Its another painful silent journey back home, William didn't know how he should address his own son anymore. What's even more shocking to him is the fact his son seem to have changed since he experienced death.
He is no longer that little kid he always has to protect and instruct, his demeanor, carriage and charisma ooze of maturity he never knew his son could cultivate this soon
They soon arrived at the Manor late in the day, the sky already darken. Saving no formality for his father, Arthur alight the carriage and made it for his room
"Arthur!"
"There is no need father, it's already late and I'm tired. Can we have this conversation in the morning?
I'm in not mood for chit chat, just send a maid to bring my dinner over to my room"
With that Arthur left his dumbfounded father who was lost for words, William felt pain in his heart watching Arthur leaving figure
"You might hate me now son, but I will never stop trying to make amends even if it cost me my life"
William solemnly swore, his heart trouble especially when he recalled he will have to leave for the boarder soon. He couldn't stop cussing in his mind for the little time offered to him.
More importantly, he was cussing himself for not trusting his own son. It's not like his reasoning ain't founded, there are just too many possibilities over time that he couldn't leave things to chance
With an heavy heart and a sunken steps, he retired to his own room. Meanwhile a figure stare at his leaving figure from one of the manor window.
Arthur's soon got to his room, arriving at the door he breath out a sigh of relief before pushing the door open to enter his room.
Entering his room he saw a figure staring out the window with a stoic expression, if someone is to come here right now
They would be shocked silly as the figure staring out the window is a seemless replicate of Arthur who had just entered the room.
"How did it go?"
"It went as planned master, every doubt has been cleared and concrete evidence for future endeavors has also been made" the Arthur at the door answered going down on one kneel
"Good, then I presume you were also able to carry out the other objective of this mission"
"Yes my Lord, and I believe my findings would shock you"
Arthur turn away from the window this time around with a frown on his face, "and what would that be?"
"I have every reason to believe Lord viscount has some understanding of what must have happened to you my Lord"
Arthur raised his brow this time around, "why is that?"
Arthur on his kneels went on to recount everything that occurred from when they left the minor till their return, when he was done recounting, Arthur had an inking of what might have happened.
First, the news of him awaking magic aptitude was known only by the magic association union mage that conducted the test, the viscount and definitely the royal who the result would be sent to
As for how his father knew of his aptitude is self explanatory, once any child awaken magic aptitude, the parent of that child is immediately informed vie magic communication.
Reason been that child and his family if not already a first class noble would be elevated and if it's already a first class noble, there is a chance of getting higher benefits like that of breaking out from the original noble family to start their own if they have what it takes to go through the procedure or fortify their original family status even more.
With that been said, the only people that should know he has awaken magic aptitude is the viscount, the officiating mage and the royals. Though the royals were the one that order the hit, who ever carried it out isn't far but within the city vacinity itself.
Seeing there are three second class baron under viscount dav along with his father which make a total of three and amongst all three Baron's
His father is the only one supporting the third Prince, he didn't know much on who the viscount support. The previous Arthur only start learning about politics recently
From the recount just given, viscount wasn't surprised over the fact he was attacked and assassinated but reacted to the fact Arthur is still alive.
All this factors wouldn't be noticeable if he had taken his time to nurture an observable intent on the second Arthur, having put all the piece together, his search ray finally have direction.
Walking over to the little shelf beside his bed, picking up a plain portrait having just background painting depicted.
"Thank you for your help Arthur, you can return now" he said to the kneeling Arthur
"Yes my Lord" the kneeling Arthur bow once more before disappearing into thin air and at the same time an image of Arthur return to the plain looking portrait painting.
Alex stroke the portrait for a while deep in thought, "I wouldn't have been able to pull this off without my ability" he sigh
"There is still a lot left to be done, but for now I'll go one step at a time. Settling my assassination score is the first in my agenda"
~knock~knock~
"Come in"
Anna came in with a tray of food, her step careful and cautious, scared she might get her master pissed off.
William has specifically warned her not to do anything that would make Arthur angry, cope with the chill she felt from him last night
She dare not do anything rashly, having place the food by his bed side, she hastily made it for the door wanting to disappear from the room.
"Anna"
Anna fidget when she heard her name called, her scalp grow numb as she slowly and fearful turn to face Arthur whose gaze she could already feel on her.
"Do you know any good artist I can get to paint me a few portraits according to my illustration and desire?"
Anna breath out in relief inwardly, he fear still evident but she did her best to act normal
"The artist at the capital could fit in that demand master Arthur, shall I get the master send for him?"
"That won't be necessary, I need another, one I can make my personal artist and isn't Orthodox in his thinking and path of artistic practice"
Anna had a puzzle look on her face, why would the young master sort for an artist with unorthodox path of artistry.
"There is one, not one many wants to patronize though. She is said to be the granddaughter old hag of whinner woods
But I doubt that old hag would allow anyone close to her granddaughter, from what I've heard from other and the master himself
That old hag doesn't want anything to do with the empire and it's power struggles
She wants to live a simple life, even though she is a mage, she refused the privilege of a first class noble and rather stay alone on seclusion with her granddaughter"
Alex interest was piqued by this, someone who doesn't want to have anything to do with the power struggle of nobility.
"Tell me everything about this old hag" Alex strode over to his bed side, helping himself with his dinner while Anna recount everything she knows about this mage
"... It was said she isn't from this Valerie empire, no body could really tell the level of her strength as that part as seem obscured
But...."
"But if the empire decides not to bother her, there is a good reason behind that choice" Alex completed her intended words
On the side Alex felt there is more to Anna, initially it was just speculation from the memories he obtained from Arthur but now things seems clear.
"Are you going to tell me what your true intention are or you still want to be masking it under the pretense of naivity?"
Anna was taken aback by this question, Alex didn't push or say anything further, he just kept giving her a subtle smile that increased her dread of him.
A moment of silence passed in the room with both starring at each other, after a while Anna breath out helplessly.
"I mean no harm master Arthur"
"I know Anna, if you did, you'd be dead already. I'm just concerned about the story behind the curtain"
Anna felt more frustrated thinking about it, "first before I say anything, are you really Arthur?"
"Would I have survived the trial of truth if am not him?" Alex question rather than answer.
Anna nodded agreeably, she had gotten the results of the trial from how the master react when they returned, cope with the fact Arthur is fine
The fact all point to the obvious, but she couldn't help but asked still feeling something amiss.
"I'm Anna your handmaid, one brought in by the master's wife your mother. I was saved by Madame when I was three and brought home by her after sentry committed me to her care....."
Alex raised his brow surprisingly, he couldn't help but take a second look at Anna. What was so special about her his mother have to protect her and why?.