CH. 25

One hot, sunny day after being knocked flat onto my backside as usual, having suffered a particularly brutal beat down from Stoldt, when a certain horse drawn carriage wound its way up to the house. The crest proudly displayed against it was one I was all too familiar with.

"Looks like there's a visitor. Break time. Take a breather."

Stoldt grunted and relaxed against a tree, drinking from a flask.

Picking myself up from the ground and dusting myself off, I dreaded what would come out from within the confines of that carriage. If it was who I expected it to be, then my life was about to become a roller coaster.

I had just finished getting settled into my routine and was very comfortable with it. I didn't need nor want anything else to appear that would interrupt the simplicity of it.

"Hey, Lilly!"

"Yes big brother?"

I called Lilly over from her usual placement of observing the sparring session. Running over to me she stood expectantly waiting for what it was I had called her over for.

"Could you go and get, uh, Keiran? Looks like we have an important guest arriving."

"You mean pappa? Dunno why you still don't call him that. Same with mumma…"

"Ok… Father then. Could you go notify him please?"

Eyeing me with narrowed eyes grumpily for a moment, she then took off running to the house where Keiran was holed up.

"Listen kid, I don't particularly enjoy dealing with nobles. Your father being the exception. I'm just going to wait here for the time being. Besides, as the Baronet's son, it's your responsibility to welcome important guests."

"Thanks for your help Stoldt…"

I grumbled, making my way over to the carriage as it arrived at the entrance to the building. With a jerk of the reins, the servant driving the four-horse drawn carriage pulled them to a stop.

Filling with a growing sense of trepidation, I met the servant as he clambered down from the driver's seat and faced me.

"You are master Seth, yes? Son of Baronet Keiran Vite Brumann, I presume?"

Looking my dirtied clothing and bruised, exposed skin up and down with a slightly raised eyebrow, he made no mention of it and instead chose to ignore the subject.

Damn, even servants looked down on Baronets! We really were on the bottom rung when it came down to position and level of respect. At least there was still a level of respect held for the noble title that he refrained from questioning my appearance.

Or maybe he was just being polite… apart from the raised eyebrow!

"That I am. The Baronet should not be far away, I have already sent for him."

"Excellent."

The servant bowed and I inclined my head in response. Though he may not appreciate the title bestowed on the household, it still afforded a modicum of respect and adherence to protocol.

He was still a servant and the house still held a noble title, after all.

"Allow me to introduce the occupant and the purpose of this visit then."

Drawing the door open, out stepped a man in a showy, expensive robe with a dark green background and silver pattern, stitched throughout the fabric like a spiders web.

With eyes the color of pyrite and holding the same luster, it matched his grey hair which was shaved along the sides and the top length long enough to be tied in a top knot, matching in with a short, fashionable grey beard. Tall and lean, his build was certainly not one expected of a warrior and was more suited to a less than arduous job. His skin, unwrinkled and a pale white, gave his overall appearance of someone around the age of forty.

"Allow me to introduce-"

"So you're the Baronet's son I've heard so much about."

Cutting off the servant's introduction, the man looked down his nose at me. To say the reception was a frosty one would be an understatement. He made it clear that it wasn't so much a question, but rather a statement of fact.

His entire demeanor irked me something furious. But I had to maintain a professional, outward appearance or lest I shame Keiran by being rude.

"Allow me to introduce myself properly, I am Seth Vite Brumann, son of Baronet Keiran Vite Brumann, you are correct. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance…"

Bowing and presenting myself in the noble manner, I trailed off, not knowing exactly who it was that I was making introductions with.

Piercing me through, with that cold look of his which threatened to crack stone, the man continued to evaluate me in silence, not deigning to respond with his own introduction.

The servant as well, having been cut off by the man, kept his mouth closed and silently watched the interaction between the both of us. There was no way he was going to say anything, fearing bringing punishment upon himself for speaking out in this person presence.

Whoever he was, he held a position of power that gave him privilege of being shepherded here by the carriage of a very powerful and influential individual.

As the seconds ticked by, a sweat broke out on my forehead as I waited patiently for a response, any kind of response!

This awkward silence sucks…

I imagined an American cowboy type film, where two opponents faced each other for a shoot out and whilst waiting for the signal to begin, a gust of wind blew a rolling bundle of dried weed across the ground.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, I came as soon as I heard of your arrival."

Ah! Saved by Keiran who had finally decided now was the perfect time to show up and take control. Bowing in the noble way, he greeted the unknown guest. Lilly followed behind, hiding within his shadow and clutching her support toy, froggy.

"Sir Keiran Vite Brumann… It's been a long time since we've seen each other last. I was surprised to hear that you were still residing out this way, isolated so far away from the capital."

The man turned and bowed to Keiran in the noble manner, albeit his greeting somewhat stiff and forced.

So, the two of them knew each other? I looked between the two, wondering exactly how it was they were acquaintances. I had never seen this person before, so he definitely could not have been from the local area.

Plus, they arrived in a carriage bearing the house crest of a certain Duke. The capital or the dukedom were the only places this person spent their time.

Although, the relief that I felt when I realized a certain Duke's daughter hadn't randomly decided to visit and disturb my life, was immense. I could breathe a veritable sigh at that knowledge.

Not that I disliked her or anything like that. But the memories of our last encounter brought forth a stinging reminder of her incredibly sudden, and fierce slap which echoed against my cheek, for no reason that I could figure was deserving of such a treatment. I still hadn't worked out how to take her.

The two occasions we had met had brought me nothing but pain and suffering!

"Lord Lucas Renduard, it certainly has been some time since I laid my eyes on you, I am glad to see you in fine health. As for why I reside here, I quite enjoy the peaceful way of life. Although, sometimes that tranquillity is tested somewhat…"

Sending a meaningful look my way, Lord Lucas followed the point of his gaze. Wilting under both heavy looks, I knew exactly who Keiran was referring to and the particularity of those occasions.

Again! Not my fault!

"A specific event was mentioned to me, involving the house responsible for bringing me here. There is also another significant incident of interest that has been raised as well, which we may discuss at a more appropriate time."

Lord Lucas changed the point of topic, which was obviously me, and informed Keiran of another topic of business that required his input.

"Of course. Setting that aside for now, what is it that brings you out here in the first place? I cannot imagine this being an area you would willingly grace your presence with on your own volition." Kerian inquired.

"Where are those letters?"

"At once my Lord. I have them with me. Here."

The servant handed two closed envelopes to Lord Lucas, who glanced at the front of them, before handing one to Keiran and offered one to me.

Taking a hold of it, I noted my name was scrawled across the front in a large, cursive script. Flipping it around and looking at the pressed wax seal sealing it closed, I recognized the detailing of the house who sealed it.

"This is…"

"Yes, an envelope from the Duke's house meant for you. I assume you recognize the crest."

Lord Lucas answered my absentminded words. I hadn't meant to speak aloud but it had still slipped out.

"Of course I do!"

"Right. Don't act like you weren't aware then."

He coldly shut me down further.

Damnit guy, I knew who it belonged to, I was just talking to myself!

A rising sun back-dropped against a sword and shield, the same as on the carriage.

Duke Marcus Helios Astrea.