When Will went out to the backyard, he was surprised to find that there was a fencing area here. After examining it, he approached Goldfrey, who was studying the blades with interest at that moment.
- I have no experience with a sword, but I would like to learn how to use a dagger or an axe.
Will said, expressing his preferences.
Will's choice was obvious. Due to his profession, he was proficient with a dagger. Although he always had a gun, sometimes it was not at hand, and the dagger was always with him. He learned how to handle an axe from his colleagues, with whom he went to duels in the style of the Middle Ages.
Goldfrey, hearing Will's words, grinned and handed him the dagger.
- A dagger is the main blade for a servant, and an axe would be too bulky and inconvenient.
Picking up the dagger, Will examined it carefully. The dagger was simple but sharp enough, and there was an engraving on the handle that resembled a fox. Tearing his gaze away from the dagger, Will walked over to the mannequin and turned his attention to Goldfrey, who was standing next to another mannequin, also holding a dagger in his hands.
- Follow my movements, and soon you will understand everything for yourself and become a true professional in handling a dagger.
Goldfrey said, starting to show offensive and defensive techniques that demonstrated his skill.
Will tried to follow Goldfrey's movements, but his weak body quickly tired from such exertions. He stumbled and fell, but each time he got up and continued his attempts. These workouts clearly showed that his new body is not ready for such loads. Will thought about other ways to fight, but put those thoughts aside and continued to improve his skills and fitness.
***
It had been three days since Will had studied the art of being a royal servant at Renard's house. During this time, he had made considerable progress with the dagger, but his body was still not ready for long-term training. During the sparring with Goldfrey, Will was unable to withstand his pressure, it was difficult for him to withstand his powerful blows, even though they were training with non-real blades. However, in these duels, he learned how to take a more advantageous position, which allowed him to stand longer. These defensive skills became the foundation for him, which gave him a chance to last longer. There were more difficult tasks ahead of him — discipline and fulfilling the duties of a servant.
After lunch, when Will was clearing the table after dinner, Renard came up to him with a piece of paper in his hands. Turning to Will, he handed him a note and said:
- There will be a tea party in the Great Hall of the Royal Residence tomorrow. I didn't think I'd be invited to such an event, but I was thinking about you. Wouldn't you like to come with me too?
Looking at the invitation card for Renard Volpe and his servant, Will thought that this was a great opportunity to go with Renard and learn more about the Royal Family and the life of the upper classes.
Will looked at Renard, who, with a slight smile on his face, seemed to be saying: "This is a great offer for you." But then he remembered that Renard no longer had a title, and now he was just an ordinary person.
"What am I thinking about? It's important for me to get more information about the royal family, but I don't care about Renard," Will thought.
After considering the possibility, he nodded in agreement. Seeing that Will accepted his offer, Renard turned around and headed towards Goldfrey. Will watched as they talked to each other on the sidelines, and then returned to his duties as a servant in the house.
After finishing cleaning, Will headed to Renard's office to discuss the upcoming event. However, when he knocked on the door, there was no answer. Thinking that Renard wasn't there, Will decided to look for him.
After going through the whole house, but still not finding Renard, Will decided to turn to Goldfrey. When he saw him, he came over and asked:
- Goldfrey, have you seen Mr. Renard?
After a moment's thought, Goldfrey looked out the window and replied:
- He's probably in the garden, tending the flowers. He himself ordered that no one should disturb him at this time, and he would take care of the garden himself. When he's not at home for a long time, he asks me to look after the garden.
Will, having received some not very useful information, headed for the exit of the house. When he went outside, he saw Renard watering plants and flowers, and decided to wait until he was done with the work in the garden. Will sat down at the table, which was located outside, and, sipping warm tea, began to wait.
After a while, Renard finished his business in the garden and, gathering up his tools, headed for the house. However, as he passed by, he noticed Will, who was sitting and staring intently in his direction.
Will got up and went over to Renard and took the tools from him. Noticing that Renard was looking at him questioningly, he decided to speak.
- Mr. Renard, I would like to ask you about tomorrow's event. Will I need to be there and do something?
Hearing Will's question, Renard thought about it. After thinking over some details, he decided to share his thoughts with the young man.
- Will, Duke Favian Gofard will probably be joining us at tomorrow's event. He became a duke when my title and lands were stripped from me. I don't hold it against him, but I know he's not a good character. Please be attentive to him, he may do something that may negatively affect you.
After thinking about Renard's words, Will realized that even among the representatives of high society there are people who behave inappropriately. He could use them to improve his reputation, but he would have to make every effort to do so.
"I've cast the bait, and all you have to do is catch it, Favian."
Will thought about the upcoming event and suggested that Renard would hardly have been invited just like that. He began to suspect that people might know about him, or even already know about him. It was impossible to hide for long, but Will could hide his identity by posing as an ordinary servant of Mr. Renard.
Renard, noticing Will's thoughtfulness, patted him on the shoulder to bring him back to reality. Then he called the young man after him and headed for the house. Will sighed at the new information and followed Renard.
"Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day, and I was hoping to just stand and drink tea," he thought.
When Will went into the house and put down his tools, Goldfrey came up to him.
- Young Master Will, let's practice again, this is the most important thing right now.
With that, Goldfrey headed towards the fencing area. Will had no choice but to follow him. Deep down, he understood that training was of great importance to him, because it was his only way to protect himself.
We approached the fencing area and, having prepared, began the duel.
Out of breath, Will fell to one knee, clutching the dagger, and looked in surprise at Goldfrey, who was not even out of breath. It seemed to him that he was giving his best, while Goldfrey was only half of it. Looking at Will, who was already barely able to stand, Goldfrey said to him:
-Young Master Will, this is the end of our training. Go and take a bath, and then join us for dinner.
As he entered the house, Goldfrey turned around and saw Will get up and dust himself off. He remembered that he had once been the same, stubborn and persistent.
"He's already very good with a dagger, I've taught him everything I know," Goldfrey thought as he entered the house and headed for the kitchen.
Looking at the sky, Will thought that these training sessions would never end. But he understood that it was necessary to enhance his skills with a blade. Turning, he headed for the bathroom, grabbing some clean clothes on the way. Entering the room, he prepared the water and immersed himself in a hot bath with pleasure.
"Could it be that Renard still holds a grudge against Favian?" Will thought. Pushing these thoughts aside, he happily began to wash. After taking a bath and changing into clean clothes, Will headed to the dining room, where the others were already gathered. He sat down opposite Renard and, thanking him for dinner, began to eat. Renard watched Will leisurely sip his warm tea and wanted to tell him something important, but decided to postpone the conversation until a more appropriate time.
After dinner, when the dishes were cleared away, everyone went to their rooms. Will thought about the day ahead as he headed to his room. Entering the room, he immediately changed into his pajamas, lay down on the bed and, discarding unnecessary thoughts, fell asleep, looking forward to the new day.