Leaving his bow, Evan walked to the fountain to refresh himself and remove stench of sweat as much as possible. A commonly found fountain, with it's three tiers was often used as a place to quickly wipe the face or neck by everyone, although Evan used it the most. In the backyard, where it was placed, he would train shooting or magic until he got drained of mana. Mages always recommended staying close to water as it contains highest amount of natural mana, thus, people always would build a well or a fountain. Staying at places with lot of mana would quicken the regeneration rate.

Evan picked up his blue shirt he took off on the unusually hot autumn day. Had his mother seen him do that, she would scold him.

"It's inappropriate. The only person that should see your skin and muscles should be your wife." That would be her reaction. He could imagine her look and shuddered. She is scary. But Evan kept repeating such thing over and over again, he would suffer same scolding always because Evan knew his manners well and would follow them when guests came.

After all, he aspired to enter books as first archer and to tame a dragon instead of killing it. And easiest way for that is to become an adventurer. Only books Evan read were conquests of legendary people, rest of books bored him.

Thinking of such stuff, he walked though hallways of the manor towards the kitchen his mother is waiting. She is probably eating some sweets, taking his time won't be a problem, more sweets for her to eat. A curse of sweet tooth as he called it. No matter how urgent situation is, time slows down for people with sweet tooth.

Finally reaching kitchen he was met with unexpected occurrence. His mother was enraged and not eating a cake.

"What took you so long. Rupert and Ember should have told you I'm waiting for you half an hour ago." He flinched from that tone. Whatever his mother needed him for, it truly was urgent. She didn't even touch cake that was served on table in front of her.

"I wanted to give you more time to enjoy cake. I wasn't aware the reason you called me for was this urgent." Only a glare met him. "I'm sorry"

"What happened, happened. Next time I summon you, come at once. Understood?"

"Understood."

Glaring stopped as lady Tamara patted the seat closest to herself as a sign for Evan to sit there. Moving towards the chair, Evan noticed his mother picking up fork to start eating the cake.

"Do you know why I called you?"

"I suppose it has something to do with father and brothers not returning."

"That is right. They haven't returned even though two days passed. Going there takes six hours at easy pace. By now, they should have returned or we should have got some word of what happened." She placed her fork on the plate next to the cake. She is disturbed by lack of news, good or bad. Not knowing anything is worst. "If, something happened to them... You will have to take the place of head right away. You understand that, right?" Seeing Evan nodding she decided to continue. "Are you prepared for such thing? That means you will also have to marry a girl you don't know anything about. Also, your dream will be shattered."

"Mother, I understand that. I will do what I have to do. Having noble blood running though my veins is a chain which I accept. It can't be broken, so, I will fulfil my duty no matter what it is or what the cost." Evan fidgeted all the while. His hands kept pulling out his pocket and then stuffing it back.

"I'm satisfied with your answer." Lady stood up and embraced her son in a hug.

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