章 13: The Library
Mireille
"Which library would you like me to accompany to? The East library, the Pedantic library, the North library or th-" Ron asks, while I cut his sentence in between.
Naturally, the next option will be the 'South library'. Is there a need to have so many libraries? But, given the braggart society, this is random. I roll my eyes before answering "The Pedantic one". The library was remarkable and vast, not like a normal one. Surely, the name has to be remarkable too. I regret not being able to answer 'the one Sebastian took me to' because I don't wish to give a hard time to the poor footman.
"I thought you would say the Didactic library which is at a small distance from here" Ron says, showing disappointment yet following my order.
"The Duke's study is a near distance from the Pedantic library, so we servants avoid passing that way" the footman rambles on, oblivious to my new discomfort.
"I changed my mind. Let's go to the Didactic one. Didn't you say it's nearby?" I quickly reverse my destination. Meeting the Duke is the last thing I want. Simply because he's the Duke. Someone who is capable of climbing up the power ladder to a Duke is not just some bureaucratic material. Who knows just how much fraudulent he actually is? Better stay away from him. I'm only here to gather as much information as I can on Aristocracy. This way, I can be close to finding the culprit for the fall of Count Martin and get the revenge. I'll definitely find Mothe- Countess Katherine's murderer. I'm not only just a knight, I have had training as a spy too. I focus on as the footman continues his ramble.
".... I'm Ron. You can call me..."
"Oh, so you are the one who informed 5'4 midget about me" I mumble after my realization.
"Pardon, 5' what?" he questions, not catching what I just said.
"Nothing" I respond to him, brimming with mischief. I don't want rumors spread around about this glorious name. I don't know his influence, I can "use" it to squeeze things out of 5'4 midget.
"Anyway... Let's continue" he says, quickly recovering from the confusion by my behavior.
It's been ten minutes now and we have continued walking. The footman didn't cease his useless babble. In this situation, I can't blame my gaze for wandering here and there. Everywhere I see, I'm only greeted by magnificent pillars decorated with auric designs, gilded lustrous chandeliers radiating the hallway. Somewhere along the way, I did see some maids polishing the sparkling interior but they ran away before I could eavesdrop their gossip. But that isn't the case now, because we're going to pass a maids duo and they seem to be so immersed in their gossip that they didn't see us coming.
"Did you hear about her marriage?" I overhear a maid chatting with the other.
What.... It's just some useless chatter. So much for my excitement. I discard the useless chatter and focus on my way. Disappointed. We further pass the maids and I only hear faint voices.
"Do you know about the blue-blood death ..." my ears erect at the mention of blue-blood and death.
"There have been so many cases of blue-blood deaths in the past days" the maid is busy gossiping with her fellow friend.
Pretending to adjust my shoes, I bend down to stand still and listen to their conversations instead of walking away from this hot gossip.
"Do you think it was “accidental” or “inten...."
I don't catch on completely to their little talk. The next moment I glance at them, they are speed-walking into one of the rooms. Surely, the glare from Ron made them act this way. I regret at losing my source of information and get all curious to find out the whole story about it.
Even now, Ron shows no sign of shutting up his babble. I don't really see anything curious in the hallway either and expectedly, I dive into my thoughts.
“The absolute power resides with the Imperial family. But since the Royalty of this empire is vulnerable right now, there proved the need for a proper legislation to uphold unity. The Emperor is an old man in his mid-eighty, the Empress passed away due to dreariness. The second Queen was murdered in cold blood. Rumors say there was an unusual uproar at that time, since she was the king's beloved. The remaining members of the family were all daughters, who were married to neighboring kingdoms.
The heir to the throne is of big question though. Back when the Emperor was a newly married young man, the Empress birthed daughters and no son. Fearing the loss of lineage, the Emperor married another influential lady, the second Queen, who was known for her incredible beauty. She managed to birth a son and a daughter. Yet, to her dismay, The queen was murdered along with her son, leaving the Emperor distraught. If her son was alive, he would probably be in his fifties- just like Sebastian. But he ain't.
And so, the absolute monarch is no longer effective. Right now, Either the monarchy goes in the hands of the Grand Vicar, or it follows the system of legislation. The past years, the members of legislation did their best at avoiding unnecessary wars- and therefore, a small piece of land is cut from Fainèant Empire and used as collateral for any business with the other nations. Given the topography of Fainèant, it is no more an Empire now. It's more like a small nation right now but the populace is happy ignoring the information.
