Point of View: Lucius Freimann
After my quick encounter with Count Albert, Margareth called us in. Walking through the corridors, I had that familiar feeling: every corner of that house breathed nobility, wealth, and an arcane knowledge that seemed to float in the air. The corridors were decorated with vases that, without exaggeration, must have cost what our fiefdom collects in an entire month. On the walls, paintings told her story — how a simple commoner reached the top of the Arcane Nobility.
The corridor was long, and we only stopped in an antechamber. There, Margareth asked Elian to wait while the two of us went to another room.
— Sit down, Lucius. — Margareth said, looking me straight in the eyes.
I sat in the armchair she pointed to. We sat facing each other, she comfortably settled on a three-seater sofa. As I adjusted myself, I quickly glanced around the room.
It was a bright place, with a lit fireplace in the left corner. On top of it, vases with red flowers, I think roses. On the other side, white flowers, which looked like lilies. The air had a pleasant floral scent, subtle, which must have come from them.
On the walls, more paintings: battle scenes, swordsmen and arcanists fighting huge monsters and soldiers — perhaps from the kingdom of Alafia. In front of me, a small table where a maid had just left a teapot.
I waited for Elder Margareth to take the first sip, out of respect. As soon as we put our cups back on the table, I remained quiet, waiting for her to start speaking.
A thousand questions ran through my mind. What did she want to tell me? Was it related to the Count's visit? Did he tell her to stop teaching my son? These thoughts made me anxious. I was already almost freaking out, but I knew that thinking nonsense wouldn't help. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down, and then Margareth began.
— Lucius, first of all, Albert's visit was official. In fact, a verification visit, requested by the Kingdom. I don't need to explain the reasons, but before you start creating theories... it has nothing to do with your son.
She calmly brought the cup to her lips, took another sip, without taking her eyes off me. I think she had already figured out the confusion in my head. She really knows me... I thought, a little embarrassed.
— So... what exactly would you like to talk to me about, Elder Margareth? — I asked, trying to keep my voice respectful.
Her gaze changed. It became firmer, almost reprimanding me, as if she didn't like the way I called her. Then, she spoke softly, but directly:
— Lucius... — she paused briefly —, when we are alone, you can call me grandma, as you used to when you were a child.
I remained silent for a moment, looking at her, as old memories returned. I remembered the days when I secretly came to Grandma Margareth's mansion to play with her. Even though she had "disinherited" my father for political reasons — to protect him from the persecution of the Pure-Blood Nobility and the old king, who hated the Arcane Nobility —, she never stopped being our family. My father, despite everything, never forbade me from seeing her. He himself never stopped visiting her. But, for safety, we always had to act as simple vassals, not as grandchildren.
— Even if you say that... it's kind of hard to call you grandma. I know the sacrifices you made, but...
I wanted so much to call her that. I wanted to run and hug her like in the old days. But something held me back. Something invisible prevented me. I knew it was wrong. I knew she loves us more than anything. I knew she agreed to train Elian because of me, because of my stubbornness. So... why couldn't I?
— It's okay. — she replied, with a slight smile. — You don't have to force it. But remember: I will always be your grandmother. Just as I am Elian's great-grandmother... and his master. One day, we'll have to tell him. But that's not why I called you here. The matter is different.
She looked at me firmly before continuing:
— Lucius... do you intend to train Elian as an Arcane Swordsman, as your father trained you?
Arcane Swordsman... I murmured softly.
— Honestly? I was thinking about it. But why the question?
— Well... I advise you not to do that. Not that he doesn't have talent, quite the opposite. But I think he'll do better as an Arcanist. Like me. Of course, I'm not saying to forbid him from learning to use swords... teach him the basics, enough for him to defend himself if someone gets close. But his path is different. Let him be an Arcanist.
Being an Arcanist... I knew she was right. Elian awakened too early — and already as a Spark. It was the clearest sign that his soul was born for the arcane arts. That was the right path. But... my pride stubbornly refused to accept it.
As I got lost in these thoughts, Grandma Margareth looked at me in that way that seems to read the soul. Then, she continued:
— I know how great your pride as an Arcane Swordsman is. You looked up to your father — my son —, who looked up to his grandfather. It's a beautiful legacy. But trust me, Lucius: your son's talent is different. Teach him to use a sword, yes... but only the basics. Let me train him as an Arcanist.
At that moment, she looked directly into my eyes and — to my complete surprise — bowed right there, sitting. A deep bow, full of meaning. Her voice came right after, low, but firm:
— Today I am the one asking you: let me train him as an Arcanist. Please, Lucius.
I was speechless. I never thought I would see an Archduchess — even without the official title — bow her head to a mere Baronet. And what's more: to her own grandson.
— Raise your head, grandma. — I asked, speaking softly.
She looked at me and obeyed, with a slight smile. I took a deep breath and continued:
— It's true that I would like him to be a swordsman, like me... but I also know that he would be better as an Arcanist.
It was the pure truth. Even if my pride screamed against it, I knew. Elian was special. The fact that he awakened so early, like Grandma Margareth herself, was something that couldn't be ignored.
I looked at her with affection and said:
— Take good care of him, grandma. I only ask one thing of you.
— What? — she asked, still smiling.
— Don't let your anger against the Kingdom get in the way of what you're going to teach him. Elian is still too young to understand what happened in the war. I know you are fair and wouldn't let bad feelings influence your decisions... but, please, let him draw his own conclusions when he grows up.
— Of course! — she replied, firmly. — Even if I harbor a deep hatred for the Pure-Blood Nobility, I would never try to make him feel the same. Besides... — she said, with an amused look — I think you already noticed that, earlier today.
As she spoke, a sweet and sincere smile appeared on her face. There was no bitterness there, only tenderness.
— There's another matter I wanted to talk to you about. — she said, in a lighter tone. I nodded, and she continued: — Elian's third birthday is coming up. What do you plan to do for him?
It was true. In five days, Elian would turn three. Not that I had forgotten, but... for the first two birthdays, even with grandma visiting us, she had never brought up the subject.
Has she grown so fond of him? I thought.
— We'll probably have a small celebration. Nothing too big... since he doesn't have any friends yet, it will be something more symbolic. Why do you ask?
She looked at me in that way that always precedes an unexpected idea.
— What do you think about having the party here, at the mansion?
— What? — I asked, surprised. — Are you sure, grandma? Even after so long trying to stay away so as not to get us into trouble... what changed?
She smiled. That sweet, charming smile, but this time with something more: true joy.
— Times are different, Lucius. Even if I am still seen as an outcast because of the war, the old king — that fawning pig of the Pure-Blood Nobility — is no longer on the throne. — Her expression darkened for a second, her eyes hard with the memory. But she soon smiled again and continued:
— Besides, Elian is my apprentice now. He will already bear the weight of being trained by me. Having the party here or not won't change that. But you know what will change? I'll be able to give him a worthy gift... worthy of a future Arcanist.
So she's going to start spoiling him... just like she used to spoil me when I was little?
I couldn't help but smile. It was just like grandma to do that.
— I can't promise anything now... — I replied, trying not to laugh — but I'll talk to Maria and then I'll give you an answer. Agreed?
She nodded with an understanding look.
The conversation ended there. We got up and went to the antechamber, where Elian was playing alone. I approached him, hugged him tightly, and said goodbye, promising to come back for him at night.
And, just for the record...
Maria loved the idea of having the birthday party at Grandma Margareth's mansion.