Chương 70: Chapter 2.7: Resolution

Favius swallowed down the coming tirade and bit his tongue. The anger lay in his stomach like glowing coals, but he slowly shook his head, using pneuma to calm himself. I can't continue getting angry like this. Hell, I kept thinking about it, but whenever anything political, horrific, or upsetting happens, I— He shook his head, painfully aware of the silence and stares directed at him. Curiosity from those who knew him, dreadful anticipation from the slaves. Been in this world for four months, but... but I haven't.

I just haven't gotten used to all this Game of Thrones bullshit. Guess that probably goes to the top of my project list now. I know these things exist, but if... He looked around, noticing all the staring people. This is neither the time nor the place. He met Brutus's eyes, and the cultivator held the gaze for a moment, then nodded with a smile, evidently happy about what he saw in Favius's expression.

"I'm sorry, Serran." Next, he looked at the mother who was hovering over the little children.

"I didn't mean to react that way. Please forgive me."

"Thank you, Dominus," she whispered and scurried off into one of the side rooms, dragging the kids along. Favius let out a breath. Can't forget the suffering of others. But there's a useful middle ground between indignant outrage and cruel apathy.

"Still," he said, speaking out loud to cut off his train of thought, "Serran, what is the status of the children of slaves?" The Majordomo gave him a brittle smile, which hurt more than any direct admonishment could have.

"The slave laws state that any child is born free." Favius raised an eyebrow, but Brutus continued.

"But the reality is that most parents sell their children into slavery, so the household is obligated to take care of them." Favius's expression soured, but Serran nodded, evidently picking up steam.

"It is indeed customary, and there are limits on the prices the children must pay to earn their freedom at first or second majority. After all, if they were mere freedmen, our household would have no obligations toward them. But with them being slaves, we are obliged to care for them." Favius nodded, but it was surprisingly Caliga who spoke up.

"And that actually works? Like, people don't find ways around these rules?" They left the living quarters for the workshops, and Serran's face grew determined.

"It works at any estate I am overseeing," he said with absolute certainty.

"And as for those who fail their lawful obligations..." He shrugged.

"They are fated to suffer once they've shed their mortal coil." Favius hummed.

"So you're saying divine punishment keeps people honest?"

"What else would, Young Master? After all, a man only has his short life to prove himself worthy to join his ancestors around the Filial Flame. If he does not use his life wisely, he will surely be cast into Oblivion." They walked in silence through the snow. Favius couldn't help but shrug. Well, it's religious ethics. They seem ridiculous to me. But then again, I have a hard time imagining the mind of someone who truly and absolutely believes that those Gods exist.

Maybe for those people divine punishment actually works as a moral constraint? He looked back at the living quarters one last time. Well, the more I know, the more I can do. And while I cannot abolish slavery now, I can certainly make sure that everyone who I'm responsible for lives a good life. He chuckled humorlessly. Right after I figure out what a good life actually means, given the average—no, median—level of wealth here. As they crossed towards the workshops, a boy of maybe seven ran towards them.

Brutus was the first to stop. Yet Serran smiled when looking at him.

"Rufus. What's got you running around at this speed?" The boy inclined his head to Favius and his siblings.

"Apologies, my Lords and Ladies. I—" He paused briefly, looking to the side, to Serran.

"I have an urgent message for the Majordomo." Favius nodded with an encouraging smile.

"Then I shouldn't keep you from telling the Majordomo what he needs to know, right?" The boy hesitated briefly, then returned the smile and nodded. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"You have my thanks! Majordomo, a rider just came in reporting that a convoy is approaching the estate. They were informed that the Dominus is on his way back. He appears to be bringing guests." Serran nodded.

"Excellent. Was it said how much time we have until they arrive?"

"An hour."

"Good, good." Serran rubbed his chin and nodded.

"If the Aristocrats would excuse this old man, I have preparations to make. May I assume that we all shall greet the Dominus as he arrives at his home?" Brutus looked at Favius before replying.

"Yes, we shall all be there. I'll make sure"—he looked over the children with mock seriousness—"that they are all presentable."

"Very well." Serran left at a fast, crunching march, leaving the others behind in the cold. A wide grin spread over Caliga's face.

"Dad is back." She grinned, bouncing on her feet.

"What do you think?" She touched Urania's shoulder.

"Has he brought us something nice from the city?" Urania sniffed haughtily but smiled.

"Do you think he could possibly have found something nicer than what we found at the jewelers?" Caliga grinned.

"Well, I believe he tried. He always does." Favius chuckled, smiling at his sisters. He exchanged a look with Brutus.

"There's a good chance that he also brought the tutor Aelia promised along, isn't there?" Brutus nodded.

"We shall see." The hour passed quickly, with a short bath and the donning of fine robes, and soon Favius led his siblings side by side with Brutus into the courtyard. Centurius Hefnus nodded towards all of them, standing beside nearly one hundred and fifty household guards bedecked in gleaming bronze armor. Favius studied them more closely upon noticing a detail. Seems like there are two squads—no, Decurii—equipped with some iron, while everyone else wears bronze. The elite of each Centurii, maybe?

