Eliza Steinberg, otherwise known as Princess of the Steinberg duchy. She was the duke's daughter. A girl of true upstanding rank. A noble lady famed for her gentleness and purity. Her voice was sweet and devoid of deceit, rumours have it that she has never once lied ever. Some even went as far as to call her a saint.

She was also "my" friend. Our parents had friendly relations, even though there was a disparity of 2 ranks, they were close. Thus, ever since birth, we both have been together as people of the same age. 

"How have you been? Good, I presume?" I reply bowing curtly. One could argue that mannerism wasn't a necessary act between close friends, after all, it puts a certain distance between you and the other person. 

A proof that you recognise them professionally rather than intimately as a friend. Yet, here respecting social hierarchy was as natural as can be. She of course took no offence to my act and simply smiled gently towards me.

"Yes, Congratulations on your coming of age, I would ask how you did but I can guess from uncle Reinhardt's face already." 

I nervously laughed turning to see my father's chest puffed out a bit further than usual. Typical, his pride in his children is evident huh. 

"He is acting strangely today, well at least as far as anyone else can see really." I shrug, and as I would've kept the conversation going, Eliza gets hoarded by a bunch of other nobles. All kissing up to her, it's amazing how obviously fake they can be.

I moved about here and there, going from person to person, occasionally stopping for some chit chat of a few acquaintances but none well enough for me to refer to as "friends."

Until suddenly, the room went silent. Everyone looked expectantly towards my father, who was standing on some sort of artificial stage, which I had, to be honest about, it did not match his size. 

Regardless he cleared his throat rather grotesquely, it sounded like something was scraping against another. 

"testing...testing." He whispered.

He wasn't wearing a mic.

What's the point of saying testing then? What did I just witness? 

The world seemingly uncaring of my confusion moved on without giving a damn. My father's lips parted and he finally spoke,

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome you all. Tonight is a rather happy day to me both as a father and a Knight who has served this Kingdom for essentially my entire life. Even my dear friend Albert Steinberg, the duke of this Kingdom has graced us with his presence." He paused as he and the countless others gave a short bow to him.

Nobility or not, this was the King's brother here, you couldn't just act like he's the old man who lives down the road.

" On this special day, me and Alice were hopeful, for the success to come to our son. Ryu, who had just turned 15 today has completed his coming of age ceremony." He announced as a lot of people turned to face me.

Amongst the many doe eyed people staring at me with practiced but fake smiles, I spotted Eliza clapping along. She seemed to be the only one to genuinely smile at me, which even though I don't really care about her, I have to give her the prompts.

" I would like to say I have permitted Ryu to keep his deity a secret, and his job. Which he has already also agreed to not disclose. What matters is that he, has been blessed by said God, Ryu Skyborne has received the first blessing in the last 250 years and has been chosen as a messenger on Earth." He once more paused to add efficacy.

The hall was now littered with wide-open mouths and gasps ringing out. They were so horribly out of tune that it sounded like simple hyperventilation rather than just shock.

"As a celebration for Ryu's grand day, today I take this toast. May Ryu have a path of success on his way to become a knight." He cheered as the others followed suit. 

Seemingly following a plan, the chefs brought in trolley after trolley of food. It was dinner time but what happened after that was a blur to me.

Eat, drink, eat then drink and then chit chat for a bit. It repeated until everyone was gone and the maids' were cleaning up. 

Now seems to be the best time to do the one thing I needed to do.

You see most nobles go to school from the age of 15-18, due to them specialising in fields. At this rate, I will undoubtedly end up in the Knight academy. 

Which if you couldn't have guessed already from my liberal way of thinking, 

I have no interest in it. I genuinely could not care any less about becoming a knight. I was brought here, so I can live a good way. My way. 

It only took me a quick scan around the room, to spot my target. The person who will help me escape this plan. I obviously needed someone who can understand my point of view. 

"Olivia," I call out, as the woman who was putting the dirty dishes back on the trolley turns around to face me. 

She initially searches for the source of the voice but upon seeing my face, her tight face muscles loosen into an easy but gentle smile. 

"yes, Young master Ryu? How may I help?" She askes. 

Perfect.

"um, there is something I need to talk to you about, preferably with my sister too," I reply. I mean my sister was someone I was not worried about, I know for a fact that she will support me too, but it's easier to say the same story once to both.

Olivia eyed me with some level of wonder but decided to follow gut feeling if you can call it. She felt that it was going to be important so she nodded and began walking behind him towards Ayame's room.

After knocking a couple of times, Ayame's door whirs open revealing the rather average room. It was big sure, but it was decorated with paintings. A bit of pink or stereotypical girly items here and there, while on the floor, a large white mat was set out. A couple of couches, not too big for 3 people at best on opposites with a small wooden tea table in the centre. presumably for when friends or guests come over.

Overall, it was a very clean and neat room. 

On which rest, what I can assume, her armour. Seems like she was maintaining it.

"oh hey baby brother and Olivia, did you need something?" 

I nodded meekly. 

Normal POV

There they were standing, in the doorway. Ryuu acted meekly, shy even to feint fear. It would be more than a little surprising to just confidently state his purpose. 

By using this initial act, he could at least make them believe that he was worried about it.

 

"you see..." he began, this was something he had no time for. He had to do it now, even though as a normal human being he doesn't like intentionally ruining someone's joy, he had to do it. 

He had become 15, an adult in this world at least. He wouldn't very easily be allowed off but he had to take his chance.

