Young master Francis and his plus one.

In the castle of Anorhill, the maids were busy preparing a feast for their young master Francis Anorhill who was about to set off to the most prestigious school for Knights and mages in the continent. It was such a grand honor to receive the letter of acceptance from the school which would only accept pupils from the great noble families. Anorhill was just an upcoming family which gained its noble status thanks to participating in the territorial war and conquering the blackwing family. Although, all they received was a maid and her daughter, the prestige of taking down an ancient household of the Anariyas kingdom came with its perks.

Young master Francis was busy as well. As a noble son, he was allowed to retain one personal maid, who was also granted permission to learn at the school, which has all the beautiful maids worked up. The details were vague but a chance to enter the noble's order was something not one of those maids ever dreamed off. There were even minor families queuing up trying to get their daughters married off to Francis. Such was the honor.

Francis was in his chambers as usual going through the list of maids who had placed in their request to become his retainer when his chamber maid walked in with the evening meal. She quietly placed the dish on the bedside table and picked the soiled clothes to be washed.

"May". Francis turned to look at the timid girl who was buried under his dirty clothes. "Stay, put the clothes on the floor." Sitting on his stool, he kept looking at the girl. "What do you say about becoming my retainer? You could learn about the world and maybe eventually earn back your and your mother's freedom."

May looked at Francis with wide eyes. What does this kid want from her? She was nothing but a war slave. The best she could hope for was one day becoming a serving maid. "Sorry, young master. I'm not qualified to become your personal retainer." Which was the truth. Becoming a personal retainer required talent and skill, years of learning and practice in all fields of work.

"All you would be doing is taking care of my stuff. And maybe helping me out in bed once I'm of age. You are good looking and I don't mind making you my concubine."

"Master, please do not just. I would be killed off if the old master thought I had plans to charm myself into your bed."

Francis looked at the beet red girl and smiled. 'Any other girl would have accepted becoming my concubine immediately. This girl was modest and hardworking. She would be perfect for me. I won't have to worry about her stabbing me in my back one day.' "I have chosen. You will become my personal retainer. You have been with me for the past few years. I know you best among the others."

May immediately knelt down and bowed with her head touching the floor. She didn't say a word.

"I will ask my father. If he too approves, then we can get someone to help you buy a few things before we set off. You are dismissed."

May got up and grabbed the clothes and bowed ones again before closing the door behind her. Soon, she pushed it all to the back of her head as she knew the old master wouldn't dare send her, a war prisoner, to become his son’s retainer. Anyone who joined the school was no longer deemed a slave. The potential risks far outweigh any gains that the family would gain. Soon, May was out peacefully washing her young master’s clothes along with the other maids down the river side just outside the castle.

Back in the Anorhill castle’s main study.

Father, I have decided on whom to take with me.” Francis ran into his master’s study as soon as the maid left. “I want May to become my retainer. I know she is a war slave. But she was only seven when she was brought into the house and we have never treated her mom badly. If you still fear that the girl would rebel, then we could just force her to accept a slave collar afterwards using her mother.”

“Are you stupid? Why do you want to go through all that trouble? She is already eighteen. If you want her, you can just claim her. Besides, if the other families knew we gave the spot to a slave and disregarded their daughters, it would estrange our friendships”

“Dad, she is the best maid we have ever had. She never talks back and always knows her place. Even her mother doesn't behave as well as her. Think about her. She is a puppet whom we can mold as we want. It's impossible to control other families like that. Even if the other families are mad, would they dare to harm us? Even the royal family wouldn't dare to act against the members of the imperial order.”

“Fine, I'll talk to her before I make up my mind. Guards. Bring me the girl.” the old master shouted at the door and one of the guards left immediately following which Francis walked out the door.

May was busy washing the sweaty clothes when a few guards approached her. She was immediately picked up and brought to the castle as per the lord's orders.

“You are May, my son’s chamber maid?” Old master walked up to her looking down at her. “Did you forget your place, slave?” hearing the harshness in the Lord’s words May immediately crumbled to the floor on her knees. “Good, now tell me, what did you do to my son? You must be a good seductress. He is a selected of the Imperial school and yet you have charmed him, witch.” May kept her head down as the lord continued his barrage. “My son has a strong head. I will approve of you staying with him. But you will take on a collar after you join the school. If you don't, I will sell your mother off to the brothel after a fancy night at the men's dungeon. Do you understand, girl?”

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“Yes, master. I will take the collar as you wish.”

“Take the girl and my son to the grand pavilion. Make sure they get clothing of the imperial stature. And you girl, bring my family any shame and that would be the last.”

Francis had a wide grin on his face as he walked with his new retainer. May, who was too timid and shy to walk along with him, kept dragging herself behind.

"What are you so scared of? Do you think someone will jump you? Walk with a straight back. You are now a retainer to me, Francis, not the chamber maid that you once were." Although Francis kept talking about acting brave, May was able to discern that Francis enjoyed her shyness. His grin was too wide to ignore. "So, you have new clothes, a couple of ornaments and some pocket cash. What do you think we are missing?" Francis suddenly stopped in front of a pet shop. "You will need a pet. What do you think? A bird? Maybe a cat or a dog? Come along." Francis walked through the front door. There were a couple of newborn kittens and some birds that no one could recognise.

"Young Master, what would you like to purchase today? We have a new shipment of kittens. They have very high vitality and are excellent specimens from the east."

"A pet kitten! Yes, I can see you with one, May. You are too timid. Maybe a pet cat would be the perfect partner for you." May reached out from behind and looked at the things kept in the glass cage. They were nothing like the kittens she had seen. Each of them had a majestic look even though they could barely open their eyes.

