True Love's Seventh kiss: Part 2 Dungeon Break

Ch.5 Sir Henrick

"And this is why I am here, there is no trusting teenagers not to hurt themselves." Siren sighed as she turned on work mode and pressed her hand to Marion's sealed up wound.

She helped with the pain until he was able to straighten back out.

"Better?" she asked.

"Ya..." Marion said as neither he nor Siren noticed how close they were. When he finally looked up, he was met by her bright red eyes staring back at him. "...thanks." he said as he once again realized that he was playing an unfair game with the seven most attractive single women in the empire.

Marion swallowed at the closeness of the beautiful girl and noticed that her face reddened as she stared back at him. Since she was so cloistered, she really didn't get to be this close to attractive men her age. She was also at that age where she started seeing boys as 'men' and Marion was by far the most attractive out of all of them.

Even if her Goddess spited Marion and his patron god, she still told Siren in her dreams to get close to him. She even went so far as directing those around her to make extra steps to ensure something would blossom. The Cowled Mistress was hoping to use Siren's current innocence and good intentions against Marion, and it appeared to be working until someone knocked on the door.

They separated as Kaliban entered, pushing in a cart with tea and snacks.

"I heard this is where you all would be passing the time, so I brought refreshments. Some of our local specialties and some personal favorites of those present." Kaliban came over to the designated study table. He placed two 3-tiered trays full of treats in the center of the table and explained to the Saintess what they were.

Then instead of pouring the tea, he checked his pocket watch. "Ah, yes. My assistant will be here momentarily to pour the tea. Please excuse me." He bowed and took a couple steps back so he would be obscured from seeing the window.

Just then, there were some grunts and panting from the Window. Marion and group turned to see Henry climb in the wind and tumbled in wearing a dirty butler's uniform.

"Captain Rion." Henry gasped, "Thank the north wind." he rolled over and picked his sore body up. "You've got to help me, your butler is mental. I think he is actually trying to kill me." He stumbled over to Marion and guests. "Oh hey." he greeted the saintess as he tried to catch his breath. "Rion, if you see Kaliban, you didn't see me, got it?"

Marion smiled. "I understand."

For half a second Henry was sincerely touched by the magnanimous nature of his lord. And then he noticed how suspicious everyone else was acting.

"He's right behind me... isn't it?" Henry whined.

Marion only smiled and nodded.

"A gentleman does not simply greet the Saintess of the Holy Rurapanthatic Church with a barbaric 'oh hey' we are not in a stable nor are we horses." Kaliban stepped out of the shadows. "Excuse me, lady saint."

Kaliban grabbed Henry and spun him around so he could look at him and then with his swift hands he wiped the dirt off his face and shirt, straightened his clothes, and styled his unkempt hair. Then after a moment he flipped Henry back around so fast Henry was a little dazed.

Kaliban cleared his throat.

Henry shook himself out of his daze and turned to the Saintess. "A shower of greetings for the holy saint, my name is Sir Henrick, the first knight under lord Marion Cliffgard." he bowed with a flourish.

Kaliban watched with a look that simply said that it was good enough for now.

"Thank you, sir Henrick." Siren said.

"This may be our first formal introduction since my appointment. Sir Henrick, I am Commander Miles Squaller, of the sky mage unit Skybound Squallers, under Marion Cliffgard." Miles stood up and nodded his head in respect. "We will be peers serving under Marion, and I look forward to working with you."

Only Kaliban seemed to understand the importance of this introduction because it meant that he had in fact picked his new family name per the customs of sky mages.

"It is my pleasure as well, between my sword and your magic I hope to keep the young lord from hurting himself in the future." Henry said.

"Maybe he will listen to you before he charges face first into danger again." Miles chuckled.

But Henry made a dissatisfied frown. "Not likely, if he listened to me, we wouldn't have ever run into a dragon..."

Then both Henry and Miles had a good laugh.

"That is enough, you two. Loyal vassals should never degrade their lord in front of guests." Kaliban clapped his hands. "Sir Henrick, now we shall practice presentation when pouring tea. Although this is a skill set for a maid assigned to the lord, as his personal knight it is not a skill you can ignore if none are available such as in Cliffgard forest, aboard warships, or on the warfront."

Kaliban showed him the process of steeping and preparing the hot water with magic. "Although it may sound silly and arrogant to present a cup of tea on the battlefield, in such a setting it is treated as a show of loyalty and respect. The hot water or refreshing flavor can rejuvenate the lord who is under the most pressure to pressure the lives and dignity of his men. So it is of the utmost important to show him such support. And in settings such at these, having a reliable vassals serve tea is a show of faith and goodwill to both the lord and his guests."

After the water was heated Kaliban then allowed Henry to pour the tea. "As his vassal, you must always look one step beyond what is just a cup of boiled leaves and see the true meaning of such actions. Both the ritual and the pragmatism can strengthen your lord. Having a trusted vassal prepare tea can give assurances that it has not been tampered with, but also demonstrate to onlookers the loyalty the lord has cultivated. Knights may not need to serve tea, but those that ignore or condemn such a holy rite cannot consider themselves worthy lords or vassals." Kaliban said.

Henry was doing his best to pour the tea but spilled some on the small serving plate and flinched waiting for his reprisal. "Oh sorry. sorry."

Kaliban placed his hands on Henry's shoulders. He then gently straightened them. "Do not cower Sir Henrick, this is not an act of servitude, it is a rite of Pride. Do not apologize for your show of respect, try again. Remember, this isn't about you or the tea. It is about what it means for Marion's trusted knight to serve tea. Hold your head up high, a disloyal knight would never serve tea to his lord and guests, but a loyal one knows that they represent their lord with every action and seeks to serve honorably. You were chosen because you are worthy, not because you were perfect. Continue to serve faithfully, and perfection can be honed with time."

Henry nodded. Although he had been lectured like this day in and day out, it was a sponge who absorbed as much of it as possible. He wasn't traditionally book smart and only half literate, but he knew Kaliban was spending extra time with him to fill in the gaps. So even if it overloaded his brain on many occasions, this was one where things were sticking.

There was a napkin next to the tray but judging by Kaliban's directions there was a better option. He had a couple of handkerchiefs in his breast pocket, but he pulled out the one that was folded for decoration's sake in the outside pocket of his waistcoat and used it to properly wipe down the cup and serving plate of excess tea before presenting it to Marion's guest, the lady saint.

"Please accept this humble offering, Lady saint." as he set a cup in front of Marion and Siren at the same time.

"Good recovery, Sir Henrick." Kaliban clapped with applause. "Please finish serving the tea and then you may take a break to socialize."