Feather's words lingered in Asche's mind as he walked down the hall, the weight of the day slowly sinking in.
The mansion was quieter now, the servants moving in and out with purpose as the late afternoon sun cast long shadows through the windows. The grandeur of the place was still overwhelming. Plus, Jorg had been taken in by Heather, who he seemed to take a liking to. She explained she was going to register him under their care and look for various tutors and such for him.
Asche himself had nothing to do since Leander, Feather's chamberlain, was occupied in Feather's office with mountainous-looking mounds of paperwork.
No sooner than Asche finished his line of thought, Leander came out of the office, looking haggard and tired. Asche felt a shiver running down his spine. Is this the workload he had to take on? Maybe that's why Leander looked happy to see him despite his obvious tiredness.
"Have you had a fun day?" Leander asked, trying to make conversation.
Asche didn't do anything except stare at Feather's riches, so he gave an unhelpful, dull answer. "Yes."
"Well, come in. Let's get this on with." He beckoned Asche to come inside
Leander glanced at Asche as they entered Feather's office and his sharp eyes studied him with an almost immediate assessment, his jovial attitude now gon(get it?). Though Asche had to worry about the stare, he couldn't help but stare at Feather's completely drained body asleep at his desk. The room was dark, so he didn't notice Feather until he'd stepped inside the room. Leander motioned him to be quiet and gestured to the empty seat beside him. He hadn't even noticed him sitting.
"Sit. I don't have time to walk you through this slowly," Leander said, his voice a bit gruffer than usual, but not unkind. "This is a job with heavy responsibilities, and I'm hoping you're prepared to dive in head-first." Asche nodded.
"Alright, the first thing you need to know is that Feather likes things to run smoothly. And when things don't run smoothly, he becomes very ungentlemanly. So, without pressure, if you can make my job easier, we'll get along just fine."
Asche nodded again, trying to steady the fluttering nerves in his stomach. He just hoped he could handle this.
Leander handed him a few papers, explaining his tasks briefly but with an intensity that made it clear he wasn't in the mood for questions. "You'll be handling all Feather's personal affairs, his daily schedule – though I'll be helping you on that one too, meetings, social visits and his staff. There are still some minor things I will help on for a wile until you get used to the job; like escorting him to social events, or his knights. If you can't find a solution, bring it to me immediately. And I don't expect you to suddenly jump into these things. I'll be managing your training: general lessons in accounting and so on and some basic knight training." Asche's wide eyes opened in surprise.
"Don't do that! It's unsettling." Leander scolded.
The noise stirred Feather, but luckily he didn't wake up.
"Here, have them. We have lessons all week, but knight training on Wednesdays and weekends."
Asche took the papers, feeling the weight of the responsibility settle deeper into his bones. "Okay, I can do that," he replied, though the uncertainty in his voice betrayed his attempt at confidence.
Leander gave him a quick look, almost as if trying to read the true measure of Asche's resolve. "Don't just say it. Show it."
He leaned back in his chair, letting out a tired sigh. "Young master has been trusted by the duke to handle most of the dutchy now, so we've been buried under this pile of work for weeks now. The staff is decent, but they're... not completely reliable when it comes to keeping deadlines so the idea is that you'll be working mainly with them, keeping track of everything—orders, supplies, schedules and I help the young master with the dutchy. You'll need to keep your eyes open. And, if you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask."
Leander's eyes softened for just a moment as he added, "I'm not always easy to talk to, but I'll help if I can. I've been through it, and I know what it's like to get thrown into this job without much guidance. You'll get the hang of it. Just—if you get overwhelmed, speak up."
Asche didn't know how to respond to that. Leander was tough, but there was something in his eyes that hinted at a quiet understanding. Asche felt a little less like a stranger in a foreign land, but the weight of his new responsibilities was still daunting.
"I'll keep up," Asche said, his voice steadier now, though still tinged with the uncertainty he was trying to hide. "I won't let things slip."
Leander gave him a small nod of approval, then turned his attention back to the stack of paperwork in front of him. "Good. Now, take a look at these letters and start sorting them by priority. You're going to be the one who keeps things from getting out of hand around here."
Asche looked at the mountain in horror. "I thought I was managing Feather's personal affairs?"
Leander stared at Asche with a small smirk of amusement. "Yes. You're staring at them. These are the letters he received that we corresponded to. You have to sort based on their titles and gender. If anything confuses you ask me."
Asche's jaw dropped. "W..Weekly Correspondence?"
Feather dropped his glasses to stare at Asche. "Daily."
Asche resigned himself to his fate. After all, he couldn't even spend his pay. Feather was taking care of Jorg too. He set to start the sorting.
As Asche worked in silence, sorting the letters and checking the dates, a thought crossed his mind. Feather was putting a lot of trust in him, maybe more than he deserved.
Asche just hoped the rumours from Baelridge wouldn't reach here.
