Author's Note:

Hi, everyone! I really hope you're having the time of your lives this summer and with this story! :) I apologize once again for delaying this chapter, but these two weeks were full of exams and I just had no might to do anything beside studying. Today I handed in my last task, a course work, and now I'm ready to enjoy this summer with you all! 😊

To tell the truth, this chapter had to be about a different event in the story, which will be presented to you later, but due to the lack of time and strength I have made it different . I didn't plan to make this chapter the way it turned out, it just came to me today, when I was drawing the art for it, but I'm still satisfied with my work :) Also there will be some inconsistencies in the publication dates of some of the books (they just weren't on the bookstore counters in 2004), but I couldn't make myself to cut them off the story. I just love these books so much!.. Well, after reading this chapter you'll know what I mean.

Also, please, check out my Tumblr: blog/aleks-norward

There you will find my arts and some interesting discussions and posts on this story and more😊❤️

With no more interruptions I thank you for your attention, wish you great mood and let's dive into the story! :)

"I would say we take a break, Master Daniel", said Godfrey finally after two hours of lecturing Danny on the boring rules of etiquette and table manners.

"Thanks, God!.." Danny mumbled under his breath, but the ghost-butler, as it seemed, heard it nonetheless, because an amused grin was spreading on his lips.

"I know, it is not very entertaining, young master, but you must know how to act properly." He said. "I must say you are not such a lost case as Master Masters made out. You're doing quite well." Danny smiled at kind words shyly.

"Thanks, sir."

"You're welcome, Master Daniel. Also I must remind you that you can call me by my first name. Though I understand that you are getting used to it."

"Would… would it be polite?" Danny asked.

"Well, of course, young sir. All the servants are called by their names and all the masters are called by the title master or mistress. Though guests are called sir, madam, miss, missis, mister etc. You are right to ask it now. You will definitely need this knowledge at the balls and formal parties."

"No, I mean, would it be polite to you? Not like to a servant but to a person?"

Godfrey quirked his brow.

"You think about such things, sir?"

Danny shrugged casually.

"Yeah, of course."

There was an unreadable expression on Godfrey's face before he nodded.

"Yes, it would be more than alright with me, Master Daniel."

Danny groaned.

"And once again with the "master" thing, how many times?.."

"Till you remember, sir." Godfrey interrupted him. "It is very important for you to get used to being called such a title. After all, it would be highly unpleasant for you to react in such a way at one of the galas."

"Wait", Danny raised a hand, "It's the second time you tell me about some parties. I thought it was Vlad's thing, it doesn't concern me!"

"Well, of course, it concerns you, Master Daniel." Scoffed Godfrey. "You are his heir, you must attend such events."

Danny shook his head.

"I don't want to. And I'm still not his heir. And these "parties" must be boring."

"Sometimes", Godfrey agreed. "But that doesn't mean you will get off the hook. After all, Master Masters at least needs to present you to high society, sir."

"As Danny Fenton?" Danny asked suspiciously.

"As his heir." Godfrey answered ambiguously and emphatically and floated to the doors of the room. "Now do take a break, young Master. I will fetch you soon."

With that Godfrey disappeared behind the double doors. Danny sighed and also left the Green room.

"What should I do, what should I do?.." Thought Danny. It was too early to try and look through the telescope and brooding back in the room assigned to him didn't appease him in the least. Right now he wanted to avoid pain and distress that obviously would come if he went around unoccupied with something. Thoughts, memories, regrets... No, right now he was in no shape to deal with it. Maybe, it was selfish, maybe, he was in denial, but right at that moment Danny didn't want to think of anything tragic that had occured to him receantly. This whole castle itself was a huge reminder of his predicament.

Suddenly he remembered the great milkshake from breakfast.

"I really must thank the cook for it." He thought. "What was his name again? Volfgang? I hope I remember that right."

With hands in his pockets Danny went to the grandiose dining room and through the double doors to the kitchen. It was an enormous place with white tiled walls and floor and clean counters. There were two modern stoves, a couple of dishwashers, a coffee machine, a tea machine, an ice cream maker and a lot of other different tools he had never seen in his life. In the corner was the biggest fridge he had ever seen. And right on the free wall was a giant window with pleasant red curtains, which had a beautiful view on the loanes of Vlad's property.

