บท 30: Man Under
"You are quite the little thing."
I remember his voice, deep as the river that flows near the woods. His devious smile seemed like a sweet invite in the eyes of a child. Hair like fire and eyes like gold—he seemed like a god that descended from the high heavens.
"What's your name?" He asked, reaching his hand out for me to hold. But, I shook my head as I did not know the answer to his query.
"No name?" He raised a brow. "I suppose not all street urchins have the luxury of having a name."
I felt timid at his intrusive gaze, studying me as if I were a piece of meat. So, I kept my eyes on the ground. This man is a noble. I was sure of it.
"Well, how would you like to have your own name?" He asked. I could not help but look at him in surprise.
"What?" I squeaked.
"Your own name. I promise to care for you, so long as you fight for me."
"Fight for you...?"
"Yes, fight. I saw how you took down those guards by yourself." He smirked, crouching down on one knee.
"Oh... I thought nobles frowned on violence."
"Nonsense, child. On the contrary, we love anything that gives us pleasure." His devious smile should have been taken as a red flag—a glaring sign of his perversion. But in the eyes of a clueless ten-year-old, his smile was beautiful.
No one has ever smiled at me. Not to a street urchin dressed in dirty rags, with violent tendencies. He wasn't afraid of me. So why should I fear him?
I took his outstretched hand and gave mirrored his smile.
"Deal."
He smirked. "My name is Adelredus. And you shall be called Kari."
¤¤♡¤¤♡¤¤
"Master Kari."
I was startled out of my sea of thoughts at Hund's voice.
"You called for me?"
"... Yes." I paused, taking a moment to compose myself. "The nobles are already waiting for us in the club room."
"Yes, Master." I looked behind him to see Dustan and Alva not too far from us. As soon as we were all together, we entered the room. Immediately, all eyes were on us—particularly, on Alva.
"Ah, the star of this gathering has arrived." The viscount merrily announced. With the count gone, he was now in charge of leading the group of nobles. I imagine, he's quite delighted with that.
"Lord Viscount." I greeted him.
"Sir Faust." He returned with a knowing smile. "Let us now commence lunch!" He announced.
Taking his seat at the head of the table, I took mine on his right with my disciples after me in order. The other nobles started sitting according to rank. As soon as we were all seated, I rang the bell to signal the chefs.
Immediately, they served our food. We ate quietly. For once, I got to see the noble side of Alva—with his table manners contradicting everything I knew about him in the last week. Only Hund was out of his element. Nevertheless, the nobles were the least interested in the man.
Snobbish noblemen.
They ate as if his table manners were the least of their worries—as if he simply did not exist. After the uncomfortable meal. The nobles were back to being their chatty selves. They came onto Alva, one after the other, obviously after the boy's name.
Money tree.
Alva handled the nobles quite well, as expected of his prestigious lineage. Without long, Hund and I were cast off to become wallflowers.
"Master, may I ask you a query?" Hund asked from beside me.
I hummed. "Go ahead."
"I was simply wondering why you called me into your club room."
"Why do you ask?" I asked the man.
"... Clearly, I am out of place Master."
"I think not."
"Yes so, Master. I do not belong here."
I sighed. "Hund, you are no mere commoner in this room. You are my disciple. So, get accustomed to gatherings like this. That is the purpose of why I called you here."
Hund seemed satisfied with my answer as he no longer pushed through with his queries. Instead, he watched Alva like a hawk. Every detail or curtail—gesture or posture—were taken into account.
We spent the whole of our afternoon with the nobles, joining them in a bunch of small games. It did not take long before the nobles also started to show interest in Hund. Some of them, I gather, even tried to negotiate their way into Hund's good graces.
Either way, I let the man gather the much needed experience in handling them.
Seeing him try his best reminds me of a puppy. I had to put that thought on hold, seeing as this is a man older than me that I'm thinking of calling a puppy.
"Faust!" It was the viscount.
"Yes?"
"Why don't we have a little chat?" He asked. I could sense his desperation underneath that amiable tone. Looking at the other nobles who were preoccupied with Alva, I smirked.
"Yes, of course." I led the man to a more secluded area. As soon as we were by ourselves, the viscount wasted no time and brought up the topic of this evening's match.
"You disciple, Hund, wasn't it?"
I hummed in reply.
"I'm surprised you remember his name." I commented surly.
"Why, of course. I am, after all, your number one fan and supporter." The viscount seemed pleased with himself at his own proclamations. I chuckled at his own expense. Although I do commend him for his efforts.
"True." I replied with a rueful smile, raising my glass for a toast. Eagerly, he clinked his glass with mine and drank. I took a sip from my glass, watching the man's minute reactions.
If there was one thing that made the viscount better than the previous count, it was his ability to be an open book. Unlike the other nobles who guard their advances, the viscount is eager and a people-pleaser.
I wouldn't mind having such a man under me.
"—and so, I believe, it was the right choice to cut ties with that man." The viscount finished his rant-slash-trash-talking-the-previous-count. I smiled at his furtive show of 'loyalty'.
"Do look forward to hearing news." I told him, sipping the last from my wine. The viscount visibly lightened up.
"You are a smart man, Faust." The viscount praised. "Truly, there is no one like you."
"Indeed, Lord Viscount. Likewise." I returned the empty praise.
"Now, why don't we return with the others? I shall have you tell me tales about your mighty disciples."
I gave him my business smile. "Of course."
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