Chapter 1
"Lloyd, wake up. Wake up, Lloyd, or you're going to be late for work again!" his father called from downstairs in an authoritative voice. Lloyd's eyes slowly opened and he stared at his ceiling through the common glazed eyes that many people have when they first wake up. He sighed, he really didn't want to work today, or work at all for that matter. Yet, he knew it would never happen. Peasants were not allowed to have lives. Peasants were not allowed to have fun.
My only hope, he thought as he pulled on his red uniform and did his best to get his hair the way he wanted it, is if Kratos really does become a noble. Even though Knights were the lowest class of noble, he didn't care. If they became nobles, he could say goodbye to days of endless working and hello to the preferred life of many citizens.
Yet, this dream still seemed so far away as he walked down the stairs to see his father. In the kitchen, his father was preparing some quick breakfast for Lloyd before they both had to rush off to work. He looked up from what he was doing, gave Lloyd a small smile, and said, "So, you're finally up. It's about time."
Lloyd took his usual spot on the bar seat at the bar in front of Kratos. "Hey, give me a break. I was out till 10 o'clock last night making deliveries."
Kratos rolled his eyes, "It doesn't matter. You still have to work, you know that."
Lloyd's eyes burned with anger, not at his dad but for the people that oppressed him. "Why do we have to work, dad? Why do we have to do everything while the nobles laze around and do nothing?"
Kratos didn't even look up from his task, "It doesn't matter. They're nobles and they have the final say in everything. Now, eat breakfast and get your butt to the Post Office pronto."
Lloyd sighed, every day they had this conversation and every day Kratos said the same thing. Eating some cantaloupe and snagging a piece of toast from the plate in front of him, he jumped off the stool, put his delivery satchel over his shoulder, and waved goodbye to his dad as he left.
Kratos sighed after his son left. "If only you knew how much I wished we had a better life, Lloyd." He then ate his breakfast and took his leave.
Once outside, Lloyd cast a look around his neighborhood. They didn't live in the slums, but they lived near it. Houses lined the street on either side and he cast a glance at one house next to theirs. It belonged to Collette, his childhood friend and crush. He used to feel enamored every time he saw her, but he soon realized it was only puppy love. Even so, she understood and they were still good friends.
As he made his way up the several sets of stone stairs that led to the Post Office he stretched and reminisced about his life before he was required to work for the city, or rather the nobles. He didn't have long however, for he soon reached the Post Office.
He walked in to see his boss Mithos had decided to visit. Mithos became head of the church after the Pope died the year before. He, of course, ran everything in the city that pertained to the nobles. Lloyd instantly put his head down and walked in front of Mithos.
"Good morning, sir, may I help you?" he asked politely, even though he resented most nobles, including Mithos.
Mithos, who was referred to as Yggdrasill by most of the populace, sneered down at Lloyd. "Hmph, and who are you?"
Lloyd struggled to keep his anger in check. "Lloyd Irving, sir, I'm the main deliverer."
Yggdrasill exuded the presence of someone of superiority. "A pathetic runt like you? No matter, it has to be done." He pulled a letter from behind the counter and shoved it into Lloyd's hand. "Take that to the Chosen's estate. His butler should be expecting it and should give you something in return."
Lloyd nodded as best he could without looking into Yggdrasill's eyes. "Yes, sir, I'll leave now." He placed the letter in his satchel and left the building.
As he walked to the street that led to the nobles' manors, thoughts were bubbling in his head. A delivery to the Chosen is extremely rare, I don't think I've ever heard of him getting anything in a very long time. I wonder what it is, he thought.
It didn't take him long to get there, as it wasn't very far, and when he arrived he noticed the usual mob of girls crowding to even get a glimpse of him. He rolled his eyes out of disapproval. It's so pathetic how they fawn over an idiot like him, he thought. He had never actually seen the chosen, but the rumors didn't make him sound very promising.
He pushed and shoved his way through the crowd, careful not to damage the girls too much, for he knew that they could be catty. He had experience with this, because the Chosen wasn't the only one who had crazy fans. Also, to his disgust, there were a few men in the crowd. Geez, now that's just sad, he thought.
Lloyd knocked on the door, ignoring the disgusted and jealous screams directed at him, and waited. Yet no one answered, so he knocked again. And again, after no one answered a third time. He was about to pound the door down, but before he could the door opened.
"What do you want?" a man said with the annoyed voice one would normally have when they had just been woke up. Lloyd was about to look up, but the excited and obsessed cheers that erupted behind him helped him to draw his conclusion. The Chosen himself had answered the door.
"Sorry, sir, but I'm here to deliver a letter." Lloyd said, once again using his fake politeness.
The chosen raised an eyebrow, which of course Lloyd didn't see, "Letter? I don't remember expecting a letter."
What is going on? He thought. Surely he knows the dealing of his butler. "Sir, I was told to deliver it to your butler and that he would be expecting it."
The chosen perked up, "Well, is that all? I don't remember him mentioning anything, but oh well. Here, I'll give it to him." He made a move to reach for Lloyd's satchel, but Lloyd tugged it back.
"With all due respect, sir, my superior prefers me to deliver it in person."
The chosen thought for a moment, This delivery is definitely suspicious, but if I refuse, then I would be asking for even more rumors. Well, I am a noble, and he has to do whatever I say, so I guess I could let him inside. Then we could work out this problem in private. "Fine, fine, you superior's wishes will be acknowledged. Come on inside."
The chosen went inside and Lloyd paused. He was never supposed to go in a noble's house, if he could help it. But if it was for a delivery? He hesitated.
"Well, come on delivery boy! I thought you wanted to deliver it?" the chosen called from inside. Although still reluctant, Lloyd went inside.
The downstairs of the chosen's manor contained a fireplace, a few plush red couches and a coffee table, a set of wooden tables near a set of transparent double doors leading to a veranda, and a table over in the corner by the stairs. Lloyd himself became absorbed in the luxury that he didn't hear Zelos calling to him.
"Hello, hello! Tethe'alla to delivery boy!" Lloyd just barely avoided looking up at Zelos's face. Zelos laughed at his reaction before adopting a more serious tone. "So, what's this package all about?"
Lloyd shrugged. He knew no more about it than the Chosen himself. He handed it to Zelos, trusting him to give it to his butler. Zelos glanced at Lloyd, and then smiling, began to rip open the envelope.
Although Lloyd didn't see his action, he heard it. "No, it's for your butler!" he protested.
Zelos chuckled. "But he works for me, and as such, I'm more than allowed to preview his mail." Zelos scanned over the letter and his cheerful nature soon became grim. "Do you know what this letter contains?" he asked calmly.
Lloyd shook his head, "No sir, not at all."
Zelos ripped the letter in half and then into fourths, "This letter contains contents that would tear this city and country apart. You realize that by delivering this letter you are committing treason?"
Lloyd panicked, "Really sir? I didn't know! I swear I didn't!"
Zelos chuckled, this boy was a riot. He slipped the paper in his jacket pocket and ruffled Lloyd's hair. "Of course you didn't. I never said you did. Either way, no harm done. Now, if you don't mind, I have matters to attend to, so please be on your way."
Lloyd drew back at Zelos's touch, but still kept his head bowed. Recovering from his shock, he murmured his goodbyes and opened up the door.
"Oh yes, delivery boy. As my hunny, you're welcome back any time." He blew Lloyd a kiss and then disappeared up the staircase.
Lloyd shivered as he rushed to leave. That was just a bit too close for comfort and he wasn't warming up to the Chosen at all.
He didn't know however, that he and Zelos had been watched, and that the observer soon sent a message to the King that would change Lloyd's life forever.