On the other side of the room was a big table with a lot of chairs pulled in it. On one of them sat a tall thin ghost in chef's white uniform with green dark hair and a tricky mustache like the ones that Italian chefs on pizza's boxes had. The green glow was coursing through him, making him a little bit transparent and a white hue around his figure gave you the last proof you needed to know that that was a ghost.

As soon as Danny walked in, the ghost noticed him and jumped to his feet with a cheerful smile on his face.

"Oh, Master Daniel, how glad I am to finally see you!" He said and Danny was really surprised that his accent was English, just as Godfrey's, and not Italian. "My name is Volfgang, I am the chef of this estate. How do you do, young sir?"

But he was even more bevildered that ghosts here were... can he say pleased with his presence. After his ghost career in Amity Park, during which mostly every single ghost hated him and tried to waste him, it was a huge change.

Danny smiled sheepishly to such a warm greeting and waved a little.

"Uh, good morning, sir. I am glad to meet you too. Everything's alright, I guess." He scratched his neck nervously. "Oh, and thank you for that milkshake in the morning. It was awesome!"

Volfgang smiled warmly.

"I am very pleased you liked it, young Master. It was my goal to make your start of the day as happy as it could be!"

Somehow Danny felt warmth spreading in his chest. This ghost-man didn't even know him well yet, but he tried to do Danny good. And everybody here was so nice to him as of yet. And it seemed everyone here indeed only tried to make him feel comfortable and wanted in this place.

"Would you care for some snacks, Master Daniel?" Asked Volfgang nicely. "I can do anything you like very fast."

"No-no, thank you, sir." Danny was quick to decline. "I just wanted to meet and personally thank you for the breakfast. Everything was really delicious."

"Well, you better get used to it, sir, I only cook the best." Smiled Volfgang.

Danny smiled too, but looked at the floor awkwardly, not knowing what else to say.

"I must say we all are very glad that you are going to live here, young Master." Volfgang said softly and Danny glanced at him. Now the chef's face was sad. "Please, accept my deepest condolences for your family and friends. I say it not only from myself but from all the staff here. We talked and really don't want to always remind you of what happened, so forgive us for our only try."

Danny nodded, his chest tight, but tears didn't come. On the contrary, he was grateful that Volfgang spoke to him as if to an adult. That he trusted Danny to understand everything right.

"Thank you."

"You know", Volfgang sat back in his chair and pulled out one of the nearest for Danny to sit. Danny complied with the mute invitation. "I know what happened yesterday. I heard it." In second Danny's face reddened immensely. "And I don't blame you at all for what you said. The word in the Ghost Zone travels very fast. I know what relationship you had with my boss in the past. But… I also want to tell you that." He patiently looked into Danny's eyes. "When got news of what happened… His first reaction was to fly to you. As fast as possible. If it was not for Godfrey, he would fly all the way to your town on his own."

The moment of silence seemed like an eternity, before Danny could find his voice.

"He... thought about me? Like... the first thing?" He whispered bewildered.

"Yes, Master Daniel. I saw it with my own two eyes. When Godfrey told him, his first words were that he had to help you, that you were all along there and needed somebody there with you. Well, at least, something of those lines. He spared no time to go for you."

Danny looked at the table in shock. Could Volfgang tell him the truth? Or was it just a manipulation, the words that Vlad told his staff to tell him so Danny would warm up to him quicker? He looked at Volfgang attentively.

"Are you telling the truth?"

Without a flinch or any difference in the face or body language, Volfgang nodded.

"Yes, young Master. It is the truth."

Danny studied him for a minute more before he stood up.

