Boreas POV
The Duke's expression faltered for a moment, it was probably due to my visible grin plastered all across my face.
"You're smiling?" he remarked in shock as I met his gaze head-on.
"Well, it's funny."
"What's funny?" he demanded
"You threatening me," I stated bluntly, "Like, don't get me wrong, I love money...I really do, so I'm tempted...as for your statement just now...I fully understand the consequences of offending you. But even if you kill me, the chances of her going to help your son will be even lower."
A flash of anger crossed the Duke's face at my brazen words, but I could see the uncertainty lurking beneath the surface. Despite his attempts to maintain an air of authority, it was clear that my words had struck a nerve.
"You can take out your anger all you want," I continued, "But the fact that you're willing to stoop to such levels...it speaks volumes about your desperation, doesn't it?"
"What are you saying, boy?" he gritted his teeth, "You dare to speak to me in this manner?"
I can see several people hiding out in the corner of my eye, but I know better, he won't kill me.
"Let's be honest here, Duke Jack Hoff." I said his name like that and shocked everyone in the room with my brazenness, "Your household...your name, your status is falling, isn't it?"
"Wha-"
"After all, your status as duke, your wealth and your family's legacy... it's all slipping away, isn't it? After all, you didn't achieve them, it was your ancestors...and with time, their influence is dwindling with each passing generation. You may have the title of Duke, but true respect cannot be bought or coerced with just minimum effort."
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Nonsense? I already have all the proof I need."
"What proof is that?"
"You being here. When your influence is falling, you'll want to grab every rope you can to get pulled back up. If your status wasn't falling, the news of a sword stuck in stone wouldn't even make you consider yourself coming here, much bringing your family along. Not only that, you sought a formal conversation with a local 7-year-old troublemaker...a duke should be more assertive...more forceful, and arrogant...you are not.
"You're here because you're desperate...you're smart though...you're taking actions early. You may be a Duke, but out here, you're nothing but a desperate man grasping at straws. You're lucky...you end up with a son and a good sword to help bring your family back up, but...judging from what I've seen...he's too merciful, sympathetic, and an all-around kid guy, but he's not the type to lead.
"You need him to bring you all back up, so...you need help from external influences since all your internal ones are either falling apart or just too stuck in your old ways that it's not going to work to help make your family relevant again...so...am I right? Or are you going to act on your empty threats? I care not for status, but...as of right now...having you dance in the palm of my hand isn't necessarily a bad thing, and I can get used to the feeling."
"The rumors were an understatement to what you really are." the duke scoffed
"What I am? Why? I'm just an innocent little uneducated brat from the boonies."
"What do you suggest I do then?"
"I don't know."
"Then-"
"Just because I know why, doesn't mean I have the answer, but I suggest you fire some of your advisors...traditional doesn't always guarantee success...but being a bit too progressive isn't too good either, we don't want to fly too close to the sun now, do we?"
"I...I don't get...what do you mean by flying too close to the sun?"
"Ah...just a saying I heard from a neighbor."
"So he won't pursue me any further?" Mari asked as soon as I got home
"Of course not, I am very good at talking to people. And look, Mom, I'm not dead."
"You sure you didn't say anything weird?" Mom asked
"I made fun of his name, I called him Jack Hoff and made several jokes about it, you should see his-"
"Boreas, you better start talking with some senses or I'll strangle you." Mom warned
"Fine, I only insulted his family a bit, but don't worry, the duke left on neutral terms and I only did it because he threatened me first."
"Right, as if the Duke of all people would be petty enough to start a fight." she grumbled sarcastically
"He did, he threatened me because he wanted Mari...but don't worry, he won't mess with me even after he leaves, I've made quite an impression."
The duke still hadn't left the next day, but for some reason, he sent his youngest son after me, apparently to make my acquaintance as he's also in the same youth program that I'll be attending. He's the second youngest after me, which I don't necessarily mind as I'm now no longer going to attract too much attention as he will take everything away.
The youth program is a special program used to teach kids like me to get better grades during the application period for the top magic academies once we're like 15-16 and applying for it. This program teaches kids from ages 10-13, which means that I wouldn't worry about bullies...they can try, but sooner or later, I'll easily have my revenge.
The program coordinators have told my dad, who told me, that they are still doubtful of me and to not hope much as there were young kids like 7 or 8 before who didn't last long...most are from the sticks like me. The education level out here is worse, so kids tend to give out better grades, they warned that my confidence could be crushed, but my dad knows better.
"Well, Matt, what do you want?"
"Matt...? Only my mother calls me that." he replied
"Well, answer the question."
"Father ordered me to befriend you...do you want to be my friend?"
"Yeah, no...I rather not...if I want a childhood friend, I'd go for a girl."
