A beat of silence followed after the man, who I assumed was Arend, opened his eyes. When that beat passed, Arend’s features twisted with displeasure and he scowled at us.
“What do you want, Anselm?” he asked, his harmonious voice at odds with his harsh tone.
I blinked at him in surprise.
“Good morning to you too, Arend.” Grand Duke Kaltbrand said in a dry tone.
“Grand Sage Arend. As I’ve told you before, if you’re going to address me, then do it properly.”
The grand duke scoffed.
“Why should I? You never address me properly.”
“What have you done to earn it? Become the head of House Kaltbrand? Pah, that’s just an accident of birth. Become an Aura Master? As if there’s anything special about being able to swing a sword.”
Ah, so he was one of those types. As a whole, magicians were decent folk. However, quite a few of them thought themselves superior to everyone else just because they were magicians. I had met a few of them in life, both before and after I left House Guld. This arrogant attitude of theirs wasn’t completely unwarranted, since magicians were powerful in their own right. However, the problem was how they looked down on anyone who wasn’t a magician. It made interacting with them an ordeal.
I found that the easiest way to deal with such folks depended on how powerful they were. If they were less powerful than me, then I let them know in no uncertain terms that I would not put up with their nonsense. They usually fell into line after that. If they were as powerful, or more powerful, than me, then I treated them with respect but didn’t back down. Otherwise, they would take that as license to run roughshod over me. I saw it happen to others, and I refused to let them treat me the same way.
Magicians occupied a strange spot in our society’s hierarchy. Most of them weren’t nobles, but they couldn’t be treated like commoners either. The level of courtesy and respect afforded to them depended on their power. Grand Sages were considered on par with dukes and other high-ranked nobles.
“I greet you, Grand Sage Arend,” I said, giving him a nod. As House Kaltbrand’s (fake) heir, and an Aura Master, we were social equals. “My name is Wulfe.”
Arend gave me a withering look.
“Did I ask you?” he asked in a scathing tone. “You should learn to keep your mouth shut when your betters are speaking, pup.”
“When that happens, I’ll be sure to keep your advice in mind, Grand Sage.” I said without batting an eyelid.
Arend seemed taken aback by my words and didn’t respond right away. Grand Duke Kaltbrand started laughing.
“Oh, you should see the look on your face, Arend,” he said. “I wish I had a recording crystal with me, because this is priceless.”
Arend recovered from his surprise, and threw a glare at the grand duke, before looking at me again.
“So, you have some bite in you,” he said. “Good. I’m tired of sniveling sycophants who think the best way to earn my regard is to fawn over me.” He looked at the grand duke. “You picked a good one, Anselm.”
I raised an eyebrow at him.
“You know why I’m here?” I asked.
Arend scoffed.
“Of course,” he said, jerking a thumb at the grand duke. “Who do you think gave this one the idea? I am Anselm’s most trusted adviser. Without me, the entirety of House Kaltbrand would fall apart.”
I glanced at Grand Duke Kaltbrand, who gave me a slight shake of the head.
“Yes, yes,” the grand duke said out loud. “We all know how important you are.” He shook his head. “You know why we’re here. Is it ready?”
Arend stood up and snapped his fingers. The magic circle that surrounded him disappeared.
“Yes,” he said. He reached a hand towards the wooden desk. I heard the sound of a drawing opening, before a small glass sphere floated into view and flew over to Arend. “It took me all night to make it, but here.”
He tossed the glass sphere at the grand duke. A lineage testing magic tool. Despite its simple appearance and function, I knew that the spells and enchantments required to create one were quite complex.
“Excellent,” Grand Duke Kaltbrand said. “Now we just need to wait for the others to arrive.”
Arend sighed.
“Is that really necessary?” he asked. “We all know that this pup isn’t really your son, the people who matter that is. Why go through with this charade? More importantly, why does it have to be in my study? If you’re going to bother with this farce, do it somewhere else.”
