Young Master Mark Rook

Mark Desmond Rook, or more popularly known as Young Master Rook was one of the youngest nobles to achieve his position in the Empire's rule, not counting the inherited titles. It was an achievement worth everything and was the talking point for the whole capital four years back when Young Master Rook had rendered meritorious service and was rewarded with the title of Noble by the Emperor himself. 

Though he himself belonged to the long inherited Noble Military Family, headed by his Father. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that the Rook Family was the one of the four pillars that were propping up the Empire's rule over the whole continent. 

Thus, even if Mark Rook achieved nothing in his life, he was still going to be exceptional owing to his background alone. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth and well on his way to become a prominent figure thanks to his Father's position of General of the one of the four main armies of the Empire, he still achieved something on his own that could not be underestimated.

Like all his brothers and sisters, he was trained hard since his childhood. But being son of such a prestigious family comes with its own downsides, like he was expected to follow the footsteps of his elder siblings into the army and climb the ranks of the military continuing the family tradition. 

But it was then, Mark gave people an unexpected surprise as he refused his Father's orders to join the military and instead left his family. He walked out from their governed land and came to the capital to live alone, away from family and their influence. 

A lot of the people expected this youngster to fall off the grid due to walking out from the protective wings of Rook Family, they argued that without his surname he couldn't be anything more than a rich useless brat. They thought that conservative Rook Family would surely cut off his name from their family genealogy. 

Though it was a shocking turn of events, unexpectedly the Militaristic Rook family didn't disown their child contrary to the expectation of the public and the other nobles. Instead they began to clear up defaming rumors behind the scenes to crush the bad opinion formed in public like 'him being a coward' to protect their young master's reputation. 

But to maintain respect for their child's resolve, the support they extended to him was just limited to this. 

In just one and half years, Mark, who was being ridiculed by everyone in secret yet only supported by the Rook Family from the shadows, achieved this feat of being the youngest Noble in Empire's history. He was welcomed back into the Rook family with a boisterous celebration which was akin to a slap in the face of critics. 

From there he had been part of the Royal court instead of the military, extending the direct branch of the Rook Family into the Empire's Politics. Some people with greater visions even conjectured that it was a grand political scheme of General Rook to extend his family's influence into the Royal court, overcoming limitations of being a Military general. 

Ignoring all these dark rumors, right now this prodigal young master was frowning hard as he was reading a few documents while sitting in the recreation room of the Southern library. 

"Young Master may I?"

Mark Rook didn't glance up from the papers he was reading, but still answered in a relaxed voice.

"You know it, Avery. I never stopped you from expressing your opinion. You can talk to me freely, there is no need to think twice before speaking your mind in front of me. 

You might be my maid but I think you are more of my Secretary, considering I appreciate your help more in administrative work than personal chores."

Avery, a girl of almost the same age as Young Master Rook, was dressed in official robes of Palace clerks albeit in yellow color rather than official Grey to distinguish herself as a personal servant of a Noble rather than Palace worker. 

She was at this moment writing reports on the behalf of her Young Master, who was the administrative Master of the Southern Library of the Capital Skuph. She knew her Employer and Master's wishes but still preferred to ask before blurting out comments that seem to be her stepping out of her bounds, 

"Young Master, why are you spending your time in waste by lying here doing nothing in the South Library? Shouldn't you be doing something else right now? "

Mark stretched up from his reclining chair and chuckled after looking at the shrewd girl who was writing suggestions in place of him in the reports seriously. Clearly even while asking a question, her hand didn't stop even for once, writing continuously on the paper. 

"This is called lazing around. I thought by now you would have become familiar with my nature. Napping and doing nothing are the only two things I like to do best."

"Young Master, you are aware I am not asking about it. "

Mark sighed silently as he once again reaffirmed the personality of this girl in his mind. She was almost a perfect worker, and could be called a professional for her work ethics but the only downside to this was that she was too serious. It's been the same since three years back when he picked her up as his personal maid from the servants chosen by the Rook Family. 

"I know you are referring to the High Princess's orders." Mark slumped back on the reclining sofa weakly like a sack of potatoes completely unlike his reputation in the public. To the shock of everyone who knows him, In private, he was completely opposite to his portrayed character outside. 

Handsome, refined, soft spoken yet having a gentlemanly side, the public believes he was like the romantic and best bachelor Noble found in the capital. But here in reality, completely unlike his reputation, he was just an average slob with the laziness of a rich kid ingrained in his bones. He yawned leisurely as he answered her doubts, 

"I have already given orders to the People under me. I can't do much other than wait, after all, you don't expect me to run by myself to collect reports from all over the place. 

