It's been two months since I've been made the acting attendant of Lady Madeline and we've grown closer in that time. To the outside world we still present ourselves as master and servant, but that kind of formality has long since disappeared between us in private.

Lately I’ve been wondering, if I brought up the prospect of my freedom in our conversations, would she be sympathetic or not?

Part of me believed she may be willing to grant me my wish as we have truly formed a close bond. Another part of me believed she would feel duty bound to not make the house of Armingtage look weak by setting a slave free due to a sob story. There was also the issue of me being the only thing she had close to a friend. Would that make her hesitant to free me due to fear of losing such a connection?

I decided it was too much of a risk. If she turned out to be against it then I would've put her on high alert. That would make my escape all but impossible as I needed the access she'd given me. So I chose to played the part of the happy attendant who was content to be in his position. Not that it was a bad position to be in.

I've gotten to explore the nearby town a number of times. On each occasion I've gone out I was able to carry a real sword in my hilt as I escorted Madeline. These were some of my favorite times during my entire stay.

The more I walked with it the more natural it felt, and I grew to miss the weight and feel of it there when it was gone. When we returned to the estate I needed to hand the weapon back to the guards. That never became less difficult

Madeline shared my love for sword play, it was one of our favorite subjects to discuss. She insisted it should be necessary for any fighter worth their salt to always carry a backup weapon, as well as 1 weapon on them at all times.

"Well, I guess you're not much of a fighter then. Where's your weapon right now Madeline?" I joked with her as we drank tea across from one another. She shrugged and pulled a dagger out from behind her back. It was the same one she held to my throat in our duel. I was surprised to say the least. Even while in her room drinking tea, she still had the dagger.

"So let me get this straight, you carry that around with you all the time? Even if it's just the two of us in this room?" She put it back from whence it came. Maybe a sheath she hid in her cloth belt? All I knew is I've never seen the evidence of a dagger on her, even though I’d now seen her pull it out twice.

"Of course I always carry it with me. It's not much use otherwise." I wasn't sure if she was paranoid or really just like the feeling of having a knife on her. I would guess more the second option. Another thought came into my mind as I considered that.

"You know, I could be insulted by that. It's just the two of us in this room, yet you still feel the need to have a dagger on you. I'm starting to feel like you don't trust me." She gave a laugh at that.

"Oh poor William, don't be sad. It's not that I think you're going to hurt me. It's just that I can't rely on you to protect me. After all, how do you plan to do that without a weapon?" I gave a bit of a miserable look to that.

"I'd love to carry around a sword all the time. Sadly, slaves aren't allowed to keep them on the grounds." She felt a tinge of self consciousness that she indirectly brought that up.

"You're right. I shouldn't make fun of you for that. The next time I see father I'll speak to him about it. I'll try to get him to make an exception in your case. It isn't uncommon for an attendant to carry a weapon at all times in many houses. We have no such policy here since Susan has no use for a weapon and I haven't had an attendant whose been able to hold the position for any length of time." I gave her a smile to let her know she didn't really hurt my feelings.

"Thank you, I know you'll do what you can. Even if he says no, I'll be glad that you tried. Speaking of your father, do you mind if I ask a question?" She motioned me to go ahead.

“I've been by your side every day now for two months, yet I don't think I’ve seen him even once. Is it that you're choosing not to include me in those meetings?" She shook her head.

"I haven't spoken to my father in almost 3 months. It's a bit longer than usual, but not the longest we've gone without speaking. He's a very busy man." She took a sip of tea. I understood people can be busy, but 3 months without speaking while living in the same house?

I knew she didn't want to talk about it and I realized it would be smarter not to try to force the issue. Even knowing all that, I couldn't keep myself from asking more.

"Do you two perhaps not get along?" She looked at me for a long while before putting down her tea. It was the first time besides just friendly banter that I actively went against her wishes. She clearly wanted to drop the subject, and I did not. I knew I made a mistake in asking. The safer thing would be to let her have her way, like I always did.

