7 Ch 6: A Friend Or A Foe

"Greetings, young master Lucius. Have you recovered from your accident." The young boy presented a bow. His red hair and yellow eyes stood out from his appearance, and judging by his clothing, he was surely another child of a noble.

Lucius was wary of him. There was never a person in his memory that could have been the young boy. "Who might you be?" His voice was cold and his eyes were sharp.

"Ah! I forgot to introduce myself. I am Connor Fiore Kalmuth, fourth of the son of Earl Kalmuth, a pleasure to be in your presence." With his hands on his chest, he bowed once more.

"Well then, greeting to you as well. Might i ask? That ribbon, where did you get that?"

"Then this must be yours. I found it on one of the hallways." Connor untied it carefully and was about to return the ribbon when Lucius, out of nowhere, snagged it from his hand.

Connor was slightly surprised. He kept the ribbon with him and tied it around his neck to have Lucius notice him. There were rumours regarding his obsession with an object circulation around those that either saw Lucius or herd of him. Now that Connor experienced it first hand, he wss certain it was true.

"I'll be taking it back, Thank you for finding it." Lucius kept his sharp gaze on to Connor.

"Young master Lucius, may i ask a favor from you? I heard that you seldom enter the city, and frankly, this is my first time in Grineherd. Would you care to stroll around the city with me? I know it's unbefitting of me to waste your time, however, i would love to accompany you around the city!" Connor asked. He kept his normal and innocent smile on his face but Lucius knew that nearly all noble children were corrupt and wicked. The same could have been said to his older sister.

At first it may have been a normal meeting between two noble children. It was a perfect scene, they met near a water fountain at a mansion, he was overwhelmingly friendly and he coincidentally had Lucius' ribbon. However, why was he specifically in this mansion? Lucius began thinking. Connor arrived at the Devinsworth mansion inside the city on the day that Lucius was going to retrieve his new sword. It was known throughout the Devinsworth domain that Lucius would only travel with Laurence, this made that Connor couldn't accompany him. But coincidentally, an 'accident' had happened which injured Laurence heavily, and out of nowhere Connor arrived to 'explore' the city with Lucius. The more Lucius thought about it, the more complicated it became.

Lucius didn't know specifically when Connor arrived at Grineherd City, he placed it around today or a few days before. That would have been enough time for the 'bandits' to enter the forrest near the route from Grineherd to Devinsworth Main Mansion. Place a trap with the wild aether beast herd behind them still enraged, and waited for Lucius. Since the 'bandits' failed then Connor was presumably going for plan B, killing Lucius in an assassination inside the city. There were multiple holes in this plan that Lucius thought of, why and how did the 'bandits' keep the aether beasts from being discovered by other people who pass by the route, how did the horses stay alive abd healthy while being chased by the herd, and why would Connor assassinate him on broad daylight inside the city where most people could become witnesses.

Lucius was careful around strangers, he had paranoia from being nearly killed over and over again. He could just have gotten thing wrong, however, it was better safe than sorry. The only option he could prove that Connor was going to kill hem and keep himself safe was to bring more of the fangs. They may have been useless against aether beasts but not against assassins.

Unbeknownst to Lucius, his thoughts were partially true. Connor did plan his meeting with Lucius, but not the assassination. It was a lie when he said he found the ribbon on one of the halls, in actuality, he stole it. And it was also sheer coincidence that Laurence got injured and Lucius was going to the city. He planned to send a letter to Lucius while staying in Grineherd but changed his plans after hearing about the accident. His father, Earl Kalmuth, was worried of his child. Unlike his brother and sister, he was very optimistic and kind. The Earl plotted to turn the young boy into being hateful and help him realize that kindness had no value by exposing him to the Devinsworth's 'kind' hospitality. And what better target than Lucius himself, who had no interest and was distrustful of others.

"Alright, i hope you can accompany me. My body has been tired lately, so lets arrange our departure for tomorrow morning. For now, i'll take my leave." Turned around and left, but not before glancing at Connor's face one last time.

Connor had a large smile plastered on his face. He was someone who enjoyed making friends, his smile conveyed his excitement abd happiness for finding someone he could befriend as his father ordered. Lucius had another idea in mind. 'I knew it! You think you've succeeded, punk! Ya wont be smiling later on assh*le!'.

Lucius and Connor departed, Lucius returned back to his room after explaining to the head maid that he had lost his ribbon. While Connor was celebrating in his 'succeeded' plan outside by humming and joyously.

***

Lucius had just returned after visiting Laurence. Laid down on his bed and felt exhausted. Normally he wouldn't have gotten lost inside his own family's mansion, however, with Laurence guiding him, it was inevitable that he would be lost.

*Knock* *Knock*

"Lucius, it's me." A deep voice came from the door.

"Come in."

A man woth black hair, green eyes, and brown skin entered and saw the face planted Lucius on the bed. He had a small smile on his face after seeing Lucius.

"Did you get lost again?" The man sat down at the edge of the bed.

"Yes." Lucius' voice was muffled but still understandable.

"Then you've recovered to full health. I was worried when i heard an accident happened. You might've locked yourself inside the studies again."

"Father, you know i would lock myself inside with or without an accident happening."

"I know, i know. I heard that you talked to a potential friend toady." His father turned his gaze to Lucius' back. If not for his shirt then a scar would have been visible.

"Potential threat, that's what he is!" Lucius sat up after the topic switched.

His father was worried about his paranoia, however, it was also a great tool for Lucius. It made sure he would never make any wrong steps. Unless, of course, when it was an unorthodox way similarly to an assassination using a stampede. His father was kind yet cruel, heartless yet loving. Something Lucius was always thankful of, his father made things more easy to understand. Rather than him trying to understand what his parents need and want fron him and adapt to the changes like his old life, his new life was like a clear cut instruction. He lives his new life following his orders and rules and in return, obtain freedom and relaxation.

It was amusing to his father hearing Lucius rants and thoughts on how every major incident was his assassination. And after hearing Lucius thoughts on the current matter, be couldn't help but chuckle.

"Lucius, my dear. The little boy, Connor, had no play on the accident. It was used by most bandits around the kingdom lately and it had spread around here. The boy was scheduled to arrive here since last month." His father reassured Lucius.

"See, that's what he wants you to think! I agreed to go out to the city tomorrow and expose his little trap. That's why i wanted to ask if i could have some of the fangs to follow me." Lucius was explaining to his father why he needed the fangs. If someone could see it, it looked as if a little boy was explaining his day with his father. It was cute and adorable.

"Hehehe. Alright, calm down. I'll send five fangs to follow you. I don't think that the boy is behind this, however, the one behind all this wouldn't just attempt only once. As for now, get more rest." He stood up and left.

Lucius, crashed his head onto the pillows. It was his first time having a caring father, and he cherished every moment with him. Now it was time for his slumber, perhaps he'll dream of the pantheon once again.

****

Outside Lucius room, his father walked the halls with his smile wiped away.

"Master, who will accompany the young master tomorrow? Most of the fangs are stationed and placed on missions currently." A voice was heard within the halls.

"Send those that do not fail me, you've disappointed me once again." His rage and anger was evident. The fangs hidden in the halls were all ashamed. "Don't try my patience, make sure to send the elders as soon as possible.".