I watched Alaric much after teaching him how to read and write, in only two short days he learned to walk. I've been looking for another sudden change in his demeanor like before but I haven't been successful. I don't quite understand what happened during our lesson, but one thing was made clear to me. Alaric isn't normal, even among heroes he is an anomaly. I ordered Lyda to watch over him, they seem to get along well enough.
For now, I must focus on the upcoming ball held by Viscount Redmaine. If my understanding is correct, the first prince is friendly with the man's daughter. I was invited to this ball so I am expected to attend it in twelve days. I expected this to happen eventually, Viscount Redmaine is suspicious about where my true loyalties lie. He's probably wondering about my absence from all social gatherings and events held by nobility. I don't hold a great noble title; so I only receive invitations from very low status nobility, and more often than not I can just ignore them. Unfortunately an invitation from a viscount cannot be declined. I need to prepare Alaric for this gathering, I don't think he will be too pleased to know this.
It took a lot of effort but I can finally walk! I'm still working on running, but I'm confident I'll be able to run within the next few days. I'm still pretty weak but considering I'm only seven of this world's years old I think I will grow. I was in my room doing my daily sports workouts, before this life I was quite active and enjoyed sports very much. I also made it a habit to stay as physically fit as possible, it just feels good.
While I was doing squats in my room, my door opened to the puzzled expression of my father. It took him a moment to ask the question, "What are you doing?". "I'm exercising, at the moment I'm working on my leg strength." I responded with a smile, not stopping my workout at all. My father seemed to literally shake off his bewilderment before telling me, "My family has been invited to a ball. Alaric, you will need to learn proper etiquette and how to dance. Some basic information about nobility as a whole might also be warranted."
"Okay father, I understand. I will strive to meet your expectations." I told him. "Good, I honestly didn't think you would agree so easily. Ahem, I need to have a serious discussion with you after dinner, meet me in my study when you're ready." he said. "Yes sir." I agreed. After saying his piece, my father left and shortly after Lyda entered the room and watched me curiously. "What are you doing?" She asked me slowly. I repeated my previous answer to this question, but she still didn't quite understand so I explained a little further. "If I keep doing this, my legs and butt will get bigger and stronger." She had a lightbulb moment and quickly asked, "Alaric, could you please teach me?"
I readily agreed and asked the servant, "Sure. Lyda, do you want to be my training partner?" She gave me a weird look, prompting me to ask. "Is something wrong?" "Sir Alaric, what is a 'training partner'?" She asked me. "A training partner is someone you exercise with and both of us will encourage each other to try harder." I answered. She took a second to think before agreeing. 'Nice! training buddy acquired!' I inwardly cheered. I spent the rest of the afternoon doing workouts with Lyda until a servant informed me that dinner was prepared.
As I ate the heavenly stew of mystery meat in front of me my mother asked me, "Alaric dear, what were you and Lyda doing in your quarters for so long?". "Me and Lyda were exercising. We're training buddies now." I answered. Maria raised an eyebrow and asked, "What is a training 'buddy'?". I gulped down the wonderful stew and clarified, "Training buddies push each other to do their best while training. It's not necessary for results, but it's better for mental health to have a buddy there cheering you on." I smiled and added, "If you want you could join us. The more the better." Maria then looked to the side and said, "There wouldn't be any reason to, I don't need physical strength or magic power." I immediately rectified her misunderstanding of the purpose of physical exercise, "There's plenty of reasons to do daily exercise." I lifted my fist and began counting with my fingers as I talked, "It promotes the release of the dopamine hormone, which makes you feel happier. It increases your endurance, and that means you can do more in the day before tiring. Exercising in the morning wakes up the body and makes you feel energized throughout the whole day."
I only got to three fingers before Maira interrupted my rant, "Okay, Okay I understand. There are a plethora of benefits. Now eat while your food is warm." She paused before adding, "I will consider joining you." "You're always welcome." I told her as I finished up my dinner and left for father's study. I reached the door and knocked, "Come in." He beckoned. I entered the room to see my father sitting behind a big gray desk that seemed to be made of petrified wood. The room had two bookshelves lining the walls to my left and right and a window behind my father.
"Please take a seat Alaric. I have to inform you about a few things." he said while gesturing at the chair in front of his desk. After I sat down and looked at him he spoke, "I apologize that I haven't brought up this subject until now, but in my defense I have been rather busy." He cleared his throat before continuing. "I know that you're a hero, and that the Lady of Chains brought you here. Now I want you to know that I still see you as my son and if you wish we can remain that way." He paused to let the weight of his words settle before adding, "But you must know that if you were summoned here for a purpose; I will aid you. Alaric, do you have a goal or task from her holiness?"
