After receiving the offer to join the Vermillion family, I left with Young Master Aleric toward Vermillion territory. The estate lay near the Deadrock Forest, a place infamous for its powerful beasts. To reach Vermillion, one had to pass straight through that forest.
I had never left my town for as long as I could remember, so this journey felt terrifying. Every rustle in the forest made my heart race.
Young Master Aleric was inside the carriage, while I walked alongside the other guards. Along the way, he gave instructions to them, informing everyone that I would be joining the Vermillion family as his subordinate.
I didn't know what my role would be, but whatever task I was given, I swore to do it with all my heart. Tightening my fist, I made my resolve.
After two days and two nights, we finally arrived at the Vermillion estate. It was so vast it looked like a town of its own. I couldn't even imagine how people managed to live in a place like this.
The carriage stopped at the main gate. Young Master Aleric stepped down and glanced at me, offering a few words of guidance. I felt so nervous that I stared at my feet, afraid that meeting his eyes would betray my unease.
A man dressed in polished clothes approached me. "Follow me," he said.
Without hesitation, I did as told.
As we walked, he asked, "Who are you?"
"I don't have a name," I replied. "I'm nobody."
He paused, clearly taken aback. Then he asked, "Are you a spy?"
"A spy? Me? No."
I almost laughed at the thought. Had he ever seen a spy barely clinging to life like me? Of course, I kept that to myself.
"You will be the young master's personal guard," he continued. "You will train, and you will stay by his side day and night. As for your name—Young Master has already chosen one."
Then why ask so many questions? I wondered. But I pushed the thought aside. For now, I just needed to endure.
"The young master is waiting. Let's go."
We entered a luxurious room. Young Master Aleric was already seated on a chair, smiling calmly, as if everything in the world was under his control. I didn't know how to feel about that smile.
The man beside me spoke. "I am Luca, the young master's personal butler."
I nodded slightly.
Aleric looked at me and said gently, "You need a name. Do you have anything in mind?"
"I don't," I answered. "As long as I can remember, I never had time to give myself a name. If you don't mind, Young Master, please give me one."
He smiled. "From now on, you will be called Ryu."
Ryu… It sounded good enough. A name was just a name, after all.
My stomach growled, reminding me how hungry I was. I smiled faintly and asked, "Is there anything else you need from me?"
Luca stepped forward. "To serve the young master, you must take an oath—an oath that you will never harm him or hold any ill intentions toward him."
"Alright," I said without hesitation. I had no such intentions anyway.
The butler nodded and led me to an altar. "Take some of your blood and spill it here."
At his words, my hair stood on end. The thought of pain made my eyes sting with tears, but I still drew my blood and let it fall onto the altar.
"I, Ryu, swear in the name of heaven and earth that I will never harm Young Master Aleric Vermillion, nor bear any ill will toward him. If I break this oath, may I perish."
As soon as the oath was complete, an inexplicable feeling washed over me—as if I had been firmly bound to Aleric.
The butler smiled. "Go to the servants' quarters. Training will begin tomorrow."
Excitement surged through me. I was going to become strong. That was the only thought in my mind as I left the room.
—
Luca watched Ryu's retreating figure before turning to Aleric. "Young Master, why did you choose him? I don't believe he is particularly special. And why tell everyone you are gathering talented youths, when you haven't gathered any?"
Aleric smiled faintly. "You will understand in the distant future. I wanted to bind him to the Vermillion family. I suspect Father has no faith in me—but he will regret that someday."
For a moment, an image flashed through Aleric's mind: Ryu being beaten, crying, pleading—yet still staring forward with those unyielding eyes.
"Time will tell," Aleric murmured. "Only time will tell whether my decision is right or wrong."