Chapter one
March 10th X912
1
It was his tenth birthday. The boy was round like a barrel and spoke with his chin up like he was looking down at everyone , even when they were taller than him. He strode around like he owned the place, which, to be fair, he kind of did, being the son of the Lord Protector. That came with its perks; he could talk how he wanted, dress how he wanted, and walk around how he wanted, and so he did. It was his birthday, so he was feeling even more full of himself than usual. He woke up that morning and waddled out of bed *clap *clap*. He brought his hands together, and out appeared a maid —pretty blonde one with blonde hair, green eyes, and jagged, beast-like teeth —a quarter Anthos woman. " Good morning, young master," she curtsied. " Happy birthday." The young boy hopped out of bed and spread out his arms, "Hmph yes i suppose it is that day" he said lifting his nose up at her with a hint of a smirk, The maid began to dress him up for the day, he didn't take off his own clothes he made her do it, The boy got a rise out of the servants undressing and dressing him many nobility did they were known for their "esentric" persanlties that sometimes bordered on indulgence or straight-up harassment. He was flabby, but he still liked to show off and flex for some reason. Under those rolls was a bit of muscle from his sword training.. Only a little though," The pants need a little tightening " he looked down at the maid with a grin Today, he was wearing a noble outfit that didn't quiet suit him, He had on a tailored waistcoat woven with wool, Knee-length trousers with a high-button shirt with a cravat or ribbon tie. It was the staple of Ymadaellon attire. He posed in the mirror. "Ah, I'm as dashing as ever, aren't I, Emilia?"The maid's brow twitched. "My name is Clairce," she could've corrected—but she'd only been working here a month. There was no point. Knowing he probably would never get it. "Yes, young master, you're as handsome as ever," she said with a big, bright smile. With his outfit chosen and his ego inflated like a balloon, he strutted out of the room. As the young Joshua stepped out of his room, the hall was filled with servants, Maids on the left and butlers on the right. The staff was mostly human, but like the maid before, there we a few anthos mixed in like They bowed as he walked out, "good morning, young master, happy birthday" They all said in unison, Joshua smiled with a wide smile that would send the shivers down any young maidens spine. "Yes, yes, it is that day, isn't it?" he walked down the hall with his hand behind his back, his head turned up and his nose in the air. He walked into the dining hall where his family had begun sitting.. As he approached his chair, he heard a soft young voice, "Happy birthday, young master.", The small figure hopped on his wide, wide shoulder that was built like a mushy boulder. The Bwbachod girl, who enjoyed cleaning and was a petite figure, was the size of a four-foot porcelain doll. She wore a forest green patchwork shawl with thread autom colors. Her eyes are the color of moss and an old stone with a hole in the middle around her neck. She could get into little nooks and crannies and lived inside the walls of the manor, which creeped out some staff…No one hired her, she just showed up out of the blue one day and started cleaning the bathroom and busting the library, since she came from the spirit realm, no one dared to question it, their kind only perplexed humans the more they tried to learn about them. "Your turning ten today right young master" the Bwbachod stood on his shoulder, "What have i told you about climbing on me hearthkeeper?" he said turning his head away from her "i've a naame y'know-blessed give by Dear Lord Protcor when have've no shelter, call me wrong again, you barrel and ill twist your hair to kelpy seed!" she gently tugged on his hair, "yeoow your crummy little gobll..owow i mean Cordelia!" he brushed her away " "Aha, so you do recall my name! Took you ages, but still—no shame.Ten today, correct? So odd, your kind. Age means nothing when you've gotta dust, wipe, and sew...But still, lad—happy day. Don't waste it with sulkin'" The little Bwbach hoped of his shoulder and waved while h=going back into the kitchen, "Annoying old hag" but he wouldn't say it to her face Bwbachod were know to be Vindictive when insulted or unapreicateed, theyd sour milk, or put ash in yoru shoes and he didn't wanna deal with that little devils mischief on his only tenth birthday
2.