"I want you to know, young sir, why I'm telling you this." Volfgang continued hurriedly, seeing Danny's unease. "Yesterday you said you thought that was just trying to manipulate you. Well, I was here when he first met you. I was here when he was excitedly telling Godfrey about your existence. I was here when he was equipping your room to follow your interests and have every little thing you could want. And I was here when he talked to Godfrey this morning and discussed with him lessons for you. In no way he wants to take advantage of your predicament, sir. All is doing is for your benefit. If you are not satisfied with his decisions, I'm sure you can talk to him about it. I…" Volfgang looked at Danny tentatively. "I really think that he cares about you a big deal, young sir. Because I have never seen my employer try so hard for anybody else. I know that I am still not very known to you and that in your eyes I am the one on your guardian's side and not yours... Believe it or not, but I respect and has worked here long enough to know that he is not a bad person. And I really think that he can help you, Master Daniel."

Danny looked at Volfgang in shock. He couldn't believe that Vlad's chef was so... loyal to him and… sincere. How could someone be so nice towards such a man as Vlad… only if… he really was more than met the eye.

"Master Daniel?" Godfrey suddenly appeared in the doorway, his features soft. "All is ready for our little task."

Danny nodded and slowly went after the butler out of the kitchen. On his way out he said to Volfgang:

"Thank you, sir. It was a pleasure meeting you."

Barely Danny got out into the dining room, Godfrey took him by shoulders and started hurriedly to the servants' quarters.

"What a delightful day it is today," he suddenly said. "I thought Mr. Masters would never say anything about this unruly wild mess!"

"Hey, my hair is fine!" Danny exclaimed, but didn't resist while the butler guided him into the restroom.

"Perhaps for a street unattended child, but not for the son of Master Masters", Godfrey took a chair from nearby the sink, positioned it in front of the big mirror and made Danny sit on it, so he could see his reflection.

"I am not his son." Danny said weakly and was surprised at his tone himself.

"Yet, young sir", Godfrey was looking through the cabinets in search of a pair of scissors. "Though I want you to know that no matter what your last name is, you are still a representative of Master Masters' image. That means you must look sharp at all times. I think he has already told you that?"

"Yeah. He has." Danny remembered all those annoying times when Vlad commented badly on his baggy clothes and messy hair, back when he visited his family on different occasions. Even now his voice was ringing in his ears.

"Daniel, I would recommend you to reconsider your wardrobe. You look like a ten year old. It's unbecoming of a young man such as yourself."

"Daniel, my boy, do please comb your hair, at least. You look unattended. For people to respect you, you must look sharp."

"Daniel, dear boy, you would not impress a girl by looking like a.. what do you, youngsters, call them? Ah yes, hobos. My point is, women like neat men, dear boy. Hasn't your father had a talk about this with you yet?"

All these comments infuriated Danny back then. But now he noticed that the tone they were spoken with wasn't that accusing. Could it be that… Vlad was right about his looks? That girls never noticed him because of his choice in clothes and hairstyle? That… he really looked younger than he actually was because of that? That because of his style nobody took him seriously?

A gentle hand, suddenly, tilted his chin a little up, so his head was positioned straight.

"Your father wants only the best for you, young Master. Oh, I will finish with this atrocity before lunch. When he sees you, I'm sure he will be immensely delighted." Godfrey approached him from behind and wielded his scissors.

"He is not my father", Danny repeated more forcefully.

"I don't want to push you, master Daniel, but he already plays this paternal role in your life. He has done a lot of good for you and wants to proceed. After all, he cares about you, even if you don't see it clearly now." He sighed hard. "These changes in your relationship were made in really tragic circumstances and in a hurry. I know it is really hard to get used to that quickly, but he tries with all his might. The least you can do is be grateful for his efforts and try to help him in repairing your ties too. Adoption is the best way of doing so."

"But I never asked him to take me in!" Danny argued.

"It doesn't matter. He did it out of his pure care for you. Ahh… If only you knew…"

"Knew what exactly?" Danny asked suspiciusly, but the butler, it appeared, was now too preoccupied with his task at hand to answer the question. Danny sighed annoyed, but didn't try to ask again.

It seemed that both Godfrey and Danny understood that they would not be able to persuade one another. Now there was only the snipping sound of Godfrey almost professionally working on Danny's hair.