Caliga was straightening her robes. Urania smiled nervously at Favius but quickly returned to fussing over Lia. Their youngest sibling was rather content in the arms of the nurse Brutus had arranged for. The clatter of hooves was muffled by the snow as the convoy approached the inner wall. Cries went up from beyond the wall, and finally two carriages entered the inner courtyard. A guard opened the leather flaps and put a wooden bench on the ground before Marcus stepped out.

The Senator's smile competed with the sun in brightness as he straightened his fur coat and rotated his shoulders. Favius couldn't help but grin. Yet another reminder to invent suspension as soon as possible. As the Patriarch of the family marched forward, Serran cleared his throat and lowered his head.

"I greet my Dominus."

"We greet our Dominus," the guards called out in unison, slamming their fists into their chest plates with perfect synchronicity. The sound was thunderous. Marcus smiled and inclined his head, first to the Majordomo, then to his guards.

"I thank you all for the warm welcome." Then he bent his knees.

"Children," he called out.

"Daddy!" Caliga cried and rushed forward. Marcus swung her around in an embrace as both of them laughed. Favius led his other siblings forward at a more sedate pace.

"How was the city? What made you stay all winter? Why—?" Marcus chuckled and attempted to ruffle Caliga's hair, but she swiftly dodged and grinned at him before allowing the man's second attempt to succeed.

"I would have returned sooner if someone"—he looked at Favius—"hadn't stirred up such a political storm." Favius swallowed, but Marcus grinned at him.

"Not that I am complaining about the outcome. It proved most beneficial to our future." Favius nodded to himself. Well, I promised myself I would get better at this political stuff. And Marcus, he's been pleasant recently. I should try to build a better relationship with him. He suppressed a shiver and took a breath. And not just because that's beneficial. Because I do want to have a functional family in this world.

"I'm happy to hear that you were successful, Father," Favius said, smiling broadly as he stepped forward.

"That I was indeed. Your second delivery of soap came in quite useful for bribing people. I hope you have managed to produce much, much more." He smiled. Favius replied with a light laugh.

"The same quantity once again. Serran told me you intend to help us with the soap going forward?"

"Indeed, indeed," Marcus replied.

"But that is for later. Now there's one other guest I need you to meet." He gestured to the second carriage, and Favius studied the woman who stepped out. She's odd. The first thing that jumped out was her perfect skin. It was whitish-pink, like that of a baby. The only feature breaking the alien perfection was an ugly scar running across one eye. Her eagle-owl shifter features were undeniable, orange eyes and taloned hands, yet her ears were oddly elven, with a total lack of feathers.

Not that she has hair anywhere. Her scalp was bald, and she exchanged a comment with one of the guards before walking towards the rest of the family. Brutus murmured beside him, and as he took one step closer to Favius, the woman bowed her head.

"I greet the young Aristocrats. I am Sirrana Nyctara Negero, Alticultor Mentis, and I have been sent on behalf of your Grandmother to prevent that incompetent fool from ruining the education of her grandchildren." Caliga burst out in giggles, and Urania was quick to follow. Favius and Brutus chuckled along, and even Marcus's expression slipped into a smile. For a moment, the woman just stood there, apparently uncomfortable.

Favius noted the arcane steel sword at her belt and that her right hand was covered by a thick bronze arm guard, on top of which sat a serrated piece of iron extending out over her hand. What the fuck is that? Favius's gaze lingered, and the woman nodded at him, raising her arm.

"Ah, you've noticed my blade catcher, Young Lord."

"I've never seen such a thing," replied Favius. Brutus chuckled.

"They aren't common, but are favored by those used to fighting with a shield in situations where such an implement might not be worn."

"Indeed. I'm quite honored to meet you too, Magnicultor Ovinius Kestrelo." Brutus was about to reply, but as the woman lowered her arm, suddenly her hand clenched into a fist and shivered. Everyone took a step back as the woman's face twisted into something ugly.

"What the—" Marius and Urania let out a squeal, but the woman growled as she grasped her shivering hand with the other. Her eyes met Favius's. One was the same owl eye that he and his birth siblings had, but the other was milky and unfocused. Likely the result of whatever caused that large scar. Brutus stood in front of them in an instant, his stance still relaxed, yet his axe held with both hands.

"What happened?" he asked. She mumbled a curse under her breath and sighed.

"I'm sorry. I did not intend to scare you." She gave the younger children a sad look.

"My injuries"—she gestured at her arm and then at her eye—"are rather recent, and I have not yet managed to conquer the pain." Marcus let out a chuckle that attempted to be casual, yet Favius noticed the nervousness in it.

"Well, that was certainly an interesting introduction, but let us not continue this conversation out here in the snowy cold." At the reminder, Favius shifted from foot to foot. Yes, waiting out here for the carriages... More like freezing my balls off.

"We shall have dinner, so we all"—he emphasized the last word—"may get to know each other better. After all, I should know who is taking care of the education of my children." With those words, Marcus marched into the house, and everyone else followed as befitted their station. The afternoon flew by, and Favius was soon preparing himself for dinner when he heard a knock on his room's door.

"Yes?" he called out, and Tiro poked his head in.

"Young Master." He looked around, and Favius smiled at his personal slave.

"As per our agreement, I hereby inform you that the Lady Hesnia will arrive from her vacation and join you and your siblings for the family dinner tonight." Favius let out a long breath and chuckled.

"Well, nothing can ever be easy, can it?"