03 - Lafrey Family

Secilia stood in front of the mansion's entrance gate, looking at it. She liked her home, but the feeling of being there was always one of obligation and not of rest, though not like a prison; the feeling always bothered her. After a moment of reverie, she heard her mother calling her and went straight to the vinery area.

Taking a deep breath, she walks only a few steps away from her mom, keeping a disheartened expression on her face. Upon reaching the vinery and entering the place, the girl sees her father near the center, a tall figure with dark hair as the night and eyes highlighted by radiant green. A man who, even without reasons to master the art of combat, had trained most of his life to the point of being one of the best swordsmen in his kingdom, Aldena. This was evident in his muscles contrasting with his dark blue vest with black inner clothing and the absence of a tie; his stiff expression stood out behind a well-groomed beard, making him appear younger than he really is.

"How are the wine preparations for the festival? We'll be receiving some important guests; I want everything in order."

 the Duke asks with a serious tone matching his deep voice. The man next to the Duke hands him a clipboard. Secilia stands at the door, waiting for her father's inspection; she knows well that it represents the amount of production and harvest, as well as the requested wine boxes.

"Very well, I want 15 boxes sent to Ildens Hjerte Inn and the same amount to Cyclops Ojne Inn. Inform Tales to check the surroundings of the coast and if all caravans outside the wall are well allocated. Also, inform the harvesters that after the 13th day of the solar fortune (July), they will have 7 days off"

 the Duke instructs, and his assistant nods. Soon after, he turns to the door, bowing to notify Helena and Secilia of their arrival. Duke Laffrey gestures for the man to leave, handing him the clipboard.

"Where have you been, Secilia? If I remember correctly, you have classes until 12 o'clock," 

the man walks towards the girl with his hands behind his vest and looks her up and down, emphasizing his almost 2-meter stature.

"Y-yes, but I..."

"You go picking apples again... or were you meeting with that boy... Clark?" 

he interrupts with a stern and direct tone, his presence always intimidating and frightening the girl, making her shrink.

"I was picking apples," 

Secilia answers without elaborating on the story; she knew how much her father hated that, and it would be even worse if she did.

"You shouldn't waste time on that. Just ask the maid to bring you the apple; you have more important things to learn. Jeriak said you missed the morning class, any other important reason for it?"

She knew what he wanted, for her to admit that she was with Clark practicing archery, but she couldn't do that, or it would be trouble for Clark and his family.

"No, sir," 

The Duke sighs and follows in silence to the back doors of the winery; both women follow him in silence.

The door opens to a small garden of white roses with a pathway in the center. The group heads towards a hexagonal gazebo. Although Secilia wished to sit and rest, her father continued towards the mansion, and both women followed him..

The interior of the mansion is adorned in white and blue details with silver objects covering the furniture.

"Helena, could you accompany Secilia to the music room? Her teacher is waiting for the morning lesson," 

the man says, placing his left hand under the staircase. Helena nods in agreement as she escorts Secilia, who walks with her head down to the second floor, passing by her father.

Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Secilia proceeds from the right side of the corridor, passing a family portrait. In the painting, Secilia is just a child, standing alongside Andino, Helena, and Theodor, her older brother who was about to study abroad.

After passing the painting, they both arrive at the music room. Helena stops in front of the door, looks at Secilia with a smile, and opens it for her daughter, who takes a deep breath and enters the room.

"Hello, Secilia, shall we begin the lesson?" 

her teacher says calmly, holding a violin. Secilia walks to her chair, picks up a violin, and sits down, looking at the strings.

"The servants will call you when lunch is ready." 

Helena says just before closing the door.

After a few hours, the maid with blue hair and purple eyes arrives at the door, knocking once before opening it.

"Lunch will be ready in a few moments; the Duke and Duchess await you in the dining room," 

The teacher stops playing her violin, places it on her lap, and offers a gentle smile.

"Alright, you may go ahead, Miss Secilia. I'll put away the instruments and join you in the dining room shortly."

Secilia rises, places the violin on the chair, and performs a simple curtsy, lifting the sides of her dress as she calmly exits.

"Where have you been today, Rosaria?"

 Secilia asks after leaving the room, trying to maintain a calm smile on her face.

The maid waited for Secilia to walk ahead before responding.

"Miss Helena allowed me to attend to my personal matters in the city."

"A shame; I wanted you with me there while..."

Rosaria clears her throat, signaling her to be cautious with her words.

"Picking apples, but I know you wouldn't let me go."

Secilia notices a maid cleaning one of the rooms; as she passes, the maid sighs, and Rosaria shakes her head.

After descending the stairs from the second floor, the women head to the dining room, a large rectangular area with a table that covers a significant portion of it, with seating for up to 10 people.

"Take a seat, Secilia," 

Says the Duke, seated in the chair at the end of the table opposite the door; Helena is seated in the chair right of the Duke.

Secilia silently takes her seat on the left of her father.

"How are your music lessons? Is the violin teacher interesting?"

Helena asks calmly, shifting her gaze to Secilia and maintaining a smile.

"She is an excellent teacher. She told me her came from Mascaly," 

Secilia responds to her mom instantly, looking at her with a smile, while her dad seems calm in his chair.

"Mascaly?"

"A village further south, Vivin," 

Andino answers his wife's question; he looks at both of them.

"She was recommended by the director of the bard guild; she must be a great violinist."

The servants enter the room with various trays of food, placing them on the table and promptly withdrawing. Only three servants remain: Rosaria, Corvan, a young man with dark red hair and golden eyes, and Érica, a young woman with red hair, freckles on her face, and light green eyes. Rosaria stands beside Secilia, Corvan beside Andino and Érica beside Helena.

The teacher enters the room, making a brief curtsy with the tips of her dress.

"I apologize for the delay."

The Duke gestures for her to sit next to Secilia.

"How is your village, my dear?" 

Helena asks, serving food onto her plate.

"Oh, it's a simple place; we don't have big things there. It's a village that protects the south of Paratia," 

the Duchess replies.

"Protection? What dangers can there be so close to the city of discoveries?"

 the Duke asks, holding a glass of juice and taking a sip.

"The forest has some rare creatures that are important to assist the artisans, but there are also illegal hunters who invade the forest territory. So, we patrol to prevent that. There are also the dangers of nature that could disrupt the city."

"I see. Your village seems like a simple place but quite important," 

says the Duke, putting a piece of stuffed chicken on his plate. The Duchess nods in agreement.

"How do you think Teodor has been? It's been two years since he joined the order of the knights," Secilia asks without directing the question to either of her parents.

"He..."

"He's well, said he's very busy with royal matters and won't be able to join this year's Kronblade," 

Andino responds, interrupting his wife and calmly sipping the liquid in his glass.

"I'll ask him to bring something for you when he comes."

Secilia smiles and resumes eating.

"I miss him, but it would be too selfish to ask him to come... even though my birthday is on the last day of the festival..." 

the girl thinks, undoing her smile and starting to eat.

After lunch, the Duke gets up from his chair and glances at Secilia.

"I know you asked your mother for a day off before the festival tasks. I'll allow you to walk around the caravans and watch the event's organization. but, Rosaria should go with you."

The Duke indicates, looking at Rosaria, who, like Secilia, responds by nodding her head.

The girl shows herself extremely happy with that, a day off with no obligations, just relaxation.