Afa sat there seething. For the first time, she was watching just what was going on with Bryson Coldwater and what she saw did not make her happy. Two girls who should be either loathing or in fear of Bryson seemed to be fighting over him!

“How? Why?” Afa screamed aloud to herself, “What did he do?”

It made no sense to Afa. Sable should hate Bryson for his constant mistreatment of her. Hate him for lauding his position and talent over her. Yet she acts as if she likes her adopted brother. Why? Was he not mean to her?

“But how is that possible?” Afa asked herself. Bryson was raised by the Coldwaters, with Afa herself spewing nonsense to the duke about how special Bryson would be. How did this not give the boy an ego?

Duke Coldwater was a cold and vindictive man. He is known for not showing mercy to his opponents and to make sure anyone who crossed him would pay twice fold. So why has this lesson not been instilled in Bryson?

“It’s as if the boy’s been able to form his own opinions on matters.” She muttered, “But Gareth was supposed to deal with that.”

Gareth Coldwater the eldest of all the Coldwaters was supposed to take Bryson under his wing while he was still around. At least that was Afa’s plan. She did not take into account that the eldest would be a spoiled brat himself.

Thus she did not take into account that a powerful spoiled kid may not find much interest in being the teacher of someone seven years their junior. Especially when teaching others was for the help, sure Gareth might enjoy being looked up to and did find Bryson clever for his age, but the age difference meant that there was very little connection between the two. By the time Bryson was six, Gareth a preteen would have been trying to act more adult while Bryson would have tried to be a kid. It was easier for Gareth to have Gilles the older, simpler one follow his word.

Thus this bond between the two was never made. The bond between Bryson and Viola was however, which was something that Afa did not ever prepare for. As Gareth took Gilles, Viola the second oldest and only half related to her brothers by default then gravitated to her youngest siblings. Sable for the feeling of being an outcast and Bryson for the lack of real blood shared between family. It also helped that Bryson looked like a newborn penguin waddling around the snow in his younger years.

Closer kinship with Viola and the natural feeling of guilt for being lauded over more than Sable naturally caused Bryson to be aware of people. Afa never could guess that Bryson would make these choices as she never thought of Bryson anymore than something that was part of her plan.

So it only aggravated her more when she saw that a little while later Sable and Kristel seemed to have a conversation and looked as though they were even making up after their fight.

This isn’t right. They can’t like Bryson; no something must be done. But what can Afa do? She knows that her current authoritative powers were indeed limited, and she couldn’t just directly influence anything. No, if she were to change things she would need to guide others to do so.

Give them reasons to betray Bryson Coldwater. If Sable, Florence and Lottie don’t hate Bryson, they simply needed to be given a reason to. If Kristel will not be in fear of him, Afa will find a way to make her scared. Kristel was still weak right now, before she develops a backbone Afa will cripple it first.

***

It had been three months since Bryson was forced to lecture those recruits on how to cast magic. Apparently his lessons were decent enough to allow a majority of the group to pass. So it was good to know that Bryson at least knows how to explain things.

Another thing that had changed through this period of time was Sable and Kristel’s relationship with one another. Initially Sable had a strange amount of anger directed towards Kristel, which Bryson still didn’t understand, but now it seemed that cooler heads had prevailed. In fact, Sable actively seemed to help Kristel’s training, sparring and giving lessons whenever available. Sable called it an exchange of birthday gifts for their twelfth birthday. Kristel and Sabel both get fresh opponents to fight.

The whole reason behind this was never explained to him, but Florence assured him that the situation was settled, and it seemed as though she was right. Whatever the case, Kristel was getting better thanks to Sable. Mostly due to all the duels between the two.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Currently including the first match the score between the two was eight to one, going Sable’s way. Sable took all their matches seriously and made sure to think during their fights. Though the more fights go on the better Kristel gets. Just when Bryson thought he knew this silver-haired girl’s limits, she immediately breaks his perception. If things go on like this she might be able to fight Gilles himself.

Bryson in this period was allowed some more free time. Though this free time was really just orders to attend more gatherings with other nobles, namely Frans Snowfield with Kristel as his guard in place of Nico while she is training. At this point Bryson was sure that both his parents and Frans’ parents were well aware of their disdain for one another, yet they kept getting lumped together.

Perhaps this constant joining was an attempt to wear the two down and eventually tolerate one another’s existence. Or maybe they are simply trying to apply the old adage that competition breeds excellence.

