Since my visit to the Duke’s estate and abrupt 2 week vacation, I started receiving letters that I really could not, not respond to. Why? Because its from Sebastian, the boy seemed to be more attached to me than I initially thought or could have imagined.

The paper and envelope he would often send were practically screaming of wealth, status and power. The front was left bare save for the crimson red wax seal of the Dukal house. The back of the envelope on the other hand was designed with the symbol of Duke’s house, its gold and crimson colours melding perfectly with the stark white of the high-quality paper.

Inside the envelope was more of the same, over the top materials that were a clear sign of his wealth. I fear for him one day that he might attract the wrong group of people, but it’s not my job to be worrying about royalty. I went on to make a reply using my own letter.

In comparison, the paper and envelope I would use to send my letters were obviously lower quality. It was simple in design and not as pristine, but it was still better than what was used normally.

I found it silly to spend so much on pieces of paper, but then again, never could I imagine that I would become pen pals with the son of the most powerful man in the city. Everyday for the past week I would receive at least 1 letter from the boy in the morning or late at night via courier or pigeon. It was weird but nothing really out of the ordinary at first, but I quickly realised something was not right.

At first he would send me short letters and I would send him back a few, but by the third day he started sending me longer and longer letters. It soon spiraled out of control and the letters had gotten longer and longer, I wondered where he even got the inspiration to continue writing.

Most of it was just childish drabble about how his day was going and whatnot. He also, in a very sweet way thanked me for being friends with him, then proceeded to rant to me in a 4 nearly 5 page essay on how other kids our age were not like me. To him, they were too childish, too vulnerable to being used by their parents to gain favor. I find the letter quite ironic considering I thought of him as childish though it continued to drag on and on.

I found the stories he told to be a tad bit unbelievable and exaggerated in some areas, but chose to believe it anyways. Afterall, anything is possible in this new world of mine. Still, I pitied the boy, for he was separated from nearly everyone due to differences in status, he had no one to truly call as a friend, that is, until I came along at least that’s what it seems like. I who treated him as any other child and didn’t try to use our possible friendship for personal gain appeared to him one day. He must have been lonely without having anyone.

Because of my new found pity for the boy, I decided to indulge him and continue to respond to his letters, despite how tedious a task it was becoming. My only saving grace was the fact that he would write me a particularly interesting story every now and then or unknowingly give me new, interesting information from the upper-class which helps me glean into the inner workings of high society.

One thing that I could agree with him regarding high society was that there was too much niceties, too much fakes, too much mask’s on, too much rubbing elbows, too much rules and regulations, too much hidden agendas, too much knives behind the back and too little genuine people. Really, I couldn’t understand how some people would revel in such an environment, I would have longed since succumbed to the pressure of such an environment, another thing I’ll be pitying Sebastian for.

I couldn’t stop shaking from what I was reading/holding.

In my hand was another letter from Sebastian, but it wasn’t the same as the other letters he would send me previously. I should have realised it was different from how the courier gave it to me in an almost reverential manner and how my parents eyed me intently as I received it from the courier.

Before I could go up to my room and read my letter like I usually do, my mother gently laid her hand on my shoulder and told me to bring the letter to the parlour. That was when I realised that something was different with the letter I received.

When we reached parlour, mother and father dismissed the servants who were inside and told them to not enter unless it urgent. Trying my best to ignore the now stifling atmosphere of the room, I inspected the envelope. It looked no different, that is until I discovered that it faint marking on it that glowed and could feel faint amounts of Spirit Energy from it.

Enchantments, I realised what it was and what it meant immediately considering what mother’s profession was. Such small and intricate enchantments were difficult to do and very costly, so it’s only used on the most expensive or important of items.

My breath was a bit shaky at this point, I was starting to feel a bit lightheaded and my hands holding the envelope were getting clammy. The stifling atmosphere, the letter in my hands plus my unusually silent parents were getting to me and if my parents noticed anything, they didn’t mention it and continued to silently look at the letter in my hands.

With what little courage I could gather, I finally opened the envelope and took out the letter. The letter, just like the envelope was glowing with enchantments, but this time it was much stronger. I didn’t know what it’s purpose was, but whatever it was, it must have cost an incredible amount of money.

Without further ado, I unfolded the letter and immediately started reading it.

I, Duke Gerald Augustus Waltem hereby formally invite Markus Hunn and his family to the Waltem Castle

It was a simple, direct invitation to the castle tomorrow noon, written and signed by Duke Gerald Augustus Waltem himself…addressed towards me. Not my parents, but me. No doubt through the intervention of Sebastien.

“Well, I suppose Lord Sebastian deems you a closer friend than you thought.”, mother said airily, despite the bombshell that the letter just dropped.

“I’m surprised as well mother.” I responded drily. I may not be a genius and have basically cheated through my current life using my former life’s knowledge, but you didn’t exactly need to have a sharp political acumen to know what kind of waves this news will make if it ever got out to the general public, which it eventually will.

It would have been fine if the duke was summoning my parents because of their relationship as master and subordinate/employer and employee which gave them the perfect excuse/reason. It’s another thing for the duke to personally, and formally request a boy, not even 10 years of age to his castle. People will start talking about what’s so special about me for the duke to invite me to the castle, mark my words, they will.

“Tread carefully with this relationship of yours, Markus.” Father told me in a deep, almost ominous voice that he would sometimes use during training whenever I kept on making the same mistakes or when he’s teaching something dangerous/important.