This was a clear over step within the dynamics of our relationship. We always pretended to act like it didn't exist, and we talked so casually to each other. But I always did as was asked and she never tried to force the issue with me. Now the truth would be exposed with how she responded. How did she really see me?

Was I a slave who just so happened to be her friend, or was I her friend who just so happened to be a slave? The difference was both small and huge at the same time. She gave a sigh and then answered both questions at once.

"He has a very specific idea of what the daughter of the Armingtage house should be. An idea he's made clear I've failed to live up to on multiple occasions. He's called my attitude too boisterous, my manor too unrefined, my interest too inappropriate and my mouth far too busy when it should be closed." She sat silently after that with her gaze set downward.

"I'm sorry, you deserve a father who doesn't treat you like that." Suddenly her gaze shot back up to me.

"Don't get me wrong. My father is truly a great man. Our house has become twice what it was since he's become the head. While I make him sound cruel, it isn't like he doesn't have his own circumstances. He's had a hard life too. I just wish he..." She put her hand to her mouth.

"You just wish what?" Tears slowly started to form under her eyes. She tried to get the last words out, but the more she tried the more they got caught in her throat and were replaced by more tears. It seems someone had big time daddy issues. Then again, who was I to talk?

I really wasn't good with crying girls. I never knew what to say in these situations. So I did the only thing I could think to do. I got out of my seat and wrapped my arms around her. Now I was positive that I stepped over the line. That was until she grabbed my arm tightly and buried her face against it.

After the situation passed we both felt a little awkward being around each other. It was still early in the afternoon, but she said I could have the rest of the day off. I was happy to take her up on the offer and give her a little space. Sometimes that's the best thing you can do for a friend after all. I suppose this meant I had 2 friends now. And both happened to be hot girls. You go William!

Yes, maybe that thought was a tad bit objectifying. But you must remember that this is a patriarchal society. So really, it's just me trying to fit in a little better. Also, give me a break. It's the first time any girls this cute have wanted to be around me in my entire life. Let a man enjoy his god damn mental victory lap for a while.

With so much time and new found energy, I decided to go to the training grounds to get in some practice. I quickly changed my clothes and walked to the grounds. Picking up one of the two training swords that were always at the site, I went over my movements. After about 5 minutes, a guard spotted me and made his way over.

"What are you doing here? These grounds are for guards use only unless you have special permission. Do you have such permission?"

"I'm the Attendant of Lady Madeline Armingtage. I've been given permission to use these grounds many times before and regularly have sparring sessions here on most days with one of the guards. I'll give you his name if you want and you can go ask him yourself." He thought that over before answering.

"If he isn't here now then you have to leave." I shrugged and handed him the sword. After he took it I grabbed the other one.

"Would you mind going a few rounds with me? I could really use the practice," In my limited life experience, and my vast experience as a reader who had a firm understanding of the fictional human mind, that was mostly based on the actual human mind, I had learned that one of the best ways to take control of a situation you didn't control was to assume compliance. So that's what I did.

I decided to throw a few swings at him that he could easily block. With the training sword in his hand he instinctively used it. Before I could do much he interrupted me.

"Wait! Wait I said you foolish boy. Enough of that. As I told you, you need permission to use these grounds." I walked back to the center of the training grounds and he naturally followed me to try to get my attention.

"I do have permission. Her ladyship has told me she's not pleased with my current ability to protect her, and has instructed me to practice. So that's what I'm doing." I gave him a few more swings that he blocked before pushing me back with the sword. I kept acting like he already agreed to be my partner. Little by little, even as he objected, he was falling into the role out of habit. It wasn't like guards didn't train after all.

"Well, that's all good and fine. But her ladyship doesn't have say over the training grounds. That is strictly in control of the Lord of the house, who has given that authority to the guards." I smiled at him as if I only now understood what he meant.

"Then it's great you're here. Now you can give me official permission to use the grounds. I mean, I could talk to her ladyship and tell her that you didn't if you insist." That put him off balance.

