Alexander knows exactly where Duke would be. It was early and the sun was just now rising. He didn't have the same bad habit of sleeping in as he did. Although Alexander used to be up with him practicing it had been hard the last few months with his research amping up. Alexander walks down the corridor, passed his father's study, he would have been in there aswell. He had noticed Torres has been sleeping more and more in his office.
Torres had been working on an important deal, anything to move their house above the station of a Baron. He was developing a merchantry that sold oils and wine. It had done well since he took it from his father after his untimely death. However that money had continuosly gone to their people. It went to the farmers, the smithies, the revitalization of the lands and then to the servants and knights. The money they had left over paid for the manor and the things required to mantain noble appearences. Lastly it had gone to Alexander.
Torres had fallen asleep over documents, hoping that this wouldn't be the last generation of nobility. If Ana didn't awaken magic just like her brother Alexander.. Torres didn't want to think of it, but at least they would have their money.
Alexander finds his way to the courtyard and Duke swung his sword over and over under the sunlight. His golden hair like sun and his light blue eyes glistened along with his sweat. He wore a similar loose fitting clothes as Alexander. A plain long sleeved white shirt and brown pants.
Alexander could see his sword path. Other knights of the family trained around him. Each were at least first circle mages. For some families their swordsman were even fourth circle. A show of their mage prowess. Duke notices Alexander come into the training grounds. Alexander looks over some of the swords.
"You here to spar, young master?" Duke always maintained a respectful tone around others. Alexander chuckles a little and grabs a blade.
"Why not? I am in a good mood." Alexander hints at his success. Duke smiles widely knowing his friend had accomplished everything he wanted.
They both stand a few feet in front of eachother. The knights all stop to see their duels. They are the best fighter's outside of the Knight captain. Their spars are always a learning moment.
Duke stands in a defensive stance. Alexander flourishes and then lands into a proper stance. They look over each other looking for openings. Alexander lunges with a downward slash. Duke lightly parries and follows into a stab. Alex quickly dodges and parries his blade. They go back and forth with their clash until they are both ragged with sweat. They lock blades until Duke finally forces him to the ground.
The knights cheer at Duke's victory and begin talking about the match.
"You are rusty, young master," Duke reaches his hand out and lifts him up, "Now tell me about this last week."
They put up their swords and Alexander begins telling him everything that happened. Everything except the steamier parts of his experiments or how close he got to Verila. The main thing was that he would be forming his circle soon.
"One more thing." Alexander leads Duke into his room.
"There's more? How about breakfast first?" Duke jokes.
Alexander hands him a sheet of paper. "Make this your third circle. It shouldn't effect your first two. If anything it should help them. Take your time and feel these runes, they are different."
Duke looks at it and thanks him, "Now can we have breakfast, I'm starving and I bet Ana will be happy to see you."
Alexander and Duke leave his room and head to the kitchen. A few maids are working on breakfast and on the otherside of the counter is little Ana drooling over the food. Violet is also gently kneeding some dough. Her apron is tight showing the light curves of her thin waist. Although Ana isn't helping her dress is already covered in flour.
"What's everyone cooking?"Alexander says his arms out ready.
"Big brother!!" Ana runs up into his arms and he spins her around. "I've missed you. Can you play now?" Violet stays quiet but she looks at Alexander sadly. He was leaving soon and Violet knew how busy he would be getting ready.
"Actually, I finished up early so.. We can play as much as you want." Alexander sets her free and she scutters around in excitement like he let go an energized monster. Luckily she doesn't break anything.
"Oh.. so you finished. That's great son." It seemed Violet was still hurt from the fact he rushed her out of his room a week ago. He had been too busy to see anyone and enjoyed his time with Verila too much.
Alexander looks at his mother sweetly. "You can come see what I finished now if you'd like?"
"Really?" She asks smacking the bread dough a few times.
"Of course. I promised. You helped me so much in the beginning. I would love for you to see how I finished."
Violet blushes lightly and says she would like that very much. They all catch up and Alexander gets to hear what they've been doing. Ana working on her studies and Violet doing her best to manage the house and staff. They say they missed Alexander at dinner, it had been quiet without him, and even the maids were glad to see him out of his room.
Alexander knew all the staffs names and the two cooks preparing breakfast with Violet, had been with the family for years. Sari and Darle. They were both orphans and had become the best cooks among the staff.
Now that he felt everything falling into place he noticed how beautiful they looked. They were both older than him by almost a decade and with children, but they could be nobles. Violet loved pretty things and pretty people just as much. I wouldn't mind..Woah, maybe all that teasing is getting to me.
Alexander laughs with his family for a while longer and they sit down to eat. His father is still in his office and he knew he would need to see him shortly after, but for now he enjoys his time with Duke, Ana and Violet. Although through his laughs he thought about Verila. He is shocked at the idea that he sort of misses her.
After he catches up with them, he kisses both his mother and sister on their head, something that even shocks him. Alexander feels free in a way he didn't expect. He knows he is a step away but he feels like everything is right.
Except he needs to tell his father. Not everything, but enough.
Alexander knocks on Torres' study doors. He calls him in.
Torres is sitting behind his desk. His salt and pepper beard and brown hair was rough. Alexander didn't notice how tired his father looks before. His brown hair was filled with grey and silver and he begins to realize why his grandfather might have passed away so early. Torres waves Alexander in more. He sees Verila standing behind Torres. She nods lightly. It was strange to see her with her mask again.
"Verila, tells me that you have completed your experiments. She doesn't say much, but she says it went well. What can you tell me of them?"
"Verila and I, were able to decipher over 80 runes. While every other family relies on tradition and talent. We can monopolize true magic." Alexander says proudly.
"Can it be sold?" Torres' question was cold. It was a question that told him that his father had lost all faith in this family. Verila even looked down at him shocked.
"Sold?! I'm telling you that this could make us the strongest family in the empire." Alexander retorts.
"With what mages? Your mother? Your baby sister? I have been stuck at third circle for a decade. If it can't make us money then our family is dead." Torres gives Alexander the cold truth. The truth of their families failures. The truth that is consuming him.
"This could help that. Mother, Ana, You. You can all be—"
Slam!
"—That's enough Alexander. I had hope in you. That you could salvage some of the honor that we have lost. It's enough. You have taken more than you give. Keep your runes. No one would have believed you anyway. You have done enough." Torres releases him and waves him off. Verila dissipates into her shadow and follows after Alexander.
Alexander slams the door shut and rushes to his room.
I can help all of them with this. Is he blind? Or has he come to resent me so much.. I thought. I thought some of it was still salvageable. Is my father just another enemy to be proven wrong now?
Verila grabs Alexander's shoulder and pulls him to face her. Alexander's eyes are red full of not just anger, but tears. Verila pulls him into a hug. She knows how hard he has worked for this. Torres just didn't understand.
She quickly tries to scribble down something, anything to tell Alexander it will be okay, but he stops her.
"It's okay..I'm grateful he funded me this far, but i'm used to being alone. Thank you for keeping so much secret from him. I'll just prove him wrong like I have to with everyone else." Alexander closes himself off into his room once again leaving Verila outside alone.
Verila stands staring at his door, wishing she could just say something, and wishing she could let go of what that would mean.