Chapter 3

Altair sat in the dining room with their family as he saw in the painting this morning and was busy with food on their respective tables. 

Altair’s father sat at the main table of the head of the family, to the right sat a woman who was also called mother by Altair’s sister’s daughters. They all have good -looking faces. 

Many people stood to serve the family who were eating there holding bottles of wine and trolleys full of food. 

Altair sat to his father's left calmly eating what was in front of him. Still trying to think hard about what is happening to her (Claretta) right now and thinking about how her mother is doing now?

So much so that making good food in front of Altair feels bland. 

“Mother look! Brother Altair cried. " said the youngest girl who was holding a glass of milk in her hand.

The woman didn't pay much attention to what was going on with Altair and said, "For someone who is about to have an adult event, he shouldn't cry."

"Moreover, he is a man," replied the woman called mother as she glanced at Altair.

"Unless he is aware of the mistakes and status that have been made, he always behaves dirty like his mother." add it again.

Altair's father just let out a clearing sound, put down a knife and drank a glass of wine. Altair still doesn't understand why people here behave like that. 

When Mary and the head maid found Altair naked, the maid said that the Duke had invited her to breakfast with a flat face.

"How are you preparing for the maturity ceremony?" asked his father.

Altair, who was asked that, immediately answered.

"Everything is ready, father," he answered flatly. 

It was strange when Altair, who recognized him as a stranger sitting next to him, now had to be called a father by him.

The shadow of death that befell him yesterday still lingers in his memory making his stomach and headache.

"Do it right for the dignity of the family and the empire," added the father.

"How can he be destined to be the successor of the family well, when he was born from the mother of a slave who became a servant. After being rescued, his mother behaved like a prostitute. " said the oldest girl.

Altair listened to words that were not unfamiliar to him. When he was still Claretta or already occupied the figure of another person, the only insult he could get.

"Dad, I'm done. Can I leave here? ” Altair asked.

"Yes," his father replied shortly.

The chairs squeaked and Altair left the dining table, those who were still busy with their food were not interested at all in Altair’s departure from there.

Altair's food was untouched and he went to leave them all.

As he was about to head to his room, Altair realized he could find information about the world in his family library.

Immediately Altair turned his footsteps and went to see Mary. Looking in every corner of the enormous mansion room, however, his steps seemed familiar as he walked down the mansion he had just seen for the first time.

Altair, who arrived at the kitchen, asked some waiters who were there.

"Where is Mary?" asked Altair who suddenly appeared at the kitchen door.

There was no sound or response for Altair. They were all silent and reluctant to answer Altair's questions because the servants feared the Duchess would persecute them if they were seen talking to Altair.

There was one male servant who had just worked in this family, unaware of the rules.

Anyone seen doing good to Altair will be physically punished.

"She's in the laundry, maybe now she's drying clothes." answered the waiter innocently.

"Thank you." Altair replied as he came out quickly.

After seeing Altair running out of the kitchen another waiter came to the waiter who answered Altair's question.

"Woe to you, if someone reports you talking to him you will definitely be tortured," said the friend next to him. 

The waiter turned to everyone with a look of fear hoping that someone would help him, but they hid to look at him, some smiled and grinned, some even didn't care to look away.

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" he asked in a confused tone.

"The Duchess did that to see who were the spies who dared to enter the Onder de family and dared to infiltrate on behalf of Altair's mother." he answered again.

"Just pray that you are under the protection of the gods." said another officer as he patted his shoulder. 

Altair ran through the backyard where the waiters used to dry clothes. Altair, who found the figure with short hair was behind him. Mary was drying a thick blanket and some clothes. 

The maids who were there saw Altair's arrival and began to whisper.

Altair approached Mary and patted Mary's shoulder who was shocked to drop the cloth, lucky Altair who was quick to pick up the cloth so that it did not fall to the floor. Mary turned and saw her master who was already standing behind her.

"A ... What's wrong, sir?" Mary asked in a nervous voice.

Altair who heard Mary's nervous voice was surprised, the intonation of Mary's voice changed every time they were in a place where there were many people, whereas if there were only the two of them he seemed to be normal.

"Please help me, I want to go to the library." said Altair, ignoring his surprise.

Mary wondered why her master wanted her to take him to the library. Altair is a child of the Duke family. 

"All right sir." answered Mary without asking again because Mary saw the gaze of everyone was watching them.

They finally left the clothesline. Everyone's eyes were still on until their departure was not visible.

"I'm sorry for my attitude earlier, allow me to introduce myself. I am Mary, and I come from the state where your mother came from. ”

"Can you tell me clearly the situation here?" asked Altair who was looking around.

Mary recounts her status and relationship with Altair's mother who was a slave from a poor country.

Their king embezzled his people's money only for their own pleasure and that of the royal family. Not only the King, the nobles there lived in luxury who relied on immoral taxes and extortion. Live with the compassion of other countries and empires. 

If rich-looking wanderers come to visit the country, they gladly lick the immigrants. Their people also behave like beggars who will always cling to horse-drawn carriages until they are given money. 

Altair’s mother was traded at the auction market in the state capital and they openly conducted the transaction in front of everyone who was seen by many nobles or small children.

At that time, Altair's father, Duke Leon Onder de, traveled to the country to make diplomatic agreements between countries and send envoys of witches. 

Duke Leon turned the chariot and his entourage into a shabby and shabby chariot before entering the country to avoid the uncomfortable attitude of the people of the country.

After Duke Leon's business was over, he and his entourage happened to pass by the slave auction place at the same time that Altair's mother was being auctioned by the auctioneer.

“Who wants to buy it? I will open it for 13,000 gold coins. ” shouted the large bald man.

“13,000 gold coins? Isn't it too expensive for an ordinary woman? ” asked another buyer.

"If you buy it, I guarantee you won't regret it." heard the head of the advanced auctioneer approaching one of the buyers in front of him.

The people who were there quarreled with the words that came out of the mouth of the chief auctioneer. Altair’s mother with her tattered clothes and mouth tied with the ship's ropes looked miserable with tears constantly flowing and trying to ask for help.

Since no one bought him, Duke Leon finally bought the slave at an agreed price. The Duke brought Altair's mother to the kingdom of Rhodes and made her a maid at the Duke's residence. 

Somehow Altair’s mother became pregnant and married the Duke. During Altair's pregnancy her mother was very ill. The Saintess who was there saw the word of the gods that she would have a son. 

From Duke Leon's marriage to his wife only 3 daughters were born. But Altair's mother had to die, because she could not hold back the birth of her child.

"I am your mother's niece, Master." answered Mary

"I am here because I heard that my cousin has been asleep for a month, so I am worried about you. I'm sorry for my rudeness all this time. " said Mary politely.

Altair was relieved that at least he could have and know someone who was kind enough to help him while he was in this family. On their way to the library. They passed a special force of knights belonging to Duke Leon practicing swords. 

Some wear armor, training shirts and some are even naked. Then a loud shout was heard.

"Oi." shouted someone from the troops there.