"I'm supposed to do what now?"

4th Maludae, the 26th day of the month of Semens (Sem), the 3672nd year of Salvation's Landing

The Steward's office was located to the back and center of the palace. A location meant to assist him in knowing the happenings in the giant building. Reglin could make his way there via the servants' halls, but he was also in his Guardsman dress uniform that he was told to change into after given his special orders of the day. This meant that he was allowed free reign of the palace in plain sight. So Reglin took the most direct path with least chance of running into anyone. And oddly enough, at this time of morning, that was through the main hall.

Making his way to the office, on his approach he noticed that the door was closed. As he came to it and prepared to knock, Reglin's mind's eye recall the man from his memories. Govren always seemed so tall to him. Unusually long is a way that he wondered if his memories weren't exaggerating the features. He had dark hair and brown eyes, combined with a small mouth that gave a sour appearance. Reglin could not recall a time seeing the man smile, or even show signs of levity. He was just not a man that Reglin liked to be around, regardless of how well he maintained order and ran the palace.

Standing before the door, Reglin prepared himself for an uncomfortable experience. But he was also preparing to stand for himself. He was no longer a child, and though the steward was a position of great respect, it did not mean that he would the man to run roughshod over him. He would just have to wait and see. He knocked forcefully enough to make sure he was heard and waited. It was but a moment that a reply of "Enter" was heard from behind the door. Reglin removed his dress leather gloves, tucked them away and entered.

The office of the Steward was very utilitarian, lacking any real character. It was a reflection of the man that Reglin remembered, efficient. There were chests of drawers all over, to hide away any clutter that the man had been known to despise. There was a casement for his books, but that was really all there was to see that was not wooden carpentry. The desk of the steward was spartan, much like everything else, save a lone piece of parchment that lay before the man.

That man, Govren say who entered and stood as a point of courtesy more than anything else. Reglin remembered Govren as being a tall man, and though he was technically, he was of a height with Reglin now. But he was so long of limb and was so lanky in build that he appeared all the taller. He had dark hair peppered through with some silver that he wore short, but not like Reglin's military style. His eyes were dark as well, appearing calculating almost all the time. And the man's mouth was also representative of the man, puckered, as if he ate a lemon.

Govren gave a nod of the head in courtesy as well that Reglin returned, "Ah yes, it is Guardsman Reglin. Thank you for being timely in your arrival. The day's matters are pressing, and I would like to get this out of the way." So far, so good in Reglin's mind. Govren looked him over with a very apparent means at appraisal. He gave a small nod to himself, “You have grown up and filled out a good bit, Reglin. It is hard to imagine that you are the same lad truthfully. I’m sure it has been beneficial in your time within the ranks. But enough of that.” And Govren took his seat and steepled his fingers while further evaluating Reglin.

After some moments, Govren finally spoke further, “I will be frank with you… I never really liked you, Reglin. There was something about you that put me off.”

Reglin raised one brow at the man’s forthrightness, but gave a small nod in respect of it, “You say there was something. If you were to think on it, would you be able to point it out? I know that I cannot please everyone, but I do like to know of my flaws so that I may address them.”

The man’s eyes narrowed into a squint while looking at Reglin, “If I were to say what it was, it would be that you were so… upbeat, I suppose. In my estimations, if a worker is smiling and laughing to such a level, that person is not tasked to their fullest.”

With a thoughtful frown and a nod, Reglin dove further in, “Was I ever seen as inefficient, tardy, or negligent in my duties, Master Steward?” His question was a jab at the man, making Govren defend his feelings toward Reglin based of the boy’s previous reputation.

The severe man shook his head slightly, reticent to admit the flaws, “No. You were proficient enough in your role as messenger. But you took to each errand with such enthusiasm that it was off-putting to me, as well as some others. It was though you enjoyed every task.” The man sounded mystified with that last statement.

Screwing up his face in thought, “Sooo… You were put off by a boy’s capability to do what is asked of him with exuberance. And that boy’s enjoyment at being helpful to others annoyed you?” Reglin looked down at the desk for a moment, “I would understand how that personality would rankle if the person were a lickspittle, currying favors with his actions. But I was not that person.” Reglin stepped forward, “Master Govren, I was never more than a boy who looked at every task given to me as a way to send some coin back to my family, who toiled, and still toil in the fields. I counted myself fortunate all things considered.”

