An Unexpected Visitor

I was in my study, just finishing up my work when I heard a sudden knock, "Come in."

I heard the sound of the door opening and it took me a moment to look up as I finished reading the contract in my hands- but there was nobody, I had assumed it was Lark at first. Did they leave thinking I was busy….?

"You should raise the prices a bit there, it's too less."

Swiftly I turned my head around; standing behind leaning down a bit was a certain red-head, "Sage" I sighed, "How did you come in?"

"Through the window." He pointed said window like it was the most normal thing in the world. I leaned my head heavily on the palms of my hands and sighed in exasperation.

"I did knock, you said I could 'come in'." he smiled.

"Not the point Sage…"

He softly chuckled instead of answering, I glanced back at him- to day he was dressed in something more akin to an adventurer's outfit in fantasy games, it suited him. His hair was all ruffled around messily, giving a bit of a rough look.

"Hmm? Do I look exceptionally good today?" He asked with a smirk as he walked around to stand before my desk. I didn't reply back, no need to raise his ego higher than it already is. "Don't worry, you can look as much as you'd like" he continued, giving a twirl around, "if you like this outfit should I get one for you as well next time I visit?"

The question was a it of a surprise I admit. But more than the feeling of surprise, temptation was even more. The outfit is something unique and my hands were tingling at the thought of having it, maybe design a similar one on a later date as well.

"Alright then, I'll get you one." He grinned. I felt my face heat up a little embarrassed that my expression showed how excited I really was.

"Thank you" I said sincerely.

"Oh! Aren't you going to change that contract?"

"No, this is perfect like this." I smiled back. He looked a little apprehensively, well I can understand why. He is right, I can raise the prices a bit more at the current amount I just barely make a profit, just barely.

"This is something more focused for the commoners." I explained before he could raise his questions, "I know the prices are low even so, but in the long run it is much more profitable to me."

The goods in question are actually 'knowledge', a public library that focuses more for the commoners. With more and more commoners attending the school I built and learning how to read, write and other more basic and practical subjects that they need, a library filled with books that would help them in more practical ways: for example, in running a business, studies and research on farming, animal care, hygiene, food preparation and preservation, basic medicine and such. Books that commoners would find more useful compared to the nobles. Books on practical knowledge on jobs that nobles would never do. The price in question was the entrance fee and membership fee.

"You want to increase the power of the commoners?" he questioned after thinking for a while.

"That's right!" I exclaimed surprised he realized. That was the end goal but I was making deliberate slow progress, of course all nobles would be against it. Fearing that they would be threated or that they might fight back and not be cheated on as easily. Corruption can be very scary when angered so slow changes must been made until when they finally do realize it, it will be too late to stop.

I stood up and poured us both some tea from the pot Lark had brought earlier, taking it to the sitting area and setting them down before gesturing Sage to take a sit. "I apologize I can't serve you better but right now-"

"It's fine." He waved it off, "this is enough." He was practically fallen on the sofa opposite mine, one leg crossed over the other- how carefree. I couldn't help but laugh a bit, he really was a weird person. But he was very comfortable to be around.

"I hope you know how dangerous this really is…" he said in a bit.

I hummed back, having nothing else to say. "Sirius!!" he shouted suddenly making me flinch a bit, I looked up to see him glaring at me, it made me sit a little bit straighter, the atmosphere between us becoming tenser. "Your life will be at risk!" he said more sternly, his eyes narrowing even more.

"I know that…" I mumbled back, unused to this side of him, none of his usual playfulness could be seen. "Does your servant- Lark know this?! Your brother? Or your parents??"

I unconsciously turned away from his line of sight, "Sirius" he glowered, telling me answer him. But I kept my lips sealed, he stood up and harshly pulled my face to look at him, his face set in a deep scowl. "Not really" I finally said softly, trying to pull his hand off me at the same time. He did let me go but the harsh scowl still deeply imbedded.

"Why did you not use a proxy in your stead to carry this out?!"

"I didn't think about it… I just did it after getting permission."

He took a moment to calm down taking in a deep breath before he went back to his place and sat down again, tapping his finger on the arm of the sofa as in continued to think. "How did you realize?" I asked. I don't think anyone else did after all this time.

"I thought about everything you did; you father began more actively abolishing slavery after that servant of yours- Lark, entered the castle but you were the one who actually pushed for the law banning slavery. You started the schooling system for the commoners, had special researchers have classes to educate the farmers on new farming techniques. Built a Knight's Academy for nobles and commoners that accepted based on skill rather than rank. You are drafting a law to tax nobles now. If you think about it, reducing the influence of the nobles and increasing that of the common people is one of the possibilities that you are going for."

As Sage went on stating some of the things, I've done I stilled, he knows more about me than I would admit. Some things just don't-

"How do you know all this? Who exactly are you?"

"Right now, I can't answer that for you. I apologize, it seems like its my time to go now."

I frowned, he's not properly answering me again, as always. He stood up sending me a smile as he turned to the window, climbing on its sill before he stopped, seemingly like he just remembered something, "I almost forgot the real reason I came to see you. Congratulations on getting into Royal Academy Sirius. I'll see you again soon."

What?

Wait… "Wai-" before I could say anything more, he was already gone. How does he manage to just appear and disappear just like its nothing all the time!? I massaged the bridge of my nose, feeling an oncoming headache. I need to rest.

Knocks, again… This time I glanced at the window to make sure he wasn't back again. "Come in" I ordered a minute after, this time the door opened and Lark came in with some papers in hand. He glanced at me for a moment before placing them on the desk.

"You look tired. Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine." I unconsciously answered.

"Did someone come in?" he questioned again.

"Huh? …nobody. I was by myself all along."

"You served yourself two cups of tea and finished none?" he raised an eyebrow.

Oh shit… The stupid cups. "I forgot I had already poured a cup, that's why."

"And the third?"

"Third?" I asked back.

He pointed to the also half-finished cup, third cup on my desk. "…. forgot that one as well." Was all I could think of as I answered.

He only gave me a look that clearly said he didn't believe a single word in our entire conversation. I just kept silent and blinked trying to act like I had no clue what he was silently telling me or that I knew he knew I was lying.

"Are these urgent?"

"No, you can do them tomorrow. Do you need to go somewhere?"

"My bedroom. I'm going to rest, I'm completely exhausted." And with that I left my study and went straight to my bedroom. Nothing is going to stop me from just going to sleep.