A Year of Waiting
A full year had slipped by in what felt like the blink of an eye.
"Nngh…"
At the cheerful chirping of birds outside the window, Schwarz stirred with a soft groan and opened his eyes. He sat up slowly, stretched his arms high above his head, and turned toward the view beyond the glass.
Dawn was breaking over the count's domain, the rising sun painting the land in soft gold. Schwarz watched for a moment, then checked the clock.
Six in the morning.
Early though it was, he rose, opened the wardrobe, and changed into a black suit that matched the dark hue of his hair. Dressed in moments, he left the shed and made his way toward the Valentine manor.
He exchanged polite greetings with the maids bustling about their morning duties as he walked the corridor—until a familiar voice called out.
"Schwarz."
"Good morning, Chief Butler."
Schwarz turned and bowed respectfully to the elderly gentleman standing before him. The man wore a meticulously tailored butler's uniform; his hair was a pale, silvery white that made no attempt to hide his years, and beneath it sat a pair of warm brown eyes. He stood a full three or four heads taller than Schwarz, his frame still powerfully built—easily a match for any younger man.
His name was Robert Bernstein, a scion of the Bernstein family that had served the Valentine house for generations. He was Count Bernus Valentine's most trusted right hand.
"So the day has finally arrived. How are you feeling?"
"A little… nervous, sir."
Schwarz let out a long breath as he answered. For a full year he had studied under Robert, learning everything he needed to know. To him, the older man was nothing less than a true mentor.
"Being judged on one's achievements makes anyone's heart race," Robert said with a faint smile. He stepped closer and gave Schwarz's shoulder a light, reassuring pat. "Don't worry too much. I'm certain you'll do splendidly."
"Thank you, Chief Butler."
Schwarz bowed once more at the words of encouragement, then continued down the corridor.
A short while later he stopped before a large set of doors, raised his hand, and knocked.
"Enter."
At the voice from within, Schwarz carefully opened the door. Inside, Count Bernus Valentine stood gazing out the window at the domain spread below.
"Good morning, my lord."
"Come in."
Bernus turned to face him. "Sit."
"Yes, my lord."
Schwarz nodded and carefully took a seat on the sofa in the center of the room.
"You know what day this is."
"Yes. The day My Lady returns—and the day my progress is evaluated."
Bernus gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment and slowly turned to sit behind his desk. Every movement carried an imposing weight that made Schwarz keep his mouth firmly shut as he watched.
"As you know, Robert and Heine have been assessing you this past year. And…"
Bernus rummaged through a drawer and drew out a single document. Even without being told, Schwarz knew exactly what it was.
"This is the record of your evaluation."
Schwarz stared at the papers in the count's hand, tension written plain across his face. In that moment the document might as well have held his very life in its pages.
With a sharp rip, Bernus tore open the envelope and began to read. Each second stretched into an eternity. Schwarz watched him, cold sweat tracing a path down his spine as anxiety bloomed in his chest. He could only hope the moment would pass quickly—
"Hmm…"
Bernus set the papers down with a low murmur and looked at the young man on the sofa. His expression was complicated, unreadable. Schwarz had no idea what it meant.
Then—
"You've worked hard this past year."
Schwarz's heart slammed against his ribs. Did I fail? His breathing grew shallow. What had he done wrong? Where had he fallen short? A thousand frantic thoughts tore through his mind; he fought down a wave of nausea as he forced himself to meet the count's gaze.
"As of today, I appoint you Milia's personal attendant."
"That means…?"
For a heartbeat Schwarz simply stared, not quite grasping the words. Bernus answered with a quiet smile and a single nod.
"Haa…"
Strength drained from Schwarz's body in a rush. Had he not been sitting before the count, he might have collapsed on the spot.
"Th-thank you… my lord. I swear on my life I will serve My Lady so that I never bring shame upon House Valentine."
"As you should. That is what it means to be a servant of this house."
Bernus nodded at the earnest vow. Then he opened the desk once more and held out a small letter.
"Take this."
"This is…?"
"A letter from Milia. Read it."
At the mention of her name Schwarz sprang to his feet, accepted the envelope with careful hands, and tore it open. Paper rustled as he drew out the letter and began to read.
"What does it say?"
"Well… that is…"
Schwarz's voice was awkward. Bernus tilted his head, rose, and stepped closer. He took the letter Schwarz offered, narrowed his eyes, and read. A moment later he let out a low sound of understanding.
"It seems… the situation has grown a little more complicated."
Schwarz could only answer in the same troubled tone.
The next day.
"Barenberg, is it…"
Schwarz murmured as he watched the landscape rush past the carriage window. The vehicle was bound for the capital of the kingdom—the very heart of the realm.
There was a simple reason for the sudden journey.
Things have gotten so busy all of a sudden that I don't think I'll be able to come home. I'm sorry, but… could you come here instead?
— Milia Valentine
In short, it was because of Milia's letter. She had written that unexpected work made returning to the count's domain impossible, and asked Schwarz to come to Barenberg himself. For him, there had been nothing to consider—not even for a second.
"I wonder if I'll be all right…"
He had spent eleven years never leaving the Valentine lands. Traveling to Barenberg was like stepping into an entirely new world. Yet the thought of seeing Milia again made every uncertainty more than worth it.
He was still watching the scenery fly by when something caught his eye.
"Is that…"
Far in the distance, the hazy outline of a city began to take shape.
"We're nearly there. That's Barenberg."
The coachman, Ban—another servant of House Valentine—called back to him.
"So that's…"
Schwarz's eyes widened as he took in the sight. The city walls stretched on and on, so vast he could scarcely believe their length; even after racing along them for some time, their end remained out of sight. Behind those walls rose buildings taller still, proud and magnificent.
"My Lady is there…"
How long he had waited for this day. The knowledge that he would finally see the Milia of his dreams filled him with a brighter anticipation than he had ever known.
Another ten minutes or so and the carriage passed through the enormous gates into the city proper. The scene that unfolded drew a soft gasp from Schwarz.
Buildings of pure white stone rose like colossal sculptures. Broad avenues paved with carefully cut stone rivaled any modern road. People in every color of fine clothing strolled the streets. Yet nothing caught the eye more than the vast structure of soft blue light that dominated the far end of the avenue.
"Impressive, isn't it? That's the pride and symbol of our Elianos Kingdom—the royal castle. It's also called the Blue Garden."
"The Blue Garden…"
Looking at it, Schwarz had to admit the name suited it perfectly. Whatever stone formed its walls glowed with a gentle azure, while a great forest crowning the castle itself flaunted every shade of living green. If such a place existed on Earth, he thought, it would surely be a famous tourist destination.
He was still staring like a country boy on his first visit to the city when Ban spoke again.
"Well, here we are. That's Central Academy."
"At last…"
Schwarz turned and let out another quiet exclamation at the enormous building before them. It was nearly as grand as the royal castle itself: a massive domed structure ringed by four towering spires. This was the royal educational institution that produced every scholar of the kingdom—Central Academy.
"This is as far as the carriage can go. Take good care of My Lady."
"Yes. Thank you for your hard work."
Schwarz bowed lightly, stepped down from the carriage, and watched as Ban waved and drove away until the coach vanished from sight.
"Hoo…"
Standing amid the throng of people coming and going, Schwarz gazed up at the broad gates of Central Academy.
"I'll be there soon."
With that quiet murmur he started forward, stepping through the gates and into the academy grounds.