Chapter 27: Galen Everard
The Arrival of the Servants
The Veyra estate shimmered beneath the morning light, its marble and obsidian walls casting long, solemn shadows across the courtyard. The grand wrought-iron gates creaked open as the estate's primary carriage pulled in, returning its occupants home after spending the morning acquiring servants. As soon as the wheels came to a halt, Kitsaro flung the door open and hopped down energetically, his eyes scanning the manor until he spotted a familiar figure waiting by the entrance.
"Elysia!" he called out joyfully, racing toward her with tiny but eager steps. His white hair bounced with each stride.
The head maid smiled warmly, her eyes softening. She bent to receive him as he threw his arms around her waist. "Welcome back, young master."
Kitsaro beamed up at her. "We brought more people to help! So you don't have to clean everything yourself anymore!"
A soft laugh escaped her lips as she gently ruffled his hair. "Is that so? Then I must thank you, little lord, for thinking of me."
Behind him, Sylvara stepped out of the carriage with practiced grace, her long, hair rippling in the breeze. Cassian followed, less formal but equally composed.
"They should be arriving shortly," Sylvara said, folding her gloved hands before her. "I trust the servants' quarters are prepared?"
Cassian nodded. "I made sure of it before we even moved in. The rooms were furnished and cleaned. They'll find no trouble settling in."
"Good." Sylvara gave a curt nod. "Once they arrive, Elysia, I'd like you to personally speak with one of them. A man named Galen Everard. He will be our chief butler. With him Korrin Salazar, the owner of the establishment where we acquired the servants. You will retain your role as head maid, of course, but you'll coordinate with him directly from here on."
Elysia blinked, momentarily surprised. "Of course, my lady. I'll meet with him once they arrive."
"Excellent."
As the conversation began to slow, Kitsaro tugged at Sylvara's sleeves. "Can I go change now? My boots are all dusty."
Sylvara gave a soft smile, her usually stoic expression easing. "Yes, go on. Clean up and rest for a bit."
Kitsaro nodded and darted up the stairs, vanishing into the halls beyond. Once he was gone, Sylvara turned to Cassian again.
"You may return home for now," she said. "But tomorrow, we'll be heading out once more—this time to secure carriages and perhaps look into stablehands. There's still much to do."
Cassian let out a quiet sigh. "So the errands continue."
"We've barely begun." Sylvara's voice was low and dry, but there was the faintest trace of amusement in her tone. "Farewell, Cassian."
"Until tomorrow, my lady," Cassian replied, stepping back into the carriage with a tip of his hat.
Sylvara watched as the vehicle turned around and began rolling down the gravel path, leaving only the quiet rustling of the estate's garden behind. She turned on her heel and ascended the stairs, pausing only to address Elysia once more.
"When the servants arrive, send them to my study immediately. No delays."
"Yes, Lady Sylvara."
Sylvara disappeared down the second-floor hallway, her boots clicking softly on the polished floors. Elysia turned toward the door again, her expression calm but alert.
Minutes passed. The silence stretched until, at last, it was broken by the distant sound of hooves on stone. Elysia stepped outside, brushing her apron and tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
The estate gates opened once more—but this time, it was not just one carriage that entered.
A procession of five appeared, each carriage finely crafted, polished to a sheen, and bearing the same sigil: a stylized basilisk head with shrouded, piercing eyes, its twin-coiled tail encircling the insignia in an ouroboros-like symbol. The grandest among them came last, gilded and plated in a muted steel that shimmered like dragonhide in the light.
From that final carriage, a man stepped down. He was tall and lean, his cloak clasped at the shoulder with a silver pin shaped like a serpent's eye. His hair was slicked back, deep brown streaked with silver. His eyes—sharp, intelligent—scanned the estate with an appraising look before settling on Elysia.
"Korrin Salazar," he said with a half-bow. "At your service. I trust this is the Veyra estate?"
Elysia bowed her head politely. "You are correct, sir. I am Elysia, head maid. Welcome."
"A pleasure." He smiled, and his voice was smooth, practiced—yet there was something calculating beneath it.
At his gesture, the doors to the carriages opened in succession, and a line of figures stepped down in practiced formation. First came the 14 Fledgling Rank servants— equally devided into maids and footmans, their postures upright, eyes alert. Then the 10 Feral Initiates stepped down, dressed in simpler garb but radiating subtle strength and discipline. Finally, at the center of them all, a man with a quiet, commanding presence emerged.
Galen Everard.
He was dressed not ostentatiously, but with immaculate care—a tailored black and silver butler's suit, embroidered subtly which was unfamiliar to Elysia. His hair was raven-black, streaked lightly with age, and pulled back into a short tail. His expression was unreadable—cold but not unkind. His gloved hands were folded behind his back.
