Thomas Harrison lived a fairly fulfilling life. He was born to a typical commoner family consisting of a farmer father, a housewife mother, and a younger brother 2 years his junior. Despite his commoner status, he was able to get accepted in the Imperial Academy for nobles under a scholarship grant. At the age of 15, Thomas was able to learn how to navigate and socialize with ill-tempered nobles. Despite being detested by nobles, Thomas was able to graduate with high honors, earning him the attention of high-ranked nobles who were searching for an aide. At 19, Thomas graduated from the Academy, and in hopes of working for the Emperor, he refused all of the job offers and proposals he had received after his graduation. His application was rejected, and Thomas decided to work with his father at their farm field. Feeling dismayed by the prejudiced system of the Empire, he decided to forget his ambition and lived in accordance to what he thought was his only fate, he decided to live as a farmer.
For 4 years, he helped his father in the farm, working tirelessly day and night as he thought it was the only way he could make a living as a poor commoner with farmer parents. And despite the disappointment he had for society, Thomas never blamed his parents for anything, knowing that they did their best despite their background to give their sons a deserving life. Everything changed when he received another offer, and this time it came from the newly appointed Duke Alixandre Evrian.
23-year-old Thomas travelled from his hometown in the Northern region to the Evrian duchy located in the South. The only thing in his mind as he rode in a traveller carriage was a resounding question as to why and how Duke Evrian offered him, and how he even knew who Thomas was. Finally, as he arrived in the duchy during a rainy morning, Thomas entered the manor, drenched from the rain, and shivering from the cold, he met Alixandre Evrian for the first time.
At a young age of 22, Alixandre Evrian, newly appointed Duke of Evrian, already had a reputation for his prodigal skills in swordsmanship. After graduating from the academy, his own father, the previous Duke of Evrian sent his 18-year old son to participate in the ongoing war between the Nolan Navy and the pirates. To fulfill his filial duty as the Heir to the Evrian, Alixandre sets off to Nolan, a distant country in the Northwest part of the continent, a kingdom consisting of a set of islands known for exporting salt, a rare ingredient most sought for in various parts of the continent. After 4 years, Alixandre Evrian returns after the news of his father's passing was delivered to him.
After he spent 4 years participating in the ongoing war between the Royal Navy of Nolan and the notorious pirates, Alixandre Evrian returns to Edaria with his senses sharpened by the war, and his mind wise beyond his years as he experienced living among commoners as a normal foreign knight from Edaria. It was a test, one that would decide his worthiness of bearing the title Duke of Evrian. However, it was a test cut short due to the sudden passing of the former Duke.
At 22, he was titled the new Duke of Evrian, and he bore another title.
The Sword of The Empire.
The highest honor ever bestowed upon by the Emperor of Edaria was given to Duke Alixandre Evrian. Even in the North - where there were nothing but farms and small villages, Thomas knew everything happening at the capital, especially the news and rumors that surrounded Alixandre Evrian.
So he couldn't fathom his disbelief when he received a proposal from him.
When Thomas first entered the manor, his cloak drenched from the rain, his hair disheveled, and his expression filled with blatant suspicion mixed with bewilderment. "Welcome, Thomas Harrison" and to add to his astonishment, the Duke offered his hand to Thomas.
To a commoner.
Thomas, reluctant as he was, shook the hands of a Duke for the first time in his life.
It was a gesture that must have no other implications for the Duke, he was simply welcoming Thomas, who was a guest to his home. But even that small gesture was unusual for Thomas who had never received such polite greeting from any noble he had ever met before.
"Your grace, I greet the sword of the empire" He bows, as is right for him.
"Save your pleasantries, there is no need for them at the moment" the young Duke - with his brilliant violet eyes so captivating that he couldn't help but stare - gestured for him to sit. They were inside his office, and Thomas, who removed his drenched cloak to avoid staining the leather couches, sat down to face the Duke.
"I…Your grace, truthfully, I don't know why you have called for me" he emphasized the last word. He had his hands on his lap, and he sat straighter, far straighter than his usual posture, and it looked stiff and awkward.
