Elsprinc 14th, 799 – Afternoon

You decide to tell Jenn.

This seems to be the best choice. The girl has trusted you by giving you one of her weapons, and now it's your turn to trust her too. You are sure, once she gets all this information, she won't do anything rash that could harm you, your family, and the rest of Ellandhar.

However, you don't need to explain everything now.

You take a piece of paper and a pen, then write.

“Dear J. There was an incident in town. Someone turns out to have something like yours. Maybe you're interested."

Underneath you write the initials of your first name. You don't need to mention the duke's name right now, just in case this letter gets leaked. When Jenn comes, you can explain more.

After putting the letter in a sealed tube, you give it to the courier who usually sends messages out of town. The courier leaves immediately.

You walk out of the room and notice the soldiers resting on the sidelines. It's already past noon. Looks like your training time is over too for today.

Besides, you have other things to do this afternoon.

You leave the training ground and walk towards Valerin Castle.

At the castle, you go straight up the stairs to your room. In the corridor you see your maid, Lily was talking to another maid named Annie, who used to clean the guests' room. They hastily stand up and bow to you as you approach.

“Young Master, you’ve returned. Is there anything I can help you with?" Lily asks.

As you walk you notice the girl. Her height was probably only about 5'1", a few inches shorter than her companion next to her. Her chest also looks flat and her face is cute like a child's, making you still not sure that she is actually 20 years old, even though Master Harlin has convinced you. Because of that, you're still confused about how you should treat or talk to her.

"Nothing," you reply. "I'll take a shower, eat, and then leave again."

"Should I bring your food here?"

"No need. I'll go to the dining room later."

You go into your room and close the door. The room already looks much neater and cleaner than this morning. Open curtains also make the room look bright.

You take a quick shower, eliminating the fatigue in your body after practicing all morning. Then you put on your clothes and look around. Gerold's adventure book, where is it? The drenched book wasn’t in the bathroom, and not here either. Where did you put it this morning? Did Lily pick it up then dry it?

You also remember one other thing. You walk over to the table by your bed and open the drawer. You take the firearm, then hide it under your coat. Maybe it’s better if you carry that thing than leave it here.

You come out of the room and ask, "Lily, did you take anything from my room?"

“Do you mean your book?” The girl looks a little nervous. "Sorry, that's right, I took it. I saw the book was wet in the bathroom, so I took it and hung it out on the balcony of my room. Maybe it's dry now. Do you want me to take it?”

"No, that’s okay."

“I will return it this evening, Young Master.”

"I don't think that book is readable anymore, but okay." You continue on your way, then say again casually. "Don't forget your punishment."

"Y-yes, Young Master," Lily answers behind you. "I-I don't forget."

You laugh inwardly. Turns out she still thinks you're going to punish her, when in fact you just want to make fun of the girl.

In the dining room, the servant has prepared a variety of delicious food on plates on the table, which makes you very hungry and wants to eat it all. Luckily you can restrain yourself and only eat moderately. But this makes you think. Why are the servants cooking this much?

"Save it for dinner," you tell them. “This is too much if I'm the only one eating. If I come home too late, ask Lily to take some and prepare them in my room. You can take the rest for your children at home."

“Thank you, Young Master. But actually, you're not the only one who should eat. Miss Raidan is still resting in her room."

Oh, right! You just remember that Arini is at your house. "She hasn't been out since morning, and hasn't eaten at all?"

“Not yet, Young Master. Do we need to wake her up now?”

"Don’t. Let her rest. But as soon as she wakes up, ask her to eat."

You remember, that you actually wanted to meet Arini to ask about the strange bulge on your chest. But you can talk about it later.

You're out of Valerin Castle. In the front yard, you turn left, towards the large building to the south. The building is two stories high, and also has two floors underground. Inside there is a library, a laboratory and there is also a classroom for study and discussion. There aren't many people there at the moment. Only a few people were in the reading room.

As soon as you pass through the library door you look inside. You see Amelia standing on the iron ladder and about to put a pile of books into the bookshelf which is quite high from the floor.

"Need help?" you ask her.

The bespectacled girl turns her head and smiles. “Young Master. I’m okay, just doing … this. Mmm, are you looking for Master Rashir? I saw him come down to the laboratory before lunch, but I don't know if he's still there."

"I'll check him there. But, Amelia, you shouldn't have to carry so many books upstairs like this. Are you sure you don't need help?" You approach and stand under her and hold onto the ladder just in case. "Be careful."

“I'm used to this, Young Master.” The girl stretches out her right hand as far as she can to put a book onto the shelf.

It’s dangerous. She should move the ladder to the side first, then goes up again and put one book. Why does she have to carry all the books at once?

Amelia manages to put one book, but as soon as she’s about to put the second, your worries are confirmed. The girl loses her balance. She screams and is forced to let go of the other books she’s still holding in her left hand. Luckily they don't hit your head and just fall on the floor beside you. Amelia's hands are holding onto the shelf, her right foot is still on the stairs, while her left foot is looking for a foothold towards the shelf. Her legs are wide open so that the bottom of her skirt is exposed. From below you can see her panties and the white skin of her thighs. She looks scared, and sexy at the same time.

