CH 100: A Visit to the Dorms

Toni looked in the mirror, staring at his reflection. He was stuck thinking about his interactions with Casseus last night. His mind filled with the butler’s green eyes. He could still feel the warmth of his fingers, which made him drift into his fantasies.

Every once in a while, he’d let out a sigh, catching his mother’s attention. She was packing up as fast as she could, wanting to get out of this estate fast. She’d pause, give him a weird look, and then keep packing. She would deal with it later.

Toni finally looked up from his reflection, hoping to see Maeve by the open door with news about Casseus. But he was disappointed by one of her knights. The woman stood saluting the two, waiting for her to be acknowledged. “I’ve told you gals a million times, enough with the salutes,” Alice said, annoyance in her tone. She got up to meet the sentry.

“It’s not up to you, ma’am. I apologize.” The sentry said, stopping her salute. “Captain Maeve is talking with Lieutenant Erica from Lady Lloyd’s guard. Apparently, Captain Lilith decided to head to the market this morning instead of assisting with the transition back.” The sentry said with slight annoyance. “Will this delay our departure?” Alice asked, stopping her packing. She scrunched her nose, cringing about staying a minute more.

“Unfortunately.”

“Can’t we just go without the ceremony?” Alice asked quickly.

“No, my lady… we have to stick to protocol.” The sentry responded. “Even if it means waiting for the Captain.”

Alice let out a huff and sat beside her suitcase. She dismissed the sentry before crossing her arms. She could feel the annoyance creep back in as she stewed in her thoughts.

Toni, however, was the opposite. Toni’s smile widened, his heart beating a bit faster. Just the thought of seeing Casseus made his stomach flutter. It made it hard for him to sit still.

“Toni?” Alice asked with a sigh.

“Yes, Mom?” Toni asked, snapping back to reality.

“What’s got you smiling so much?” Alice asked, turning to meet her son. His smile seemed brighter than usual.

“Um, well, I just…” Toni started, anxiety creeping up. His words got caught in his throat as he was about to talk about Casseus. “I, um, wanted to see the butler again…”

Alice watched her son squirm and shift under her gaze. He couldn’t help but smile. Alice didn’t understand what he saw in the butler or the estate, but if it made him happy, then she wasn’t going to argue.

“Oh, well, if we’re staying a bit later, then I don’t see an issue,” Alice said, as she eased up a bit. She could stomach staying longer if Toni made a new friend. She smiled softly before turning on her stricter side. “But! Make sure you take a few knights with you!”

“Okay! I’ll find Hannah, she’ll be able to protect me.” Toni said excitedly. He leapt to his feet and raced to the nearest sentry.

Alice tilted her head. She’d never seen him this excited over a person. A performance or a new song, sure. But not a person he just met. She just let out a sigh and shook her head, a mix of curiosity and concern on her face.

Toni found the closest guard and excitedly asked her where Hannah was. She was the one Maeve trusted to best protect Toni while she was occupied. He raced down the halls, finding the tanned, muscular woman on her break. He burst into the room, catching her off guard as she took a drink.

“Gods… Toni?” She said, standing up and trying her best to wipe away the water. “What’s the matter?”

“I need an escort! I want to see one of the butlers, but Mom said I needed someone with me, and you were the best candidate.” Toni said, speaking a mile a minute. He was fidgeting with excitement while Hannah took a deep breath.

“Okay. I’ll let my gals know…” She said, strapping on her helmet and flagging down a squadmate. “No promises though, the Lady’s guard didn’t like us asking about those butlers…”

“That’s okay! I just want to see him, even for a moment…” Toni whispered. Hannah barely heard it, but it did surprise her. She brushed it off as she got her women to cover her.

“Alright,” Hannah said, gesturing for Toni to follow her. “I met with a couple of women yesterday whom we can ask.”