The man was silent for some time, his thoughts turned inward it seemed. Finally, the man sighed and peered at Reglin, “Perhaps I did not see beyond just a bothersome young boy who did appear to have the ways of a lacky who was just trying to make inroads with nobility. And in doing so, perhaps I sold you short… I will think on that.” He sighed once more and put a hand on the parchment in front of him, “Though this is not at all why I called for you to come thing morning. This is…” He tapped his finger on the paper.

That certainly perked Reglin’s curiosity. Not many knew of his presence within the Palace Guard yet. Who would be sending messages regarding him on just his second day of duty? But he chose to remain silent, letting the steward go on at his pace.

Govren’s other hand came up and rubbed his chin in thought, “I said that I did not like you, Reglin. But that doesn’t mean I had any real animosity toward you. You just rankled me. I did not see that a reason to be cruel to you though as some were.” Pausing for a moment, he looked to Reglin, “I have a Royal missive that makes demand of your presence this morning,”

More curious still, Reglin thought. ‘So, someone of the royal family demands I attend them personally?’. There were only so many options. And who of the royals even knew of his arrival? “Princess Katya made such a request? I find that peculiar, given the Princess’s disdain for me…”

Nodding with another appraising look, “So you know the who of it… Now the why. You are obviously not dense, lad. You know why she demands your attendance. It is this reason that I have called you here. I do not condone wanton cruelty from anyone, let alone the Princess. I intend to task you with something else, as only few people can supersede a royal order.”

It was Reglin’s turn to spend some time thinking. I was obvious that this was indeed Princess Katya’s intent. She wished to torment an old target. But if he were to be tasked with something else this day, would that stop her from demanding daily, eventually leading to clash between her and the steward? No, Reglin did not want that, “No need, Master Steward. I will attend the Princess this morning. I truly appreciate your willingness to keep someone from such cruelties, and you were not the only of us that has made faulty judgements. But I am not in need of protection from a Princess’s barbed tongue.” Reglin stiffened his jaw, “I have pledge to defend the Polivandrian Royal line, and I will do so. Even if one or two of those do not see me as worthy to do so.”

The Steward was silent while his calculating eyes worked over Reglin’s form before finally nodding, “Are you sure about this? I can see that you have grown in more ways than just stature, but I still do not wish what I foresee happening on anyone…” When Reglin just nodded, the man continued, “Very well. You are dressed in the uniform of the day for this duty. You are to accompany the Princess and her ‘court’ about the palace grounds this day. Make your way to her antechamber and await her further instructions.”

Reglin listened as the steward gave some bits of advice and guidance on minor bits of protocol that the Princess may test him with. He took it all in attentively, nodding. Indeed, Reglin had been wrong about the man in some degree and he was glad to perceive that some progress was made between the two of them.

At the end of it all, Reglin offered his hand to the severe-looking steward and smiled, “Master Govren, I will admit that I was not looking forward to this meeting when I found out about it. But I will gladly say that I was wrong to think that way. Now I will be heading to a meeting that I do not look forward even more so. I will render what honor that is proper to the Princess, but she will see that I am no longer such easy prey. I appreciate all the insight you have provided. Thank you.”

The man snorted, and if Reglin didn’t know better, he would have thought that there was humor in the sound. Peering at Reglin’s hand as if it were puzzle, Govren finally clasped hands with him, his grip being quite firm for such a gangly man, “I wish you well this morning, Reglin. Gods be with you. Good morning…”

And with that dismissal, it was time to head upstairs and see what awaited Reglin this morning.

~This is knowledge for the Reader~

The Affection Multiplier

~Mana: 123 (+14) 137~

~Mana Channels: ~Labiae Passionii (Lips of Passion) free, ~ Corpu Vigorii (Vigorous Body) 100, ~ Uirtau Proelium (Martial Prowess) 100, ~Mensu Lucidae (Bright Mind) 100, ~ Tactu Beatae (Blissful Touch) 100, ~Plurem Amatrixae Normalii (The Normalcy of Many Loves) 500

~Tabitha~ Affectionae: 100 Erosii: 63 Libidae: 100 (Effective 19)
~Lim~ A: 29
~Boll~ A: 16
~Grahm~ A: 29
~Lina~ A: 29
~Asha~ A: 25 E: 2 L: 2
~Princess Katya~ A: -63
~Lady Wilmyna~ A: 1
~Princess Katya's Entourage~ A: (+11)
~Night's Shift Guards~ A: (+6)
~Govren~ A: -12 (+14) 2