Chapter IX - My Mission, The Leondale Castle Part 2

The Leondale Castle is the main residence of the Leondale Family ever since they first announced their claim to the North 150 years ago during the unstable period of the five Kingdoms of Plietta. They announced their claim and secluded themselves with the natural barrier of deadly monsters, terrain and soldiers. Ultimately defeating those who dare fight them and also decrease their intentions to invade the North.

Not long after the war, the First Emperor, Emperor Reginald of the Five Kingdom. The Crowned Emperor of Salworia also known to all as the Ruler of a Hundred Shade, because his irises were like pure diamonds reflecting the light that colors his like a prism.

He ruled the empire with an iron-fist and imposed the noble laws that restrict the nobles and common people alike, he lead with justice and wished for prosperity to his lands. When the Empire stabilized, the great houses were born.

The House of Leondale ruled the North, they were titled as The Grand Dukedom or Duchy of Leondale by Emperor 150 years ago and since then they continued to serve and honor their Oath of helping the Empire by contributing in trade, military power and one of the most feared dungeons in the underground society.

The Castle is sitting on top of a mountain path surrounded by thick dark wood trees and low leveled monsters that lives in it, while it may be almost impossible to go infiltrate the castle if you entered without prior notice you can freely explore the large town below that the middle class residents and also highly skilled adventures lives with the Knights of Leondale guarding the town.

As you get near the Outer Walls, you will see the Outer Gate with two towers framing it. The Front wall is divided in the three parts, The Gate Wall, South-East and South-West Wall it two Horizontal towers in each side.

Entering the Outer Bailey, it hold two Storage House and Water Well in the West part while the East has two workshops, two stables, and Apartment for Knights and a large training field near the Eastern Gate. The Garrison is also in the Outer Bailey.

The Inner Bailey is mostly used by the Leondale Family, it is protected by six towers. One of which is a Tower entirely made to surround a barrier in the entire land from the Forest and to the Back Mountains.

When you enter the Inner Gate, you are to expect the beautiful garden of Blue Roses surrounding the entire front of the Castle, with a big round fountain in the middle and a path that encircles it you will find the Black Statue of a Lion.

The Main Castle in the middle is composed of four floors similar to the left and right wing, the First level of the main is occupied by the grand staircase and backrooms used for urgent meetings. The Second floor is used as a way to connect the left and right wing and holds several waiting rooms, lavatories, Dining Hall and the Grand Hall.

The Third Floor is composed of offices, Duchess Leondale's Office is at the Far back of the Castle while the Office for the Head Butler and Head Maid is stationed much near the stairs. The Left part of the third floor houses the trained Ravens while the Right is the Raven Tower where they will return with the letters they have retrieved.

The Fourth Floor is composed of the room used by the Head and his or her spouse of the family, the room of family heirlooms, lavatories, Room for the Emergency Ravens and Emergency Rooms used by the Family Head.

On the Left wing, it's primarily used for important guest's and family members of the Family. It it housing several heirs and heiress from only the direct family bloodline.

The First Floor is used as a Servant's quarters, the Kitchen and lavatories for servant's are also in the first floor. These Lavatories are with plumbing powered by water,wind and fire magic stones with engraving that even someone without magic can use it.

The Second Floor is filled with Guest Rooms, two of which are occupied by Vincent and Noah. Noah used his room when he was six years old, he was sent to the Leondale Mansion to play with Vincent as per the two Mothers, Duchess Ophelia and Marchioness Florentine agreed with. Vincent has a different room in the third floor but he moved to the room besides Noah's when Noah arrived two days ago. Noah's room is mostly decorated in White, Green and Gold with several bookshelves lined up in the waiting room inside. Vincent's room is decorated with dark colored furniture and items, he usually just uses the bed so there is nothing special in this room.

The Main Library and Indoor Garden is also located in this floor.

The Third Floor are mainly used by the main family, Vincent's official room and office is located in this floor to which he now rarely use since Noah's arrival. The Room for the Twins, Richard and Audriana is also in this floor. Their rooms are connected with Vincent's in case of an assassination attempt that all three of them will be notified.

The Fourth Floor is used as a Training Floor, Laboratory and Weapon room for the exclusive use of the main family. If someone wants an access to the fourth floor, they will have to ask the Duke or Duchess and the Family Heir. This room is where Elias spends most of his time when Vincent is busy with his work and doesn't bother him for more work.

The East Building, home to the Family Doctors, Magician, Knights, and Tutors. Only the most skilled, knowledgeable and eminent in the Empire are able to step foot in the Castle and Grand Duchy of Leondale. Each one of them entered under strict guidance and exams, even the smallest detail in their life is added in their resume to ensure that none of them will ever dare try to harm their Masters.

In the Main Castle, there are three groups of Maids and Butler. The Group of Maids that's under the Head Maid Beth, under Young Lady Audriana Leondale and under Duchess Ophelia Leondale. While the Butler's are under the Head Butler Kevin, under Lord Vincent Leondale and under Young lord Richard Leondale.

Each one of them all are handpicked by their Master's and each one of these groups have different ways they got tested. For the Maid's serving Duchess Ophelia, she had them all since she was a young lady and slowly tested them one by one to show their loyalty to her. Now she has a group of six most trusted maids that carries out the task she ordered them cleanly and without a trace.

The Maids for the Head Maid are tasked with things related to the well-being and state of the Castle, each one of them are tested the same way as the Butlers under Head Butler Kevin. They are efficient and are trained rigorously by them as it is their duty to make the Castle splendid and beautiful to help maintain their reputation.

While Audriana handles the Maid who are new and currently being trained by her, her Mother, Ophelia tasked her to point out which maid will stay by her daughters side, who work for Beth and those who are unworthy to be hired in the Castle. Duchess Ophelia was pleased with the result that Audriana calmly educated the maids and pointed out their flaws, she also knew which are crossing their lines that she had them removed from her sight without a single thought and relayed to her Mother why she decided to to it.

Vincent's butler and personal attendants on the other hand is only composed of three men: Elias, Lars and Eisele. He handpicked them himself and trained them himself, they are the part of his Umbra Leo or Black with Elias as the Leader and the one he speaks to frequently. Vincent has never bothered to add any more servants at his hands and refused the concern on the number he currently possessed.

Richard, similar to Audriana is the one who trains the apprentice Butlers and also followed Ophelia's instructions but he also seeks help to his Older Brother on how to identify them and punish them accordingly. Richard is the type to stay quiet and observed their movement and strikes when he deemed necessary that made his innocent and quiet facade fade and reveal his calculative, observant and cruel personality that he inherited from the Leondale Blood.