The morning light filtered through the curtains as he started to wake up. Then he paused something was wrong it was too quiet normally Ananke and Ruda would not care for his sleep the would shuffle around making noise.
He could hear footsteps but they were measured clearly careful not to wake him.
He sat up, the servant preparing his bathing items by the vanity was taught and his posture was straight. It was Azar, The head servant.
"Good morning Sir," Azar bowed.
"Good morning," his voice came out confused.
Azar Moved with practice deficiency laying down his shoes and placing his robe, "has prepared a bath for you kindly get ready for breakfast with the Duke."
He stepped on the shoes and walked to the bath. It was a bit odd for the head servant to be preparing his personal items but he knew better than to question.
On the bathwater with scattered petals of different flowers the accent was subtle but calming he stepped into the bath and sunk into the warmth it quieted his thoughts. Some time had passed when he got out.
When he emerged, Azar was exactly where he had left him.
"His grace requests your presence breakfast, Sir I will escort you,"
He was slowly dressed then allowed himself to be guided.
Perhaps because they were working slowly the corridors of the palace seemed longer.
"Sir, " Azar's voice was low and careful, "A word if I may."
He inclined his head ears shifting indicating that he was listening.
"I know you've been told but the customs in the carpathia household at very strict, it would be wise to observe them without question especially now with a king splitting pressure on the duke."
Azar's gaze remained forward.
"We've been ignorant these past few days and I apologize on behalf of the servants, kindly please follow the rules for the sake of the duchy,"
He kept quite for a while watching the servant before slowly nodding.
They walked a few steps and ask the dining hall loomed ahead.
"He's blindfolded," he said quietly. "Is he blind? I've wondered,"
Azar's steps continued, "It's a seal Sir.," he said his voice low, deferential, "It covers his magic, he only removes it in his chambers."
He nodded slowly
"That's why that section of the palace is off limits," he added "The wards there are ancient and can withstand his power when the seal is undone." .
"A curse," he asked and Azar kept quite.
"If its taboo to talk about you don't have to say anything."
"No," he said, " its actually common knowledge in the capital."
He moved closer but still maintaining a respectful distance,"
"When the Duchess, the Duke's mother was pregnant with him, she was carrying twins," Azar looked to the side as if remembering, "The previous Duke his father suddenly became paranoid. We don't know why. But he contacted a coven and made the duchess drink a portion."
"Potion,"
"Yes sir some unknown medicine that somehow combined the children in her stomach,"
His breath hitched, he couldn't imagine the pain the duchess went through.
"The children of Aneilis are naturaly powerful," he continued. "So combination of two children..
"Caused the duke to be born with power far more than what his physical body could carry causing him to constantly leak mana," he finished
"Yes and as he grew older the stronger he became and the more people could not go near him,"
They remained quite the rest of the way.
They reached the dining hall, Azar stopped at the threshold and bowed.
"His grace awaits, Sir."