"Well, I don't really get involved in whose allowed to use the training grounds you see. So it's not my fault." I gave him a strange unbelieving look. I took the training sword and ran it across my arm to reveal my perfectly unbroken skin. Then I turned to look at the training ground behind me, which was really just a square of dirt and some wooden post.

"I believe that you usually don't get involved in making the schedule. But are you really telling me that you can't make a decision involving 2 swords that could barely cut warm butter and a mound of dirt? A slave in the kitchen can decide more than that. Certainly a man in such a great position of power and authority as you can take it upon himself to say a mount of dirt that's not being use currently can be stood on by the two of us."

I hoped I'd done my job well. I got the impression that he didn't have the authority to decide anything about the training grounds. But most likely no one ever explicitly said that he didn't either. If he decided he wanted to let the training grounds be used while no one had any scheduled training time, I doubt anyone would care or question his ability to do so.

It was a matter of no one having the authority because no one was sure if they should take it. Not that they necessarily couldn't. They'd all just gotten so use to following orders, if not given an order they had a hard time deciding if they should act, even on something as small as this.

As he thought it over, I acted like he'd already answered that I could, because that's the answer I wanted, and began our training again. He blocked out of habit before interrupting.

"Okay, you can use the grounds I suppose unless someone comes around who has an appointment. I don't think there are any left today, so I suppose there's no harm in you using it as long as you put the sword back when you're done."

I told him how much i appreciated having his permission, and that I would tell Madeline of this kindness on his behalf. He told me there was no need, but I saw that he was very happy about that fact.

"Since you're already here, would you like to continue training with me?" He shook his head.

"Can't you see I’m on guard duty?" I shrugged.

"How much of the place are you keeping an eye on?" He pointed out the back area. It was huge but all clearly visible from where we were.

"You can see that from right here just fine. I'll even help you keep an eye out if you want. Aren't four eyes better than two? Why not get some practice in while you guard the place? I'll be sure to tell Madeline how much of a help you were in assisting me in following her orders. I'm sure she'll remember that."

It took some more convincing, but as I continued to drop Madeline's name he soon agreed. I practiced with him for a full hour till his shift was over. I still felt a lot of pent up energy even with the beating I’ve just taken. As he was about to leave a friend of his came to inquire about what was going on.

Using the same tactic I did before, and with the precedent already in place, it was easier to get him to jump in and take over while his friend rested and watched.

As the day wore on, a small crowd started to form. A few guards came off duty and the ones who were already here attracted them. No one asked if we should be doing this anymore. Since we already were that must have meant it was okay, right?

They came by to discover what was happening, but what kept their attention was nothing more than little old me. At this point I'd been going 4 hours straight. So long that on a few occasions I'd been forced to use my left arm to give the right one a break. I stopped occasionally for very short periods of time to have some water or take a few breaths while slumped over, only to stand up straight and continue fighting.

I didn't usually like going all out when I didn't have to, but something about today made me want to keep going until my tank was completely empty. The guards stood around having a laugh while I put on a show for them.

It was the most entertainment they've had in a while. They kept subbing in for one another to keep fresh while I stayed in the grounds to face whoever came next. The jeers they gave where a constant companion as I trained.

"Don't give up now boy, there's still some areas that aren't bruised yet."

"The only way he can be this full of piss and vinegar is if he hasn't been with a woman in a while."

"I doubt he's had one yet."

"Well that explains it. Come on boy, keep going. If you actually land a hit we'll buy you a woman."

"If he has to wait for that, then he'll never get one!"

"Maybe we can get him a sheep in the meantime to take his aggression out on." They all laughed after each joke made at my expense. But as long as they kept coming into the grounds to take their turn i didn't care.

I was now at the start of my 5th hour, and I felt completely dead on my feet. I could barely lift my sword above my stomach. The guard I was facing was more mocking me than trying to land a blow. He came at me with a fairly half hearted attack, but it was one I’ve been hit with a number of times today, and one that when i tried to use it I was on the receiving end of a counter just as many times.