I gave the grand duke a questioning look, since I wanted to know the answers to these questions as well.
“Simple,” Grand Duke Kaltbrand said. “I want word of this lineage test to get out. For that, I need witnesses.”
Ah, I understood what he was doing now. He wanted to spread the rumor that his illegitimate son had been found. A positive lineage test was a good way to do that. It would be like throwing a stone into a still pond. In fact, that was a good way to view my role as the fake heir to House Kaltbrand. I was supposed to cause disruptions in order to help the grand duke find out who was interfering with House Kaltbrand’s succession, and also buy time for his real heir to become ready. The more stones we threw into this particular pond, the better.
“As for why we’re doing it here,” the grand duke continued. “Simple. In order for a lineage test to be considered valid, the law requires that a magician of Adept rank or above, or a senior priest, witness it.” He gave Arend an annoyed look. “You refuse to leave your tower for anything less than a dire emergency, so we have no choice but to perform the test here. You have only yourself to blame.”
“You can find another magician to witness the test, you overgrown lout,” Arend said. “It doesn’t have to be me.”
Like Aura users, magicians had different levels of power. The lowest was Initiate, followed by Adept, Sage, and then Grand Sage, the magician equivalent of an Aura Master.
“Yes it does. You’re the only magician who knows the truth of the matter. I wouldn’t entrust it to just anyone.”
As I observed them, I came to the conclusion that Grand Duke Kaltbrand was an informal person, at least around those he was close with. First Knight Commander Bardin, and now Arend. Was he like this with all of his vassals?
I frowned as an idea came to me.
“Wait a moment,” I said. “The only way this plan will work is if the lineage test comes up positive.” I glanced over at the Grand Duke. “However, I’m not your son.”
“Don’t worry about that,” the grand duke said, grinning at me. “This is a special lineage testing magic tool.”
Arend scowled at him.
“I suppose that’s one way to put it,” he said. “I am the one who made it after all. But-…”
“And it will give us the results we need.” Grand Duke Kaltbrand said, interrupting him.
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Arend’s scowled deepened at being interrupted. He opened his mouth to say something, but a hard look from the grand duke silenced him.
“I see,” I said, almost muttering to myself. “So that’s how it is.”
The lineage testing magic tool was a fake. Instead of showing that the grand duke and I weren’t related, it would show a positive result instead. Attempting something like this was illegal, and would result in severe punishment, but this was Grand Duke Kaltbrand. Who would dare nay say him? In terms of power and influence, the only one higher than him in the entire Reichwald Empire was the emperor himself. Even the crown prince, the emperor’s heir, wouldn’t dare take the grand duke lightly.
If Grand Duke Kaltbrand declared that the results of the lineage test were positive and that I was his son, no one would dare contradict him, no matter their thoughts on the matter. At least, not out loud. Rumors were another matter.
Before I could ponder the matter further, the door to Arend’s tower opened and four people entered. I recognized Knight Commander Bardin, who had changed into her regular uniform for this, but I didn’t recognize the other three.
One was an older man, in his late forties or early fifties, with pale skin, blue eyes, and short gray hair. Despite his age, he looked as strong and fit as men half his age. However, there was an air of dignity and gravitas to him. His every moment was filled with elegance and grace. The man was dressed in a butler's uniform.
The woman next to him was about the same age. She was shorter and plumper, with pale skin and gray hair, though her hair was longer and tied up into a simple bun. If the man exuded dignity and gravitas, this woman had an air of coziness and warmth. She looked like a kind woman, the sort who would give treats to street urchins whenever she saw them. She wore a housekeeper’s uniform.
The last person was a man who looked younger than the first two. I guessed he was in his late thirties or early forties. Like many people in the Barrens, he had pale skin, black hair, and blue eyes. He was tall but thin, as if a strong enough breeze would be enough to blow him away. Unlike the other two, he didn’t wear a uniform. Instead, he wore a simple outfit. The spectacles on his face gave him a bookish air.