Later in the evening, a servant stepped inside, bowing slightly to both Leander and Asche. He was dressed in a shade of red in a very fashionable outfit. "Lady Heather requests your presence, Master Asche," the servant announced, his tone respectful but urgent.
Asche blinked in surprise. Lady Heather had requested him. He had been half-expecting her to avoid him, given her cold demeanour earlier. Still, there was no time to hesitate. He gave Leander a quick nod and followed the servant out of the office.
The servant led him down a winding corridor, stopping at a door at the end of the hall. The servant knocked before entering and gestured for Asche to follow.
Inside, Heather was standing near the large window, her eyes focused on something outside. Jorg was with her, sitting at a low table and playing with a small wooden toy. He looked up when Asche entered, giving him a shy wave.
"Ah, there you are," Heather said, her voice cool. She turned to face him, and Jorg looked between the two of them with wide eyes. "I wanted to have a quick word with you. Come in and sit."
Asche stepped forward, unsure of what this meeting would entail. He had no idea what Heather expected from him, but he didn't want to disappoint. He couldn't afford to mess this up.
"Sit, Asche," Heather repeated, gesturing to a small chair across from her. She hadn't moved from her spot by the window, but her eyes were now fixed on him.
He complied, sitting down carefully, feeling a bit awkward under her gaze. Jorg, seemingly more at ease than Asche, continued playing with his toy but occasionally looked up, watching them with curiosity.
Heather took a seat across from him, folding her hands neatly in her lap. "I wanted to speak with you because I know this transition must be a lot," she began, her voice steady but gentle. "I think it's important you understand that you're not just some servant to be shuffled around. We treat our employees like family here, Asche. Plus you are my dear brother's friend, so if I don't treat you like family, he's going to crucify me." She winked, making Asche blush.
Asche looked at her again, slightly surprised by the kindness in her tone. It was a relief, though still a little daunting.
"I'm keeping an eye on you, Asche," Heather continued. "Not because I think you'll fail, but because I want to see what you're made of. Feather trusts you, and I trust him. More importantly, this lovely boy needs you now more than ever, so make sure you don't forget him when you are dragged along on my brother's adventures." Realising he was being spoken about, Jorg beamed, trying to help Lady Heather's case.
Asche smiled, trying to remain composed. "I understand," he finally said, his voice quiet but steady. He wasn't sure how he would balance everything yet, but he had no intention of backing down.
Heather's expression softened, just slightly. Her gaze shifted to Jorg, who was still looking up at Asche with a shy smile. " Jorg will stay with you in your quarters," Heather continued. "I showed him around earlier, and I let him follow me."
Jorg looked up at Asche then, his expression a mix of relief and curiosity, as if to say, I'm glad I can stay with you, big brother. Asche was glad to have Jorg stay with him.
"Understood," Asche replied, his voice quieter now, more focused. Heather gave him a nod of approval before turning to a servant standing by the door.
"Take Asche to his quarters. Don't allow Leander and Feather to make him work so much on his first day. He's to settle in and rest. And make sure the room is suitable for anything Jorg needs in the future as well," Heather instructed.
The servant nodded and gestured for Asche to follow. Asche stood, ready to leave, but before he could go, Heather's voice stopped him.
"One last thing," she said, her tone more contemplative now."Take care of yourself," she said. "Those two can be work mongers sometimes."
With a final nod, Asche followed the servant out of the room, the weight of Heather's words and her surprising kindness settling in his chest.
The servant quickly explained that Asche and Jorg would be staying in Feather's chambers in a small wing with Leander and Feather's butler.
Surely, Feather's quarters were nothing short of impressive, occupying an entire wing of the mansion. Asche followed the servant down the polished hallway, the soft hum of activity echoing through the grand space. The corridors were wide, with tall windows that let in streams of sunlight, and the floor was covered in fine rugs that muffled their footsteps.
Finally, the servant stopped in front of a set of tall, ornate doors. "These are your new living rooms." the servant said with a polite bow, swinging the doors open to reveal a well-appointed living area.
The space was more than just a room—it was a small circular suite, complete with a sitting area and a hearth in the centre. The walls were decorated with warm-toned tapestries, and the furniture was simple yet elegant.
"This area," the servant explained, "as I said earlier, is reserved for Feather's closest aides. It's where you'll be staying, along with your brother." He gestured to a door off to the side. "Your quarters are here, and Jorg's room is next to it. Leander's door is on the opposite side of the room. Young Master's butler is also next door to that." It seemed like there were still two extra unclaimed doors.
Asche stepped inside, taking in the space. It was comfortable and quiet, the kind of room that whispered of wealth without being overly extravagant. He couldn't quite wrap his head around it—this was far from the cold, cramped cave he had grown up in.
The servant gave him a moment to adjust.
"Thank you," Asche muttered, still overwhelmed by everything.
With a final nod, the servant left, leaving Asche alone to settle into his new space. He stepped further into the suite, walking past a plush armchair and an elegant writing desk where a few papers were neatly stacked–probably Leander's from a look of it. It read "Daily Schedule." The room was meant for people with a role of importance but wasn't overly luxurious—definitely a more comfortable existence than anything Asche could have imagined.
