A New Life

Chapter 3: Visit to Fief

(Ren's Pov)

Let me tell you something.

Being noble is... HARD!

I have to learn a lot of things. Some like Language, Music, Art, History and Geography I don't mind. I even enjoyed music very much. Basic Swordmanship is fine because I definitely will need it in future. But the rest... etiquette made my mind go numb. There's so much don'ts and do's a man have to do in public and party. Dancing? I tripped myself twice. Riding horse? ...my back. My poor back ache so much it's hurts.

...the damn horse didn't helped. I swear it was laughing at me!

The thing I do for curiosity...

At least after two years it somehow become easier.

Anyway, today we are exempted from lesson. No. More like today there's no lesson for us. Father and Mother take us to the fief today. They said, since Lilianne and I are twelve this year, we can go to Social Gala. Luckily, there's one in week's time. That means... yep.

Clothes Shopping.

I don't mind shopping but there's no way I'm stuck around fashionista! The kind who try mountain of clothes and only pick one or two, if they did pick! And my mother and Lilianne unfortunately are that kind of fashionista. Already, they had start talking about latest trends. Something about pattern, ribbon, frills, layered skirt, and such.

"Pst.. Father!" I whispered.

"Forget it." Father shook his head. As if reading my mind he continue, "You can't fight them. Just go along with it and hope it'll pass faster."

Gah! No use! So easy for you to say! It wasn't YOU who had first debut! I'm the one who's gonna turned into Dress up doll here!

Okay. Okay Ren. Calm down. Calm down dammit. Deep breath. Deep. Breath. Let's focus on the good thing. At least you won't have to lug them around. Isn't that nice?

Okay... that sounds good... what else...? Oh right.

"Father, our fief has City, right? What's the name?"

"It's Cadeena." Father replied, looking confused as well relieved. Well, considering we're not into fashion, let's talk about fief! "It located right in heart of Beltany with several smaller village and forest surrounds it." Pulling out a paper, father draw the crude drawing of capital. "Cadeena has divided into two section, East and West, by Causica River. To connect the two halves, there's several bridges built over. From the River, our ancestor had build smaller rivers that lead to districts and ponds that located in various place in the town."

Man made river and mini-lake... then would there be garden, park, and little forest inside the city on top of forest outside the city as well? How about fish ponds? And bridge...

"Those sound pretty." I said. "Do people come to see them?"

"Yes." Father nodded. "The Bridge of Dawn and Astrarea Lake are the most famous attraction in our fief."

"Come to think of it..." mother suddenly joining in, "your father brought mother to Lake of Astrarea when he proposes~"

Father turned little pink, but smiled at mother and kiss her hand.

...Still, the happy atmosphere didn't save me from turned into dress up doll. It was the opposite. Mother get fired up even more and the second we stopped in front of clothes shop, she drag us all for outfitting. She even drag Father by collar!

Well... at least we suffer together?

Doesn't mean I like it, though.

...