System Change

Derek felt Jensen’s hand tighten on his as they stared each other down. The young man exerted more and more strength by the second. Derek just waited. He would let the man take out some of his aggression.

Eventually, Jensen sighed and let go. He took a small step back and slightly bowed his head.

“Father has told me of all that happened. I will not hold it against you. I do not believe I could ever become friends with you, but you do not have an enemy in me,” Jensen finally said.

Derek nodded. “For what it’s worth, I am sorry about your brother. Though I doubt I would have handled it any differently, even if I knew your father beforehand. Your father is a good man, and from what he’s told me about you, you seem to be heading in the right direction. Your brother, however, was not. Could he have changed his ways? Maybe… I don’t know. But I doubt he would have chosen to, at least from the little that I saw of him.”

“Thank you,” Jensen said.

At that moment, Derek noticed Clare moving her head back and forth between Jensen and himself. Her jaw was hung open, and she had a look of shock in her eyes.

“What?” Derek asked the girl.

“That… that’s what happened to Wallace?” she finally asked.

Walter reached forward and placed his hand on the girl’s head. “I’m afraid so.”

“That makes so much more sense,” she said. “He was always so mean to us. I knew he couldn’t have done something so great.”

“Thank you for that, as well,” Jensen said. “He did not deserve the honor you allowed him to have with his death, yet you did it anyway.”

Derek shrugged. He really hadn’t done it for Wallace’s sake, or House Gracefall. It was only part of his plan to hide his involvement in the death of a noble. A plan that failed stupendously, at that. But there was no reason to change the story, so he could have that honor in the afterlife.

“So… Walter.” Derek got the older man’s attention. “Did you come here to try to get some Void Beast food?”

“I wish,” the man chuckled. “No. I’m afraid my funds won’t allow me to purchase something as grand as that. Our finances are not what they once were. Besides, it wouldn’t do me any good, anyhow. If I had the opportunity, I would like to buy one for Jenson or Clare in the future, but for now, I just wanted to get away from Torith and show Clare around. The city has been in an uproar since the Malcolm incident.”

“I can understand that,” said Derek. “Well, it should at least be a good show,”

“I hope so. I haven’t have much fun recently.”

Derek, Walter, Jensen, and Clare continued chatting until another announcement was made.

“Tier Two Member King Edwin, Crown Prince Edward, and Prince Edgar have arrived.”

Derek almost couldn’t hold back his laughter. After everything, the King only had a Tier Two Membership. Should he rub it in? Point and laugh? He fought back the smile on his face, then formed an idea.

He waved his hand up in the air, catching Edgar’s attention. Edgar’s deadpan face lit up when he saw Derek. He said something to Edward and Edwin, then he practically rushed over to great him.

“Oh, man. You’re a sight for sore eyes,” Edgar said as he arrived.

“What? Did you have a busy few days?”

“Busy? That doesn’t even begin to describe it. This…” he looked around conspiratorially and leaned in to whisper. “Raid business is no joke. I think I’m going to die with this much responsibility. Nope, just send me into a dungeon with a small team, any day.”

Derek slapped him on the back. “I’m sure you’ll do just fine.” Then he pointed out Walter and the others. “This is my friend Walter Gracefall with his son Jensen and niece Clare.”

The three bowed deeply and Walter spoke. “We greet the Prince.”

“Now, now, none of that. Any friend of Derek’s is a friend of mine. Besides, I’m not in to all that Royal and noble bullshit,” said Edgar.

That left Walter and Jensen at a loss for words.

Edgar squinted and looked closer at Jensen before a trace of recognition flashed across his face. “Oh, you were at the Academy.”

Jensen, to his credit, answered calmly. “Yes, I will graduate soon.”

“That’s right. You were in one of the younger classes while my pal, Jake, was attending the Academy,” said Edgar.

Jensen took a moment to think, then, realization flashed on his face. “Jake Herrett? The one who created the incident? That Jake?”

I’m really going to have to get all the details about this incident. It really seems like a big deal. Derek thought.

“The one and only.” Edgar confirmed.

“Anyway… now that introductions are out of the way,” Derek said. “Could you run fetch your father? There is something that I need to talk to him about.”

Edgar gave Derek a suspicious glance. “You want me to fetch my father? You want him to come over here to you? You don’t want to go to him?” Edgar asked, then shrugged. “Sure. Gimme a sec.” He turned and took off through the crowd to find the King.

“His father?” Walter asked. “You mean the King of Cydaria? That father?”

Like father, like son. Derek mused. “The one and only.”

“Then we will take our leave so you may have a proper conversation with the King,” said Walter.

“Huh… no, no.” Derek grabbed onto Walter as the older man began to turn away. “The three of you can stay. Trust me.”

Walter and Jensen fidgeted nervously as they awaited the arrival of the King. They both looked like they wanted to throw up and run away at the same time. Clare just continued looking around the auction area and back and forth between Derek, Jensen, and Walter.

Soon, Edgar came back with a drink in hand and his father and brother trailing him. The King was properly dressed as a ruler today, crown and all. If Derek was to describe it all, it would be very tacky.

“Edwin… Edward, nice to see you. It’s been a minute.” Derek started with a greeting. One must always greet a King and Crown Prince properly by not including their titles and not bowing.

As for the others, Walter and Jensen had their eyes firmly planted on the floor. Walter even went as far as to push Clare’s head down to make her bow as well. Derek could only chuckle at their reaction… the reaction that the vast majority of the Kingdom would have when facing the King.

Still, it didn’t seem like the King minded Derek’s antics and disrespect. Why would he? He already owed the man more than he repay-especially since Derek wasn’t in need of anything he could give.