The legislation, as it is called, is filled with influential aristocrats. Certainly, Duke Allen is one of them. Despite the upholstery of justice, the legislation is filled with corruption. It is a twisted spider web of politics, sewn with fraudulency and venality. Formed with the intention to uphold justice, the legislation does the opposite”
A mild snapping of fingers from Ron bought my focus back to reality.
"Hello!" he shouts, startling me. "We are here Sir!" he shouts again.
"Shush!" I remark. I'm not in the mood to have an ear-splitting ceremony here.
"Since you seemed immersed in your thoughts..." Ron replies, lowering his voice as he realizes the cons of disrespecting a Nobel. It's funny how I'm a Noble for the servants and a commoner for the Aristocracy. After all, I grew up as the foster child, with no known origins, in a Baron's estate.
"Yes I get it" I heave a big sigh, guilty at making a completely innocent servant feel guilty "You can go now" I say while I take a good look at the grand library in front.
"Duenna Thomas informed about a meeting with Duenna Monroe and his special guest" Ron called out from behind, after I started walking towards the large library door, leaving him behind.
Thomas must be that bulky Duenna. I conclude from Ron's statement. A meeting of 5'4 midget and a special guest? Now I'm curious! I'm sure if not for Duke, I can handle anyone. Despite being so overly enthusiastic inside, I maintain a placid expression while urging Ron to go away and not to worry. It wasn't hard since Ron was more than happy to leave.
I go inside the huge doors and once again, get greeted by the stale books smell. My main objective was to read books about the power distribution. But now, it's to meet the “special guest” of 5'4 midget. I smirk mischievously as I make my way to the desk I first met 5'4 midget at.
_____________
Ron went happily on his way after showing Edgar the way to library.
'Didn't he know the special guest?' Ron stopped in his steps. 'Does he know Duenna Monroe only meets with Duke Allen?' he deeply pondered. Given the anti-social personality of Monroe, meeting with new people is the last thing he would want. Monroe only met with Duke Allen along some others of the estate. For Ron and many servants alike, avoiding their lord is a safe option to work quietly without any involvement in the Aristocracy circle. He believed many Knights lived with that policy in mind. He only concluded Edgar to be a power-thirsty person.
-' -' - '- '-' - '-' - '-' - '
[At the ceremony]
After a quick thorough scan of the hall, Raizel confirmed he was right. Someone was missing.
"Someone's missing" he whispered to his nearby company, Daniel "Find out who" he ordered the Vice-Captain with a straight face.
'Idiots!' Daniel cursed internally, knowing full well Raizel doesn't spare indiscipline.
~~~~~~
"Exactly who was brave enough to skip the ceremony? They must be ready to meet the Meilleur Captain" Daniel thundered with authority making the skittish Knights jump.
Silence. Only the rhythmic tapping of Daniel's fingers over his desk was audible. There was no sound coming from the squatting Knights. Even their harsh breathing knew not to aggravate their Vice-Captain or suffer the consequences of his wrath. Yet, the Knights remained silent, unable to find appropriate excuses.
"Looks like talking doesn't help...." Daniel exhaled while getting up from his seat and making way to his backsword. His tone was casually frisky, eliminating the heaviness in his previous tone. His face had the same alarming expression as before, adding to the intimidating atmosphere.
"Please forgive me!" a petrified voice called out.
"Oh... You have something to say?" Daniel asked with a friendly tone, making the Knights flinch.
"It was Jack!" the knight yelled, knowing well that angering Daniel could get him kicked out from the estate. "Please let me go now!" the petrified knight begged to be out of this room and away from Daniel's wrath.
"He is talking about Jackson Cook, a 2nd Class Knight" Daniel's servant, Paul informed about the mentioned knight.
"Jackson....." Daniel searched his memory for any mention of such person "Oh, that blonde magpie!" he exclaimed, recollecting the said “magpie”.
"Um...Yes" Paul replied, hesitantly.
Everyone knew about 'blonde magpie' rather than 'Jackson Cook'. He earned the title due to his inhuman ability to talk continuously and to strip-the-skeleton-from-the-cupboard.
"Please excuse me" the earlier knight who exposed Jackson pleaded, wobbling on his knees.
"The three of them were last seen with Sir Jackson" Paul continued to provide information to his master, giving the details of the three Knights in front and of Jackson.
"Hold on" Daniel grasped the attention of all the three wobbly kneeling Knights "Why did he stay behind?" he asked with apparent confusion.
Seeing the averting gazes of the knights, Daniel knew something was off. He repeated his question "Why did he stay behind?" this time his voice was more demanding, making the wobbly knight quiver.
"W-He...broke his bones" one of the Knights said, doing his best at avoiding Daniel's gaze.
