Even after taking care of lady Lisa it still wasn't the time for Barney to check on the other servants. He felt he had spent quite some time with her, but apparently not. A mere ten minutes had passed since he entered Lady Lisa's room, he still had a bit more than half an hour. So he resumed his morning routine.

He walked around the mansion in almost complete darkness. The darkness bothered him not and did nothing to hinder his vision, he didn't need to light any candle or turn on any magic lamps. Doing so would just be a waste, something he wouldn't let a servant do, including himself. He checked every inch of the house and monitored the surrounding neighboorhood. After the assassination attempt on Lord Edward's and his family's lives, a few months back, including this on his morning routine was a no-brainer.

Thinking back, he could and should have noticed the group of assassins before they get anywhere near. Yet during that time, his mind was occupied, somewhere else on another matter. While he foiled their plan, he was partly responsible for letting them enter in the first place.

There was no need to actually walk around. If he extended his aura outward or use his detection magic, he could do just as fine. But walking around helped him move his body and focused his mind. And his mind was easily distracted by unnecessary thought lately. Much to his own surprise.

He walked around while observing the paintings and decorations hung on the wall and on the table. Lord Edward had no taste for luxury or decoration. If it was up to him then the walls and hall would be empty and bare save from hunting trophies and ceremonial weapons. He was thankful lady Lisa had a good taste in house decoration.

He stopped his feet when he entered the main hall. He felt someone's presence.

He said before that this house was his domain, he knew everything that happened inside and around the house. Almost everything.

As the head servant, he was expected to raise from bed first and went to bed the last. If the master of the house was still up, then it was inappropriate for him to sleep or rest. But if he were to do so, he would be sleepless for most nights. So he allowed himself some leisure and act ignorant of his master's activity past midnight.

He turned his body towards the blazing fireplace at the end of the main hall. The long table cast a massive shadow on the opposite wall, enveloping the whole of Barney's body. Though the man sitting there cast an even bigger shadow.

"Lord Edward." Barney bowed. "I'll prepare a coffee." Lord Edward didn't answer.

Lord Edward was a man of little word and even fewer sleep. Even in his youth he rarely slept more than two hours every night. With age, his needs for rest lessened. And with the recent quarrel with his wife, he barely slept at all.

Barney walked to the kitchen with quick paces and washed his hands. He picked up some amount of green coffee bean and clasped his hands around it, shielding the beans from outside elements. Within his palm he roasted the beans evenly using magic. It increased in size and change color to the rich dark brown it was commonly known. Using his fist, he crushed and grind the beans to a fine powder of uniform size. He put the powder in a fine porcelain cup and poured water into it, cold water not hot. He wrapped his fingers around the cup to heat the water almost to the point of boiling, without raising the temperature of the cup. He ensured the water never passed the boiling point as it would make the coffee bitter. After all that had been done, he removed the excess powder using magic and placed the cup on a plate.

He smiled.

Scarce were moments he didn't regret knowing magic, and scarcer were moments when he glad he knew it.

The coffee in his hand was the finest in Amaryn, nay, in the whole Continent. He was proud of it. He poured the utmost of his abilities into making that particular cup of coffee. There should be no equal.

He put the cup in front of Lord Edward, next to the stacks of paper, scrolls, and parchments. Most were reports from the lower nobles about tax, security, economy, trades, and overall condition of the land they, and by extension him, ruled. Most nobles preferred socializing and partying and let their chamberlain handle the administration and paper works. Lord Edward chose the administration works and wished he could relegate the socializing part to someone else.

Feasting with retainers, attending invitation, and appearing in a grand party might seem like a waste of time and money to most people, and served only to fulfill the ego of said noble. Barney was not a part of the nobility, but he knew occasional socializing and partying amongst nobles was needed to maintain power and control. Attending such social event was some form of powerplay. Even Lord Edward could not escape that.

Lord Edward picked up the cup and sipped the coffee without averting his gaze from the pen and paper. The severe expression on his aged face lightened up until he put down the cup. Then his serious expression returned.

Barney stood by his side like a good servant should do, observing his master without any sound, waiting to be called if he was needed.

He gazed over his master's shoulder, looking at the paper. Lord Edward was handling business deals and contracts with traders from Lethrand. The number of business offers was piling up, and he had to carefully choose his business partner. Trade was, after all, the lifeblood of his family.

