After being immersed in the swordsmanship book I reading, I realized how  difficult knowing how to wield a sword can be, I learned quite a lot. Most swordsman could learn how to use something called mana that could enhance ones abilities at using the sword. There was also sword aura but unlike sword mana that can be practiced by everybody, sword mana was innate, as in it was something you could be born with. Sword aura is much more powerful than sword mana and if combined together a swordsman could potentially become an unstoppable force. And it comes to no ones surprise that Donellan Grey possessed both sword mana and aura. 

“what a monster!” I exclaimed to myself. 

Even after hours of reading, there were still some concepts I couldn’t quite grasp and made note that I would ask my teacher when given the chance. It was finally time for dinner by the time I had finished. This time Yvonne came to fetch me for diner. I was finally able to identify each maid and staff member for the most part considering how many were working in the Grey estate. We made our way to the dinning room and the food was just as glorious as the previous days, if not grandeur. I noticed there was an extra plate at the head of the table and asked Yvonne if anyone else would be joining us. I had never suspected, not even a second that the person joining me would be Donellan. The Earl made it a habit whenever he was home to eat in his study so I received quite the shock when I saw him enter the dining room and taking a seat. I looked at him for a brief second and concealed my surprise as I took my seat. Since I had made it a habit to sit on the right side of the head of the table, I was now in close proximity to my father which was nerve wracking. I calmly took my silverware and started to eat. As if feeling someone staring at me I finally looked up and made eye contact with him. He looked at me briefly and looked away. 

“ I will have Emille teach you proper table etiquette later.” He simply said to me. I looked at him once again surprised by his initiative to start a conversation with me. Since I knew myself that I lacked table etiquette from growing up not needed to learn any whatsoever, I could only acquiesce. 

“Yes father.” Damn, was I eating like a slob this whole time I thought to myself.

 At this point in the novel, Simuel never learned any formal table etiquette since he was still very young but I’m guessing since he is getting older, he needs proper lessons. I sighed in my heart. After that we didn’t talk at all and ate in peaceful silence. I paid him no mind and it seemed like he paid me no attention either. It wasn’t until the end of the meal that he told me to set some time in the morning tomorrow because there were some stuff he wanted to discuss with me. I agreed and we left it at that. On my way back from dinner I couldn’t help but wonder what we needed to discuss. Again Donellan never really interacted with his son much so you could imagine my confusion. 

“Maybe since it’s been a month since we’ve seen each?” I wondered out loud.

 I was glad that he requested an audience in the morning and not at this current time since I needed to figure out how I would respond if he started asking me questions. But based off the way Donellan was in the novel, that seemed very unlikely. Then again, things can change, after all this is no longer a fantasy novel I used to pick up from the library shelves. This is now my reality, this is a real world now. So of course there’s a possibility of things changing. A single decision I make can cause a series of events to happen. This phenomenon is known as the butterfly effect, a concept I am quite familiar with since I’ve a few fantasy comics before.  How should I present myself though? Should I be me or act as Simuel? I guess I could just act as myself. It is unlikely that Donellan would suspect that his son’s body is being occupied by another soul right? Maybe I could also take it as an opportunity to ask Donellan some questions and build a relationship with him. Well whatever happens, happens I guess. No use in stressing about it now. 

                                                              ………

The following morning I got dressed like usually and was ready to make my way to my father’s study. This time I was accompanied by Gwendolyn, Yvonne and Saoirse. They could all tell I was a little nervous since this was the first time I was called to his study in awhile. 

“Do not worry young master. You’ll be just fine” Gwendolyn said while giving me reassuring smile. 

The two others also gave me a smile and Gwendolyn knocked on the door letting Donellan know of my presence. All that could be heard from inside the room was a brief “come in”. 

Gwendolyn opened the door and moved out of the way to let me in. I walked in a greeted the man in front of me. 

“Good morning father, you called for me?” 

Without looking up from his papers he told me to take a seat and sent Gwendolyn and the other away. I sat down on the chair in front of me and made myself comfortable while still maintaining a certain decorum. I patiently waited for the man to say what he needed to say. 

Donnellan hadn’t seen his son in over a month but he could tell that there was something different about him. Despite how cold and indifferent he appeared on the surface, Donellan Grey actually cared for him quite a lot. He had grown up in a cold and ruthless environment and as a child did not receive any love or affection from his father. Of course he knew what it was like to care and love for someone because he had experienced this feeling with his mother, but unfortunately his mother had died at such a young age and having lost his one parental figure, Donellan grew cold and distant. After having his son, Donellan didn’t know how to treat him so he decided he would give him what he wanted and needed and give him the freedom to do what he wanted, unlike his life.  When he had found out that his son had a weak body and wouldn’t be able to wield the sword as his predecessors did despite having the potential to do so, he decided that he would find a way to cure his son so that he wouldn’t be hindered later on in the future.  This lead to him being away for long periods at a time on top of going on subjugations ordered by the King. He had little time to spend with his son, but he always got reports on his condition and how he was doing from Emille and this included his current change in attitude.  Despite all of this, he wanted to hear what his son was up to from his own mouth. And so he asked him. 

“What have you been up to?”