Danny sat still and quiet. Only now he understood that this whole adoption thing wasn't a bust. It seemed… Vlad really was preparing documents for making him his son, not only a ward. Now when Godfrey was nearly freely addressing him as Masters, it all felt too real.

"Godfrey, sir?" Danny asked tentatively.

"Yes, Master Daniel?" Godfrey was concentrating on cutting away at his black locks.

"Vlad said that I wouldn't need to change my name when he adopts me. Is this true?"

Godfrey sighed and once more tilted Danny's head so it would be straight.

"Officially, yes, you don't have to do this. But we all believe that it will be for the best if you become a Masters, young sir."

"Why?"

"Well, obviously, it would give you a clean slate. It will make it easier for you to move on, to learn to be happy again."

"B-but… Wouldn't it mean… that I forgot my family and friends?" Danny's eyes moistened and he lowered his head again, before remembering that it wasn't comfortable for the butler to work on his hair in such a position. "Sorry."

Godfrey sighed and squeezed Danny's shoulder reassuringly.

"There's nothing to be sorry for, young Master." Danny looked up at him to see that his expression was soft and a small friendly smile graced his lips. "Moving on doesn't mean to forget about the ones you lost but loved. Neither changing your name betrays their memory or your legacy. On the contrary, by moving on, trying to live a happy life again, you honor their memory. I'm sure they would want you to be happy again. So don't ever think like that again, young Master."

"M-Maybe… But… Wouldn't I surrender if I go with what Vlad offers me?" He was confused and conflicted. "I mean… Vlad did so much bad to me and my family in the past! H-He tried to kill Dad! He tried to steal Mom and I from everyone we loved! He awoke Pariah and made me clean up his mess! How… can I trust him when all this time he was nothing more than a trouble for me and my loved ones?"

Godfrey shook his head with a tired sigh.

"And though here you are, in this grandiose mansion of his and not in the system."

"But that's exactly what he wanted! If I submit to him, I will disgrace all of my family, all of my morals, I…"

"Master Daniel, please, listen to me." Godfrey said calmly, but sternly. Danny fell silent. "The past is in the past. We all make mistakes, even big ones, but you can't just ignore everything that Master Masters is doing for you now. Yes, it might seem to you that he only does what he seems important for his perfect son, which he considers you, but, tell me, did he disgrace your family's memory once since all of this happened? Did he make you come here? Did he make you change your name or call him father if you don't want to?" Danny said nothing. "Then let me clear this up for you. Firstly, by documents he is your godfather, so he not only wanted, but had to take you in if he wanted to honor at least your mother's memory, and her he really loved, even if you don't understand it. Second, you may see your coming here as his wish, but I must tell you that it was I who recommended this to him. Personally, Master Masters wanted to stay with you in Amity Park, where you grew up. My point in this was that you desperately needed and still need a change of scenery, like I said earlier, a clean slate to start over. Wisconsin provided it. Third, the adoption was made, because this way you would certainly not be placed into the juvenile detention center, where you were originally put by your family's lawyer."

Danny looked up at him in shock.

"What?"

"Perhaps, you didn't know, but Master Masters saved you from that ferocious place by this adoption. Moreover, he remade his will so you would be the sole benefactor of his wealth upon anything happening to him."

It was unbelievable. Could it be?.. No! It just couldn't!

"You must be not telling the whole truth…"

"It is your decision whether to believe me or not, Master Daniel. But my Master only wants what is best for you, even if you doubt it. I only recommend you to think about all that I've just told you and make your own choice. But in your place I would accept the Master Masters' offer and be grateful enough to take his name."

"This is not fair", Danny said quietly. "You can't judge me, you weren't and aren't in my shoes."

"Touche, young Master. Though it's what I think. What you think is for you to decide."

With that he once more positioned Danny's head straight and continued to cut his hair. Danny sat still, thinking over their conversation.

"It is almost lunchtime", Godfrey said after ten minutes. "And we're nearly done here. Only some final touches."

