Befent Estate
POV: Derek
I was getting ready to leave the next morning after having a very excellent stew the night before. Jess knew that my favorite dish was a hearty meat stew with crusty bread and cheese. It was something I would eat before runs and missions because it was chock full of carbs and starches. Not only that it was a very delicious way of delivering those things to my body. I was thankful that the women that I lived with were thoughtful enough to think of me before I was to go off on this investigation. I had just finished packing up all the journals and clothing I would need for my investigation. I walked out the front door to find Lex, Jess, and Ash all waiting for me. I wiped a fake tear from my eye, “I’m so touched you all came to see me off.” Ash rolled his eyes, “I wasn’t out here to send you off. I’m waiting for Toby so I can give him a tour of the house and introduce him to the staff. I also want to run down with him what’s expected of him while he guards my sister. Rule number one, hands off my sister. From what I heard, someone else broke that rule once.” I sighed, “Okay, do NOT blame me for that! Would you turn down an attractive woman wanting to make out with you?” Jess cleared her throat, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation. I lightly slugged Ash and spoke quietly through my teeth at him, “You’re going to get me in trouble, you jerk!” Ash chuckled, “Relax, I’m just messing with you man.” Lex grunted, “I swear it doesn’t matter how old guys get, they really don’t mature.” She side-eye glanced at her brother who bristled with the look she gave him.
A carriage from the Citadel was making its way into the front of the Batiste Manor. A tall thin figure stepped out of the carriage and strode up to the front of the house. Toby bowed to Lex, his ashy blonde hair falling around his face, “I am at your service, Your Grace. I shall endeavor to keep you safe while The Chalshin is away.” I laughed hard, “Can it Tobe. The Batiste Family isn’t much for suck-ups.” Lex rolled her eyes, “Look at you speaking for my family. He’s become so bold, Jess.” Toby stared at me, his deep teal-colored eyes boring into my own, “I’m just affording the lady the respect she deserves. As a Ligidew, I would be remiss not to at least show this courtesy being my family is merely one of a Count. The lady can tell me if she would like me to relax.” Lex giggled, “Well Derek is right in a sense. You can relax here. You can call me anything you want.” He smiled at her, “Then I shall call you what Derek calls you. What was it again Derek? Oh yeah, Her Royal Hotness was it?” I gasped and my face turned warm, “That was one time, Toby! You’re such a jerk. Besides, Lex and I both know there are no feelings between us. I see her much like a sister or cousin.” Jess looked at Lex and then back at me and smiled. I saw a more relaxed look on her face than she had before. Toby laughed, “I’m just messing with you. I shall call you Lex if that is okay.” She smiled and nodded, “Only if Derek is okay with that. He’s the one who dubbed me with that nickname.” I waved my hand, “There was a time that I probably would have had an issue with you using it but go ahead, friend. Oh and make sure you take care of young Teddy too.” Toby looked confused, “Teddy? I was not told of a Teddy staying here. I was only told of the Duke, Duchess, Lord Darren, Lex, Meldon, and Jesslyn Kellen. I will need to know where this Teddy is staying so I can get a lay of how the house is laid out and how I am to most effectively protect Lex.” Toby was known as the Methodical Tactician. He was measured in everything he did and nothing came without careful analysis and well-laid-out plans. It was exhausting at times. I was glad that I wouldn’t have to deal with him. He also wasn’t told of Ashton’s parentage since his family was connected to the Maignys. The General thought it best to measure the level at which the family could trust him with their secret.
Ashton sighed, “He’s speaking of Theodore Befent. He’s here to help care for Lord Darren.” Toby looked down at Alexandra sadly, “I had heard Lord Darren collapsed. I am sad to know he is in ill health. Please accept my sincerest wish that he hangs on for longer than he is given.” Lex sighed, “That’s what we are hoping for with bringing Teddy in. He’s absolutely brilliant at what he does. You really should meet him.” Lex was already talking Teddy up as she said she would do. She wanted to play matchmaker again but she never forced herself on people. She would ask but I don’t believe anyone turned her down knowing that she was the product of the Goddess of Love. I loaded my bag onto the carriage that Toby had just left. Jess stepped forward, “Promise you will be careful. We don’t know why Tyleesh disappeared and it is quite possible this could be a very dangerous mission.” I kissed her cheek, “I will be careful but you have to promise something to me when I come back.” She was blushing from the kiss I laid on her cheek, “What’s that?” I smiled down at her, “Let’s go have dinner in Tarn. I kind of want to discuss something with you.” She nodded, “If it keeps you safe, you can definitely take me out. Just be safe.” I nodded at her and tapped several spots on my body that clanked, “I will always be armed.” Lex stepped forward, “You have no idea how much we appreciate you doing this for my grandfather. I echo Jess’ desire for you to remain safe.” Jess was blushing harder now as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a yellow handkerchief, “This is a good luck charm for me of sorts, I want you to take it with you.” I gently took the handkerchief from her and stuffed it in my breast pocket, “I will keep it close to my heart, Jess.” She looked down and Lex threw an arm around her, “Careful, Derek, you’re going to kill the poor girl with that charm of yours before you even get to that date.” There was the famous Lex wit. I smirked at her, “I wouldn’t dream of her missing out. I’m going to get going now.”
