My father’s office was larger and more spacious than my bedroom. It was furnished with centuries old antiques, maintained and kept in good repair by various enchantments. The dark color scheme gave the office a somber atmosphere. The smell of sandalwood lingered in the air, though I couldn’t locate the source.

The desk, a massive wooden monstrosity, sat near the far end of the room. Tall glass windows lined the wall behind him, providing a great view of Sturm Manor’s grounds. Unlit glowstone lamps hung from the walls. Tall wooden bookshelves, filled with books and arcane memorabilia. The hardwood floors remained bare. In the corner, near the office’s entrance, was a little sitting area. It consisted of leather chairs surrounding a small wooden coffee table.

On any other day, I would have looked around with curiosity. I hadn’t been in my father’s office in decades. Even before that, I could count the number of times I had been in here with one hand. I didn’t have much of an impression of this place, so it felt like new territory to me.

It was a little past noon now, several hours after our encounter with the three jokers at the Northern Annex. Leroy and I sat before my father’s desk as he regarded us with a stern expression on his face. Trent Jeffers, my father’s bodyguard, stood behind him. Meanwhile, the captain and vice captain of House Sturm’s retainers stood next to us. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.

After Leroy and I left the three jokers behind, we headed to my father’s office to report what happened. I strode about, as if I didn’t have a care in the world. Meanwhile, Leroy wore a grim expression on his face, like a guard escorting a prisoner. I wondered if he would have tried to stop me if I attempted to run away. A part of me wanted to find out. However, I refrained.

Along the way, I grabbed a random servant and told him that three of House Sturm’s retainers were at the Northern Annex, injured and in need of help. The servant stared at me with wide eyes. Rather, he stared at the blood on my clothes. However, in the end, he nodded and ran off to get help.

When Leroy and I arrived at my father’s office, we found him busy with his duties. Ruling a House as large as House Sturm required a lot of work. My father spent more time behind his desk than not. He had several aides, which lightened his burden, but he handled the most important work himself.

Despite this, my father didn’t admonish me for barging into his office uninvited and interrupting his work. In fact, he seemed happy to see me. At least, I think he was happy to see me. His stern expression made it difficult to tell. Regardless, he certainly wasn’t happy to see the blood on my clothes. Nor was he happy after I finished telling him how I ended up looking like that.

I made sure to emphasize that I took full responsibility for what happened. This was for Leroy’s sake. I didn’t want him to face punishment for my actions.

At first, my father didn’t believe me. I didn’t blame him. After all, I didn’t have a magic circle and yet I defeated two of House Sturm’s retainers. However, when Leroy backed me up, my father realized that this wasn’t a joke or a prank. He summoned several of House Sturm’s retainers and ordered them to investigate the matter.

Over the next several hours, plenty of people came and went from my father’s office. The first was Joanne, House Sturm’s healer, who showed up at my father’s behest. The blood on my clothes worried him more than I realized. She examined Leroy and I, before using her magic to heal us. Not that there was much to heal. A pulled muscle at worst. When she finished, she scolded me for straining my body so soon after my recovery, before leaving.

Soon after Joanne left, Aleah Jeffers, the captain of House Sturm’s retainers, and Jacob Coombs, the vice captain arrived. The former was a slender woman with long blond hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. The latter, also fair-skinned, was a burly man with brown hair and brown eyes. They accompanied the retainers that my father had ordered to investigate the matter. They also brought Joker Two with them. She must have seen a healer, since her face was clean and bandaged.

The retainers reported their findings, before my father dismissed them. Afterwards, Joker Two explained what happened in a halting voice. To my surprise, she told nothing but the truth. She didn’t try to shift the blame to me, nor try to excuse her actions.

As Joker Two recounted what happened, I watched Trent Jeffers, Captain Aleah, and Vice Captain Jacob to gauge their reactions. Trent wore a dark look on his face, while Captain Aleah imitated a stone statue. Vice Captain Jacob’s expression became unsightly. He threw a venomous look in my direction. It appeared and disappeared so fast that I almost missed it. No one else saw it either. Interesting.

