knock knock

Arthur’s groggy voice could be heard from the other side of the door. “Who is it?”

“U-Um, i-it’s me, E-Elizabeth!” Footsteps echoed from the other side which was followed by Arthur opening the door and letting me into his room.

He yawns and asks if I needed something so early in the morning. I sat down in one of the chairs while Arthur sat at the edge of his bed stroking the sleeping Rose’s hair. “I-I just wanted to i-inform y-you that yesterday when you w-weren't here, your m-mother p-paid me a visit.” He looked in my direction at the mention of his mother and asked “She didn't cause any trouble did she?”

I shook my head and continued “N-No, rather… s-she inquired a-about y-you.” Interested he asked what she wanted to know. “S-She asked m-me about what y-you enjoyed doing, what y-you ate, wh-what you liked. I-If you were h-happy… G-Given your r-relationship, I thought y-you o-ought to k-know.” It was quite awkward as I’d already gathered that their relationship wasn’t good. But seeing her the other day, I felt that something in her had changed from when we last encountered each other.

Arthur mumbled to himself “What is she up to…”

“D-D-Do you think s-she might want to m-mend y-your relationship..?” I may not know her very well but my mother's intuition was telling me that she didn't have any malicious intentions. Contrary, it felt like she was regretful.

Arthur looked sceptical but asked, “If so, why now?”

“M-Maybe y-you should ask h-her..?” Ah, maybe I’m overstepping my bounds…

“N-Never m-mind i-i-ignore me, I d-don’t have a r-right to meddle…”

Arthur looked at me with his usual monotone expression but this time there was a hint of emotion in the pale vastness of his eyes. “You are Rose’s mother, and Rose is my sister, you need not tip-toe around me.” Arthur seemingly tried to comfort me as he began to comb through Rose’s hair with his hand.

**

“You’re on friendly turns with my son right..?” She asked as she hooked her luscious hazel brown hair behind her ear while taking a sip of her tea. I don't know how I got into this situation but it would seem that the duchess has invited me to have tea with her.

“Y-Y-Yes I-I would s-say w-w-we a-are on g-good terms…” I could feel my face flush from embarrassment; my nervousness is making my stuttering worse…

“You’re a mother so you should understand, right? I-I’ve been quite a fool until now, I neglected my son and locked myself away. But, I want to get to know my son… w-would you be willing to help..?” She seemed quite embarrassed and ashamed of herself which prompted me to answer with full honesty.

“I-I cannot help y-you with this… I-I do n-not believe this will be s-simple t-to fix, and y-you will only get t-the chance i-if A-Arthur allows you t-to. But I-I will p-pray you get th-the chance for reconciliation, b-but t-this is something y-you need t-to tackle a-alone.” Her face fell sullen and she circled her finger on the rim of her teacup. “Something I must do alone..? Maybe you are correct...”

——————————————

And so Charlotte would spend the next year attempting to reconcile with her estranged son but her efforts bore little results. But it would be wrong to say her efforts didn't bear any fruits, they did indeed grow closer but not nearly to the level of a mother and son. And in the process, she made an unexpected friend. Charlotte had made it her hobby to chat with Elizabeth over tea, this was also one of the reasons Arthur decided to give his mother the benefit of the doubt.

Soon Arthur would have to enrol into the Imperial Academy as this was the year he would be turning twelve. The Imperial Academy has a strict isolation rule which meant that visitors weren't allowed and students weren't allowed to leave either. This was done so that the newer generation of nobility would be able to socialise freely without the constraints and interference of the current nobility. In a sense, it was to simulate high society on a smaller scale to prepare them for when they became of age.

As you could assume, Arthur was less than pleased about the idea of being separated from Rose for the entirety of his stay at the academy. Usually, it would take one six years to graduate from the academy. The academy has six grades, when you enter you start at the first. A student needs to take five subjects, at the end of the year students take a test for each subject and they must pass four of the five tests to move up a grade. But, a student may request to do these tests early to move up a grade early. But, that doesn't mean a student can graduate in a single year, as a rule, the maximum amount of grades you can pass in a year is two.

Even with this rule, the quickest graduating time is currently four years and this achievement belongs to the current Emperor Malik Asher De Elroyard. Emperor Malik Asher is known as the greatest emperor in history as he conquered the entirety of the continent during his reign. Though his history is riddled with war and bloodshed, he isn't known as a tyrant but rather as a benevolent emperor who is popular with the commoners for establishing a significant amount of pro commoner regulations.

——————————————

“What are you thinking about so seriously, Big Brother?”

Rose looked to me with her moonlike eyes brimming with curiosity; Rose always had a curious disposition which I eventually found endearing. I sighed then pulled Rose’s wheelchair to a stop and returned her gaze. “You know how I turned twelve recently, right?”

“Of course! January the 21st, how could I forget!”

“Well, now that I’m twelve I will be leaving to attend the Imperial Academy.”

“The Imperial Academy? That’s the most prestigious school on the continent so isn't that a good thing..?” I slowly began pushing Rose along the garden path as I began to explain.

“You see, once I enter the academy I won’t be allowed to leave until I graduate, nor can visitors enter. Which means we won't be seeing each other for a minimum of three years…”

“W-When will you be leaving..?” She anxiously asked.

“In a week's time.”

“D-Do you have to go?” She asked without returning my gaze.