I thought for a moment and then answered, "I don't think I have anything to do; I'm pretty sure my summoning was accidental." After I answered his question it looked like a massive weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. "If you don't have any quest to complete or goals to achieve then the choice is yours. Is there anything you want to do?". I thought for a moment before responding with a sad sardonic smile, "In the past I wasn't useful to my family, I want to be useful." He looked at me and asked carefully, "What was your other family like?"
I was quiet for a moment before answering, "My mother died while giving birth to me so I never knew her. I never really got to know my father either, he always kept me at arms length. He always took care of me, but never acknowledged me. He always called me something… waste? No, it was something else… worth nothing? No, not quite right…" "Worthless?" My father provided. After hearing him speak something, I heard my original fathers voice screaming 'Fucking Worthless!!' in my mind and I fell unconscious.
After I said the word Alaric's eyes grew hazy and his head drooped a little bit before he caught himself, mirroring his actions from a few days ago. When he lifted his head his entire person changed and he spoke in an apathetic voice, "This will be your one and only warning, never say 'Worthless' around Alaric again." 'Did he just speak in the third person?' I questioned myself, "May I ask why?" I inquired. Instead of answering me he said, "No." 'I need to be patient' I told myself and asked another question, "Who are you?". A few moments went by before he answered, "I need no name."
"Why are you here?" I asked 'it'. "I exist solely for Alaric's well being." It declared. "If you speak the truth, then wouldn't threatening me go against your reasoning, since I provide for Alaric?" I asked. 'It' answered without hesitation, "I don't need anyone, or anything to protect Alaric. You are meaningless to me, if Alaric needs food I will procure it, if Alaric needs funds I will acquire them, if Alaric needs knowledge I will take it, by any means necessary." I was left stunned by 'Its' declaration. I could tell that this thing possessing my boy was ruthless. I controlled myself and continued trying to gather as much information as possible.
"If you don't need me, why are you still here?" I pointedly asked. Instead of answering his head dipped and Alaric 'woke up' with a snort. "Hmm, did I fall asleep again? I'm sorry, I don't usually do that when talking with someone." Alaric said groggily while rubbing his eyes. I observed the boy incredulously and said, "It's okay. I forgive you." 'It seems like Alaric is the one in control and only under specific circumstances does that thing possess him.' I mused.
"What were we talking about?" Alaric asked me while scratching his head. "Don't worry about it. We will move on to a different topic." I told him. "Listen carefully, nobody can learn of your hero status, not one person. The only people who know of your situation in its entirety are you, Maria and myself. Am I understood?" Alaric affirmed with a nod. "Good, if there's nothing you wish to ask of me then you may leave." Alaric stood from his chair and made his way to the door, he opened it and paused. He looked back at me and asked, "Could I learn how to use a sword?"
"I will start searching for an instructor. It will take awhile, so prepare yourself for when they arrive." Alaric practically radiated joy from my affirmation and said, "Thank you father." After he left I slouched in my chair and pondered about Alaric and that 'thing' that possessed him. 'If my understanding is correct that thing is bound to Alaric, so if I keep Alaric safe it won't need to come out. It said its purpose is Alaric's well being so that would infer his happiness as well. I need to make sure Alaric is happy and feels loved.'
With that realization made I got to work making flyers for his swordsmanship instructor. I'll do what I can to prevent that thing taking Alaric from me. 'I wish I could train him myself' I cursed. I was just too buried with work to train my own son, may I'm the worthless one. 'Hmm, I need to inform all the servants about this development' I concluded. I started summoning servants to my office one by one, after all there weren't many in this estate. Fortunately, I informed all the less important servants within the hour and only Lyda was left.
"Mr.Graywood, you wanted to speak with me?" Lyda asked with trepidation. She probably thinks she's in trouble, 'Serves her for being a right pain in my'… "Yes, I have to inform you about certain developments pertaining to Alaric." I said. I could almost see the curiosity 'possess' Lyda when she perked up at the mention of Alaric. "What happened?" She asked me. "Alaric has an affliction. Whether it aids him or burdens him has yet to be determined, but it's extremely situational." I told the servant. "I forbid you from speaking the word 'Worthless' from this point onward." I ordered Lyda.
Lyda seemed slightly confused so she asked, "Mr.Graywood, may I ask why?". "Alaric seems to have a darkness within him; what form it takes is unknown to me, but alas I have seen it possess him multiple times. He becomes cold and indifferent, uncaring of anyone or anything around him. This darkness only seems to take control during times of stress, and the word 'Worthless' sends Alaric into a panic-like state." I explained. "Lyda, I'm very serious about this order. You need to be careful around Alaric, be mindful of his mood at all times, and do not test him. Do you understand?" I sternly said. "I understand." Lyda answered.