"Why?" Daniel simply questioned. He figured what must have transpired between the Knights and Jackson. As thoughtless as Jackson is, he must have said something inappropriate out loud, earning the anger of his fellow peers.
The Knights understood this. They understood that their Vice-Captain wanted the whole account on the incident, rather than trimmed pieces of information.
"We were discussing some matters" one of the knight said, showing clear conviction to his fellow victim peers.
“Better lose my head, Than lose the favor of Vice-Captain” this sole thought made the Knights spill everything they knew. The 0.5 rule— «Without the supervision of a ranked official, any prevailing physical clash between fellow Knights is strictly prohibited and may subject to stricter discipline». It always subdued any arguments which could result into a bigger uproar. Over the time, The Knights who hated the Captain's disciplinary training yet couldn't let go of any quarrel without a brawl- they earned the favor of some 1st rank Commanders and easily quenched their thirst. But the favor of 'Savior Hero' also called Vice-Captain Daniel, was different. It was specially a blessing for the poor Knights. Everyone knew, only Daniel could liberate the poor Knights from the clutches of the 'Cold-King'- Raizel. Duke Allen could too, after all, Raizel and Allen were childhood friends. But true-blue, Allen won't.
Following the lead of the earlier brave knight, the one eloquent in his speech stated "We were busy reminiscing our lovely family back at home- precisely our siblings"
"I'm not a fan of filtered trash" Daniel retorted, unimpressed at the great eloquence showed a moment ago. He figured they were goofing around prior to the ceremony and probably chattering about women.
Paul looked up at the Knights, shuffling some pinned papers in his hands. It only signified that he had enough information about the incident and any wrong reporting from the Knights would result in Paul stepping in to correct their mistakes and in turn, the Knights losing the favor from Daniel. He was shrewd, yes, he had to be. To survive in this society and especially, in this Dukedom. He was a commoner, unlike the many workers of this duchy. He made sure to get in favor of many, and lastly, he managed to be called 'The 2nd Sebastian'. No one likes being a replacement for another. But this was enough for Paul. Being named as the replacement for Sebastian meant that people finally acknowledged him. And he was satisfied.
"We were enthusiastically talking about Edgar's twin sister. Then the conversation trailed on to his first match and how shocked we were to see such a pretty male. That's when that magpie opened his mouth and said- “We were ready to see a curvy figure”" the knight who said this took a deep sigh, recollecting the awkward moments. He was ongoing with a bold and resolute front, his fellow Knights knew he would stand brave in front of his death.
"Edgar Radford is a new recruit who had a mock match with 1st Class Commander Davidson" Paul informed Daniel yet again. Stressing the word 'mock' and not mentioning that Edgar actually won.
'Edgar... I didn't know he had a twin' Daniel thought, showing some interest but soon erasing his useless thoughts.
"As normal as it gets, Edgar stormed out and you fellows beat up Jackson for spoiling the fun" Daniel stated as placidly as it gets. He knew how handsome Edgar is and the mention of his twin sister must a blessing from God to the Knights.
"It was the question of our honor!" the bold knight grew confident on Daniel's understanding nature and focused on getting back his favor.
Daniel sighed. He knew 'honor' is the most important factor to a knight. And to uphold their honor in front of a recruit is of great importance. But 'magpie' poured their efforts down the drain. But that was the normal conclusion. Daniel knew the Knights were just outraged at Jackson for making them look bad in front of Edgar, whose sister is of greater importance to them.
'So troublesome!' He thought. Annoyance was visible on his face. His thoughts clashed between 'punishing them' or 'freeing them'.
"Beat it!" Daniel ordered them to leave. And just like the obedient fellows they were, they hastily made their way to the door.
"Call Jackson!" he ordered them again, willing to sort the matter with Jackson.
The knights stopped clutching hard on the door outline. "Uh..." they only responded with stuttering.
"He is bedridden" Paul broke to Daniel after seeing the Knights hesitation.
Daniel could only respond with widening eyes. When he jerked his head towards the knights, they were not there. They left, sensing the growing anger in Daniel. They were smart.
'Those idiots! Making Jack bedridden, while even small brawls are prohibited!' He grew tired of their idiocy. He underestimated their disobedience and overestimated their obedience.
* * * * * * *
A/n
HI! This is the author. There'll finally be interactions between Mireille and Allen. And in the future, they will have many more.
In the third-person narrative, I'll be referring to Mireille as both “Edgar” and “Mireille”, based on context. So please don't be confused. Right now, Mireille is disguised as a Knight, Edgar Radford and only Duke and Sebastian knows her identity.
Lastly, please don't forget to vote, comment your opinions and share the story.
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