Lucas's POV
"In twilight’s embrace, she wept silver tears,
Each drop a whisper, a memory of lost years.
Stars gathered to mourn her silent fears."
'The Tragic Duchess', a poem from 'Tears of Layla' by author Ajlos Beregi.
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The days following the river escapade with Elliot unfolded like the pages from some old, complex book for Lucas.
Sometimes it was Clarisse who roused him softly from his sleep, her voice gentle, easing him into the day. Other times, unfamiliar servants performed the task, their names still elusive in his memory. Only Devin was less considerate, his methods more brusque, jolting Lucas out of his sleep and into the stark reality of Devereaux Hall.
Lucas never complained though, he would rather it be Devin who does this than the scary looking household guards.
The grandeur of his room still made him feel like an intruder in a world not his own every time he woke. He felt like he was waking up into a dream.
I wonder how long will it take for all of this to feel real to me...
During his first few days in the Devereaux Hall, he found himself enveloped in a routine that oscillated between the mundane and the unexpected.
Every day Lucas will have meals in the dining hall with the rest of the Devereaux family members, minus Elliot that is. For some reason, Elliot was nowhere to be seen for Lunch or Dinner that day after they returned from Bellacrest, nor was he there the following day for breakfast.
Where could he be?
His absence made for a large silent void that Lucas felt deeply, and that wasn't all, it also made the Duchess's cold stares all the harder to ignore.
Lucas turned to Isabella, who seemed absorbed in her own world. "Excuse me, Isabella, where’s Elliot?" He asked, trying to sound casual.
Isabella looked up, her expression unreadable. “He’s...a little busy, that's all. I'm sure you'll get to see him tomorrow." She said, a faint trace of discomfort in her voice.
Lucas frowned but chose not to press further. Isabella's explanation felt hollow, but he decided to let it be for now. Instead, he turned to his meal, trying to ignore the tension in the room.
As if sensing the conversation's weight, Isabella shifted the focus. "By the way, Lucas... How have you been finding your stay here so far? Is there anything not to your liking?"
"Oh, well-" Before Lucas could answer, Duchess Seraphina's cold voice cut through the air.
"I'm sure it's far better than where he came from."
And the conversation ended there. For some reason, Duchess Seraphina seemed even more cold today.
So...She knows where I came from then. I suppose if father knew where to send Walter to get me, then it's not all that shocking one of them would have told her. I don't get the feeling Isabella and Elliot know though.
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After the meals, which were a very awkward affair without Elliot’s buoyant presence, Lucas would be guided by Clarisse to various parts of Devereaux Hall in order to have him become more familiar with the place.
The vast library, filled with books that smelled of ancient wisdom, became something of sanctuary for Lucas. Clarisse would often find him lost there in the pages of 'Tears of Layla,' the poetry book he got with Elliot.
"Master Lucas, today you have a special visitor." Clarisse announced one morning, her tone holding a hint of excitement.
"A visitor? For me?" Lucas asked, curiosity piqued.
Who could it be? I don't know that many people, and surely none of them can just come to a Duke's mansion.
"Yes, Count Alistair Montague Leclair. He’s one of Duke Aldridge’s most trusted advisors. He’ll be teaching you about our kingdom and other matters."
"I...I see." Lucas nodded, trying to mask his apprehension.
This sounded a little sudden to him, but he also knew that it made sense. He's a Duke's son, yet he knows so little about the world. It was okay when he was a simple peasant in a small village, but that wasn't his reality anymore.
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"Follow me, Master Lucas. I'll show you the way." Clarisse spoke as she lead the way, like always.
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Count Alistair was a tall, imposing man in his mid 30s with a sharp gaze that seemed to see right through Lucas.
"Master Lucas," Alistair began with a bow. "It is an honor to finally meet you."
"H-Hello there." Lucas replied, his nerves evident as they settled into a private room within the Hall, designated for their lessons.
"I'll be here personally to teach you about the history of our beloved Kingdom from now on, plus some other things the son of a Duke should be well aware of." Alistair spoke, his eyes fixed on Lucas.
"Thank you...I'm afraid there is much I don't know." Lucas admitted, a twinge of shame in his voice.
"Oh, I can tell. But consider yourself fortunate. Not many bastards get the chance to learn such things." Alistair commented, his tone indifferent. Lucas winced at the bluntness. He did not like the man's tone, even if what he was saying was true.
"...Is it?" Lucas managed to say, trying to keep his emotions in check.
"It is. A nobleman having a bastard or two is not unheard of, but you won’t find many who care to legitimize them, that’s for sure. It’s just how things are." Alistair explained.
Lucas felt a wave of anger and resentment.
So is he saying I'm SUPPOSE to be thankful to the man who abandoned me and mother? In your dreams!
