A Mansion, Master, And Servants
Unknown Mansion
The best way he could think to describe how he felt right now, was sore, very sore. The knight groaned as his eyes fluttered open to stare at a rather immaculate ceiling. 'I don't believe I'm dead,' he thought to himself as he sat up in the rather lavish bed he'd been placed in. Checking himself over, he noticed that his chainmail had been removed and that he'd been put in a grey robe of sorts. On the plus side, however, he did note that the large cut he'd received on his stomach was gone.
"So much for adding another scar to the collection," Ulric thought aloud as he got out of the bed. 'Now where am I and where's everyone else?' He took a moment to check around for his weapons, noticing that they weren't anywhere in sight, he decided to take a look outside. Pushing the door to his room open, he found himself in a rather immaculate white hallway which was lit by lamps and a number of strange blue lanterns. As he made his way down the hallway, he also noted the red rug and lovely picture on the wall.
'This is a rather long hallway,' Ulric noted as he continued to walk, 'I knew Emilia was certainly well off, but I doubt I've ever seen a mansion as decorated as this one.' The walk down the hallway kept going on and on. In fact, Ulric noticed something rather strange. Looking to his right, he saw the same picture he'd passed a few minutes before. 'There's something off about this place, I know I've seen this part of the hallway before. Is this more of that strange magic that seems to run through this world?' Deciding to go with a different approach, Ulric tried one of the doors.
Amazingly, the door was unlocked and opened easily, into a rather large library. "Okay," Said Ulric as he looked at the many shelves lined with books, "It seems my hostess enjoys reading among other things."
"I also enjoy peace and quiet when I read," said a voice, causing Ulric to jump a bit. Looking down, the knight spied a little girl in an extravagant, long-sleeved red dress with a small red cape around her shoulders. Of course, what really caught Ulric's attention was the ridiculous hairstyle she was sporting. Somehow, the little girl had managed to grow her hair to several feet and then had them tied with bows so they spiraled out on either side of her head.
"My apologies," Ulric finally said, "I'm afraid I'm a little lost. Where exactly is your mistress?"
"One like Betty has no master or mistress," Said the girl as she closed the book she'd been reading, "She has those she has contracted with and those she has not, I suppose."
"Alright, better question then young one," Said Ulric, still a bit confused by the way this little girl was acting. "Is the one who brought me here, Emilia, still around? I need to speak with her."
"As I have said," stated the girl, standing up, "My name is Betty and I am not a 'young one.' A being such as myself has been in this world for centuries. But, if it means Betty will get some peace and quiet to read, then Betty shall assist you, I suppose." The little girl raised her hand up then.
"Is there a reason you keep talking like-WOOOOH!" The young knight was suddenly flung out of the room by some invisible force, which he assumed was due to some magic this Betty person was using, and into a wall. "Ah, I could still be injured you blasted heathen," Said Ulric as he rubbed his back.
"It seems our guess has awakened sister," said a female voice to Ulric's left.
"And it seems he's already causing trouble Rem," said an almost identical female voice. Ulric turned his attention to the voices and beheld two girls who were practically twins, save for one had blue hair and the other had pink hair. Both of them were also dressed in identical black and white outfits with what looked like caps one would wear for cleaning. 'Alright,' Ulric thought, 'Things in this mansion just keep getting stranger and stranger.'
"Do you really believe he is a knight dear sister?" Questioned the one with blue hair.
"If he is, he's a rather poor one, don't you think Rem?" Replied the one with red hair.
"I am standing right here," Said Ulric with a hint of annoyance in his voice, "If you have something you wish to say to me, quit veiling it with petty insults and say it already. Otherwise, I've got more important business to take care of."
"He does indeed doesn't he sister," said the blue-haired one, who Ulric assumed was Rem.
"Such as getting himself a proper sword," Said the red-haired one with a dismissive tone, "Quite embarrassing for him Rem." Ulric quirked an eyebrow at their continued attitude until Emilia entered the room.
"Now that's enough of that you two," Said Emilia, "I've brought him here as our guest, so at least treat him with some respect."
"Of course my sister apologizes Miss Emilia," responded Rem with a slight bow.
"Rem is also sorry," said the red-haired servant with a similar bow before they both exited the room. Ulric simply shook his head as he turned back to Emilia, who was dressed in a more casual pink dress today.
"How are you feeling today sir knight," asked Emilia, "Does anything else hurt or feel unusual?"
"Nothing so far," replied Ulric as he stretched his arms out a little, "I suppose I have you and that healing magic to thank for the fact that I'm still alive."
"If there's anyone who's thankful, it's me," Said Emilia, "I know you're a knight but your loyalties lie with another kingdom. Despite that, you helped me anyway, so for that I'm incredibly grateful."
"Well unemployed I may be," Said Ulric as he rubbed the back of his head, "But I am still a knight and I still have my code to abide by. But either way, I'm glad I was of some use to someone."