There was a magical and technological revolution in Lethrand, the so-called Golden Age of Magic. New and radical inventions appeared every year, and many of them increased the quality of life drastically. Even Amarynians, people and nobles that used to loathe magic, couldn't help but be interested in getting some of those technologies. And with the increasing demand, came a flourishing trade.

Amaryn had a peculiar condition, however. Land trade between Amaryn and Lethrand wasn't feasible in large quantities. Roads that went through the mountain range between the two countries were small and unsafe and hard to traverse. Most trades happened through the three major rivers in southern Amaryn, and Lord Edward controlled all three. He could starve the whole country of its supply of magical items if he wanted to, but that'd be foolish. And Lord Edward was anything but foolish.

"Sit." Lord Edward commanded, and Barney obeyed. "Report."

He sat on the chair nearest to his master and tidy up all the paper. If his master had called him then his paperwork was done for now. He straightened his body and assumed a proper posture for speaking with his master "A raven came last night. The one been smugling magic crystals turns out to be one of our captains. He's a mere henchman though and the real mastermind is still lurking somewhere."

Lord Edward drank the coffee. For a great noble, his mannerism was rather rough and coarse. "Just give him the usual treatment. How's about the other matter?"

Barney raised a brow. "It's finally done."

"It is unusual for you to take almost three months."

He bowed his head. "My apologies, my lord, but the culprit is rather masterful at hiding her tracks."

"Her?"

"Yes, the one who hires the assassins was but a proxy among countless proxies. The real perpetrator turns out to be Princess Aria. It appears the attempted coup in Redmound was also her doing." He observed Lord Edward's face, it was unchanged by the fact.

"Masterful? Careless I say. What good is hiding the proof when no one gives a shit about proof. One look at the attempt and you know it's her."

"It protects her on the court."

"But not against rebellion and uprising."

"Isn't it ... time to choose side, my Lord?" Lord Edward had chosen to stay neutral during in this succession war unlike many nobles.

"Tell me, Barney. Who should I side with?" Lord Edward gave him a stern look.

"None." Aria, Ana, Alvaro, none would make a great ruler.

No one wanted Alvaro. He cared not for politic, economy, or military. He was selfish, short-tempered, stubborn, and cared only for himself. He spent his time partying and whoring and spending countless of the Kingdom's coins. If he became the king, the country would fall faster than he could finish his meal.

Ana was a gullible, innocent, and a naive girl. She had good heart and good intention, yet was far too trusting. She surrounded herself with bad people that gave bad counsel and controlled her like a puppet and blinded her from the real problem. If she sat on the throne, then everyone will sit with her. If Lord Edward supported her, he could control her better than anyone. Though in that case, it'd be better for him to take the throne himself.

Aria was once a good choice. She had the vision, the confidence, and the competence, yet she lacked the patience. She rushed too much and rarely ever consider alternative method. She was also blind sighted by her hatred of some nobles that caused the death of her mother. And recently towards a particular hero of Amaryn. If Lord Edward supported, guided, and counseled her, she could become a great queen.

Though that was no longer possible. The assassins prove she had made her choice. The wrong choice.

Lion, Fenix, Jade, and Rose, the four great houses of Amaryn were never in a good relationship with each other. But house Fenix, the oldest, and most prideful of the houses, strongly opposed and was openly hostile to house Lion. They couldn't accept that a young house was regarded in the same standing as them. While Lord Edward didn't have anything against lord Alistar Fenix, he couldn't ignore an open hostility.

And it seemed Aria had chosen the support of house Fenix instead of house Lion. Lord Edward had no reason to support her anymore. "I suggest you take the throne yourself, my Lord." Barney continued.

Back during the Great War with demon race. Back when most noble houses hunkered down in their castle and fort, waiting for the war to pass. Lord Edward took the fight to the demon army. He fought fiercely like a true lion. And he never lost a battle, not once in all of his campaign. His action brought a relative peace. Though his armies could reach only so far.

The crown couldn't ignore his achievement, and asked for his help. He wouldn't do it for free, of course. Many would have asked the princess' hand in marriage or a promise that his son would marry into the crown, but he didn't. He asked for a complete dominion and ownership of the land south of River Avon, which granted him control over a fifth of Amaryn territory and gave him a monopoly of southern Amaryn trade routes. Back then, trades with Lethrand was small and unimportant. Whether he predicted the future was for everyone to debate.

