Chapter 53 Waking up early

The morning after Nicholas and Clarice went out together. It is early in the morning, and the sun is still peeking on the horizon when Nicholas is woken up by Maria.

Nicholas: "Huh? Maria, what's up? It's still night; is there an emergency?" He was confused as to why he was woken up by Maria.

Maria: "Master, you need to prepare early today since you have to have dinner with the duke and his daughter this morning." She reasoned with the still-groggy Nicholas that he needed to wake up today. The reason is that the Curtana has visitors, and it was a sign of respect to dine with them.

Nicholas: "Ohhh, I forgot about that. Fine, five more minutes then." He then closed his eyes again.

Maria: *sigh* she sighed but let him have his five minutes more rest even if she finds it pointless.

After that, she woke him up, like she usually does. She helped him prepare in the morning by preparing his clothes, arranging his bedding, and cleaning up while he bathed. After preparing, Nicholas went down to the dining room to eat with the duke and his parents.

He came down right on time as he met Duke Ian and Stella on their way to the dining room.

Nicholas: "Greetings, Duke Ian! Good morning, lady Stella!" He greeted them both as he approached them.

Duke Ian: "Hello, Nicholas, I see that you're energetic in the morning as well! I am excited with your tour later!" He replied immediately and patted his back.

Stella: "Hello and good morning as well, sir Nicholas!" she replied more lively than yesterday since they were much closer to each other."

Nicholas: "Yes, sir, you can count on me later. And also, lady Stella, why are you in your training clothes? Ohhh, right," he replied to the duke and Stella right after.

Duke Ian: "I forgot to ask you that also. Stella, why are you dressed like this? Are you training with Nicholas later?" The duke was puzzled by her outfit choice, so he asked her.

Stella: "Father, I will be training with Sir Nicholas's personal knight on the training facility of the Curtana estate right after eating breakfast." She answered her father's question.

Duke Ian: "Personal Knight? Training? Can you explain this to me, Nicholas?" The duke didn't want to scold his dear daughter, so he began to target the nearest person responsible, which was Nicholas.

The duke narrowed his eyes in Nicholas direction, and Nicholas felt wronged because he hadn't even planned this; why was he the one being interrogated? He then began to reason with the duke; he told the story of how Clarice and Stella met yesterday and really got along well. 

Stella: "Uhmm, father. Sir Nicholas is right; I made my first friend yesterday; her name is Clarice Claireton. She and I promised train today." Stella also jumped in to help Nicholas's case too.

Duke Ian: "A girl personal knight? Weird, but fine, I'll allow it this time." He finally relented after her daughter also chimed in on the topic.

They arrived and gathered around the dining table. The duke was dressed less extravagantly but still very nice, while Stella was dressed in her training clothes. The count and countess are in their formal attire to be as presentable as possible when guests are around.

Nicholas, however, wore his regular fancy work clothes since he will be going to the office to do some paperwork before conducting interviews for his new employees in the afternoon. He will be joined by Maria and Clarice later, of course, since he promised both of them to be present during the hiring process a few weeks ago.

Countess Iris: "How were your sleep brother and Stella?" Seeing them arrive at their respective seats, she began to make conversation.

Duke Ian: "It was great, especially because I did not bring any work-related paper work here." he commented.

Stella: "I sleep adequately as well, lady Iris." she said with a bright smile on her face.

Countess Iris: "By the way I heard about you, and Clarice will be training after this."

Stella: "Yes, lady Iris, that is correct. Me and Clarice talked for quite a while yesterday and made friends. We also decided to practice and exchange pointers today since they are both sword users," she replied to the countess.

Everyone began talking to each other while they waited for their breakfast to be served. The count talked to the duke; the countess talked both his brother and Stella; and Nicholas joined and commented on their talks as well.

After a while, the servants came in to the dining room from the kitchen with trays full of breakfast food. Each one of them neatly and gently placed each food item on the middle of the table. The servers left after they completed their task, and that is when the count gathered everyone's attention, beginning to say their grace before eating.