"Is it for the lady? It is important that the creature grows feelings for its master as well." He paused and then looked at the silent girl. "Come here, girl. Let me help you pick one." The shopkeeper forced her to stand in front of the glass cage. "These kittens have fae blood. They can feel your emotions." The shopkeeper grabbed May's right hand and slipped it through a small slit. "Do not pull your hands out. It might get ticklish."

A black newborn kitten slowly pulled closer to the hand sniffing the air. It stumbled among the others and slowly touched the skin with its nose. The pink tongue extended a bit slowly, licking May's skin.

"Look at that. We have a winner." The shopkeeper rejoiced as if he had just watched a miracle. "A black myrad cat. It's said to bring fortune to their masters and is extremely territorial. Also, kind of steals everything and is impossible to capture. This one was taken directly from its mother's nest. Looks like the kitten has chosen his master. Young master, please take this one as a gift from this humble merchant."

"Thank you, Julius. I promise you will be rewarded." Francis had a grin in his eyes as he looked at May engrossed in petting her new kitten.

It was finally time for the two to travel to the imperial capital. The school always arranged a carriage and the imperial knights were assigned by the school to guard it. Francis was receiving all the commendations from  his friends and other noble families. As long as he studied well and passed as an imperial guard, his status would rise above that of anyone in this backwater nation.

Behind Francis was the girl that had caused a ruckus in the capital for the past few days. A war slave who was allowed to join the imperial school. There were countless eyes staring at her but none dared to raise an objection as the position she was grated was too mighty. Only Francis' family and the imperial guards dared to stare at her.

"Is she your companion?" The imperial guard asked, seeing the girl dressed in silk. "I would not recommend bringing a slave to the school. As you know slavery is abolished under the seventh imperial majesty's decree."

"She's been with me for the past eleven years. I'm confident that I can handle any trouble that bringing her could potentially cause." Francis said with pride in his voice.

"It's your neck." With that the guard moved back to the carriage. After sending his final regards Francis left his sobbing mother and sister and his prideful father at the gate as the horse carried their carriage into the sky's of the imperial dynasty.

"Sacred?" Francis made himself comfortable at his corner of the couch. One look at the guard inside and he knew he wasn't interested in chit chat. May on the other hand looked outside enjoying the view from the clouds. "I forgot it's your first time flying. Did your old master never take you anywhere on a trip?"

"I was always at the castle. My father always kept me locked up. I can't remember much. It was such a long time ago."

"That's the longest I have ever heard you speak."

"Young master, you asked me to act like this." May immediately started to fiddle his fingers.

"No, keep it up. You are doing great. I wonder what my affinity would be? Maybe my affinity would surpass the current prince. It would raise the family's honor high."

"Keep dreaming, brat." The guard snorted, hearing Francis. "Do you think it's easy to become an imperial Knight? There are a hundred candidates picked from all the noble families of the world of which only ten get promoted to knighthood. It's impossible for a brat like you to ever join the imperial order. I can sense the knight's aura on you. It can barely pass the initial testing. At best you would be sent off as a border guard." 

The guard turned looking at the girl listening intently. "You on the other hand are different. You have no aura on you. I have some idea as to why this idiot would bring someone like you with him and none of them are good."

"It doesn't matter. I am his to command." May said indifferent to the guard's cruel tone.

"Well said, May. Respected sir, please do not spread rumors about me and my intentions. I have always liked May and this was the only way I could ever officially claim her. With her becoming my retainer, she has already been released from her servitude to my household. There are no evil intentions behind this."

The guard snorted listening to Francis but didn't bother to reply. Instead,he turned to May. "You will have to make a choice in the future. The imperial school does not welcome slaves. As such you cannot be a slave while you are an imperial student. Also, all students of the school are treated as the empire's subjects. Which means no one can enslave you or your blood kin unless it is your choice to live your life as a slave." Hearing the guard, Francis became hesitant. He knew there were laws in the empire that he wasn't purview to. But, he regained his confidence immediately as he thought of her character.

"I trust my maid to always have my best interest at heart. Once the school years are over, I plan on taking her into my family."

"We are almost here. You should both get ready for the test. Your affinity will decide your future." The guard one again returned to his quiet self as the carriage slowly descended.

The capital of the empire was covered by a mist throughout the year. A tower stood above the mist piercing the clouds to which the carriage slowly approached. Two guards stood atop the tower with a woman who wore a scholar's robes, pure white with golden trim. The two guards beside Francis, walked out the carriage and immediately bowed before the lady.

"You must be Francis Anorhill from Marshheath and your companion?" The lady's eyes glowed blue as she looked deeply at May. "So, May, a servant of Anorhill house. Interesting choice."

"Welcome to Imperial school for gifted children. Although one of you can no longer be deemed a child," the lady peeked at May, "you will learn to control your skills and help the empire protect this dynasty. You can call me Mistress Deia. I teach channeling arts and aura control, if for which you have the aptitude for. Let's move to the hall of awakening. I'll take them from here."

Mistress Deia walked inside immediately motioning the two guards to stay behind. There was a painting of a gate on one of the tower walls which materialized as soon as Deia walked over towards it. "Once you pass the gate, you become a pupil of the Imperial school and a subject of the dynasty." As she said, she stretched her hands and pushed the gate open. With a creak, the gates flung open, the momentum forcing it to hit the wall to the side with a bang.

Francis and May passed through the gate, marking a new beginning in their life. For Francis, a path to royalty and May a path to her freedom.