When I reached thirteen, Orlando gifted me with a lute far superior than the one I’d played since childhood. When I opened its case, I gasped. The body was made of mahogany, its neck ebony. The instrument was beautiful- the greatest gift I had ever received.

“Orlando…I don’t know if I can accept this…”

“Of course you can, Tobias. You’ve played to me your heart and your soul. I believe you need a worthy instrument to continue to do so.”

“I don’t know what to say.” I was at a loss for words.

“Don’t say anything! Give her a go!”

I strummed a short hymn I’d composed a week before, the velvet notes stroking the fine hairs on the back of my neck to standing. The sound flowed like water, leaving echoing ripples in its wake.

“I’m afraid the student may surpass the master,” he laughed.

“I don’t think that’s possible,” I replied, breathless. It was the purest sound I’d heard played from an instrument in my hands.

I’d grown a considerable amount, both musically and physically. Near anything Orlando could play I could mimic by ear alone- though he drilled me on reading music to the point where I knew it as well as my native tongue. That day, we skipped my mathematics and language lessons in favor of playing songs together that he’d worked so hard to teach me. We shared drinks and food as companions- not as student and teacher. That afternoon, it wasn’t my mother who came to retrieve me, but my father.

“Orlando, what is this?” Father gestured to the lute case in my hand, looking to Orlando expectantly.

“A gift, my Lord Vaulten. Nothing more,” he replied.

“He’s nearing adulthood. Don’t you think this…fixation, on music, should be concentrated into something more practical?” Father suggested.

“Tobias has a phenomenal knowledge of mathematics and financial dealings. His letters and reading comprehension are perfect. Why not offer him one small outlet?” Orlando replied.

“Father, what Orlando says is true. He’s taught me well in what you’ve asked, and more. Please—”

“Master Hyorin,” Father interrupted me, “Josephine and I do appreciate all that you’ve done for Tobias. You’ve taught him well and you’ve absolutely earned your reputation.”

“However…?” Orlando prompted.

“I believe it’s time I took responsibility of Tobias’ learning. He needs to begin working with me.” Father held out a hand and Orlando took it with a wry smile.

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“Father, hold on—”

“Wait outside, Tobias.” Father commanded. It was not my place to argue with him. Orlando withdrew his hand and clasped me on the shoulder.

“I’ll see you soon, little one,” Orlando said.

I nodded and stepped out of his home with my new case strung over my shoulder. My father closed the door behind me.

“Music just isn’t sustainable, you know that as well as I—” I heard Orlando’s voice through the thick wood.

“Edrick, give the boy the option before you close him off.”

“You’re an invaluable asset, Orlando. I’m sure we’ll be in touch.”

No more lessons with Orlando? Not long after, Father emerged from the cottage.

“Father, I don’t want to stop learning music,” I met his gaze. He nodded and sighed.

“Tobias, it’s time you start to really see the ins and outs of our legacy. You may do whatever you like with your spare time, but I need you to understand how important this is.”

“But I—”

“This isn’t up for debate.” I recognized his tone- knew the weight that it carried. It wasn’t an option, no matter how much I wished for it.

“…Yes, sir.”

I looked forward to the next music lesson I could solicit from Orlando. Unfortunately, it wasn’t nearly as soon as I’d hoped.

Edrick Vaulten’s financial empire was a business of legend. My father had helped my grandfather build it from the ground up. Together, they accounted for near all of the transactions and investments in the Kingdom of Loredain. As his sole heir, the business would one day fall upon my shoulders, and he’d spent most of my life reminding me of that. Father requested Orlando focus heavily on math and financial matters- everything from taxes to interest. I’d need a solid literary understanding in order to draw up contracts and write correspondence. Some days, Father brought me to shadow him in the building he and my grandfather used for their main operations of business. Though we lived in the smaller city of Kaedence, all of the important contracts and documents were held in that domain. My father and grandfather felt safer keeping them out of the capital- less ‘ruffian encounters’ to deal with.

For four long years I observed Father as he drew up contracts for loans and credit. He mediated larger purchases such as homes and estates, constantly keeping track of every number down to the cent. The math was simple enough, the contracts nearly all the same save a few changed words. But Father labored over the scrolls, taking them in as his life’s work. My grandfather would look over his work to approve or correct any small mistakes my father had made- simultaneously teaching me to never make the same ones. Some days my grandfather oversaw the business by himself while Father ventured into the capital of Loredain- Serenisima. The longest tenured and most trusted person in his employ, Walter Dain, maintained a library of painstakingly copied documents of each and every transaction that occurred within the Vaulten Financial Institution. The entire process took up a majority of my father’s- and my- time, leaving me very little solitude. When not taking care of the people of Kaedence, we were running missives to those in his employ across the Kingdom, pouring over paperwork in his study, or checking in with my grandfather on the final numbers for the week.

The constant effort and energy he exerted for his business seemed…unnecessary. The passing of each day was dull and mundane. Never changing, always constant. I wanted more with my life, something fluid and beautiful. It didn’t matter to me how much money my family earned in interest and loans each year. I didn’t care how his business affected the economy of Loredain- yet, every day, Father and Grandfather poured more information down my throat until I was near to bursting. Finally, one afternoon when I was freed from the anchor of coin, I took my lute and ran to- what I hoped was still- Orlando’s residence.