The doors suddenly burst open, slamming against the wall with great force. Strolling in were two men, one older in age. The other was young, of course, because it was Alwyn. He had a wide smile on his face, which got even wider when he saw the four kids.
The older man spoke:
"Aha! So you four have already met, I see! Well, then, I assume I can spare the introductions?"
"Ugh, dad? What is happening!?" The girl shouted at the older man. "Don't tell me these two are actually the wizard's apprentices?"
"Oho, Marielle, why are you so rowdy? This is why you've got no friends," he laughed, slapping Alwyn's back.
The wizard laughed with him, as if they were old friends.
The man looked kind, but sturdy. He was tall—not quite as tall as Alwyn, but tall nonetheless—and wore colorful and expensive looking linens and furs. He walked with a cane which was almost definitely not for lack of stability, but for the fashion.
At the top was a large, singular, golden eyeball. It was a very strange ornament, but certainly pricey.
His hair was black with peppering of gray here and there, a sign of aging no doubt. His beard was thick but not too long—it suited the gentleman.
Linnie knew when he saw the man that he was the Duke of Corvailles, Duke Saivelle.
"I've got friends!" She stomped.
"Oh? Like who? And the prince doesn't count, you know. He's practically forced into hanging out with you!"
Apparently it was a joke, and apparently it was also funny, because the two men burst into hearty laughter once again.
"N-no, it's my pleasure, Duke. Lady Marielle treats me well," the blonde boy spoke.
'...Am I misunderstanding something? They're talking about a prince, right? So why'd he answer—no way! Is he a prince!? This sniveling guy!?'
"Dude, that guy's a prince, I think," Linnie whispered to Liora, pointing at the boy.
"What? No way!"
"I know, right? I thought the princes were all impressive and stuff," Linnie snickered.
The Prince seemed to notice the two's whispering, but he didn't say anything.
"Gerry's my friend," Lady Marielle said matter-of-factly after some time thinking.
"Gerry's my friend, silly girl. I mean friends your age!" The Duke said.
"Tch, what do I need friends my age for? They're all dumb and weak and..."
"And you aren't?" Alwyn finally spoke.
The Lady's mouth dropped in shock, and if she didn't know better, she might've full on attacked the man. She couldn't believe the gall of the wizard, and looked at her father to see his reaction.
It wasn't what the outrage she had been expecting. Rather than a similar expression of shock, the man was actually... smiling?
"Oho! You got her there!" he laughed, slapping Alwyn on the back once again.
"F-father!?"
The man was about to speak, but Alwyn held his hand out in front of him. It was a bold move, ordering a duke such as him to be quiet, and would've gotten anyone else's head sliced clean off.
The act certainly surprised The Lady and The Prince.
But this wasn't just anyone. This was the girl's brand-new teacher, and so, he was now the one in charge of disciplining his apprentice.
Alwyn clapped his hands together, then bent down and wrapped Linnie and Liora in his arms, grinning darkly.
"As you already know, I'm going to be taking you under my care as my apprentice," Alwyn started. "Which means you get to have two new friends, isn't that great~?"
"This wasn't the deal! It was supposed to be me and Sylven—only us! That's the only reason I agreed to be taught by some no-name like you! Father, say something!"
'Hehe, Alwyn's totally gonna blow up on her. I can't wait!'
"Yes, yes, I know this wasn't the deal we originally agreed on. But Sir Alwyn and I came to a new agreement. And what's the harm in having two new peers? I'm sure it'll only be good for you, to have competition."
"I—I too, um, wasn't aware that there would be others. I thought it would just be Marielle and I," The Prince spoke up.
"Well, get over it, you two. Unless you'd like to quit learning magic? Not that you ever started, of course," Alwyn scoffed. "I'm sure you've got plenty to do in the capital, don't you, Prince Sylven?"
This caused the boy to look away. It seemed he wouldn't be arguing anymore.
"And you," he continued. "I don't much like your attitude. Speak to Lin that way if you'd like, but not me. I'm your teacher."
He was serious. Linnie had only seen him that serious a few times before, so it was quite scary.
"Tch, who are you to be my teacher, anyway?"
"Now, Marielle, what did I tell you about respecting Sir Alwyn? I promise that he's the most capable wizard I know. There's no doubt about it."
"So how come I've never even heard of him before!?" she shouted.
Alwyn stood there, smiling and silent, and The Duke began to speak.
"Sometimes, my girl, the most talented people aren't out to seek fame, but to make a real change in the world. Fame isn't everything, Marielle."
It sounded noble—believable, even. But it was total crap!
Alwyn's eye twitched at the statement, but he just nodded along. Linnie almost laughed at the ridiculous notion. Even Liora barely stifled a giggle.
'Ha! As if! Alwyn's not someone like that, not at all! No way! Though, it's not like I know why he's doing any of this... not really. Huh.'
But it actually... worked? The naive girl, Marielle, actually believed it. She grabbed her chin and thought about it for a second, nodding, as if she finally understood.
"Hmph. Whatever. But I don't get why you went and got other apprentices without even telling us," she said to Alwyn.
"Oh? That's simple, my lady. I didn't mean to upset you—or the prince, for that matter. It's just, these two are very talented kids that I found on my travels. It was purely by chance. I wasn't trying to fool you or anything, I assure you."
The two apprentices looked at each other, smirking. They were 'talented.'
"Talented...? These two? But they're... they're peasants," she said, astonished.
"No—well, the boy is. Linnie here was an orphan and lived in... what was it? A stable? And Liora was actually a slave when we took her in."
The Duke coughed when he said that. No doubt, they'd already had a conversation about that matter...