And so after 15 minutes of conversations going back and forth, the three sat in Ayame's room. She sipped slowly on her now semi-cold tea, as the talk that had ensued was something that could perhaps have massive effects.

She kept her eyes closed as she imagined the many bad outcomes that could happen. 

Olivia on the other hand was rather proud albeit confused, considering how huge of an impact this would have. She saw the boy grow up from his birth, this bit of individualism wasn't something she minded at all.

Ryu just let it happen. He knew his sister would most likely take his side, but that was from an emotional perspective. If she decides to choose logic over desire, then he would lose her support for sure. 

Finally, however, after a few moments of dreadful silence which felt like hours, his sister spoke up.

"Are you sure you want to do this Ryu?" 

His sister always had pet names for people, but one thing she certainly did was know the time and place for things, this was not the time to be acting all-loving and cute. She had her role as his older sister, she would hear him out, and if it was worth the sacrifice then she would accept it. However, if it were to be some flimsy desire, she would make sure to "educate" him harshly.

"yes," Ryu replied. He knew he couldn't waver in front of her right now. He kept his back firm even when his sister was giving off such an intimidating aura. It felt like staring into the mouth of a lion, and he had no desire to get eaten right now.

"You do realise that with what you are doing, you will potentially ruin this house's good name, and perhaps be even kicked out as a bastard son. Even then are you willing?" She asked.

Classic. 

Of course a question about status, but she must be mistaken. I'm not the same Ryu that she knew. I do not have the same emotional attachment to them. While I'm not so cold-hearted as to forget humanitarian expectations, I certainly don't care about their honour.

With a glassy look in my eyes, a wave of confidence overflowed from Ryu. Astounding even Ayame, who could not remember when was the last time her brother was this sure of himself. 

Something. Something had changed. There was no way the actual Ryu, would've been this confident in his actions, he always had some level of doubt within himself. 

Was it the blessing?

Or perhaps was the goal just that important to him?

Ryu smiled confidently, afore the image of her father appearing before her eyes for a split second before vanishing. 

"at all costs," he replied.

Silence would've ensued, had Olivia not burst out laughing. Surprising to both Ayame and Ryu, who had never considered the rather uptight and serious maid with a soft spot Ryu, to act like this during such a serious conversation.

Olivia's actions continued for a good 5 seconds, neither Ryu nor Ayame had the composure to question her actions, until, she finally quietened down. 

"Young master, I apologise, I am by no means making fun of your determination. It just...pleases me, to see you have grown up so wonderfully. I fully give you my full support, however much it amounts to." 

To say Olivia was jovial was an understatement. From what it seemed like to Ryu, Olivia clearly hated the idea of him following his father's footsteps. Perhaps due to her unusual attachment to him, or just because she wanted to see a new route. She was happy with his choice.

Ryu took the support with some level of pride,  it wasn't his work all the way, but winning Olivia's support was definitely going to be worthwhile.

Ayame sighed, drawing both of their attention. But if Ryu was to follow the general paths,

"I guess there is no choice. Fine, I'll support it too."

Yes!

You just have to love typical behaviour like this. 

"well then let's go and tell our parents right now." Ryu leapt up from the couch, essentially skipping towards the door as Olivia and Ayame just watched him.

"wait....did you know we would agree? You planned everything?" Ayame asked a bit shocked. His lack of reaction suggested that evidently, he knew that they were going to agree.

Was it just expectant of them?

Or did he predict it? There was suddenly too many new variables with Ryu, she couldn't tell what was going on in his mind, he had become a new person altogether. 

Ryu paused in his tracks, but not turning back. "hmm...who knows," he shrugs as he continues once more to walking towards the door. Ayame felt a bit stumped, was this really her brother?

Regardless, besides the fact that he was already halfway out of the door and that he didn't seem to want to tell her, she and Olivia both got up and started walking behind him.

Within a couple of minutes, they were on the other side of the mansion, almost by the gates of his parents. 

Even though they had no real connection per se, Ryu's heart was thumping a bit. He would've made this decision regardless of his sister's support or not. 

As his walking comes to a stop, Olivia and Ayame catch up to him, both stopping behind him. Ayame felt somewhat nervous, she would be defying her father for the first time. An audible gulp went down Ayame's throat, but no one brought attention to it.

Ryu raised his hand and his knuckles landed softly on the wooden door. It was loud enough for whoever was inside to hear it.

"Come in." a voice called from within. It was his father's!

Ryu slowly twisted the door handle and entered inside, to see the grand room. A King-sized bed in the room against a wall, two couches similar to Ayame's just a different shade sat on top of a small red carpet with designs on it. 

The rest of the floor tiled and on each side of the room, a different part. 

On the right was a large wardrobe, tall and wide. Besides which stood an armour rack with an entire set of armour sitting on top. Assumingly, it was Reinhardt's.

While on the other side, was his mothers. A slightly smaller but large enough wardrobe, not too tall but she would evidently have to tip toe to reach the top. A dressing table with some cosmetics, which to be fair to the generation looked like the most advanced thing Ryu had seen the entire day. His mother sat on a cushioned seat, as she brushed her hair. 

"Oh Ryu. Ayame and Olivia too? Did something happen?" Reinhardt asked as he looked at them slightly confused. It wasn't particularly late, just a strange time.

But it made sense, the entire day Reinhardt and Alice were busy preparing for the feast, thus they couldn't really talk with their son properly. They waited for the sudden appearance of their children to pass and for Ryu, who stood at the forefront to speak first.

"Father, mother...I decided that....I won't become a knight."