As instructed, I pushed the heavy oak doors open. They creaked with a weight that felt like history itself, and I stepped into the office alone. The sunlight streamed through the high lancet windows, illuminating the dust motes that danced like tiny spirits over the mountains of state documents.
I could smell the old, warm leather. Even the faint, sweet and even the smoky aroma of the Old parchment papers.
The King was at his desk, Reading some important royal documents that, i have no idea of, but What's more important is that, he wasn't alone.
Beside him stood a man who seemed to radiate a quiet, sharp elegance. He had snow-white hair tied back in a neat ponytail and piercing blue eyes framed by silver-rimmed glasses.
If John, the librarian, was a 'Mad Researcher Scholar' driven by chaotic curiosity, then this man was a 'Civilized Curious Scholar'—refined, precise, and utterly composed.
As expected, He has found one for me. But this certainly is quicker than I expected.
"You've come" The king slowly moved his focus from the documents and looked at me.
Of course, I did. can't defy the master of the house I live in, can i ?
"Yes," I replied, keeping my posture straight despite the lingering ache in my muscles.
"I heard from your instructors yesterday" the King said, a trace of something—perhaps amusement—flickering in his voice. "They praised you quite a lot. It seems your first day of training exceeded their... expectations."
His current expression is quite similar to my neighborhood uncle, who would come to our at least ones a week and brag about his Son's achievements. A proud father.
On that note, I hated that uncle, Its good that your son is doing good but why are you so insistent on lighting fire on someone else's son's life. If not for his Christmas gifts, It would have been me who lights fire in his life. I would probably start with his house.
I stayed silent and let him talk.
"The reason I have called you here is that your royal tutor has been chosen" He said and gestured toward the white-haired man.
The scholar offered the King a shallow bow and then walked toward me. He stopped at a respectful distance and bowed again—this time, a full, formal greeting to a Prince.
"Greetings, Your Highness," he said, his voice as smooth as polished marble. "I am Vilas La Wisse. From this day forward, I shall have the honor of serving as your tutor."
Wisse ? You mean that Wisse Family ? The Marquis Wisse ?
I know them. The Wisse family wasn't just any average noble Family; they were the very definition of the concept of 'Royalists'. They have been extremely Loyal to the Regulus Family and had served as the administrative heart of the Regulus Empire for generations.
But again His family was not the thing that I am surprised about. Choosing someone from a Royalist family was a given decision.
He really does look like him. I thought as I looked at the man before him.
The reason I am Actually surprised about this choice is because of whose younger brother and left hand man this guy is.
The prime minister, The king's pen, Vilion La Wisse, the current head of The Wisse Family. Vilion is the current Marquis Wisse And Vilas's Older brother.
There are certain honorary titles that, people who have served Royal Family well and have racked up noteworthy Achievement, receive.
For example, Vilion has the title 'The King's Pen', Our dear Royal guard George Gard has the title 'The King's Shield' and The current Grand Duke Volk is known as 'The King's Sword'.
And the younger brother of such a person, who is also an important part of the king's workforce himself, has been chosen as lil ol me's tutor.
Unbelievable.
I looked at my father who was reading documents but i could tell that half of his attention was focused on us.
Is this the legendary 'father's way of loving' ? Not explicitly expressing his love but instead providing the best of the best possible for his family.
Not that I am unfamiliar with it. In fact, Nick's father had been exactly the same after he started high school. The affection wasn't in the words; it was in the high-quality textbooks and the silent support.
"Greetings to you too, ...Teacher" I replied, offering a nod of respect.
"Alright, Your lessons will begin tonight at the Arbutus Palace," the King stated, his tone final. "Vilas, you may leave us. I wish for a moment of privacy with my son."
"As you wish, Your Majesty." Vilas bowed with practiced grace and exited the room, the click of the door echoing in the sudden silence.
After Vilas left, I turned back to the King. The air in the room seems to grow heavier. Or is it just my imagination ?
Do we have something more to talk about ? I thought Vilas was the only reason for this sudden Parent-child meeting.
He stayed silent and looked at me from head to toe as if trying to find out any sign of improvement in me from yesterday's training and then he took out a paper from the drawer of his desk and put it on the table for me to see.
What's this ? He's not gonna make me sign some stupid agreement, saying its not his responsibility if i end up dead during training, is he ? He's not, Right ? Right ?!