[Bonus]Faerdham (Pt.2)

"Bang!"

The keep's wooden doors slam shut behind the group as they enter a small corridor. Ahead of them, another set of wooden doors begins to open, manned by two guardsmen.

Baldwin nods to the two soldiers as the group moves forward into what looks to be a great hall. Sounds of laughter and conversation fill the hall as they enter.

Lucian's eyes wander taking every detail of the hall.

On either side of the group are dozens of tables separated from the main walkway by pillars. A sight similar to the demon's throne room, causing a shiver to run down Lucian's spine. Though, this hall is much different as dozens of living soldiers can be seen eating their dinners and engaging in hearty conversation. Further, into the hall, a singular chair stands upon an elevated platform. Lucian deduces that this must the Marquis chair during official business. Lucian's gaze drifts upwards, three massive chandeliers light the room, with many candles burning white flames. The flames unflickering and candles looking brand new can only signify one thing. Magic.

'Magic candles, huh? Must be a sign of wealth for nobility. I've never seen one in the entirety of Skalborn. If someone were able to mass-produce these it would solve a lot of problems with crime during nighttime. They'd probably make a pretty penny too.'

Lucian's thoughts are interrupted by Baldwin's voice.

"As you can probably ascertain, this is the great hall. This is where most meals are served to the castle's occupants, with the exception of the Marquis. He usually takes his meals in his personal quarters to avoid interruption to his work. Contrary, to most lords the Marquis allows his men to be served here instead of in the barracks. This is due to the close bond he has with his soldiers. With his absence of children, due to the untimely passing of the dear Marquess. Gods rest her soul." Baldwin says with deep sentiment.

"Gods rest her soul." Lilith and Siegfried repeat

"Marquis Harald has taken on his soldiers as his own family, earning their love. Now, after your belongings have been unpacked and you gain a basic understanding of the keep. There will be a formal dinner held here. For proper allotment of time, let us say two hours from now."

Baldwin points to four doors in each corner of the hall.

"These doors are off-limits. They lead up to the personal laboratories of the Marquis. Only a few people are trusted with entry into those areas. You lot are not of them. So please refrain from any unjust curiosity."

Baldwin then points to a larger door behind the podium.

"This door, however, is free for you to use. It opens to a staircase that leads to the residential areas of the castle. We will be using this staircase now to show you, your living quarters. So please follow me."

Finished with the first section of the tour, Baldwin begins to strut towards the staircase. Walking around the podium.

Lucian and his family follow. All of them eyeing the power held in the seat atop the podium, with mixed emotions.

The group walks up the staircase, stopping at a doorway on the second level. The staircase continues upwards showing that there are even more floors.

Baldwin walks down the hallway, several wooden doors can be seen throughout the hallway.

He stops turning to one of the doors and pulling out a key ring. Inserting the key and unlocking the door. He beckons for the group to come closer as he opens the door for them to see inside.

Looking through the doorway. Lucian can see a room twice the size of his parent's old bedroom. It is fully equipped with furnishings for it to be move-in ready at any time. The bed is large, with an ornate red blanket covering it. Two dressers are placed on the wall opposite the bed, each with mirrors, and a set of clothes placed on top. A tunic for a man and a dress for a lady. Based on the exterior wall of the room, there are two outward opening windows. In the rear of the room, there is a small bathroom with a barely visible tub. The walls of the room are decorated with a few paintings and tapestries. The floor is bare with cold stone tiles.

"Ooooh!" Lilith lets out in excitement looking at the room. Going red when she realizes that she just said that out loud.

Baldwin seems to barely notice.

"This will be your quarters." Baldwin says nodding to Lilith and Siegfried.

A woman walks down the hallway towards the group, she wears a maids garb signifying her position in the castle.

"Ah, Myriam. Great timing. I would like you to help the couple establish their room, and to show them where everything they will need is." Baldwin commands.

Myriam curtsies at his orders.

"Yes, sir."

"Please follow me. I will give you a better tour of the room." Myriam says confidently to guiding Lilith and Siegfried inside.

'Wow, this is an extreme upgrade from our old house. They even have a tub. They've probably never even seen something like that, since we used to use a large barrel for washing back home.'

Baldwin taps Lucian on his shoulder to break him from his inspection of the room.

"If you would follow me, young master. I will show you to your personal quarters."

Baldwin turns on his heels in an elegant manner, briskly walking towards the staircase again, with Lucian in tow.

They walk two floors higher, the staircase stopping at the fourth floor. Baldwin walks through the doorway to the hallway on the fourth floor. There are two doors on either side of the hallway. Baldwin walks towards the one on the right.

"The third floor that we skipped is a residential area for high-standing members of the household and guests. This floor is reserved for the Marquis's personal use."

"Your quarters will be where his heir would have stayed." Baldwin says this with emotion gripping his features for the first time since he has arrived.

Baldwin takes out the key to the room and unlocks the door. He then proceeds to take the key off of the chain, handing it to Lucian.

"As the owner of this room, your privacy is at your disposal."

'Great. I won't have to worry about someone creeping in when I'm not around.'

Baldwin holds the door open for Lucian.

Entering the room. Lucian's expression changes from its usually neutral state to one of pure joy.

'Yes! I will never have to worry about shitting in a bucket again!'

Lucian ignores the extravagant luxury of the room focusing on one thing.

From the doorway, one look inside the large bathroom on the far end of the room shows one object.

A toilet.

However, in Lucian's eyes, it looks to be an angel in disguise.

Baldwin interrupts Lucian's sudden excitement.

"If you will, young master. I will bid you my farewell to prepare for dinner." Baldwin says respectfully.

Lucian's blank expression returns.

"Go ahead. Please notify me when dinner is ready." He responds giving the same respect.

The door shuts behind Baldwin, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

'Wow, I never thought that a toilet would be this important to me...Let's check out my new room.'

Lucian begins to explore.

'It's massive. This room is bigger than my entire house.'

The quarters are lavishly furnished, contrary to the rest of the keep. The room contains two dressers, two nightstands, a large desk, a massive carpet with a gold leaf embroidery of the Adalwolfen sigil, a sitting area, several mirrors, and paintings hung on every wall. Two metal doors lead out to a small balcony that looks down on the entirety of the village. A closet is placed on the far wall to the left of the bed. While on the right side of the bed is a large bathroom including a silver finished bathtub with enough room for three. Complete with a toilet, and a sink. The bed is a bit larger than a California King size, with another embroidered Adalwolfen sigil on the blanket. A small bundle of folded clothes sits atop the blanket.

'I wonder how this feels.'

Lucian plops himself on the bed and is almost overtaken by sleep the moment his head rests against the silk pillowcases.

'This feels too good to waste. He said I won't be able to get any rest once our training starts. Might as well take a nap while I can.'

Lucian drifts off into a blissful sleep for the first time in months. Any feeling of exhaustion or stress flowing off of him in waves following his every breath.