“You're used to this, Amelia? Then I will forbid you to do this again," you say as you think of the best way to help her. "Can you hold the shelf?"

"Y-yes, I've got it. Mmm… what should I do?”

"Just jump and I'll catch you," you say.

"Why don't you just move the stairs?"

"This ladder is heavy because your feet are still on it, and I'm afraid you'll fall when I try to move it."

"So I have to jump?"

"Yes, that's best." You open your hands and get ready.

"Are you sure?" Amelia asks once more. From her position, it is difficult for her to see you, so it is natural for her to hesitate.

"Yes. Trust me. Do it."

Your words sound like orders. A second later Amelia let go of her grip. You quickly catch her fallen body. Perfect catch. Your left hand catches his chest, while your right hand catches his stomach, then you hug her from behind while trying to maintain balance. Her feet didn't even touch the floor.

"Well, my catch is good, right?" you say from behind in the girl's ear.

“Y-yes… Thank you.”

"Next time, if you want to put books on the top shelf, do it one at a time."

“Yes, I will. Mmm, Young Master, now… can you put me down?”

"Oh. Sorry." You let go of your hand from her breasts and stomach.

Amelia's face looks a little red. She looks cuter when she's embarrassed. Not wanting to be embarrassed too, you hastily shift the stairs, then pick up the books from the floor.

At the same time, you hear someone's footsteps. A tall, thin youth with corn-yellow hair approaches.

"Devon," you greet him flatly.

Like Amelia, Devon is Master Rashir's student and assistant. He's your friend, but you don't really like him. The reason is because he likes Amelia more than just a friend. Of course, you know that it's perfectly legal and natural, so you shouldn't have to hate him for that. But still, it makes you dislike him. Maybe because you like Amelia more than just a friend too.

"Young Master." Devon bows respectfully then look at you and Amelia. “Did something happen? I heard the sound of something falling." He then looks at the books in your hand. “If I'm not mistaken, those books should be placed on the top shelf. Let me put it in."

"No. This is my job." Amelia immediately takes the books from your hands.

"Yes, it's your job, but calm down first, so you don't fall later," you say firmly, looking at the girl. You turn to Devon. "Please help her."

"Of course." Devon nods.

"I'm going downstairs. We'll talk again later," you say to Amelia.

The girl looks at you. Her lips part slightly, she seems to want to say something, but in the end, she just nods.

You leave the library and walk down the stairs. The room in the basement is dark, but at the end of the corridor, there is a room that is bright enough because it is lit by lanterns. You walk there. Inside the room, a dark-skinned man is pouring liquid from one bottle into another. He is short and around 40 years old. Adnan Rashir is the Head of Libraries and Laboratories who also serves as Master of Knowledge at Ellandhar.

You stand waiting by the door, not wanting to disturb his concentration.

After Master Rashir finishes mixing the liquid and places it on the table you greet him, “Good afternoon, Master Rashir. Do you work alone? Why don't you ask Amelia or Devon to help you?"

“Good afternoon, Young Master. How was your training?" he asks back.

"No problem."

"They're both doing other things, as far as I know, and I can do this myself. That's my answer. A little longer than yours."

"Well, there's not much I can tell you. I trained alone."

Master Rashir nods. "Hopefully Sir Ezron recovers quickly."

"Yes. What are you doing? You chose to do this yourself because it was too easy for you, or because you didn't want anyone to know?”

Master Rashir laughs, “Nothing is ever too easy, just as nothing is ever too difficult. Yes, this does not need to be known by many people. But I want you to know, and maybe help me."

"Okay. So, this is my lesson for today." You sit in front of him. "What's this?"

“In front of you there is a bottle filled with green liquid, a bottle filled with red liquid, then there is a white powder, a small cardboard box that can be closed tightly, a roll of adhesive paper, and a cloth wick. There is also a bowl and stirrer. The first thing you need to do is mix these two liquids with the right amount, no more, no less. But this I did earlier, and it has become this dark-colored liquid. You can try mixing it up later, but now you can just move on to the next step. Spill this dark liquid into the bowl. Yes, that's right, like that."

You do everything Master Rashir ordered.

"After that put the white powder in there, and stir until it becomes thick. Yes, good. Now, you put the viscous liquid in that little cardboard box. Good. Until it’s full. Close it tightly. Use adhesive to make it tighter. Have you done it? Good."

"What's this for?" You look at the box.

“You see, on one side of the box there is a hole. You'll have to insert this wick into that hole. Then after that burn the end of the wick with the fire from that candle. But be careful, before doing that, you have to be prepared first. After burning it, you must quickly put it in the fireplace, then you must close the fireplace. Understand? If you close it too late, we'll both be in trouble."

"I-I see." You try to remember everything.

Master Rashir smirks. "Good. Do it!"