“Yes.”

“O-Of course you do… It’s for your future. sniff I’ll miss you so come back quickly!”

She raised her hands to her face and I watched as she slightly trembled in her wheelchair.

I bitterly smile but I know she's strong, she’ll be fine. ‘I’ll make sure to graduate as quickly as possible so that I can return to you.’

**

click

I picked up my case and took one last look at my room.

“It’s been an honour serving you Young Master.”

“Yes, you have been a great help, Amber. But, from now on I need you to attend to Rose as her personal maid. You’re the only one I can trust with this task, if anything happens call on Ethan.”

Amber bows and responds with “Of course, Young Master. I will serve the miss to the utmost of my ability!”

“Well, I really should be going.”

I walked down the halls I had paced through thousands of times over the years, maybe its because it was my last day but it felt different. I was conscious of every step, every creak in the floorboards, and the blindingly bright sun as I stepped out into the courtyard.

As my eyes adjusted to the glaring light what greeted me was my father, mother, Elizabeth, Rose, and about a dozen servants along with a carriage.

I greeted mother and father before walking over to Rose and Elizabeth.

“One would think I’m going off to die, haha… sorry.” Rose’s eyes were swollen red. You could tell she was up all night crying. “Three years! Not four! Not five! Three! If you’re late I’ll be mad..!”

“Haha. Of course.” I caress Rose’s snow-white hair which was warm to the touch due to the morning sun. I handed a key to Rose to which she asked “W-What’s this?”

“Well, I’ll no longer be needing my study. So, you can have it while I’m away. My collection of books should be greater than any library so if you ever want to learn something go there.”

She proceeded to grab my tie and pull me in as she wrapped her arms around my neck pulling me into a hug. “Hic… T-Thank you, Big Brother… just come back quickly…”

“...I promise, take care of yourself. Goodbye.” I stroked the back of her head before pulling out of her tight grip and saying my goodbyes to Elizabeth.

I walked up to my father the duke and declared. “Three years! It’ll only take me three years. So, you better keep your end of the deal.”

He laughed in amusement “Haha! If you can do what even the emperor couldn’t I’ll declare your candidacy as my heir!”

Before I could respond I was distracted by the sound of flapping wings speeding towards me. ‘Master! I’m sorry for being late!’

‘No, you won't be coming’ Noire looked at me confused.

‘I… won’t be coming..?’ He asked for confirmation,

‘No, you will be staying here with Rose. You will do everything she tells you.’

‘But Master!’

‘I won't tolerate any objections.’ With some resistance Noire stayed behind with Rose though, it's not like he had a choice anyway.

Once I said my goodbyes to mother and father I got onto the carriage which road off as I watched Rose and Elizabeth wave.

——————————————

The duke was back in his study reading over and signing documents with Ethan attending him. “Duke, do you believe Alexander has any chance against Arthur?”

“Of course not. That fool couldn't effectively seize an opportunity that was fed to him on a platter let alone successfully lead a dukedom. I’ll never allow him to succeed me lest he ruins the Vermilion name. On the other hand. Arthur is intelligent beyond his years and is always seeking new knowledge coupled with his immense talent for magic. He’s even achieved to sign a pact with a demon.” SLAM The duke stamped a document while sinisterly smiling at Ethan “I couldn't possibly ask for a better heir.”

“Then, why use such a roundabout way of appointing him as your heir?”

“Once Arthur graduates Alexander will go against him, or maybe even before that. Adversity forges a person, it makes them stronger. Simply giving it to him would be wasteful of an opportunity than can sharpen him. And maybe losing will knock some sense into that idiotic son of mine.”

“I believe you are overestimating Alexander. Arthur is a prodigy, a genius… no, a monster among men. What challenge could Alexander possibly bring Arthur?”

“Hmm… it’s less about what he could do to Arthur and more what he can do to those around Arthur.”

**

“Okay! This is where I will be ending class today! Remember to complete tonight's homework by tomorrow!” The room immediately filled to the brim with the chattering of the students. Arthur grabbed his textbooks and was about to leave when he was stopped by a group of female students. “I greet the second son of the Vermilion ducal house. I am Princess Victoria De Elroyard.” The leader of the group was the third daughter of the imperial family who like Arthur was a first year.

Arthur bowed and greeted her. “Arthur, would you care to join us for tea?”

No matter how bothered Arthur was due to rank, he couldn't respond how he would normally. “Princess, I apologise but this subject has already made prior arrangements to meet with someone.” Victoria flinched at his rejection but she kept her shallow smile. “Well, I’m sure they won't mind if you cancel as-” SLAM

“Arthur! What’s taking you so long!” Before Victoria could finish, August came charging into the classroom. “Oh, Sister! I see you’ve met my friend Arthur already! If you don't mind, Arthur and I have something important to discuss.”

Before Victoria could get a word in August pulled Arthur out of the classroom. “Thank you for saving me, Your Highness.”

“Sorry about that, the third princess is cunning and has a venomous tongue so you need to watch out. Also, I told you to just call me August. No more of that ‘Your Highness’ nonsense!” He angrily added.

“I may be a duke's son, but I am still your subject so I cannot be seen calling you by your first name.”

“Then… this is an order. As a subject, you must obey my orders, heh! At least when we are alone, in public I’ll allow you to call me Your Highness.”

Volume 1 End.