Aldeth's life at Castle Griffenstein has been uneventful, with his education, sword training, and walks around the castle.
Aldeth has been at Castle Griffenstein for almost half a year.
Aldeth wanted to go outside and train as hard as he could, but he knew that if anyone saw him training, they might feel threatened by him.
Aldes went about his daily routine, until he fell asleep. He would read and listen to the sound of grasshoppers outside his window.
The sound of the insects relaxed him. It helped him concentrate better than if it was too quiet.
It was one of those nights, as usual, when he was reading a new book Aris had brought him, A History of Pirates, by candlelight before bed.
- Kyaak, get off me.
Suddenly, I heard a woman's scream outside my window. Curious about the sound of a woman's screams from inside the castle, Aldeth went to his room's window.
But the screams he had heard earlier were somehow familiar.
It was strange that a woman's scream from Griffenstein Castle should be so familiar.
Aldeth tried to think where he had heard it before. His mind flashed back to the fields of Rannefels, where he had played with his brothers and the children of the village. They were playing tricks. Whether it was a boy or a girl, they would scream before they were caught.
Aldeth bowed his head and gripped the window sill with both hands as he heard his sister Renda's voice, his brother Tari's voice, his sister Swindella's voice, and ..., his sister's voice.
It was definitely Burgelia's voice, it couldn't be. Why would Burgelia come to Castle Griffenstein from so far away, from Rannefels?
Aldeth looked out the window and tried to estimate the source of the sound: it seemed to be coming from the castle building next door.
The castle was home to Lord Gauto's brother, Wolpo. Aldes remembered the first time he had come to Griffenstein Castle, when Wolpo had sent a note to the dancer in the great hall.
He must have taken her to his room. But why would Burgelia be here....
Aldes could no longer look at the book.
"That can't be.
Aldeth had his suspicions, and he wanted to find out, no matter what.
Aldeth went out of the room, looking for Ahar. After a while, a word was passed between the servants, and Ahar came to Aldeth's room.
"Aldeth. What brings you to me at this hour of the night?"
"I apologize for waking you, sir, but there's something I need to check urgently."
"And what do you want to check?"
"Has anyone been to this castle from Rannefels recently?"
The servants, including Ahar, ran errands for the nobles, so they knew who was coming and going throughout the castle.
"How did Aldeth know that?"
"Just, I found out somehow. Did a woman come from Rannefels?"
"I didn't see it myself, but from what I heard, a very beautiful female slave came from Rannefels."
It was true that Burgelia was beautiful, but a slave? Aldeth wanted to know something more definitive.
"Ahar, do you know the name of the woman they say came from Lannefels?"
"I don't know her name."
"Then find out her name."
"Yes, I will find out. Is it because Aldes is from Lannefels and you think you might know her?"
"No, no, she's a beautiful slave, and I was wondering who she is."
"Well, nobles are introduced to slavers and keep beautiful slaves as bedroom slaves. It's a different world than ours, and Aldes is a bit young to have a bedroom slave. Haha."
"If my lord would allow it, I'm sure it could be arranged."
"I didn't know Aldeth was interested in that sort of thing. I'll see if I can find out the name of the slave from Rannefels and tell him."
Aldeth feared Ahar would take him seriously. He pretended to be a ruffian. A hostage and underage. It would be very imprudent to bring in a bedroom slave.
The next day, Aldeth was resting after lunch with the bachelor and Aris after morning classes.
There was a knock on the door.
"It's Ahar."
"Come in."
"Mr. Aldes, I have a name for you. It's Burgelia."
Aldeth was surprised to hear the name Burgelia, but he kept his face calm, trying not to show it.
"I see. Thank you. I wish I were old enough so I wouldn't be criticized for keeping a bedroom slave."
"Yes, but this slave, Burgelia, has gone elsewhere."
"Already? Where?"
"I don't know, but Wolffo was having fun with her, and he sold her to a slave trader for a profit.
The slave trader spoke of her in other places, too. She was such a beautiful slave that he was willing to pay a high price for her. Wolffo had his fun, and he made his money."
Aldeth's anger boiled inside him. But he must not show his anger to Ahar.
"I suppose finding a decent slave will pay the bills, too. Very well. Go about your business."
Ahar walked away.
Aldeth was Wolpo, a slaver, and he wanted to kill him. Slavers don't stay in one place, and it would be hard for Aldeth to find him in his castle.
From the first time I saw Wolpo, I had a bad impression of him. It was Burgelia, with whom he had shared many memories in his childhood home.
Renda wondered what her sister was doing, what she could have done to prevent her friend from being sold into slavery far away. The families of the lords of Arenberg Castle were already living in poverty, and life was even harder for the newcomers.
Aldes had to think of a way to kill Wolffo without leaving any evidence. Killing Wolffo now would not free Burgelia from slavery, but it would be punishment.