At the table sat is mother and three of his siblings, His little sisters Kelsy & Jane sat happily at the table being attended to, his more meek older brother Hendrick was there looking in a daze as always pooking at his toast, and finally his mother Helga, who was always looking after the young ones sat as well.. "MM, happy birthday, big brother Josh! " Yes, yes, happy birthday, big brother Josh!" Kelsy and Jane chirped, "ah..oh yes.. Happy birth.. Birthday.. Little brother.." Hendrick say shakily pushing back up his glasses "yes yes happy birthday to me, no need to make a big huff about it " Joshua said crossing his arms rsinng his nose up at his siblings . One of the maids pulled out teh chair for him to sit on and he plopped down, "creeeak" the chair gave out a distic sound, "..." no one said anything. His mother Furrowed her Brow "..Happy birthday dear" she smiled, 'Thank you mother" , As he got settled one of tfhe maids put a napkin unde his chin tucking it inside of his shirt as she bent over he took the opportunity to stare at her chest a wide grin spreading across his face "Ahem" his mother cleared her throat Today we have very important guest coming over a few from out of the country will be arriving to show off their graitue and loyalty to not only you but to your father as well" she started " yeah yeaj i know they just wanna rub elbows with the old man" he tried stabbing the grape tomato with his fork but cound't quiet get it, " I suppose father will be here to attend this time?" he said finally managing to get the tomate just for it to fall off his fork and plummet to ground. ".." Cordelia came and swifty swept it up with her dust pan that was aboud her size perfectly that she conquered then swifty took it to the trash her little feet pattering away. Joshua was ecstatic; in all reality, getting to show off in front of others that he was better than them, especially his peers, was a favorite pastime of his. His father being the Lord Protector, meant his family was at the top of the hierarchy. However, Ymadaellon wasn't entirely independent; his father still weighed in on his name. "He'll be here tonight, yes, make sure to behave yourself." She looked at him. "Dear mother, when have I ever misbehaved…
3
As the day went on with the planning, baking, and decorating, Guests from far and wide arrived at the manor,to foreign emissaries, even the local lords attended. One of them was Fiadh, High Warden of Raonach. Joshua had met the little fae before." Ah Young Joshua , happy birthday! Fiadh did a little courtesy while floating in mid-air wearing a tiny green dress made of what seemed to be leaves. " I dous't believe this is a day to remember."Hmph, you better not have cheaped out with your gift this year, Pixie, last year was laughable at best." he huffed, "and what's with the pompous voice? you got gold up your-?" He raised his nose at her, a vein popped out on her forehead and she took the opportunity to use her tiny fist to shove it inside his nose " "listen you barrel brat i had to fly my ass out here on a carrige that smelled like cabbage and this is the treatment I get I swear you always-" Just then a woman appeared "Lady Fiadh please behave yourself were in public" she pulled her back by her wings " Call me a pixie again i dare ya i dare ya!" she pumped her tiny fist. "My apologies Lord Joshua, she gets grumpy when she doesn't have her evening nap" she was a beautiful druid woman with long green hair and pale skin, Joshua rubbed his nose, "its fine" he iimeddity he sunk to his kness and took her hand rubbing her knuckle with his stuby thumb " You being here lady Ariel makes up for her tantrums " he kissed her hand " But Aerial he compared me to that lessor race! Let me sock 'em!" She rolled up her (non-existent) sleeve, flexed her arm, and rose her chin high — the kind of stance that made you think she could throw gods or kettles, whichever came first.. That is, if she weren't so tiny, Ariel bowed and went on her way, pulling Fiadh along.
4
As the afternoon approached, the rest of the party went well enough; he was showered with gifts from nobility and lords, one of which was a crated statue of him, "Hmph you really think I look like this? How insulting.. Off with his head!" WHACK! His mother knocked him upside the head and push his head down in a bow "thank you for your thoughtfulness its fine craftsmanship, "err no problem" the noble scratched his hea and walked away, Fiadh presented him a figure as well, onen of Ariel "Hmm what am i supposed to do with this" he asked "it has adjustable expressions and outfits.. The clothes come off with a push of a button., I may have underestimated your Gift giving pix-, I mean lord Fidah, he bowed, "Mwahaha! Now that's the kind of respect I like!" CRACK the doll and snapped it in half. "Dear me, apologies, lord Joshua, I seem to have broken your present, please forgive me." She bowed and brought Fiadh with her, "But I spent the rest of my allowance that..." Meanwhile, his father was meeting and talking to the fathers of the noble daughters, all of whom didn't quite suit his fancy; they were either too fat, too skinny, too loud, too quiet, or too Ugly. "No, no, and no. " Rhys, the Lord Protector, felt lost; in this part of the world, reaching adulthood at sixteen wasn't uncommon, and marriage at such a young age wasn't unheard of. He knew his son well enough, and if he kept this attitude out of boyhood, it would only cause problems in the future. He would sexually harass the staff with no discrimination towards their race, be it Mytho, Human, or Antho, but was picky with choosing a bride. Rhsy was at his wits' end at what to do with his youngest son. "Hm, who's she?"He looked over at a girl near the food table, stuffing her face with desserts. She had Soft brown hair that reached to her mid-back and pretty Amber eyes; you could tell she had a strong psychic presence, even with her mint green, shoulderless dress. "Hm, she's of the Nico family. She's about a year and a half older than you, " His father said, slumped. People were starting to leave, but a few stuck around. Joshua raised his nose and clapped. The maids fluffed up his suit, and he strode to the girl." Here is where his infatuation began.