Some more snipping and Godfrey proudly gestured to the mirror in front of them. Danny looked at himself critically, tilting his head around to see his hair from all angles. He could say he was… really pleased. His hair was short and nice, neat even, but strangely Godfrey managed to keep his bangs as he liked it. It was soothingly falling on his forehead, not even reaching his brows.

"Now, what do you think, young sir?" The butler asked smoothly, seeing some delight on Danny's face.

"This is cool!" He said. "I like it! It's like… I'm still me, but… I really was afraid of looking snobby."

Godfrey chuckled.

"Of course, young Master. I really tried to keep everything like it was, just to make it more… presentable, if you like. Also believe me when I say it was a good thing for you to get this haircut. I don't suppose you would like to gel your hair back."

"What?! Of course not! It's gross!"

"Well, with this hairstyle you wouldn't need to. Just comb it every day and you will have no problems with the Academy's democracy. Also I must say it suits you to have short hair."

Danny smiled shyly.

"Thanks, Godfrey." And then he realized. "Hey, I did it! Right, like in protocol!" Godfrey chuckled, but Danny's smile quickly shifted into the fearful gape. "Oh no, this hair is already changing me!"

"Of course not, Master Daniel. You're just getting used to me. And I must say I'm glad you are." The proud smile on his face warmed something in Danny's chest again, making him smile back.

"Now, off to the dining room with you, young sir." Godfrey ushered him off his seat lightly. "Tardiness is a bad quality for a young man such as yourself."

Danny nodded and hurried out of the restroom. He quickly got back to the dining room. Somehow, standing in front of the doors there, he was slightly nervous. After Godfrey mentioned gelling his hair, he prayed Vlad wouldn't make him do that. Danny looked at his outfit and tried to fix it to be neater, but it really had no success. He had to agree that now with this hair this clothes didn't go.

Glancing at the clock nearby he understood that it was five minutes till twelve thirty and he had no time to change. Sighing, he opened the door and walked into the room. There was nobody yet, and Danny let a relieved smile settle on his face. He sat in his seat and waited.

It wasn't long before the clinging of expensive dress shoes was heard in the main hall and Vlad entered the room. Seeing Danny already there he smiled.

"Ah, Daniel. I am glad you are on time." He came closer and looked the boy over. "Please, stand up and show off Godfrey's great work."

Danny obeyed though with a slightly paled face. Vlad stood next to the boy and suddenly took his chin gently. He tilted Danny's head around and observed his hair critically. His expression was unreadable.

"Do you like it?" He suddenly asked.

Danny blinked.

"What?"

"I asked if you liked your hair, my boy." Vlad repeated. "Are you satisfied?"

Danny nodded shakily.

"Yeah, really, I… I really like it."

A small smile graced Vlad's face when he let Danny's chin go and placed his hands behind his straight back.

"Yes, I'm pleased too. Now you look sharp and it suits you. I suppose ambitious young ladies of the Goldsword Academy would think so too."

Danny's ears got red and Vlad couldn't help himself but chuckle. Despite feeling a little embarrassed over nothing, Danny felt like something inside him was beaming from praise and compliments and attention.

They sat in their seats and very soon Godfrey presented them their lunch. It was a salad with crabs with some green sauce and an orange juice for Danny and a half full glass of some alcohol for Vlad.

"You drink at midday?" Danny asked incredulously.

"Not every day, dear boy, only after some hard work. And today's documents weren't that easy, especially if people preparing them have to be told how to do their work." Vlad immediately sipped from his glass and visibly relaxed. "What concerns you, Little Badger, you are forbidden from consuming all alcoholic beverages until you are twenty one, especially when I'm not there to control your dosage. If you really want to try something like that, come to me and ask. I will allow you only if you are under my supervision. Is that clear?"

Danny scoffed.

"Crystal. Though I don't know what you are so nervous about. I don't want to drink and I won't."

"A very wise decision on your part, Daniel." Vlad praised once again. "Now, I want to inform you that I still have some work to finish, unfortunately. I wanted to spend the day with you, but…"

"No worries, Vlad, I'm good by myself." Danny assured him, sightly relieved. It still wasn't very easy to be around Vlad sometimes. It was like Danny was forgettin who he was with, but when he remembered, he started to wait the blow in the back. Even now, remembering his insecurities about the adoption, Danny felt tension between him and Vlad. "If... If you want I won't go through your property without you or Godfrey. I can really go watch a movie or read a book."

