The Dreamer's POV

We got into the mansion soon enough, and to no one's surprise, the ugly large guard followed.

He was ugly, but strong, perhaps even stronger than Drius.

The duke of Gloria domain seemed to have an annoyed air around him, I couldn't quite pin it, but he did. Was it a dislike of Theo's new position or something more?

The chef and his assistants had prepared delectable meals in preparation of their arrival.

The aroma of honeyed meat and steamed vegetables pervaded the room, and everyone's mood lightened.

They all took their seats: the ugly guard, the envoy, the duke, and Theo. Theo took the seat at the center, as the Lord of the house.

He raised a cup of wine, saying the words,

"To friendships."

Fortunately, Lord Markus heeded the greeting and raised his cup in response, the others did too.

"To friendships."

I then sensed one of my wyverns nearby, it was Drius. He soon barged in, startling the guests, but quickly taking his place at Theo's side.

"Ahh, the knight that rides a wyvern. Quite the sight you gave us lord Theo. Not many nobles have a wyvern at their disposal, no, I daresay none, or at least I don't know about it. One would say you should rather have it hidden so as not to rouse suspicions, but I take it that the wyvern's presence is a show of strength, is it not?"

I did not know that, the truth was that I couldn't teleport Drius to the gate, and we hadn't thought of having him there to receive the Duke, so I did what I thought was the best course of action. I lent him a wyvern to fly there, cutting the time he would get there on a horse.

"Precisely." Theo replied and then stuffed vegetables into his mouth. For a child, he sure loved his vegetables.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Tell me, where did you get it? It wasn't just laying around, and I didn't hear any news of the duke bearing wyverns neither are they an heirloom. It must be yours, and I find that very hard to believe, though it must be."

"The information is confidential Lord Markus."

Markus's eyes appraised the boy's face and then Drius, he didn't bother with me, I was just a mere butler, nothing to worry about.

"Is that so? You know, I sort of expected that you would spill the beans like how stupid kids your age do, it seems you're just a little different."

An insult to the Lord of the Lyma region, that was bold.

He laughed a little and nudged on his guard as if to prompt him to laugh. He was however the only one who laughed at his own silly joke, and it stung him, not even his envoy feigned laughter.

"I am Duke Theo Lyma of the Lyma region, I will not settle for disrespect, especially not in my home. I was briefed on your intelligence Lord Markus…" he stopped, feeling a hand on his shoulder.

Drius had stopped him from going on, and it was a good call, I would have preferred that he went on and insulted the noble.

'Fucking pompous nepo baby.'

The duke frowned at Theo's words, but he said nothing, and instead continued eating.

He took a sip of a drink made from a blend of citrus fruits and then he asked, as if he had gained his senses as a noble.

"On friendships, I do miss my dear friend Sarah, do you know where she might be?" He inquired.

"What do you mean? Grandmother should be at Guda."

"Hmmm… is that so?" His eyes shifted to me as if he was directing the question to me.

"Oh well, I just wanted to know of the condition of a friend."

'Fuck fuck fuck! I didn't think he would bring Sarah up.'

"You know, Sarah and I spoke about the region, the capital and its new outlook, and you filling the vacuum of power your father left. She believed she was better suited to lead, and a lot of us think so as well, perhaps even his majesty. You on the other hand, are like a blank paper needing to be filled, you seem to have things stable and I believe you had a hand in the astronomical repairs of the city."

Theo said nothing, he would have thanked the Lord for his praise, but he had insulted a few seconds prior. It was time to get to business and save everyone's time.

"What do you want Duke Markus Gloria?"

'Oh his full name, diabolical.' I giggled internally, proud of my efforts showing off.

The duke stopped midway to putting a piece of meat into his mouth.

"What do I want? Well I want to know if Sarah would be better as the duchess of this wonderful place, or whether you'll do a good job of continuing your father's legacy."

"As you can see, I'm surrounded by competent men, they would complement me where I am lacking if the Lyma region going unstable is what you fear."

"Yes, I'm inclined to believe so. Now, before Sarah departed and acted as if we were not friends. She spoke of a certain butler, one who was rather efficient and strong. I think she believes he has you in his strings. Where is the man if I may ask?"

"What?!" Theo slammed the table standing up.

"My actions are mine alone! No one is controlling me."

'That's a lie Theo, and you know it. It's partly my fault too, I have overstayed my welcome.'

Lord Markus arched his neck from laughter at the young lord's reaction.

He stopped.

"I like you, I don't know why Sarah didn't but I do, you've got spunk in you lad, good one. I would love to make a deal with you, but first, where's this Luke? I must see the man that scared Sarah so."

I grinned, certain that the duke had seen it, and realized.

I stepped forward and gave a slight bow,

"I am Luke, and I'm in service to Duke Theo."