Toni excitedly followed behind the woman as she walked towards the eastern part of the estate. He didn’t see any butlers on his way there, but he did notice the guards affected by his blessing. His excitement softened a bit as he felt their gaze, but nobody made a move.

Once they passed the main entrance, a guard stopped them. She held out her hand and spoke. “He is not permitted on this side, nor are you, without clearance.”

Hannah shot the guard a look of annoyance. “Understandable, can we get clearance?”

“Not from me.” The guard responded, slightly thrown by the tone. “Why should I even consider giving you permi-”

“Because your guest requests so.” Hannah cut her off. She towered over the guard, at least a head over her, and was far more muscular. She could see the guard’s posture falter.

The guard turned to her squadmate, and the two whispered about what to do next. Toni understood why Maeve chose Hannah as his backup protector. She towered over most women and had a wealth of scars to prove her mettle.

Hannah impatiently waited for the two to finish, then one ran off to find a superior to ask. That left the duo with the guard who didn’t speak before. Hannah glared at her as her squadmate rushed to find someone to handle her. It didn’t take her long, but she returned with an older-looking woman.

“You request access to this side?” The older guard asked, meeting Hannah’s gaze.

“Yes, my master wishes to visit one of your butlers,” Hannah said, stepping forward. “Your head butler, actually.”

The older guard did not back down. She cranked her neck to look up at Hannah, but stood firm. “Ah, yes. Casseus? I believe he accompanied Lilith this morning. Something about his health…”

“His health?!” Toni blurted out, his heart skipping a beat. He felt the warmth drain from his face as panic crept in.

The older guard turned to him, her demeanor shifting the moment she locked eyes with him.

She finally faltered and started stuttering. “U-um, yes. I b-believe he just had a fever…” She said, her voice tapering off. She cleared her throat, turning back to Hannah. “Apologies… Your master’s blessing has quite the effect on me.”

“No worries,” Hannah said, taking a deep breath. “May we wait for him in his room?”

“No.”

“Then what can we do?” Hannah asked, annoyed. “My master wishes to meet with him.” “Return to your room. If he’s feeling better, I’ll send him to you,” she said before turning away. She was done with the two.

“Hold on, can’t we wait in his room?” Toni blurted out again. He bit back his smile, knowing his blessing affected her. He clasped his hands together and put on his cutest voice. “Please, Lady knight… I wish to help him.”

Toni knew that he had her the moment she turned back around mid-stride. She hesitantly looked at the boy, her eyes tracing his exposed skin. She gulped before taking a deep breath.

“F-fine… but I-I’ll accompany you.” She barely got out.

“Thank you!” Toni said excitedly, and he rushed to hug her. Hannah tensed up for a moment as Toni embraced the knight. She watched for any signs of predatory movement, but the guard held off.

“L-let Lieutenant E-erica know…” The guard said shakily to the duo of guards. She was finally released from Toni’s hug, and she could get her posture under control. She turned around again and made her way to the butlers’ dormitory.

Toni and Hannah followed her as Toni shot his protector a sly look. Hannah stifled a giggle but nodded back to Toni. They made their way to the eastern wing, stopping before a door.

“I am not allowed in, neither is your protector, but I can let her inspect the living area.” The woman said in her best dignified voice. “Oy! Make yourselves decent, you have guests.”

Toni flinched at the tone she took with the boys as she opened the door. She heard hustling and fumbling before seeing boys lined up before the door. They stood motionless, fear in their eyes.

His heart twisted. They looked like prisoners expecting punishment, not servants.

“You may enter and look around.” The knight said, beckoning for Hannah to enter.

“Thank you,” Hannah nodded, before entering. She inspected the living quarters while being watched.

Toni rushed to the boys, a bit panicked. “How is Casseus?” he exclaimed.

All of the boys turned to look at him, a mix of fear and shock. One boy, an older-looking one close to Toni, whispered.

“He’s with Lilith… wait for her to leave. It’s not safe otherwise.”