With Raul
Visiting the
viscount Estate;
"What's the overall report on the house?" I asked one of the workers I hired. "The rooftop needs to be repaired immediately, there's small entry holes in the basement that could lead to a potential pest and rodent problem and there's mold upstairs on the top floor where it would seem someone use to stay, I honestly don't see how anyone could have stayed up there without getting ill" he said. I clutched my teeth together tightly, knowing that Amoras room used to be on the top floor. That mold could be part of the reason why she's in bad health.
"And how much will the repairs cost?" I asked "60 silver coins" he said, I sighed that's quite expensive for something I'd imagine is pretty simple to repair. Even though I knew very well that he was taking advantage of the fact that I'm a noble and The grand Duke at that. I decided to pay it no mind I had no shortage of money and as long as it's for Amora the cost don't matter. I want this place to be in excellent condition when I hand over everything to Amora.
"Ok, the 60,000 silver will be credited to you once the work is completed, please note that since this is quite expensive if anything is unsatisfactory to me your payment will be deducted accordingly" I said. I was as calm as could be yet the man still looked frightened "Y-yes sir" he said.
Later I went on to see the town and people in which all were in bad conditions as well, food shops and stands charged high prices for foods that should only cost one copper coin. Children wore rags that were covered in dirt, they were also thin and skinny.
Just then I bumped into someone because I wasn't quite paying attention to my surroundings. I looked down at a short brown haired man who seem to had been carrying creates full of fruits that looked more on the rotten side. I crouched down and picked up one before looking up at the guy who was trembling in fear. "I-I'm s-sorry sir, please forgive for bumping into you, have mercy" the man begged before bowing down at my feet.
These people were so timid and jumpy. I sighed before picking up his crate and beginning to put the fruits back in it. "Please Rise your head, this was my fault not yours" I said handing him the now full again create, the man looked up surprised but relieved. "T-thank you" he said before standing up and grabbing both crates then going off on his way again.
I stood back up and went off on my way as well, "Bread!, get your bread here only 20 silver coins!" said the older man selling Bread behind the stand. I decided to go over, not to buy some bread but to buy some information. "I'll give you 30 silver" I said the man's eyes lit up "Really?!, um I mean yes thank you here is your bread" he said I shook my head "No need I'm not buying Bread, I want you to tell me everything you know about why you all are living this way" I said the old man's face went sad. "Ah yes see, it started when Count Owen and viscountess Alessia passed away, the Lords brother took over the title 10 days after the funeral and that's when he started to raise taxes so much that we couldn't afford to feed ourselves or our families, and it wasn't like we could just not pay them if anyone refused to pay their taxes then they were bonded to a slave contract and sold off to a slave trader" he explained.
But one thing didn't make sense how come no letters reporting on the situation were sent to the capital or the grand Dukedom?, "I don't understand why didn't anyone file complaints?" I asked the old man looked at me as if I asked a question that I should already know the answer to. "Well because the people aren't allowed to send letters only the counts family are allowed" he said. Not allowed to send letters?!, that's a basic right that he was stripping them of.
I sighed and pulled out the 30 silvers that was promised before giving them to the old man. "Thank you so much!" He said as I walked away.
Back at the Dukedom
Location: The grand Dukedom Palace
Later when I arrived back at the Dukedom I saw Doctor Allen who's my wife's personal physician standing outside of my study. "Doctor Allen?" I said as I approached him he turned around and greeted me immediately. "Y-your grace" he said bowing his head before looking up at me. He was shaking as if he had just seen something terrifying. "What is the matter with you?" I asked doctor Allen cleared his throat. "I'm sorry your grace it's just that the emperor wasn't happy about being turned down, if sir Alexander hadn't been there who knows what would've happen to me" he said trembling in fear at just the thought.
The emperor had that affect on people, some people may take a look at me and even though they're scared they still approach me, but as for the emperor no one even dares to look him in the eyes let alone approach him without his permission. So I wasn't all that surprised that someone as timid as Doctor Allen was frightened just from speaking with him.
I sighed how bothersome I guess I should utter out some kind of words of reassurance or praise he did help me out a lot after all. I cleared my throat before narrowing my eyes at him. "I am glad you are back safe doctor Allen, Thank you for helping my wife and I, you've earned the rest of the day off" I said Doctor Allen's eyes Sparkled as I said those words to him. "R-Really?, Your graceeee! You're too kind" he said his eyes getting watery, I rolled my eyes. It's just one day off why is he being so dramatic?, "Your grace! Your back" said Leonard as he came walking down the hall towards me and Doctor Allen who was still standing in front of me.
