During the next few days, I tutored Lucien the best I could so he was aware of what type of life and children would he be around.
Lucien seemed to pay anormal attention for a six year old, and I thought it was normal considering that vampires possibly had another type of social and biological mindset, so I took advantage of that so he could take in as much information as possible.
The issue came with. . . School subjects.
'Wait so. . . Humans do not need to train their instincts?' Lucien asked weirded out.
'Instincts?' I asked.
'Yeah, like their hungry instincts and how to survive in the wild.' Lucien responded.
I thought about it. 'Em. . . No. Not really.' I shook my head.
'Why?' Lucien frowned worried.
'Well, it is not that we don't have instincts, but we humans, have evolved and grown to not depend on them.' I tried to explain as best as I could. 'You see, a long ago, we humans were animals closer to the monkeys and apes. But over time, we've developed a conscience and awareness of who we could be, and what we could possibly do beyond instincts.' I showed him a picture of the old history that my twins used to study for their academy exam. 'Not only that but we also lost A LOT of our body hair and our body structure changed. This is the theory of "evolution," and well. . . I'll be honest, I do not know how or from when vampires evolved from, but again, we humans evolved from ape animals a long long loooong time ago, and over time, we developed out weapons, our cities, technology, filosophy, and well. . . Instincts are not so needed anymore.' I shrugged.
Lucien stared at the picture.
'But of course, there are still humans who live in the middle of the wilderness.' I added. 'Hunters, gatherers, nomads, pilgrims, and so much more, need to develop and train with those survival instincts in order to make out alive through their journey.' I explained it to Lucien taking his chin for him to look up at me. 'But people living in big grounds and cities, well. . . The instincts are not so needed anymore.'
Lucien raised his eyebrows in surprise, clearly not knowing what to say. 'So. . . Humans, trust other humans to survive?' He asked with amazement, as if such thing was unthinkable to him.
'Pretty much.' I nodded confirming. 'We are not perfect of course; there are evil humans as well as evil non-human creatures who rather hurt other humans and non-humans for their own well being. But humans in general, have evolved from animals who enjoy socialization and, in general, we need each other to survive.' I told him with a smile. 'Or haven't vampires taught that when it comes to killing a human alone it is fine, but trying to kill a whole group is suicide?' I asked him.
Lucien frowned a bit, reflecting to what I just said. 'They. . . Taught us to, not trust anyone but yourself.' He looked down playing with vampiric cloak with what I could tell was a sad face.
'I see. . .' I smiled sadly. 'And just to summarize, humans are complicated. Some humans and children will be amazed by you, others will kind, others will be stranged, and others will be just plain cruel just because you are. . . Well, you.' I summarized everything. 'But it is not about tolerating anyone or everyone, just the ones you let inside of your own social circle. You know, like a wolf pack or your vampire clan!' I thought better of it. 'But with humans instead of vampires of wolves though.' I clarified.
Lucien looked up at me in surprise. 'Wait, so. . . I can choose? I don't have to be liked by everyone?' He asked.
'Pfff! Of course not!' I laughed at such thought. 'Humans have diferente opinions, different point of views and different thoughts. Only nobles and rich people have to do pretend to agree with each other for the "sake of peace," but common folk like me, and by stance, you, have a bit more freedom in such cases.' I then took a piece of paper and draw a piramid and wrote a bunch of titles through the spaces that I put. 'I'm sure like, vampire clans, we humans have our own hierarchy.'
I then pointed to the top of the pyramid which had titles of "Emperor," "King," "Church" and "etc." 'We humans often follow an emperor or a king, back a long time ago, we often saw such eladers as "the closest thing to god," but nowadays we are aware of them being just people with power.' I then cleared my throat. 'I suggest you keep the last part to yourself because some humans still see them as such.' I warned and then continued on. 'Beside them them, there's the church full for the "holy people," or as you probably know them, the "anti-vampiric people."' I told him. 'Again, back a long time ago, the church and their followers saw vampiresa as "undead humans," and other non-human creatures as "demon folk," which is why they would often hunt all of them down.'
Lucien looked horrified. '. . . Undead, people?' He asked in whisper.
