True Beginning (2)

Of course, my family had other ideas.

When they heard about the strange, black-haired man that stayed with me during my sickness, they just couldn't keep their noses out of my business.

Bain had knocked on my door earlier and was relaying the duke's message to me, looking rather solemn.

"His Grace wishes for you to attend tonight's family dinner."

"I already told His Grace," I said the name with disgust, "That I would no longer be attending those dinners."

"He was afraid you might say that, and told me that it was absolutely necessary you attend this particular dinner because he will be discussing the rights to succession for you and your brothers."

I groaned; couldn't he do that any other time? Why did it have to be over dinner? I wanted to be able to swallow my food.

I looked at Bain who was obviously uncomfortable about the whole situation. I still felt bad for the old man, he really was in a difficult position. I knew by now that he really was the only servant that had been kind to Isani when he was still the original, and he cared for him, but he was too afraid for his own life to disobey the Duke. He wanted to take my side, and didn't like upsetting me with these matters, but his head would role if he went against my father.

Something in me snapped when I realized that.

Bain didn't deserve to live like that, especially in his old age. He might have a heart attack at this rate. Maybe I should attend this dinner, for my own benefit, and Bain's.

I smiled. This was going to be interesting.

"Understood Bain. You may relay to my father that I will attend tonight's dinner. Oh! And tell him Damien is coming as well, that is my condition."

Bain nodded in understanding and quickly scurried out of the room.

I had a plan. Now that I had Damien, things were much different. Before I had the king of demi-humans on my side, I was pretty much powerless against my father who was in a higher station than me. I had to take round-about measures to find his weak spots and take him out by eventually carting him off to jail. Which I still planned to do. But in the meantime, I could keep him in check with other methods…

I commanded the servants to find suitable attire not only for me, but also Damien. I still disliked the clothes of nobles, but I was beginning to think there might be a purpose behind all the frills and pretty trim after all. The better you looked, the stronger an impression you left.

Soon, we were both adorned in suits of a fine gray color, mine looking like charcoal, and Damien's bordering on black. They were three piece suits, with a button up shirt and vest, covered by a jacket. We looked absolutely stunning, and I thanked the servants for their hard work. They seemed pleased that I was satisfied.

I'd noticed a gradual change in the servants of Hessian manor over the past six months. When I first arrived here, most of them treated me with indifference or pity, sometimes even disgust. But over time, more and more of them seemed to look on me with respect, and began to try to please me even more than before. As if they weren't just fulfilling their duties to a master of House Hessian, but because they genuinely liked to see me happy.

I was unaware at the time, of the many rumors about me, spreading like wildfire throughout the mansion.

Damien and I made our way to the dining hall immediately after dressing, and although I was late, again, the Duke said nothing this time. Perhaps it's because he was too occupied sizing up Damien. In fact, all of them were acutely interested in his presence, and could not stop staring.

I guess Damien didn't notice, because he was too busy looking around the room at all the different decorations, and then at the magnificent spread of food on the table before him. I could see his wolf form drooling in my imagination.

We took our seats, with Damien sat beside me. Mary gave him a small wave and smile, which he returned in kind. The two seemed to have developed a kinship over the shared interest of my health.

"So, will you introduce you us to your guest, Isani?" The Duke asked.

Erk. He really didn't beat around the bush, did he?

"This is Damien, father. King of Demi-humans." I said nonchalantly.

The room immediately took on an air of tension.

"I see," I could see my father struggling to keep his cool, "And what exactly is your relationship with the King of Demi-humans?"

Oh? Based on their reactions, they knew more about the race than I did before Damien's explanation. Then that meant they must know I was a 'chosen one'.

"Damien is my-" I started to speak again, but Damien cut me off.

"I am master's loyal servant!" he called out cheerfully.

I nearly choked, and the whole room went silent.

"Damien," I hissed under my breath, "I thought we agreed to introduce ourselves as partners!"

"Oh," Damien thought for a moment, "I forgot."

I sighed, and nervously glanced at the Duke, trying to gauge his reaction. His mouth was wide open, and I almost laughed out loud, but luckily I caught myself. I'd never seen him so off guard before, it was almost ridiculous to think I'd ever been nervous around him.

Eventually, he cleared his throat and began speaking again, "Right, well, I called you here today because I must discuss with you all the rights to succession."

I perked up.

"Originally, it was only Garret and Wyatt vying for my position, but I have officially added Isani to the list of candidates."

"What did you say, father?" Garret nearly screamed.

Had they really not known before this?

"You will let me finish Garret." The Duke fixed his son with a hard gaze and he shrunk back into his seat, "Isani has more than proven himself as a worthy adversary with the success of his clothing business. It shows he has a well thought-out understanding of the masses, and the ability to lead at least a small group of people. Not to mention, it means he excels in the study of economics."

Garret seethed at our father's words, and Wyatt was no different. Gillian too, the nasty woman, was glaring at me with hatred in her eyes.

It was kind of ironic, I hadn't started my business as a way to prove my worth as an heir, but it ended up looking that way to the Duke.

"From the beginning, it has always been my decision alone on who I will make my heir. But as a ruler, I must consider my people."

I rolled my eyes upon hearing this. It wasn't like he was a good ruler.

