The duke certainly knew how to go around the bush and be straight forward. Cygnus let a few minutes pass before he decided to answer. "Yes, that's it and oh, I almost forgot that I also promised him that he'll need to help me when the time comes. No matter where he is or no matter what state he is in, he will come to me once I call him."
"Call him? What do you mean by that?" It was something that didn't sit well Ulysses. Whatever that statement meant, he was not going to let his son be someone that this man could command.
"Don't misunderstand, that would only be a one time thing." Cygnus immediately waved and shook his head to stop whatever the other was thinking about. "It's only when I'm in a pinch that I'll be calling him."
Ulysses still remained unconvinced but he would still give the man the benefit of the doubt for the sake of his son. Figuring the other's thoughts is a bit difficult so he wouldn't do that anymore. Anyways, he still had the time to get to know them better since they will be staying in the manor.
"I'll be watching you then," he did not hide his intention because he figured out that the man would still act as he was even though he was being watched.
"Alright then, I'll get going and meet your wife." Cygnus stood up and left the study without even giving the duke another look.
He was humming to himself when he saw that Linius and his mother were coming his way. He took the initiative to greet them and even gave a bow to the lady of the house.
"Ah how polite, is your talk with my husband over?" She asked after receiving the other's greeting. Her gentle demeanor was back and she was smiling towards the man.
"Yes, and he informed me that you, my lady, would be teaching me some etiquettes befitting the son of a noble." He also politely answered the lady's question which made the major cringe in silence.
"Oh yes, he had talked to me about that. Then shall we get going since my birthday banquet is just around the corner." Linette turned around and bid her son goodbye. Cygnus followed behind the woman while giving Linius a smirk and a wink which only made the other shudder. It really triggers him when the master doesn't act as he is.
Unlike the duke, the duchess did not ask any questions and just concentrated on teaching him the basics that he'll need during the banquet and when facing visitors. It only took them two hours to finish as Cygnus did not have questions and just listened to the woman.
"Now that we are done you can go ahead and rest." Cygnus thanked her and without speaking much he left. Now what's left was for him to start calling them their respective titles of father, mother and big brother.
For the next few days, Cygnus would call the Ginehart main family as his. At first, Nina and the others were not used to hearing their master calling someone father or mother or big brother. It was a bit awkward and every time Nina would flinch and shudder whenever she heard the master uttering those words.
Two days before the banquet, the manor became busier as more and more people were coming in and out to prepare for the celebration. In order to protect their son from prying eyes, the entire left wing of the manor was declared an off-limits area and no one can enter except for certain people.
This action made the people wonder what could be there in the left wing. Rumors and guesses started to circulate as the workers started to talk about it more and more. Some were just plain ridiculous which include stories of ghosts and monsters while the others talked about the second son who might be living in the left wing.
These talks also reached the ears of the other members of the family. It was not easy to get such news from the main family and speculations started to grow inside the branch families. The others were worried while there were a few who were genuinely curious.
But nobody made a move, they all patiently waited for the birthday banquet and assessed their situation before they made a move. Everyone thought that this year's birthday banquet would be truly interesting.
"How do you feel acting as a noble's son?" Nina asked Cygnus once while they were having tea in the rose garden.
"I don't know, maybe I'll feel anything during the banquet because I get to see all kinds of people there." Cygnus stirred his tea and added more honey to it after he tasted that it was a bit bland.
"Why do I also need to attend the banquet? Can't we just stay out of it and relax?" She asked again, this time there was a frown on her face.
Cygnus stopped stirring and lifted his head, "I thought you liked parties and dresses. You even have a whole room for it!"
Nina raised a brow, "Master that was just for the act. Well I enjoyed buying them but I won't consider wearing them."
Cygnus could only gape at her like she had lost her mind already. He couldn't believe that she used all of that money to buy clothes she wouldn't be wearing. "Are you serious? So, why did I even let you spend that money?" He looked at Mr. C who was standing just a few steps away.
The butler shrugged his shoulders, "It's Nina, you shouldn't be surprised, master."
Cygnus sighed as he looked at the woman who was now back to reading her book. Now that she was not pretending to be someone else and back to how she was, she could be prickly at times.
"Then choose from the dresses you bought. I won't give you any money to spend. And yes, we need to attend the banquet, I won't tolerate any excuses." Cygnus used his commanding voice to make the woman behave.
Nina frowned, "I understand master." She couldn't go against the master's commands.
"How about my clothes, did you prepare them already?" He looked at the butler and saw him shaking his head.
"According to the manor's butler, they will be preparing your clothes for the banquet," he answered. His master's clothing is a bit extensive so they don't have to worry about any formal wear he would wear but this time the household prepared something for him.
He enjoyed dressing his master but this time it can't be helped. They'll just see if the clothing suits the master, if not then he can choose a better one.
Not long after that, Cygnus was called as he tried several clothes. There were a lot of options but they settled with a white suit with golden linings. The suit also comes with a cape that was embroidered with golden leaves and flowers. The cuff links were made of a black diamond that can only be found in the territory. Even his cape was held to the suit by the diamonds.
It was regal and fitted him perfectly which made the people in the room admire him. He had tried the others and all of them fitted him well but when he tried on that white suit, his aura subtly changed. It was like the clothes were made for him.
After they had chosen what they should wear for the banquet, Linius decided to visit Cygnus. He was also a bit busy that was why he wasn't able to go and see them but seeing that they looked comfortable and enjoying themselves there was no need for him to worry.
