Disclaimer: Pandora Hearts belongs to Jun Mochizuki.
Chapter One: Words of Advice
A small, black carriage rumbled down the path, its wheels bouncing at the occasional rock in the road. Its occupant was quite unceremoniously jostled around at each of these occurrences, and every time, he would quickly right himself, nervously pushing his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose. Said occupant was a small boy of 10, with short, light brown hair and eyes to match. On his nose rested a pair of simple glasses. His gloved hands clutched at his neatly-pressed pants, his gaze directed at the opposite wall of the carriage. A bead of sweat ran down the side of the boy's face. His hand rose almost mechanically to wipe away the offending droplet before returning to grasp anxiously at his trousers.
The boy – Reim Lunettes – was on his way to meet his new master, Duke Rufus Barma, for the very first time. The Lunettes Family had served the Barma Family for generations, sending their second-born child as a servant to the Barma household. As it happens, Reim was the second-born son of Earl Lunettes, and as such, had been shipped off to the Barma Dukedom at such a tender age.
Reim swallowed, his mouth paper dry. He had heard rumors of Duke Barma, and they were none too kind. They spoke of a queer individual with a love for tormenting people. Others said that though he was the wisest of the Four Dukes, all of the knowledge he possessed had driven him quite mad. And here was poor young Reim, sent to serve the man for the rest of his life. What's worse, as his family had seen him off that morning, they had all had a look of pity on their faces. His father had placed a hand on Reim's shoulder. "Remember Reim, this is the duty of the Lunettes House. No matter how much you feel unwanted or out of place, or… ah… however unusual the Duke may be, you must fulfill your obligation."
His mother, holding a handkerchief to dab at her eyes, had told him: "Reim, no matter what happens, you must not anger the Duke. He is very powerful, having contracted with one of the black-winged chains. Even if he's a little strange, you must never forget that."
His brother had come last, standing uncertainly to the side. "Well, uh, you know, just do what you're told and you should be fine." He had said with an unconvincing smile.
Reim had blanched considerably after each delivery.
The carriage rolled to a stop, jolting Reim back to the present. The coachman opened the door, and Reim scrambled outside. Before him stood a huge mansion, easily four times the size of the Lunettes House. As Reim gaped at its sheer monstrosity, the coachman handed him his trunk, then said quietly, "It's best not to keep the master waiting." Reim jumped, then hurried toward the huge door. Taking a deep breath, he knocked. No one answered. After a few moments, Reim knocked again. Again, no one answered. Finally, after standing in front of the door for several long minutes, Reim reached forward with a trembling hand and turned the handle. The door opened silently, and he slipped in quickly. The click of the door closing was deafening in the silent entrance hall. Directly in front of him was a magnificent set of stairs, and two large hallways led further in on his left and right.
"Hello?" he called out cautiously. After no reply came, Reim opened his mouth again when a huge white head appeared before him. "Well helloooo." It giggled.
Reim shrieked, falling backwards on his rear to stare at an extremely rotund man with short legs, a long, pointy mustache, and what appeared to be a cup of tea on his bald head. "W-w-w-what?" Reim stuttered, fearfully scooting backwards until his back hit the door. The man bounced up and down, his face split in a gleeful grin.
Trying in vain to keep his voice from trembling, Reim began, "Um, s-sir? My n-name is –"
"I know! I know!" the man proclaimed, bouncing closer to Reim. "You are Reim Lunettes, the boy that is to be my new servant!"
Reim paled. "Y-your…? Then you're D-duke Barma?"
The man chortled. "Of course! I am Duke Barma, the oldest and wisest of the Four Dukes. I also know that unlike your brother, your sword skills are tragic, you are not good with politics, and your only worth is reading. You also had a pet bird name Dayna when you were five, which you killed after you fed it your handmade spinach casserole."
Reim yelped. "H-h-how do you know about that?"
"I know everything! Knowledge is power! To know is the greatest joy in the world!" Duke Barma laughed, reaching atop his head to remove the teacup, stirring it with a small white spoon. Reim felt despair threatening to overwhelm him. This – this thing was what he was to loyally serve? Tears stung his eyes. "Hm?" The Duke paused stirring his tea to stare at Reim.
"No matter how much you feel unwanted of out of place or… ah…however unusual the duke may be, you must fulfill your obligation." The Earl's words echoed in Reim's mind. Reim quickly wiped his eyes and smiled as bright as he could manage.
The Duke cocked his head to one side, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Do you think I am strange? Insane even? Do you find my form eerie?"
His mother's voice sounded in the back of Reim's mind. "You must not anger the Duke. He is very powerful, having contracted with one of the black-winged chains. Even if he's a little strange, you must never forget that." Reim shook his head from side to side. "No sir, I think you're, uh, very charismatic. Sir." He added as an afterthought.
A laugh echoed through the hall, but not Duke Barma's voice. It was lower, calmer, with an air of elegance about it. Reim looked past Duke Barma to see a man sitting at the bottom of the stairs. He had long, rich red hair, and regarded Reim with amused eyes. He stood with a rustle of black silk, a fan in one hand. He walked over to where Reim was still on the ground, back to the door. "You are an interesting one, Reim Lunettes. I have taken a liking to you. You shall suffice as my servant."
Reim wrinkled his brown in confusion. "Sir? If I may be so bold, who are you?"
"I am the real Rufus Barma. This is just an illusion that I use at the Dukes' meeting and at social gatherings." He said, indicating the round man. Reim leaped to his feet to face his new lord. "It is a pleasure to meet you Duke Barma! I will be in your care from this day forward, and I will serve you to the best of my ability." The words escaped in a rush, and Reim gulped for air once he was finished. In all honesty, Reim was relieved that this man was the actual Duke Barma. Unlike the illusion, he seemed calm and mature, and carried himself in a manner one would expect a Duke to.
Duke Barma gazed at him for a moment, then crouched down so that he was eye-level with Reim. Without warning, he reached out and poked him in the forehead. "You have a wide forehead." He said teasingly, poking him a few more times.
Reim's hands flew to his head. "Wha–"
The Duke chuckled, and straightened. "Come Reim. I will show you to your room. You must be tired after the long ride. Once you unpack, the other servants will take you to the kitchens for dinner. After that, you may look around the house to familiarize yourself with the surroundings. Come to my study tomorrow morning and we will discuss your daily duties. Do you understand?"
Reim stood at attention. "Yes Duke Barma!" The Duke paused, fan held against his mouth. "Oh, and another thing; you may refer to me as Lord Rufus. 'Duke Barma' is far too formal in my own household."
Reim recalled his brother's words. "Just do what you're told and you should be fine." "Yes Du-Lord Rufus," Reim quickly corrected.
"Good," Lord Rufus said. "Now follow me." Reim hurriedly picked up his trunk from where he'd dropped it, and followed Lord Rufus further into the Barma House, to where his new life awaited.
Author's Note: I made a few edits because I discovered some typos. Also, I wasn't quite sure what the Lunettes Family rank was, so I just made them Earl/Countess. If anyone knows their real rank, please let me know! I always appreciate reviews, so if you would be ever so kind... ^^