"As you know, the Felora kingdom is the southernmost nation on this continent, correct?" she asked with an inquisitive tone.
"Yes, it is."
Amy often asks me questions about what I'm learning to make sure I'm following and to gauge my prior knowledge.
Hearing my answer she nodded her head and continued.
"Felora is ruled by the Felora royal family and many noble houses. The royal family makes decisions on a national scale while the nobles run their domains in their own way for as long as they don't conflict with the royal family's rules."
"There are 5 different kinds of noble ranks. Duke, Marquess, Count, Viscount and Baron. You don't have to know all of them, but you do have to be aware of a few. Now, can you tell me about all the Dukedoms in the nation?" She asked me another question.
I'd be a fool not to know the 4 dukedoms of the nation.
"There are the Belmonts, Truehearts, Avalons and lastly... the Dawns." I easily named each one of them.
"Each one rules over a big domain in Felora and even though the royal family has the final say, their voices are not to be ignored." In a steady voice I answered the question.
"Very well done. It is like you said, each Dukedom holds power and reputation not even the royal family can ignore. That is why each family has to carry themselves with a certain attitude, including their servants."
"Especially you." Her voice then took a slightly heavier tone.
"As the knight of the lady, you are expected to act with grace and authority in order to not bring shame upon the Dawn family. Even if you don't like it."
It seemed she caught on. Well, I didn't really try to hide it that well.
"I don't know why you seem to dislike the lady nor why you were suddenly appointed as her knight but it does not matter. Now that you are her personal knight, your behavior will be reflected on all of us."
I could feel how seriously she took this. She is the one who is teaching me about etiquette and if I were to act out of line, she might take the blame for it.
Suddenly, Amy bowed to me. This time, not out of courtesy.
"It may be arrogant of me, but please try to get along with the lady. I am not just saying this for my own wellbeing but also both of your sakes." Her tone changed from respectful to something else. Something more vulnerable.
I could see how much this meant to her. Since I was officially in a higher position than her, she still had to show me the utmost respect. For her to break that in this manner...
I suppose I have been treating her a little bad, even if not directly. She did save my life and give me a place where me and Kayla can live.
I suddenly felt quite bad for my behavior.
Sigh
"You may raise your head, Amy. I will try to improve my acting from now on." Putting on proper posture and a graceful tone, I tried to comfort Amy in the way she taught me.
It felt really awkward.
When she raised her head, all I could see was the prim and proper maid etiquette that I knew her for. "Thank you very much, sir."
I felt a little peeved at the fact that the transition was so quickly.
After that, the lesson kept going for a few hours despite the talk we just had.
"Anyway, we have wasted quite a bit of time. I think you should be on your way again." With those words Amy advised me to head towards the next section of my day.
I nodded my head. "Thank you for the lesson, Amy, I'll keep your advice in mind."
She let out a rare faint smile as she escorted me to the door.
"I will see you tomorrow, sir."
"Yes, I will see you too" When we said our goodbyes, I was off to my final part of the day.
***
Knock Knock
"Come in." A familiar bell-like voice resounded from the other side of the door.
I opened the wooden door and entered the office. Not a lot has changed since the day I first stepped in here. It was still ordinary in comparison to the rest of the mansion.
"Welcome, my knight. Always on time as always." With a confident smile, Vera greeted me as usual. Her pale blond hair shining in the evening sunlight. Familiar red eyes stared into me with fiery passion.
Sigh
I gritted my teeth before letting out a heavy breath.
I put my right hand on my chest and made a slight bow like I was taught by Amy.
"Huh?" An unlady-like yelp came from the noble girl.
"Good evening, my lady. I hope you've been well." With practiced motions, I greeted Vera with respect.
"But—why are you...." She seemed quite shocked by my behavior.
Seeing her like this is quite satisfying. I should do this more often.
"I have come to accompany you this evening."
As a part of being Vera's knight, I accompany her every evening in her office. I help out with small tasks and protect her.
Even though she's quite a lot stronger than me. I still have to go with the motions.
"Akum. I see. Glad that you're here." She regained most of her composure but I could still see her brows twitching a little.
I walked slightly to the side of her back and began to stand silently.
Vera also focused again as she started writing something.
And like that time slowly passed. This is how it usually went down. I stand here, she writes, she finishes, I leave.
It's quite boring. I expected something different out of being a knight. Especially of someone with such status. But nothing really happens.
I look towards the person I'm supposed to be guarding. She seems extremely focused on her signing documents. Is that what noble children usually do?
