~*~
Tok tok tok
His small hand stopped turning the page of the book he's reading when suddenly someone knocked on the door.
Yves went to the door and opened it, a male servant bowed as he showed them the small tray with a sealed letter. Rosh lifted his brows at the folded stationary.
''Who is it from, Yves?'' He asked.
''Ah, it seems to be an invitation from the young master of Aphen, their seal is stamped on it, young master.'' She answered and handed him the letter.
Hugo stared blankly at the paper, trying to sense any kind of magic or trap that could hurt his master.
Rosh opened the letter with suspicion. The Aphen Household's young master? His father has made a good relationship with the marquessate so there is a reason for the Marquis' son to invite a Razon child in whatever.
But why him? Rosh knew he is widely known to be weak and is looked down upon. Even Amros confirmed that he is still unappreciated by other nobles, so why? Is this because of the kidnapping incident? What motive does the young master Aphen have for him?
''The young master Aphen wanted me to be his guest?'' Rosh said out loud and looked at his maid. ''What do you think, Yves?''
''A tea party for other young masters in society. Young master, I don't think it's a good idea to attend.'' Yves suggested.
''This..why?''
''She doesn't want you to have connections and rise in power, Master.''
'Obvious reasons, Amros.'
''Well, my sweet young master, many other young masters will attend there and you are still not used to socialize.''
Rosh looked at her in confusion and innocence. Inside, he's barfing.
''But wouldn't I be used to it if I socialize more?''
''You are very shy, young master, the other might deem you boring and they'll looked down on you.''
Yves clasped her hands together and looked at him worriedly. Hugo shot her a deadly gaze, which she doesn't seem to notice.
''Look down on me? But I'm the duke's son..'' Rosh acted sad.
''That's exactly why, young master. I care for you, and I don't want that to happen..''
Rosh almost slapped her in disbelief. Care for him? Her? The Yves? That's the most ridiculous thing he's ever heard. How shameless for her to even try to order him around.
'A maid deciding for her own master. Fvcking b*tch.' He bit his inner cheek.
Rosh felt her hands caress his cheeks and Yves smiled at him sweetly.
''Okay, Yves. Don't worry, I won't go.''
''Great choice, young master!''
''Instead...can I invite young master Samuel, Enzo and lady Eveia?'' Yves was surprised and stiffened.
''E-eh? Young master but..''
Rosh ignored her words and took out a stationary from his drawer, a quill and his Razon seal wax.
''When we were kidnapped we have found friendship among ourselves. I want to invite them and hang out. Maybe ask their well being after the incident. That's okay, right Yves?''
His reason was valid enough that Yves couldn't find any fault or holes to stop him. The family those children were from are at least a bit more influential than the Aphen family, Rosh will certainly gain more connections than him being in the Aphen tea party.
But Yves have no choice but to concede.
''O-of course..y-young master.''
Rosh smiled. ''Thank you, Yves.''
He started writing three invitations to be mailed at the Schneider, Rome and Lune households. After he finished writing, he sent Yves to give the letter to the servant.
-
***
''It's an honor to see you again, young master Rosh.''
''Samuel, how many times do I have to tell you? Drop the honorifics, we're friends now, aren't we? That includes you guys too.'' Rosh said to the three.
Samuel chuckled shyly but complied. Surely, he still wasn't used to calling him his name. ''A-alright..young ma——R-Rosh.''
''It's so cool to see you, Rosh! Your house is so big, I'm jealous!'' Enzo joked earning an eye roll from Eveia.
''You're acting as if your estate is any less bigger than this place.'' Eveia crossed her arms.
''Says the one who's manor could compare to the side palace of the imperial family.''
''No, my home is bigger than the side palace of the imperial family.'' She said in pride.
''Okay, okay, everyone. Let's go to the library, no one would disturb us there.'' Rosh said and led them through the halls.
''Who would dare disturb young master Rosh and his guests?'' Samuel stated with a huff. ''Servants shouldn't interfere with their master's activities.''
Rosh looked down. ''I think...that rule doesn't really apply on me, Samuel.''
Samuel and Enzo realized what he meant and immediately assumed that he was being treated differently by the workers because the duke doesn't favor him. They looked at each other awkwardly.
''S-sorry for touching a sensitive topic, Rosh.''
''Don't apologize for something trivial, Samuel. It's nothing, really. I understand that my brother will always be more special to others than I am.''
Rosh gave them the 'it's-okay, I'm-okay' smile.
Eveia, on the other hand, couldn't help but click her tongue quietly. She didn't want to come, but if she didn't, it will make a bad hit to her reputation. Samuel and Enzo already saw her rude attitude towards Rosh. She's quite surprised they hadn't spread a word or rumor yet.
''Let's not make this bonding gloomy. All that aside, let's go to the library, we have lots to do!'' Rosh said cheerfully and turned around.
With his back facing them, nobody saw the slight tug on his lips.
***
1 week later...
Out of nowhere, rumors of Rosh getting close to the young masters of Lune and Rome and the young lady of Schneiders spread through the kingdom. Many nobles pushed their children to get close to Rosh, leaving his mailbox as full as an erupting volcano.
They have been inviting him in all kinds of things. Tea party this, horse riding that, playing this, eating that. It made Rosh irritated because it wasn't his plan to be noticed, yet, although his father's anger covered it up and eased his mood.
Yves made such a mistake, and Rosh knew that she will receive punishment from the duke.
But who exactly spread such rumors?
''That godd@mn Aphen! He planned this!''
Rosh slammed the daily newspaper on his table before glancing on the side where many invitations were laid. He had ordered Amros to politely decline each one of them by creating letters himself.
''He did this because I declined his bloody invitation!'' He glared at Amros who's smugly leaning on the wall at the far corner of the room. ''Such a petty pest! My plan of being 'low-profile but slowly rising' is breaking because of him!''
''Seems like that boy is hindering more of your plans, Master, he's witty if not for his pettiness.'' Amros snickered lowly but stopped when he saw Rosh shot him a sharp gaze. He cleared his throat.
''Yeah, yeah, I get. Now what do you plan to do? Master.'' Amros straightened up and walked towards him. ''Clearly, you won't just let this be right?''
''Let this be? That thing dared to try and use my name. I'll play his game.'' Rosh slowly showed him a smile.
He snapped his hand, suddenly Hugo (Luar) went inside the room. He bowed respectfully. ''Master.''
''Hugo, hire some trustworthy people to spread a rumor for me. But don't tell them it is I who ordered this, and don't show yourself. Give them 10 gold each.''
Amros created a bag of at least a hundred gold coins and threw it to Hugo who easily catched it. Rosh satand leaned on the bed rest, he looked at his knight, his eyes faintly glowing red.
''The Aphen young master sent an invitation to the young master of Razon but was declined. A marquis' son trying to ride on the ducals. Like children, like parents.''
''Your message will be heard, Master.'' Hugo bowed before disappearing.
Rosh hummed, satisfied. Laying down, he felt Amros going near him. He shot a questioning gaze to his master.
''Why hire people, Master? Luar could easily control them using his bugs and even erase their memories to erase evidence.'' He asked.
Rosh smirked.
''Nobles are prideful, Amros. When such a word spreads, it's either the Aphens or my father who tries to dig out whoever made the rumor. But since the root themselves don't know who gave them the order, they will find nothing.'' Rosh clicked his tongue. Being a noble himself, he knows the nature of his fellows. Pride, honor and reputation are far more important than a nobles' life. ''They'll be dying of curiousity.''
***