I climbed into the carriage and took a nap while the carriage gently took me to Befent Estate. I woke up when we were nearing the house. Theodore’s parents were waiting for me outside. His mother had brown hair and grey eyes like Teddy, it was easy to see he took after her. His father was blonde with blue eyes. The Duchess stepped forward, “You must be The Chalshin. We are pleased to host you here at our home while you search for our son’s mentor. We are so grateful to The Batiste for lending her friend and bodyguard to us for this investigation. You are known as the Citadel’s best soldier so I am hoping you are able to find out more than we could.” I smiled at her, “I endeavor to live up to your expectations of me, Your Grace. Could we start with an interview?” The Duke gasped, “You don’t need to rest?” I shook my head, “Oh. No. I rested on the way here. I wanted to find out information as fast as I could. My friend, Lex, was hoping I could find him before…” The Duchess cut in, “I completely understand Her Grace’s desire. I just hope you won’t over-exhaust yourself for her sake.” I shook my head, “I think you misunderstood. She didn’t implore me to work fast, I’m doing it for her on my own.” She smiled up at me, “Then you must care for her a great deal. I can only hope my Theo finds someone someday that he can care for like that. I had hoped his spending time with Alexandra Batiste would yield care for her like that.” I don’t think Teddy’s parents knew of his particular taste. It led me to wonder if he felt that his parents wouldn’t accept him in that way. He was their only heir so it isn’t like they could disown him. The law that Darren helped the King enact forbade that sort of behavior. That being said, it didn’t protect him from becoming estranged from his parents. If that was the case, I am more than certain Lex would shelter him.
We moved into the house’s study which was weirdly made of white marble and had a wall of windows. The Batiste Manor gave off a hunting lodge feel to their study whereas Befent Estate was more of an atrium. I sat down on a pillowy sofa while the two took their official seats. I pulled out a notebook that I had placed notes and questions in before I had left the manor. I asked, “Can either of you tell me if there was anything strange about the day Tyleesh disappeared?” Silence descended into the room as the two sat and thought until the Duchess spoke, “Oh I do remember Tyleesh was talking to a man in a hood. I thought that that was odd. I asked Theo about it and he said he had seen him before. He said that Tyleesh told him that the hooded man was a mentor to him of sorts.” I wrote down what she said, “Did you notice anything distinctive about the man?” She shook her head, “I didn’t get a good look at him. Did you ask Theo?” I nodded, “I did, unfortunately, he wasn’t able to describe him beyond that he was very tall. About my height. How about you, Your Grace? Were you able to see him?” The Duke shook his head, “Sadly, no. I think you’d probably have a better shot at someone in the stables or the gardeners having seen him better.” I nodded, “Okay. How about Tyleesh? Did he act strange that day?” They both shook their heads and the Duchess spoke, “Nothing out of the ordinary. He taught Theo a few lessons that day on how to do an analysis spell, which I heard came in handy helping out The Batiste.” I nodded, “He did help her out immensely. He was able to help heal her quickly.” His mother beamed at that confession and you can clearly tell that her son was her pride and joy. I wondered how she would feel once Teddy came out to them. I had hoped they would remain just as proud. A knock sounded at the door and I looked up to find Vanessa poking her head in the door, “Your Grace, I’m going to take my fiancé out for a stroll in your gardens if that is okay.” The Duchess waved at her, “That’s fine. Please give my regards to Lord Talon.” I turned to the Duchess, “I wasn’t aware that Ms. Tannen was here.” She giggled, “Oh yeah, they arrived yesterday. Talon proposed to her again during the sunset here. Befent Estate has the most beautiful sunsets, perhaps you can bring The Batiste here one day to propose to her.” She clearly thought I was in love with Lex but I was never in love with her, it was only ever just a crush on a beautiful woman. What’s more, I wondered if I could pick the brain of Talon on this investigation.
