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I arrive in father's study and spot him sitting at his desk sorting through paperwork. Three fountain pens dance along pages as if with a will of their own, though I know better. It's part of father's magic. He has told me that learning of magic too early can be dangerous, and mostly prevented me from researching it. I don't understand why, but then again I'm not curious enough to go against his wishes. I'll be learning all I want of it once I'm at the academy anyway.

He hears me walk in and gestures to a wide yet short table in the center of the room with couches on either side.

"There is something that needs my attention, but it shouldn't take longer than a few moments. Then we will talk."

I nod and sit in the center of one of the couches. I glance around the room at the bookcase laden walls, and marvel at the sheer quantity of books that I had not read. I'd not been in here in quite a while, as I'd not had a reason, and there were plenty of books elsewhere in the house to read. While I'm lost in thought, Father calls out to his secretary.

"Flora can you deliver this to the Mayor?"

A maid dressed in black enters the room silently and walks to the desk, receiving the letter that Father has written. Flora is my father's secretary and head-maid of the estate. She has been around since long before I was born, and I've never once heard her footsteps.

"Yes sir, I can do that. How urgent?"

"As urgent as usual, just get it there before the end of the day and it should be fine."

"Understood."

Flora departs the room. The town just outside the estate is called Larum, and she is likely headed there now to deliver that letter. Although Father said it wasn't urgent, I know Flora likes to get things done quickly.

With a stretch and yawn, Father stands and makes his way to the couch opposite me. The pens on his desk have stopped moving, so I know that his full attention is on me.

"Again, good morning Morgan."

"Good morning Dad. What did you need to talk to me about that we couldn't just do in the hallway?"

"Straight to the point huh. No time for a long talk?"

"Mom wanted me ready before the horses and I still want to go outside for a while."

"Yes I understand, I was joking."

Father laughs at his own joke and as much as it wasn't very funny, his laugh is infectious and I chuckle. However the atmosphere suddenly becomes heavy, and his face turns serious.

"Anyway. What I wanted to talk to you about is regarding the academy."

"Okay, what about it?"

"I'll get to that, first I want to ask you a question. How much power do you think our family holds?"

"That's an odd question."

"Please just answer it."

I ponder for a moment.

"... Well, I know you're a Marquis and that we have a large territory, rivaled only by the Ducal houses and the Royal Family. But I also know that the land, while valuable, is on the border of the country, and thus more dangerous than other families' lands."

"That is all correct, continue."

He listens to everything I say attentively, and I can't help but wonder what the point of this is.

"I know that although there are three border territories, you are the only Marquis in the country, and I don't quite understand why that is. I also know that of all the non-royal houses, we have the largest and most well equipped military."

"..." He waits.

"Thus, I think that our family has power on par with the Ducal houses, despite being lower on the chain of Nobility."

"And you would be right." He finally says.

"Our family has power and social standing on par with the greatest of The Four Great Houses, but we are not one of them. Do you know why?"

"No I do not."

I really don't know. It doesn't make any sense right? Now that I think about it, don't we have great influence, even in the Royal Court? Why wouldn't the King acknowledge our standing? Luckily, Father was keen on telling me exactly why.

"It is because I am not your typical noble." He pounds his chest with a closed fist in satisfaction.

"... What is that supposed to mean."

"It means I don't like noble duties. I don't like court life, and I couldn't give a damn about our social standing either."

That was unexpected.

"The current King and I are war-buddies, and he knows how I feel about the nobility, so he gave me a military title and sent me off the the most remote corner of the country that he could. While I'm glad he left me be, that bastard is a schemer. I doubt that this is the end of his plans for our family."

I decided not to call attention to the fact that Father just called the King of the country a "bastard"

"Is that bad?"

"Not necessarily. He's a good guy, he just likes to use people to get what he wants."

That sounds bad.

"I can tell you're not convinced."

Is it that easy?

"It is."

Is he reading my mind?

"No, your face is just all scrunched up and it's easy to tell."

"..."

I decide not to respond. Father continues the conversation despite it.

"By proxy, you also have a very important position."

"I'm the heir."

"Yes, you are the heir. As the heir you would need to build strong connections with other noble heirs and reinforce the standing of your house at the academy. That's a large part of the reason why nobles let their children attend."

"What do you mean "would"."

He smirks.

"It means that you would need to do that, if you were a normal heir."

"I think I see where this is going..."

He ignores me and continues.

"Since you're specifically my heir, you won't need to do any of that. Our position in the hierarchy is nearly assured, as long as we fulfill our role on the border. However, because of that, you are seen as a valuable asset by other noble families."

"That's unsettling."

"Yes it is, but here we are. When you get to the academy, you'll need to sort through the people approaching you as either people who genuinely want to know you, and people who want to use you to increase their own standing."

"Seems simple enough."

"It is simple, and I know you have a good eye, but trust me it gets exhausting. Luckily you won't be the only person experiencing this, as many of the higher noble children will be thrown into the same situation, and the Prince and Princess attending this year will be drowning in it."

"Less time for them to think about me."

"Exactly, I'm glad you understand."

There is a long pause before he continues.

"I love you kid, and I don't want to see you dragged down by all this."

"I love you too Dad, but you're acting like you're sending me off to war." I chuckle.

"... You'll understand later."

That's ominous.

For a while longer we continued talking about the academy and how life would be when I'm living on campus. I hope it's not as tiring as he makes it out to be.