After Joker Two finished speaking, my father dismissed her. He placed his elbows on his desk and steepled his fingers together, before studying me with an inscrutable expression on his face. I looked back at him with a nonchalant expression on mine. Neither one of us said anything for several seconds.

“Why did you do it?” My father asked, breaking the silence.

I opened my mouth to respond. However, before I could, Vice Captain Jacob spoke up first.

“Lord Sturm,” he said, his voice full of barely restrained anger, “It’s clear that this is all a fabrication to cover up…” He gestured to Leroy. “… This one’s misdeed.” Leroy looked affronted by this, and I didn’t blame him. “There’s no way that Lord Gabriel could defeat three-”

My father interrupted Vice Captain Jacob with a raised finger.

“I asked my son a question.” He said. “Do not speak out of turn again.”

Vice Captain Jacob opened his mouth to respond, but stopped when he saw the cold look in my father’s eyes. A moment later, he shut his mouth and clenched his jaw. My father turned back to me and gestured for me to speak up.

“First, Timothy Jeffers and his companions insulted me.” I said. “In light of his family’s service to ours, I was willing to forgive them if they apologized. They refused. Rather than run crying to you, I decided to punish him myself. That was when Trent Jeffers crossed the line and threatened me.”

Vice Captain Jacob scoffed.

“There is no way that Timothy or his friends would have hurt you, Lord Gabriel.” He said. “They were just trying to scare you, and you overreacted by having Leroy attack them.”

My father narrowed his eyes at the vice captain. However, before he said anything, I caught his eye and gave him a subtle shake of the head. After a moment, my father gave me a slight nod.

“Vice Captain Jacob,” I said, “Timothy had no business threatening me at all. Regardless of his intentions, he crossed the line.” I snorted. “Even if he was just trying to scare me, I couldn’t take that risk. When a wizard threatens me, especially one who practices internal magic, I need to take them at their word. Complacency is a luxury I cannot afford, since I no longer have a magic circle.”

“And whose fault is that?” Vice Captain Jacob snapped.

The rumbling of thunder filled the office. I looked at my father. The expression on his face took me aback. If looks could kill, Vice Captain Jacob would be dead a thousand times over.

Captain Aleah, who remained silent up to this point, stepped forward and bowed to my father.

“I apologize for my subordinate’s actions, Lord Sturm.” she said in a respectful tone. “I’ll see to it that he is adequately punished for his insolence.”

“See that you do,” my father said in an ominous voice, “Otherwise, I will follow my son’s example and take matters into my own hands.”

Vice Captain Jacob seemed surprised by Captain Aleah’s words.

“Captain!” He cried out. “Timothy is your nephew! Don’t you care that a talentless wretch-”

Captain Aleah backhanded him. Despite her slender build, she sent Vice Captain Jacob stumbling back a few steps. He clutched his face and stared at her in shock.

“You fool!” She said, her eyes blazing with fury. “Lord Gabriel is a member of House Sturm’s main family. To disrespect him is to disrespect House Sturm. Regardless of your personal feelings, that is a sin. Timothy may be my nephew, but there is no excusing his actions. Nor is there any excuse for yours.” She looked at my father. “May I take my leave now, Lord Sturm?”

My father gestured for her to go. Captain Aleah grabbed Vice Captain Jacob by the ear and marched out of the office. After they left, my father nodded towards Leroy.

“You may go as well. Regardless of what happened, I don’t hold you responsible. You won’t face any punishment.”

Leroy nodded.

“Thank you, Lord Sturm.”

With that, he left the office. However, as Leroy walked away, he gave me one last lingering look. After he left, my father looked at Trent.

“Leave us. I wish to speak with my son alone.”

Without a word, Trent bowed to my father before leaving the office. Soon, I was alone with my father. I had to admit, I was a little nervous. Time for me to face the consequences of my actions.