Chapter 3

Altair sat in the dining room with his family as

he had seen in the painting this morning. Busy with food on the table.

Altair's father sat at the head of the family's

main table, to his right was a woman whom the girls also called mother. They

all have beautiful faces.

There was person standing serving the family

holding a water bottle and a trolley filled with food.

Altair sat to his father's left, quietly. Still

trying hard what happened to him (Claretta). Thinking how her mother is now?

Making good food in front of Altair taste bland.

"Mom look! Brother Altair is crying."

said a little girl holding a glass of milk in her hand.

“For someone who's about to hold a grown-up

event, he shouldn't be crying. Moreover, he is a man," replied the woman

who was called mother while glancing at Altair.

"Unless he's already aware of the mistakes

he's made, always acting dirty like his mother." she added again.

Altair's father only cleared his throat and put

down the knife and drank a glass of wine. Altair still didn't understand why

the people here treated him like that.

When Mary and the butler caught Altair *****, the

butler said that the Duke took Altair to breakfast together with a straight

face.

"How are your preparations for the

coming-of-age ceremony?" his father asked.

Altair who was asked about it, immediately

answered.

"Everything is ready, father," he

answered flatly.

It was strange, the stranger who was beside him

was now called as father.

The death that befell him is still etched in his

memory. It makes his stomach and head hurt again.

"Do it right for the dignity of the family

and the empire," added the father.

“How can he be destined to be the successor of

the family well, when he was born to the mother of a slave who became a servant.

After being rescued, his mother acted like a **********.” said the eldest girl.

Altair listened a familiar words. When he became

Claretta or had become someone else still, only insults he got.

"Father, I'm done. Can I get out of here?”

asked Altair.

"Yes," answered his father shortly.

The chair squeaked, Altair left the dining table.

The food is untouched. Altair left them all.

When going to his room, Altair realized that he

could find information about this world from the library.

Immediately Altair went to look for Mary. Looking

in every corner of the room, his steps seemed familiar as he walked through the

very spacious mansion. Altair arrived in the kitchen.

"Where's Mary?" asked Altair.

They were reluctant to answer fearing the Duchess

would mistreat them. There was one male servant who just worked here, didn't

know the rules.

Anyone who is seen doing good to Altair will be

physically punished.

"She's at the wash, maybe she's drying the

laundry now." replied the waiter.

"Thank you." Altair replied as he

quickly exited.

"Woe to you, if someone reports you talking

to him you will be tortured," said the friend who was next to him.

The maid turned to everyone with a frightened

look. Some are hiding to see it, some are smiling, some even don't care about

the fate of the maid.

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" he asked

in a confused.

"The Duchess did that to see who the spies

were who dared enter the Onder de family and dared to infiltrate on behalf of

Altair's mother." he answered again.

"Just pray that you are in the protection of

the gods." another employee said while patting him on the shoulder.

Altair ran through the backyard where the maids

used to hang clothes. Found a figure with short hair behind her. Mary was

drying a thick blanket and some clothes.

The maids who were there began to whisper to see

the arrival of Altair.

Altair came to Mary and patted her on the

shoulder. Mary was surprised and dropped the cloth. Altair who was alert,

immediately took the cloth. Mary turned and saw her master.

"W...what are you doing here Master?"

asked Mary in a nervous.

Altair was surprised Mary's voice changed when

they were in a place where there were a lot of people whereas if it was just

the two of them, they acted normal.

“Please help me, I want to go to the library.”

Mary wondered why her master wanted her to take his

to the library. Though Altair was the son of the duke's family.

"Okay Master." Mary answered without

asking again.

They left the place. Everyone's gaze still didn't

leave.

“Excuse my attitude earlier, allow me to

introduce myself. I'm Mary, and I come from the land where Master’s mother is

from."

"Can you explain clearly the situation

here?" asked Altar.

Mary recounted, Altair's mother was a slave from

another country who was stricken by poverty because their king embezzled money

for the people. The kings and nobles there lived a luxurious life relying on

the mercy of other countries and empires.

So that if there are travelers who come to the

country, then they are happy to lick immigrants who look rich, the people act

like beggars. Will always stick to the horse-drawn carriages until they are

given money.

Altair's mother was traded in the auction market

in the center of the nation's capital. They openly made the transaction. In

front of everyone. At that time Altair's father, Duke Leon Onder de traveled to

the country.

Carry out diplomatic agreements between countries

and send magicians messengers there.

Duke Leon turned the horse carriage and his

entourage into a shabby and shabby carriage before entering the country. To avoid

the attitude of the people there.

After Duke Leon's business was over, he and the

entourage passed the slave auction place. Seeing Altair's mother being

auctioned off for sale.

“Who wants to buy it? I'll open it for 13,000

gold coins." shouted the big bald man.

“13,000 gold coins? Isn't it too expensive for an

ordinary woman?" another buyer asked.

"If any of you buy it, I guarantee you won't

regret it." heard the auctioneer approaching one of the buyers in front.

The people who were there were noisy with the

auctioneer's words. Altair's mother in shabby clothes and her mouth tied with a

ship's rope, looked pitiful with tears streaming down her face.

Since no one bought it, the Duke bought the

slave, at an agreed price. The duke brought Altair's mother to the kingdom of

Rhodes to make her a servant in the Duke's residence.

Somehow, Altair's mother was pregnant and married

to the Duke. During Altair's pregnancy. His mother is very sick. The Saintess  who was there saw the word of the gods that

she would have a son.

From the marriage of Duke Leon to his wife only

gave birth to 3 daughters. However, Altair's mother had to die, because she

could not contain the birth of her child.

"I am your mother's nephew, Master."

Mary replied

“I'm here because I heard that my cousin has been

sleeping for a month, so I'm worried about you. Pardon my impudence.”

Altair was relieved, at least he could have

someone who would help him while he was in this family. On their way to the

library. They passed Duke Leon's special knight squad. Practicing sword.

Some are wearing armor, training t-shirts and

some are even shirtless.

"Oi." shouted the voice of someone from

the troops there.

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