My body moved without thinking. I blocked the half hearted attack as I stepped in. I either fell or dived to the side as I pushed his sword away, I’m not fully sure which it was, and hit my sword against the back of his knee. If it had been a real sword it wouldn't have killed him, but it would've made that leg completely useless.

The 4 guards on the sideline gave me a small cheer for my perseverance, but were more interested in making fun of their fellow guard who I finally got a hit on. He complained that he wasn't serious and that it didn't really count. Not that they were about to let that stop them.

As for me, I was happy just to lay on the ground and not interested in getting up any time soon. I don't know what got into me, but once I hit that blow it was suddenly gone. Now I was only just left with the feeling of being completely exhausted, but also rather pleased with myself.

[Skill Level up: LVL 2/10 Swordsmanship]

[Level up: LVL 3]

That's nice. I grow a little less pathetic by the day. I decided to take a look at my status screen.

Name: William Taylor

Age: 16

Race: Human

Class: None

Sub Class: None

Skills: 1/10 Teacher 2/10 Swordsmanship

Level: 3

Experience: 04%

Constitution: 13

Dexterity 14

Intelligence: 19

Strength: 15

Wisdom 19

Charisma 14

Health 32/34

Mana 34/34

Stamina 9/17

Attribute Points: 0

The same improvements as last time. So it was consistent for the normal level ups. I still had no idea what happened at level 10 or 20 though. I was told they were different by my other self but he didn't know the details.

I hadn't been too keen to ask anyone around here. Slaves didn't need to know that kind of information. If I made a point of really wanting to discuss it there would be questions of why I was so curious. Questions I didn't want, and it wasn't important to know yet in any case.

As I laid there I wondered why I've been leveling up so fast. The only reason I could figure is that when you level up your skills, you get some kind of experience bonus for it. Between now and the time that I turned level two I've added a new skill and upgraded it. That was probably worth a lot. I would need to think about how to use that information later.

The guards now seeing that the show was over told me to put everything back in place and went off together to get a drink. I soon managed to peal myself off the ground. I grabbed a bucket which I filled with water along with a wooden tub and brought them to my room.

Strictly speaking this was not allowed as it was not my job, but no one said anything as it wasn't doing any harm. Not to mention, they don't want to say anything to make someone who had lady Madeline's ear angry with them. Thankfully Susan was in her room, otherwise I surely would've gone to bed sweaty and dirty.

Once clean I put my normal clothes on and decided to spend the rest of my time reading. Overall it was a weird but good day. Getting to face different people with different styles was surely a help. Besides the level up to my skill, I felt I grasp something during today's training.

Perhaps they were one and the same. I wondered how much better I'd be now that I achieved this new level. I noticed a subtle improvement as soon as I made the jump to level one. Every swing of the sword felt smoother and more natural. Would it happen again? It made the aches in my body feel worth it.

A knock came on my door just as I felt the burning in my muscles starting to calm down. I answered and was informed by a slave that Madeline demanded by presence.

That's odd. I wondered what she could need at this time of day. Only one way to find out I suppose. In any case, I made the trek up to her room. I passed through the open door which I closed behind me.

She looked to be in a very excited mood. I guess at least that meant this would be good news.

“William, do you know what happens three weeks from today?” I tried to think but nothing was coming to mind. I told her that I had no idea. She was annoyed by that.

“How is it that you don't know my birthday?” It did seem a strange over sight at this point.

“No one ever told me.”

“Well you should have asked then, that's honestly a little rude of you.” I laughed at that.

“Women are strange. On one hand you don't want us to know your age. On the other hand you get mad if we don't know your birthday. Seems slightly paradoxical”.

“That's called a woman's prerogative. In any case, I'll forgive that this time as that's not the main reason I called you up here. I thought it was going to be a fairly small affair, but it turns out I’m being thrown a ball for my 18th birthday, and as the attendant of a maiden, you get to escort me. So I want you to be ready for extra dance clases over the next three weeks.”

And my day to this point was going so well.