The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 27: Chapter 27: A Lovely Evening Stroll

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Chapter 27: A Lovely Evening Stroll Lucius leapt down and greeted the servant with a wide flourish. “Good evening, young man. My, isn’t this such a pleasant day? It’s a great day to make acquaintances. My name is Lucius Rose, how about you?” The boy tilted his head, confused by Lucius’s sudden enthusiasm, but at least he wasn’t as wary as before. “Oh, I’m not important enough to be acquainted with a man such as yourself. But if it pleases you, then call me Karolus.” “Perish the thought, Karolus! I treasure all those I meet, may they be the richest king or the lowest pauper.” Lucius took the boy’s hand and firmly gave it a shake in a show of jolly friendship. “Would you look at that? Now that we’ve exchanged pleasantries, let us foster a camaraderie free from social status.” Karolus was taken aback so much that Lucius could practically see stars whirling around his eyes. When he recovered, though, the boy broke out into a big grin and laughed. “Are all otherworlders as polite as you, Lucius?” “Perhaps some, perhaps none. I am a rare breed of man; it’s unlikely there’s anyone as dashingly handsome as me.” “That’s a shame. I think the castle would be in a better mood if everyone were like you.” “Really? The other servants have been nothing but cordial ever since I arrived.” Karolus hesitated for a second. “I hope you don’t take offense, but rumors have been spreading about your people. Some of the castle wards who assisted the banquet said that you wore monstrous and bizarre-looking outfits, and that your manners were lower than even the unruliest of beasts, and that you looked frightening enough to lunge at the slightest sign of—” “I believe I understand the sentiment, Karolus," Lucius said. The boy’s cheeks flushed bright red, and he stumbled over his words in an attempt to apologize. “O-Oh, that doesn’t mean I believe it, of course. You’ve been nothing but a gentleman. Although… I must admit it did surprise me to see someone on the ceiling.” “Hm? Oh, that? Merely an evening stroll. Where I come from, it’s quite common to walk across the tops of our homesteads,” Lucius blatantly lied to Karolus’s face. “Do your people not do so?” Karolus’s eyes sparkled with innocence. “Really? Wow, how different. Here we only walk on the floor.” “You absolutely must try it sometime. Great for clearing the head, I assure you.” “Hm… maybe I should. But why were you in Sir Roland’s study?” “Oh, is that who it belonged to? I had no idea,” Lucius said, and then expertly changed the subject. “Nevermind that, how did you know I was an otherworlder?” Karolus giggled and pointed at Lucius’s suit. “The style of your garb isn't uncommon, mostly worn by the more affluent priests, but none of them are as strikingly purple as yours. We usually wear gold, black, and white to resemble the Imperial Eagle.” “Is that the God you worship?” Karolus pondered for a bit. “It’s rather complicated. How do I say it… the eagle is an aspect of the Lord - a single part of a much grander existence. They are originally a being without a physical form, and so Their word is spread through manifestations that represent different facets of Themself.” Ah, Lucius had heard of something similar to this before: The father, the son, and the holy spirit. The religion of this land seemed very similar to the Christianity practiced by the original Charlemagne and his Frankish people. That made this easier then—he knew how best to flatter the clergy. “I assume there are two others?” he said. Karolus’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “How did you know? Yep, other than the Imperial Eagle, there’s also the Chivalric Star and the Hallowed Blade. Are you interested in the faith, Lucius?” Lucius smiled. “But of course I am! It would be rude of me to not accustom myself to the culture of this land. Even though we shall need part in the future, I should like to remember my time here: to cherish it and keep it in my heart like a dearly beloved.” His words seemed to touch Karolus greatly. The boy f