"No need to downplay it," Said Puck as he flew out from behind Emilia's hair, "You suffered that wound from saving Emilia's life. To be honest I can't thank you enough for it, so if you ever need a favor, feel free to let me know."
"Ah good morning Puck," Said Emilia as she held out her hands for the cat spirit to land in, "I'm sorry I put you through all that yesterday."
"It's fine," Said Puck, "I was more worried about you, I mean how close that assassin came to slicing you up was gut-wrenching, if you'll pardon the expression."
"Let's just not mention guts or bowels for a little while," Said Ulric, "After running into someone who specializes in cutting up that spot, I'm not too eager to think about it. As for the favor, Emilia healed my wound and brought me here so I feel as though we should be even."
"But you forgot that you also helped get her insignia back," Said Puck, "So there's still that to consider."
"Well if you really insist, I'll see if I can think of something," Said Ulric as a knock on the door drew their attention.
"Lord and Master Roswaal has returned from his business," Said the twin maids, who had returned from whatever business they had been attending too. "He wishes for you both to join him in the dining room."
"A friend of yours?" Questioned Ulric as he turned back to his half-elf friend, "I'm afraid I'll need a minute, given I'm not really presentable for company."
"Of Course," Said Emilia as she shooed the two servants out of the room, "We've gotten some clothes ready for you over in the wardrobe. I'll lead you around the mansion once you're ready." With a final nod, Ulric was left alone in the room to change into a new outfit. It wasn't much, in his opinion, just some light brown pants, brown boots, a white tunic and a type of blue jacket to go over it. But all things considered, it would do until Ulric got his chainmail back.
Looking himself over in the mirror in the corner of the room, the young knight decided this was about as presentable as he was going to get before stepping out into the hallway. "Well that's fortunate," Said Emilia, "We managed to size you correctly."
"I've spent so many days in armor and chainmail," Said Ulric, "It's almost strange when I remove it nowadays. But that's how war is, always be vigilant."
"Well despite what we both lived through," Said Emilia, "There's no war here at the moment, now this way." Ulric followed Emilia and the two maids down the hallway towards the dining room, a walk which actually took a few minutes as Ulric realized this mansion was nearly the size of a castle. But eventually, they finally reached the large and well-decorated dining room.
"You really are a strange one aren't you," said a familiar voice as Ulric looked to the right to see the little, child-like monster Betty. The knight flinched involuntarily at her presence, wondering if she would send him flying again.
"Relax Mr. Ulric," Said Betty with a dismissive wave of her hand, "The only thing you really have to worry about right now is your own cluelessness."
"Well where I come from, little girls don't send soldiers flying with a wave of their hands," Said Ulric.
"Hey Betty," Said Puck with a wave, "Been four days since I've seen you, are things going well?"
"PUCKY!" Squealed Betty, acting for the first time in a way Ulric expected someone of her looks to be acting. "I've been waiting so eagerly for your return, can we spend the day together?!"
"Sure thing," Said Puck as he floated down into her hands, "Today will be all about us hanging out." The spirit ended his sentence with a wink. Betty continued to squeal happily as she made off with the little spirit.
"My my, what an occuuuuuurrence~," said a rather flamboyant voice. Looking over, Ulric had to blink a couple of times to make sure he wasn't seeing things. The man before them was dressed in an extravagant purple outfit with a purple and red cape. But what was most unusual was the man's face, which was so pale it was probably covered with makeup, as well as purple marks over his eyes and some kind of purple lipstick on his mouth. To top it off, he had long blue hair which reached past his shoulders and a bang which covered his right eye.
"It is so raaaare~ to see you out and about, and much less diiiining~ with us Beatrice," said the man, "I'm quite thrilled to see you and I dooooo~ so value a chance for us to spend time together."
"Betty was only waiting here to see Pucky," she replied in what was now a rather familiar tone to Ulric.
"I, uh, thought you said there were no gypsies in this land," Ulric whispered to Emilia.
"He's not a gypsy, what even is that?" Replied Emilia, "He's actually-."
"Now that's quite alright Miss Emilia," said the man, "Allow me to handle introduuuucing~ myself to our guest." Ulric quirked an eyebrow as the man paused for effect. "I am Roswaal L. Mathers, the lord of this manor. Pleaaaaased~ to make your acquaintance Sir Ulric."
"Oh, uh my apologies lord Roswaal," Said Ulric with a bit of a bow, "I meant no offense, I was merely unaware that is was you."
"As I said it's quite alright," replied Roswaal, "Now please, let us eaaaat~." Everyone was in agreement on that as Ulric took a seat next to Emilia while Betty sat across from her. Roswaal, of course, sat at the head of the table while Rem and her sister stood on either side of him. The first few minutes were simply everyone sipping at their soup, but soon enough, the lord of the mansion broke the silence.