Moreover, you know it is better for me to not go there, at a military enclave, at any cost. Who knows which of my siblings could be visiting there randomly? Last thing I want is running into them."

Avery finished the final report, which she neatly placed over the stack of paper on her right side. She then turned towards the slumped Mark and adviced seriously, 

"First of all, they are not workers under you. They are librarians and people of the Southern Library. Just because you are administrator of the Library you don't have authority to order them your personal work. In the end, they are employees of Southern Library, a building directly under the Emperor, thus the state employees. 

And I indeed know about… your relationship with your siblings but you should also remember that the High Princess has directly taken this task from the Emperor. She must be completely serious to see it being completed as fast as possible. If she finds out that you are doing just barely…"

At this moment, a knock sounded from outside making Avery stop her nagging as she hurriedly stood up and walked outside to receive the messenger. She was surprised to see three Shadow guards standing before her, to which she immediately noticed that two of them were wearing Owl masks while one was wearing standard Shadow guard robes. 

She made them wait in the Administration office, as she informed Mark who was about to fall asleep in his recreation room adjoining the office. Mark stood up in slight annoyance, as he smoothed the wrinkles of his robe, and then slightly adjusted the gold ring on his finger. Upon checking everything is right, he walked out with his familiar smile and a folding fan in his hand. 

Though he had arrived in the office with an air of carefree Young Noble, his brows soon furrowed as he heard the message of Shadow guard sent by Owl Shadow Master. He glanced towards two Owl division Shadow Guards, who returned his gaze fearlessly yet with empty emotion making him marvel inwardly at their training. 

"So Shadow Master wants me to catch.. this Auky fellow?"

Messenger Guard corrected slightly, "Kill him, not catch. Shadow Master implied that time is sensitive right now, we can't afford to waste resources on petty criminals like him. Thus he will receive appropriate punishment on the spot for his crime. 

And it is Aukhy Auburn, sir."

Mark rolled his eyes inwardly as he noticed the impulsion in the tone of the Messenger who obviously was trying his best to convey the intentions of the Shadow Master to him as a sign of goodwill. Last thing this guard wanted was to offend this Noble or Shadow Master if he didn't relay the order of killing the criminal correctly. 

Mark once again reviewed the report and then gave a sigh to accept the deal. What else could he do? Even though he was noble, and was eligible to hire private Warriors or Army he was lazy in nature and didn't bother with all of this extravagance. Also most of the reason was that he was living under the Rook family name in the Capital thus no need to hire any separate security to himself. 

But now for such obvious violent errands, he felt the need for some personal warriors. Obviously he was embarrassed to ask for Rook family Warriors. Thus he requested a Shadow Master he was slightly familiar with, in the name of High princess's orders, to lend him a few Soothsayers. 

He waved off the messenger and then turned towards the two shadow Guards. Suddenly there was a change of air in the room as two guards immediately felt the aura of this dainty Young Master change abruptly. If earlier he was giving off the impression of a carefree brat, now he is giving pressure akin to a strong San Soothsayer just like their Master.

'Is this Young Noble that strong?'

"Look I am not giving you any shady work but it is still a private matter. And I prefer you to maintain absolute secrecy. You won't be telling anybody whatever I am going to delegate to you, right?"

Before two shadow guards could answer, he added succinctly, 

"Of Course except your Shadow Master. But you can only tell him after you finish my work, not in the middle. Understood?"

Two owl guards exchanged a glance within themselves and then nodded seriously. They then together bent down on one knee and greeted their temporary master. 

"Your orders sir."

*************************

Avery brought a glass of lemonade along with a few slices of cake to the table of the office, placing it in front of silently musing Mark Rook. He looked at her, and then mumbled out loud, 

"Thanks but I told you there is no need to do these tasks by yourself."

Ignoring him, she asked. "Young master you sent those guards for that purpose but what about this criminal who had snuck into the capital?"

There was a slight annoyance on the face of Mark as he took a sip of lemonade, and winced at the sourness of the drink. She had made it exactly like he had requested without sugar, fresh lime juice mixed with cold water enough to refresh the dull mind. 

"What else? I have to do it myself."

Avery nodded as she had long expected it. She informed mechanically, 

"I will contact the family to get the whereabouts of such a fellow in the Inner city. I will also prepare a black robe and mask for you. But please take care to not raise much ruckus in the night. "