'Well. . . When a human dies, their heart stops beating and we become pale and cold like a vampire.' I explained to him. 'There's also a myth or leyend that says, if a human gets bitten by a vampire but not devoured, they become a vampire. . .' I trailed off shivering myself. 'Ehem, which is why a lot of people still call the vampire folk "undead humans." Which, is another reason, for you to hide your fangs at school.' I reminded him. 'After all, most childen's parents probably do go to church, and, a lot of those people still have stigma towards vampires. . .' Smiled sadly.
Lucien shrunk down. 'Wait. . . You, don't go to church?' He wondered raising an eyebrow.
'When I was little I was forced to go to church by my mom.' I responded remembering the days of my previous life and seeing the memories of the original Amelia. 'My dad on the other hand, would often find a way to skip church, using his bakery, animals and the fact that he had to provide for both me and my mom as his excuses, often leaving me to my fate. . .' I made a dramatic sigh. 'I don't have anything agaisnt god or the virtues, but I do not believe in the church and what they spread. And of course, I got a mother who might as well be a full fledge believer and tried to push her beliefs on me. . .' I went through the original Amelia's precious memories of boredom as she almost always fell asleep in church and received a scolding from her mother afterwards. 'As soon as I was able to get out of my house, I just stopped going to church. After all, without a husband to maintain me or the six children I have gathered, I might as well actually fallasleep during mass.' I shook my head.
Lucien blinked. 'So. . . You believe in god, but not in the ones they spread his word?' He summarized.
'Yes and no.' I admitted. 'I do believe there's some high and almighty being looked over all of us right now.' I confirmed. 'But I refuse to believe there's only one "true"god, and much less follow a bunch of hypocritical people who despite "spreading the word of our lord or lady," they always leave behind those who are different.' I shrugged. 'I've seen how both human and non-human slaves were treated by the church folk, when they say that "we spread the kindness of the world," and with that, I only reinforce my stance.' I crossed my arms and sighed deeply.
Lucien blinked twice. 'Why did you buy me two sets of church clothes then?' He asked.
'Because of two reasons.' I stated. 'One, not buying you church clothes would be seen as "weird" or "strange" among those who live in town because there's like two new churches; and two, because even if I don't bring you to church, such elegant clothes will be useful for elegant events in the future.' I told him.
Lucien nodded understanding as he relaxed the shoulders.
'Continuing on. . .' I pointed to the next section of the pyramid, which was below the top of the highest and all mighties. These section had the "archdukes," "dukes," "imperial council," etc. 'The archdukes and dukes are the human nobles who are just below the emperor or king. This means that they work to maintain territories for the emperor o king who basically administrates all the empire or kingdom. You would also call them the "Second in command," I believe.' I went on to point to the imperial council. 'The imperial council shapes power over the decisions to make. They mainly respond to the leader on top of them, but they also have the authority to criticize or just plain it adjust the leader's wishes and orders in order for the empire or kingdom to thrive. . . Or at least not to crumble.'
Lucien seemed amazed by such thing. 'So, they can even say no to the leader on top of them?' He asked.
'If the leader's plan is bound to fail or worse. . . I think so.' I nodded confirming. 'But, like the imperial council can control the emperor or the king in charge, the emperor or king controls the council.' I clarified. 'It is a delicate balance to keep both sides happy, but at the same time there's enough conflict to desire more and more from each other.' I then thought of a better way to explain things. 'Another way to see it, is that the whole nobility thing is more like a giant golden cage, where every single high noble wants to be the owner, but for the sake of peace, they let the emperor keep the highest amount of power as long as he let's the council have their way to some extent.'
Lucien then frowned. 'Then it is not so much different from a clan.' He determined.
'Heh, maybe.' I nodded to that, while I admit I had no idea how vampire clans worked. 'But let's continue with the next part.' I pointed to outside of the second section which had princes and princesses. 'As for these, the princes and princesses are the children and, or, descendants of the leader at the top. They are the next in line to rule the empire or kingdom when the leader dies.' I explained briefly.
Lucien stared at such position. 'Then, their future has already being decided on? That sounds like a cage inside the palace.'
'Well, yes.' I confirmed. 'Primarily, the oldest son gets to rule after the leader dies, while the other children below the oldest can have a bit more freedom, but at the same time, almost every child gets a fair chance if certain factors are made.' I explained. 'For example, if the first son and heir to the throne becomes too weak or actually dies by any reason, the next son in line gets to become the heir. . . If there are anymore sons that is.'
