Appetency

NINETEEN

   Trenton and Miss Belinda stare at their young master for a good while. After that trip Laurent had with the saint, he surprisingly came back in a good mood.

In a very pleased state.

They figured Laurent would hate having to go around and show their territory to the saint, but when their young master came back down from the carriage, the servants were immediately baffled by the sight of Laurent clinging onto Saint Amren's arm as if he were some spoilt brat.

Sure, perhaps he should watch how others perceive of him, but Laurent really didn't care. Not when Amren gave him two vials of holy water, and all that was required was a bit of accompaniment for their next trip together.

It's rather strange though. No matter how much of a good person Amren was, didn't he have a bad impression of Laurent in the beginning? Plus, the two of them rarely interacted with each other in the official game play other than the times Laurent went to confront and harass Amren.

Well, Laurent supposes he got lucky in this run. As long as Amren stays out of his way and keeps supplying those vials, he'll keep up this farce and go on as many trips with the saint as long as the man wished.

Unfortunately, he had forgotten he's got other matters to tend to. Laurent was still cooped up in his estate, burying himself in work while Seamus was drowning in their late father's business. So, it was up to his little brother to pick up the slack to which Seamus was more than happy to dump the load onto Laurent's hands.

"Thank you for coming to our home. I appreciate you making the journey to take a look around our territory as well."

Laurent politely greeted the man in front of him as they dined alone together.

It's an advisor. One sent from his grandfather to introduce systems of survival the north had implemented themselves against the growing demon attacks.

This man, Lord Brenn, had been with his grandfather for nearly forty years and was every bit of a soldier Laurent expected. Imposing, tall, and stoic just like Grand Duke Magnus.

And he didn't have high hopes of Laurent whatsoever. Which was fine.

Then again, hardly anyone from Grand Duke Magnus' side liked the original Laurent all that much, but Lord Brenn was still respectful and bowed his head towards the young master anyways as they ate.

"Your grandfather said you needed help. Of course, he wanted to do what he could for you," Lord Brenn quietly replied, though his eyes glanced over to the man behind Laurent. "He is?"

Laurent plasters on a fake smile.

"A valuable asset to the household. Orion, mind your manners. This is Lord Brenn, the seventh advisor to my grandfather."

Laurent wanted to straight up dump Orion in the barren areas of their territory to fight off those demons circling around their borders, but having him fend for himself might be a bit too soon. Lord Brenn might be able to teach him a thing or two. If not, that doesn't matter.

After all, Orion was to become a Holy Knight sooner or later. Laurent just needed him to hone his skills earlier if able.

As Orion quietly greeted the man, it was clear to see he was unsure how to speak towards a noble other than Seamus and Laurent. And as unfortunately expected, Lord Brenn took one more look at Orion and lost interest quickly, already digging back into his dinner swiftly with a cold face.

"A valuable asset? A lowly slave like him?"

Laurent laughs just as Orion lowers his head. Whether if it was out or shame or anger, it doesn't matter. The young master simply pats Orion's arm as if consoling a young child.