"Then I really advise you to look through the bookcase in your room, young Master", Godfrey suddenly said. "Master Masters prepared a little surprise for you."

"Well, thank you, Godfrey." Drawled Vlad. "Now what will I see on his face when he finds it? Hmm, you take all the fun out of these arrangements." He depressively sipped his wine.

"What do you mean? What surprise?" Asked Danny eagerly, not really knowing if to be intrigued or suspicious.

"Ah, see that glint in his eyes, sir? That's what's worth watching right now." Said Godfrey smiling. "So don't claim me a killjoy yet."

"What surprise?" Danny repeated impatiently.

"Well, I suppose I can show it to you before retreating to my study." Said Vlad, smiling at Danny fondly. "And I just must praise you for your table manners now, Little Badger. And here I've been told that you are a bad student." He turned to Godfrey. "What can you say, old friend? Is Daniel a sufficient pupil?"

"More than that, Master Masters. Though as we all know etiquette isn't quite an enjoyable subject to learn, Master Daniel proved himself to be attentive and executive. I must say I am also satisfied with his progress."

Vlad nodded approvingly.

"See, dear boy? Studying isn't your weakness. Now, please, don't push those carrots on the edge of your plate. You are expected to eat all of your vegetables, they are incredibly good for your health."

Though Danny didn't say anything, he felt very happy about Vlad and Godfrey's praises. And he did try not to be so "barbarish" with his food as he sometimes could be. Danny was immensely grateful that it paid off.

And he was really alarmed by his clearly developing split personality. You would think it had to appear when he got a holf of his ghost half, but nooo... It was truly showing himself only now, when he was on the verge of the dilemma of trusting his previous experience or ignore it and go with his wishes and needs.

Wow... Jazz would have been proud of him.

After lunch Danny was accompanied by Vlad back to his room. Vlad was telling him about his summer lessons, and one time Danny caught himself on realizing that Vlad not only wanted to show him a surprise, but maybe was a bit afraid that Danny would disappear in the next second, so hurriedly he spoke.

"Of course, I don't want you to waste all your summer studying. I understand that it is important to be in fresh air at your age." Danny couldn't help but roll his eyes. "That's why we will do a lot of stuff together."

"Like what?"

"I want to introduce you to the world of art, Little Badger. It is very vital for a young gentleman such as yourself to be educated in different areas. Also sports. Perhaps, I will be victorious in persuading you to enter the Goldsword's football team."

"Not a chance", Danny murmured fearfully, remembering the Casper High football team bullying him every chance they got.

"But for now…" Vlad opened the room that he assigned to Danny and walked to the bookcase. "I think you'll find some entertainment here."

Danny came closer and only then noticed which books were on the shelfs.

"Judging by your astonished look, you haven't really looked around yet." Vlad smiled.

"I… I didn't really think I could touch any of this stuff." Danny unconsciously stretched his hand out towards one of the shelves, but quickly remembered his unease and pulled it back.

"Daniel, don't be ridiculous", Vlad exclaimed. "Of course, you are welcome to touch everything here. It is all yours! Including the books."

One half of Danny really wanted to argue with Vlad if only for a change, but the other one really wanted to read those books.

"It just all looks so… expensive…" Danny muttered intelligently. "I'm just nervous… What if I break anything?"

Vlad scoffed.

"Those are just things, Daniel. They are easily replaceable. You, on the other hand, are not, so, please, don't load your psyche even more. What it needs now is rest, and rest you are going to give it." He declared sternly. "And also if you are so shy to ask now, you can find paper and stationery in the drawers of your desk. Now, which book did you want to take?" Danny shakily pointed at one and Vlad took it from its shelf. "Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief. Good choice, Daniel. It's a really decent book."

He passed the book into Danny's arms, the boy's eyes are as round and big as platters.

