The rain had passed. Morning mist still clung to the garden stones as I opened my eyes, soreness gripping every muscle. The window creaked slightly in the soft breeze, its sound mingling with my sluggish heartbeat. A subtle knock at the door stirred me from my rest.
"Master," came Hina's voice, muffled but gentle as always. "You have a guest waiting."
I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes as the remnants of sleep faded. "Who would visit this early?"
"It's is Mira," Hina added. "She seems… strange today."
For a moment, I hesitated. Mira? Why would she come now? With a sigh that carried both curiosity and a tinge of concern, I stood and pulled on a robe. The ache in my limbs—reminders of Father's grueling training—demanded my attention even in my waking moments. "Let her in."
The door opened, and Mira stepped in quietly, bowing with graceful formality. In her delicate hands, she carried a tray of tea; the scent of jasmine intertwined with the cool, fresh air that drifted in from outside.
"I thought you could use something to calm your nerves," she said as she set the tray on the table. "You've been rather busy lately."
I narrowed my eyes, the morning light catching the flecks of suspicion in my gaze. "I saw you near Lucien's room yesterday."
She blinked, feigning surprise in a tone that almost betrayed her inner conflict. "Did you? Oh, I was just cleaning."
"Don't lie to me," I said calmly, watching her carefully. "You've been helping him with something."
Her silence lingered, too long for comfort. Finally, in a low tone she explained, "Master Lucien only asked me to keep an eye on you. He feared you were pushing yourself too hard."
A small smile curved my lips as I considered the layers beneath her words. "Of course. He's always so... considerate."
I didn't press further—there was little more to be extracted unless I turned everything upside down. Instead, I lifted the delicate cup to my lips and sipped the tea. Softly, I murmured, "Tell Lucien to be more careful. Some people hide secrets so deep, even they forget where they buried them."
For just a second, I noticed a flicker of something in Mira's expression. It was fleeting, but it was enough.
---
Later That Day
The sun shone high in the sky, its rays igniting the training ground with harsh brilliance. With each rep, every repetition of my relentless routine, I felt my body adapt; strength, endurance, and flexibility grew with each passing drill. After hours of what felt like hell on earth, I found a moment of reprieve. Lying on a smooth rock and gazing upward at the endless blue, my thoughts drifted to that elusive book.
Why is he hidding the book from me? Or does he truly think I can't find it?
But more importantly, I mused bitterly, he surely underestimates me a lot, Lucien—my lovely butler. You forget the first rule of your own game that you taught me:
Do not fully trust even your allies if you cannot read their moves ahead of time.
A sense of impatience and determination welled up inside me as I resolved, I am getting tired of this game. Today, I shall end it.
---
Lucien's POV
In my room, I paced in circles, my thoughts tangled in yesterday's events. I had spent the entire day searching for the book among the trash, covered in mud yet relentless. Somehow, I managed to find it, and then I made my way to the old man's home—a place from my childhood when I used to play with him. There, I washed myself in his modest quarters; fortunately, he possessed some of my old clothes (though they were a bit tight). I recalled the moment when I hid the book in the old man's yard—a decision born of irrational carelessness and a momentary loss of rationality. Ever since that troubling night, I had felt an uneasy weight in my heart. Did I miss something in the process? I resolved that I needed to talk to Mira about this.
---
Mira's POV
In the family kitchen—far from grand yet filled with all the necessary equipment—the smells of curry, rice, and a sweet omelet intermingled to create a comforting aroma. The meal was nearly ready, and the day had unfolded smoothly. Yet, a persistent worry shadowed my thoughts. I had been working with Lucien, who had told me about the mysterious book of the emperor. He insisted it was for the best for the household, though it remained something hidden from our masters. The young master seemed to know what we were up to, even if he never mentioned it aloud. I had gone to his room in the morning just to keep an eye on him, and now I felt as though I had inadvertently shared information I shouldn't have. I admitted to myself that I was not as sharp as Lucien or even Mistress, yet as an adult, I felt more confident—perhaps even more so than a five-year-old child.
"Mira, did you get something in your mind?" Lucien approached her.
"You scared me there. I thought it was young master," she replied softly.
"Did you get caught while keeping an eye on him?" he asked.
"I tried my best, but somehow I have a feeling I did get caught, Lucien. What should I do next? I hid the book in the village, but I am going to check if the book is still there."
"Is there any matter with the book?" he inquired.
"I was in such a rush that I forgot to see if the book was legitimate or not. I need to check—keep the young master at bay until I come, okay?"
