"My name is Blair."
A softer but deep voice came from the other boy who had been standing next to Javier. He was the tallest in the group, even a bit taller than the others. That was impressive on its own. Black messy hair with bangs falling over his yellow eyes.
"It’s nice to meet you all."
The prince clapped his hand after our introductions to get our attention.
"Since we’re all here, shall I begin?"
I sat down next to Blair on the round table and turned to look at the prince.
"Prince Halberd, why did you invite us?"
Zelpher asked. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who was dragged here. I never really wanted to talk with any of the heirs since I didn’t see a reason to. They also never tried so it seemed mutual.
But from the interactions of the three, they seemed more familiar with each other. I didn’t know why I was called here; my sister would be more suited for this.
"Its about the church. "
I rolled my eyes, then again. The capital was the main territory of the church, and not many nobles loved it. My family included. From the looks of it, something serious must have happened.
"What did they do now?"
Javier asked in resignation.
"They found the saint and the saintess," the prince paused for all of us to absorb what he was saying, " they will be coming to the academy the day after tomorrow. "
"This is bullshit. Where did they even find them? How come we’re just getting the news now?"
"They were found two days ago," the prince rolled his eyes, " Twins in a small village at the border."
"Where exactly. "
"The eastern duchy ."
"What?"
The prince nodded at the surprised heir.
"And that is a problem why?"
I asked. I didn’t really care if they found fifty saints and saintesses, if it didn’t concern my family, then there was no need to worry.
"The church’s influence will increase. "
"The church’s influence is already strong as it is; it can’t get any worse. They can’t usurp the throne or try to govern, which would go against their doctrines. "
I said nonchalantly. It’s quite ridiculous how seriously they took the church.
"The emergence of the saint and saintess signifies the end."
The prince said worried. That was true. This wasn’t the first saint and saintess to be crowned. In the last war that almost eradicated the kingdom, they had also been found and raised.
They had helped in the war but were still too weak and lost. The bloodmooor had eventually been the saviours.
"But this mainly affects the imperial family, yes?"
I said. They all turned and looked at me as if I had committed a great sin.
"Most nobles get eradicated. "
Blair said, his voice sharp.
"Most. Bloodmoor will not, I don’t see a reason for these childish worries. I’m starving your highness."
The prince sighed.
"There really is no way to convince a bloodmoor, you responded just like your sister."
I chuckled at that. It seems some other prince or princess had tried with her and got the same response. This was probably a political ruse to pull us into their muddy water.
If I decided to listen to the prince and help, I would be pulling the whole family into the crown wars. That was probably what he was aiming for, since he was the most likely to take the throne.
The saint and saintess were nothing but mere tools to the church and nobles. Tools can be destroyed.
"I’ll be leaving your highness. "
I said and stood up. The prince didn’t try to stop me.
"I’ll be leaving as well ."
Blair stood up as well. The prince waved him off. We walked out of the room together.
We walked in silence as we headed for the dorms.
"Young master Lucian."
He called out. We had walked for a while until we were almost at the dorms.
"Yes."
I stopped and looked at him. He appeared even taller under the moonlight.
"I find alchemy quite an impressive field. Its very courageous of you to major in it despite being from a noble household. "
I raised my eyebrows. What was he getting at?
"Thank you for your compliment. "
"I’ve heard about your strengthening and healing potions, they are ten times better than the average potion. I would love to propose a cooperation between us."
He said with a professional smile on his face.
"No."
I said flatly. His eyes widened in surprise
"But why?"
"Blair Aurelius, the third son of Baillieston Aurelius. Born to a dancer, the merchant met during his visits to the coast. You came to his home after your mother died and managed to escape all his wife’s attempts to kill you, proficient in business just like him, but unfortunately, you do not have any rights in the home. Tell me where I’m wrong?"
Blair chuckled. Baillieston Aurelius was a very wealthy merchant, the wealthiest in the kingdom. It was unfortunate he was born a commoner, but despite all this, he established the merchant guild under the very noses of the nobles.
By the time they noticed, he had become too big to eradicate. Even the royal family did business with them.
An impressive fit.
"You’re not wrong young master."
"And why would I need you if I could go to your brother directly? Isn’t he a better choice?"
I said and started to walk away. It was still impressive that he did all that research. I sold the strengthening and healing potion once when mother denied me extra allowance before giving her the illustor formula.
Luna had been the one who had sold it at the merchant guild. It was a desperate moment for me since I needed new slaves during that time.
"I don’t have any affiliation."
His voice echoed in the quiet night.
"I do not see any relevance in that?"
I turned around and told him.
"You can use me however you want as long as you help me with my father."
He added. He seemed pretty confident I would help him.
"I do not want to involve myself in your inheritance mess."
"You can do to me whatever you did to your maid if you don’t trust me. Do you plan on depending on the Bloodmoor family for finance forever?"
Now he got my full attention.
"There is no harm in that. "
"I can help you. I’m very proficient in business. "
"The prince. "
"He has my father’s support."
I burst into laughter. I really didn’t know that. That smiling hypocrite. I could already imagine what happens when he becomes king.
"I like you. Come find me tomorrow after classes."
"Yes, young master."
He smiled and walked to the commoner side of the dorms. Both the boys’ and girls’ dormitories were divided into two categories. The nobles’ dorm was more luxurious, while the commoners, except for the wealthy, didn’t have the best facilities.
Luna opened the door to my room. It was large and fully finished. A sitting area for guests, two bedrooms, and a washing area in each room, since the other room was a servant’s quarters.
I just knew my room was among the best in the academy since I was the duchess’s son, a noble privilege.
"Master, may I ask something? "
Luna said after setting down my dinner. Since I had not eaten, it had been brought to my room by the staff, kept hot by a low-level fire spell.
"Go ahead."
I cut into my steak slowly waiting for her question.
"Is it really okay to accept him? The risks he brings outweigh the benefits?"
I nodded. She was right on that.
"You’re becoming more perspective luna."
I complimented her.
"Thank you master."
"It is a risk I’m willing to take. His highness already has his eyes on us, since I’ve refused him today, we might not really know what he might do."
"But he seemed friendly enough?"
I shook my head.
"That is the effect he wants. Everyone wears a facade. A smile can be the very thing that stabs you. He’s most likely to take the throne, and he would need as much support from the dukes as possible; the Bloodmoor being neutral is a threat to him or any other prince."
She nodded in understanding, which was what I had hoped.
"But what about Sir Blair?"
"He’s a talent, his highness invited him, a commoner, despite knowing he isn’t favored. Why do you think so?"
"He’s very good ."
"Yes. Isn’t it better if he belongs to me then?"
Luna nodded and started to clear out the dining. I sat there just looking at her move professionally. We had really come a long way, from her barely talking to me to now proactively asking questions. That was something I was personally proud of.
I really couldn’t imagine my life without her. Maybe I had gotten too attached, but it didn’t really bother me, she was mine to begin with.
"Master?"
She came and stood in front of me.
"You need to feed its been almost four days without you drinking any blood."
I chuckled and wrapped my hands around her waist. I was too busy with my experiments that it never crossed my mind.
"I love how you remember."
I whispered softly. Her hand hesitantly came and ran through my hair.
"That’s why I’m here, master."