One way to kill someone without leaving evidence was to use tarantulas. You could bribe a servant with money, put a tarantula in their bed, and bite them to death while they were asleep. When you were at Arenberg Castle, Wintry told you about the tarantula assassination method.
It would be simple enough for Aldeth to break into Wolffo's room and kill him with his sword, but if evidence were to be found, it would jeopardize the safety of Aldeth's family at Arenberg Castle.
The hostage's assassination of the lord's younger brother is unforgivable. It's hard enough to get a tarantula, but it's even harder to pay off a servant who can guarantee secrecy.
Aldeth is a hostage in Castle Griffenstein, and it seems almost impossible to bribe a servant of House Gerho. What's more, Aldes doesn't have the money to buy a servant.
Aldeth felt sick to his stomach at the thought of where his sister Burgelia was, and what she was being subjected to. He wanted to take out his frustration on his swordsmanship training, but so far, he hadn't been able to suppress his energy to feel cool.
The next day, Aldes went to the swordsmanship training center. Aldeth decided to show only half of his skills.
In a wooden sword duel with Wallo, Aldeth was overwhelmed. Wallo couldn't touch Aldeth's fingertips with a wooden sword, but he was bruised all over.
Wallo had known from their first duel that Aldeth was hiding his skill.
"Aldeth, you're finally showing some skill. You must have been frustrated."
Walo said as he fell to the ground, his shoulder, thigh, and arm bruised.
"Dalbry, what did I tell you, Aldeth's been underestimating us the whole time. Did you see what he did today?"
Dahlbree thought that if Aldes was as good as he had just been, he must be just as good as the drillmaster.
Drillmaster Russo hadn't arrived at the training center yet today.
"I'll go see him."
D'Albri ran toward the building. A few moments later, Russo and Dalbry came out onto the empty training field.
"Aldes, I just heard from Dalbry. He said you looked down on us, that you were hiding your skills."
Wallo sat in a chair in the corner of the swordsmanship training area.
"It was unintentional."
Aldeth didn't show half his skill. So much for making a big deal out of this. Aldeth chuckled inwardly.
"Cocky bastard. You belittle us with your hostages! I'll flatten your nose. Come on."
Aldeth did not hesitate.
Rousseau and Aldes stood face to face. Aldes was going to give him a little taste.
Aldes struck first, a shoulder strike, so fast that Rousseau didn't even think to defend.
The shoulder hit, and then he attacked Rousseau's thigh, which was momentarily disoriented. Rousseau was hit in the thigh and went down.
Aldes ducked his head and struck the downed Russo in the head. There was a popping sound and blood.
Russo thought he would be angry at Aldes for losing, but he was happy. Russo was laughing.
"Drillmaster, you lost, why are you laughing?"
Dalbry quickly grabbed a rag from his first aid kit and wiped Russo's head. The drillmaster had been hit in the head by Aldeth's wooden sword, and he wondered what had happened to his head.
"You have no idea of my troubles, Aldes. I'll see you later. Come to my room after dinner."
Russo pulled a cloth over his head and walked into the officers' quarters.
"Aldes, I think the drillmaster is very angry with you. No matter how good you are with the sword, you shouldn't taunt us like this."
"I apologize."
Aldeth didn't feel the least bit sorry, but the words did.
After dinner, Aldeth went to Russo's room.
Rousseau was the captain of the drill team, so he didn't share a room with the men, but had a large room in the officers' building.
Visitation was open. Aldes entered the room.
"Aldes, you're here. Sit down."
Aldes realized that the drillmaster's voice was not angry.
Russo sent a servant to bring tea. A moment later, the servant returned.
"Aldes, I didn't call you here today to scold you, but please drink your tea."
"Yes, I'll drink it. I've only had rough training with the drill captain, and it's a bit awkward to sit here and drink tea in silence."
Aldeth was surprised that the drillmaster would offer him tea. Today, it was revealed that Aldes had been hiding his swordsmanship skills. What's more, Russo had been hit in the head by Aldes and was bleeding. He shouldn't have been angry, but he was served tea!
"I know how to drink tea, don't be so hard on me! But who taught you how to sword?"
"Mr. Udod, the drillmaster at Arenberg Castle."
"Hmm. What kind of swordsmanship did he train you in? I have no idea how good you are!"
Aldeth had only given him a taste, but he was being served tea by the drillmaster. He wondered what his reaction would be if he showed his true skill.
Aldes wanted to retaliate against Wolpo and find Burgelia.
"Is your head okay from where I hit you?"
"What? Your head? Haha, it's fine, it's fine."
Aldes realized that the drill leader hadn't called him over for tea and small talk. There had to be a reason.
"What did you want to see me about, Drill Commander?"
"I called you here for a reason, it's an important matter for House Gerho!"