"So, I have been observing all three of you. Your activities, spending habits, and studies. I have taken into account all of your actions. And I have decided that very soon now, I will announce my heir apparent."

Even I was a little shocked to hear this. The Duke was only around fifty years old, he wouldn't need to retire for at least another ten years. The announcement that he would soon make one of us Duke was somewhat shocking.

"From now on, I will be watching you all even more closely than before. Keep that in mind as you try to impress me. I want to see you behave as good leaders, and successful businessmen."

He eyes seemed to linger on me a bit longer when he said that.

"I will choose only the most worthy. Consider the connections you forge carefully these next few months. Those too, will have a great effect on your future."

The Duke was pointedly staring at Damien and I now. I let out a small laugh. It was funny to see him act as though he was still in control.

"Was there something you wanted to say Isani?" My father glared at me.

"Actually, there was father."

"I'm listening."

"I'd like it if you gave Bain to me as my attendant."

For maybe the millionth time that evening, the whole room went silent in shock. I understood why. Bain had been my father's right hand man ever since he took his place as Duke. It was unthinkable of me to request he be assigned to me instead.

"Well, as you said, you'll be watching us much more closely for these next few months. We'll all have to start preparing as if we'll be the one to take on the role of Duke. We'll need experienced help. I want Bain as my attendant. He is smart, and capable. And most importantly, I've grown attached to him. After all, he is by my side so often."

I smiled innocently.

The Duke furrowed his brow, "Even so, why would you ask to take my right hand man? Bain has been my loyal retainer since I first took up this position nearly twenty years ago. I cannot release him so easily."

I glanced to the corner of the room, where the subject of our conversation stood, silently observing. Bain looked scared, as if someone's head was about to get chopped off.

"Why don't we ask Bain himself then? Let him choose which master he would rather serve?"

I was really pushing it now. Everyone here knew it wasn't a servant's place to decide who they serve. Only the master could decide when and how to utilize their people. When I directly flaunted noble customs like this, it made everyone uncomfortable. But I wasn't giving up without a fight.

I knew the only reason I hadn't been kicked out of the room yet was because of Damien. No one said it explicitly, but I knew. Now that I had forged such a close relationship with the king of Demi-humans, I had an edge. My power and influence were growing, and even the Duke himself had reservations about challenging that newfound power.

"Very well," the Duke acquitted through clenched teeth, "Bain, come here and tell us who you would like to serve."

Bain obeyed and moved closer to the table, but then he said something I hadn't expected.

"I would like to continue serving you, my Lord and Duke."

My father smirked and I went red with embarrassment. Had I been wrong? Did Bain not have any affection for me, and I had just been deluding myself? I was humiliated. I shouldn't have assumed that Bain would rather serve me just because he felt pity for a neglected child. I must have gotten a big head after hearing so much praise from Ymir and Damien.

I avoided looking at the old man.

"Well, that settles that matter," the Duke seemed satisfied, "Don't worry, Isani. There are plenty of qualified attendants out there who I am sure would be glad to serve you."

He was positively gloating.

I spent the rest of the meal in silence, and left as soon as I was able.

My cheeks would not stop burning. It wasn't until I head Bain's voice calling out to me, that I finally snapped out of my trance.

"Young master!" I heard as Bain ran down the hall from the dining room towards me.

Damien and I both stopped and turned to watch as the old man ran up to us, gasping for breath.

"You shouldn't run," I scolded and went to help him, then stopped myself. He didn't need my help. That much was clear.

"I wanted to… apologize." He huffed between breaths.

"Apologize?" I asked, "For what?"

"I would have liked to serve you, Lord Isani."

"What? Then why…?"

"Well, to be honest… I have an attachment to Lord Carian. I know he is often cold, and is not a very good leader."

I panicked and looked around the halls apprehensively, "Bain! What if someone hears you!?"

"It is okay, My Lord, this needs to be said."

I looked at him in concern, but didn't stop him from continuing.

"I am well aware of the Duke's shortcomings, but I cannot bring myself to hate him. I have been there since his birth. I practically raised him. He is like a son to me."

Oh. Of course. Why hadn't I considered that before? I felt terrible. I didn't consider Bain's feelings at all and just assumed he would love to come and work for me.

"No, Bain, I should be the one apologizing. I did not consider you would feel that way towards the Duke. I should have know better than to throw you into that awkward situation back there."

Bain shook his head, "I understood what you were trying to do, Lord Isani. And I am grateful. If it weren't for this old man's attachment, I would have gladly come to serve under you. You are a great man, young master. A man deserving of respect, and I know you will make an even greater leader."

"You say that as if my position has already been decided." I shied away from his obvious praise.

Bain glanced in Damien's direction and smiled.

"I am confident that you will do well." Is all that he said before dismissing himself.

I was left a little confused, but also relieved. It wasn't that Bain disliked me, but his love for the Duke was stronger. I could understand that, especially since like he said, he'd been with the man since birth.

I let out a long sigh.

"Are you alright, master?" Damien looked to me.

"Yes, Damien. I am more than alright. Let's return to my chambers."

"Yes, master."

I'd learned my lesson. It was better not to assume a person's emotions. From then on, I made a promise to myself, to always discuss my plans with the people involved. No more surprises for anyone.

I wouldn't become a tyrant like my father. People would be free under my reign. Of that much, I was certain.