Chapter Three: Pursuit of Happiness

After the incident in the library, the days passed quietly in the mansion. Now that Leto knew that Master Carso approved of his visits, Leto went to the library more often. Keeping his habit, Leto would still check to see if anyone was inside before he would walk in. He did not want to push his luck with his master. He dared not disturb him or get in the way if he was studying. Leto was grateful that he had a master that would allow him to look at his books, much less allow Leto to put his dirty fingers over the leather and paper. Yes, life was good and luck was spoiling him. He dared not ask for anything more. He would not look his gift horse in the mouth. He was not a stupid boy.

"Leto, where were you?" Leto's mother had asked as the young boy came to her after many hours spent in the library. Leto's mother was a pretty elf with red hair, like her daughter Varania, and she possessed the grayest eyes that Leto had ever seen on any person. It reminded him of the storm clouds, that were heavy with rain. Especially the clouds that came in the summers. Unlike Leto and Varania, her ears were half as large as ears on a regular elf. This made it harder for her to keep her long red hair behind the ears and out of her face. This displeased Leto because he thought his mother had beautiful facial features. Her face and features were soft and plump, unlike Leto's own angular and shaped face. Her skin was a few shades darker than his own. It was also silky and supple outside her callused hands and feet. Leto also adored her name. Antiva. She was named after the great country that Leto heard so many stories about. It made her seem more exotic and mysterious.

At the current month, Antiva's stomach was swollen with child. She was given a month before the child was supposed to be born. After a few more days, Antiva was supposed to be put on bedrest and not work until after her labor. Then Leto and Varania were expected to take her chores. Along with Leto and Varania, she also had to take care of two daughters Alexa and Suri. So Antiva had to be strict with all of her children. However, she was easier on Leto and Varania. She knew that it was only a matter of time for Alexa and Suri to be sold and she knew that being soft on them would make her soft and make things all the more harder when Master Carso sold them.

"Where were you?" Antiva repeated.

Leto was unsettled by the question she asked. Usually, his mother did not question his whereabouts. He really must have been gone a long time. For a split second, he wondered if she would care that he had gone to the library. He also wondered that if she disapproved of it, should he lie about it. And if he was to lie was the risk worth the reward. As the split second turned into many seconds, Antiva turned from her work. She put her hand on her hip and Leto watched as the feather duster bounced on her thigh. Not wanting to face hard end of said feather duster, Leto made the smart decision and spoke the truth. "I was in the library," Leto said, taking his cautious nature to the next level and stepping back. "I lost track of my time."

He tried to understand his mother's reaction and he tried to figure out if he was still going to face the hard end of the feather duster. Or even worse, if he was going to be chased with a broom through the courtyard. That punishment was not only terrifying, it was humiliating. It was late evening so most of the slaves were in the courtyard eating the leftovers from dinner. And he hated their amusement at his expense. Especially when the older boys would point and laugh. However, Antiva did not get into her punishment stance. She just stood there was a confused look on her face. She then turned back to her work and resumed her dusting. Thinking he was out of trouble, Leto started to slip away. However, he was pulled back by Antiva's question. "What were you doing there? You can't read and there's no pictures in barely any of those books."

Leto was hesitant in his explanation, "I know, but I like to try to figure out what is being said. I like to come up with the stories." He was still trying to gauge her reaction. He was not sure if he was in trouble or not. She had a quiet anger in her voice. He was not used to that. He was used to his mother yelling at him if she was angry.

"Does Master Carso know?" Antiva asked, still looking away from her son.

"Yes, he does. He does not mind," Leto offered quickly. He figured that if the trips held his master's approval than she would not bother him anymore with this.

She was quiet for a moment. The young boy kept still, trying not to cause more trouble. Leto came up with the logical explanation that she was angry with him and he was going to be punished for whatever rule that he was breaking. He felt his muscles tense as he waited for the inevitable hit. After a few moments, Antiva spoke, "Shame on him...getting your hopes up like that."

"Mama?" Leto questioned, not understanding who she was talking about and why she looked so upset.

Antiva turned from her work and Leto stepped back once again, still scared that she was going to hit him. However, as Antiva placed her feather duster down on a table, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a hug. Completely and utterly confused, Leto looked up at his mother as he hugged her back. "Are you angry with me, Mama?"

Leto's mother let go of her son and ended their embrace. A broken laugh came out of his mother's mouth as she looked down at her son, "Angry? Maker give me strength and Andraste guide my path. You are not the one who made me angry. You did not do anything wrong." She bent down so they could connect eyes. She put her hands on his shoulders and told him, "When you are older, you will understand. You are just a child, Leto. You have your entire life in front of you. If you want to go to the library, than go. I will not stop you. You need to have your fun while you can. Life can change on you."

Happy that this situation was finally clear to him, Leto smiled at his mother. He did not fully understand what she was talking about, but he could figure out that he was not going to get hit or chased. Fear slowly turned into concern as he watched his mother stand up and finish her work. Wondering why she decided to give him such a confusing run around, Leto just said his goodbye to her as he went into the courtyard to play with his sister. Maybe what she said was right, that he had to become older to understand what sort of mood she had been in and what she was saying to him.

The next day was when Leto visited the library. He did his usual checking process before he walked into the library. However, he barely reached the bookshelf when he heard the door open. Hoping it was Master Carso, Leto turned to see who was in the library. His face paced heart slowed down as he saw that it was Master Carso. Leto smiled at him before he bowed his head in respect, "I apologize. I will leave you to your solitude." Before he could leave, Master Carso told him to stay.

"You do not have to leave. In fact, I am glad to find you here, Leto. I have been meaning to speak to you," Master Carso said as he went to the wooden desk that sat in front of the window, "I want to help you out. I want to make your game easier."

"How so, Master?" Leto asked, breaking the rule of questioning his master as he followed the man over to the desk.

Master Carso looked down at Leto and told him, "I am going to teach you your letters and soon I will teach you how to read."

This seemingly simple statement caused Leto's eyes to dilate as he stared at his master. His mouth opened slowly as he tried to think of a proper way to respond to this. Leto had never toyed with the notion of learning how to read. He knew that it was unlikely of happening, but Master Carso was there to outright teach him.

"I-I-I-you-I-thank-you," Leto stuttered as he took in this news.

"Do not thank me," Master Carso laughed, "It should have been done when you were younger. Sit down," he told him as he patted the chair in front of the desk, "Why don't we start with your name?"