Lucien gulped. 'What about the daughters?'
'Ssssss. . ..' I hesitate to respond. 'Well. . . Women do not have much power in a patriachal system such as being ruled by an emperor or king, so, even if a daughter is the first born, the only way for her to become the solitary empress or solitary queen is to be able to stay single and not have any brothers whatsoever.' I exhaled. 'Which both things can be difficult to fullfil because, more often than not, the emperor or king makes sure to arrange the marriages of his daughter or daughters, and, in a lot of monarchies, the emperor or king gets to have a harem of women who can eventually get him more heirs if the empress or queen cannot do so.'
Lucien frowned at that. 'In vampire clans, women had as much power as men.' He told me. 'The system you tell me, is as if being born a female gives you an eternal disavantage.' He muttered in disgust.
'Well yeah.' I confirmed. 'In fact, very, and I mean VERY few human women get the freedom to choose and have independence.' I admitted to the child. 'In fact, if you are a woman, you get to become a lady "ready for marriage" as soon as you turn sixteen or eighteen, and either you or your parents must have a dowry ready so the husband can "take care of you properly."' I shivered in disgust at that rule. 'One of too manyreasons as to why I will never marry.' I chuckled.
Lucien then turned to look at me.
'If I marry, my restaurant, my mini houses, my small cottages and small farm, along with my savings and, by default all that I have constructed by myself will go to my husband because it is "his right."' I mocked the last few words. 'So, I pretty much ignore any "courtings" from men and I have to always be one step ahead from conservative people who want to ruin my reputation and make me marry as a "last resource."' I stated with annoyance. 'The human world will always look down upon women, even if the social rules and stance change. The best thing I can do is live my life, and by that, giving my children, the best life I can as well.' I patted Lucien's head.
Lucien lowered his gaze, with a sneer of disgust towards the pyramid.
'Coming back to the pyramid, below the dukes, the next three sections go to Marquess, the ones who keep an eye on borders regions and often support dukes; the counts who are referred to as "royal governors" of cities who can either be subordinantes to the dukes, or if they respond directly to the emperial or monarchy, they are called "free counts," for they don't respond unless it is to the direct royal family.' I went on to explain the rest of the hierarchy of humanity. 'Earls have almost if not the same level of power as the counts, and their job is the same as the counts so. . . Yeah, not much difference.' I then pointed to the next section below. 'Next, is the viscount, are basically the deputies of the counts.' I followed to the next section below the viscounts. 'Then, we have the barons, who have the lowest nobility titles in the land, buuuuuut, are still lords with power and land.' I told him.
Lucien seemed concentrated into understanding the human hierarchy the best he can.
'Then, we can follow the knights, lords, and gentleman who, despite not being nobles they are socially important, for the knights are supposed to be the protectors of territories, borders and inside of the cities, towns, forts, etc.' I pointed to the section below the barons. 'The knights have their hierarchy depending if they served a noble or they work in the imperial army, but even I am not familiar so we can skip it.' I went on to point to the lords. 'The lords often work directly under the barons, and manage to get the taxes from the common folk, have their own stores, land and other things. And the gentlemen, well. . . They are often merchants and traders who come here and there selling and buying things for commerce.' I explained the most simple way I could to the child.
Lucien raised his eyebrows in surprise, seemed to frown at the information.
'Then, we have the common folk.' I pointed to the second to last section of the hierarchy. 'These people are, well, everybody else. Farmers, welders, tradesmen, craftsmen, peasants, and, well, basically anyone else who has to pay taxes to the lords, barons and in this town's case, mayor. . . Who is basically just another "baron" in this case, and, by default, me and, by double default, you, are.' I stated. 'And, last but not least. . .' I smiled sadly and pointed to the lowest section in the hierarchy. 'Slaves. . . Those poor souls who are bound by their masters and forced into doing free labor for their masters. . . . My twins, the ones I told you about before, were slaves as well, but I saved them from living there by buying giving their "owners" a basket full of good food, and by becoming my children, they went up the hierarchy to becoming peasants like me.' I took a deep breath and sighed.
Lucien looked at me with what I could tell was respect and seemed exhausted by the information.