I understood what Grand Duke Kaltbrand wanted now. While I didn’t know their names, I knew who these people were; they were the highest ranking servants of House Kaltbrand.
The butler and the housekeeper were in charge of the domestic servants within Kaltbrand Castle, ensuring that nothing went wrong. While that wasn’t the full extent of their duties and responsibilities, it was an important part of them. They often worked with the lady of the house, and wielded a significant amount of influence among the servants.
I didn’t know who the younger man was, but based on his appearance, I guessed he was a steward or some other kind of administrator who served House Kaltbrand. Knight Commander Bardin led the Order of the Coldsteel Blade, House Kaltbrand’s military arm.
If these four people witnessed the lineage test, then no one would question the results. Others may harbor doubts within the privacy of their own minds, but they wouldn’t dare voice those doubts. Not only that, but if these four spread the word that Grand Duke Kaltbrand had an illegitimate son who he planned to make his heir, the entirety of Frostheart would know before the end of the day. Within a week, word would spread to the entirety of the Barrens.
When these four entered, they stopped before Grand Duke Kaltbrand and bowed to him. The three who I hadn’t met before gave me questioning looks, but remained silent. Knight Commander Bardin wore a stiff expression on her face and avoided looking at me.
“Excellent,” Grand Duke said with a smile. “You’re all here.” He gestured towards them. “The four of you must be wondering why I asked you to come here so early in the morning. While I understand your confusion, please remain silent for now. We’ll discuss the matter later, when this is all finished. For now, I need you to stand witness.”
I frowned. The grand duke’s words implied that he hadn’t shared the details of his plan with the butler, the housekeeper, and the steward(?). In that case, the only ones who knew of my identity were Knight Commander Bardin and Arend. Why? Did he plan on hiding the truth from them? Or did he plan on telling them after the lineage test?
“Will you hurry up and get this over with?” Arend said with a scowl on his face. At this point, I wasn’t sure if he was capable of any other expression. “I want to return to my studies.”
No one reacted to Arend’s words, as if they were used to this sort of behavior from him.
“This is a lineage testing magic tool,” the grand duke said, holding up the glass sphere. “I’m sure you can guess why I would have one of these.”
When they realized what was going on, the servants wore incredulous expressions on their faces. They studied the sphere for a moment, before looking at me. The steward(?) opened his mouth to say something, but the butler put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. The steward shut his mouth and remained silent. The only one who didn’t react at all was Knight Commander Bardin, who already knew what was going on.
“Wulfe,” Grand Duke Kaltbrand said, with a solemn expression on his face. “Hold this for me.”
I walked over to him and grabbed the lineage testing magic tool. The grand duke then pulled out a dagger he had kept hidden on him and pricked his thumb with it. Blood welled up from the wound and dripped some onto the lineage testing magic tool. The tool absorbed it all. The blood floated to the center of the glass sphere and hovered in place.
The grand duke then held his hand for the lineage testing magic tool and handed the dagger to me in return. After wiping it clean, I pricked my own finger with it and dripped my blood onto the lineage testing magic tool. As before, it absorbed the blood. The drop floated to the center of the glass sphere, mixing with the grand duke’s blood. The sphere of blood within the lineage testing magic tool swirled about for a bit, before it started to glow with a red light.
From what I understood, the brightness of the glow depended on how closely related the two people being tested were. For those who weren’t related at all, the blood wouldn’t glow at all. For those who were distantly related, the glow would be dull. For immediate family members, the glow would be bright.
The sphere of blood within the lineage testing magic tool glowed with such intensity that it hurt to look directly at it.
Knight Commander Bardin sucked in a breath. The steward gasped and stared at the lineage testing magic tool. The butler’s expression remained the same, but I saw the surprise in his eyes. The housekeeper studied the glass sphere for a moment, before she narrowed her eyes at Grand Duke Kaltbrand. As for the grand duke himself, he let out a laugh.