“You didn’t raise a fool for a son, father. I know what this letter may entail and what it may seem to those outside of our family.” I answered back, though still unsure on how exactly I should proceed.

“You’re a smart boy Markus, your tutors say so, and I’m inclined to agree with them on that end, but smart does not mean wise. Tread carefully Markus, that is all I ask of you.” Father said one last time with the most serious expression I’ve ever seen on his face.

“I will father, don’t worry.” I said quietly as father looked me in the eye.

“Very well then. Go to your room for now, me and your mother have much to discuss.” Father finally conceded with a sigh and sent me of to my room while he and mother stayed in the parlour to discuss what to do next.

My parents were right to worry for me, afterall, dealings with those on top are never truly safe. Especially in this world ruled by feudal society and customs.

I headed to my room like told, went straight to bed and willed myself to sleep. It was just early in the evening, not even dinner yet, but I was tired. Mentally from the letter, and physically from the training I just had in the afternoon with father.

We soon neared the castle while it was still bright out, a wonderful choice as the rays reflecting upon its walls looked magnificent. I was greeted by the sight of the castle again though this time I hoped that an incident like the last time would not occur.

Though we were invited there seemed to be no special occasion at the moment. It only made the moment leading up to the confrontation much more nerve-wracking. When mother told me about the times of her visits to the castle she pointed out that not once did she ever receive an invitation signed by the Duke himself. It always came in the form of a middleman who requested to use her services.

Sebastien was waiting for us at the front of the castle, he looked kind of cute eagerly waiting for us, like a puppy.

“Hello, Markus” he said almost too happily.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Sebastien.”

“Father has been waiting for you, I was surprised he even called you here.”

“Wait, weren’t you the one who asked me to be here?”

“No, I’m just as surprised as you are. Let’s keep moving we don’t want to keep father waiting.”

It seems that I was mistaken, this wasn’t a request from Sebastien, but from the Duke himself, which made it all the more nerve wracking. I could only wonder why he would ask for me specifically, I haven’t done anything that would make me stand out, except maybe hanging out/growing close with only son and heir.

I looked to father, but he seemed just as confused as I did right now. If he had no clue what was happening it couldn’t be good. Suddenly I wasn’t so sure about being here anymore. What I thought was a visit requested by his son for me turned out to be from the Duke itself.

We arrived at the same door again but this time it appeared much more imposing. Guards were not posted around it and they let us in.

“Welcome once again, it’s a shame that our first meeting was interrupted by less than pleasant guests.”

His words were welcoming but the the voice that carried it sounded like it was forcing its will on me. Though Sebastien being in the room acting like he had no clue whatsoever helped lessen this.

“We are humbled by your presence Lord Gerald, but it is a surprise that you would request for my son all of a sudden”

“Make no mistake this is no simple child’s matter. I ordered you to come to offer you this, a proposal if you will. Your son will be provided for in the best school in the continent and ensured that he reaches the Late transformation realm within 20 years of his awakening.”

“Lord Gerald that is too generous an offer I thi……”

“I wasn’t done, in exchange for the amount of money that will be going into your son he will have to become Sebastien’s retainer so to speak.”

“……”

A heavy silence descended upon the room as no one uttered a sound for what seemed forever. Finally it seemed that it was too much to bear for Sebastien as he started making weird intelligible noise.

“Lord Gerald, I do not wish contradict you, but I believe my son is still too young to be able to take on a responsibility this large and surely there are others more suitable for the task.”

“I’m not asking your son to protect him now and his duties will go beyond protecting Sebastien, I ask of you this because I see the talent in him. It is greater than even yours all those years ago, yet I do this not for his talent but for my son.”

It seemed that father was intent on rejecting the Duke but this seemed like a great opportunity. The Duke was basically offering me everything I could ever want or need in this life. In exchange, I would serve them, or more specifically Sebastian dutifully for the rest of my life. I was excited for the opportunities that now lay in front of me, but I was less than eager to enter veritable cesspool of corruption and decay better known as politics.

Obviously, not many would say no to a Duke, much less if it were a personal request from the man himself, doing so would humiliate him greatly. I would have gladly denied the offer if not for the fact that I was worried for the possible ramifications of such an act.

He was already very magnanimous with his offer, had it been another peasant, I imagine he would have placed much less effort into it or even bothered asking if they were willing or not. Besides, he and father seemed to be friends, and I wasn't about to be the one to strain the relationship between the two men.

“I accept.”

“What?!” A sound came from all of them at once.

“Are you sure about this Markus, maybe you are expecting something different this isn’t playing around”

“I know what I’m doing, Mother”

“You’re still too young for this I think that you should that decision for us.”

“I think this is a great proposal it’s all offering us things with nothing bad about it”

“You are not just protecting a simple person, this is the son of the Duke. This person has the blood of royalty flowing within him, a single mistake on your part could cost both his and your life”

I really couldn’t answer back after what my parents were saying, but I couldn't just say no to them outright either.

“Let the boy decide for himself what he wants to do, he has more than the capacity to do so, Well what is your decision”

“I accept”

“You have caught me by surprise young Markus, I thought you would be swayed by your parents. Rest assured and know that there are always numerous protectors out of sight surrounding my son, you will be acting as his visible guardian amongst the numerous hidden in the shadows.”

He reached out his hand to my uneasy father and thanked him, then my mother, then lastly to me. He said with an almost terrifying smile.

“Welcome to the Waltem Family”