Chapter 15: The visit

Dialogue "sample"

Thoughts 'Sample'

Techniques [sample]

Author notes -sample-

Chapter 15

The visit

The next day, Albert, the family butler came looking for him, then waited until Siegfried was done cultivating to speak.

"Milord, we have received a message from a scout. Your cousin Lord Fabian is coming to visit. He should arrive this afternoon."

"My cousin, uh?." He already had an idea about the motive of this sudden visit.

The previous 'him' had made a bet with Fabian.

'He came to cash in'

"Should I make any arrangements, Milord?" The butler asked.

Siegfried nodded.

"Prepare the small hall for his visit. I also need you to go fetch an item for me and bring it there."

"Certainly Milord. What item would that be?"

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The doors to the small hall opened and two individuals came inside. One was his butler, Albert and the other one was his cousin, Fabian.

Despite being closely related, they were extremely different when it came to physical attributes.

While Siegfried was thick and of average height, Fabian was tall and thin like a tree branch. It almost looked that He was going to snap in half at any moment.

The one feature that they shared was their vivid red hair. A common trait of their family.

"Sieg!, my dear cousin. I have missed you every day!." He said while moving his arms for more emphasis. Fabian is very fond of flowery language and empty flattery.

"Is good to see you too Fabian. Please take a seat. Albert will bring us some refreshments." Siegfried gave the butler a look and this one left the room after giving a bow.

Fabian gave Siegfried a look from head to toe and made a slightly surprised gesture.

"My! You look fantastic!. Have you lost weight?"

"Just a few pounds. But, you did not come here just to see me, isn't that right?." Siegfried's sharp glare and words took Fabian aback.

Siegfried has always been quite naive and easy to manipulate, especially by his cousin. If there was something that Fabian wanted from Siegfried, He always found a way to get it from him. And the last thing that Fabian wanted from him was his newest maid, Mary. Not only was she young and beautiful, but she was also a virgin.

"Well...I have heard many rumors about young Lord Siegfried having a sudden change of attitude after that nasty incident at the Red Forest. I see that those rumors were not unfounded." Said Fabian with a more forced smile.

'Rumors, uh?. That's a stupid way of admitting placing informants inside our manor. I guess He is not afraid of repercussions.'

Despite Siegfried being the main heir of the Lancaster Lord. His cousin's part of the family is not much lower in status. It's all thanks to Fabian's father, who is quite the genius when it comes to administration and economics.

Because of his skills, He has been asked for advice by many important nobles and even some people from the Great General family.

During these last few weeks, Siegfried has not wasted any time. When He was not training or cultivating, He was reading. He has learned a lot about the events that occurred after his untimely death. And He has also studied the local politics surrounding his family.

He never liked to play the political game but He is still too weak to defend himself if He were to offend someone powerful, so it is imperative to at least know who the important families are.

Taking Siegfried's silence as an answer, Fabia sighed.

"I guess you are not going to tell me what brought this change. Oh well. Let's get to business then. You and I made bet, my dear cousin. I hope you haven't forgotten that."

"I haven't. But I'm sure you have a written copy in case I did." Siegfried said.

"Please, dear cousin. Your words wound me." Fabian made a dramatic gesture.

"So...do you have the promised Crimson Lily?"

"You know I do not." Said Siegfried shaprly.

"Quite unfortunate...then, I shall take my spoils. Where is the maid? Mary was her name, right?." Fabian looked around.

"I have something else to offer you instead." Although he barely knows those girls, He didn't like the idea of giving away a person like it was some object to trade. Especially not to a guy like Fabian.

"Oh?, I hope you are not going to offer me your other maid. She may have nice tits but she is too old for my tastes."

Siegfried grunted at the claim. He knows about his cousin's tastes after doing some research on him. Despite being nineteen years old already, He only has very young maids, from twelve to seventeen. He never takes anyone older than that. Once they reach eighteen, Fabian sends them away and looks for some younger replacements.

It should come as a surprise that He would want Mary, who is already eighteen years old, but Siegfried has the suspicion that Fabian just enjoys taking away anything that 'belongs' to him.

He is probably just planning on taking her virginity and then sending her as a gift to one of his friends.

"No, is not Teresa either." Siegfried stood up and walked to a nearby shelve. He picked up a small wooden box and carried it to the table in front of Fabian.

"This is?" Fabian asked, looking intrigued at what his cousin had planned.

"Open it." Said Siegfried.

Fabian did so. Inside the box was a beautifully carved crystal wand. Made from the very rare Crystal Lizards that can be found in the south.

"A wand? Cousin, you know that I don't study magic. I follow my father's steps with administration and economics." Said Fabian, not understanding why Siegfried would offer him something He had no use for.

"You may not need it. But, you are friends with Charles Artois, the first heir of the high-tier Magus family of Artois." Said Siegfried.

Fabian looked at him with interest and then gazed back at the wand.

"This is a high-quality wand made from the rare crystal lizard and with a blood ruby embedded in it. Even a Rank 2 Magus would gladly use it. The young Artois Lord will start at the Magus Academy this year. This would make quite a fantastic gift to him and will earn you a lot of favor with his family."

Fabian pretended to ponder for a minute, but Siegfried already knew that He was sold.

"Very well, my dear cousin. I will accept this deal." Fabian promptly took the wooden box and keep it close to him.

"I have to say. I am quite impressed with the changes you are showing. I can't wait to see where this goes."

What Fabian actually wanted to say was 'I will keep a closer eye on you because I don't trust you one bit.'