The next day Eric arrived at lunch armed with a platter of steaks which Rex ate with gusto. Eric grew concerned when no one came to pick up Karla and take her to get changed. “No one came to take you to get ready?” He asked her.

Karla shuffled her feet anxiously, “I guess not, master Eric,” she said softly.

Eric frowned briefly, then called out, “Stablemaster Blake?”

Blake appeared quickly, it was clear he’d been listening and waiting to see what would happen. “Yes, young master?” He said with false cheerfulness.

“No one came to take Karla to get ready for my class with Leonard?” Eric asked.

Blake smiled sadly, “Oh, I’m afraid we are so very busy here at the stable. I thought, since she’s not really needed, she could just stay here and help with the other stables. The other stableboys have been complaining, you know, because she’s not pulling her weight.” He lied. “They say she’s been slacking off, since Rex here is very careful to always poop in that chamberpot, there’s no real need for her to go with you.”

Eric frowned, uncertain what to say. The idea of fairness was important to him, and he could imagine the other stableboys being unhappy because caring for Rex was too easy. It felt wrong to him, that Blake should force Karla to stay because Rex was too well behaved, but he wasn’t sure how to express his disagreement.

Idea opined, sharing his disapproval with Rex.

Rex growled softly, He asked.

Idea admitted. the AI added, guessing what Rex’s idea was going to be. Idea explained.

Rex pulled up the concept from their shared database and didn’t like it. he said.

Idea said with a mental shrug.

Rex asked, showing off the new words he’d been learning. It was a fair question, Idea was feeling a bit distracted. He was working on a lot of things, mostly the process of making more nanobots, but also, he was researching something that interested him more than the happiness of Karla.

Idea said by way of explanation,

Leonard had spent much of his time the last session trying to help Eric begin the process of tapping into mana. In theory, Leonard had explained, anyone could use magic, and nobles were expected to know at least a few basic spells before they attended the academy. It was why many of the most powerful people in the kingdom were nobles, they started progressing in both magic and combat skills from an early age. Eric was doing well in his morning classes of swordsmanship, but still struggled with mastering magic.

Eric was also struggling with arguing against Blake’s decision. “I would like her to come,” he said, “to keep Rex company.”

“Sorry my lord,” Blake apologized firmly, “but Karla is my worker, and she’s needed here. I can’t just let her go with you so she can play dress up. She’s a slave, this is where she belongs.”

Eric looked like he wanted to argue further but, Karla gave him a pleading look and shook her head. She knew that if Eric pushed too far, it would just make Blake come up with new ways to torment her.

Eric sighed, and said, “Have it your way, stablemaster.”

Blake nodded sagely, “It’s for the best, young master, a slave girl like Karla doesn’t belong in the main house, it upsets the other maids.” In point of fact, Blake had been deliberately spreading discontent, slyly suggesting that maybe Karla would become Eric’s new personal maid, given how close they were. That had sparked intense jealousy among the maids who envisioned themselves taking that coveted role. So far Able had refused to assign a personal maid to Eric, but Blake made it seem as if maybe, Karla was being considered for the job.

Rex said suddenly as the duo walked after a dejected looking Eric, leaving an inwardly gloating Blake and a devastated Karla behind.

Idea was confused. Idea felt that they should seek to accomplish the tasks given to them by the creator of the Idea series.

Rex said, excited.

Idea admitted. The AI could have dug in and read Rex’s mind to understand what Rex was thinking, but Idea wanted Rex to express himself.

Rex explained.

Idea thought about it. The AI asked.

Rex explained.

Idea said in agreement.