After a few minutes, he walked over to his door. When he opened it, he found his younger brother sitting on the edge of a modest bed in the room, looking around with wide, curious eyes.
"You're fast! When did you get here?" He exclaimed. Jorg ignored his question.
"It's... nice," Jorg said quietly, running his small fingers over the embroidered blanket on the bed.
Asche smiled at the sight of him, a quiet relief flooding his chest. "Yeah, it is. You like it?"
Jorg nodded, though he still seemed uncertain. "Yeah... but, Asche, I'm not used to all of this." His voice wavered slightly, and he looked up at his brother with a mix of concern and wonder. "I mean, look at this place. It's huge. I'm scared of sleeping by myself."
Asche stepped into the room and sat down beside him. He reached out and ruffled Jorg's hair. "It'll take some getting used to, but we're safe here. And we're together."
Jorg smiled up at him, the tension leaving his small face. "Okay," he said simply, his trust in Asche unwavering.
Asche felt a pang of gratitude. "Do you want to see your room?"
Jorg's eyes brightened. "Yes! Please!"
Asche stood at the door to Jorg's room, watching his brother's face light up with a joy that was almost foreign to him. It was the kind of happiness that belonged to children who had never known the weight of the world, and for a moment, Asche almost forgot about his fears and doubts. He pushed the door open fully and motioned for Jorg to go in.
The room was small but welcoming. Soft light filtered in through a window, casting a golden glow over the stone walls. The furniture was simple but carefully chosen—there was a small bed with a thick quilt that looked impossibly soft, its pastel colours calming against the muted stone. A small writing desk sat beneath the window, a place for Jorg to do whatever small tasks or drawings might capture his attention. A little chair by the desk, just the right size for him, looked out onto the estate's garden. It was the kind of room that whispered of peace and security, a place to dream without the sounds of the outside world intruding.
Jorg gasped, his eyes wide. "It's... it's beautiful," he breathed, his voice filled with wonder. He darted around the room, touching everything—the smooth wood of the bed frame, the soft fabric of the quilt, the cool glass of the window that framed a view of the neatly trimmed hedges and the flowers that bloomed just outside.
Asche stepped into the room behind him, his heart swelling. It was strange, seeing Jorg so excited, so full of life, but it was also the relief he'd been desperately seeking. They weren't running anymore, they weren't hiding. For once, they were allowed to just... be.
"It's all yours, Jorg," Asche said softly, smiling. "It's your room. You can do whatever you want with it."
Jorg's fingers traced the edges of a small wooden shelf that had a couple of books and a little carved wooden horse on it. "It's like... it's like a dream," he said, his voice barely a whisper as if speaking too loudly might shatter the moment.
Asche's chest tightened, a sudden lump in his throat. "No more caves, Jorg. No more cold nights or damp walls. This is our new home. We're safe here."
Jorg looked up at him then, his bright eyes wide with the innocence of youth. "We're not going back to the cave?" His voice wavered ever so slightly as if he feared it was too good to be true.
"No," Asche replied firmly, crouching down to meet his brother's gaze. "We're not going back. We're safe now. We have a home."
Jorg's smile was instantaneous, a beam of pure joy that seemed to light up the room. He clambered onto the bed, bouncing up and down on the soft quilt. "This is the best day ever!" he declared, his laughter echoing in the stillness of the room.
Asche lingered for a moment longer, watching his brother with a tenderness he couldn't quite explain. It wasn't just relief—there was something more. Something that felt like the first breath after a long time underwater. Jorg had a place here, a room that was his, and in some way, that made all the difference.
"Alright, Jorg," Asche said, his voice gentler than usual, "I'm right next door if you need me. I'll leave you to get settled in."
Jorg didn't even acknowledge him at first, too busy jumping on the bed and laughing. Asche smiled softly, shaking his head, and slipped out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him.
Now, Asche back in his room, stood in the silence of it all. They had come a long way; from Asche killing his father to then going on a long journey – Jorg had cried - not wailed - and complained and asked questions the entire journey and Asche was going through a lot at the time. He had discovered his abuser was a prince – and was threatened by him, he had to fight a few dangerous animals along their trip not to mention all his inner suffering about all the unspoken things he had to endure in the past, and the self-hatred…
Asche broke down into tears. Tears of relief. He could finally get a place to sleep well without having to reset his bones in the morning, he didn't have to suffer to eat anymore or do scandalous things to get money and most importantly, they were far away from their father, the town and that wicked prince.
After a good bit of crying, Asche changed and lay on the bed. The only times he remembered sleeping on an actual bed was when his father would send him to taverns. The only bed soft like this was when his father would send to to suspicious luxurious establishments, often sneaking them into a room, and the prince would … Well that memory was best forgotten.
Asche didn't even realize when he fell asleep.