'Because we are common folk, at the very least we only have to worry about being able to pay taxes, make enough food for winter and practically that is it.' I shrugged. 'Politics and wars are for knights and nobles to worry about, so, if you want to avoid any sort of drama, stay away from them like me.' I told him.
Lucien thought about what I just said for a second. 'Wait, so. . . Humans just live and survive without fighting for power?' He asked.
'Pretty much, yes.' I nodded. 'Orat least that is how we, the common folk live.' I clarified. 'If you had been adopted by a knight, you would be expected to become a knight to fight for the empire and the emperor, or if you were adopted by some human noble, you would be entangled in the web of power struggles of the nobility which, often times than not, it ends up with being on the look out for people who would want to posion you and kill you.' I explained things to him. 'And, last but not least, nobles and the church people, have a HUGE prejiduce against vampires, so. . . Feel yourself lucky that you did not end up in nobility.' I pointed out.
Lucien gulped down, probably imagining a hard life that he would have had, had he not end up with me.
I then paused the lessons, gave him a break and a snack so he could regain his energy and rest his brain, while I went and gave Liam and my baby girls the attention they needed and wanted.
After a while, I went through the real school subjects that he would go through. I first checked the schedule and the things Lucien was going to need for each class:
"School schedule:
1. 8:30 a.m - 9 a.m — Entering to class:
- Playing and talking until 9.
- Potty before class.
-Prepare school supplies once inside.
2. 9:05 a.m - 9:35 a.m — Reading Morals and Good conduct:
- Notebook(s)
- "Basic manner's for children" by specific author (found in *specific store*)
- Pencil and/or crayons.
- Eraser
- Sharpener razor.
3. 9:45 a.m - 10:15 a.m — Basic math:
- Notebook
- Pencil and red crayon.
- Eraser
- Sharpener razor.
4. 10:15 a.m - 10:45 a.m — Break time:
- Snack and/or water
- Potty
5. 10: 45 a.m - 11:15 a.m — Basic history and geography:
- "History of our Empire for children" by specific author.
- "Geography for children" by specific author.
- Notebook(s)
- Pencil and crayons.
- Eraser
- Sharpener razor.
6. 11:25 a.m - 11:55 a.m — Drawing and Caligraphy:
- Notebook
- Sketchbook
- Pencil and crayons.
- Eraser
- Sharpener razor.
7. 12 p.m - 1 p.m — Recess and games:
— Lunch time
— Outside games
— Story break
— Potty time
8. 1:05 p.m - 1:45 p.m — Music and singing:
- Children Songs by *specific author*
- Music basic's for children (found in any general store)
- Notebook or Notebooks (if you prefer to keep singing and Music apart)
- Pencil and/or crayons.
- Eraser
- Sharpener razor.
9. 1:50 p.m — Home time:
— School day ends
— Parents and guardians must either come to pick up children or the children can go home by themselves now.
Note: It is suggested for the Parents or guardians that they supply the child or children with mínimum two pencils, one eraser, one sharperner razor for all classes, and two crayons for every class. We also suggest you supply the child with more than one notebook per class IF there is more than one book required per that class.
Note: The school also highly suggests (and recomends) that you find a way to put the child's name in every item that he will bring to school for safe keeping."
Lucien and I looked at each other after I read the list for him out loud. 'Hmm. . . I'll buy the things I can during the rest of the week, and during the weekend we shall go to the city and find the things I was not able to get you here. Sounds good?' I proposed.
Lucien, who still seemed to digest what he was going to learn at school, nodded slowly.
'Very well.' I then wrote some small math exercises as well as made an alphabet on paper with different crayons that Liam shared with me. Once I was done I gave the exercises, some paper and the alphabet. 'Here you go. Try it out on your own, it is okay if you fail, I just want to find out on what you need to progress.' I told him giving him a pencil, an eraser and some crayons. 'First try the math additions and subtractions, and then try to write some of the letters from the alphabet the prettiest you can manage.' I instructed him. 'If you get out of paper, there is more with Liam.' I pointed to where Liam is drawing. 'Once you are done, we'll see where you are and then see what you can improve in, sounds fair?'
Lucien nodded and I left him to do as he needed.
I then went all the way downstairs and found myself with a small line of non-humans waiting to pay their food. 'I apologize for the wait, the children could not wait either, Hehe.' I let the group of goblins enter first and we started negotiations.