Prologue Part 4
Some time had passed since Matteo had said his first words, and now he was nearing a year old. He sat on the large sofa while sucking on a rag that was soaked in honey, which had become his favourite snack as time went by. Then, Sylvia came into the room with a small bowl of warm puree in her hand. "Alright Lord Matteo, time for breakfast."Matteo's face lit up before he said with the most adorable enthusiasm, "Thylvia!"
"Oh my goodness! Look at you, you're filthy!" Sylvia exclaimed in shock. Matteo giggled while clapping his little hands. The boy truly was filthy. His white cross collar silk robe with a small black sash was covered in honey, and his hand, feet, and surrounding area was very sticky. Somehow, there was even honey on his face and hair. Sylvia sighed with her hand on her forehead then sat down next to him where it was not sticky. "All right. You, my Lord, are going to take a bath when we are finished here " Matteo replied, puzzled, "Again?" "Yes. You are" Sylvia answered with a chuckle. Matteo's smile turned into a pout as a tear rolled down his face.
"W-why are you crying?! Are you really afraid of taking a bath?" Sylvia asked in a panic. "I don't want to take a bath" Matteo mumbled through his tears. "Okay! Okay! I promise I will not give you a bath just please stop crying!" Sylvia wiped the tears and the snot off his sticky face then took a small spoonful of puree and gave it to him. "Here You go. Say ahh". "Ahh" Matteo complied. Matteo swallowed his first spoonful then looked to his side and saw "Mama!"
Isabella waved at him with a smile before walking out the room. Matteo tried to follow after her but "No! You have to finish your breakfast, my Lord!" Matteo started pouting again. "I want mama" "I am sure you do but she is busy right now. You are also busy" Sylvia said as she placed another spoon near his mouth. Matteo did not comply this time however as he broke down into a full on cry. Sylvia panicked once more as she looked around for anything to distract him, but in the end there was only one solution to her problem. "Lady Isabella!"
***
"Looks like someone's been spoiled a little too much by his mother" Isabella said with a chuckle as she took over for Sylvia. "My apologies, my Lady. He just would not stop crying for you" Sylvia said with her head bowed. "Oh, it's no problem at all. He is my son after all" Isabella replied as Matteo clung to her for dear life. "Mama, may I have thum more uney?" "Sure you may, but only after you have finished your breakfast, okay?" "Okay!" Matteo ate every last bite of food quietly and obediently as Sylvia just stared at his change of behavior in shock.
"There, all done!" Isabella exclaimed as she raised her hands in the air. Matteo raised his hands as well with a big, toothless smile on his face in celebration, "Yay!". "Alright, now it is time for your bath, my dear son." She picked him up and walked to the bathroom, Sylvia stayed back, still frozen in shock. "So you let your mother give you a bath but not me?" Matteo looked at her, laughed, then blew a raspberry.
***
Another two years later, General Thomas Dumont was in the library, conversing with his right hand man, Raphael. "And the Shelter? How are things proceeding over there?" Thomas asked with his arms crossed, face blank. "The Shelter is just fine, sir. Unfortunately it seems as though we will not be getting any real prospects for the time being." "I see" Thomas replies as he poured some brandy into his and Raphael's glasses. "The king wishes to further expand Callistea, he has his eyes specifically on the island of Baroka." Thomas said while staring at the ice in his glass. "Well, that should not be a problem for you, I reckon." Raphael said mockingly, "They are a mere Island, we are the mighty Callistea! And you are the finest General in the entire world! The king of the battlefield! Ha Ha! They will surely be no match for your brilliance."
Thomas smirked and put down his glass. He did not answer Rapael's praises. "Although, I do hope the king takes his time on this one." Raphael continued, "I plan on taking my family on holiday to Repitora. It has been ages since I last got to see them." A melancholic smile appeared on his face. Thomas added, "I see you already plan on using your 1000 Crayna bonus, eh?"
"Well, a thousand Crayna is a hefty sum, General. What else am I to do with it? But what about you? Have you any plans for your family?" "No, I do not. Matteo still has much more learning to do. He has just learned to read and write efficiently and I believe that any sort of holiday or outing shall only serve to slow his progress". "My goodness!" Raphael exclaimed, clutching his bald head. "Is the boy not only three years old?!"
"Yes, he is." Thomas chuckled. "That boy is something special, I tell you. He said his first words at only a month old, and learned to speak fluently a month later. He learned to walk at only six months and at only two years, he began to read and write all the basic material. He is certainly the biggest prodigy in our family's history" Thomas had to force that last part out. "Why he's the biggest prodigy in the nation!" Raphael shouted. "When do you plan on beginning his formal education?"
"Later in the year, once he has fully mastered writing. He will begin basic mathematics, as well as languages, literature and piano. He would have started earlier, however the Duchess seems to be strongly opposed to Matteo's early training despite the clear talents he possesses." Raphael frowned, "What nonsense! The boy is brimming with talent! While his peers are still sleeping and crying and making a mess everywhere, he is already on par with kids who are many times his age! And you mean to tell me his feats would have been more impressive had the Duchess not interfered?! Honestly, someone should remind her of her place."
"I agree" Thomas replied with a sigh, "Unfortunately my friend it is no longer lawful for us to do so." Raphael's hand curled into a fist as he said in frustration, "Ever since Queen Emilia wormed her way into the king's heart, women have started thinking themselves statesmen. Now they meddle in matters best left to men, and we're expected to thank them for it."
"Alas, there is nothing we can do." Replied Thomas calmly. "The king certainly does love to dote on his wife, and now that the laws have been placed it will be nearly impossible for us to revert back. The women have the power now and there is nothing we can do about it."
They then spent the next few hours discussing other mundane topics.
***
Matteo was currently in the back garden with his mother, watching her tend to the flowers. It was a starry night and Matteo was gazing at the stars, which had become his favorite activity over the past few years. "Mama, what are you doing? Come, let's watch the stars." "I am looking after our plants, my dear." She replied. "Why?" Matteo asked. " Because I like flowers." She said as she handed him a rose. "It's very pretty," Matteo said as he gazed at the rose in his hand. Matteo then turned his attention to the other roses in the area and noticed. "Ah, Mama! That one is sick!" He pointed to a white rose with withered petals. "You're right" Isabella responded, "Let us then heal it, shall we." Matteo stared at his mother, puzzled. "But mama, how are we to heal this flower, does it have special medicine?"
Isabella couldn't help but laugh. "No. However, I can still heal it like so." She placed both her palms near the rose and a few moments later, a green light appeared from her hands, surrounding the rose and revitalising it completely in a matter of seconds.
"Can you do it again?" He asked. "Oh, were you not stargazing like you normally do?" "I want to watch you mama. Please do it again" Isabella couldn't find it in his heart to say no to that adorable face. She went to another withered flower, held out her palm, and after a few moments, tiny sparks of green light appeared from her hand and wrapped themselves around the flower, and after a few seconds, the flower went back to its normal, healthy state.
Matteo had a look of wonder on his face as he went to another nearby rose and tried to emulate his mother. However it did not work. Hmmhh! " Why is it not working mama?" "Because you have yet to receive your Inheritance, Matteo" She said gently. "Well, when will I receive my Inheritance?" Isabella paused for a moment before reverting back to her soft smile, "When either me or your father passes away." Matteo was now even more confused. "When is that going to happen?" "Hopefully in a very very long time."