Accountable to Myself
Unwilling to use his divine art again, Edward is descending Ambassadors Keep on his own feet. Floor after floor Edward inspects the type of people he passes. "Logistics Department seems lazy, while the bookkeepers were diligent." Edward doesn't really care for what the servants do or how effective most of them are, he only cared for a select few counting on them to be loyal and potent. Walking past servants accessing the damage he made on the staircase prior he hears a man hollering
"Who was it Wei Li? Who did you let through earlier?" shouting like a child is the head of masonry Master Trever, Alberts best construction foreman
Edward intrigued stands in the shadows of his servants, unnoticed. Wanting to hear what the young woman would say.
"Who I let ascend the keep is not your prerogative Master Trever. Besides why are you so certain this was done by a visitor and not an upset worker?"
"Kid this stone is lined with 10,000-year-old marble and cold steel rebar! Not even rank 4 spirit beasts would cause this amount of damage in few hits." Master Trever now red
"Its a shame to hear that. Why are you interrogating me and not fixing the stairs then?"
"Kid this is not a simple issue, a person or persons has caused damage of this level to Ambassadors Keep. While it is only these stairs, servants of the Albert family work and sleep here, this a slap in the face of the famil-"
Edward satisfied and certain Wei Li would not name him steps forward. Shoulders wide and head high, his naturally downward appearing glace and serene demeanor has all in this presence stopping and staring
"Master Trever." a voice so calm its almost scary
"What if I were the one to have done this?"
Master Trever who was a peculiar man like most craftsman was not humored. He who only ever showed true unconditional respect to The White Lion, was not going to play along with the Lion without claws
"Edward we are working here. If you came over for fun or to embarrass my men, then just leave boy."
"Master Trever while I am aware of your personality, it would be wise not to cross the line." Edward says in a soft and now gentle voice matching his appearance
"Kid I said leave! The lion without claws, playing the fool too!" Master Trever laughing and falling for the provocation while his men smarter than him it seems remain silent
Edward enjoying himself looks back at the young woman who is laughing and enjoying the show, knowing she is not laughing at him but at the one who is making a fool of himself, he felt a familiar stillness inside of his self.
"Master Trever, you speak of how this situation is a slap in the face of my family. Then what of your current attitude?"
"What are you saying boy?"
"What I mean to say is, you Master Trever disrespecting your master and bashing his name with unclever insults, is the true slap to my familys face."
Master Trever now realizing Edward seems to be in excellent health, and the best shape of his life starts to shrink and think of what to say
TAC TIP TIP
Footsteps Edward would not forget after being snuck up on before are heading towards the crowd
"Kid I will apologize, so let's not make this a big deal, yeah?" Master Trever wiping the sweat from his forehead with his forearm pleads
"AHHem" a deep and authoritative grunt
The entire crowd of servants turned to greet and bow to Steward Pike as he walks past them all towards Edward. The pair of them, the only ones standing straight give each other a nod, then Steward Pike bows deeper than the servants had to him.
"Greetings, my young master"
Four words that shocked all besides Wei Li, most of all Master Trever
"Steward Pike" Edward replies contently
"Master Trever, stand and face me" rising Steward Pike demands
"Do you admit your trespasses?"
"I do my Lord."
"Speak it!"
"I have disrespected my better. Made a joke of him and took pleasure in doing so."
"Thats all?"
Master Trever sighing in defeat "I have kept and valued staff member of my master from her post and questioned her unjustly."
"Good, you know what you have done is wrong. Now you will face the consequences in turn. For your blasphemy against your master, you will be on unpaid leave for 6 months. For your treatment of someone not under your charge you are to pay 5 spirit stones to the victim. These aforementioned punishments are a slap on the wrist, you may think young master Edwards benevolence that you aren't losing your tongue. Unless... you are dissatisfied and wish to contest my judgement?"
Master Trever bearing the full weight of his own foolhardiness is panting with relief after fearing for himself
"No of course I will obey my Lord!" turning to face Edward, Master Trever bows extensively "Thank you young master for your pity!"
