Chapter 27: Lord Raphael

"What's so good about him?" Van questioned. He wanted to know more about their new boss. 

"Didn't you hear what he said?" The man said through a mouthful of food. "He dressed us! He'll give us good food!" He wildly gestured to his plate. "And money!" 

"What will we spend the money on?" Van raised an eyebrow. "Unless we're allowed to leave the estate?"

"I heard Lord Raphael allows his servants to retire when they become too old to work."

The woman joined the conversation.

"I also heard he lets some servants go out to the town for some shopping once a month, and they can buy things for themselves with their allowance." 

That gave Van an idea. If he couldn't get information about Fendor from Lord Raphael's manor, he would have to try and get picked to go shopping. If his allowance by that time was enough to buy books…

"Does Lord Raphael have a library?" Van asked them, changing the subject. The man nodded while chewing.

"Are servants allowed to use it?" 

The man shrugged. "You'll have to ask him, or that butler from earlier."

He then gave Van a serious look. "But don't be too carefree with him. Remember, we're still servants. Be careful not to offend him."

Van nodded. Soon, they all finished their meals, and the butler that brought them there cleared up their plates before taking them around the manor, assigning them their posts.

The manor had many halls and countless rooms, each one furnished with luxurious decorations and made from expensive materials. After the rest were placed at different parts of the manor, Van was led to the garden, near the edge of the manor.

"Your job is to trip the bushes and water the plants. Just make sure there aren't any branches or thorns poking out, then cut it rounder."

Upon giving the instructions, the butler left. Van picked up some shears before scratching his head. He sighed. 

'Gotta work hard if I want access to that library.' Van thought as he started cutting branches. 'I'll let some time pass before I ask him.'

Van spent the day tending to the plants, only stopping during mealtime or when the butler called him to take a break. At night, lights appeared to illuminate the garden, and Van continued working until the servants were called to sleep.

'So there's a curfew…' Van thought, noticing that there were no guards patrolling the grounds except for those stationed at the gates. 'And no security?'

Entering his room, Van saw a plain bed and a window that faced the forest. Van contemplated escaping, but quickly shook his head. 

'No point in escaping right now. Not when I don't know anything yet.'

With that in mind, Van lay down and went to sleep.

******

Van patiently worked for two weeks, spending his breaks relaxing around the mansion, looking to spot Lord Raphael while he's not busy. 

That morning, Van was in one of the hallways, watching the servants work on the grounds through a window. He was eating a sandwich, keeping an eye out-

'There he is!' 

Van saw Lord Raphael walking down the hallway, the two cloaked figures right behind him as usual.

'Here it goes.' 

Van quickly tossed his sandwich out of the window, apologizing in his head to whoever has to clean it up, and approached Lord Raphael.

"Excuse me, Lord Raphael, if you are not busy, may I please speak to you?" Van bowed his head.

"Of course. You're one of the new ones, by the garden, yes?" He asked. Van nodded his head, still bowing. "Come to think of it, I don't think I managed to catch your name?"

He gestured for Van to raise his head. Van wondered if he should give his real name. 

'I'm in a different world anyway, so…' 

"Van Brown, my lord." Van said, quickly adding the last part. 

"Hmm, I've never heard a name like that before. Are your parents from the Eastern lands? Or Southern, perhaps?" Lord Raphael asked, stroking his chin.

"I-I was an orphan, my lord. I did not know my parents…" Van thought quickly.

"Hmm, nevermind then. Walk with me," He gestured to Van, who followed. "What is it you wanted to speak to me about?" He smiled at Van.

'I wonder if that smile is genuine, or he's just a good actor.' 

"I risk overstepping my boundaries, but…" Van averted his eyes. "I wish to use my lord's library."

Lord Raphael stopped, turning to Van with a questioning look. 

"Why?" He asked. 

"I wish to expand my knowledge, my lord." Van answered. Lord Raphael took a step closer to him. 

"That does not answer my question. Why?" His friendly demeanor shifted, ever so slightly. Van felt the cloaked figures focus on him. He knew he had to come up with something fast. 

"I-I never had the chance to be educated, my lord, s-so I thought that, if I were to gain access to your library, I would finally be able to do more with myself…" 

Van trailed off, not knowing what to say anymore. Fortunately, it seemed to have worked, as Lord Raphael's gaze softened. 

"How old are you?" He had returned to his warm self. 

"I am 17-" 

"Yes, that makes sense. Come, I shall allow you access." He turned a corner, and the excited Van followed. 

'He bought it.' 

"Excuse my wariness from earlier," Lord Raphael waved his hand.

 "It's more of my personal study instead of a library, really. It's quite small. I was just a little paranoid that you were looking for some of my important files, but seeing as you referred to it as a library, I doubt you knew about those." 

"I-I see, my lord." Van indeed didn't know about the files, and he certainly didn't know that the "library" was actually his boss' personal study!

"Here we are, I hope you'll remember the path."

Lord Raphael pushed a pair of doors open, revealing a small room lined with bookshelves, the far side of the room holding a map of Fendor, a desk, and a smaller bookcase with a lock behind it.