Lord Edward laughed. Then stopped abruptly. "You're still spouting that nonsense, Barney?"

Barney bowed his head once more. "Apologies, my lord, but it's most fitting for you. There's no better person." He might have his bias as a servant, but ...

No person in Amaryn was half as smart, half as cunning, half as brilliant as him. He was strict but not cruel. Confident but not arrogant. Strong but flexible. He was the most brilliant strategist Amaryn had ever seen. He was the most successful merchant Amaryn had ever known. And the greatest ruler Amaryn had ever birthed. Barney couldn't see anyone better than him.

"How many would accept me as their king? Half of Amaryn would rise in rebellion."

"A fourth of Amaryn's noble is dead due to Aria's attempted coup. Half of her supporter abandoned her side after she failed," Barney responded. "Half of the remaining wanted her dead. Civil war is inevitable, my Lord. The recent threat of fire invasion is the only thing keeping this fragile peace. But if anyone makes the slightest mistake ..."

"War and death."

"It'll be a brutal war. When the dust settles, the loser will be decimated, losing most if not all of their armies and stripped of their power. Even the winner won't have much left. While your armies, my Lord, are still fresh and strong. No one will have the strength to oppose you."

"And then Mosk will invade, and we'll all be dead." Lord Edward retorted.

"Haken Empire might have fallen, but it will take some time before the situation there settles. Mosk won't attack anytime soon." He smirked. " And there're many ways to stop their invasion before it even begins... I know someone."

Lord Edward gave him a questioning look. They both knew how frighteningly powerful Mosk military's might were. Mosk could wage war on three fronts and still managed to achieve victories on all three, if a well-documented history was to be believed.

Barney was no overconfident fool. If he said he had a way to delay or stop the invasion of Mosk, then he had a way. "My answer is still no. Let them kill and wage their bloody civil war. Let them rip each other apart and let the vulture feast on their corpses. I want no part in it. Don't pursue this matter any further Barney, that's an order."

Barney bowed. "Yes, my Lord." He took out his pocket watch. "If you excuse me, My lord." he stood up and walked back to the servant's quarter.

By the time he arrived, the servants of the house had all stood in the hall, ready and prepared. He walked while inspecting each and every one of them. Servants of house Lion were expected to appear impeccably to not bring shame to their master, and it was his job to ensure that. He gave some servants a special task for today while the rest proceed with their daily work. Barney didn't appear in the presence of Lord Edward again until evening.

Barney knocked on the door leading to the master bedroom. He had waited outside for quite some time without knocking. He knew Lord Edward and lady Lisa was inside and he didn't want to interrupt them. He didn't want to interrupt their chance to reconcile, though he also believed they had already reconciled by the time he arrived. Still, he didn't want to take unnecessary risk.

He knocked.

For the first time in many years, Barney prioritized his own agendas rather than the person he served. He felt guilty about it, shamed by it, but it was too late now.

"Lord Edward, Lady Lisa, it's me."

"B-barney?" Lady Lisa yelled. "Come in." Her voice was cheery, with her usual energy.

With great hesitation, he opened the door and walked inside.

The weight on his chest and shoulder was lifted at that very moment. A wide smile appeared on his face. Lady Lisa lay next to Lord Edward on the bed. She rested her head on his chest while he stroked her blue hair and kissed her forehead. Lady Lisa's face had regained her youthfulness and Lord Edward's was relaxed and happy.

The relief he felt in that moment was indescribable. To see the two reconcile was indeed something worth celebrating. But he didn't have time to celebrate.

"My apologies for interrupting, my Lord, my Lady."

"It's nothing." Lord Edward was the one who answered. His voice was gentler than usual, but still rough by normal definition. "Speak."

"Honey!" Lady Lisa interrupted. "Be nicer to Barney."

"It's fine, my lady. I'm just here to-" He stuttered. He had never done this before. His heart thudded inside and uneasiness welled in his chest. "I-I want to ask for some t-" The word got caught in his throat like a bitter food. Sweat drenched his brows. He wanted to run away, but somehow said the word. "T-time off from work."

He said it.

The die has been cast.

Lady Lisa's and Lord Edward's eyes were wide open and their expression froze. Barney hung his head low. He felt unbearable shame. He wanted to kill himself.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Lord Edward laughter boomed throughout the manor. It was the first time anyone, even Barney and lady Lisa, had ever seen him laugh like that. "Thirty-seven years! Thirty-seven years of service without a single break or vacation." His rare smile was for everyone to see. "Tell me, Barney. How many time have I told you to take a few days off?"

