The Duke's lounge was darkly lit, with a roaring fireplace and thick rugs under our feet. Banners, mounted trophies of beasts, and bookshelves filled with antique tomes ran along the walls. In many ways, it looked similar to Leon's room at the Academy, and I suspected this was a purposeful choice on his part. After all, this room was where Duke Estton spent most of his time, and it would make sense that Leon would emulate his father.

Dark brown leather couches, made from magic beast hides that he hunted over the years, sat against the walls and several large chairs faced inward. The room seemed built to feel comfortable and friendly, which, when combined with meals, led most to let their guards down around the Duke. I doubted this was intentional, and thought it was far more likely a reflection of the man's friendly and honest nature. The Estton's had a reputation for being particularly honor-bound, feeling that some nobles had fallen too far in recent years.

I felt the better option was to subtly lace their food with intoxicants or serve strong alcohol to guests, but those sorts of underhanded tactics went against his sense of honor.

Sitting in a large chair, facing towards the door was Duke Rufus Estton, the lord of the plains and master wood mage. While he had retired years ago from combat, I knew from stories that he remained a fierce combatant, and as I stretched out my senses, what I felt confirmed the rumors. His mana was incredibly pure and dense, at least three stages above my own and at least in the top ten strongest mages I had encountered.

"Leon, Sophia, I am glad you have returned. You as well, Vayne. Please, take a seat." Duke Estton said, breaking my focus as he gestured towards several open seats. Leon and Sophia sat down onto one couch, while I took the other, all facing the Duke and Girem.

"So, how did your trip go? I trust you learned some valuable lessons. And maybe managed to bring back some souvenirs I can mount? I'd love to be able to show off to my guest." Duke Estton said, a grin on his face as he turned towards his children.

"Unfortunately not, father. The masters did not want us to bring back anything from the beasts, to avoid leaving behind a visible trail, though we did manage to kill several each. More importantly, while on the trip, Vayne provided us with valuable counseling, recommending several potential tools and techniques for future training. I have a list of supplies I'd like to purchase with family funds. With your permission, of course." Leon replied, retrieving the parchment on which I had drawn my ideas.

Duke Estton nodded several times before turning to Sophia.

"Leon sounds satisfied with his trip. How about you, Sophia?"

"Yes, father. It went well, though I noted several deficiencies in my casting I will need to correct. I would also like to acquire several things, to patch holes in my style."

Duke Estton smiled and nodded, turning towards me and saying, "Excellent work, Vayne. I'm glad to hear you are helping my children. It seems we chose well with you."

Although I felt a twinge of nervousness, I knew this was as good a time as any to reveal my deceptions. At least now, I could use the Duke's good mood to lessen his anger.

"My lord, I am afraid I must confess something to you. During the previous semester, I learned several combat spells, specifically Mana Shield and Arcane Bolt. I am aware that it is custom for advisors not to learn combative skills, and to do so without permission was a breach of your trust and generosity. During our expedition into the wilds, I revealed this to my lord's children, but I felt I needed to tell you myself, rather than leave that unsavory task in their hands. Please forgive me, sir." I said, slipping off the couch and bowing low, placing my forehead against the ground.

Silence fell over the room, and I heard my heart pounding in my ears. I kept my breathing even and did not raise my head, instead continuing to stare down at the carpet.

"Well...this is certainly unexpected. I'm not entirely sure what to make of this." Duke Estton said, and I raised my head to see a conflicted look on his face. Girem, by contrast, glared at me, and if he possessed magic, I was sure I would be ashes by now.

"Please, leave us for now, Vayne. I believe we need some time to discuss appropriate measures. Go to the library, and we will send for you when we are ready."

Nodding, I rose and made my way down the hallway, ambling before arriving at my destination. The Estton family library used to look massive before the Academy, but now it seemed all too small. Striding around the room, I picked out a book on fairy tails I had snuck into my room as a child.

Sitting in one chair, I thumbed through the pages idly, reading through stories of mighty warriors saving kingdoms and marrying princesses. It struck me as ironic how none of the fairy tales mentioned political backstabbing and suppression and exploitation of others for your benefit. But then again, if they were realistic, they would not be stories told to children before bed to comfort them.

It was around a half-hour before a servant approached, silently nodding in my direction. I stood, passing the graying man before returning to the lounge where the Esttons and Girem awaited me.

"We have spoken at length, but I believe in fairness before handing down any judgment. Please, explain why it is that you chose to lie to us."

Nodding, I stood and turned to Sophia before saying, "My lady, please avert your eyes."

When she did not move, I sighed and reached up, unclasping my cloak and draping it along my chair. Quickly stripping off the armor I wore almost always the past month, I paused for only a moment before slipping my shirt over my head, revealing bare skin.

My build had filled out with lean, corded muscles from extensive training, though I was still shorter than most. And I noticed that my skin was paler than ever, as a consequence of covering most of my body from the sun. But most notable was my scars. The flat, silver line bisecting my abdomen's muscles, the dozens of slight slashes across my upper chest, and rings of bite marks along one forearm all stood out even against my fair skin.

