Chapter 547: The Price of Nobility

The conversation concerning Westmark’s five Great Noble Houses had ended nearly an hour ago, but Lucan remained inside Sage Alistair’s office, examining several documents concerning the upcoming royal celebration.

Outside the windows, the Guild District was as busy as ever. Adventurers moved between buildings, merchants transported goods toward the warehouses, and the sounds of construction continued from the eastern section of Headquarters.

Sage, meanwhile, had been observing Lucan with growing curiosity.

Although he had always known that Lucan belonged to House Auremont, their recent discussions had revealed just how extensive his understanding of noble affairs truly was.

The man could explain complicated territorial agreements, identify influential court officials, and discuss generations of aristocratic rivalries without consulting a single document.

It was an unusual collection of skills for someone who preferred spending his days completing Adventurer missions.

"Lucan, there’s something I’ve been wondering," Sage remarked, setting aside the report he had been reading. "Did your family actually allow you to enjoy your childhood, or did they make you memorize the entire Kingdom’s history before you learned how to walk?"

Lucan looked up before chuckling. "It wasn’t quite that terrible, Guildmaster. They waited until I could speak properly before beginning my education."

Sage stared at him for a moment. "Somehow, I’m not entirely convinced you’re joking."

"Neither am I, Guildmaster," Lucan replied, settling more comfortably into his chair.

Sage laughed, but his curiosity remained. "Seriously, though, you seem to know more about noble administration than some of the officials I’ve met. I knew you received a proper education, but I didn’t realize how extensive it was."

Lucan considered the observation before placing his documents aside. "House Auremont takes education seriously, Guildmaster. Especially when it comes to family members who might eventually represent its interests."

He glanced toward the large map of Westmark resting on the nearby table. "From childhood, we were taught history, law, mathematics, territorial administration, diplomacy, and court etiquette. Swordsmanship was included, naturally, but knowing how to fight was considered only one part of a noble’s responsibilities."

Sage raised an eyebrow. "That sounds exhausting."

"It was," Lucan admitted. "My mornings were spent studying, my afternoons usually involved training, and my evenings frequently included lessons concerning whichever political dispute happened to interest my instructors."

Sage shook his head in disbelief. "Meanwhile, ordinary children were probably running around enjoying themselves."

Lucan laughed. "I occasionally managed to join them, Guildmaster. Although my tutors possessed an extraordinary talent for discovering where I’d disappeared."

Despite his amusement, there was something unusually reflective about his expression.

Sage noticed it immediately. "Your uncle Benedict was involved in your education, wasn’t he?"

Lucan nodded. "Very much so. Uncle Benedict believed that anyone bearing the Auremont name should understand the responsibilities attached to it. Whenever he returned from Kingsford, he’d question me about laws, trade agreements, and the decisions made by the Royal Court."

"Sounds like a pleasant man," Sage remarked dryly.

Lucan chuckled. "He’s actually quite reasonable once you understand him. Unfortunately, his definition of a pleasant conversation usually involves asking questions you aren’t prepared to answer."

Sage smiled. "And what about the rest of your family?"

Lucan’s expression became thoughtful. "My relatives have different expectations, but most share the same belief. House Auremont has maintained its position for generations because its members place the family’s interests above their personal ambitions."

He paused briefly before continuing. "To them, being born into a Great Noble House is both a privilege and an obligation. You’re given opportunities that most people could never imagine, but those opportunities come with responsibilities you don’t necessarily get to choose."

Sage listened quietly.

He had encountered enough nobles to understand that powerful families rarely allowed their members complete independence. Marriage arrangements, military appointments, and administrative positions were frequently determined according to political considerations.

However, hearing Lucan describe those expectations from personal experience made the matter considerably more understandable.

"So they already had a future planned for you," Sage observed.

Lucan gave a small nod. "Several possible futures, actually. Some relatives wanted me involved in territorial administration. Others believed I should pursue a position connected to the Royal Court. My instructors thought I had sufficient talent to become a capable negotiator."

Sage grinned. "Well, they weren’t wrong about that last part."

"Thank you, Guildmaster," Lucan replied with an amused expression. "Although I suspect you only appreciate my negotiating abilities because they’ve saved you from several troublesome situations."

"Several?" Sage repeated. "I’d say considerably more than that."

Lucan laughed before continuing. "The problem wasn’t that I hated those responsibilities. I understood why they mattered, and I respected the people who performed them. But I wanted the opportunity to decide what I would accomplish with my own abilities."

He looked toward the window. "Whenever I attended family gatherings, people discussed my future as though it were already settled. Which position would suit me, which connections might prove useful, and what responsibilities I should eventually inherit."

Sage leaned back in his chair. "And nobody asked what you wanted?"

"They asked occasionally," Lucan answered. "But there was always an expectation that my answer would align with what they considered appropriate."

For a while, neither spoke.

The sounds of the Guild District continued beyond the windows, providing a distant reminder of the very different life Lucan had chosen.

Eventually, Sage broke the silence. "So you became an Adventurer to escape all that?"

