Machinist of Mana Chapter 100 Between Siblings

“Please, sit,” I said to Kaylee as I closed and locked the door, no reason to risk someone else overhearing us.

“Um... sir, I really don't.” I gave her a look, and she sat.

Sitting in the presence of your employer was considered inconceivably rude for someone like a maid or member of staff. There were exceptions, jobs that needed to be done sitting down, but for the most part they stood when we were around, a measure of politeness I think.

“You can also drop the polite speech, at least in here and for now. We may have to pretend for others, but now that you know the truth there's no reason to when it's just the two of us.”

“You've told me that we're related, but not how you know. How do I know this isn't just something... I don't know.”

“People don't think little kids listen, but they do, I did, and my memory is sharper than you'd believe. Consider also how if I'd been wrong our father would've simply told me such, rather than that embarrassment. If you're truly worried we could have a priest check, that is well within the remit of their abilities.”

She was still in shock it seemed, still trying to process, taking her time. I let her, there really was no need to rush.

“So I'm a noble?” she asked.

“No, not legally at least. Barring an act from the king even if you did get confirmation from a priest without him recognizing you officially you'd be considered illegitimate. You could push for that, but if you do I'll warn you that you'll be a pariah. Without that paperwork signed by him I'm afraid that no well to do family would hire you, and while grandmother and grandfather Shadestone would surely take care of you they won't be around forever.”

“That seems terribly unfair,” she observed.

“It is,” I agreed. “I'm sorry.”

“Don't be, it's not your fault. Is there truly nothing you can do though?”

“I'm afraid not, he has to be the one to sign those papers. If your magic manifested fully we might be able to put pressure on him, but unless it does.” I ended with a simple shrug, that was all I could give her.

“I've heard there are medicines that can,” she suggested.

“Then you've also heard that those drugs are fatal. Not once have I heard of anyone surviving long after taking them to increase their power. A few years at most before it burns your body out and you die. Personally I'd appreciate it if you didn't take such measures.”

“Perhaps it would have been better to not know,” she mused.

“Perhaps, but now you do, and now at least I can make moves to help you I couldn't before. Father might be worthless on this account but I won't toss you aside, and one day I will be in charge of the family's estates. Until then I can at least help you without having to make up reasons or excuses constantly.”

“The items you gave us.” Good, she was smart, thinking about things.

“Were really only for you, I made the others just to hide the fact that I wanted you to have a proper weapon and shield should something happen when I wasn't around.”

“Thank you, that was kind.”

“You don't need to thank me, taking care of you is my job.” As I said it I thought back, back to a fictional character who'd told a foolish man the very reason older brothers are born first.

She snorted, “I'm pretty sure taking care of you is MY job, or it was.”

“Still is, father may be many things but foolish enough to think I would make a threat rather than a promise isn't one of them. You don't need to go anywhere, and if anyone tries to make you, contact me and I'll handle them.”

“Even the lady of the house?” she asked, referring to my mother.

“If I have to explain things to her I will, she'll be furious, but not at you. May make things more complicated in the long run though, so I'd rather not just yet.”

“I see.”

Plans on plans began to form in my head, but as they did I realized there was one question I hadn't asked.

“What do you want?”

“That's... I hadn't even considered it. I don't know.” Kaylee looked at me, and I understood. She was still in the processing stage, she needed time.

“You can stay as you are, working as you are, though with more backing from me. If I can get enough power both politically and financially I might be able to force father to acknowledge you one day, but that could be difficult, but possible.” Even as I said it I realized I knew several of the biggest players in the country, including the king, at least in passing. Those connections might one day serve to fix her situation, but that would be a major request.

“And then?”

“Well, you'd be able to stay either with us or with our grandparents as a full member of the family. It would be quite the adjustment, but it would be a good life.”

“I understand, if I wanted that what would I need to do?”

“The very best thing you could do would be to unlock your magic fully, and properly. There are no guarantees for doing so though.”

“I don't suppose you have any advice on that?” she asked.

“Well, you use fire right?” I asked, already knowing the answer. At her nod I continued. “Perhaps a greater understanding of how fire works and what it is would help.”

I got a small writing board from one of my drawers and began to go into it, not a normal commoner's understanding of fire from this world, but what I knew of it. Perhaps I'd not gone too deeply into chemistry on Earth, but what was well understood by high school students eclipsed some of the best theories this world commonly offered.

I told her how fire was a chemical reaction, and explained oxidation as well as I could remember it, about basic atomic structure and how those reactions worked. Honestly it was a bit of an information overload, but I simplified it as best I could. By the end her eyes were dry, but slightly confused.

When it was all done we walked back towards the servant's quarters, something I needed to pass on my way to my room anyway. She went in and only a moment later Mrs. Rider came out, looking at me with a face I'd not seen on her in some years, clearly she too had something to say.