Chương 31: Chapter 1.31: Academia Never Changes

"You know how Cassian has become all but tame ever since he sat in on your mathematics lessons?" said Brutus. The sneer on his face mirrored in his tone.

"Yes?" he ventured. Brutus' eyes flashed in anger as he pushed on, and the killing intent made Favius take a step back. What has Cassian done to get him so riled up?

"Well, I got suspicious, so I broke into his rooms—" Brutus grabbed the pouch at the back of his robes and pulled out several letters.

"This!" He thrust them into Favius's face.

"See? He's writing to his own mentors about how to publish the mathematical innovations he came up with!" Favius's eyes widened, and suddenly he felt every bit of the fury Brutus felt.

"This fucking asshole." He ground his teeth and began pacing back and forth. This is bad. Really bad. I know how academia works. It doesn't matter who comes up with an idea, it matters who publishes it first. Brutus nodded as Favius stopped pacing and stared at the letters.

"If I understand your plans correctly, you need the reputation from those breakthroughs, right?" Favius gave the man a curt nod and slowly unclenched his jaw to answer.

"Yes. Without a stellar reputation as an academic, I don't see how I can change—how I can spread the knowledge I want to spread. How bad is it?" he ventured. Brutus smiled.

"I found various drafts, some of them fresh, and he was still asking about methods. I don't think he actually shared the knowledge." Favius shook his head. IP disputes were nasty on Earth. I don't know how intellectual property works in this world. Probably some bullshit with patronage and reputation instead of a formalized system, but—"Argh," he growled out loud.

"Should have looked into how philosophers do and spread their research."

"Well, you were well on your way to learning that with the books. But now… now you need to defend what is yours." Favius nodded, jaw tight.

"You were just with Marcus. So just go back in." Favius turned toward the estate, then slowly shook his head.

"No." He narrowed his eyes and forced himself to think. I gained Marcus' approval by playing by the rules. Storming into the Patriarch's office to demand he do something is not going to gain me his favor. He turned to Brutus.

"We are talking to Serran. He's briefing Marcus daily and can organize another meeting." Brutus nodded.

"And he will bear witness to those mathematics being your achievement, not Cassian's." Brutus nodded again.

"Yes. An independent witness. Good thinking." They soon hunted down the majordomo. In a crowd of various estate servants and surrounded by scribes, the man was the calm eye of the storm. Yet the moment he saw Favius's face, the boy didn't have to say anything. The majordomo simply gestured for them to follow. As they approached the office, he spoke up.

"What has happened? Is everything well, young master?"

"Cassian has—" Brutus put a hand on his shoulder and looked around.

"Not here. In your office." The creases in Serran's forehead deepened as he led them through the estate, and soon they settled into the man's chambers. Favius gestured at Brutus, who presented the letters. While Serran read, he explained, "Brutus found evidence that Cassian plans to claim my mathematics as his. I talked to Marcus, and he agreed to help me spread it under my name. Can you intercede with the Patriarch on my behalf?" Favius waited for several tense minutes as Serran studied the documents.

It's funny how I've started talking like the locals.

"Intercede on my behalf." Never in a million years would I have used that phrase on Earth. Serran got up, grabbed a jug of watered-down wine, and filled three cups. After they had all taken a sip, he nodded.

"It will be done, young master. As majordomo, I cannot allow this—" he grimaced as if biting on something sour, "—theft of the household's property to happen. I will inform the Dominus this evening." He looked to the door.

"I'm sorry, but I need to get back to coordinating the green harvest." As they left the office and were about to separate, Serran clicked his tongue.

"Oh, before I forget—I took the liberty of informing the Master of Provisions that you wanted to talk to him, young master. He will have the entire afternoon at his disposal in the early afternoon, two days from now." Favius smiled and grasped the older man's forearm, shaking it.

"Thank you, Serran. Without your support—" He shook his head. The older man squeezed Favius's shoulder and put his other hand on his arm in return.

"Of course. I serve the family, and the young master is the family's future. It is truly a pleasure to work with you, Favius." They shared a smile before the majordomo hurried off. Brutus sighed. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Are you sure we shouldn't just talk to him? Grab Cassian, drag him to our mountaintop, and have a nice private conversation?" Favius's gut clenched, yet he couldn't help but giggle at the idea.

"Let's call that Plan B." Brutus lowered his head in a mocking bow.

"As the young master wishes." They kept discussing the situation, but despite all the worries, at some point Favius fell asleep in his room. The next morning, as they left the bathhouse after training, a servant whom Favius had seen around the majordomo several times approached them and handed him a sealed letter. Favius broke the seal and unrolled the scroll. His sisters tensed, and Brutus leaned over his shoulder. Favius waited for the servant to leave, then read the words in a hushed voice.

"My son, again I must commend you on your prudence in political affairs. I do not believe it is necessary for us to talk on this matter. Just know that I will support the actions you take in addressing this insult as long as they remain within reason."

"So, what are you going to do?" asked Urania as Favius handed her the letter. He sighed and looked at her as she bit her lip. She's afraid about our siblings.

"The issue," he slowly drew out, "is that Cassian serves my fucking—" he grimaced, "—mother. Hesnia." Urania's eyes only narrowed slightly at the cursing.

"Well, Brutus—" he looked over his shoulder, "—had some suggestions, but I'm just going to talk to Hesnia for now. If she's loyal to the household…" Brutus wrinkled his nose.

