Chapter 3.3:

A week after my birthday, we had an unexpected guest. I was assisting a customer near the door when a woman in a maid outfit with long dark hair entered the store during the afternoon shift.

I immediately recognized her and gave her a small little wave. I tried to get Abram’s attention to alert him of Lily’s arrival but he was engrossed in dealing with a customer.

I gave Lily a small nod of apology while I finished helping the customer with his purchase. She gave me a nod in response and took a seat near the door. She brought out a book and started reading while she waited for us to finish up.

When the last customer had left, Abram locked the door and approached the maid.

“Lily! It’s good to see you again.” Abram greeted her with a small bow. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”

Paul and I waved at her again from the side.

“Sir Abram, Paul, and Adi, it’s nice to see you.” Lily said as she stood up to give us a small curtsy. “I’ve come at the behest of Lord Chase. He asked me to give you this.” Lily brought out a small envelope that was lined with silver.

“This…” Abram exclaimed with a look of recognition as he read the contents of the envelope. “Dear me. I hadn’t realized that it was nearly the summer solstice… Lord Chase wants us to accompany him to the Royal Banquet?”

“That is my understanding, sir Abram.” Lily confirmed.

“What’s the Royal Banquet?” I asked.

“Ah, it’s the annual event hosted by the Royal Family. They… ‘invite’ all the nobles and their respective retainers to come to the Capital.” Paul said darkly. “I say invite… but really attendance is mandatory. You get heavy sanctions for not attending. So even the military lords of South End go.”

“So, it’s a nobles’ party?” I was confused.

“Party is partly right. There is food and music and I suppose dancing among the children. But really, it functions as an informal census on the current power and influence that nobles wield, as well as a registration of all their current active artifacts.” Abram said with a bit of distaste. “They also use that occasion to update the ranking of nobles to determine the amount of stipend they receive from the King.”

“Nobles also get stipends? I thought they keep whatever they can make in their own cities?” I interjected.

“You’re thinking of the City Lords like Lord Chase and Lord Helm. They’re given wide administrative authority over funds in their own cities. But there are lesser nobles like Lord Buck and Lord Jerome that don’t have their own demesne apart from their residential manors.” Abram explained. “They rely on their City Lords or the Capital for funding aside from what they generate from their own commercial pursuits or from their professions.”

“Oh… so if it’s about noble rankings, why do we have to go?” I asked.

“Retainers are there partly for security, partly for visibility, and partly to elevate a noble family’s standing. The success of their retainer is their own success after all.” Abram said patiently. “But the Royal Banquet is also opportunity for some retainers to be awarded nobility if they gain enough power or influence.”

“We can become nobles?” I replied in awe.

Paul laughed. “I mean we could… but it’s hardly likely. The King can’t install another noble that’s allied to the Roost. He’s known to favor Lord Chase and the Valeras since it was Lord Chase’s grandfather, Lord Edward, who helped quell the last nobles’ revolt. But any action on the part of the Royal Family that appears to benefit the Roost or the Valeras is met with a lot of dissension.”

“Oh. But I thought it was by the King’s directive that we set up shop here? And our permit was also through favors from the Capital right?” I asked.

“Right. A lot of nobles both in North Haven and the Capital opposed that, of course, but no one can openly defy a decree from the King. It’s just in the Royal Family’s best interest not to rock the boat too much by being too openly partial to Lord Chase and his retainers. Hence, nobility isn’t really in the cards, little bro.” Paul replied.

I looked down as I tried to process everything.

Abram chuckled, “what’s the matter, son? Really want to be a noble?”

“What? No! I don’t really want to be a noble. I just always thought people were born into nobility. Like that’s just how it worked.” I cleared up.

“I have heard that that’s how it works in other continents. But in our kingdom, nobility can be granted and stripped away by the King. That’s just how it is. It’s a way for them to deter or head off future potential threats.” Abram replied patiently.

“Okay, so we’re going again this year?” Paul said dejectedly.

“It’s out duty, son.” Abram replied.

Lily nodded in agreement and Paul’s shoulders drooped lower.

“Is it that bad?” I asked Paul.

“It’s not all bad for you or me. We only have to be there for the official presentation in front of the Royal Family. Afterwards, you and I can just mingle with the other kids. It’s worse for pa. He has to accompany Lord Chase and Lady Vela the whole time.” Paul answered with an apologetic look at Abram. “But still, some of those noble kids from the Capital are a pain in the butt. I honestly would rather talk with their parents than them. Since the adults always have to be well-mannered.”

Sounds like even Paul can get bullied…

“Well, now there will be two of us! I’m sure we’ll be okay.” I said confidently.

“Three of us, Adi.” Paul corrected me. “Lady Mina will be there also.”

Mina…? The girl who saved my life?

“Oh. That’s… that’s great.” I replied as I turned away from everyone to hide my blushing. “I’m sure we’ll all have a good time then.”

I peeked back at them and saw Paul looking at me suspiciously.

“A-anyway!” I tried to change the subject. “When is it?”

“It’s a week from today, sir Adi.” Lily replied. “You will need new clothes. Lord Chase asked me to give you this to prepare for it.” Lily handed a bag filled with coins to Abram. “He will see you at the Fairy Lights Inn in six days time. He’s already made reservations for the three of you.”

“Please do thank Lord Chase for us.” Abram said with a small bow. “Oh, and also please hand him this.” Abram went over to the counter to grab some ledgers. “It’s this month’s current sales report, future projections, as well as our notes on the project he assigned.”

I looked back and forth between Abram and Lily.

“Don’t worry, son. Lily is well aware of your ability and the task Lord Chase gave you.” Abram reassured me. “There is no one in that household that is as trusted by Lord Chase and Lady Vela as Lily. She is, after all, the head maid.”

Lily nodded to me and packed up the documents in her small bag. She curtsied once more and exited the store.

“Alright, lads. We need to go shopping.” Abram declared.