"So I'm told you hail from a faraway country Mr. Ulric," Said Roswaal, "And not only that. For whatever reason, you have little knowledge of the commonly known fooooorces~ of this world or the state of Lugnica."
"I've seen when a land is in trouble or at war," Said Ulric as he sipped some more of his soup, "From what I can tell here, this land is prospering rather well. Or at the very least, if there is a war, it's not here."
"Well we're not at war per se," said Roswaal, "But the country iiiiiis~ faced with its own dire situation. You see, this country currently lacks a king." Ulric quirked an eyebrow at that realization.
"Is this common knowledge?" Questioned Ulric, "It would be one thing if the people believed there still was a king and went about their lives. But if everyone knows there isn't a king, then who in the world is keeping order right now? Better yet, how did the country find itself in such a situation in the first place?"
"No need to be so alarmed," Said Roswaal, "The people of this country are weeeell~ aware of the situation at hand, but order is being maintained by a council of eeeeelders~ and wise men. As for how it came to be this way, that's more of a mystery. You see, some time ago an eeeeeepidemic~ spread throughout the king's castle about the same time he went into hiding, leaving only him and his children as the remaining members of the royal family. Currently, the cooooouncil~ is in the process of selecting a new ruler."
"So the country's not in turmoil then," Said Ulric, "Merely in a state of confusion during this royal election. Which would also be a good opportunity for anyone wanting to undermine the country to slip in and cause trouble. Wait, you don't think that's why I'm here do you?"
"It is a little suspicious," Said Roswaal, still keeping his usual gleeful tone, "Upon your suppooooosed~ first day here you manage to run into Miss Emilia and make a direct connection to my household."
"As hard as it may be to believe," Said Ulric, "All of that was sheer dumb luck, if you really wanna call it that. I happened to stumble upon her when a group of thugs were unwisely trying to rob her and did what a knight is supposed to do. Though if it helps, assuming my country is even aware of the existence of this country, we're too busy warring with heretics and infidels to keep ahold of our own holy city to really worry about anyone else. Though I do have one question that's been eating away at me. What exactly is Emilia's status in this country, given that you're the lord of this manor, what does that make her?"
"Well," Emilia said, "My current title is candidate for the 42nd ruler of this country, backed by the honorable Margrave Roswaal." Ulric didn't say anything for a moment before vacating his seat and kneeling on the floor.
"Your highness," He said, "Forgive me, had I known you were royalty I would've been far more cautious. Please also forgive me for any disrespect I may have shown you."
"Please, there's no need to be so formal," Said Emilia, waving her hands in a slight panic, "There was nothing wrong with the way you were acting before. So please, have a seat and allow me to explain how the process works." Ulric nodded as he took his seat again. Emilia pulled out the insignia that Felt had stolen and placed it on the table. Ulric noted a faint glow from the jewel in the center. "This insignia is what qualifies a person to be a candidate for a ruler, it's a mystic touch stone that judges whether or not someone is worthy to sit on the throne of Lugnica."
"So you're telling me what I helped you get back wasn't just an insignia but the very marker used for identifying you as a candidate," Said Ulric, "It's little wonder someone was hired to steal it. A stone like that would be invaluable to the owner and would be perfect to hold as a ransom. Or even worse, someone doesn't want you on the throne and the best way they could think to do that was to have it stolen."
"A likely and also dreaaaaaadful~ scenario," Said Roswaal, "If she had lost it, her caaaaaandidacy~ would've been all but finished. The elders would most ceeeeertainly~ not entrust the rulings of the country to someone who isn't even able to keep up with a tiiiiiny~ insignia."
"Well it certainly makes a lot more sense now why we had to go through all that just to get it back," Said Ulric with a slight laugh, "Deus Vult indeed."
"And of cooooourse~ that means the reward is great as well," Said Roswaal with both arms raised, "Simply make a request, any request and it shaaaaall~ be fulfilled!"
"Well I have actually been giving that some thought," Said Ulric as he crossed his arms, "But I wasn't sure who to ask until now." The knight paused for a moment, trying to think of how best to phrase his request. "You see, there's a lot I don't know about this world, and what's more, the dangers of this place are far different than anything I've ever had to face. So if I'm going to survive here, especially as a knight, I need to learn all I can about fighting like one of your sword masters. So my request is this, teach me how to combat the creatures of this world, so that the next time a heretic raises their blade against me or any of you, I can cut them down!"
And so the plot moves forward as Ulric begins to acquire the knowledge he needs to make it in this strange magical world. Hello there everyone, hope you enjoyed the chapter. Things will be slowing down a little bit for a chapter or two, but don't think that means Ulric will necessarily be relaxing during this time. So as always, feel free to leave your comments and reviews about what you thought of the chapter and if you've got any ideas to make it better. Stop in next time as Ulric learns some new skills, and learns to deal with the strange staff of the Roswaal mansion. 'Til next time.