"W-What do you mean, it's a decent b-book? Have… Have you read it?"

Vlad nodded unwaveringly.

"Yes. I've heard some of my associates' children talk about it with fascination and I've heard your parents talk about it being one of your favourites one time when I was over at your house, so I decided to give it a try. Sometimes I want to read something… easy, you could say, and entertaining to forget about hard work at my companies. This book, just as its descendants in this series… appeared to be more than refreshing and informative."

Danny had a hard time believing this.

"Okay. So what do you think about its plot and characters?" A mischievous smirk worked its way onto his face. Now the Frootloop will fail.

"I find them quite interesting though a little bit of a cliche. But what isn't a cliche nowadays? Annabeth has reminded me of your sister and Perseus is a lot like you. I see why you like this book. It is retelling your life issues almost flawlessly. Though Poseidon here is, like you would say, a jerk. If I had such a son as young Perseus, I would be immensely proud and happy." Danny's smirk faded. So he's really read the book. Suddenly Vlad's features softened. "I would never call him a mistake. Because he couldn't be one."

Danny nodded, but looked at the floor, all of a sudden, finding it very fascinating. Vlad sighed.

"It seems I'll meet you at dinner."

He started to walk away, but Danny's hesitant voice stopped him.

"Do I… Do I have to… dress up?"

Vlad looked at the boy with sympathy and, recollecting the conflict that took place less than a day ago, shook his head.

"No, you may come as you like. I… I think that the most important thing is for you to be comfortable, after all." He smiled at his ward. "Have a pleasant day, Little Badger. And if you would like to read something new… There are some different interesting series in your bookcase that I think you might appreciate. And the grand library is at your full disposal. Of course, as long as you don't destroy it."

Danny nodded.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome, Daniel."

With that, Danny was left alone in the room. He glanced at the bookcase. There were so many books. He didn't even think about looking through them when he was introduced to this room the first time. The whole Harry Potter series, the whole collection of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus, the complete set of the Seven Wonders books by Peter Lerangis… And so much more.

"All of my favourite books…" Danny murmured, astonished. He looked at the covers and found that those were his favourite. "He… really cared enough to… seek all of these books with my most loved covers…" Even the Harry Potter books were with original covers, just like Danny's old worn-out copies. But the warm, tugging feeling inside vanished quickly when he remembered how wealthy Vlad was. He placed all the books in their places and moved away from the bookcase. "He has probably just paid someone to find them all…"

"No, he didn't." Sounded from the side of the still opened doors into the hallway. There stood Godfrey. "Master Vlad has never paid anyone to fetch something for you that didn't go through his evaluation. Everything in this room", he spread his arms out to the sides and looked around, "was selected personally by Master Masters. Every piece of clothes, every poster, every book... He tried to make everything to your tastes, so you would be comfortable here. And to tell the truth, he tried to find the original covers of those wizard-boy books everywhere."

"W-What?" Danny gaped. He quickly took the first book of Harry Potter, The Philosopher's stone. It was the original… wasn't it?.. "I thought those… I thought those were some kind of copies…"

"These are originals. The first ones. The very first exemplars." He smiled gently. "Since those books got so popular nowadays, their covers got changed, as you probably know. And the originals are now really rare. Master Masters was on the hunt for them for a couple of weeks. And when he finally got all seven of them, he was so happy. He said he couldn't wait to present them to you on your graduation from middle school." He sighed. "I understand what you think. That it is… creepy, I suppose you youths say?.. But Master Masters only wants to help you. That's all."

With that he went out of the doors, closing them behind him and saying at last:

"Enjoy your reading, Master Daniel."

When the doors closed, Danny felt his shoulders slump. Vlad did try… for him? It was so obvious, though… something just didn't let him believe it at full extent. But every time he doubted Vlad, he got a proof of his good intentions. Only once he slipped, in the car when they were on the way here.

"Maybe that is what makes me question his motives." Danny decided. With a hard sigh he took Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief from the shelf and carefully lay down on the bed. Opening the book, he read it till dinner and after it till the annoying ghost of Godfrey told him for the tenth time to go to sleep.