"I wanted to speak with you about the winter ball" said Leonard. I sighed ugh! If one more person ask if I'll be attending I'm going to lose it. "Yes?" I replied "I'd like to request two days off, see my son will be making his first official debut and my wife lady Zariyah and I would like to be there" he said.
I was shocked, Leonard never really asked for vacation time or days off, apart from being the head servant of my family he's also the lord of his own land in the country side which was why I've always wondered how he was able to handle affairs there and do his job as well as he does here without even requiring some days off. There was one point when I was younger I even thought that he was a clone.
"Sure I have no problem with it, write the request and name who will be taking over your duties for the time being" i said "Yes of course" he replied "Hm?, are you sure you only want 2 days off?" I asked. This was the first time he's asked to take a break from work if he's going to take days off he may as well make it a vacation. As I waited for his answer I could see that he was hesitant, Leonard was the type to know his place and never leave it. therefore he never oversteps his boundaries and always knows the limit on how far to go and how much he can ask for as a servant. He probably doesn't want to be greedy even though I'm giving him the clear opportunity to do so.
I sighed "I'll give you a Max of 7 days one week plus the weekend" I said Leonard looked at me surprised "Wait-Your grace that's a bit-" he said. "I'm ordering you to take a 7 day vacation I'll give one to miss Zee as well so that you may spend time with your family" I said Leonards facial expression changed as his eyes began to water. "Your grace you're so generous" said Leonard. "He really is isn't he" said doctor Allen as his eyes began to water again as well. "I'm truly grateful your grace" said Leonard as happy tears ran from his eyes. "So am I" said Doctor Allen as they both stood around me crying.
"Ok, cut it out both of you" I said but I don't think they could even hear me with all the crying they were doing.
With Amora
Location; In the duchess garden
~on her mandatory Day walk~
This garden has many flowers I wonder if I could make something with them. This was my second time exploring the garden that I was told now belongs to me. But I'm not sure if I need an entire garden so I was thinking that maybe I could use it in a way that could benefit The Duke. His grace Raul has been working hard lately and I've been doing pretty much nothing besides attending my lesson with Leonard, eating, drinking tea, going on walks, taking medicine and reading for the remainder of the day. It's more than what I did at the viscounts estate where I wasn't allowed no where in the house except my room but it's less than what I want to do.
For half my life I lived in silence and I did nothing with the fear that I might anger my uncle and auntie so I stayed out of the way. I told myself to never have any dreams or hopes, to never want for anything or anyone.....It was easier.
But that has to change, I promised myself that I'd help Raul just as much as he's helped me. No matter what I'll find a way to be of use to him, I want to show him that he didn't save my life for nothing.
Just as I was looking around a flower caught my eye, it was away from all the rest and it was a beautiful cool blue color. I walked over and crouched down before reaching out and lightly touching it. This flower, it reminds me of his eyes with its ocean blue color but sternly beautiful shape. It looks demanding yet elegant and as if even if it was stepped on, it would still bloom. "Beautiful flower isn't it" said an elegant males voice. I looked up to see a blue haired tall, muscular man crouching down next to me. His long hair was tied in a ponytail and he wore glasses that seemed to enhance the color of his crystal blue eyes almost making seem as if they were glowing.
Before I could even utter a word of surprise he began to speak again. "These lovely flowers are the only ones that can bloom no matter the season but the thing that makes them so special is the fact that the seeds can only be found on the highest mountains in the country side" he said before plucking one and smelling it, closing his eyes as if to try and warp himself in its smell.
He then stood up and offered me his hand, I looked around unsure and saw that Sir Lance hasn't moved from his spot in the back which told me that this person was friend and not a foe otherwise sir Lance who was tasked with protecting me would have been approached us by now.
I took the man's hand accepting his help with getting back up on my feet. "T-Thank you" I said he smiled "Your welcome my lady" he said. just then he reached out his hand and tucked the flower he had plucked from the ground in my hair. I was startled by his sudden action and confused as to who he was.
"There, I've got to say my lady blue looks quite beautiful on you" he said. "I-Thank you" I said shocked at his compliment. He Narrowed his eyes at me before making an expression that looked as if he had just realized something. "Forgive my rudeness my lady my names Nash Roseville" he said "Oh...n-nice to meet you, I'm Amora" I Said. "My what a beautiful name, it's just as elegant and graceful as your appearance, tell me Amora Would you mind marrying me by any chance?" He asked.
Ack! Marry Him?!?
Nash Roseville: age 26