Sythrik sat down, so did the others. He took a deep breath and exhaled, making himself comfortable in front of the half eaten food.
"So you are my fiancé's brother, Sythrik Montague. Its a pleasure to meet you, brother-in-law." Conrad Reign said as he reached out his hand, gesturing a handshake.
Sythrik observed his features, blonde, blue eyes, handsome, late twenties, clean skin, expensive clothing, everything about him screamed wealth and fame. "I understand why my sister married him, despite being rich and handsome, he still has manners and kindness to add. Sennan too fits in that criteria... Is there some secret recipe to raising children in the Reign family's possession?"
"Likewise, brother in law." Sythrik spoke as he shook his hand.
Sythrik looked around and saw two middle aged figures with features similar to Sennan and Conrad. He reached out his hand and said, "My name is Sythrik Finlay, and you must be..."
The man chuckled as he accepted Sythrik's gesture and said, "Its a pleasure to meet you, you can call me Dean."
"Likewise." Sythrik said as he reached his hand toward the middle aged, yet beautiful lady beside Sennan, "Its a pleasure to meet you, I guess you already know my name by now." Sythrik mused with a smile. She chuckled and said, "Its pleasure to meet you as well, Sythrik Finlay. My name is Amaria Reign, however, you can simply call me Amaria."
Before they could continue, Sythrik's mother piqued her son a question, "Son, did you get married while you were away?"... What the f*ck! How did she come to that conclusion!?
"Sorry, but what made you think I was married, mother?" Sythrik asked, dumfounded in all senses. "Well, you said your last name was Finlay no? I was just a little curious."
Oh, now I see. Well, it doesn't hurt telling them so I guess I'll have to bore some nobles today. "Well, I would have to tell this sooner or later now wouldn't I... When I arrived at Lorath, I was met with a man I'd soon call 'mentor', and that mentor, after 5 years of teaching me all he knew, and more, met his end. He had no family to mourn him, no friends to remember him, only two students inherit what he had built on his own.
"He ended up more than a teacher figure, and even more than a friend, we became a family without realizing it. That's why I inherited his name, I felt that the world needed some way to remember him, even if it be through me." Sythrik let out a deep sigh and said, "Don't take it personally, I simply chose his name because he had none to share it with, unlike us."
The mother looked at him deeply with her hazel eyes, her slightly wrinkled skin bore deeply in Sythrik's gaze as they exchanged glanses. Suddenly, a familiar tone broke through, "We understand, son. How about you keep our name as a middle name then?" His father, Desmond Montague spoke with understanding for Sythrik's decision. "Sure can, dad."
A small pause occurred as they pointed their focus toward eating their meal rather than talking, until all was nearly done, did Sythrik muster up courage to ask something that could be viewed as selfish. "Mr. Reign, pardon if this comes out as rude, however, I simply cannot hold myself back." Sythrik began.
"We are all family now, if there is something you need then don't hesitate to ask." Dean reassured him with a smile as he tidied his dirt-blonde hair.
"I was just wondering if it would be possible for you to pull some strings in order me to become a high-ranking officer..." Sythrik spoke with a somewhat weak tone. "I know this may sound rude, as if though I'm using our relationship as a way to quickly climb up the latter, however, I really want this job."
Dean crossed his ten fingers and rested his chin atop his crossed hands, the asked, "Why do you need this job, or want it so badly?"
Why do I want it? To save the Capital!... But I can't say that. My best option right now would be to sound noble about it, to save the capital in a less literal way. "As you know, I have lived my life based on philosophy, thus, I have thought many noble thoughts, pondered many graceful things. However, I have yet to act on them. Yes, I could start as a regular police officer and move my way up with time, but my philosophies begs to differ. There is not enough time to prolong if I want a true outcome, that's why I feel the need to exploit you in a sense.
"I want to act on behalf of others, help people against one another, but I can't do that without both position and status. If I could, it would only be at the most minute level. That's why I want a high position, to help people both physically, and with how the law works to help those in dire need of new rules."
Before Dean could reply, Conrad spoke his thoughts to reality, "That's great. Since you're a rather famed philosopher in Lorath and their neighboring cities and towns, you have quite the understanding of different kinds of people's lives and how they might go about." Conrad turned toward his father and said, "I believe we should help him, however, in return, I want you to help me a little with how I should operate my shelters to support those with nothing."
"Shelters?" Sythrik thought aloud. Conrad gave a warm smile and said, "That's right, for the past 6 years I've been doing charity, built shelters, hospitals, and even expanded workplaces to help people get the chance to work and earn their own money, all in pursuit to help those with a... Less fortunate upbringing."
Sythrik remembered that Sennan did say something about this topic, though, he thought it was merely blind praises toward an older brother.
Sythrik looked at his sister and winked. You've found a great man to marry sis!
Selena simply looked at Sythrik's weird smile and thought, "What an idiot..."
Dean could be seen thinking deeply about the matter for over a minute. "I'll arrange a meeting and talk with the chief of the southern police office, though I cannot guarantee anything more than a Sergeant position."
Sythrik smiled and casually said with a hint of relief, "That's more than enough. Thank you, Mr. Reign."
"No problem, Sythrik. I'll try and get you a position within this week." Dean replied.
"And when you get the job I might request some thoughts from you if that's okay." Conrad said.
"Of course its okay, one should always return a favor." Sythrik said as he continued with idle chattering.
...
As they finished up and paid the bill, they took three carriages back to the Reign household and went inside. Dean asked a young maid to escort Sythrik to his new room in the second floor. As they went up the grand stairs in front of the entrance, they turned left and walked down the hall. Suddenly, the maid stopped and opened the door to their right.
"Please step in, sir. This is your new room." The maid said as she gestured for him to walk first. "Appreciated."
The room was beyond his expectations, it was white without any marks of stain or scratches. There was two gas lamps on each side of the room, and one candle beside his two-man bed. There was a large wardrobe on the left of his bed and a desk with writing material and another gas lamp.
Is this really where I will be staying? Ah! that's right. "You can go now, miss. I think I can manage on my own for now."
She simply bowed and said, "Call whenever you need something." before she locked the door went back to her post.
Sythrik paused for a moment before he sat down, picked up a fountain pen and prepared to write on a piece of yellow paper.
He steadied his hand and thought, "I should excluded information such as The Hanged Man and supernatural powers, or just be cryptic when writing it. Yes, that's right. I need to take notes if I want to handle a situation such as this accurately!"
He then wrote: "The Fall." and stopped.
That's right, before I write anything, I should be sure that I have a safe place to keep it in case the maids read it while cleaning the room... I can wait till I get more information before writing notes down. That also means I'll be studying history tomorrow, thus I need to catch some sleep.
Sythrik put down the pen and laid the piece of parchement inside his drawer. Then, he went down and bid everyone goodnight before he went to sleep.
...
The next morning, Sythrik did his usual routine and got familiar around the house, stepping down to the living room to eat his breakfast prepared by their personal chef. He then went out and loaned the Reign family's personal carriage after getting permission from Amaria Reign.
"Where do you want to go, sir?" The driver asked politely. "Take me to a museum that has to do with the God Of War, Nicodemus."
"As you wish." The driver said as he chuckled lightly.
As the horses galloped, Sythrik merely sat still, admiring the sunrise, patiently waiting for his arrival to understanding.