Barney didn't answer immediately, he took his time to think. "A hundred and forty-seven times, my Lord. The last was ten years ago and never again since."

Lord Edward raised his brows. "I learned it was a futile attempt, you've never listened before. Take as many days off as you want. You deserve it, Barney."

Barney bowed deeply. "Then I'll take some days off. I'll return as fast as I can." He still retained his posture. His heart was a cauldron of relief, gratitude, and guilt of equal degree, all mixed up like a thick broth.

Lady Lisa jumped from the bed and approached him with wide smile plastered on her face. "So, so, tell me, what can make the strict and duty-bound Barney take a break from his work?"

He raised his body to look at the Lady. His masters told him in the past that he should never speak with them while lowering his head, and he intended to follow that to the very end. "I ... have a ... relative, you can call her that. I saw her as my niece but also someone I wished to serve under." It should be improper for a butler to admit he wished to serve under someone else, but they had discussed this a few times in the past.

"And, why haven't you?" Lady Lisa teased him. "Are you, maybe, actually a shy person, Barney?" He knew he had never mentioned his niece during his thirty-seven years of servitude. It wouldn't be strange for Lord Edward and Lady Lisa to harbor some suspicion, but if they did, they didn't show it. He was thankful to have an understanding master.

Barney smiled. "I have offered her my service many times in the past, but she rejected it. She said she was unworthy of my loyalty and servitude."

Lord Edward laughed again. "Hahahaha, did I hear that right? Someone refused your loyalty because she thinks she's unworthy while you, the person himself think she deserves it better than anyone? She must be quite the person to refuse your service. Oh well, what are you waiting for? Go get her. You can tell us about her once you returned."

Barney bowed once more. "My thanks, my lord, my lady." and left the room. He had relegated all his work to the other butlers and servants. There was no more burden in his chest, only anticipation.

He changed his butler uniform with a simple shirt and tunic and put a robe over it. He wouldn't dare to use the property of house Lion on a personal errand. He brought his pocket watch though, as it was personally given to him. After everything was done, he set out before the sundown.

When still inside the city walls, he walked with a faster pace than normal, and an abnormally long gait. Once outside the city gate, out on the road and of the view of people, he vanished. He went into a full out sprint into the forest. He used magic to keep his appearance presentable. It would not do to meet his while drenched in sweat with messy hair and torn clothes.

He arrived at his destination just as the sun was falling through the horizon. It was a tall and lean tower that dwarfed nearby trees. Green moss and creeping vines covered the stone exterior of the tower with crow's nest littering the windows. The shadow cast over the forest, the caw of crows, and the dark and dust-filled interior made it look like a haunted or cursed place. The fact that it stood alone in the middle of a forest with no village or town anywhere nearby only further increase its creepiness.

The rotten wooden door moved smoothly when he opened it, contrary to his expectation. Dirt and dust covered the inside. And rats, countless rats. The wooden furnitures were in shambles while the iron rusting. Cobwebs covered the ceiling and small holes littered the walls.

What a mess.

He checked his watch. He only had ten minutes before his guest arrived.

He clasped his hand.

Magic chant escaped his lips and reverberated throughout the tower. Rats and spiders and termites and others swarmed out like flood. Strong winds descended upon the tower, sending dust and dirt out the windows and opened door. With his big fancy magic done, it was time for some manual servant work.

By the time his ten minutes were up, the tower was in a better condition. Not anywhere near perfect, but good enough to sleep in for the night. He knew his niece wouldn't visit for long. Hell, he knew she wasn't here for him and was only passing by. He also believed she didn't expect him there.

The rustles of leaves and undergrowth signaled her coming.

He smiled. How long had it been since he last saw her, he wondered. The last time they communicated was twenty-three years ago when her father died, but with all his memories he couldn't remember when was the last time they met face-to-face. Her face, however, was etched into his mind. Just as it was etched to the soul of every being who gazed on her.

Ashen white hair, silver eyes, and veiled face. Charm that bent the universe around it. Beauty that defies the very rule of this world. Nothing living or dead, in this world or other could forget her face once they had gazed upon it.

He bowed politely to her surprise. "Long time no see, lady Kyrie."