Two days later Gregory sulkily entered the study where Chronos was working and plopped down on a chair.
Chronos glanced up at him, "Can't get Sariah out of her room yet?"
Two days ago, he and Sariah had returned from a visit to The Umbral Institute of Dark Magic to find every servant giving them teasing looks before rushing off. The servant's attitude had confused them until Butler Garfield had greeted them in the main hall with a crimson letter.
After that Sariah had rushed to her bedroom and locked the door behind her refusing to come out even during mealtimes.
"No. Ever since the rage notes arrived, she's been too embarrassed to face the servants. I can't even lure her out with promises to visit the Umbral Institute again and you know how much she loves learning about darker magics." He sighed.
He changed the topic slightly.
"Did you know that the commoners in the outer sections of the city are already talking about the adopted son of the Duke and Duchess and his lover? There's even been talk of making it into a play." He incredulously said.
"Hm, it only took two days to reach the outer city? That's surprisingly quick. How many of them think Duke Ulv was unfaithful and sired a bastard child?"
Unfortunately, both of his mother's rage notes had been very loud. Loud enough that even those passing the mansion outside had been able to pick up a few words here and there and then they had used that to put together their own story of what had happened.
However, his father's notes had been quieter but no less strict and threatening than his mothers.
"Surprisingly very few of the older generation think that Duke Ulv was unfaithful. I looked into it and apparently someone tried to feed him an aphrodisiac when he was first seeing the Duchess, and he nearly tore down a city wall as a result. But there are plenty of rumors flying about amongst the younger generation."
While they were considering how to handle this situation Butler Garfield knocked on the door before walking in with a smug, infuriating grin that hadn't left his face in two days.
"Sir, there is someone from the city's theater troupe here to see you."
"Hah, someone else here just to confirm the rumors, is it? Send them to the guest parlor and let them visit with the others."
"I don't think that would be a good idea sir. It's far too easy for rumors to take on a life of their own after all."
It was rare for Butler Garfield to disagree with him unless he thought Chronos was making a truly terrible decision.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to follow Butler Garfield's hidden advice and meet with the theater troupe.
"Alright, bring them to me. Gregory, you stay here too, I don't want to face them alone."
"Coward."
Gregory had been halfway to the door when Chronos called him back.
Butler Garfield bowed as he left the room, a few minutes later he returned with the guest. He had asked them to wait in a nearby room while he spoke with the Young Master.
The man that came back with him was thin with a round head, black hair, and large ears. He was wearing a gray suit and had a smile on his face like he thought the whole world was a joke.
Chronos recognized him immediately as the head of the capital's theater.
No wonder Butler Garfield had insisted on meeting with him. This man could spin a tale from almost anything, whether that tale was good or bad depended on what he was told. Perhaps this meeting wouldn't be as bad as he had thought.
"Mr. Atkinson, it's a pleasure to see you again."
"Hello Young Master Chronos. You know I heard something very interesting in the city today. Hehe."
Mr. Atkinson had a habit of chuckling as he spoke, but he never meant any harm by it.
"I'm sure you have. I know you wouldn't have approached me without some idea of what you wanted to do with those rumors. Tell me about your plans; I'm curious to hear what you have in mind."
Seeing that this was going better than he already thought, Mr. Atkinson smiled.
"Well, I want to put on a play about how the two of you became brothers. I know for a fact that your father would never cheat on Lady Margaret so there must be a good story involved. I believe this would also help the two of you as well."
Chronos and Gregory glanced at each other.
"Oh, and how would this help us?"
"Well, there are a lot of rumors going around because nobody knows what to believe. But if my theater were to put on a play based on your lives it would convince most people of what really happened. All we'd have to do is get the story from you two and tell the public it's based on true events. Then they would connect the dots on their own."
That… was actually the best idea they'd heard since the rumors began to circulate. But they hadn't thought of it since they usually didn't go to the theater.
Everyone knew that Mr. Atkinson didn't lie about the source material so most people would trust his version. If he told the true story, it would stop 90% of the rumors in a very short time. Certainly, much faster than they could.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea. Do you have time to hear the story today?" Chronos asked.
Mr. Atkinson took out a pencil and notebook eagerly awaiting their story.
Smiling Gregory began, "It all started when I saw an arrogant rich child walking down the main street..."
Several hours later they were laughing as they came to the end of the story.
"That is a wonderful story and it's not too long nor too short for a full play. Of course, we'll need to cut out or change a few of the parts to keep your family secrets but most of it can be used as is."
"That sounds great. Please do tell others about our tale."
"Of course, in fact I think I'll make it the main production for the theater at the end of the System Granting Festival."
"Then we'll definitely stop by to watch it." Chronos said.
The festival began tomorrow and went on for the whole week. Having the play at the end of the week would be a wonderful way to end the festival, he would have to take Lyla with him when he went to see it.
Chronos made a mental note to go see Lyla at the start and end of the week as she would be the main focus of the festival and a new saintess if the rumors were true.
It was a short time to prepare but if Mr. Atkinson thought they could learn the lines of the play by then and have everything set up then they would leave it to him.
Bidding him farewell Chronos was about to return to his work when Butler Garfield brought him a message that made him ecstatic.
"Sir, the royal forge has said that you can use the forge this afternoon. They know that the notice is a bit late, but Archivist Quillfeather insists on taking care of it as soon as possible."