"Is the letter I sent not clear?" The Duke raised a brow as if Thomas was asking a ridiculous question. Without skipping a beat, the Duke continues, "I am offering you a job, both as my head butler and my aid" he says.
"Why? No offense, your grace, but I just simply cannot fathom why you chose me" Thomas almost lets his mouth gaped. His hands balled into fists from nervousness as he avoided the Duke's unnerving eyes.
"I was your junior at the Imperial Academy" what?
"I have seen your skills, and you graduated the second in your group"
"I think, no one else would be more deserving"
Thomas was able to recall that day so clearly.
He doubts he could even forget that day ever.
He once read something from a book before: A human is only capable of remembering memories that had a significant impact on their life, in which that memory became the ground that shaped their person. He didn't believe it before, but any doubts he had about that passage has gone. For Thomas Harrison, that first encounter with the Duke became the foundation that shaped him.
Thomas Harrison, farmer, became Thomas Harrison, loyal butler and aide.
Thomas, the longest appointed butler and aide for Duke Evrian.
Recognized for his competency and deep loyalty to the Duke, Thomas was able to remain as the only trusted butler of Duke Evrian. At 48 years old, another memory came for him, one in which he knew he would never forget in his lifetime. It was during the day Aina came into the manor, the little girl with black, shaggy hair, and pale eyes that seemed to be looking through him with bruises all over her small, malnourished body. A sight that made him hostile to the one who brought the little girl in the manor, in hopes that she would get scraps of the Duke's fortune for bringing his illegitimate child in their home.
The woman was imprisoned, and Aina formally entered the family registry.
She was given another name. Ciana, and in the holy scripture, it meant 'light'. A fitting name for someone with eyes that seems to glow beneath the sun. Thomas, who saw little Aina for the first time had no idea how someone so small could have the biggest impact in his life.
For 4 years, Aina lived inside the manor harmoniously with her father and half-siblings. The Duke treated Aina like his other children. He was fair, exceptionally more so towards little Aina who didn't grow up as an Evrian. Her half-siblings played with her often, and Leianna loved her little sister who suddenly came into their lives with her whole heart.
"...and the Princess and the Prince lived happily ever after" Lady Leianna, only 2 years older, had her 6-year-old little sister beside her as they lay under the comforts of the thick duvet. The midnight moon shone brightly outside the window of Aina's room and Leianna had in her hands a children's book as she finished a local fairytale about a Princess who broke the curse of the Prince.
"I also want to live happily ever after with a Prince"
Aina laid her head on Leianna's shoulder, and she nestled herself, tucking her little knees to her chest as her older sister wrapped her arm around her shoulders.
"You will, Ciana, and you'll find someone better than a Prince"
Thomas encountered the scene by pure coincidence. He was in the middle of making his nightly rounds to ensure that Lady Aina was asleep. What he didn't realize was that a certain silver-haired Lady had come into her little sister's room and decided to read her a bedtime story.
He swooned at the sight. He silently closed the door of the bedroom, and the lamp in his hand trembled as he shut his mouth to prevent himself from smiling.
The Duke had always said the same thing to him after Lady Aina first came into the manor.
"She's unlike me." It wasn't meant to be an insult, Thomas knew. Lady Aina was certainly different, she was unlike any Evrian that ever lived. And he wasn't just speaking about her contrasting appearance, it was her essence that made her different from the Duke. She wasn't cruel, she was never cruel. She treated everyone with kindness equally, even when Thomas nagged her that she shouldn't be respectful to servants like him. She wasn't ambitious, and disliked politics. She had a mild temperament and was patient, a trait that contrasts with the Evrian trademark of quick-temperedness. But at the same time, Lady Aina reminded him of the Duke in some ways, no matter how much he thought they were different. The Duke was straightforward and always spoke his mind, and his children were the same, but Aina was unlike her father who would have immediately drawn his sword instantly the moment someone insulted him. Aina was a child who would allow herself to be insulted, and only when she couldn't take it anymore would she retaliate.
But oh, how truly kind Lady Aina is.