Bryson groggily opened his eyes as rays from the sun cracked through his windows and hit his face. As he shifted his body over to one side to avoid the rays, he looked around with his half-shut eyes.

He then quickly sat up looking around in confusion. He was back in his room, in his bed. All Bryson recalled was that he had finished a conversion with himself and now wound up back in his room. Everything began outside at the large maple tree. So how did I get back? Sleepwalk during the conversation? He wondered.

He quickly shut those thoughts down as he realized that the finer details of how he got back to bed probably wasn’t too important. What was more important is what he had learned last night.

Okay, okay. So whoever that weird creature that tried to take over me wanted me because I’m a Coldwater and came from the sky. Clearly wanted to use me for something nefarious. There’s a chance that something like this might happen again. Bryson pondered. Also a chance that the rest of my family will be targeted.

Bryson thought about how recently Viola acted with firing that maid and grimaced. Not very hard to make them look bad. He had to admit. His family were known by most to be pretty cold hearted and uncaring to anyone below their level. So essentially everyone else on the continent.

Which wasn’t completely fair. He thought, sure there were some issues, but they weren’t as bad as the rumors made it out to be. Though they wouldn’t do anything to try and change their perception.

Bryson understood why the weird figure wanted to form a contract with him. It was very easy to see how Bryson could use his powers for tyranny. Bryson was not a fan of this epiphany. It meant that any scenarios that might occur could cause some major problems.

Alright, alright. Fine then. Bryson thought to himself. I’ll make sure to deal with any more these sorts of problems myself. I’m a Coldwater, Coldwater’s deal with all challenges. He assured himself.

His thoughts were soon interrupted by a gentle knock on the door.

“Young master Bryson. Are you awake?” A voice called out; one Bryson recognized. It was the head butler Phillip… Phillip something. Bryson recalled that he actually didn’t know what Phillip’s last name was.

“Uh yes, wait a moment please.” Bryson called back quickly. He recalled how his eyes went completely bright white last night and how his imaginary version also had a pair of glowing eyes. Looking at the full body mirror in his room he saw his eyes were as inky black as they always were.

Huh, hopefully they stay that way. Bryson thought as he called out, “Come in.”

The door to his room opened as an elderly man entered the room. He wore a butler’s uniform with a special platinum gold badge over his heart, a Coldwater crest. The man stood nearly as tall as Bryson’s father, however he was far more leaner than his father’s muscular frame.

“Good morning young master Bryson. Are you ready to get up?” Phillip asked politely.

“Yes. Prepare my things.” Bryson replied, still halfway lost in thought.

“Right away.” Phillip said with a bow before going to fetch out some clean clothing ware from Bryson’s closet.

As Phillip was digging out an outfit for him, he informed Bryson, “Your mother wants you to begin finding a suitable servant today.”

Bryson did his best not to emit a groan as he heard the news. However, the mention of a new servant reminded him of something.

Right the recently fired maid. He recalled. I have to deal with that soon. But first I need information.

Phillip returned to Bryson with fresh clothes and as Bryson dressed himself up, he noted what he had to do when he had the opportunity to do so.

***

Bryson sat in one of the empty offices, busy playing on a massive television that was the entire wall. As he played, he wondered what exactly happened last night, he had quickly visited the crater, it was normal. Bryson was sure that what happened was real, but still not to sure, his thoughts were interrupted when Phillip walked in with a small stack of papers.

“The files you asked for sir.” Phillip reported, handing Bryson the files.

Pausing the game Bryson grabbed the notes and read through the files. Quickly shifting through the papers until he found the name he wanted, Lila Frost. What’s with all these climate related last names? He wondered as he tried to sneakily read through it.

“Young master, isn’t the file you were reading that of the recently released maid?” Phillip inquired.

“No.” Bryson quickly said. Moving the papers closer to his chest Bryson gave Phillip a suspicious look, “Are you peeking?”

“Of course, not sir.” Phillip said. “But I did notice that there was only one name in their that contained a former employee.”

“What? How? I made sure to hide it under all those names!” Bryson quickly realized what he just said. “I mean-”

“Do not worry young master. I am sure you have your valid reasons.” Phillip assured.

“Don’t… don’t talk to anyone about this.” Bryson said.

“You have my word.” Phillip said with a small bow, “I am but a humble servant awaiting orders.”

“Right…” Bryson said still suspicious. He had a feeling that if his father were to ever investigate this Phillip would tell him everything. Though, it was pretty hard to fathom Bryson’s father ever caring about this to investigate himself.

“Young master if I may, I do think that the was young master Viola fired miss Frost rather unfairly.” Phillip assured him.

“First, are you trying to get me to trust you? Second how do you know what happened? Third why do you think I know about it? Fourth why do you think I care?” Bryson asked eyes narrowing at the butler.

“Firstly, yes. Secondly and thirdly the other servants told me. Finally, I believe you are a good person.” Phillip answered.

Bryson stared with his narrowed eyes at Phillip, and they held their gaze on one another for a few moments before Bryson continued to flip through the file.

“You’re annoying.” Was all Bryson said.

“I apologize sir.” Phillip said with a smile.

Bryson chose not to rise to the bait and simply clutched the papers in his hand slightly harder.

***

About an hour later Bryson was done and had written a small note of instructions and handed it to Phillip, who took it graciously. Phillip now strolled through the halls of the Coldwater estate, reflecting on Bryson Coldwater.

That boy was quite strange, especially for a Coldwater. Phillip gave a small, amused chuckle. Maybe it’s because he was adopted, but he was far kinder than his siblings, a lot more quiet and yet there was that slyness that Phillip had not seen since Bryson’s father Duke Alexander Coldwater.

It seemed that Bryson was intending to use his own slyness to get what he wants, and Phillip felt that aiding him was what was best. He is a potential heir, and more then that, he might act as a halfway decent safety net for the rest of his family. The gods know they need one these days. Phillip thought. Public opinion of them have been dropping.

Phillip had been served under Alexander Coldwater and his father before him for decades. As the decades passed Phillip could see Alexander Coldwater close of more and more from the public. It was evident to Phillip that all the challenges Alexander had to go through to get to where he is had taken its toll on him.

When Bryson landed in their garden, Phillip noticed a new drive lit in Alexander, not one he’s seen since the birth of Gareth. Whatever the case the duke had plans for Bryson and Phillip hoped that Bryson would be able to rise to the challenge, what Bryson seemed to be planning currently was a good sign of his potential at least.

The best thing I could do now as head servant of the Coldwaters is to serve a Coldwater. Phillip concluded as he prepared to complete Bryson’s instructions.