Meeting

Next morning

First POV

I awoke from a deep slumber, my internal clock urging me to rise. Groggily, I opened my eyes and found myself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. Initially confused, the events of the previous night quickly flooded back to me.

"Right, we're at the Marquess's castle. Mother and father must be at the estate in the territory," I mused, running a hand through my hair.

My body still not fully recovered from last night ordeal but, I was still much better than yesterday 

I stretched my body to relive the sleepiness

'Odd have I gotten physically stronger' I thought 

Normally after workout my physical strength increases but after I become 1 star the improvement was minimal 

'Is it because of yesterdays fight or.... the poison' I thought 

Although it may sound ridiculous I was able to control the poison from doing any harm to my body. The thought lingered in my mind, but I decided to set it aside for the time being.

I left the bed and headed to the changing room. As I was getting dressed, I heard a knock on the door.

"Young Master, are you awake?" It was May.

"Yeah, I'm up," I replied, running a comb through my messy hair.

"Good morning, Young Master," May greeted me with a smile.

"Good morning, May," I returned the smile, relieved to see her looking better after yesterday's events. However, the memory of yesterday caused my face to flush with embarrassment. Fortunately, May was preoccupied sorting the bed, so she didn't notice.

"Young Master, let's go to breakfast," May suggested.

"Okay," I agreed.

Following May, we made our way to the breakfast area. The castle appeared even more magnificent in the morning light, contrasting with the darkness of the night before.

I admired the grandeur of the castle as we walked towards the dining hall.

Along the way, I encountered Eleanor

"Good Morning Vergil" Eleanor said as she greeted me 

"Good Morning Lady Eleanor" May greeted to whom Eleanor nodded 

"Good Morning Eleanor.. Elie" I said while changing my way of addressing her as she glared at me, then she smiled at me

"How are you feeling today, all better" she asked about my condition

"All good " I said

"Are you going for breakfast" Eleanor said

"Yes, I was going to the guest room for breakfast" I said as I had already Inquired about it from May

"No good why would you go there, come with me" she said as she began to pull my hand toward the main dining Hall

"Elie I am a guest here so it would be inappropriate of me to go there" I said as I stopped her

"No Vergil you are not a guest you saved my life, it is the least I could do for you" she said adamant about taking me there

"But..." I tried to reason

"No Buts you will come with me Father also wanted to meat you" Eleanor said as she dragged me

I looked at May for help, but she also gave me a helpless smile

"Okay, okay... I will go with you... so stop pulling me" I said as I sighed in defeat

When I said this she noticed how she was holding my hand, she hurriedly stopped holding my hand, but then she became embarrassed

"Now Elie lead the way" I said as I pretended to not notice her embarrassment

I knew the Marquess would want to meet me, but this is too sudden, I am not even dressed properly to meet him, in order to distract myself I asked 

"where Is Eliza?" I asked Elie 

"she went to her estate in the city, but she said she would come here before going to the ball"

Another gathering this time no less 'The Ball' basically a dancing party, all of this is giving me a headache. As I was mentally screaming we reached the dinning hall

The hall much larger than our own with rows of maid and servants ready to serve, in the center of table The Marquess already sitting in the main seat around him were his two wives on either side, It would seem the sons were not here

"Good Morning Father, Mother, Aunt" Eleanor greeted them politely

"Good Morning Lord Marquess, Mrs. Bellatorius" I greeted them formally 

"Ah.. Good morning Elie" Her mother greeted her warmly but the aunt only nodded at her

She looked at me and smiled at my greeting, But the other lady ignored me

"Good Morning little troublemaker" Marquess said dotingly as his stern eyes became soft looking at Eleanor

"Father please don't say like that" Eleanor flustered at her father calling her troublemaker

"Ahh young one, you must be Vergil, right I wanted to meet you yesterday but I couldn't because of some matters" The Marquess said as he looked at me, than he stood up and came to me and patted my shoulder

"Thankyou Vergil for saving my daughter, I truly am grateful to you" he said 

"Please don't do this Marquess, I was simply doing what everyone would do in that situation, and Lady Eleanor is my friend, Its only right to help each other in times of trouble" I said politely but my shoulder began to hurt from that mountain like arms

"What a polite gentleman, come have breakfast with us" He said clearly satisfied with my answer

 I sat next to Eleanor who sat next to her mother, we began to Eat as Marquess Bellatorius began to ask some question time to time while I answered them carefully,

After we eat breakfast Marquess said

"Well Vergil, as I said before I truly am grateful for saving my daughter, as a reward you can take any one thing from the treasury" Marquess said 

At his word both Eleanor Mom and his first wife looked at him in astonishment as they did not expect him to be so generous

"I am very honored to be valued like this Marquess, but please I did not save Lady Eliza for any reward, I simply helped her because she was in danger" I said as I tried to respectfully decline the reward

Now the looked at me in a strange way, I mean they thought I would jump at the occasion

The Marquess also looked at me, surprised by my response

"I know Vergil you did it for the sake of friendship between Elie and you, as her father and the head of Bellatorius family It would besmirch my honor If I don't reward my daughters savior" He said as he explained his intention

I looked at him for a second and than I nodded

"Than I will thank the Marquess for showing such generosity" I said genuinely 

Looking at it now, it would be rude to refuse again, so I accepted. Plus, I needed some artifacts, so I saw this as an opportunity to choose something I liked, May be I will get something nice from the treasury

Soon everyone finished eating and drinking tea so Marquess bade farewell to attend to his duties, shortly after the first wife also took her leave 

leaving only me, Eleanor and her mother at the table

"Although my husband has said this but still I wanted to personally thankyou for your action" Eleanor Mother said

"No need Madam As I said I saved her because I wanted to " I repeated the something as I said to the Marquess

"Okay Mom stop it, Vergil has already accepted our thanks. don't go over and over again" Eleanor said clearly she felt everyone was overly polite

"Right right Elie you must be shy, seeing as he mentioned you being his friend" Her mother clearly teased her knowing full well about her daughter

"Mom stop it" Eleanor said trying to stop her mother from speaking

I looked at there interaction with smile as It reminded me I have to leave to the estate as well, May told me that Sebastian would be coming to get me

"Okay enough of this lets go Vergil" her mother said as she had enough teasing her daughter

"Where My lady?" I asked

"Of course to get your reward what else" Elie said clearly intending to make fun of me

"Ah.. Yes please" I said as I followed her mother out of the dinning hall 

.....

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.

I value your feedback, so please take a moment to rate, review, and leave a comment. Additionally, if you're inclined, please consider giving this work power stones.

Author