I expected them to be gossiping and spending unhealthy amounts of gold on clothing and jewelry. In comparison, this is quite... sad.
"Do you think I look lonely?" Vera turned her head around while letting out a soft smile.
'How did she even know I was staring. She has to be a witch.'
"I could sense your intense gaze. Don't tell me you've fallen for your master?" She covered her mouth acting shocked but I could see the grin creeping up to her face.
"I would rather get torn apart by a dreadclaw bear." I replied without hesitation.
"A simple "no" would have sufficed." She said while letting out a sigh.
"This is not what normal noble children do. I'm special in that regard." She said going back to her previous statement
'She's special?'
She put down her ink feather and stood up. She walked past me towards the window. The sun was mostly down and it was about to get dark.
"You see, as the child of a duke, there are certain expectations put on you. You're not meant to be ordinary or mediocre. You're expected to be exceptional and amazing. You're expected—You 'have' to be perfect." Her tone got a bit heavy with those words.
She then turned to me before she started smiling. "At least, that's how it is for most people. I simply do it because it's fun."
'She's a witch.'
"For some reason I feel like you just thought something offensive."
"I would never, my lady."
"For some reason you turned respectful again."
"That's just a coincidence my lady."
She glared at me for a few seconds before she walked back to her seat to work.
As I watched this process, a question popped up in my mind.
"What are you actually working on?"
She's been writing and signing documents for almost a month now. What could she possibly be doing?
"Hmm? Oh, these documents are only requests at a change in laws or permissions for certain merchants to come work in Alexandra. It is not something too important." She said casually.
'But isn't that very important? And isn't that supposed to be the work of the Duke?'
Apparently my confusion was etched on my face as she immediately answered with an arrogant grin.
"Yes, this is the work of the Duke. Whenever the Duke is gone, I am the one who rules the city of Alexandra." Her pride beamed through the roof with that statement.
'She.... rules Alexandra in the Duke's stead? I must have misunderstood this right?'
"I mean, who do you think is calling the shots while my father is gone? Adrian? That would be funny to see but no, it's me." Her voice faded away as I fell into contemplation.
I heard from Amy that the Duke of Dawn was away from the house for a few months on certain business but I never expected that his daughter would be ruling this city. Isn't that just insane, even for her? She's only seventeen after all, just like me.
"What? Can't believe your master is actually a super amazing prodigy? I know I know, no need to praise me, you'll get used to it."
I could feel a vein pop on my forehead but ignored it and asked something I was curious about.
"When is your father—The Duke coming back?" I asked in a cautious tone. I didn't know whether that could be disclosed or not.
"When is father coming back? Tomorrow actually. Why?" She casually dropped some very important information.
'The Duke is coming back.... Tomorrow?'
This is a very big deal. And she mentioned it so casually?
The Duke of Dawn. One of the most powerful people in Felora, in both power and influence. And also.....
'The strongest swordsman in the country will be here...'
I couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
"Oh yeah, on the subject, when father is here you can finally receive your Sword Art." Vera interrupted my thoughts.
"My sword Art?" I asked back.
She nodded her head. "Even if I temporarily rule Alexandra in father's stead, not even I'm allowed to go into the family vault without proper reason. That is where our family's important items are. Including Battle Arts."
Battle arts.... They're special ways of utilizing a weapon and mana to increase a warrior's power. A must for every warrior.
"Well, it's about time you left. Isn't it? We don't want the little miss cursing at me again." Stretching her body, Vera seemed to be done with her work for today.
I can finally leave, huh. But something still doesn't feel right.
"Vera, can you truly just give me something like a Sword Art? First of all, I haven't mastered the basics yet and secondly, they're worth very much." I felt a little suspicious of her generosity.
A menacing grin appeared on her face. "Well, answering your second question, I promised you power didn't I? And it would be pretty bad if my knight stayed this weak forever."
'This woman...'
"....And as for the first reason. From what I heard from Frederick, your basics should be good enough. And we don't really have the luxury to focus on perfection." She let out a sigh as she said that last part.
"Why not?" I tilted my head at what she said.
"Hmm? Oh its nothing special. The academy's entrance exam just starts in a month's time." She said with a nonchalant tone.
'Academy? But why...'
Suddenly everything clicked.
"That's right. You, Kaelith, are going with me to Sunrise Academy in a month. Make sure you keep training. It would be embarrassing if you failed to make the admission."
I truly hate this woman