Cross, a young Lordling recieving his inheritance

"We all know why we are here today: to celebrate my son Cross surviving his twentieth winter!" Cross' father, Lord Amon, raises his glass in toast with the rest of the party, cheers filling the air. Cross couldn't help but feel the heat of all the attention bundle up in his face. Such a celebration felt overwhelming when all it was for, was just living to the age of twenty. There was never any real moment of danger he suffered through, though Cross bets his father had something to do with that.

Cross looks to the pillar like, fantastic body of muscle that has stood by his father for years and doing so now even now at the main table of the celebration, was the orc Temple, Amon's Champion. It had been before he was born that his father had went to a **** fighting ring one day and plucked her from the jaws of **** that sought to consume her within that very ring, so she pledged her life to him and to serve even beyond her new title of servant. Since then, she has been one of the best warriors the realm of Lightstone has seen as well as one of the greatest protectors. One of the only times he had been in danger, being kidnapped in some ransom scheme, it had been Temple who had saved him, tossing him over her shoulder and running away from the thugs to safety, before returning to pay them back for the attempted ****. From their loud, terrified screams came what must have been Temple's real orc name: Graasha Claw.

Cross looks around the party to see if there are any other recognizable people. In doing so, he recognizes the absence of one he wish he could have invited. The Dwarven servant smith Anvil. Despite the human given name, her breasts were in no way flat as one. He tries to be beyond respectable to servants, but the height difference, albeit a small difference, between the two leads to quite a number of peaking down her cleavage. He's apologized in his mind more times than he can count. Still, he wishes she were here, but even if Father was to let him personally invite servants which he also wishes he could have done, Anvil isn't exactly much of a people person anyway. She told Cross herself with her dwarven accent that's never seem to have gone away, "Now, don't think about trying to get me invited to that party of yours your daddy's cooking up! I like you, you're good to me more than any other human, but I don't like any other and they me." It was true that even Cross's father who generally respected his servants still kept a incredibly distant business like relationship between him and them. "Don't worry about it Cross, I'll be fine alone, you just go and have a good time. I'll toast for your health from here."

"More wine, Elizabeth!" It seems by now Lord Amon has already drunk his way through his glass, in contrast to Cross's untouched own. The elven servant Elizabeth soon arrives with more wine to pour. Cross can't help but stare at her sometimes, she's like a gorgeous sculpture. Her tall height, amazing breasts that surpass any other, beautiful deep eyes, an overall amazing body. It's a shame most of it is hidden under the modest clothes of a maid. Once again, Cross feels heat pass through him but instead of to his face, it travels down south. It makes him glad he's sitting at a table where no one else can see. He tries to nip such dirty thoughts in the bud by thinking about how she came to join the family as a servant. It had been long ago when she joined the family, just after humanity had subjugated the other races. Not only was his family granted the land they ruled over today in return for their service during the war, but Elizabeth was gifted to them as well. She is one of the few that made any other elf's innate magic look paltry in comparison, so her stay in servitude under the family was watched with suspicion for quite some time. Eventually however, through her genuine kindness and ruthless cunning that helped eliminate enemies of the family, she became the favorite servant. To this day, she is recognized as the head maid of the house and allowed many liberties that other servants sadly lack.

It's such liberties that Cross wishes could be shared across all servants of the house, if not the rest of the human dominated world. Sadly, to him it appears that he is the only one that thinks this way, the only one he knows of. If he truly had things his way, there would be no slaves, just an equal world where humans and the others could work together to build a better tomorrow. A hearty slap on the back distracts him from further thinking.

"Cross! I have a gift for you." His father spoke, and a hush started to fill the room. The anticipation grew, everyone waiting to see what this gift was. Lord Amon stood and snapped, Elizabeth bringing a scroll to him. "By the powers that I hold as a Human, the title of Lordling has been set upon my son Cross! To accompany him is the ownership of the ancient home of my family, within the city of Heartwatch. So it is, says the city council of Heartwatch and I."

Cross probably would have choked if he was drinking anything at the moment, thankfully he wasn't. The ancient home of the family should have belonged to his grandfather Caspher, but more importantly making Cross a lordling?? What was his father thinking! Sure they didn't have much power, or much responsibility, it was simply a rank for those of promising futures. Most worrying was what else might come with such a service: a ****, just for him. Such a thing was assured.

Unfortunately, Lord Amon was incredibly stubborn, and once he spoke his famous phrase, 'so it is, says I,' there was not much anyone could do to persuade him otherwise. So, Cross is clever enough to not refuse... at least, in public.

Indeed, he stayed as stubborn as Cross thought he would be. It couldn't be helped after all. Now, he is traveling by carriage to the ancient family home within Heartwatch, which sat on the border of more wild and untamed lands. Thinking back to why the ancient home was now vacant of any true inhabitant...
It turns out his grandfather Caspher had died recently, and so the ancient home was open. With his father Lord Amon now the official head of the family, he had full control of who occupied it. Cross just hoped whoever killed his grandfather wasn't after the house, and thus him. Especially since the reports stated that which killed his grandfather was a raid by Vampires. Other information that he was part of some order floated around, but that didn't matter much to Cross.

Not that Cross cared about his grandfather in the first place. His views were as ancient as the home he lived in, which Cross will soon live in. Beliefs that the other races deserved to be under heel, creatures lesser than dogs, etc. It wasn't just his views either that Cross disliked, the man was entirely irritable. If he was honest with himself, he was partly glad such a man was dead but now he still has to deal with a mess he's caused even beyond ****.