Boreas POV
The Duke's expression faltered for a moment, it was probably due to my visible grin plastered all across my face.
"You're smiling?" he remarked in shock as I met his gaze head-on.
"Well, it's funny."
"What's funny?" he demanded
"You threatening me," I stated bluntly, "Like, don't get me wrong, I love money...I really do, so I'm tempted...as for your statement just now...I fully understand the consequences of offending you. But even if you kill me, the chances of her going to help your son will be even lower."
A flash of anger crossed the Duke's face at my brazen words, but I could see the uncertainty lurking beneath the surface. Despite his attempts to maintain an air of authority, it was clear that my words had struck a nerve.
"You can take out your anger all you want," I continued, "But the fact that you're willing to stoop to such levels...it speaks volumes about your desperation, doesn't it?"
"What are you saying, boy?" he gritted his teeth, "You dare to speak to me in this manner?"
I can see several people hiding out in the corner of my eye, but I know better, he won't kill me.
"Let's be honest here, Duke Jack Hoff." I said his name like that and shocked everyone in the room with my brazenness, "Your household...your name, your status is falling, isn't it?"
"Wha-"
"After all, your status as duke, your wealth and your family's legacy... it's all slipping away, isn't it? After all, you didn't achieve them, it was your ancestors...and with time, their influence is dwindling with each passing generation. You may have the title of Duke, but true respect cannot be bought or coerced with just minimum effort."
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Nonsense? I already have all the proof I need."
"What proof is that?"
"You being here. When your influence is falling, you'll want to grab every rope you can to get pulled back up. If your status wasn't falling, the news of a sword stuck in stone wouldn't even make you consider yourself coming here, much bringing your family along. Not only that, you sought a formal conversation with a local 7-year-old troublemaker...a duke should be more assertive...more forceful, and arrogant...you are not.
"You're here because you're desperate...you're smart though...you're taking actions early. You may be a Duke, but out here, you're nothing but a desperate man grasping at straws. You're lucky...you end up with a son and a good sword to help bring your family back up, but...judging from what I've seen...he's too merciful, sympathetic, and an all-around kid guy, but he's not the type to lead.
"You need him to bring you all back up, so...you need help from external influences since all your internal ones are either falling apart or just too stuck in your old ways that it's not going to work to help make your family relevant again...so...am I right? Or are you going to act on your empty threats? I care not for status, but...as of right now...having you dance in the palm of my hand isn't necessarily a bad thing, and I can get used to the feeling."
"The rumors were an understatement to what you really are." the duke scoffed
"What I am? Why? I'm just an innocent little uneducated brat from the boonies."
"What do you suggest I do then?"
"I don't know."
"Then-"
"Just because I know why, doesn't mean I have the answer, but I suggest you fire some of your advisors...traditional doesn't always guarantee success...but being a bit too progressive isn't too good either, we don't want to fly too close to the sun now, do we?"
"I...I don't get...what do you mean by flying too close to the sun?"
"Ah...just a saying I heard from a neighbor."
"So he won't pursue me any further?" Mari asked as soon as I got home
"Of course not, I am very good at talking to people. And look, Mom, I'm not dead."
"You sure you didn't say anything weird?" Mom asked
"I made fun of his name, I called him Jack Hoff and made several jokes about it, you should see his-"
"Boreas, you better start talking with some senses or I'll strangle you." Mom warned
"Fine, I only insulted his family a bit, but don't worry, the duke left on neutral terms and I only did it because he threatened me first."
"Right, as if the Duke of all people would be petty enough to start a fight." she grumbled sarcastically
"He did, he threatened me because he wanted Mari...but don't worry, he won't mess with me even after he leaves, I've made quite an impression."
The duke still hadn't left the next day, but for some reason, he sent his youngest son after me, apparently to make my acquaintance as he's also in the same youth program that I'll be attending. He's the second youngest after me, which I don't necessarily mind as I'm now no longer going to attract too much attention as he will take everything away.
The youth program is a special program used to teach kids like me to get better grades during the application period for the top magic academies once we're like 15-16 and applying for it. This program teaches kids from ages 10-13, which means that I wouldn't worry about bullies...they can try, but sooner or later, I'll easily have my revenge.
The program coordinators have told my dad, who told me, that they are still doubtful of me and to not hope much as there were young kids like 7 or 8 before who didn't last long...most are from the sticks like me. The education level out here is worse, so kids tend to give out better grades, they warned that my confidence could be crushed, but my dad knows better.
"Well, Matt, what do you want?"
"Matt...? Only my mother calls me that." he replied
"Well, answer the question."
"Father ordered me to befriend you...do you want to be my friend?"
"Yeah, no...I rather not...if I want a childhood friend, I'd go for a girl."