"There's danger in that. If Cassian hears of it, he might set something into motion." Favius nodded and made a decision.

"Urania, Brutus, you are with me. Caliga, find out where Cassian is and stay close to him so we can find him right after talking." The others nodded and followed. As they walked down the corridors, Favius looked at Brutus. The truth of the matter is, I just don't know what the exact political situation here is. There is some sort of rift between Hesnia and Marcus, but I don't know how to exploit it. He sighed. I hate playing those dumb politics. And also…

I hope Hesnia just agrees and allows me to take care of Cassian. But what if she doesn't? He looked at Urania, who was wringing her hands. She still has power over our siblings. So… I need to keep them safe, but I cannot sacrifice my future reputation. If the basics of my intellectual work are called into question, there will always be this taint. They entered the open courtyard where Hesnia and her entourage were gathered.

The older woman stood among a cluster of servants and ladies that always seemed to swarm around her. They walked up to the couches, and soon Hesnia stepped forward.

"It is a bit early for your visit today. Yet—" she smiled at Urania, "—go ahead, girl. You may talk to your siblings." She turned to him.

"Son." Her smile showed teeth now.

"You seem… it seems you want to talk about something." Favius nodded and looked around.

"I would prefer to have this conversation in a more private setting." Hesnia's eyes narrowed, but she nodded and walked over to a corner. Brutus stayed behind, casually walking over to raid the buffet, yet Favius could feel his attention remaining on him. Hesnia squeezed his upper arm.

"So what does my dear son wish to discuss with his mother?" So that's the angle she's going for. Favius smiled and forced a more childlike tone into his voice.

"You may have been told about the mathematics I've been developing." Hesnia smiled indulgently and stepped back.

"Cassian has certainly told me that you have taken well to some innovations he developed." Ice solidified in Favius's stomach. Doesn't she know? Or is this a political statement?

"That is not quite true."

"Oh?" Hesnia raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. Those were my ideas. I'm merely teaching them to Cassian, Serran, and my siblings." Hesnia chuckled and reached out, ruffling his hair, but Favius pushed her hand aside. Only the discipline from Brutus's training kept him from striking her arm.

"Kids have such cute ideas," she said.

"How would you come up with such complicated numbers? You should know by now that it's impolite to take what isn't yours." She clicked her tongue and shook her head.

"If that's all, be a good boy and don't create any more drama with your tutor than you've already done." Favius set his jaw.

"If that's the angle you're playing—those innovations are mine. Marcus and Serran know it, as does Brutus. Cassian is stealing my ideas." Hesnia's expression hardened.

"Cassian is doing nothing that I am not approving of. You should be careful." She glanced over her shoulder toward where Urania was talking to Marius and Lia. Favius growled.

"So you are just going to let this happen? Those ideas could help the reputation of our familia!" She shook her head.

"Cassian is a well-respected ally." Something cold settled in her eyes.

"If you don't make a fuss about this, I might be willing to allow you to see your siblings more frequently." Favius pressed his eyes shut. Family versus future. Why is it always a damned trade-off?

"No." He pulled the letter from his robes.

"The Patriarch supports me. I've been given a free hand in dealing with this theft of our family's intellectual property. He is your husband, and he has spoken." Hesnia's entire body stiffened.

"You are saying my husband," she spat, "has spoken? What should I care for that?"

"He is the Patriarch," Favius said, each word measured, though his heart was racing. This doesn't make any sense. She should be folding. The books were quite clear on who holds the authority in a family. Hesnia shook her head.

"Don't overstep your boundaries again. I do not believe you will be seeing your siblings this week." Favius massaged his temple, then sighed.

"Very well. Thank you for the conversation, Mother." He spat out the last word, yet Hesnia only smirked.

"I shall take my leave now and talk to my siblings."

"Do that," she replied. As he left, he met Brutus's eyes. Brutus held his gaze, but Favius shook his head. Soon he was at Urania's side. Lia was babbling away, and Marius and Urania fussed over her. For a moment, Favius simply stood there, watching. Soon his thoughts caught up with him, and he placed a hand over his heavy heart. Yes. It needs to be done. He stepped forward, and Urania gasped as she saw his expression. He grabbed Marius by the shoulders.

"Marius, I'm sorry about this, but… I don't think we are going to see each other for a while. Everything will be fine, but—just don't worry, okay?" Marius's happy expression shattered, and he sniffed, trying to hold back tears.

"Everything is fine," Favius murmured as he hugged him. Lia's expression grew frustrated and petulant, yet Urania hugged and kissed her. Soon, the elderly woman who had stopped them from entering Hesnia's rooms before approached them.

"The lady believes that the young ones have had enough excitement for the day." Favius closed his eyes, then nodded. After hugging Marius and Lia goodbye, he turned away. Urania grabbed his arm as they left with Brutus. As soon as they were outside, Urania made a sound somewhere between a growl and a frustrated squeal.

"This—this is just not fair. Why is it always like this? When—" she swallowed.

"At home it was so much…" Tears ran down her face. Favius hugged and held her. Yet tears also filled his own eyes. Yes, before he came here—before the Earthling and Favius became one person—Favius had a blessed family life. Severin and Lavira had been great parents. He sniffed. But that was then, and now is now. They quickly moved on before he could sink further into memory. Brutus squeezed his shoulder.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but we need to find Caliga. I saw the old witch leaving already. We need to get to Cassian before he can do anything."