“Derek. It is a pleasure to meet you in a more festive atmosphere without any dark clouds hanging over our heads.” The King greeted back. The dark cloud he was talking about was, of course, Gerald Torith and his retinue. “How may I help you?”

“Ah, well, you see here.” Derek looked over at the Gracefall’s and snapped his fingers for them to bring their heads back up. He shook his head when they finally got the message. “You see, my friends happened to come to the auction today, and it gave me an idea. I was wondering if you could do me a solid.”

“A solid?”

“A favor.” Derek clarified.

“Of course.” King Edwin practically jumped at the opportunity to get a little out of Derek’s debt. “What do you need?”

Derek almost laughed. No matter how or what one said, someone with such a status as the King would hate being in anyone else’s debt. Being indebted to Natalie was one thing, but being in debt to someone like Derek, who practically came out of nowhere, was an entirely different matter.

“Do you know my friends? Walter, Jensen, and Clare Gracefall?” Derek asked.

“I do. I am very familiar with House Gracefall. In fact, I can recall stamping a letter about a young Jensen Gracefall some years ago.”

Jensen bowed deeply at that. “Your Highness. I cannot express my gratitude for you allowing me special enrollment to the Academy.”

“Nonsense.” King Edwin waved away the praise. “A boy with your accomplishments and talents deserved the chance to prove himself. How has the Academy been?”

“It has been an extraordinary experience. I graduate next month and am looking forward to joining the King’s Army, Your Highness.”

“It will be a pleasure to have you.” Edward cut in. He was commander of the army, after all.

“Thank you, Crown Prince.” Jensen replied.

“Alright, alright. Enough with the formalities. About that favor.” Derek said, regaining control of the conversation.

“Yes, Derek? What is it?”

“Yeah, so I don’t know how this works or anything, but how about you change their noble house name back from Gracefall?” Derek asked.

That drew a look from everyone. Walter’s eyes went wide and Jensen was speechless. The King’s eyes narrowed, while Edward wore a surprised expression and Edgar snickered in the background. There was even an audible gasp from some of the crowd who had not so subtly moved in close enough to spy on whatever conversation the new guy with a Tier Four Membership was having with the King of the country.

“You want me to remove the dishonor from House Gracefall? Do you know what you are asking?” The King asked.

“Your Highness. Please excuse Mr. Hunt. He’s new to our Kingdom and customs.” Walter tried to save the situation.

“Let me ask you a question.” Derek said to the King. “Whatever dishonor was caused, and whoever caused it. Are they still alive? Has Walter and Jensen’s actions over the past years not recovered some of the lost honor of their house?”

“No. Those who dishonored the Kingdom are well gone.” The King replied. “And Walter, and even Jensen, have done well restoring the honor of their house.”

“Well then?” Derek said.

“However.” The King continued. “I know for a fact that there are still some degenerates among their house. Take Wallace Gracefall, for one. Do not think that his misdeeds never reached my ears. He was indeed a miscreant until he met his untimely demise in that dungeon.”

Derek almost couldn’t hold back laughter at the intense stares he got from Jensen and even Walter. His untimely demise was because he met me. He couldn’t believe that the King wasn’t informed otherwise. I guess he hasn’t looked into the situation. He just took it as a bad person dying.

“Oh. And you can say that there aren’t any noble houses without disgrace that don’t have a bad apple or two?” Derek asked. “Hmm… let me pick a couple houses at random. Let’s see. Do you think I could find a degenerate in House… Aarden? Or maybe let’s go with House Torith. Do you think there may be one there?

“Or, let me go find Alanah and see which nobles keep trying to obtain a membership, yet never seem to get one. I’m sure we could find a couple of degenerates among them.” Derek continued. “By the way, Walter. How did you get in here? Oh, that’s right… you have a membership… silly me.”

Edward’s eyes couldn’t get any wider after Derek’s rant. Edgar hadn’t been able to control himself and was doubled over laughing. He had even stored his wine mid rant, so he didn’t spill it.

“Point taken.” The King finally said. He had some fury raging in his eyes, but also a look of defeat. He leaned in closer to Derek. “I wish we could have had this conversation in a more private manner.”

Derek shrugged. “I don’t. I would like to have witnesses to something as big as a noble house being restored. Besides, it would make a great pre-show before the auction.”

“I still do not believe that is enough, though.” The King spoke.

The slight hope that had appeared in Walter’s eyes disappeared.

“Ah, but there is one more honorable deed that Walter has done that you may not know of.” Derek said.

“And what is that?”

“His actions are some of the main reasons why I was here, in this city when I was, and why I found out about certain dark clouds when I did. He may not be directly responsible for my actions, but he is more than related to them.” Derek explained.

It may not have been weeks or even months before he walked into the Crown Restaurant in Torith. If not for Bronson leading him to the noble area, how long would have it taken for Derek to get there? If not for his son, Wallace, going out and making an enemy of Derek, would Bronson have even come?

No, if not for all of that, Derek wouldn’t have been there to expose Gerald, at least not as quickly as he did. If not for Walter, Malcolm wouldn’t have taken an interest in Derek like he had and offended him. Thomas would have never met Alicia and got caught up with Clay. Sure, it may have been a string of coincidences, but it was all caused by House Gracefall.

“I think House Gracefall has restored all of their honor, and then some.” Derek said.

The King was quiet for some time, thinking about what to do. Before he could make his mind up, Alanah walked over to their little group and whispered something in the King’s ear, causing his eyes to flutter, then he nodded his head.

“Very well.” The King said. “I will begin the process to restore honor to House Gracefall… nay, House Searidge.”

Derek glanced at Alanah. I wonder what she said to him.

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