Sighing, he looked outside the window once more, compared to the thousands of times he's done so on the trip here. Outside, was the dark town of Heartwatch. He was told this town was the first built by the Lady Victorian, the beginning of her architectural style and it showed upon every building they passed as the carriage rode down the street. It certainly was strange compared to the sights of the city he was used to, it felt advanced in some way to him, something he couldn't describe.

Eventually, the carriage made it to the first and only stop. Before he could continue on to the ancient home, Cross was told by his father to give his greetings to the leader of the city council, Countess Olivia. Therefore, when the carriage door was opened and Cross allowed outside, it was no surprise to see the Heartwatch City Hall ahead. What was a surprise however was Countess Olivia standing atop the steps leading to the doors of the City Hall. Even under the shade of the overhang, she held a dark umbrella cradled within her hands and positioned to cover herself more. After walking up the stairs to her, Cross soon found himself standing in front of her. Naturally, he had never seen her in person but her appearance still struck some chord within him.

She was nearly as tall as Elizabeth was, all the Countess would have to do is walk forward and he'd drown in her breasts. Said breasts were nearly exposed by her lowcut dark purple dress, threatening to break the dam and spill out. Above them sat a blood red ruby, adorned upon a pendant so well crafted he's sure that even Anvil would be jealous of the craftsmanship. Dainty gloves that matched the color of her dress hid what he bet were probably beautiful hands. Her legs as well were hidden by the dress, he had a feeling they were probably the softest part of her for some reason. Realizing he has been staring for so long, he quickly shifts his eyes to her own. After passing over the smirk, he begins to get lost within the deep magenta that makes up her eyes. Despite the wisdom and experience only age can bring sit in her eyes, her face doesn't betray any real sign of age. Focusing back on her eyes, they become so dark that he feels himself getting lost within until he's shaken out of it by her eyes closing... and by her kissing the top of his hand he didn't even know she grabbed.

It almost looks like she was going to continue kissing up Cross's arm, but she hesitates for a moment and lets go. She takes another moment to resettle herself, and so Cross also takes the moment to shake off the lethargy the trip must have caused. Finally she looks as she did and speaks, "Greetings, Lordling Cross. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard much about you."

"You've heard about me, my Lady?" That definitely was a surprise to Cross. Quickly he figures that it must have been his father, Lord Amon, that sent details of his son to the Countess ruling the city. No way his grandfather would have been so nice in sharing about his grandson.

"Indeed. What I've heard is very promising, and I can't wait to see what you bring to this town. Anyway, I just wanted to meet you and make sure you knew where you would be coming every end of the week from now on. I presume your father told you that you would be taking part in the City Council sessions?"

"He told me alright, though he also said I would just be acting as a viewer more than a participant until I gained more experience... my Lady."

"Yes, that will be your role for some time, I do hope you won't mind."

"Not at all. I would like to receive the details soon, my Lady, so I can best establish a schedule for myself."

"Ah, then you'll appreciate this then." Olivia snaps and a smartly dressed woman, almost like a butler, walks up out of seemingly nowhere with a folder of documents and hands it to Cross. "I think you'll find this what you need. Now, I believe we both should be off. I wouldn't want to keep you from settling in to your new home after all." And as Cross began his way down the steps, "Oh and Cross? Don't worry too much about being so nice with the my Lady, we're friends now."

Soon enough, the two parted, and Cross took a seat back in his carriage. Riding off towards his ancient family home...

Countess Olivia watched him leave. Smiling, it was like baiting a fly into a finely crafted web, and she only had to wait until he got himself stuck. Her smile then revealed something Cross had not noticed, something no one she did not want to did: her fangs. The very same type of those belonging to the people that had killed Cross's grandfather. Though, whether or not Olivia was part of that remains to be seen. All that needs to be known is Olivia has different plans for Cross... lewd plans.

As Cross arrived at the estate, he notices the lack of any servants around. Quite an odd thing, since his grandfather was such a human supremacist that Cross really thought he would have as many slaves as possible. Not that he minds such a situation, Cross has always wanted to live a life without servants and such. Even though it is Elizabeth that has been driving him here and will be helping him unpack his stuff. Which reminds him of a letter his father gave to him, he quickly fishes it out.

My dear son Arthur,

I have always known you dislike the natural order of things, how the lesser races rightfully serve Humanity. So, I have had all the servants of Caspher removed from the estate. I may refuse to budge on my own views, but you are your own man now and deserve to choose how you live your life from now on.

However, I will not send you alone out into the world. My heart simply cannot take it, to know you are alone surrounded by nothing but strangers out there, even if they are well meaning and good natured folk.

Thus, I will be sending one of the closer servants of the family with you to the ancient home. Forgive me for this, but I am absolutely sure you will not mind considering both of your feelings towards each other: I made sure to send one of the servants you are familiar with. They will be your only guidepost in the coming days I fear. I know you will treat each other well.

I hope to see you again one day, not just surviving but prospering without the help of your father.

Lord of the realm of Lightstone, Amon Cross

'So, I'm not to be free of slaves after all...' Cross thinks to himself, sighing outwardly.

His eyes perk towards Elizabeth still unloading things from the carriage. Could that be why she's here?

Or maybe she really is just here to only unload, and in reality Lord Amon will be sending Temple to keep his son safe?

Maybe, maybe he's finally had enough of Anvil's obvious distaste for humans and is sending her away.

Perhaps it's someone completely different or new...