A Regular Day
It was late December and the days were getting colder. This day was one of those days. It was not snowing, in fact, there was a little sun peeking out but the atmosphere felt extremely chilly.
A tall young boy was drawing his sabre, repeating the motion time and time again. His eyes were incredibly focused, his stance extremely stable as he kept Drawing his sabre and returning it into its scabbard.
One draw after another.
It was as if a rock was going down a hill; its speed was getter faster and faster. It was not a technique or a skill but it still captured gazes, the movement was incomparably sharp and mighty.
The second young boy was sitting on a reclining chair reading a book. On the table next to him were a plate of bayberries, a bottle of warm water and a heated towel.
He would read a bit, watch his brother for a bit and picked a little berry on the table next to him to nibble on. Who said watching handsome people cannot improve one's mood! Many young maids sighed.
If there was anything that could spoil this pleasant atmosphere in Zane's mind; it was the young girl that was glaring next to him.
Her name was Ivana Farley. She was a year younger than Xavier that is three years younger than him and for the past week, she had been visiting the Valois mansion every morning without fall.
Ivana Farley could be considered the little princess of the Farley family which shared a close relationship with the Valois family. She had five elder brothers and two elder sisters, as the child born to them in their old age, her parents spoilt and pampered her to the heavens.
She was young and has not seen any hardship so her skin was smooth and fair. She had fine bluish-black hair tied into a ponytail that was hanging on her shoulder. In addition to the snow-white gown she was wearing, she looked pretty and cute.
Ivana charming face was furrowed into a glare as she continued to stare Zane down. Even though Zane pretended not to notice it, she planned to make him uncomfortable.
She heard the rumours from her siblings of how an illegitimate son had taken over Brother Xavier's place and rushed over at once.
She would not let anyone take Brother Xavier's place. She refused to let anyone bully him again.
Of course, Zane was not alien to her thoughts. There was a protective gleam in her eyes that Zane found fascinating. He did not intend to antagonize her. How could he? This was Ivana, the dark priestess.
The healer class was a highly sought-after class for many. In a world where a death in the dungeon is a permanent death, the healers' ability to heal and restore health points were a necessary acquirement or any part. To be exact, parties are not authorized to adventure without a healer. They would be fined if caught.
The specialized healer pathway, 'Priestess' is identified with the Farley family and one that allowed them to rise among the ranks of the families in the Capital. In the diary, among all the priests and priestess, Ivana was the one known as 'the dark priestess.'
This story behind the name was not written in the diary. Ivana was still fifteen years old. Zane felt no pressure. This time he would be here to watch it.
30 minutes! Zane looked up and sure enough, Xavier had switched to swinging his sabre. He swings a hundred every morning without fall.
Zane looked at the girl who had gone from glaring at him to staring at Xavier with fascination. She had a crush on Xavier, finding out that news was not hard for Zane. However, the most important news was how much the gist was worth.
Ever since the system had brought to his notice that the potential probe cards were limited, he had been a little more cautious in checking people's potential. He had just 50 and an additional 100 will be given to him upon upgrading. If he could sue, he would.
He had been with the system for years and it had not told him anything of the sort. He had to check every Tom, Dick and Harry potential over the years.
Not only that he had seen just the rudimentary potential and upon upgrading, but he would also see a larger stats. Haven't he been wasting his Potential Probe Cards? This was the major reason, he had withdrawn his fervent desire to check the potential of his younger brother and miss little Farley and all the high ranking butlers in this manner.
He sighed, picking a little purple-red bayberry. It was very sweet and delicious. It seemed like patience is just one of his many skills.
Ivana Farley might be a little princess but she was a talented one. She turned swiftly to face Zane.
"Why are you sighing?" Her voice was harsh as if facing an enemy.
Zane's eyebrows twitched. He gave her a bright smile, "Xavier is really good, I don't think I have seen a sixteen-year-old's sabre skill that looks as polished as his."
Ivana was smug and she nodded, "Brother Xavier is really good. To make Uncle stop sending him tutors, he defeated all of them. Once he even..."
At this moment, she stopped and glanced at Zane, her eyes flashing with a not so difficult to understand light. It was simple. No matter how much Zane smiled softly at her or how kind his words were, he was still the enemy.
Zane did not continue to probe further and went back to his book, the corners of his lips revealing an interesting smile.
The moment Xavier finished, Ivana rushed to him with the heated towel and bottle of warm water. She was really like a little wife, Zane chuckled.
A young maid soon came over and said that Robert had come to visit.
Just like Ivana, Robert has been visiting him almost every day. He was taking up Zane's valuable time. Truly a headache.
However, Zane's current image did not allow him to refuse. He stood up and made to follow the young maid into the house. Seeing her master about to leave, Lexi followed suit.
"Breakfast first." An indifferent voice travelled to their ear stopping them in their tracks.
The said owner of the voice was still wiping his face, not checking if his words would be obeyed or not.
It was yet another thing Zane had observed about this younger brother of his. He talked like he did not expect disobedience. Like the concept of noncompliance was foreign to him.
Another thing was the eating together. Without counting the dinner he ate alone on his first day at the Valois mansion, every other day, he had eaten breakfast and dinner with Xavier.
It seems like he hated eating alone or maybe felt a little lonely. Another important thing to note.
Lexi bent her eyes to hide the anger within her eyes and clenched her fist tightly. How dare the second young master talk to her master like that. Just Wait!
"Of course, I believe Miss Ivana and Brother Robert will be joining us." Zane said in a mellow voice.
Xavier looked towards Ivana as if wondering why she would be joining them, at least that was how Zane chose to interpret his expression. He looked away in pity, it seems like little princess Ivana would have her work cut out for her.
He led the way into the main house with an entourage consisting of Xavier, Ivana, Lexi, Xavier's butler John and a few others.
Robert was leaning back on a chair in the drawing-room looking right at home. Well, if you add the number of times he had visited during the week, it was really a second home to him.
Seeing him, a warm smile like the spring sun habitually surfaced on Zane's face.
"Brother Robert, Nice to see you. How did you sleep last night?"
"It was great, thank you." He greeted the other two people as well. One who was staring at him as an enemy and the other who was just staring blankly at him. "Cousin Xavier, Miss Farley. pleasure."
"Eh."
"Hmph."
Zane swallowed his laughter. "Brother Roberts. I was glad you are here early. You will be joining us for breakfast?"
Robert wanted to turn him down but hesitated. Was his brother right?
Of course not, he was not afraid of Xavier. "Thank you. Hope I am not intruding." He tried his best to ignore the cold eyes that raked through his form and the shiver that he felt.
"Intruding? How can?" Zane chuckled.
Xavier seemed to have no more patience for any more social frivolities because he started to move to the dining room, pausing at the door to look at Zane, "Let's eat."
Zane laughed quietly, "My brother has been exercising since morning. He is a little hungry. He did not mean to be discourteous."
He on his own part completely ignored Robert's eyes that was screaming,' Do you really believe that! as he moved o have a wonderful breakfast.
Yes. This is just a regular day at the Valois family mansion.