"Anyhow, let us begin our first lesson now." Alistair said, settling into a chair and motioning for Lucas to do the same.
"Our kingdom, the Cryilld Kingdom, has a rich history" Alistair started. "It has been ruled by the Valtoria dynasty for nearly four centuries, with King Alaric von Valtoria III currently on the throne. Under his reign, the kingdom has seen both prosperity and turmoil."
As the Count spoke, Lucas found himself drawn more and more into the lesson. Lucas wasn't big on Alistair, but he could tell the Count was good at explaining things at the very least.
"Turmoil? What type of turmoil?" Lucas asked, feeling curious.
"Well....That's jumping a lot of lessons ahead, but for now I'll say that there was a civil war in this kingdom once, I'm sure even you've heard of it."
"A civil war? I think the village elder mentioned it once or twice...." Lucas spoke to himself, the mention of a village made Count Alistair roll his eyes in disgust.
Though I believe it happened few years before I was born. I don't know anything about it. I doubt the people in the village knew much about it either.
"It started 16 years ago, King Alaric von Valtoria III had just only been on the throne for few months when it happened. Anyway, enough about that for now! Back to our main lesson...."
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The next day
When Elliot finally reappeared on the third day, it was as if nothing had happened. He slipped into his chair at breakfast with a nonchalant smile, greeted by a mix of relief and curiosity from Lucas.
"Where have you been?" Lucas asked quietly as they strolled through the garden later.
Elliot shrugged, his eyes skimming the vibrant blooms. "Just needed some time alone. You know, sometimes I need to escape and think!"
Lucas sensed there was more to it, but Elliot’s evasive answer and quick change of subject left him no room to pry.
I'm just happy he's here now. Having those meals without him next to me didn't feel right. I know Isabella was also there, but...
While Elliot was a constant source of warmth and welcome, Isabella remained an enigma. She was polite and occasionally kind, but she always kept her distance, as if she wasn't letting herself get too close, and Lucas felt it.
As Lucas and Elliot wandered the gardens, they stumbled upon Isabella and Devin near the stables.
They were deep in conversation, their heads close together, maybe a bit too close. It seemed as if Devin was showing Isabella his favorite horse.
Elliot’s face darkened as he watched them. "I don’t like how that guy looks at Isabella." He muttered, a rare scowl marring his usually cheerful expression.
Lucas followed Elliot’s gaze. "Oh? Why?"
I know Devin CAN be a little rough around the edges, but...
Elliot shook his head, his expression troubled. "I don’t know. He’s always around her I feel, always too... familiar. I don't like it."
Is he being a little possessive? I suppose I understand that feeling very well.
"Should we go and say hi to them?" Lucas turned his gaze onto Elliot as he asked.
"...No. I don't want too. Let's go someplace else." Elliot spoke as he turned his back and started walking the other direction.
"O-Okay, I'm coming!" Lucas followed behind him, leaving Devin and Isabella alone.
In that same day in the afternoon, as Lucas explored the vast collection of family portraits in the hallway, Isabella approached him, her steps quiet on the polished floor.
"You seem fascinated by these." She remarked, her voice soft.
Lucas turned, meeting her gaze. "It’s like looking into the past." He said. "It feels a little unreal to think these people are related to me."
Isabella nodded, her eyes lingering on a portrait of a young woman with a striking resemblance to her. "Yes, there’s a lot of history here. Sometimes, it’s overwhelming."
"I agree. I fear Count Alistair won't run out of history lessons for me..."
"What is he like? Is he a strict teacher?" She asked.
"Well....Yeah. He's very intimidating, to say the least."
"I don't know much about the Count, but I do know he's a very dotting father to his daughter."
"Really?" Lucas asked he turned to look at Isabella.
It was then he noticed she hadn't taken her eyes off of the portrait of that young woman since she came here, despite their conversation.
"...Who's that woman in the portrait you're looking at?" Lucas asked, a little curious.
"She's my..., well, she's our grandmother." Isabella answered simply, correcting herself mid-sentence.
So that's my grandmother. It's weird. For so long I thought I didn't have a family beside dear mother, and here I am now staring at the portrait of my grandmother. I don't know how to feel.
"What's h-" Before Lucas could ask for her name, Isabella excused herself.
"Sorry, Lucas, I have to take my leave now. See you at dinner." She smiled at him as she spoke. Lucas felt as if she wanted to say more to him, but she held her words in her heart
And without another word, she took her leave, leaving Lucas with the feeling that there was an invisible barrier he couldn’t cross.
Lucas was a little conflicted. On one hand, he knew he didn't need to have any kind of deeper relationship with this girl. He knows he doesn't need to get as close to her as he did with Elliot. But on the other hand he didn't like the idea of leaving things as they are right now.
"Maybe with time it'll become a little easier to open up to her more."
I hope so at the very least. I think it would make me happy.