young master, but it seems you enlisted a knight on your journey—indeed, a female knight. I intended to provide her quarters within the castle, but she declined, as you also brought along a captive. The prisoner has been confined to the castle dungeon. The knight and her retinue chose to stay in the rooms above the dungeon last night."
"Very well," Du Wei sighed. "What's my agenda for today? More account books? It'll take at least three or four days to finish them... tedious work. Hill, I need something to occupy myself."
Three or four days? You'll be lucky to finish them in ten, the old butler thought privately. Outwardly, he maintained his respectful demeanor. "Of course, young master. This is your domain. Everyone here serves at your behest, and your will is absolute. As for the account books, there is no need to rush; they detail the past year's finances, after all. If you find time, perhaps you might consider visiting some of the family's estates. It could prove more insightful than these dry ledgers."
Du Wei raised an eyebrow and smiled. "An excellent suggestion, Hill. So, what can I do today? Is there any entertainment here?"
Hill hesitated. "Well… this place pales in comparison to the splendor of the capital. The nearest town is a full day's ride away. Within the castle, there's little to occupy one's leisure, but the surrounding scenery is quite pleasant. If you're inclined, you could go hunting in the forest with your knights. Although this season offers little game, a ride outdoors might still be enjoyable."
Du Wei nodded, sipping his tea, when an idea struck him. "That captive I brought back—there won't be any issues, will there? I mean, I have the authority to..."
"To exercise jurisdiction? My heavens, young master, this is the Roland Plain! The entire region belongs to the Roland family. Here, as long as you do not rebel against the empire, the family's will is the law. And you, as the highest-ranking Roland in the castle, embody that authority."
"Good," Du Wei replied, rising to his feet. A maid approached with a finely crafted fur coat, but he waved it away. "The weather is still warm. No need for this. Oh, Hill, I'll need a couple of attendants—people I'm familiar with. Have Mad come; I prefer him at my side. And you've integrated the knights I brought from the capital into the garrison, correct? Excellent. I'll inspect them later today, along with the castle guards."
He paused before adding, "One more thing. My childhood tutor was the renowned astrologer, Rosiat. Under his guidance, I developed a keen interest in astrology. During my stay here, I'll be using the room at the top of the White Tower."
"The White Tower… the top floor…" Hill hesitated, his expression uneasy. "Forgive me, young master, but family law prohibits anyone but the patriarch from entering the top of the White Tower."
"Is that so?" Du Wei's eyes gleamed with curiosity rather than disappointment. A forbidden area? Perhaps it holds relics of Samuel… or other secrets worth uncovering.
"Very well. I'll need you to procure a few items for me." Taking up a quill, Du Wei quickly jotted down a list of materials, most intended for his budding studies in astrology. He would, after all, need a telescope—though crafting one would be necessary, given the lack of such instruments in this world.
"Magic, magic," he murmured to himself. "If only I could learn it…"
The day unfolded with visits to the dungeon, an inspection of the garrison, and odd instructions to gardeners and servants. Du Wei even chose a secluded spot by a forest stream to build a cabin—a future laboratory for his experiments.
By evening, Hill returned with news. "Young master, the items on your list have been procured and are en route. However, there's a minor issue…"
"What is it?"
"Your funds are insufficient."
"Funds?" Du Wei frowned, surprised.
"According to family decree, as you are not yet of age, you're allotted only 300 gold coins per month for personal expenses. You've already spent 420 gold coins today—exceeding your allowance for the next month as well. Furthermore, the cabin you plan to build will require an additional 500 gold coins. Altogether, you've now used four months' worth of funds in advance."
Money? Duwei had never imagined that he, the eldest son of a noble Earl, would find himself troubled over such a trivial sum.
The old steward swiftly retrieved a monocle from his coat, fixing it over his left eye. With practiced efficiency, he began to read from the list Duwei had compiled earlier in the day:
"Four pieces of high-quality crystal, twenty glass mirrors, one smelting furnace, half a cartload of coal. From the florist, you purchased a batch of Golden Scale Flower seeds, a batch of Arrow Orchid seeds, and a large vial of Black Rose pollen from Garola... Additionally, there's the finest set of gardening tools. From the gardener, you acquired two Tiger Striped Broadleaf saplings and one hundred clover plants, among other items."
The steward finished the list with a measured tone and continued, "The total expense for these items comes to approximately 420 gold coins. This means that not only have you exhausted this month's allowance, but you've also borrowed against next month's allocation. Furthermore, I've heard you intend to construct a wooden house by the stream outside the forest. Based on my estimates, building a modest two-story cabin will require an additional 300 gold coins. As for the furnishings and decorations you've requested, those would cost another 200 gold coins. In total, it appears you've already spent the equivalent of four months' allowances."
Duwei was rendered speechless.
He suddenly realized he had miscalculated.
Money!
The eldest son of an Earl—out of money!
But all these flowers and plants were essential, the most basic materials required for his research into magical alchemy.
Glaring at the steward, Duwei's expression darkened. "So, you're telling me that I, the Earl's eldest son, entrusted with overseeing the family's estates, am restricted to a mere 300 gold coins per month? Did I hear that correctly?"
The steward maintained his respectful demeanor. "Yes, that is the rule, as explicitly stated in a letter penned by the head of the family himself. While it's true that the estate generates tens of thousands of gold coins in monthly revenue, you must understand… those funds belong to the family. You are not yet of age, do not hold your own title, nor have your own lands, and thus—"
"So, I'm allowed only 300 gold coins a month as pocket money. Is that it?" Duwei's tone was icy. Waving dismissively, he added, "Fine. I understand. For the next few months, I suppose I can't make any extravagant purchases, correct?"
"I'm afraid so. That is the Earl's directive. At most, you may draw three months' allowance in advance."
The steward could sense his young master's displeasure and hastily excused himself.
Once the steward had left, Duwei turned to Mad, who hesitantly spoke. "Young Master… I still have the 1,000 gold coins you entrusted me to safeguard. These were given to you by the Countess before we left the imperial capital."
Duwei sighed. "Ah, now I understand why Mother secretly gave me that money… It seems Father was worried I'd squander the family's wealth. He only gave me a symbolic position as caretaker, keeping me from accessing the estate's funds."
"Perhaps we could cut back on expenses. After all, 300 gold coins a month is not an insignificant amount..." Mad trailed off, realizing the young master was deep in thought.
"…Very well. If that's the case, we'll find another way to earn money ourselves." Duwei's frustration passed quickly, replaced by determination. After all, wasn't there a hidden chamber left by Samel with treasure concealed behind its decoy door? If it came to it, he could always dip into that stash.
Still… life in exile seemed far less carefree than he'd imagined.
"Let's go. To the dungeon." Duwei stood, his tone calm but resolute. "I hope that mage won't refuse me again today. I'm in no mood for further disappointments."