"My lords, several months ago while on a trip into the city, I was attacked by thieves. They beat me, stabbed me and left me for dead. It was only due to luck and the assistance of a master that I was able to survive. This event revealed to me just how defenseless I was, even with your name serving as protection. And I realized after this that if not rectified, this would remain a problem. If I fell to an assassin's blade or a rabid beast, I could not serve your family and fulfill my life's duty. And so, I decided to rectify this problem by learning to protect myself." I said, folding my arms behind my back and staring into the Duke's eyes.

"Why didn't you inform Leon or Sophia of this? We could have tracked down the thieves and hung them for their crimes. And I see more than one scar on your body. It seems you did manage to bring back souvenirs." He remarked, examining my frame with keen eyes.

"Yes, sir. A wolf injured me during our hunt, though the blade that Master Leon gave me for defense saved my life. And in truth, I felt no need to burden either Master Leon or Mistress Sophia with my concerns. I survived, and they did not need to comfort me or seek justice for my mistreatment. It would be a waste of family time and resources, particularly since no one knew what happened, and your name remained untarnished."

"Is that all?" Duke Estton said after several seconds, leaning backward and rubbing his short beard with one hand.

"Yes, sir. I do not want to make excuses for my actions. All I can do is beg for your forgiveness and throw myself to your mercy." I replied, once more kneeling on the ground with my forehead against the carpet.

I detected several whispers from the other side of the room, though I did not dare raise my head. Finally, I heard a cough and looked up to see Duke Estton staring down his nose at me.

"You lied to me and betrayed my trust, despite my generosity towards you. I raised you from poverty and gave you an opportunity only a handful of commoners will ever get, and in return, you went behind my back. And in doing so, you betrayed an unspoken rule of Ferris. You are an advisor, not a warrior."

He paused, and I felt sweat slowly run down my back as I waited in silence.

"However, your scars and your experiences in the wilds tell me that learning to protect yourself is not an entirely foolish idea. Furthermore, you showed clear promise by escaping death and killing a beast by yourself. And in the end, you used your experiences and training so far to advise my children. I will forgive this transgression this time and only this time, in light of your loyalty and your admission of guilt. But I will not forget, and you will receive no such leniency a second time. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," I replied again before pausing for a moment. I had one more suggestion to make, and hopefully one that the Duke would approve.

"My lord, if I may be so bold, I have heard of an additional class that I feel would benefit my training. It is known as Espionage, and focuses on skills more suited to my status as an advisor, particularly with regards to political maneuverings of the capital. I feel it may benefit the family if I worked this class into my schedule."

Girem raised an eyebrow, and the Duke nodded after a moment.

"I dislike such methods, but they have a time and a place. If nothing else, it will allow you to neutralize any attempts to plot against my family. I see no reason why you should not take this class in the future. Now then, leave us. I will call for you if the need arises." Duke Estton said, turning his gaze from me towards his children.

I bowed low, grabbing my clothes and slipping out of the room, moving through the mansion and returning to the servants quarters. The meeting had gone well enough, much better than I expected. It went too well, in fact, and I had escaped without any real punishments.

Why?

It made no sense, and in truth, I expected to lose any freedoms I enjoyed. Most lords would force me to submit to constant supervision. Some would throw in lashings with a whip. Duke Estton's reaction was more than unexpected. It was outright unheard of, and that made me more uncomfortable than I cared to admit.

Entering my bedroom, I sat on the cot and placed my head in one hand, thinking deeply. A few minutes passed before the door swung open, revealing a red-faced Girem.

"How dare you?" He whispered, crossing the room in several long strides.

I did not reply, lowering my gaze towards the floor and mentally bracing myself for his rage.

"You should thank the gods above that Duke Estton showed you such mercy. If it were up to me, you would on the streets and forced to beg for food. As it was, it was only due to the outspoken pleas of both of the young masters that you escaped severe punishment. If you ever step out of line again, I will personally make you regret daring to sully the Estton name."

With those words, Girem turned on his heel and stalked out of my room, slamming the door shut behind him. I felt a stab of guilt, but sighed and shook my head. I knew there would be consequences to my admittance, and if I lost the Duke and Girem's trust in me, so be it. I could live without their approval, though the slight stinging in my eyes told me I was more deeply affected than I expected.

However, something that Girem said gave me pause. The only reason I escaped punishment was due to the twins advocating for me.

Leon was not unexpected. He felt I was a friend, and although he was upset by my lies, he seemed sympathetic. But Sophia had no such friendly inclinations for me. She did not seem the sentimental type and, at best, tolerated my presence.

Why would she stand up for me, and advocate for leniency? There were only two reasons that came to mind. She felt some sense of friendship and loyalty towards me, or she wanted something from me and needed me around still. And if she did need me for something, what was it?

As I laid in bed, I could not help but have a single thought running through my mind. Did I escape one problem, only to accidentally step into another one?