10 Daily Schedule

From that point on, Rowan had a little daily schedule that was put into his life.

In the morning, he usually assists with Luken with his work, dwindling the paperwork to a mere single stack in a matter of hours. Gale was still a little reluctant to put Rowan to work when he finally knew that he was a living person and made him work like a donkey for the past few days. But, Rowan assured him that it was okay and that he was fine with helping Gale and the country. The Duke couldn't help but reveal shining eyes of reverence and appreciation towards Rowan, he will never see another mountain of papers again!

When it nears the afternoon, Luken comes along to take Rowan for a break, while Gale abandons any work leftover and tags along. Sometimes they would go for walks around the castle or gardens or look at the rare plants in the vicinity. Nelumbo was a beautiful kingdom full of vitality and wilderness, greatly contrasting his former country, Olinthus, which focuses primarily on industrialism, thus covering the lands with chopped trees and black smog. Despite his advice against it, they always used the excuse of progression and profit. In other words, Nelumbo was just more fun and relaxing to be at. Though, the place that Rowan usually requests to go is the library.

Luken's library is enormous. There are thousands of books within the rows of shelves of the library, from the latest research to the oldest of spells. Knowledge, no matter how big or small, had always intrigued Rowan. When he was small, he always thought that his knowledge would help him improve his quality of life. Well, it did bring him to a castle, but it was not the life of freedom and happiness that he imagined. Soon, he just grew to like learning new things without being forced to, there are just so many interesting and unknown things in the world, and it seems like a waste to not learn about them. This is also the prime place where Rowan could find a solution to his problem. Luken stated that due to the sheer number of input of books that come in every year, there are many that go unnoticed by everyone and are often hidden away.

For instance, a few years ago, Gale left his work station in a futile attempt to avoid the inevitable. He soon heard his subordinates wandering in looking for him to make him finish the work. As to blend in within the library to lower his presence, he takes out a random book from the bottom of a shelf and hid his face in it. Though, his subordinates found him the moment they came in as he sticks out like a sore thumb with his bright blond hair. When they came up to him, they discovered him actually reading the book and was extremely invested in it.

It turns out that the random book he picked was full of powerful wind spells that were strong enough to commit a silent assassination to create tornados. Gale refused to hand it to anyone and reverently practiced the spells for weeks, committing every word to memory. His levels made leaps and bounds until he became powerful enough to help protect the country alongside a few of the elite fighters.

It just showed that there were a lot of hidden secrets within the library that could help an individual or even the country! As for where Luken got the books, well, all he said was: "My grandfather." And moved on from the topic.

Gale rolled his eyes and took Rowan away from Luken to explain further, "His grandfather wanders about the world and sends books back at the end of each month. Those days are the most chaotic as books would appear from thin air and cause a mess in the library. That old man sometimes puts some books into random shelves because "surprises are fun"."

The two men had a slight disdain for that old man doing things freely without tact nor consideration. Though their faces held respect and familial affection for the weirdo. Gale, although from a separate family, he had served as the study partner of Luken and became close friends with him. Both of them often went to that Grandfather for his interesting stories and eccentric personality. Telling stories of how he lost all his hair from trying to pet a dragon to nearly starting a war with another country over a mere jewel, which ended up being a false glass product, the boys never tired. Luken especially liked his Grandfather as he was also a father figure for him since his parents have perished in a war. Often tailing the elder in the castle with a cold and somber face, the atmosphere was always harmonious around the two. Three if you count Gale blabbering with them.

They just did not expect the burden that the old man would throw on them when the Grandfather abdicated the throne and hand it over to Luken when he was the age of twenty.

Every day was tiring and they requested multiple times for the former king to return and reign for just a few years. The response was the same: "I'm retired!"

Gale and Luken gave up on that unreliable old man. Luken learned to manage the country with his own power and Gale served as a military general on the battlefield and an unfortunate office worker when not fighting.

Still, they are grateful for the old man sending in useful books filled with knowledge. Especially Rowan was appreciative of Luken's Grandfather, the books could help him solve his dilemma! Even if he does not, he would still gain knowledge to help others. He would request Luken to take him to the library and help him flip the pages or look for a magical book that could help Rowan. Either way, Luken nor Gale minded doing this as they get some time off, too.

Currently, they were sitting near a window with plenty of light at Rowan's request, and before Gale could warm his seat, a man garbed in servant clothing rushed in a bowed in a hasty manner towards the two men.

Luken waved his hand for the servant to not mind him and to continue his business with Gale. The blond-haired man, on the other hand, had an ugly scrunched up face and sighed in resignation. He sadly dragged his feet while the servant led the way to another place.

Rowan was curious as to where Gale was heading, especially since all the paperwork finally decreased after days of hard work.

Maybe the stern-faced man next to him could read minds as Rowan heard a question drift into his hearing.

"Do you want to know where he went?"

Rowan was dazed from the melodious, deep voice of the cold man. He quickly snapped out of it and responded: "If it is fine to know, I would like to."

The king glanced at the mirror who responded positively, "A meeting."

"..."

Luken realizing his words were not specific enough decided to elaborate.

"An inevitable meeting with subordinates to discuss the current problems with the country." Then, with eyes filled with smugness, "Gale will come back and give me a short briefing."

Rowan lit a small candle for Gale, half out of pity for Luken making Gale attend those meetings and the other half was for when Gale had to come back and report everything to the king.

After Luken's short sentences, silence ensued the library. The only thing heard was the flipping of pages. As Rowan was faced towards the book, he could not see Luken's face getting more awkward with every flip of a page.

Luken respects Rowan very much, although he knows nearly nothing about the man in the mirror, he appreciates how Rowan helped his country with its difficult problems and how (from the tone of Rowan's usual answering) he still expresses moderate emotions, it just shows how powerful his mental fortitude is.

He was currently contemplating whether he should try asking Rowan questions to start a conversation; Luken was curious as to how Olinthus had this extremely intelligent man, that country is not exactly the best in terms of employment benefits. Well, he cannot really call it a conversation. He would just be asking questions and Rowan would just be answering. That would be a bit strange and uncomfortable for Rowan. Plus, Rowan seems to be focused on the book. Or is Luken turning the pages too fast? Or too slow? Is Rowan even reading? Should he ask? What if he interrupts Rowan's reading? Luken scrunched his eyebrows in meaningless worry, constantly wondering if Rowan is fine as he is. Due to uncertainty and general unwillingness to disturb Rowan, Luken decides to bite his tongue down. Rowan, on the other hand, obliviously absorbs all the knowledge in the book.