The duke was impressed by the quality of food inside the Curtana mansion; he expected that it was a bit lower quality than what is served by his ducal house. But unexpectedly, it was quite on par with what was being served, and especially the fruits on the sides were quite a treat to his taste buds. He thought he might take some to his wives since it was great and his wives really enjoy these kinds of delicacies.

The duke complimented the food and began to continue his conversation with the count. The countess also asked Stella and Nicholas about their day yesterday. Stella freely conversed with the countess; she kept on replying to the countess's question. While Nicholas replied sometimes when he was asked something.

After they finished their meal, everyone began to separate and do their own duties. The count went with the duke to their office; the countess also went to her own office; Stella went to the training ground to meet Clarice; and Nicholas and Maria went to the office. But before everyone went on their way, the duke said something.

Duke Ian: "Stella, I wanted to join and coach you guys, but unfortunately, because I have something, I have to talk with count Claus." He approached and told her about his almost sudden change of plans.

Stella: "No worries, father; maybe next time." She smiles at him.

Duke Ian: "Actually, I want this kid to be there to supervise the training," he pointed at Nicholas.

Nicholas: "Me?" he pointed at himself as he was on his way out to the office.

The Duke didn't say anything, but he glared in Nicholas direction. The count and countess both giggled and said

Count Claus: "Yes, Nicholas, you need to spend time with Stella. You guys needed to get along now that you guys are betrothed, so come with Stella in the training room and help them. I heard you are really skilled in combat; maybe Stella can learn a thing or two from you," he commented, trying to link their schedule up.

Countess Iris: "Yes, honey, you need to spend more time with Stella; she will be staying in the mansion temporarily, so you guys need to get to know each other more. Your paperwork can be delayed; you can just sacrifice one of your nap times if things are too busy." The countess also chimed in on the matter.

Nicholas: "Yes, alright, mom. dad." He cannot argue with both of his parents and agreed to them. Nicholas grumbled meekly since he had no choice; three powerful people insisted on it.

Duke Ian: "Fine, have a nice day and also don't get hurt." She knows her daughter is very excited about this trip since she wanted to explore the world. And as a father and a protective one at that, he didn't want his daughter to suffer any danger that is present in this world.

After their conversation ended, they went to their own separate ways, Nicholas and Stella to the training ground. The duke and count will talk about something in his office, then show him the site of the 'essence' extraction plant construction. And later, if time still permits it, he will show the duke some of the experimental crops that were infused with synthetic and natural fertilizer.

The countess, on the other hand, went to her office to handle some paperwork that the count assigned to her and cannot do since he will escort the duke around Curtana.

---

While Nicholas and Stella are walking to the training grounds silently, the atmosphere is a bit awkward, so she starts the conversation.

Stella: "I'm sorry for dragging you to the training grounds; sir Nicholas must be busy today." She looked at him with an apologetic look.

Nicholas: "No worries, lady Stella, as my mother said the paperwork in the morning isn't that urgent. Also, it's true that I wanted to spend time with you. But you might find it weird since we just met yesterday, so I didn't insist on coming," she replied to her with a slight smile.

Stella: "Ahhh, is that so?" she said with a slight blush because Nicholas words were unexpected.

Nicholas: *She is quite cute, even though she is one year older than me.* He thought when he saw her reaction to his teasing.

Stella: "Uhmm. uhmmm." Stella fumbled in her words.

Stella: "By the way, what weapon do you use since you are also an awakener?" she thought of a random question.

Nicholas: "I also use the sword." He replied quickly to her question.

Clarice: "Really?!? That's nice. Maybe we should spar later after training to trade some knowledge." She began rambling since she was quite excited.

Nicholas: "No, haha. I actually use the dagger. We can still spar afterwards though." He stuck out his tongue, a bit teasing Stella.

Stella was a bit infuriated by Nicholas's teasing, so she pinched his sides.

Nicholas: "Ow ow ow. Ouch. Stop stop. Please, I'm sorry." He begged her to stop since it was really starting to hurt.

Stella: "Hmmph." She let go of her fingers and began to pout.

Nicholas: "I'm sorry, okay, haha. It was just you're too irresistible to tease," he commented.