(A week later, inside the White Castle, Riven’s POV)
A week had passed since Riven first stepped inside the White Castle.
However, on the morning of the eighth day, as he slowly opened his eyes and looked towards the faintly shimmering ceiling above his bed, whose intricate Aether Array mimicked a sky full of gently twinkling stars, he found himself wondering once again if this truly had become his life.
"Good morning, Young Duke.
Shall I prepare your bath?"
A soft voice reached his ears, as Riven shifted his gaze towards the far corner of the room.
Standing quietly with both hands folded before her was one of the two maid attendants assigned exclusively to his service.
Every morning, before he had even opened his eyes, she would already be waiting patiently for him to awaken so that she could begin assisting him with the countless routines expected of a member of House Dawnriver, as within the White Castle, even something as basic as pulling one’s own blanket as they lay in bed, was considered too menial for the nobles to perform.
"Yes."
Riven replied calmly, as although his expression remained perfectly composed, inwardly he could still feel his heart flutter ever so slightly whenever he looked towards the young maid.
She appeared to be around his own age, with long black hair tied neatly into a ponytail behind her head, while the standard maid’s uniform worn by every female servant within the castle accentuated her graceful figure despite its modest design.
Had this still been Ashfang Village, Riven would probably have admitted that he found her rather cute.
However...
This was no longer Ashfang Village.
Out here, he was no longer an ordinary village boy.
He was Riven Dawnriver, the acknowledged son of the Duke of the Eastern Province.
And for him, simply looking at a maid for longer than necessary could easily be misunderstood by those around him.
And so, taking a slow breath to steady his thoughts, Riven quietly climbed out of bed before making his way towards the balcony overlooking the castle grounds.
The sun had only just begun to rise.
Below him, hundreds of Rivermen had already assembled within the training yards, their synchronized battle cries echoing throughout the fortress as squads drilled beneath the watchful eyes of their officers.
Almost immediately, Captain Crusty noticed his arrival upon the balcony.
Without interrupting the exercise, the veteran officer turned towards him before bringing one fist firmly against his chest in salute.
Riven instinctively returned the gesture.
Although such respect was hardly expected from someone of his station, acknowledging those who were stronger than him simply felt natural to him.
’Another day has begun.... Another day, where countless eyes shall follow me wherever I go—’
Riven thought, as no matter where he walked throughout the White Castle, someone always seemed to be watching.
If there was one price attached to noble life, it was the complete loss of anonymity.
’You are Riven Dawnriver.
You are a noble.’
He reminded himself silently before turning away from the balcony, as by the time he returned to his chambers, the bath had already been prepared.
Steam gently drifted above the water, carrying with it the pleasant fragrance of herbs and scented oils.
"Would you like me to assist you today in bathing, Young Duke?"
The maid asked politely, as she lowered her head.
However, like every morning before, Riven gently shook his own.
"No. Thank you."
He replied, as although Lucius had repeatedly explained that many nobles considered it perfectly ordinary for their personal maids to bathe and dress them, Riven still found the very idea unbearably awkward.
Perhaps if the attendant had been an elderly servant whom he viewed as a grandmother, he might eventually have grown accustomed to it.
However, asking a girl his own age to help him undress remained something he simply could not bring himself to accept.
Fortunately, neither the maid nor the household questioned his preference.
So, after bathing and dressing himself, Riven emerged wearing finely tailored Dawnriver attire that fit him perfectly.
"What’s today’s schedule?"
He asked, as the young maid immediately unfolded the small leather planner she carried with her.
"You are expected to meet two of House Dawnriver’s most important Bannermen today.
Lord Henderson and Lady Mellow."
She informed, as her eyes briefly scanned the remaining entries.
"You are scheduled to have lunch with them shortly after midday.
Sir Lucius has also requested your presence later this evening.
But apart from those appointments, your morning and early evening remain free should the luncheon conclude on schedule."
Riven gave a small nod, before walking out of his room as he headed towards the breakfast hall.
"Will Father be joining me for breakfast today?"
He asked.
"I’m not certain, Young Duke," the maid replied honestly.
"If you wish, I can run ahead and find out."
"No."
Riven answered with a faint shake of his head.
"I’ll see for myself."
He said, as together, they made their way towards the grand dining hall.
*Creek*
As the enormous doors swung open, Riven immediately spotted Duke Drew Dawnriver already seated at the head of the long table, calmly reading several reports while breakfast was being prepared around him.
Over the past week, Riven had gradually begun noticing an interesting distinction in the Duke’s behaviour.
When the two of them were alone, Drew remained as distant and reserved as ever, rarely speaking unless absolutely necessary.
However, whenever servants, officials, or soldiers were present, the Duke treated him exactly as one would expect a father to treat the acknowledged heir of House Dawnriver.
"Good morning, Son.
Come.
Sit with your old man."
The Duke said, as he folded the report before setting it aside.
Riven respectfully bowed his head before taking the seat immediately beside him.
"Captain Crusty visited my office yesterday."
Drew remarked casually.
"He had nothing but praise for you.
Apparently, despite meeting the men under his command only once, you’ve already memorised every one of their names.
The gesture meant a great deal to him."
He praised, as Riven bowed modestly in response.
"It would have felt disrespectful not to remember the men protecting my home."
He said, as a faint smile briefly appeared upon the Duke’s face before disappearing just as quickly.
Breakfast was soon served.
Unlike the hearty meals Riven had grown accustomed to in Ashfang Village, every dish here was carefully portioned and elegantly arranged.
Without displaying the slightest impatience, Riven picked up his knife before carefully slicing the fruit placed before him into neat bite-sized pieces, eating slowly and with the refined etiquette Lucius had drilled into him over the past several months.
Watching the boy’s flawless table manners, Drew gave an almost imperceptible nod.
"Consider today’s luncheon your introduction to noble society."
He began.
"Fortunately for you, this will be one of the easier meetings.
Lord Henderson and Lady Mellow have remained loyal to House Dawnriver for generations.
Their allegiance has never once wavered."
The Duke paused briefly.
"Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for many of our other Bannermen."
Riven quietly listened.
"Meet them.
Be respectful.
Earn their trust."
Drew continued, as he calmly cut into his own breakfast.
"One of them has a daughter close to your age who will also be attending the Imperial Academy next year.
Should she be present today, I expect you to make a favourable impression."
He looked directly towards Riven.
"Show them that the Dawnriver bloodline remains strong.
Give them no opportunity to criticise you or question your worth."
The Duke’s voice remained composed throughout.
"I have every confidence that you will conduct yourself well.
However, never forget that they are your Bannermen.
You may treat them with courtesy.
You may even humor them with laughter.
But kindness, when offered without restraint, is often mistaken for weakness.
So always keep your head raised high and your attitude slightly snobby, so that they understand who the senior is in this relationship."
He advised as Riven slowly lowered his head.
"I understand, Lord Father."
He replied, as his green eyes gradually sharpened.
The assignment for today was now crystal clear.