Edward who was truly happy with the outcome remained silent for over a minute, Master Trever who remained in his bow grew nervous while nobody spoke
"All is forgiven" Edward finally let out while smirking
"Thank you again!" standing from his position and stepping towards Wei Li, Master Trever took out 10 spirit stone and offered them with both hands to her "Please forgive me as well?"
Wei Li excited to be witness to something so fun and actually getting paid for it was as satisfied as Edward "Kayy!" she voices with joy reaching for her prize
"Now Master Trever return to chambers and pack your things, we will provide transport back to your property." Steward Pike ends the conflict
"Understood my Lord" Master Trever thankful for having no harm done hurries back
Steward Pike turns towards the construction crew "Who among you holds the highest rank?"
"Me my Lord"
"You are in charge of this job hence forth, understood?"
"Understood my Lord"
Edward finding himself again respecting Steward Pike calls him over to speak, pointing towards Wei Li telling her sit and wait for them to finish talking.
"My young master, what can I do for you?"
"My Lord Gregor, about what we had discussed earlier, you do not have to bring it to me personally. I know you are busy so put them in a ring and have that servant bring it to me."
Edward who was awaiting a response, knew why it was delayed. He saw pride, joy and motivation in Lord Gregors eyes as he had broken the wall between master and servant. An action Edward had only ever done a dozen times before, he had done with Lord Gregor in less than a day inside Edward Alberts body.
"Thank you. Truly thank you my young master."
Edward hand on Lord Gregors shoulder confirmed he received his direction before telling Wei Li to talk to the steward. Now having fun matters done for, Edward steps outside the keep and spots Sir Liam, walking towards him with a weak expression.
"Young master" Sir Liams hands together bowing
"Done so soon? It has been but a couple hours."
"Yes, young master I have apprehended the criminals" Sir Liams expression darkens
"Take me to them."
Walking back across the giant rectangular garden from the west the pair travel for ten minutes in silence to the nearest guard station. Edward annoyed having to walk behind the anxious Sir Liam finally broke the silence before entering the station.
"What do you think of me Sir Liam?"
puzzled "I think you are incredible. The air about you is calm, and you possess the will to conquer yourself." he responds
"You think me a murderer"
Sir Liam who never played politics but understands the game stiffens "That is... not true. You are doing hard things so the rest of us... your people, don't have to."
"A fair assumption" Edward says coldly while steeping into the station walking past dozens of men twice his size and cultivation until he reaches a hallway with interrogation rooms.
"Which one?"
"Second on the left." Liam barely mumbles
Opening the door of the interrogation room Edward beholds a woman no older than 26, Aarons age, holding an infant boy. "Ah it is as I feared. Aaron being so young if he had any children at all they couldn't be too old. If only he was an old man this would be a lot simpler."
Sitting down in the chair across from the woman with wet eyes, she scoots her chair back, fear almost visible as she shakes, holding her crying son firm.
"You know me?"
"Yes my lord" barely able to find her voice
"You know of your husband?"
the woman now crying deeply her voice is lost as she gasps and breathes heavy
"Your husband threatened my life. There were only two outcomes. One which is our current reality, and another in which he does kill me then you three are executed. Traditionally the family of traitors face the sword with them, I however am not keen on killing babies."
The woman finally meeting Edwards eyes, as she finds hope
"Veronica and Sven Brening I sentence you to banishment, from not only the North but all of Terrene. You two shall leave this country under guard to ensure your deportation. Upon exile you will be given enough gold for a weeks stay at an inn and food." Edwards eyes intently focusing on the baby, he continues "Look at me. This is a onetime mercy. You raise that boy correct, so that he does not seek me out and lose the life I spared down the line."
Veronica thinking the words she heard brutal yet somehow kind are not true. Losing her husband and being forcefully taken from her home, taken from everything she knows. Not knowing if she should plead and beg or fight, she just nods her head
"Thank you, my Lord"