Either way, I don’t like him. Bryson though as he was in the middle of a tea party and chewed on his duck liver pâté sandwich with contempt. In fact he wasn’t very much a fan of anybody who was part of this party.

Usually there would be some that he would be amicable with, but for whatever reason all the people around him were either people he did not know, didn’t like him or feared him. However it wasn’t much of a surprise as this tea party was meant for Frans and Bryson was simply visiting as a guest.

“So, Bryson. I see that you have underling.” Frans said approaching Bryson casually noting Kristel who was standing at attention.

“Snowfield.” Bryson grumbled, “To what do I owe the displeasure.”

“Cute.” Frans said, “I just came to let you know that I myself have also found an interesting servant of the lower class.”

“I hate how you talk to people.” Bryson said out loud giving Frans a deadpan stare.

“Good. I find it joyous when you are upset. It makes my day.” Frans quickly parried back before continuing, “Anyways say hello to Clarissa ‘The Icebreaker’.” Frans said introducing a girl about the same age as Kristel fitted with form-fitting chain armour, vambraces and a helmet.

On this Clarissa’s back was a round shield which Bryson immediately sensed was enchanted, along with the rest of her gear. Good quality too, it rivalled the stuff that Kristel had on her.

“Where did you find her?” Bryson asked looking at the girl’s stoic expression.

“She was raised by a marauding group of warriors. She was recently abandoned a few months ago and I have now with my magnanimous kindness, I have taken her in.” Frans bragged.

“A few months ago- wait! Did my mother tell your mother about Kristel and then she told you? Did you really get a warrior just to copy me? You are pathetic.” Bryson said indignant. At this point the other noble boys had gathered around and were now watching the two.

“Copy you? Please, you’re not that special. I picked her because of her potential.” Frans scoffed.

Bryson took a good look at Clarissa. Even beneath the helmet he noticed her well-kept hair and flawless complexion, “You picked her because you find her attractive don’t you?” He asked directly to Frans.

“Eh!” Clarissa said suddenly losing her stoic composure.

“W-w-what!” Frans sputtered, “Don’t go and deflect your own perverse thoughts onto me!” Frans said getting red.

“I found Kristel and unlike you did not go through some catalogue to find her. You got to choose. So I think you chose her because you found her pretty.” Bryson argued.

“What about you? What do you think of that girl you have?” Frans quickly shouted trying to change the subject.

“Don’t deflect. Why else would you have her?”

“Because she is good. Why do you have her? Are you becoming a charity now?” Frans asked staring dagger at Bryson.

“Who knows? Maybe I am, I’m such a nice guy.” Bryson said with a sneer on his face as he rose up from his seat and stared down Frans nose to nose, well almost, he was a bit shorter than Frans, “But unlike you trying to get your first girlfriend I’m busy working with a generational talent to turn her into a true monster. Or are you telling me that you really need protection here of all places.” Bryson said gesturing to the tranquil flower gardens around them.

“I’m not that good.” Kristel said quietly muttering to herself, though no one heard her.

“You really think that some piece of trash you picked up is that good?” Frans challenged.

“Are you questioning my talents Snowfield?” Bryson said in a dangerous whisper.

“Yes. I am asking for proof. I can’t just take your word for it. Something like a generational talent is rare. I need a way to validate it.” Frans said leaning away from Bryson. He put his hands behind his back and began to circle Bryson.

“What? Are you going to fight her?” Bryson asked gazing at the circling Snowfield with hostility.

“Of course not. That would be beneath me. But what do you think if both of our security test one another.” Frans challenged.

“Just like that? You want a fight?”

“Why not? Unless you want to back down. By all means do so. I wouldn’t want to trouble Lord Coldwater.” Frans said mockingly.

The ball was in Bryson’s court now. If he refused it would hurt his reputation, which would hurt his family. Now he wasn’t really concerned of others' opinions of him. But the family was another matter, partially because of his own care for his family and partially because his father might eat him alive if he were to act like a coward. I probably should have been smarter with my words. Bryson said.

As Bryson was pondering on what to do Kristel spoke up, “It will be no issue for Lord Coldwater to have his servant fight for him.

Bryson looked over to Kristel who had an adamant look on her face. Turning Frans he gave a small nod before speaking, “Well Snowfield. It looks to me like she wants to test her metal against your girl. Who am I to deny that?”

“Stop saying that.” Frans said through gritted teeth, “Go ahead and have her try to get a taste of Clarissa’s blade. She’ll get more than her fill.”