"All servants accounted for," Galen said in a crisp baritone. "And ready to meet Lady Sylvara."
Elysia's eyes lingered on him for a moment, noting the poise, the quiet authority in his stance. There was no mistaking it—this was a man accustomed to command, but not to vanity. She gave a soft nod and turned to Korrin.
"Please, come inside. Lady Sylvara is expecting your arrival. I will guide you."
Korrin gestured for the servants to follow in formation, and they marched in synchronized steps. As they entered the estate's grand foyer, Korrin glanced about with a murmur of appreciation.
"A fine estate," he said. "Quiet, but not lacking in presence. I was told it had been dormant for years?"
"It has," Elysia said simply, walking ahead.
"And yet," Korrin mused, "its bones are strong. You can feel the old blood in the walls."
Elysia said nothing.
He smiled faintly. "Silent type. I admire that."
As the entourage stepped through the estate gates and began crossing the cobbled path toward the main entrance, their formation momentarily halted—not by design, but by a small blur of motion darting down the front steps.
"Kitsaro," Elysia said in surprise.
The little boy marched confidently toward them, his cheeks slightly flushed and his eyes wide with excitement. His small arms were crossed over his chest like he was trying very hard to look important.
"I wanted to see them first!" he announced proudly, giving a quick nod as if that explained everything.
Elysia offered a small, indulgent smile and bent slightly. "Of course, young master. Forgive me—I should've known you'd be curious."
Korrin stepped forward and gave a slight, respectful bow. "Ah, the young lord of the house. A pleasure to meet you again, young master."
Kitsaro blinked up at him, then waved. "Hi, Mister Korrin! Are all these people the ones mother bought a while ago?"
"They are," Korrin replied with a hint of amusement. "Hand-picked by your mother for House Veyra."
Kitsaro's eyes sparkled. He walked along the line of new servants, his small boots tapping lightly on the stone path as he looked at each of them like they were treasures lined up for display.
He puffed out his chest a bit, trying to look extra serious. "Hmm… you all look… very clean. That's good."
The servants held their formation silently, though a few of them seemed unsure whether they should react.
'I can't believe this,' Kitsaro thought, his heart racing with excitement. 'I have real servants. Not like before back at House Vaelthyr. Those were just regular people who cleaned stuff. These ones… they're awakened! Some of them feel like they could break walls if they wanted to. I am so thankful mother is a rich woman. This is way cooler.'
He continued his inspection, stopping every now and then to lean in closer or poke a sleeve out of sheer curiosity. When he reached the man standing at the center of the group, he came to a stop.
The man gave a small, formal bow. "Young master," he greeted, his voice calm and even.
Kitsaro looked him up and down. "Are you the butler?"
"Yes. My name is Galen Everard."
"You look really... tall," Kitsaro said, tilting his head. "Can you carry stuff on your head like Elysia does with the laundry basket?"
Galen blinked once. "If necessary, yes."
Kitsaro frowned, deep in thought. "Do you know how to pour tea without spilling?"
"I do."
"What about cookies? Can you make cookies? With the crunchy edges?"
"Yes. I can also prepare them with soft centers, if you prefer."
Kitsaro lit up. "Really?! Okay, I like you. You're hired!"
Galen gave a short nod. "Thank you, young master. I shall do my best."
Elysia, already a few steps ahead, waited patiently near the hall entrance. Kitsaro lingered behind for a moment, walking beside Korrin with quick, curious glances at the servants.
"Mister Korrin," he asked, tugging lightly on the man's sleeve, "did you pick all of them by yourself?"
"Most of them, yes," Korrin replied with a small smile. "Some trained at my academy. Others came from special places. All of them were chosen carefully."
Kitsaro leaned closer and whispered, "Are any of them really strong? Like, super strong?"
Korrin's smile grew slightly, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "Perhaps. But only the best kind of strong—the quiet kind."
"Ooooh…" Kitsaro's eyes went wide with interest. "That's cool."
Before they could continue, Elysia turned back from the hallway and called softly, "Young master. Mister Korrin. We're here."
They rounded the final corner and stopped before a tall, dark-wood double door leading into Sylvara's study. There were no markings, no sigils—just the elegant polish of aged authority.
Elysia stepped forward, her posture poised.
She turned toward the doors and knocked twice with a crisp rhythm.
"Lady Sylvara," she announced in a clear voice, "Lord Korrin Salazar has arrived with the new servants. They await your audience."
"Enter."
Without another word, she entered the study along with Kitsaro, while Korrin and the line of servants followed behind quietly as they entered the study room.