Lucan considered the question carefully. "Partly, Guildmaster. But I wouldn’t describe it entirely as escaping. I wanted to experience the world beyond noble estates and political gatherings. I wanted to meet people who wouldn’t judge everything I accomplished according to my family name."

Sage nodded slowly.

That explanation aligned with much of what he had observed since meeting Lucan.

The Adventurer had always possessed a competitive streak, particularly when Gregor was involved. He enjoyed difficult assignments, valued his achievements, and rarely attempted to use his noble background to gain preferential treatment.

"And how did your family react?" Sage asked.

Lucan let out a quiet laugh. "Poorly, at first. Uncle Benedict believed I was throwing away years of preparation. Several relatives thought I would eventually grow tired of traveling and return home. Others considered the entire idea embarrassing."

Sage chuckled. "I imagine becoming an Adventurer wasn’t quite the prestigious appointment they expected."

"Not originally," Lucan admitted. "Although their opinions have become considerably more complicated since the Guild established itself in Kingsford."

Sage smiled knowingly. "Funny how success changes people’s minds."

"It certainly changes what they’re willing to discuss," Lucan replied.

He explained that his relationship with House Auremont had never been completely severed. He continued corresponding with certain relatives and occasionally assisted with matters requiring his knowledge, but he had resisted attempts to draw him permanently back into family administration.

His uncle remained particularly persistent.

"Uncle Benedict still believes I should eventually accept a formal position," Lucan continued. "Every few months, he finds another opportunity to remind me that my education shouldn’t be wasted."

Sage laughed. "You should tell him you’re currently advising the most promising organization in Westmark. That sounds like an excellent use of your education."

Lucan regarded him with amusement. "Guildmaster, I suspect that’s precisely why my family has become so interested in meeting you."

Sage paused.

He hadn’t considered the situation from that perspective.

House Auremont wasn’t merely examining the Guild’s potential. Its senior members were also observing what Lucan had accomplished after choosing a different path.

And the Guild’s growing reputation had undoubtedly changed how they viewed that decision.

Sage folded his arms thoughtfully. "You know, I don’t think I’ve properly thanked you for everything you’ve done."

Lucan blinked in surprise. "Where did that come from, Guildmaster?"

Sage gestured toward the documents scattered across his desk. "When we first established ourselves in Kingsford, I knew we’d need to deal with merchants, officials, and nobles. What I didn’t realize was how many complications we were avoiding because you already understood their rules."

Lucan listened without interrupting. "You’ve helped explain territorial rights, political customs, and the kind of agreements we should avoid. Even these preparations for the royal banquet would be considerably more troublesome without you."

Sage smiled. "So, thank you. You’ve been more useful than I probably give you credit for."

Lucan stared at him for several seconds before leaning back with an exaggerated expression of satisfaction. "Well, Guildmaster, I must admit I’ve waited a very long time to hear you acknowledge my extraordinary value."

Sage immediately regretted his generosity. "Don’t make me take it back."

Lucan laughed. "Too late, Guildmaster. I’ll be reminding you of this conversation for years."

Sage shook his head, although he was smiling.

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock against the office door.

Boren entered carrying an elegant envelope bearing the unmistakable insignia of House Auremont.

"Sorry to interrupt, Guildmaster," Boren said, approaching the desk. "A messenger from the Auremont residence has just arrived. He insisted that this correspondence be delivered directly to Lucan."

Lucan straightened immediately.

"From the residence?" he asked, accepting the envelope.

Boren nodded. "The messenger said it came from the family’s senior household."

Lucan examined the seal before carefully opening the letter.

As he read, his expression gradually changed.

Sage noticed the shift.

"Something troublesome?" he asked.

Lucan finished reading before lowering the parchment.

"That depends upon your definition of troublesome, Guildmaster."

Sage raised an eyebrow. "Considering the people we’ve dealt with recently, my definition has become rather generous."

Lucan let out a quiet breath. "The letter is from my uncle Benedict, but the summons carries the authority of the family’s senior leadership."

Boren glanced between them.

"A summons?" Sage repeated.

Lucan nodded. "House Auremont has requested my presence at its private residence in Kingsford. Apparently, several senior family members have arrived ahead of the royal celebrations."

Sage leaned forward. "And they want to see you?"

"Not just me, Guildmaster," Lucan answered, looking directly at him. "They’ve specifically instructed me to bring you along."

Sage considered that for a moment. "Before the banquet?"

"Yes," Lucan replied. "They wish to hold a private meeting before the formal royal festivities begin."

Boren looked toward Sage with interest. "That sounds like an important opportunity, Guildmaster."

Lucan folded the letter carefully. "It certainly could be. But my family rarely arranges meetings like this without a particular purpose."

Sage smiled. "Then I suppose we’ll find out what they want."

Lucan regarded him seriously. "There’s one thing you should understand, Guildmaster. This isn’t merely a courtesy invitation from my uncle anymore. The senior leadership of House Auremont wants to evaluate you personally."

Sage leaned back in his chair, looking entirely untroubled. "Well, Lucan, let’s hope your family has a good sense of humor."

Lucan closed his eyes briefly. "Guildmaster, that’s precisely what I’m worried about."