“Yes!” he said. “It’s a match!” He put his free hand on my shoulder. “Everyone, this is my son, Wulfe. I intend to make him my heir.”
Silence filled the study as the three servants stared at me in shock. I tried not to squirm at their scrutiny. Knight Commander Bardin, on the other hand, clenched her jaw but otherwise didn’t react.
“If you’re done wasting my time,” Arend said in a scathing tone. “Get out of my tower. And leave the magic tool behind. I have other uses for it.”
Grand Duke Kaltbrand sighed.
“Very well,” he said. “Let us go. We have much to discuss.”
----------------------------------------
After Arend shooed us out of his tower, the six of us relocated to Grand Duke Kaltbrand’s study. It was a large space, half of the size of Ewald’s tavern back in Warrior’s Rest, decorated in warm and soothing tones. Several leather couches and a small wooden table occupied half of the study, while a wooden desk occupied the other half. Two bookshelves stood against the wall behind the desk, both filled to the brim with books. Several plush rugs covered the stone floor.
Various weapons hung from the walls, each one a masterpiece, displayed the same way one might display beautiful works of art. It seemed like the grand duke was a collector. The study’s windows were thin and narrow, providing little sunlight. Magic crystal lamps that hung from the walls made up for this lack.
The grand duke sat at the wooden chair behind the desk and had me stand next to him. He had the others stand in a row in front of the desk.
“Now then,” Grand Duke Kaltbrand said. “Let us get the introductions out of the way. As I said earlier, this is Wulfe. He is my son.” He gestured to the knight commander. “First we have Knight Commander Sofie Bardin, the leader of the Order of the Coldsteel Knights.” He gestured to the older man and the older woman. “Next we have Viscount Erik Holtz and his wife, Viscountess Frederica Holtz. They are the butler and the housekeeper of Kaltbrand Castle respectively. House Holtz has served House Kaltbrand for generations.” He gestured to the man wearing spectacles. “Finally, we have Baron Edmund Kirch, the head steward. These four are my most trusted servants and advisers.”
It didn’t surprise me that each of them were also nobles. In the Reichwald Empire, it wasn’t uncommon for lower ranked nobles to serve higher ranked nobles. The former considered it a privilege and an honor. It was a similar situation in Guld Manor.
I nodded to each of the servants as the grand duke introduced them. They responded by giving me bows only a little shallower than the ones they gave to their liege. A beat of silence followed, before the housekeeper, Viscountess Holtz, stepped forward.
“So, who is he really, Your Grace?” she asked.
“What do mean?” Grand Duke Kaltbrand asked with feigned innocence. “You saw the lineage test for yourselves. He is my son.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you calling me a liar?”
Viscountess Holtz, unfazed by the grand duke’s expression, gave him a pitying smile.
“Your Grace, others might have been fooled by that performance you put on, but not me,” she said. “I have known you since you were a child. You have only ever had eyes for Lady Johanna. Even after you became an adult, you wouldn’t look at another woman, let alone sire a child with her.”
Lady Johanna had been Grand Duke Kaltbrand’s wife, the late Grand Duchess. So, the rumors that he had refused to marry again because he had loved her that much were true. Viscount Holtz, the butler, and Baron Kirch, the head steward, looked surprised by the viscountess’ words.
“Wait, so that was a false lineage test?” Baron Kirch asked.
“So it would seem.” Viscount Holtz said in a dry voice.
“Isn’t that highly illegal?”
“Yes.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Grand Duke Bardin said, cutting in. “As long as everyone here keeps quiet about it.” He glared at them in turn. “It should go without saying that nothing we discuss here will leave this room.”
Viscount Holtz grimaced.
“Your Grace,” he said. “I think it’s best if you explained to us what is going on.” He glanced at me. “Why did you present this man as your son? What are you planning?”
The grand duke looked at each of them in turn, before letting out a sigh.
“Very well,” he said. “Let me start at the beginning.”