Part LXI

It's been a day since they parted and Joel kept thinking about Michel and their last encounter. It was a bittersweet memory. Joel actually caught himself missing that man. It seemed that Michel could change and maybe they really had a future together. Joel smiled more to himself than to four other riders who accompanied him.

Well that was another issue. Those men were looking at him with curious eyes, they witnessed his transformation from a female slut into a man. Whatever they were thinking they managed to keep it for themselves. They even allowed a stop at the market so Joel could purchase some more fitting clothes. However they kept their distance from him. Fine he can live with that .

"We will reach the Reherster's manor at noon." The tall blond haired knight informed Joel.

Joel nodded in response. He felt both excited and a bit worried. After all, he was the duke's lover and was sent to protect the duke's son. Maybe they don't know that and he will be able to perform his duties without a problem?

The manor could be seen from afar. It looked like a comfortable huge house, surrounded by a wall and the nearby town. The road leading to the manor was wide and paved. The houses were well maintained, so the family must be well off. On the way they were stopped by the guards.

"Identify yourself." The older guard with a beard looked serious.

"The Duke sent us." To support his words the captain showed his letters sealed with the duke's seal.

They were let in. The gate was opened and they rode inside leaving the horses in front of the main door.

The way to the manor led through a neatly cut garden full of roses and some other blooming flowers. They entered through the main door.

This manor was really something different, bright, full of vases with fresh flowers and the walls were decorated with landscape paintings. Marble, soft light blue curtains and elegant delicate furniture. So unlike the duke's castle. The captain stopped in front of a huge door, he knocked and a servant opened it.

Inside there was an older looking man, partially bald with a grayish beard and light blue eyes. He was wearing elegant clothes adorned with jewels. He looked fragile but rich.

"Lord Rehester, we bring some letters from the duke as well as greetings." The blonde captain bowed and handed in two letters. Lord Rehester sat down and read them with a deep frown on his face. It took him some time till he finished. There was a deep sight coming from the lord's chest and the older man rubbed his forehead.

"So it has begun."

The captain nodded. Joel assumed they were talking about the revolution. Then the lord's eyes landed on Joel.

"You must be Michel's trusted man. He wants you to become Nathaniel's personal guard. I must admit you look rather … inconspicuous for a knight."

Joel couldn't help but smile at this remark. The lord was very eloquent in this manner of speaking.

"That's the point my lord and to be frank I'm not a knight. I'm an assassin or a mercenary, it depends who asks." Joel smiled watching the lord's reaction.

"Interesting, looking at you I could say you are able to be … whoever you want."

One had to admit that the lord was really good with words and diplomatic too.

"That's the assassin's art, my lord.'' Joel bowed, answering in the same manner.

The lord didn't say anything more and Joel was led outside by a young servant.

"Please follow me sir." The boy might have been fourteen years old, he had freckles and a pointed nose. He was walking rather fast and Joel didn't have much time to look around. Soon they were out of the house in the garden. Joel noticed the young duke sitting under the tree. Next to him was an older nanny and six guards circling him around. Joel felt sorry for the little kid.

The child was playing with a wooden horse and a knight. For a moment Joel observed the child while the servant informed the guard's captain about a new guard for the duke's son. Joel immediately thought about his experience with little children. well he had a fair share while taking care of his two nephews a few times when he was still at home. He recalled that time and the images of his family popped in his head.

His sister asked him a few times to watch over her children and as far as Joel's recollection goes, he failed miserably. The children didn't listen to him at all. The younger brat even spit into Joel's soup. They played hide and seek and the children locked Joel in an old shed. It took him quite a while till he got out. After that the older climbed a tree and couldn't go down so Joel had to help him and in the end they both fell. Luckily nothing significant happened except a few bruises.

His sister scolded him and he was dismissed from looking after her children for a while. Joel sighted thinking about all those memories. Joel in charge of a child was a huge misunderstanding. However he won't be forced to play with that child here, right? He was supposed to protect Michel's son, not entertain him.

Joel looked at the boy again, the child stopped playing and raised his head. Despite the young age he had the same look as his father. Those piercing eyes and facial expressions.

"Young master, this is your new guard." The commander of the guards , a tall well built man with black hair, introduced Joel.

Joel came closer and squatted down. He hoped to come out as a friendly person.

"Hi, Nathaniel, my name's Joel." Joel smiled trying to make a good first impression on Michel's son.

The child looked at him intensely for a moment and then suddenly blurted.

"Are you a man?"

The guard's captain barely held his laughter in.

Fuck.