The maids and servants were looking at Valerius today with surprise and disbelief.
They had never imagined that the dim-witted young master would ever walk with such confidence.
Suddenly, Valerius stopped in his tracks.
He realized that if he was sidelined today, he would be sidelined again and again in the future.
He would never be able to claim his rightful place in this world.
No, he had to make an impact, and he had to do it right now.
His mother, Seraphina, became worried to see him stop so abruptly. She feared that he might have reverted to his former state.
But Valerius reassured her that there was nothing to fear. He simply wanted to observe his father at work and ask for his forgiveness later.
Seraphina found his request very odd and told him that it was not a good idea.
Valerius knew it wasn't ideal, especially in an age where decorum and courtesy were so important.
Seraphina's motherly heart, however, interpreted his words as a son's longing for his father's affection. She wiped away her tears and told her dear son that he could ask for his father's forgiveness at the breakfast table.
Valerius realized that this was the best option available to him.
Seraphina asked a passing maid to take Valerius to his room and help him prepare for breakfast, while she arranged a grand meal for the family.
The maid nodded and smiled at her, but her reluctance was evident.
Her reaction clearly showed Valerius's low status in the household.
Valerius bowed to his mother, remembering how people behaved in the period dramas he used to watch on television.
He told her that he knew the way to his room and could go there by himself. There was such conviction in his tone that Seraphina couldn't object.
To everyone's surprise, he walked straight and confidently toward his room.
He reached his room and opened the door, where Elara was tidying up and chatting with Kaelen. Valerius sensed that there was something going on between those two.
He cleared his throat and asked Elara to help him dress for breakfast.
Elara became emotional, as this was the first time he had given her a direct order. She diligently did her best to dress him in proper attire.
By the time she finished, Valerius was summoned to join the household at the breakfast table. Valerius followed the maid who had come to get him.
At the breakfast table were Lord Elmsworth, Cassian, Lady Seraphina, and an old man with a very serious expression. Valerius bowed to everyone and wished them good morning.
Again, to the surprise of Valerius and the others, Lord Elmsworth didn't acknowledge him.
The old man, however, seemed quite pleased. He nodded and said, "Good morning, Young Lord!"
Valerius recognized the old man.
He was Gavril Fartom, the Seneschal of the Thorne family.
Cassian seemed a bit irritated and told Gavril to focus on the matter they were discussing.
Valerius decided not to interrupt them further and just tried to understand what they were talking about.
They were discussing the pirate activity in Azure Bay.
Veridia relied heavily on maritime trade, and a crucial trade route passed through the Azure Straits, a narrow sea lane of great strategic importance.
However, pirate activity in the Azure Straits had increased dramatically in recent months, posing a severe threat to Veridia's economy and stability.
The pirates were ruthless, attacking merchant vessels, seizing valuable cargo, and often killing or enslaving the crews.
According to Cassian, the pirates were not a disorganized group of opportunistic raiders.
Instead, they were well-organized, heavily armed, and possessed advanced ships.
It seemed to Valerius that these pirates might be backed by a powerful entity.
When Elmsworth inquired about the pirates' origins, Gavril said that their origins were shrouded in mystery.
He could only offer some rumors.
Some said they were former naval officers from a fallen empire, while others believed they used magic to enhance their ships and weapons.
Cassian, on the other hand, suggested that they might have a secret alliance with a rival city-state, most likely Port Azure, which was Veridia's commercial rival.
Valerius realized that this was not a simple situation.
A city-state that relied so heavily on trade, now faced a major threat to its primary trade route; this could pose a great problem.
However, he did not like Cassian's proposed solution.
Cassian was suggesting sending an emissary to negotiate with the pirates, offering them a "tribute" or "protection" payment in exchange for them ceasing their attacks on Veridian ships.
Lord Elmsworth did not agree with Cassian's proposal, and neither did Gavril Fartom.
But Gavril did not dare to speak against Cassian. Elmsworth also disagreed, but he couldn't find a good way to counter it.
Adrian had never had parents. He had no one he could truly call family.
But he longed for that connection.
Later in his life, his longing for family and relationships was surpassed by his thirst for wealth.
But that longing was still there.
And in this life, as Valerius, he had been blessed with such relationships, which he was not going to let go of.
He had found a loving mother, something Adrian had always wished for.
Although Elmsworth was yet to accept him, he was not going to let anyone mistreat his father.
He had to intervene, even if it was not considered appropriate for someone his age in this world and society.
Valerius cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, as they seemed to be going around in circles.
Elmsworth gave him an angry look, but Seraphina glared at Elmsworth and then looked at Valerius, "Yes, dear, do you need something?" she asked.
Valerius politely expressed his wish to speak about the matter they were discussing.
Elmsworth was furious at Valerius's audacity, but Cassian found it amusing.
He probably saw this as another chance to humiliate Valerius, and indirectly, Elmsworth as well.
But Gavril was genuinely interested in what the young master, who had been acting so strangely since yesterday, had to say.
So, he also requested Elmsworth to allow him to speak.
Elmsworth gritted his teeth but finally agreed to let Valerius share his thoughts.