The noise of the slave market slowly faded behind us as the two guards led me through the city's streets.
The city was much larger than any place I had seen in Ethan's childhood memories. Stone roads stretched between tall buildings, and merchants shouted in the crowded markets. The city itself was divided into two parts: the outer district, where commoners lived—dirty, chaotic, filled with beggars and thieves—and the inner district, where the nobles, their guards, and their families resided.
Even so, compared to the modern cities from my previous life, it still felt small.
One of the guards looked at me and introduced himself.
"My name is Karl, and this is Benjamin. Don't worry and don't be afraid. You're in good hands. You'll be serving the young master, and he's known to treat the servants fairly."
I asked,
"What about the woman who bought me?"
Benjamin smiled.
"She's the personal servant of the second wife—Elizabeth."
I frowned slightly.
"A servant? I thought she was the noble lady."
Karl shook his head.
"Don't treat her like an ordinary servant. She's the one who raised the second wife."
I said with surprise,
"She looks like she's in her thirties."
Karl chuckled.
"You'll understand later. Your view of this world will change soon enough. Just listen, obey, and don't interfere in matters that don't concern you."
After some time, the two guards turned toward a large iron gate. Behind it stood a wide estate surrounded by tall stone walls.
Two guards stood at the gate, each holding a spear.
One of them looked at us and asked,
"Who's this?"
Benjamin replied,
"The young master's new servant."
The guard smiled.
"Time passes quickly. The young master finally has a servant. Welcome, and good luck."
I nodded.
"Thank you."
After we entered the gate, Elizabeth greeted us. Two servants stood beside her. She looked me up and down before speaking.
"I will introduce myself. My name is Elizabeth. I am responsible for the lady's wing and the young master. I will teach you everything you need to know to serve him. Eventually, you will take over my duties regarding the young master, and I will focus on serving the lady and other important matters. You may call me 'Teacher' if you wish. But before anything else, we must clean you up and cut your hair."
She then turned to the servants.
"Take him."
They led me to the servants' quarters.
The first thing they did was make me wash.
A large wooden tub was filled with hot water, and one of the servants handed me a cloth.
"Clean yourself."
I stepped into the water.
The water quickly turned gray as the dust and dirt from the journey washed off my body.
Afterward, they trimmed my tangled hair and gave me clean clothes.
Dark trousers, a plain shirt, and a short servant's coat.
When I stepped outside, Elizabeth was waiting for me.
She smiled slightly.
"Much better. I didn't notice earlier because of all the dust, but you'll be quite handsome when you grow older."
Then she said,
"Come with me. I'll take you to meet the young master."
At last, it was time to meet the person I had been brought for.
The boy stood in the garden behind the manor.
He was smaller than me, of course—around ten years old. He wore noble clothes, though they looked slightly wrinkled, as if he had been moving around a lot. A wooden training sword rested against the bench beside him.
When he saw me, he tilted his head slightly.
"You're the one my mother bought, aren't you?"
I placed one knee on the ground and bowed respectfully.
"Yes, my lord."
He asked,
"Your name?"
"Ethan, my lord."
He nodded.
"My name is Leon."
Before we could say more, Elizabeth interrupted.
"That's enough for today. Come with me. I'll take you to the servants' dining hall. It's time for dinner."
The servants' dinner hall was a long room behind the main kitchen.
I took an empty plate to fill with food.
Most of the servants ignored me.
Except one.
He stared at me with clear disdain. He was several years older than me, broad-shouldered with thick arms, and his face carried a constant expression of annoyance.
As I was serving myself food, he spat into my plate.
I felt irritated. I could tolerate a little teasing or bullying, but that crossed a line.
I calmly took another plate and filled it with food.
After I finished eating and stood up to wash the plate, he stretched his leg out in front of me, trying to make me trip.
But I was ready for it. People like him never stop unless someone forces them to.
I ignored him.
While washing the dishes, and when no one was paying attention, I quietly took a small knife.
Later, when he left the hall, I followed him until I learned where his room was.
Then I returned to my own room and waited.
When everyone had fallen asleep, I went to his room.
He was sleeping.
I climbed onto the bed and sat on his stomach.
Then I slapped him to wake him up.
As he opened his eyes and realized I was on top of him, he was about to shout.
I pressed the knife against his neck.
"Shout, and I'll cut your throat."
He froze in fear.
"What do you want?"
I looked directly at him.
"Why did you target me?"
He swallowed nervously.
"I was supposed to be the one serving the young master."
I scoffed.
"Your body is big, but your mind is small. Do you really think serving the young master is some kind of privilege?"
He hesitated.
"What do you mean?"
"You're truly stupid. If you were smart, you'd already be the one serving him. And if you were smarter, you wouldn't want the position at all. One small mistake could cost you your life. But I don't care whether you live or die. Just stay out of my way."
I pushed the knife slightly deeper until it cut his skin just enough to draw a thin line of blood.
"I will kill you."
Then I left the room and headed toward the kitchen to return the knife.
But just as I stepped out into the corridor—
Elizabeth was standing there.
"Finished with the knife?"
I froze slightly.
"Yes."
"Give it to me."
I handed the knife over without resistance.
She examined it briefly before looking at me.
"You stole this from the kitchen."
She leaned closer.
"If you steal something again… I'll cut off your hand."
Then she turned and walked away.
Later that night, in another room—
Elizabeth spoke to her mistress.
"My lady… the boy is very bold."
The noblewoman replied calmly,
"No. He's clever. He didn't fight immediately. He waited, took the knife, and waited for the servant's weakest moment—when he was asleep and unable to move. He used that weakness to plant fear."
She paused for a moment before adding,
"I need someone like that to protect my son."