My Glitched World Throne System Came Ten Years Too Early!
Chapter 31: Frederic

Chapter 31: 31: Frederic

The carriage rumbled steadily along the dirt road, leaving the Whitemane Estate far behind.

After roughly an hour, the outline of a decently large village gradually appeared in the distance.

Wooden houses stood scattered across the roadside, thin trails of smoke rising from several chimneys.

’’Riverwood Village,’’ Roderic muttered, glancing outside.

As they reached the center of the village, the horse began slowing to a halt.

The coachman climbed down first before opening the carriage door.

’’We’ve arrived, Young Master,’’ he said, bowing respectfully.

Roderic stepped out onto the stone road, his eyes sweeping across his surroundings.

Compared to the wooden houses he’d seen before, the center of the village was much different. Stone houses with wooden roofs filled his sight, surrounding a lively marketplace where merchants and villagers busily went about their day.

Yet, in the distance, he could still clearly see the farmers working the fields.

’Beautiful,’ Roderic thought, nodding once. ’And everything smells so much fresher too!’

Just then, Edmund stepped out of the carriage.

’’Where to, Young Master?’’ he asked immediately.

Roderic glanced around the marketplace once more before looking back at him.

’’I’m looking for someone named Frederic Hales,’’ he said. ’’He should be a stablehand here.’’

Edmund nodded immediately.

’’I’ll ask around.’’

It didn’t take long before one of the nearby merchants pointed them toward the western side of the village.

’’The stables are just down that road,’’ the man said. ’’I don’t know anyone with the surname Hales here. But if you want a Frederic, you’ll find him there.’’

Edmund smiled and thanked the man before turning back to Roderic.

Without any delay, the two of them headed down the road.

’’Riverwood produces some of our best horses,’’ Edmund chattered on happily beside him. ’’Many of the barony’s cavalry mounts are raised right here.’’

After only a few minutes, the busy streets completely disappeared, replaced by a dirt road between massive plots of land with horses grazing on them.

Finally, they reached one of the many large wooden stables.

Roderic nodded as he looked across the rows of horses.

Stablehands hurried between the wooden barns, hauling hay while others brushed down the animals.

Before long, a plump middle-aged man noticed the special Whitemane crest on Roderic’s coat and hurried over.

’’Young Master! Welcome to Riverwood Village.’’

’’Thank you,’’ Roderic nodded once.

The man bowed respectfully.

’’My name is Walter, Young Master. I oversee these stables. Is there anything I can do for you?’’

Roderic’s gaze wandered across the stable.

’’I’m looking for a young stablehand,’’ he said. ’’His name is Frederic.’’

Walter blinked once, completely caught off guard.

’’Frederic...?’’

His eyes drifted toward the back of the stable before returning to Roderic.

’’May I ask what this concerns, Young Master?’’

’’Nothing serious,’’ Roderic replied calmly. ’’I simply wish to speak with him for a moment.’’

Walter hesitated for a moment.

’’I understand,’’ he mumbled.

Even so, he remained standing where he was.

After a brief silence, he let out a small cough.

’’If I may be so bold, Young Master... Frederic is merely a stablehand. If there’s anything you require, I’d be more than happy to handle it myself.’’

Roderic smiled faintly.

’’I appreciate the offer,’’ he said. ’’But I’d still like to speak with Frederic.’’

Walter immediately lowered his head respectfully.

’’Of course, Young Master. Please follow me.’’

Turning around, he began leading the way through the stable.

As they walked, the stablehands they passed looked up in confusion before quickly stepping aside and lowering their heads in respect.

Eventually, Walter came to a stop near the back of the stable.

There, a young blond man was quietly brushing down the coat of a chestnut horse, completely focused on his work.

’’Frederic!’’ Walter called.

The young man immediately snapped out of his focus and looked up.

The moment he noticed Walter standing there, he quickly put down the brush.

’’Yes, sir?’’

Walter cleared his throat before stepping aside.

’’The Third Young Master of House Whitemane wishes to speak with you.’’

For several seconds, Frederic remained silent.

His gaze slowly shifted past Walter, finally landing on Roderic and Edmund.

’’M-Me?’’ he stuttered, pointing at himself.

Roderic smiled faintly.

Though Frederic was much younger, he easily recognized him as the image the Archive had shown him.

’’That’s right,’’ he said, taking a step forward.

Frederic stood there in complete disbelief, not even sure what to do or say.

Walter’s face instantly turned cold.

’’Watch your tongue!’’ he barked. ’’The Third Young Master has honored you by speaking to you personally, and this is how you respond?’’

Frederic flinched and hurriedly lowered his head, his body trembling faintly.

’’M-My apologies, Young Master,’’ he said nervously. ’’I just... I don’t understand why someone like you would want to speak with me.’’

Staring quietly at Frederic, Roderic’s smile widened.

’’It’s simple,’’ he said calmly. ’’I want you to serve under me in my personal knight order.’’

Complete silence fell through the stable.

Both Walter’s and Frederic’s eyes widened in disbelief.

For a moment, Frederic even wondered if he’d somehow misheard those words.

’’Y-young master...’’ he stammered. ’’You... you want me to become a knight?’’

Roderic nodded without hesitation.

’’That’s right.’’

The disbelief on Frederic’s face quickly turned into excitement.

His heart started pounding rapidly in his chest as he clenched his fists tightly.

Yet, before the excitement could fully settle in, his smile slowly started disappearing.

’’I can’t,’’ he said, lowering his head.

Roderic’s eyebrows rose slightly.

’’Frederic!’’ Walter barked. ’’Do you realize who you’re speaking to? The Young Master is personally offering you a knighthood, and you dare refuse?’’

Frederic lowered his head even further, his fist clenching even tighter.

Walter immediately turned to Roderic, forcing a flattering smile onto his face.

’’Young Master, if it’s capable young men you’re looking for... I have a son around Frederic’s age. He’s a hardworking boy with a good head on his shoulders. I’m sure he’d gladly—’’

’’Walter,’’ Roderic cut him off.

The stable owner immediately fell silent.

’’Flatter me all you want,’’ he continued coldly. ’’But don’t interrupt my conversation again.’’

Walter’s face paled slightly.

He hadn’t expected Roderic to call him out like that.

’’My apologies, Young Master,’’ he said, hurriedly lowering his head. ’’I overstepped.’’

Roderic didn’t bother responding.

Instead, he looked back at Frederic.

’’You said you can’t,’’ he said, narrowing his eyes slightly. ’’Why?’’

Frederic remained silent for several seconds.

’’It’s because of my mother’s illness,’’ he said, his voice low. ’’I have to help my sister tend to her.’’