"Fine. I will try my best, but you come before evening."
---
In the Dining Room
The dining table was set with crystal silver plates, each arranged with a spoon and a spoke placed meticulously near them. The meal was ready, and I was busy placing every dish on the table. At the head of the table sat the Baron, with my Mistress (Neron's mother, Eliora) seated to his right, and the young master sat opposite his father. Hina and I served them with measured precision. Lunchtime passed peacefully, the atmosphere almost serene despite the undercurrents of tension.
Suddenly, as I was making my way toward my room after the meal, I heard a familiar voice.
"Mira, how is it going?" the young master asked suddenly while he was on his way to his room.
I froze for a beat, questions racing through my mind: What is he saying? Is it about the book? Or is he saying that I am alright or not? My thoughts became a jumbled storm as I noticed everyone's eyes on me. I took a deep breath to steady myself and then asked softly, "What are you asking, young master?"
"I was saying, how is the Hina etiquette class going—that's all. Why do you look so frustrated?" he replied with a little, almost mischievous, smile.
"It is going well, young master. You don't need to worry about anything," I answered with a polite smile in return.
Just then, the young master turned toward his mother. "Mother, can I ask a favor?"
With a smile, she said, "What is it, my son?"
"Can we bring Hina with us to the tea party you were going? I think she needs to see a world of nobility—just a little."
"Why not, my dear," she clapped her hands joyfully. "I think it's a lovely idea. Mira, can you prepare Hina for the tea party?" she said, smiling while looking at me.
"Yes, mistress, I agree."
---
Lucien's POV
After my conversation with Mira, I left the house quietly, slipping past the main gate and entering the village. I headed straight for the old man's house, knowing it well from years past. After some time, I arrived and knocked softly.
"Hello, are you in there, elder?"
"Ohh, if Lucien, how come you're visiting this old man's house?" the elderly man replied with a raspy tone, his once-dark hair now turned white, a wooden stick supporting him as he moved slowly.
"How have you been?" I asked gently.
"I am doing well… cough, cough."
"Take care of yourself. I just came to visit and see if you're doing well or not. Come in—have a seat in this old man's house. I will bring tea, so you sit, elder."
Once we were seated, I excused myself to check on the matter that had been weighing on my mind. I stepped out into the yard and began to dig carefully at the spot where I had hidden the book. There it was—the book, half-buried. I picked it up and cleared the dust from its cover. The title, emperors art, stared back at me in the same ancient demonic language as before. I opened it to the first page and was met with a chilling inscription:
FOOL YOU !
I sighed heavily and flipped to the next page.
It you get it then come to my room if you still don't get it I am neron your cute little young master
Gripping the book tightly in my hand, I muttered, "Yea right, I cute little devil master—I got it." I then returned inside, served tea to the old man, and took my leave, noting that it was time to meet him again later that night.
---
In the Evening at 7 o'clock
Now that I think about it, the book Lucien is trying to hide from me—heheh—was not in his hand. I couldn't help but stifle a laugh as I wondered what his face would look like when he opened the fake copy I created, revealing on its page the words "FOOL YOU." I bet he would feel utterly humiliated. I waited, knowing that he would come at any moment.
Suddenly, the door rushed open with a loud "tudd!"
"Your here, Lucien! Still trying to hold my laugh and acting all dignified?" I managed between chuckles.
But when he entered the room, my laughter burst out. "Hahahah! Why do you look like that? Why is your clothes so dirty? Lucien, did you fall after seeing me massage or something? You look hilarious!"
Enraged yet amused, he grabbed my hand and hoisted me into the air. "Where is the book, young master? I am serious—here it is dangerous for you to know about this stuff."
"Yea, yea, about that—but first, you take a shower. You're disgusting; my clothes got dirt on them because of your hand. Don't rush—the book is not gonna run away from me," I teased.
After some time, when we had both settled and he had taken a fast shower and cleaned my clothes, the main conversation began—the tense yet necessary confrontation to convince each other.
"Let's get this clear, Lucien. Why did you try to hide this book and where, even, did you get the book of emperor? Depending on your answer, I will decide whether trusting you is a wise choice or not. So make sure you tell all truths."
He paused, and I added, "The story is long."
"You don't have to worry about anyone interfering—the Hina is getting a special class today from Mira, and my father and mother are discussing politics about my future relations. We have all the night to talk. This is the stage where…" I looked down at him with a serious, almost fatherly gaze. "I will be deciding your future, Lucien."