Weed stepped closer to the painting to examine it better. It had a certain 3D effect to it. The horses in the painting appeared to be bulging out and so did everything else. The unevenness and shadowy effects across the trees, leaves, men and swords..almost giving the painting a life like effect. Weed noticed that the glass on the painting was really think since there was a distance of at least 3 inches even after he had his hand on the painting.

‘Intriguging.’ He thought to himself. Even in real life Lee Jun had never seen a painting made in this fashion. Weed was most curious to know more about the Lord’s intentions and were the incidents that had transpired before coincidence or a more sinister plot.

‘If I ask him directly, I will never get a reply…’ Weed thought as he pretended the detailed painting inspection. Weed’s act was so great one would have mistaken him for an art buff. ‘But maybe…if I go about it the long way…’

“Looks life like!” Weed exclaimed out alout to gain a few brownie points. He decided to play along and subtly uncover the truth behind his abduction.

“It is real!” The Lord replied back with a smile. He liked those who loved him; to an extent he was narcissistic.

Weed lifted his eye brow in suspicion. ‘What does he mean it is real? It is still a painting.’

“Those are real trees and monsters!” The Lord explained.

Weed suspiciously eyed the painting once again. He decided to say nothing, since he was so far from the painting he could not tell whether those were stuff monsters and horses…

Weed glanced at the painting of the Lords face and then the title of the painting one last time before turning back to the Lord.

“You look surprised?”, The Lord (Count) said. “Were you not expecting me to be the Lord of Lavias?”

“I am! I am very surprised! All this while I thought you were just some commoner turned lord.” Weed chirped away.

The Lord frowned slightly. It wasn’t his intention to appear too casual as a noble it was his duty to appear very sophisticated in nature. Especially a man of his stature could not afford even the slightest whispers of coming across as a simpleton.

Arthur too beamed his displeasure as well to Weed.Even if the Lord always came out too casual it was completely irresponsible of Weed to make mention of it.

Weed realized the displeasure brewing on everyone’s faces and quickly apologized for the overly familiarity. “I apologize, my Lord. I did not mean that you are overly familiar or casual! Rather it was your determination to brave the smell of the sewers that made me doubt whether you could truly be noble. I will never underestimate a noble going forth.”

“Please don’t apologize!” The Lord replied back with color returning to his face. “I always want to hear the honest opinons of my subjects.”

Weed politely smiled. ‘Guess, a lord is still a lord. He says he wants to hear my honest opinion but the truth really lies elsewhere…’

“Well let us not impede upon the day! Arthur quickly! Prepare for a tea party immediately!” The Lord said as he clapped his hands. At his beckon, two female attendants walked into the room and removed his cloak before bowing and exiting.

“My Lord, at this time?” Arthur asked in horror. ‘Since when did tea parties become a thing of the afternoon?’

Weed wondered the samething. ‘Aren’t tea parties held after lunch?’

The Lord looked at Arthur as if he did not understand the predicament they were in. His expression clearly asked Arthur, ‘Well what of the time?’

“It is only noon! My lord!” Arthur explained.

“Well then should we throw a lunch?” Arthur asked.

“At a moments notice, my lord?” Arthur asked with a certain panicky tone to his voice. Lunches were big affairs, a tea party he could still manage at a moment’s notice but lunch? Arthur was getting uneasy at the very thought of all the preparation that would be required… ‘Let’s go back to tea…why did I bother questioning him…please say tea again I will agree!!’

“Too soon?” The Lord asked with a sly smile. It was his intention to bait Arthur into agreeing to hold a tea party.

‘When faced with climbing a mountain or a hill; the hill will always appear easier but the truth be told climbing is still climbing and not walking.’ Weed thought to himself. He could see what the Count was aiming for and he decided to save poor Arthur who was struggling to come up with an appropriate retort.

“Unless you don’t mind nobility looking flustered.” Weed calmly replied for Arthur.

Arthur took a breath in relief; he had realized too late that he had been caught by the Lord. ‘Offer tea otherwise lunch…got to remember that one for next time…’ Arthur thought to himself.

As Arthur looked up, he could see the Lord was clearly bemused by Weed’s suggestion; flustered nobles.

