4.

3 days later, we can finally see the gates of the Empire's capital.

During our travel, nothing interesting happened except for the fact that mountain bandits tried to rob us.

It was understandable, we look like easy targets after all, only one driver, no guards following us, and we have a rich looking carriage.

They tried raiding us at night but with Wilhelm protecting the carriage, they can't get close. I've wanted to join the fights but Wilhelm quickly made work of them, leaving a bitter smile on my face.

'This old man is a tad too overprotective.' I sighed with a bitter chuckle.

With the bandits out of the way, our journey towards the capital was smooth sailing. We didn't stop at the villages or town on the way since we're in a hurry. Don't want to waste the time of the current emperor and I've got to start the process of strengthening myself and the territory.

"Young Lord, we're nearing the capital." Wilhelm knocked on the carriage to make me pay attention.

"I know, Uncle." I said in reply.

We didn't have to line up to enter the Royal Capital because I'm from the noble family and a duke at that. The banner of the Blackwood Dukedom attached to our carriage caused the others to make way for us. Uncle Wilhelm then showed the letter of summons to the guard responsible for letting people enter the capital.

Uncle Wilhelm parked the carriage at the manor that we owned at the capital.

The place was extravagant and rich. I know the place like the back of my hand, I lived here for a good amount of years since I'm studying at the Hebrion Academy.

The area we owned was pretty large, it has a fountain as the centerpiece, a garden filled with well trimmed plants and flowers. On top of that, the back of the manor has a lake. A great amount of money was spent on building this place and maintaining it. The guards were also strong enough to capture any thief trying to take their chance to steal something inside.

The moment I got down of the carriage, the head butler and the head maid with a bunch of workers, welcomed me.

"We welcome the Young Lord. If you have anything you need, please let us know." The head maid said with her head bowed.

"Raise your heads and go back to your work." I waved my hands and the workers immediately left to go back and do their work, leaving us with the head butler and the head maid.

"This is the head butler of the Blackwood Dukedom, Wilhelm." I said and they understood what I'm trying to point out.

"I am Melissa, Young Lord. The head maid of the Blackwood Manor at the Royal capital." Melissa said and I nodded and looked at the head butler.

"Idom, Young Lord. The head butler of the Blackwood Manor at the Royal capital." Idom introduced himself.

This kind of subtle interactions are a norm for the nobles which honestly is a pain in the ass. I also know the two of them since they took care of my everyday life when I was studying at the Academy.

"Guide me to my room." I ordered and they bowed to me before raising their head.

"This way please." Melissa said as she made way while the head butler lead the way.

On the way, Melissa seems to be thinking of something and didn't know whether to speak about it or not. Noticing her hesitation, I stopped and looked at her.

"Speak." My voice made the two at the front stop and turn their back to look at us.

"My Lord, this may be presumptuous of me but may I know how my sister is doing at the Dukedom's Manor?" Melissa asked while feeling nervous. This is her first time meeting me and she didn't know my attitude.

"Aunt Lisa is doing well, you don't have to worry about her. You can visit her when we return if you want to." I said with a gentle smile.

Melissa and Aunt Lisa are sisters by blood and their family have served us for ages. Melissa also took good care of me when I was studying and treats me like a grandson she never had.

Most of my parent's servants are handpicked by my grandmother, who died of old age, personally and treats them really good making them loyal to our family and served us for a long time.

Hearing my words, Melissa plopped down on all fours while bowing hear head.

"Thank you, Young Lord, for giving me the opportunity." Melissa said with tears forming in her eyes.

"Looks like you haven't met each other for quite a long time. Raise your head and rise up." I said with a chuckle as she stood up and raised her head. Seeing the end of the fiasco, Idom turned around and continued leading the way for us.

When we reached my room, I told them that Wilhelm and I have some business to talk to. They bowed their heads and left the two of us alone. I entered the room and a burst of nostalgia slammed my heart.

This is the place where I spent the time studying my magic. In the past, this room has been rebuilt for a lot of times that I lost count because of experiments that have gone wrong.

I can't help but chuckle because a lot of explosions will be taking in this place once more.

I didn't intend on using my parent's room and wanted it preserved and clean. Its one of the few memories I have with my parents and I don't want it disturbed that's why my room is at the opposite side of their room and office. The manor is a U shaped manor and their room is at the west wing while mine is on the east wing.

"Young Lord, let me notify the Royal Court and the Emperor of your arrival." Wilhellm said to me.

"Before you go, do you think the nobles will make a move right away, to catch us off guard?" I asked Wilhelm.

"I don't think there would be at the moment. Their attention should be focused at the revolutionaries... but it seems like a feasible move, Young Lord. We need to be careful." Wilhelm said in reply.

"Inform the Royal Palace and do a scan on the manor. Find out about the spies in the manor and their master, but don't make a move yet. Letting them go for now will lower their guards at us, maybe forget us at the moment and won't consider us a threat. I'm sure they have already received the news about my arrival." I said and Wilhelm's eyes lit up.

'The Young Lord's idea may be the best move right now. A brilliant move to shift their eyes away at us.' Wilhelm thought to himself.

"Understood." Wilhelm left the room.