Digaos gritted his teeth knowing that this would be a long unproductive day. The Duchess Chae Silverene was the only child his age who could actually stand being around him. Some might take that as her being extremely tolerant when in actuality she was the most stubborn person he knew. It was on her fourth birthday when they met, where he was forced along to go.
The Silverene Duchy was a house who had a very close mercantile, and friendly relationship with the Bladesinger family. Around 2 years ago in an unfortunate attack both the former duke and duchess had lost their life’s in a Dungeon break. During this swarm of monsters they had managed to protect their only child and a nephew, but had sustained fatal injuries. The ducal title should’ve passed to their nephew, Sir Jinn Silverene, age 20. Due to both the trauma and respect he had for his Uncle and Aunt, he declined and deferred the title to his young cousin, who he now served as guardian knight to. The issue with this is that a three year old had inherited one of the largest mercantile families in nobility.
This lead to an unexpected arrangement, Archduke Bladesinger had done something he had never done before. He interfered in one of his children’s life.
On the night of her birthday party he introduced Digaos to the young duchess, and told her that he would accompany her tonight. Being apart of etiquette classes since he could speak he understood why his father did this, and entertained the lady that night. Shockingly he enjoyed his time with her, his manner of speaking made her laugh. It was the first time a child his age was comfortable with how he spoke and acted leading to him leaving his guard down, granted it wasn't like that immediately.
At first there was an awkwardness, neither children had ever socialized with their own age often. Nobles this far north were rare, noble children in the same generation were rarer. Digaos looked at the young girl mystified by her being physically older yet was surprised how small she was, and even being that small her demeanor made her shrink more. The way this girl curled inwards, how her long curled blonde hair was left loose covering the sides of her face, and her deep green eyes never gazing higher than his knees. He felt a tinge of something he hadn't before, not in this life. He felt the responsibility to take care of a living creature.
"Tch" Minorly annoyed he crouched down in front of her and said "What is your favorite animal?" She looked up, not into his eyes, but at the boys mouth.
Confused by the sudden question being his first sentence since their greetings she stutters a response " R-r-rabbit."
Without another word Digaos slammed his hand into the wall behind them, turning all eyes towards them, and making her jump slightly. He removed his hand holding the debris of the white wall, and proceeded to move his mana and form a Incantation Circle casting a 1st circle transmutation spell. As the circle dissipated the debris started to form in to a solid shape, a small white rabbit. He slid it into her hand as the room started to applaud. Digaos leaned over and whispered in her ear " Now we just need to sneak off, so throw it across the room."
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She looked at him perplexed, but only for a moment before she did as it crossed all eyes were on it before it glowed and exploded with a small flash. By the time everyone looked back the two children had snuck out of the room.
"You owe me another rabbit." She said firmly. He Laughed grabbed her hand and pulled her along.
"Of course." and then they were running through the halls for the next few hours.
They were both laughing as they snuck out of the kitchen with the extra desserts they had swiped, when his father placed a hand on each of their shoulders. Expecting admonishment they were surprised to see him smiling “Oh you two are getting along really well, congratulations Lady Silverene. I haven’t seen him open up like this with anyone other than his siblings.”
Digaos saw her blush at this, making him feel pride assuming this was a compliment by his father. Despite formerly being a God, he had yet to see another human as strong as his father that in itself justified the pride he felt in this mountain of a man.
“It was a fun night father, even if it didn't quite start that way, and that was thanks to you Lady Silverene.” being slightly uncomfortable with the formality adjustment he shifted awkwardly. Due to the [Nobility] trait he naturally differed politeness to those of higher status to him like those of lower did in return, and while a son of an Archduke, she was a Duchess herself. Still he couldn’t deny this was a better experience then he thought it would be, at least until his father continued to speak.
“That’s great, I’m glad you both got along because I have something to announce. I’ve been speaking with Sir Jinn, and if her ladyship agrees, the Bladesinger family has proposed an engagement between the two of you to strengthen back the Silverene family!” He bellowed this last part out making the halls shake and both children flinch.
Digaos froze, he understood the necessity to marry even what it meant to noble families, but as the youngest son didn’t he have the least responsibility forwards that. Father had never arranged an engagement between the siblings. Three of them who were currently married all were chosen by the individual not the family. His stomach rolled and while opening his drying mouth to respond, the young girl next to him squeaked out a response. “I t-think that would be acceptable.”
“Great! Now let’s go back and announce this two the guest tonight and make it official” his father stated hoisting both of them up onto his shoulders bouncing back into the banquet hall and announcing news Digaos had just started to process. Over the next few years they had met countless times and while they continued to get along, they had one big difference. Chae hated how Digaos would train so intensely, due to her being ignored therefore banning any training while she was around. This lead to his current predicament. While he was happy to see her, he was also in a state of hypergrowth, no child his age could boast stats over two at most while his Status dwarfed this numbers. Training daily was a must. Calling upon the system he looked at his status.
[STATUS 3]+==
Name: Digaos Bladesinger
Traits: Divine Soul EX, False Sin ######7 Locked, False Sin of Envy SSS, Prodigy S, Incog AA, Adaptive A, Nobility B, Mana User C
Ether Type: {Mana} 2 circle
Strength: 3
Agility: 4
Vitality: 3
Perception: 2
Intelligence: 2
Luck: 3
Looking at his status Digaos almost collided with Chae face first as he turned the corner to the front reception area of this wing.
"Digaos, can we go down to the town?" She asked excitedly before any type greeting.