I stayed seated as the marquis took away his nephew to do some family catch up.
New year.... huh.
Today is 25th December. So, the day after tomorrow is the New Year Grand Celebration, on 27th December. I have avoided attending all the previous celebrations, because i thought there was no point in attending unless i am of a certain age and have built enough personal strength, knowledge and most importantly Confidence, so that i can stand my own ground if some noble kid comes to mock me, like what typically happens in those Fantasy Comics.
But, unfortunately for me, I can't avoid this one.
this is the year 1759 of Revolute calendar and the celebration is for upcoming 1760. The reason for which I can't avoid this one, is because This A Grand Celebration, Unlike the other common Celebration. Grand Celebration happens only once in every Decade. Every Royal member must be present for this one.
Sign... well, no point thinking.
I will be stuck in a corner with Mary, anyways. I might even get the chance to meet some characters from the game.
Who knows, I might even meet her.
"Mary," I called out, my voice returning to its calm, princely cadence. "What is the time?"
"It is almost time for your afternoon training lessons, Your Highness," she replied, her face a mask of professional efficiency.
of course, it is.
I stood up, shaking the stiffness from my legs, and entered the Arbutus Palace to find my dear traitor Mother.
"Done ?" She was waiting just inside the foyer, leaning against a marble pillar with a look of feigned innocence.
"Done. Although, a certain 'cruel' mother did decide to leave her eight-year-old son alone with a stranger Marquis to negotiate a business deal. hmph!"
"Ara..." She let out a soft, musical laugh. "That mother must have a great deal of faith in her son's abilities, wouldn't you say?"
"Haha. I'm sure it was very entertaining for you as well," I faked a laugh, though I couldn't help a small smirk of my own.
"Cant deny that, it truly was. Even eagle mothers push away their children directly from the nest, instead of slowly teaching them how to fly themselves, you know."
I didn't say anything and started walking towards my room to get changed into training attire.
"Ty" She called softly, so I stopped in my track, without looking behind me.
I heard her slow, graceful footsteps across the stone floor before I felt the sudden, gentle warmth of her arms wrapping around my shoulders from behind. She hugged me tight.
"Ty, Haven't I told you before ? The best way to learn is by making mistakes when they still costs you nothing."
I turned within her embrace to look up at her. She reached out, her fingers ruffling my hair with an affectionate messiness that I only ever allowed her.
"Even if the negotiation had failed," she whispered, her ember eyes glowing with a fierce protectiveness, "you had nothing to lose. You are my son, and this palace is your home. Use these moments to fail, to stumble, and to grow. Because out there—" she gestured toward the sky, perhaps the outside world, "—the price of a mistake can be much, much higher. Its quite... cruel out there"
"Sigh... understood," I said while gently pulling away from her embrace.
I went to my room, stripped off my royal silks and donned my training attire—breathable, reinforced leather that allowed for maximum mobility. "I'm off," I called out to Mother as I crossed the threshold, Mary falling into her place as my silent, vigilant shadow.
"You're here, kid," Boran greeted me. He was leaning against a stone pillar, picking at his nails with a dagger, looking as if he'd been there for hours.
How are these guys always on time ? Do SSS-class adventurers have that much free time.
For the past two years they have given me lessons almost regularly, except for the one week breaks I get between every three or four months. Apparently, they go on missions and dive in labyrinths during that time.
Well, adventurers gotta go in adventures, after all.
"Let's kickstart with a spar" He said as he threw a sword at me.
I caught it mid-air. This time it was a Real steel sword. it was a bit shorter than an original sword but Perfect for a kid like me.
on that note, Despite being an eight year old kid my appearance looks more like an eleven year old. I have no idea if this is the result of my large mana pool that is forcing my physical body to grow and reach the peak state quickly, or maybe my physical training has made my body more buffed or maybe because I have an adult soul, so my hormones are acting up and affecting physical growth. Honestly, I don't know.
But who cares ? As long as I can cover for the height gap between me and Boran.
yes, Regardless of the "why," I welcomed it. Every inch of height was a tactical advantage I didn't have to fight for.
I stepped into the center of the field, the obsidian sand crunching beneath my boots. I settled into my stance, the tip of my steel blade pointed directly at Boran's throat. My mana began to circulate, a cold, steady stream that sharpened my focus until the world slowed down.
"Same rule as ever, kid. Use Zes. You can even incorporate magic in your combat style as a support, if you want. but if I catch you slacking on your footwork even a little, I'm putting you in the sand." he said while taking his stance.
Usually he would apply some penalty on himself or wouldn't take a serious stance. But for the last few months he has been taking a proper stance. Which means he is finally taking me seriously as an opponent, even if just a little.