‘Great..’ Weed thought, ‘For a lord he sure has all the whims and fancies in the world. People literally dance to his tunes…’

After a great deal of pondering, which left Arthur in a state of great deal of anxiousness and panic, the Lord finally said, “Why not? The theme could be a flustered noble as suggested by the elf.”

The Lord was shrewd. He knew he was being played for and he wanted his tea party. He was determined neither his personal attendant nor the elf would stop him from holding one. ‘Suggest me another ridiculous idea and I will drag you into the mess with me elf…’

“Or a nobles Ire?” Weed calmly replied. He could sense that this NPC was not going to be easy. In a battle of words there was no retreating and Weed knew his attacks from here on now had to get sharper and wittier; afterall he too was in no mood for an impromptu tea party. The best tea parties are the ones that are well planned; months in advance. Those tea parties have the longest list of nobility attending; from the lowest of households to the top most rankings. Weed was certain that on an impromptu gathering few would attend.

“Is there anyone who dares?” The Lord questioned with anger building up in his tone. He had been clearly cornered and he disliked being out witted.

“None, my lord!” Arthur tweeted like a canary.

“I thought as well!” The Lord said with a big smile. “Then themed lunch it is?”

“My lord, I apologize for my error! Tea party is much better than lunch! I am silly to have thought a tea party could not be held at this time!” Arthur cried out.

“…” Weed kept his silence. ‘What are they the comedy duo?’

“May I make a suggestion?” Weed asked as he hoped to change flow of the conversation.

“Proper manners would dictate that you need permission to speak first, you ruffian of an elf!” Arthur snapped. He had enough of the elf and his improper mannerism. It was because of the elf that the Lord had been angered and it was also because of him that they had to throw a tea party. ‘There goes my noon nap…all because of this stupid elf…’ Arthur thought to himself.

“Well may I be permitted to speak?” Weed asked with no change in attitude. He was no coward to fall frail upon being requested to correct his mannerism.

“We really shouldn’t joke with an elf, they are just too serious!” The Lord jested.

“Then, may I speak?” Weed double checked.

“Yes, please do.” The Lord replied, he wanted to know how else would the elf try to delay the tea party.

“We can hold the tea party tomorrow?” Weed asked.

The lords expression darkened. ‘How boring…he became so frank. It was more entertaining when he was twisting his words and meanings…this means he is serious about shifting the date..’

“Are you not happy with tea today?” The Lord asked in a serious tone. “Are you not happy with my choice?”

The question posed was a fatal one. If Weed now tried delaying the tea party he would be implying that he disagrees with the Lord’s choice and if he agreed with the timings he wouldn’t be treated to a splendid tea party. ‘Never dealt with a more frustrating NPC…hope I never have to…’ Weed thought to himself.

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“I would love tea today!” Weed replied. “It is just that I have never had the opportunity to meet the lord before I thought it would only be right if I may be better acquainted with my lord first.”

“...” The Lord gave Weed a blank silent stare and then said, “Sorry not interested.”

“Pardon me?” Weed was slightly taken aback with the response. ‘Not interested?’

“Are you testing me elf?” The Lord finally asked losing his patience. He had enough of the trivial and futile banter.

“No my lord!” Weed exclaimed feeling the irritation of the Lord.

“I have dealt with a hundreds of elfs before you! I know how twisted with tongues you can be.” The Lord complained as he stood up and paced.

“My lord you have misunderstood me.” Weed desperately tried to defuse the situation. ‘I rather have a tea party than no tea party at all!!’

“Have I now?” The Lord asked curiously, wondering if he had indeed misunderstood what the elf had to say.

“My lord, an elf of my low status would never be able to dream of meeting such an important person such as yourself. It is my own greed to learn more about someone as great as you which is why I suggested holding the party later. I would not like to share the precious little time we have together with someone else!” Weed almost threw up hearing himself say those lines. He almost sounded as if he were hitting on the man.

“You think of yourself too little, are you not a high elf? You have the right to command such respect! At least those annoying ones always did.” The Lord replied as he reminisced about the past.

“I am not sure of my own origins, my lord. As far as I knew, I always thought myself to be just another common elf…” Weed added as he tried to build up the sympathy factor.

“I see you have been sent here by His Grace!” The Lord said as he fit the puzzle pieces of Weed’s identity together.

Weed recognized that statement from the guidebook as the backstory all users in Royal Road had for their origin so he nodded. His Grace here referred to the imaginary higher existence who watched over the players / creatures / NPCs which would come back to life even after dying.

“But your countenance is that of an high elf!” The Lord said as he examined Weed carefully.

“I have never really met a high elf, so I would not know. I have been alone for most of my life, distant from fellow elves.” Weed was adding the best sob story he could think of. He wanted to gain the Lord’s favour and sympathy in one go.

“How pitiful. There was a time when these lands were teeming with elves of all sorts but now they all have retreated. High elves were the grandest of them all. Their elemental power was the greatest any race has ever witnessed. However, they rarely took interest in the world outside their own realm…you do indeed look like an high elf; white hair, radiant skin and a certain mysterious charm…” The Lord completely bought Weed’s story of being alone since birth.

“My lord certainly knows a lot about elves! Have you bonded with them before?” Weed masked his question with an icing of flattery. He wanted to know more about the elves. None of the players on the communities knew where the NPC elves had disappeared off too. It was one of the reasons why players stopped choosing elf race in the Air Kingdom since there were no elf NPC’s to guide them. Weed knew if he succeeded in extracting information on the elves location in the Air Kingdom, he would be the first player to know where they currently are since their disappearance.

“Surely you jest elf! Our lord’s famous amongst the elves!” Arthur could not help but comment, especially since the Lord motioned him to speak up.

“…I apologize for my ignorance but the Lord of Lavias is a mysterious figure who rarely makes public appearances and even rarer to find mention of the in the Lavias library.” Weed humbly replied. He wasn’t lying, in all his game time and research, nobody knew whether Lavias had a Lord or not. Most of the community discussions were speculations and rumors heard…but this was the first concrete proof that there did indeed exist a Lord of Lavias. Weed could sell this information for a descent price but he decided not as the Lord must have had his reasons for keeping his existence a secret for so many year.

“…Arthur this cannot go on! My own people do not know of my accomplishments!” The Lord cried out. He was hurt that the elf did not know of his accomplishments, then again he was only exaggerating his pain as all nobles would.

“My lord it will be taken care of.” Arthur played along with the false assurances.

Weed wondered at this point whether either of these two spoke the truth. Their lies were so obvious, it was like they put no effort in trying to lie to Weed. Their voices always had an sarcastic undertone everytime they were playing the role of a friviolous noble. ‘Suspicious.’ Weed noted. He was really doubting whether this truly was the lord of Lavias.

“Please Arthur educate the elf of who I am.” The Lord instructed as he clapped his hands once again.

This time two men, dressed in black vests walked in pushing a tea cart. They served tea for the three before leaving. The Lord seated himself comfortably before motioning Arthur to continue speaking.

“Yes, my lord.” Arthur replied.

“It is never appropriate to speak of oneself too highly in front of others. One would be considered snobbish! Would you not agree elf?” The Lord asked Weed as he slowly sipped his tea. He savoured each sip with delight.

“Yes, my lord.” Weed agreed with nonsensical conversation they had been having. Weed only sipped the tea after the lord had a sip. He had reasons to do so. It was possibly impolite to drink before the Lord. Secondly, he was suspicious of his captors. He had reasons to believe the tea could potentially be drugged with sleep medication or poisons.

“That is why I have Arthur. It does untangle the matter to a great degree.” The Lord dragged on. He clearly enjoyed bragging about the pointless luxuries he had amassed.

“Such mannerism eludes even the best of the nobles.” Weed praised the Lord. Weed only prayed that not all nobles he met in the future were like this. Weed had probably never sucked up to anyone like this before and he hoped he never had to.

The Lord smiled at Weed’s praise. He certainly was pleased with the response.

Arthur took the opportunity to begin the story of the Lord of Lavias…

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Authors Note:

1. Happy Reading!

2. Next part will be coming up soon!

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